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Most football fans have their own favorite teams, and if their team is not participating in a tournament or gets eliminated, they usually lose interest in that tournament. For example, when my favorite team, Manchester United, got knocked out in the group stage of the Champions League this season, I didn't pay much attention to the tournament anymore. However, a few days ago when the Champions League quarter-finalists were announced, I took a glance and felt that the quality of the quarter-finalists was still high. Some media even claimed it was the strongest set of quarter-finalists in recent years, with no underdogs, only top clubs.
I was mainly drawn in by the headlines, but the Champions League doesn't really concern me anymore since Manchester United's elimination. Watching the Champions League doesn't excite me when my team is not involved. The most boring thing in football is watching a match without a clear rooting interest. That's why, despite others being passionate about events like the World Cup and the European Championship, I personally don't feel much for these tournaments because I don't have a national team to support. At most, I watch to see how Manchester United players perform.
Today's discussion is a bit lengthy, and there's no specific theme I want to share. I was just reacting to the news of the Champions League quarter-finalists, which sparked some thoughts in me. First, it's a bit exaggerated to call it the strongest set of quarter-finalists ever, especially considering that top teams like Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool are not part of it due to their previous season's performances, which is regrettable.
However, the unfortunate part is that when people talk about the strongest ever, there's no mention of Manchester United. I can't even remember the last time Manchester United was competitive in the Champions League since Sir Alex Ferguson retired. Arsenal, who only rose to prominence last year, already has the third-highest odds of winning the tournament in their first appearance in the Champions League this season. It's a bit self-deprecating to say this, but it's the reality. So, now I feel more disappointed and regretful about Manchester United's decline.
There's no specific theme today; I just wanted to share some thoughts. If I had to summarize, it's just some self-deprecation from a die-hard Manchester United fan after seeing the Champions League quarter-finalists. And about not making it to the quarter-finals this year, who else can I blame but ourselves? It's our own fault for not being good enough, so we'll have to try again next year (if we even get the chance). |
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Post time 20-3-2024 07:17:46