Hey remember what it was like when we used to try?When I play soccer I end up getting mad a lot. On the field I try and keep my huffing and swearing to a minimum, but as my wife will tell you, once I'm back in the car I usually let the swears fly. As hard as I try to remember it's just a game there are 2 or 3 things that can really get under my skin. The absolute foremost of which is when my teammates just stop trying. I don't care how good or bad you are skill-wise, if you don't hustle do everyone a favor and sub yourself out. There's nothing wrong with getting undressed by a player with crazy skills, but letting someone prance their way into the midfield because you don't want to track back is inexcusable.
Let just say that last night I'm glad I wasn't Rio Ferdinand. Manchester United fielded an odd formation that worked really well for them against Arsenel. By my count they had 4 defenders (if you count John O'Shea as a defender) 5 Midfielders and a striker that likes to track back all the time. Still with 4 defenders and 5 mids they couldn't come up with a single guy to guard Silvinho? Or Xavi? Or maybe an extra man to mark Messi? Worse, even with all those guys not getting back to help on defense they still couldn't find anyone open when they did have the ball.
The Red Devil's midfielders didn't just play a poor game, they played a disinterested, lazy game. Maybe they were more interested in seeing the Colosseum later that night than they were in hoisting the cup.
So, Congratulations to Barcelona. Not only did you capture the hearts and souls of every insufferable soccer hipster this year but you captured another trophy to rub in the face of Real Madrid. And Manchester United, next time I leave work early to catch a final it might be nice if you put in a little effort. I'm looking at you Anderson, Carrick, Giggs, Park...
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