Why Christmas brings no cheer to players and clubs in the Premier League

Even Jesus Christ can’t seem to get Premier League players and managers a break

The snow’s falling down, kids are enjoying their holidays, offices take an extended break and homes swell with festive cheer and celebration as Europe looks forward to Christmas and the impending New Year. Footballers too get a break, to put their feet up a bit and get some rest and relaxation while also getting time to spend with family and friends. After all, when the rest of the world’s celebrating, why shouldn’t they?

However, Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, Alexis Sanchez, Angel di Maria and the rest of the players in England’s top flight – are not sharing the same sentiments as they find themselves embroiled in the yearly rigmarole that is the ‘bonus’ fixture pile-up that the Premier League is associated with usually at this point in the season.

Unlike during their time in Spain in the last few years, the above quartet is not going to be enjoying a winter break this time around. A cluster of games are the presents that the league throws up to its teams, and their players and managers, who must curse their luck when they look at what their pals in the other leagues are up to.

It’s been a long-running debate on whether the Football Association (FA) should cease with this annual fixture congestion in keeping with what Spain, Germany, Italy and the rest of Europe’s top leagues do in order to aid English teams in the long run.

So far though, it hasn’t cut any slack with the powers to be as profit, viewership and cash, continue to ensure that players will be in their team strips four times in a span of 10 days between December 26 and January 5.

The rest of Europe

In contrast, the winter break is on after this weekend’s round of matches in the other leagues. The La Liga will resume on January 3rd, the Serie A on January 5th and the Ligue 1 on January 7th. That’s 14 days off for those teams at the minimum. The Bundesliga is even better, and reopens only on January 30th, resulting in a month of rest and recuperation for the likes of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Of course, Germany has only 18 teams and as a result has 40 matches lesser in its calendar, due to which they can afford a whole month off. But the other three big leagues have the same number of teams as the Premier League and get 14 days off. Ironically, despite that, the La Liga, Bundesliga, Ligue 1 and Premier League all conclude on the weekend of May 23/24; Serie A closes a week later.

So, the situation in England is great for television, great for some sections of fans who do enjoy the added football during the holidays, but how about the players and what effect does it have in the longer run, say for teams in the UEFA Champions League?

English teams in the Champions League knockout rounds

One trend that has been observed on an almost annual basis is that teams from the other leagues seem to almost fare better in the Champions League than those from England. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund seem to be able to find another gear as the competition moves into March and April.

Last year Manchester City, the eventual champions, were eliminated in the first knockout round by Barcelona, Arsenal likewise by Bayern Munich. Chelsea got to the semi-finals before being beaten by Atletico Madrid.

Last year’s Chelsea are in fact a classic case; they were going well in the Premier League and looking likely for a title run until their resources got stretched with a deep run in Europe. Manchester City benefited from having a deeper squad as well as bowing out early, allowing them to fully concentrate on the league.

This explains how they became champions last year despite being top of the table for a mere 14 days. And Liverpool had no distractions from the get go, a challenge they could not cope with this year, not being able to get past the group stage even.

The top three teams in England over the past five seasons (based on how they finished that season)

Looking at how the top English teams (in reference to order of finish that season) have gone in Europe in the last five years, it doesn’t make for good reading.

Of the eventual champions, Manchester United went the furthest in 2010-11 finishing runners-up to Barcelona. No runner-up has gone beyond the quarter-finals and likewise for the third-best team. The top Spanish and German teams are however, constantly making the quarters and the semis in Europe’s premier club competition.

Last year, it was an all-Spanish affair in the final and the year before that, an all-German one. Each of the top three Spanish teams last year made the quarter-finals while two German teams did. Chelsea were England’s only representative.

You might say that those stats merely state the obvious, which is that the Premier League isn’t ‘the best in the world’ as those ‘pundits’ would have you believe and that the players in Spain and Germany are so much better than the ones in England. While that isn’t entirely a faulty line of debate, all players, including the very best ones, need their rest and time to recuperate and when viewed in that context a 14-day period of no competitive action is gold dust.

