By Gasper Crasto
One of the most famous goals scored by Maradona in the 1986 World Cup is known as the ‘𝗛𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗼𝗱’ goal because the referee nor the TV cameras could capture Maradona ‘fisting’ the ball into the goal with his hand.
After watching last night’s Champions League semis between Real Madrid v/s Man City, am pretty sure there was a 'Plan of God' in the dramatic result.
The logic & result behind Real Madrid’s victory defied all laws of football and made people who kept those records and stats, look like fools.
The match was like a PlayStation game.
We see so many kids and even elders of this generation playing the computer games on Play Station which look so realistic but are programmed.
How else can you sum up the game result?
'𝙍𝙀𝘼𝙇 𝙈𝘼𝘿' 𝙁𝙊𝙊𝙏𝘽𝘼𝙇𝙇
Man City, with 56% of ball possession, 10 shots on target against Madrid’s 5, were coasting to a comfortable victory – leading 2-0 aggregate (with 20 minutes left), till the 90th minute.
90 minutes of football (except for any injury time) is the end of the game.
However, like a pre-programmed computer game, Real Madrid scored 2 stunning goals in the 90th minute, and scored yet another one in extra time to reach the finals against all expectations of spectators worldwide.
I always believe in these kinda Indian-Hollywood-type scripts of emotional and dramatic results in sport; but this one was really top class and unbelievable.
As much as I believe, I hate the one-sided commentary of English commentators (on Bein Sport) that includes my all-time favorite - the ripe old Martin Tyler.
The English like to babble and peg their teams; they did that for 90 minutes praising Man City, their players, strategy, their attempts on goal, their ball-possession, and their chances of winning the final too. At the end of the game, I could have thrown an egg on their faces!
𝙋𝙀𝙋 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝘽𝙇𝙀𝙈𝙎
If any of my friends who watched the game, were given a chance to be Man City coaches last night, am sure they would not sub their best players. Pep did that. Terrible substitutions.
Why? Pep was greedy, he wanted to rest the best to battle the Premier League title?
Sitting comfortably on a 2-goal lead, not even a shot on target against them and he changes things.
Best coach in the world? He will live long to regret this defeat.
𝙒𝙃𝘼𝙏 𝘿𝙊𝙀𝙎 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙍𝙀𝙎𝙐𝙇𝙏 𝙋𝙍𝙊𝙑𝙀?
I am a neutral. I like watching Man City - they are a great team who play amazing football. It is still somehow satisfying for everyone that they (along with PSG) are unable to buy the champions league trophy though.
The result proves, one can buy anything in the world except the Champions League!
After spending billions, the Qataris and Abu Dhabi Sheikhs won’t be happy that they are not able to win the only trophy that is eluding them.
On the other hand, Madrid beat all 3 oil clubs in the knock-outs - PSG, Chelsea & Man City.
The game is fantastic for football nonetheless.
Traditional top teams have spent years to cement their places as elite clubs. But some tycoons, with money to burn, including our Ambanis just pour money into their teams.
I never want to see money & pride (Mumbai Indians, Man City, PSG) win trophies.
𝙃𝙖𝙡𝙖 𝙈𝙖𝙙𝙧𝙞𝙙. 𝙒𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙙𝙤𝙣𝙚!