In plain simple language Real Madrid has heaped sadness on this football mad country by eliminating both Borrusia Dortmund and Bayer Munich. The two German Bundesliga giants had only a season ago emphatically annihilated their Spanish equals Barcelona and Real Madrid at the semi final stage. This year it was Real Madrid who exacted Spanish revenge first dumping an Unfortunate Dortmund 3-2 in the quarters before using scintillating counter attacks to demolish a pathetic looking Bayern.
For the playing of champions league football, almost every bar/pub in Leipzig is full of vociferously screaming supporters. Germans love their football and even when they are displeased about certain matters their support and expectations of success are unwavering. After the exit of the highly favored and loved Burrusia Dortmund fulsome support was thrown behind record breaking Bundesliga Champions Bayern Munich, even if they are not as liked in these parts.
Watching the match was agonizing and painful for even the harshest of Bayern critics. Two days later there is still plenty of anguish swirling about as folks express their displeasure of missing out at the chance to win another Champions League title. Losing is accepted as part and parcel of sports, but to lose with such a spineless and abysmal display has been heart wrenching for people here. To see the Champions of Germany playing so haplessly and being beaten by a team not believed to be that superior, if at all they are, just does not sit well with football people here.
After the Bayern Munich debacle, not many persons turned out to watch the Chelsea versus Athletico Madrid game, the crowds could be described as fair, at best. From all accounts it is clear Chelsea has very little love in these parts, except for some Africans who seem to blindly follow Samuel Eto and to a lesser extent the other Africans who play or have played for Chelsea.
That Chelsea scored first and there were no notable celebrations was symbolic. Maybe it has to do with the fact Chelsea inflicted defeat on Bayern in the Champions League Finals two years ago right here in Germany at the famed Allianz Arena. While that perspective was never eloquently expressed it is clear nobody liked the “parked BLUES Bus”. Before the match ended there were numerous pictures being circulated on Whatsapp and other social media of a ‘smashed-up’ blue bus. “The bus” had been derailed by a getaway freight train that has lost all controls, from the Spanish Capital, Athletico Madrid.”
An all Spanish finals just don’t sit well with Germans when they are of the opinion that Germany should have done better. Yet the facts are what they are and we all have to get on with life.
Of note, is the ease with which Borrusia Dortmund’s exit has been taken compared to that of Bayern Munich. Being so dominant down the years, almost monopolizing the Bundesliga whilst hoarding a record 23 titles, does not make Bayern very likeable to many. Add to that the fact they are generally perceived as financial bullies, preying on the talents of the financially weaker clubs then not much sympathy should be expected, a kind of paradoxical antithesis. Pep Guardiola’s philosophy of Tiki-Taka also does not fit well with many.
In due time these wounds will all be healed, some faster than others, how ugly the scars will be is anybody’s guess.
Written by: Andrew Edwards Jamaica National Under-17 coach who is “studying football” in Germany
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