Chelsea may be amongst the best in Europe this term, but the lack of time off could hurt them when they take on Europe’s big boys.

World Cup exertions

Like those layers of cake that you get around Christmas when you step into feasts, certain footballers this year had to deal with the exertions of playing at the quadrennial showpiece before returning to their clubs.

It wasn’t for no reason that players such as Eden Hazard, Robin van Persie and Pablo Zabaleta took some time to get going this season. Also, players associated with the Brazil team, the World Cup hosts, seem to suffering from a serious dip in form after their underwhelming campaign that ended in a humiliating exit at the hands of eventual winners Germany.

Fernandinho is a prime example of a player whose form has dipped this year over last season, while Oscar and Willian looked to be carrying a hangover for some time as well.
What would really irk the players is that even during such years, there is no exception made by the FA.

Is there any respite?

The fact that the Premier League is an extremely profitable money-spinning offering now probably means that the end to this hectic schedule is nowhere in sight in the near future. When Premier Leagues can charge upto £600 for children to become mascots, you know that its money over anything else.

Also, the fact that as a product it is being lapped up by audiences outside of England who are in fact the main drivers of television revenue probably means that the Christmas festivities for the players will continue to remain on the pitch.

Louis van Gaal is the latest manager to criticize the Christmas scheduling

As Louis van Gaal said recently critiquing this, "I am not happy - but I cannot change it - because I don't think it is good for the players that they play within two days of a (previous) match - two matches in two days.”

"In December it shall be like that. We also have family. I have a wife and kids, and grandchildren, and I cannot see them this Christmas. But I want to work in the Premier League, so I have to adapt, and I shall adapt. But I don't think it is good. It is not good for the players, nor for the family."

Perhaps it’s about time ‘the best league in the world’ lent a caring ear to its primary stakeholders in order to further the interests of its clubs in the long run and not just its coffers.

First impressions of the La Liga champions: Atletico Madrid look battle-ready

Atletico Madrid line up in the 1st leg of the Super Copa against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu

It’s always of great interest to follow the story of an underdog, what with their tales of courage and bravado in going up against stronger foes and being able to hold their own. The story of the underdog in sport occupies a special place, for it lends an added element of drama to their success.

Now Atletico Madrid are no longer underdogs, but they did start off as such a couple of years ago, before slowly but surely climbing the ladder and scaling the peak of the Spanish La Liga last year in a most memorable season. So there’s always that one question in the back of your head – can they do it again?

That’s a question that can never really be answered on the first day of the season, barring a feeble affirmative that merely tends to acknowledge the fact that, yes, they are contenders. But with all the goings on in the post-season primarily revolving around the departures of some of their star names, Atletico’s 2014-15 campaign holds much allure to see how they go.

Atletico keep Real’s stars grounded

They finished their campaign last season in action against city rivals Real Madrid in the final of the UEFA Champions League, where they were usurped by their more famous opponents as they made their way to capturing the holy ‘La Decima’. Atleti began this season against the same opponents two nights ago, this time in the 1st leg of the Spanish Super Copa at the Santiago Bernabeu, and this one too finished with the exact same score line after 90 minutes as was the case that night in Lisbon – 1-1.

In finishing with a draw and an important away goal to boot, Diego Simeone’s side showed much of the same characteristics that defined their campaign the whole of last season – grit, guts and gumption. They contained Real for much of the game and despite conceding a late goal that threatened to undo all of the good work put in, managed to hit back quickly before time expired to set up a very interesting second leg at the Vicente Calderon tomorrow night.

The New Boys

Los Colchoneros did not have the marauding presence of Diego Costa up front to lead the attack, nor did they have the evergreen David Villa, who confounded critics and naysayers last season who claimed that the former Barcelona hitman was past his prime. Who they did field was their €22 million summer signing, Croatian international Mario Mandzukic.

