The Champions League
Given that Roma recovered from a 3 goal deficit to beat Barcelona last round and Juventus very nearly did, it’s certainly not ‘job done’.
Bayern have come in for flak for their somewhat sterile performance against Real Madrid but few have commented that they went into the game without keeper Neuer and influential midfielder Artur Vidal and then lost Jerome Boateng and Arjen Robben in the first half. It also took some fine saves from Real keeper Navas to keep them in the game.
Liverpool’s victory was marred by the tragic scenes of hooliganism just outside the Shankly Gates. I spoke to Stefano Ursolini who said Roma’s fans are amongst the worst in Italy. He fears for the safety of Liverpool fans. One of the favourite tricks of Roma taxi drivers is to drop away fans at the home end so that they have to run the gauntlet – buttock-slashing being the house speciality.
According to Stefano, Italian clubs have turned a blind eye to such conduct from the ultras for years out of fear. It’s now up to UEFA to intervene with banning orders with clubs with a long track record of hooliganism. Apart from anything else the public needs to be protected.
Their very public campaigns on racism, worthy as they are, should not constrain a public body of governance to address one of soccer’s ills.
Another country with a hooligan problem is Russia and I fear for the safety of fans there.
Not that we can be holier than thou here as the terrible attack on the Manchester City bus by Liverpool fans attests.
Still on the pitch it’s been a very enjoyable tournament. English clubs, save for Liverpool, faded at the last.
At least unlike PSG and Bayern, one club does not dominate year in, year out, and ensures a club has to play competitively in the Premier against tough opposition.
