
Congratulations to Inter Milan for becoming the world’s best team although after yet another fantastic performance I doubt many in Catalonia would agree with that. Man City and Tevez are in the news again while the football world actually felt sorry for Big Sam! You can listen to these and other stories on our weekly podcast. Explanations of key vocabulary (in bold) can be found at the foot of the post.
The Good
Well done to Rafa Benitez and his Inter Milan side for becoming champions of the world after their 3-0 thrashing of unfancied Congolese side TP Mazembe in the FIFA Club World Cup championship in Abu Dhabi last weekend. Goals from Pandev, Samuel Eto’o and Biabiany gave the neroazzurri their third title and their first since 1965, a win that may take some of the pressure off their Spanish manager.
The Bad

It’s been a bad week for Blackburn fans as their new owners see their new acquisition only drawing 1-1 at home with bottom side West Ham, one of their best young players requires surgery after a serious knee injury and the captain of the club Ryan Nelson speaks out against the sacking of former manager Sam Allardyce. Blackburn, possible candidates for relegation?
The Ugly
Not an ugly but definitely a stupid! After a less than successful start at Liverpool, Paul Konchesky has been criticised by many fans. He hasn’t won the terraces over with his pedestrian performances as left back for the Reds and is seen by many as a symbol of the new manager, Roy Hodgson’s lack of ambition – Konchesky was bought from Fulham, Hodgson’s old team. But, if he kept his head down, he could win over the fans. Step in his mother, who used her facebook account to defend her son. Her defence was not a rational one however, instead it was a short rant which branded Liverpool supporters as ‘scouse scum’. I think the Liverpool fans will separate the player’s performances from his mother’s ill-judged attacks, but it doesn’t look good for the Liverpool left back.
Vocabulary
thrashing: Heavy defeat
unfancied: Not predicted to do well
neroazzurri Nickname of Inter Milan (black and blue colours)
acquisition : The thing that the Venkey brother bought; a buy
requires surgery: Needs an operation
the sacking: To be fired
win the terraces over: get the support of the majority of fans
pedestrian performance: very average performance, normal, not special
keep your head down: concentrate on your job, don’t do anything that sticks out
brand: to accuse, to call (usually something negative)
scouse: an adjective referring to the areaA or accent of Liverpool, a scouser – a person from Liverpool
scum: worthless person, dirt, the worst kind of person, often used with criminals