Mario Mandzukic did his best at harrying Sergio Ramos and Pepe through the game

Mandzukic is not even close to being the UWM (Ultimate Windup Merchant) that Diego Costa is, but he ticks the boxes in all other departments as a physical front man perfectly suited to Simeone’s needs. He’s aggressive and helps with the high press, putting pressure on the centre-backs and constantly being a thorn in their flesh. He did that to great effect on Tuesday night, managing to unsettle Pepe and Sergio Ramos in the heart of Real’s defence.

As seen from his spells at Bayern Munich and Wolfsburg before, Mandzukic never ceases to run, plus with his expertise in heading the ball and at set pieces, he seems a perfect fit in the system. And if anything, Mandzukic is a proven performer who has been consistently delivering the goods the last few seasons for both club and country; Costa had one magnificent season, but can he deliver those on a regular basis? We will find out in a few seasons.

We did get to see the other striker too in the closing stages of the game – Mexican Raul Jimenez, another tall striker. Jimenez looks to be a good replacement for Adrian, having scored well for Club America in the Mexican league the last two years, and has been picked up while on an upward curve. He did look to play more as a second striker though, bringing the others into play and exchanging places with them.

Antoine Griezmann had a good second half outing

Atletico’s most expensive summer signing, Antoine Griezmann, was also introduced on 57 minutes. The €30 million man, who had five impressive seasons at Real Sociedad, looked very impressive playing in a role akin tothe one David Silva plays for Manchester City. With his deft touch and eye for a pass, Atletico enjoyed a good spell of pressure post his introduction, and looked more dangerous going forward. It will be very interesting to see what Atletico can serve up when they have Arda Turan back, provided he’s still around at the end of the transfer window.

The core remains strong

New players are like new seasonings that you’ve picked up at the supermarket because your old ones are exhausted. So while it is natural that attention seemingly goes to the new recruits, much of what Atletico will achieve this term depends on their core, one that they have kept reasonably intact, with Costa and Filipe Luis the only departures so far.

Atletico’s strong core continues to be the foundation of the team

For two seasons running now, Atletico have had the best defensive record, fuelled primarily by how well organized they are and possibly having the best back four amongst all teams. Luis has left, but the strong resolute trio of Diego Godin, Joao Miranda and Juanfran are very much intact and provided another excellent defensive display against European champions Real, managing to keep their offensive weapons quiet. And that defence has been the bedrock of Atletico’s means to success upon which they have built on these past few years; so as long as that end is as fit and firing as ever, they should continue to do well.

The other combative members of the core – midfielders Koke, Raul Garcia and Gabi – were all in attendance too and in their customary workmanlike approach augmented the efforts of their defence really well. Garcia is just a phenomenal bloke for he is such a favourite of Simeone, someone who works his socks off for the team when not in possession and can play as the supporting striker when they need some impetus up front.

It was his goal that drew parity as he did what he does best, be in the right place to put away a Koke corner after the Real defence failed to clear it leaving him with just a clueless and hapless Iker Casillas to beat. He’s been in good form, having scored in the friendlies against Wolfsburg and Cadiz as well, and the goal at the Bernabeu was his fourth in three games in the space of 10 days.

Koke dispossesses Gareth Bale

Koke continues to impress. His delivery from set pieces is very, very underrated and is a vital ingredient of how the team is set up as they look to take advantage of set pieces to get into scoring positions. The 22-year-old was the subject of widespread speculation even before last season could finish, with many claiming that he would be off along with the likes of Costa to a ‘bigger club’. But as he announced over the summer, Atletico is where his heart is, and he would like nothing more than to help this team get better and win more trophies.

An Atletico product through and through, Gabi leading by example is like the master conductor who brings it all together on the pitch, and he led his team as always with a verve and gusto that far outstripped that of his counterpart, Iker Casillas. Importantly Atletico’s midfield managed to keep tabs on Real’s engine room of Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Toni Kroos.

