Clasicos, superclasicos and the Ladies FA Cup final in England feature on this week’s the good, the bad and the ugly. To get more information about the stories click on the links below to watch the video or read the article.
Good
A huge week for Real Madrid as they come from behind last weekend to beat Osasuna in the last ten minutes to claim yet another La Liga title and then five days later, to top it all off, they demolish their Catalan rivals Barcelona 4-1. Talking of huge rivalries, the ‘superclasico’ in Argentina finished 1-0 to Boca juniors who then went on to win away in Cruzeiro 2-1 in the Copa Libertadores. The team from La Bombonera are hitting form at the right time.
Arsene Wenger may have just had his third season in a row without a trophy but the Arsenal ladies team continue to conquer all before them. They completed the domestic double by thrashing Leeds 4-1 in the FA Cup final. Back in the men’s game and two teams from the Midlands are promoted from the Championship to play in next year’s Premiership, so congratulations to West Brom and to Stoke City. Let’s hope they fare better than the Midlands’ teams Derby and Birmingham this season.
After AFC Wimbledon and FC United, it’s now AFC Liverpool’s turn to start progressing their way up the leagues. These teams are all run by the supporters of these respective teams as a way of reclaiming some of the connections between fans and clubs that have been eroded in recent times.
Bad
If it is good for Boca Juniors and Real Madrid then it can only be bad for River Plate and Barcelona. First River lose 0-1 to arch-rivals Boca in the Argentinian Clausura and then five days later are knocked out of the Copa Libertadores by San Lorenzo. Meanwhile Barcelona make a guard of honour for their rivals Real Madrid before being thrashed 1-4 in the recent La Liga match, which means that manager Frank Rijkaard will not be manager at the Nou Camp next season.
It’s also bad for Arsene Wenger as first Matthieu Flamini departs for AC Milan and now it looks like Alex Hleb will be joining him in Serie A next year. Personally I cannot see anything ‘bad’ with it at all 🙂 – the more the merrier I say! Another end of season move sees Liverpool coach Alex Miller move to JEF Ichihara in the J-League – is there something amiss at Liverpool as the second coach in just over a year leaves the club?
Ugly
Players and managers from non-EU countries may have to pass an English test before coming to work in the Premier League. Another ridiculous law that frankly borders on racism. Pretty ugly indeed.