It has been more than a month since the resumption of football activities especially in various countries around the world, especially in Europe. As a passionate lover and follower of football across Europe, weekends were no longer perceived as weekends due to lack of football-related activities.
2019/2020 football schedules experienced a sudden halt in the month of March. French league and Dutch league were cancelled by their respective authorities. Although the french league adopted the point per game average and awarded the title to
Paris Saint-German. On the other hand, dutch league cancelled their league without adopting any method to finalise who gets what and who doesn’t, which means no trophy was awarded and no teams were relegated neither was any team promoted to the major league. It is worthy to note that the sudden halt and the sudden cancellation of various leagues across Europe were as a result of the covid-19 pandemic. Since its pandemic in nature, the world had to re-align to control its spread.
The world was filled with excitement when announcements were made regarding the resumption of this session’s football activities. The sad aspect was that every match will be played inside a closed door, a condition that is not familiar with most players and coaching staffs. It is important to note that the presence of supporters in a stadium adds a very unique taste to each and every match, but the authorities in concern had no choice but to take this drastic step for the safety of all parties involved.
A lot has happened since the resumption of football matches in Europe. My favourite team (globally) won the la Liga title beating Messi’s Barcelona for the title. Consequently, my favourite team in England won the premier league title, bringing an end to a 30 years league title drought. Incidentally, two out of my three favourite coaches are in charge of the two teams (in the person of Zidane and Klopp). In another team is my third favourite coach (Mourinho) who was victorious in a North-London derby match. Mourinho not only won his match against Arsenal, but his team is also positioned in the league where it has been adjudged that they will finish above Arsenal who happens to be his arch-rival.
Talking about Arsenal, they did remarkably well by beating Liverpool and Man City in the same weak, quite unthinkable. It was quite unthinkable for spectators to predict a loss for them (in their next match) after that wonderful feat, behold they lost to a relegation-threatened team. Such is football though!
Another league that is worthy of recognition is the Italian league, also known as
Serie A. So far, it has been the best league to watch since the resumption of football leagues in Europe. Most of the matches were highly competitive, well played, and beautiful goals were produced in the process. Teams were resilient towards their opponents which led to positive aggression in almost all the matches that were played soo far. Juventus needs just one win out of three matches left to retain the title for a successive record of nine times.
Some of the players that brought light to the league are; Cristiano Ronaldo, Lukaku, Ibrahimovic, Immobile, Rebic, Dybala, Calhanoglu, Caputo, Alexis Sanchez and some fantastic players from Atlanta FC. The Italian league can be as competitive as the premier league if they sustain the tempo, skills and teamwork they are currently displaying.
League, I will conclude by wishing Man United, Chelsea and Leicester best of luck as they go into their final match this Sunday battling for the league’s final two spots to qualify for next season Champions League.
Sadiq is a Realmadiridsta, writes from Kano, Nigeria.