A season of much promise for many reasons

The second leg of the Spanish Super Copa is tomorrow night at the Calderon. A year ago, Atletico lost the Cup to Barcelona despite not being beaten in either leg, thanks to away goals. They wouldn’t mind winning the same way this year.

As far as performances and integrating new units into the system go, Atletico seem prepared, you wouldn’t have expected any less from a side marshalled by a hard taskmaster like Simeone. There’s obviously no way that they are at 100%, but they’ve got the elements that served them well in the past up and running and chugging along nicely. They’ve done well in pre-season and came into the Super Copa clash unbeaten, always a healthy sign.

It may be surprising, and is possibly a fact that has been understated and looked over, but Atletico have spent €99 million on players this summer (yes, that is indeed true)! They have not come even close to that figure in previous seasons with last season’s figure being roughly 30% of that at €29 million!

It goes to show that Atletico are interested in maintaining their position at the top of the Spanish game and are not in it to be a short fuse. They have bought well in terms of players who would fit their style of play with no doubt an eye on how well endowed they are in certain hormonal capacities (refer Simeone’s famous statement at the end of last season).

Atletico still look to have a lot of fight left in them

They’ve been rebuking critics for some time now; last year it was argued that Champions League football would be a distraction and would hence strain a thin side thereby affecting league performances. But they won the league and made the finals of the Champions League, coming within a minute of doing the double.
It was argued even before last season came to a close that Atletico would suffer this term with the potential exits of their top men. While the losses have been sizeable, they haven’t been paralyzing. And from what we saw in the first game, the side bears a settled look about it.

More than anything else, this season promises to be a season of excitement. For we will get to see if  Atletico can get back to that high level after a winning season, maintaining that level of intensity and effort. And also as an interesting sub-plot, we will get to see how Simeone goes as a manager and how his journey unfurls from here on in as one of the top managers in the game.

Until now, Atletico were the hunters, and Simeone found it very easy to train his pack and get them motivated for the challenge. Now, they are the hunted, and how they respond to this challenge should make for compelling viewing.

There’s a line on the front of their jerseys that says “Land of Fire”; that of course is the tagline for their chief shirt sponsors, the country of Azerbaijan, but it is something that also so aptly defines what this club has come to represent under Simeone’s stewardship. There is still much fire and bite left in this dog and that’s why its bark should still be heard come the end of season.

Madrid beat Barca in second successive game

Barcelona suffered a second painful defeat in 4 days to their arch rivals Real Madrid as Los Blancos won their La Liga clash 2-1 at the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon.

Having been comprehensively beaten on their home turf at the Camp Nou in the Copa del Rey semi-final, the Catalans were looking to bounce back but instead ended the game on the losing side once more as a late header from Sergio Ramos sealed victory for Madrid.

Karim Benzema gave Real an early lead in the 5th minute opening the scoring before Lionel Messi equalized for Barca in the 18th minute. Messi scored his 18th El Clasico goal tying the record of Madrid great Alfredo di Stefano. With a draw looking imminent, Ramos rose highest to head home the winner off Luka Modric's corner with just 8 minutes to go.

The match itself was a lackluster affair with both teams looking content with a draw. Real boss Jose Mourinho left out his star names including top scorer Cristiano Ronaldo. Xabi Alonso, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira also sat out with the return leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 clash at Old Trafford coming up midweek. Barcelona meanwhile played an almost full strength side with only Xavi replaced by Thiago Alcantara in midfield.

Ronaldo was brought on with half an hour left in the game and he almost made it 11 goals in as many Clasico games as his free kick thundered off the post slightly after Ramos had given Madrid the lead. The game ended on a sour note for the visitors as a penalty appeal for a foul by Ramos on Adriano was waived off and keeper Victor Valdes was shown a second yellow and sent off for berating the referee on the decision.

