Bad start to the week, & I'm not a happy man

It hasn't been the best start to the week, & I'm not happy. Why? I'll tell u why. Because Real Madrid (who are Barcelona's sworn enemies) won the Spanish championship for season 2006/2007. That's the outcome that I least wanted :( :(

Actually, it's not so much Real Madrid won it, but Barcelona lost it. The title looked Barcelona's to win months ago, but Barcelona's recent inconsistent form meant they tossed away a big advantage the league standings & let Real Madrid overhaul them in the run-in to the season end. Real Madrid & Barcelona actually finished the season level on points. However, the Spanish La Liga rules deem that teams level on points shall be separated by the head-to-head results. In the 2 matches between Real & Barcelona this season, Real won 2-0 & drew 3-3. So Real had the better head-to-head record, & therefore take the title. Basically, Barcelona paid the price for not beating Real once this season. Had the rules in Spain been the same as the English Premier League (which separates teams on goal difference), then Barcelona would have been champions - Barcelona's goal difference is +45 compared to Real's +26.

Yeah, ok, some credit to Real for their persistence which saw them gain momentum at the right time & put together a string of consistent results that saw them triumph. But Barcelona gave it away - there's simply no other way of looking at things. And there's no way I can say Real Madrid are the best team in Spain. There was a point in time, quite a while ago, when I would admit that Real Madrid are superior. Not anymore. All Real Madrid did this season was merely take advantage of Barcelona's various slip-ups. And despite those slip-ups, Barcelona remain the more flamboyant, more entertaining team. But the thing is, in the football world, it's the results that count, & Real got the necessary results.

So, now that the season is over, the onus is on Barca coach Rijkaard & the Barcelona squad to review & reflect on the season, see where they have gone wrong & look to avoid such mistakes in the future. Really, it's not all doom & gloom. Barcelona are in good hands, & there's no reason to feel inferior or totally downcast. They may have to make some changes here & there to the way they do things, in order to improve their consistency next season. If they can do that, then Barcelona will surely regain their Spanish & European crown. Hala Barca!! Bring on next season!