Football Jambalaya

Spanish Supercopa … Hell Yeah!

It’s almost like the Champions League never ended. Real Madrid and Barcelona were back to do battle over the two legs of the Supercopa. The Copa managed to outshine the Community Shield as this fixture featured two legs of fantastic football.

The first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu saw Madrid fight back from a 2 – 1 deficit to claim a 2 – 2 draw. The opening goal was a beautiful exchange between Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil. Watch this combination this year. These two are dynamic footballers whose partnership looks to be blooming.

David Villa and Messi scored before half time to give the Catalans the lead before the break. David Villa’s goal reminded me a bit of the goal he scored in last years Champions League Final. Only this time it was Iker Casillas left grasping for air as the ball settled in the top right corner of the net. Former Red Xabi Alonso scored a scrapping goal at the 54^th minute tow draw the home side level.

Barcelona new boy Alexis Sanchez made his debut for the club and looked lively down the wing. This contest was without the venom we saw last year from these two sides. The only exception being Madrid’s left back Marcelo who tried to sever Leo Messi’s Achilles tendon with his Adidas.

The second leg of the Copa was a very entertaining game. The first half saw some excellent goals including the opening Andres Iniesta score. Iniesta coolly chipped Casillas after he was picked out beautifully by non other than chameleon eyes Leo Messi. Messi was then set up nicely by a clever back heel from Shakira’s boyfriend Gerard Pique.

Benzema scored a goal to tie the game at 2-2 before Cesc Fabregas set up Messi’s stunning winner. Revenge on Cesc was swift as Marcelo delivered a karate Kid style sweep of his legs. Marcello was shown straight red and the benches cleared in a “Brawl” that would make most baseball “fights” look tough.

You could see this coming. The second half was a very chippy affair. Madrid center back Pepe was throwing elbows at anyone who would get near him. Barcelona was doing more acting than a Wesleyan Arts College. And to top it all off we had “The Special One”, Jose Mourinho, tugging on one of the Madrid coaches ears. Then when he gets shoved for his school boy antics he gets a look on his face like, “What did I do”. What a prick!

These two sides are clearly the most talented in Europe. If they stay on opposite sides of the draw they should meet in the Champions League final.

EPL Week 1:

Manchester United win like they always do. They get an 80+ minute goal that bounces in off two defenders. Classic United. Ashley Young looked excellent in this game. He is going to have a terrific season. Rio Ferdinand and Nemja Vidic pulled out with injuries. Rio will be back soon while Vidic will miss 5 weeks. I see a Lou Gehrig situation coming on here. If SAF starts Phil Jones this week, the lad may never see the bench again. He is that good.

Manchester City pummeled new boys Swansea City 4 – 0 with their blue chip signing Sergio Aguero scoring two goals. Something excellent happened this game and I hope Man City coach Roberto Mancini was paying attention. When he substituted “The Human Yellow Card” Nigel De Jong for Sergio Aguero, his side sprang to life and scored four second half goals. Mancini can not play a midfield that contains both Nigel De Jong and Gareth Barry. They are two similar in style and both play the game so slow.

Chelsea and Arsenal both played out 0 – 0 draws.

Liverpool were held at home by Sunderland 1 – 1. Luis Suarez missed from the spot before redeeming himself with an excellent set piece header. Andy Carroll had a goal disallowed and new man Stewart Downing rattled a laser off the crossbar. Liverpool had 4 players making their home debuts in front of the Anfield crowd. I think they can live with the 1 -1 scoreline this week.

Whats coming up this weekend?

ESPN2 is showing Liverpool v Arsenal Saturday morning at 6:45 CST

ESPN2 is also bringing us some Monday afternoon football, showing Man Utd v Tottenham

Fox Soccer Channel is showing Everton v QPR and Chelsea v West Brom on Saturday

FSC is then showing a Sunday doubleheader featuring Wolves v Fulham and Bolton v Man City