The win sees the gap between the 2 sides cut to 13 points. It was Barcelona's first loss in the league at the Bernabeu in 4 seasons and have now won only 1 of their last 8 Clasico's; their worst run since 2006-08 under the reign of Frank Rijkaard. 

LA LIGA Results: Sat, Feb 23

Barcelona 2-1 Sevilla

The Catalans fought back from a first half deficit to come through the game with goals from David Villa and Lionel Messi. Sevilla took the lead in the very first minute of the match from Alberto Botia's header. Possibly still carrying a hangover from their midweek loss against AC Milan, the hosts looked ineffectual even with all the possession they enjoyed and there was a predictability to their play that helped Sevilla see out the half without too many dangers. In the second half, Barca upped the tempo a bit and brought on Cristian Tello for Alexis Sanchez who had had a quiet night. The more direct Tello seemed to have an effect as he helped inject some much needed pace into the hosts' play. Villa, back in the team after recovering from kidney stones, got the equalizer as he ran onto Dani Alves' cross from the right to slot home. Messi then grabbed the winner with a cool finish in front of goal from Tello's assist. The win takes Barca 15 points ahead from second placed Atletico Madrid who are in action on Sunday.

Deportivo La Coruna 1-2 Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho fielded an under-strength team for the game, with the midweek clash against arch rivals Barcelona in the Copa del Ray in mind. And, the move almost back-fired as Real scrapped their way to a 2-1 win at the Stadio Riazor. The home side went into half-time a goal to the good thanks to Riki's first half strike. The visitor's had a torrid time dealing with the threat from Depor's Rikki and Pizzi as they took the attack to Madrid. With his side hardly threatening, Mourinho rang the changes just after half time, as he brought on Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira to try and salvage the game. And the changes worked as Real went on to lay siege to the Depor goal. With 17 minutes left, Kaka curled one into the right hand corner to draw Real level before Ronaldo found an unmarked Higuain who was left with a simple tap in for the winner. With the game won, Angel Di Maria displayed some immature petulance and refused to back up at 2 free-kicks earning him 2 yellow cards in no time and a dismissal from the game. He is now out of the second El Clasico clash against Barca next Saturday.

Other results
Real Zaragoza 2-2 Valencia
Mallorca 1-3 Getafe

Magical Messi scores his 300th Goal

 Lionel Messi's brace helped Barcelona push their lead at the top of La Liga to 15 points with a 2-1 win away at Granada. With both the Madrid clubs, Atletico and Real, in action on Sunday, the Catalans had the opportunity to widen their lead.

It was Granada who took the lead, against the run of play, through Odion Ighalo in the 26th minute. Barca put on a passing masterclass in the first half with Thiago Alcantara running the show in the absence of the injured Xavi. However, a rare attack from the hosts saw them go behind when Ighalo cushioned the ball into goal off a cross from the right. 

Barca however stayed patient and were rewarded in the second half when Cesc Fabregas' intial shot was parried by the Granada keeper, only for Messi to pounce on the rebound to score his 300th goal for the Blaugrana. Then in the 73rd minute, Barca earned a free-kick 30 yards out which the Argentine beautifully curled in to the far post to seal the points for the Catalans. 

Barcelona travel to the San Siro midweek to take on AC Milan in the 1st leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 tie.

Malaga and Sevilla also post Wins

Messi wasn't the only Argentine on target yesterday as former Madrid and Barca striker Javier Saviola scored the only goal of the game to help Malaga to a 1-0 win over struggling Athletic Bilbao. Saviola's 7th goal of the season helped the Malaga consolidate their 4th place standing in La Liga. Like Barcelona, Malaga too will travel away to Porto for their 1st leg tie in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 midweek.

A double from Gary Medel gave Sevilla a 3-1 home win over bottom club Deportivo La Coruna. The win provides a significant boost to Sevilla in their push for European qualification places next season.

Tonight's key games:

Valencia vs Mallorca

Real Valladolid vs Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano