Offside News

Features

Brand new season, same old rivalries

Comment: 0 August 10th, 2011 by: admin

THE world’s No. 1 player against the planet’s most expensive footballer; Spain’s two most popular sides revving up for another stretch of skirmishes; and England’s titleholders preparing to take on a slew of challengers to their throne led by their long-time adversary.

From Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo, Barcelona to Real Madrid, and Manchester United to the rest of the competitors all over Europe, it’s all systems go for the start of the 2011-2012 football season in Europe.

As the curtains are being raised on various fronts throughout the continent, the common denominator that makes hostilities on the pitch this part of the globe stand out from others would once again be flaunted – rivalries.

MESSI VS RONALDO

Messi and Ronaldo, football’s megastars, have dominated the scene the past few years and whether we like it or not, they are bound to make waves once more.

The biggest story the last time out revolved around Messi. The classy Argentine forward-winger led Barcelona to the La Liga and Champions League titles, displaying masterclass that justified his status as the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year.

But Ronaldo remains his strongest rival. The prolific Portuguese striker outshone Messi in the scoring parade as he set a single season-record of 40 goals in the La Liga. Also, Ronaldo’s 53-goal total surpassed Messi’s output in all competitions.

However, despite spearheading Los Blancos’ success in the Copa del Rey at the expense of Barca, Ronaldo was outshone by Messi at season’s end by virtue of that La Liga-Champions League double.

For the upcoming battles, expect the two to make the usual daunting raids at the net. The 5-foot 7 Messi dubbed “The Flea’’ is a sight to behold when at his best making those dizzying weaves around defenders, while the 6-foot-1 Ronaldo dribbles just as deftly and possesses the same awesome speed to shake off stoppers, notwithstanding his patented yet controversial “dives’’ that round up his playing style.

There are more aspects to draw comparisons between the sport’s most popular figures but what is really keeping everyone up as soon as they wear their jerseys and boots back is the question as to who will outscore who at the end of the season.

BARCELONA VS REAL MADRID

The bad blood between Messi and Ronaldo spills over to their mother teams — powerhouses Barcelona and Real Madrid, respectively.

Both players’ apparent dislike for each other is as heated and intense as that of Barca and the Los Blancos in the “El Clasico,’’ and this is one of the reasons why the Spanish League never loses its lustre.

Looking back, the Catalan giants lost 0-1 in the Copa del Rey but they had the last laugh. They captured their third consecutive and 21st overall crown in the Spanish top flight, and then climaxed their triumphant campaign by annexing the Champions League. Barca had earlier mowed down their fiercest enemies in the semifinals of the tournament to complete their vengeance.

They will continue to strive for domestic and international dominance, with the La Liga, and hopefully the Champions League, looking every inch to become their war zones again.

No other side has come close to breaking this Barca-Madrid monopoly in Spain since 2004, giving way to notions that they could be crossing paths again in the clash for the championship.

With Real Madrid hell-bent on dislodging Barca and the latter showing no intention of leaving the apex, expect more fireworks in the La Liga.

MANCHESTER UNITED VS MANCHESTER CITY

In England, all eyes will be on Manchester United. Being the defending champions, United will be a marked side, the one every Premier League opponent would love to dislodge after the smoke of battle dissipates next year.

Because of their glorious past that has spawned numerous titles, United found themselves getting engaged in various rivalries, but none is more prominent than their showdowns with Manchester City.

In the history of English football, both attracted the highest attendances with City recording 84,569 in 1934 and United posting 83,260 in 1948. Both clubs are also a boon to Manchester, combining for 410 million pounds in revenue (United 286 million pounds and City 125 million pounds), in 2010.

Moreover, a total of 8.3 million people watched the first leg of the 2009-2010 League Cup semifinal on television, while over 10 million viewed the previous FA Cup semifinal on terrestrial television.

Their storied rivalry has so far translated into 159 competitive showdowns since April 16, 2011 with United enjoying the head-to-head edge by winning 66 matches against City’s 43. They settled for draws in the other 50 games.

The Manchester derby is tipped to dominate the scene anew in the next campaign and to serve as an aperitif; the Red Devils and City will collide in the Community Shield on August 7.

With the football faithful eagerly waiting for the next season to unfold, anticipation of the usual fast-pace action and controversy on and off the playing field is already fever-pitch. This is the time for the likes of Messi and Ronaldo to do business as usual, and for rivalries to heat up again.

More