2011-2012 SEASON: 5 LESSONS LEARNT....

Lesson 1:

Sometimes, playing the best football does not mean winning a thing. Ask Barcelona. They were the team to beat in the UEFA Champions League matches. They demolished opponents with ease, sent thousands of opposition fans into delirium and tears, but they never made it to lift the 'Big-Eared' trophy. Two matches in the semi-final against Chelsea saw the much-touted Barcelona bow out of the competition, with everything in their pockets but a win against the weakened Chelsea which had seen an under-performing coach fired! The trophy headed to London for the first time in the UEFA Champions League history. And the Blue side of the London celebrated. And rightly so!

Lesson 2:

Sometimes, being the top does not guarantee you will win the prize. Ask Manchester United. They were the team that led the English Premier League table for a better part of the second half of the season. Up until the last day, up until the last five minutes of the season, they were the team to crown league winners. Things just never added up. Two quick goals meant the much-fancied trophy headed to the city rivals, Manchester City! And the Blue-half of the city celebrated, and rightly so.

Lesson 3:

Sometimes, being noisier adds up to nothing. Ask Liverpool. They were the noisiest of the team in the Premier League despite the fact that their team was ever doing badly. Is it something to do with diehard enthusiasm? Whatever! Up until the last day, the fans made all the noise in the stands, they made sure the team never walked alone...but it mattered little as the team finished, well, far-down the table that they missed dearly on the chance to the 2012-2013 Champions League season. That was a too bad season for the RED KOPS!

Lesson 4:

Sometimes, being the best ain't all the best there is. Ask Tottenham Hotspurs. They played sublime football, won difficulty matches home and away, and scored killer goals. How the team will not feature in the 2012-2013 Champions League season is just cruel. They did their part, finished the fourth position on the table and thereto qualified for the CL qualifiers stage. Just how they won't be there is as cruel as it feels. We do our part, the fate does its part. They made a point though...to dare is to do!

Lesson 5:

 

Sometimes, starting poorly at the start of the league may not mean the end and the doom. Just ask Arsene Wenger and Arsenal! At the beginning of the league, the team shuttered, concerned an embarrassing thrashing from the Red Devils and at one time lie among the relegation candidates. There were loud whispers of dissatisfaction on the coach. How Arsenal turned the fortunes and ended up the third in the league is nothing short of a lesson. The point is, you may be weakened in all faculties but attitude may strengthen you if you master enough of it. They did their part admirably and that is why they will be there to savor Champions League games come next season. Who knows, if only they can up the belief, maybe they will copy the ways of their close door neighbors Chelsea and cause another shock in the world of the Champions League!