With football underway in England and Germany, with Spain and Italy set to follow in the near future, the footy-frenzy is set to reach new heights in the months ahead. While it is too early to make serious predictions, due to good or bad opening performances, some notes are worthy to be made.
Some teams have already stoked the flames of their fans desire for success within their respective realms of reality, with notable day one performances.
Chelsea thrashed last year’s FA-cup winners, Portsmouth, with four unanswered goals. It is an impressive start to Scholari’s tenure, and with the equally impressive squad at his disposal, an interesting question comes to mind: Can Chelsea lead the Premier League from first to last round? While it might seem impossible at a glance, the 4-0 victory actually gives Chelsea this target from the start, as a possible - although seemingly improbable, goal.
Hull is at the opposite realm of possibilities of Chelsea, but started their first ever season in the top tier with an exciting 2-1 triumph over potential rivals for the drop - Fulham. New signing Geovanni from Manchester City turned an awkward looking game for Hull on its head, by hitting the equalizer of the game, and substitutes Fagan and Folan combined to net the winner. As manager Phil Brown later said; the win provides a platform in the battle for Premiership survival. Whilst one can perhaps forgive the Tigers if they get carried away after this eagerly anticipated victory; their battle for Premiership survival has just begun in earnest.
Aston Villa overcame a wobbly first 45 minutes, to leap off the board with a deserved 4-2 win over a distinctly lackluster Man City. Striker sensation Gabby Agbonlahor, aided competently by Ashley Young, John Carew and Gareth Barry, scored an impressive 7 minute hat trick to give the Villa faithful real hope of breaking in the top 4 this season. The signings look competent and add much needed depth at Villa Park, who’ll need all strength they can muster; to compete not just domestically - but also in Europe. With O’Neill at the helm, bright looking days are ahead in the Midlands.
Newcastle must have been loathed to start the season by traveling to Old Trafford to battle Man United. But, as Keegan predicted before the game; sometimes Man United have a bad day and the visiting team can snatch a point… which is exactly what he did. Newcastle looked impressive and matched United for most of the game and the draw was by no means just a lucky point for King Kevs men. They battled for 90 minutes and the new Argentinean signings in particular, looked like inspired signing indeed! If the defensive frailties from the past are now finally behind Newcastle, there is no saying how far the team can go…
In Germany meanwhile, new manager Fred Rutten came off with a perfect 3-0 victory against Hannover, and Schalke looked imposing at the set pieces in particular; with Bordon and Kurayni claiming the goals. Maybe, just maybe, this will be the year for long overdue celebrations in Gelsenkirchen?
Newcomers Hoffenheim started life in the Bundesliga as impressively, as the more illustrious names at Schalke, by claiming a 3-0 away-day victory over Cottbus. How far can this regional team go? Realistically they should be happy if they stay up in the Bundesliga, but, maybe, this story has yet more twists and turns to add to its irresistible luster…
