Videos: May 2nd Will Live Long In the Memory for Fans of European Soccer
If ever one needed a reminder of the spectrum of emotions available to the humble fan when it comes to soccer, then the day of Wednesday 2nd May will live long in the memory.
It was an evening where so much happened and most of it is hard to describe. Drama, danger and grown men screaming at each other is normally an indicator that something is really rather wrong or that everything, for that moment, is really rather right with the world.
You want danger? Look at this video…
This is Fiorentina manager –sorry! Former Fiorentina manager –Delio Rossi attacking midfielder Adem Ljajic during his side’s 2-2 draw with minnows Novara in the Italian Serie A. Maybe the highly-strung supremo blamed the player for, well, everything. However, there are simple equations here. Your team play poorly + you attacking a member of staff = you getting fired.
You want emotion? Check this out…
This is Fabrice Muamba taking to the pitch before Bolton played Tottenham last night, and you can see it means a lot to the young man. The incident of his collapse and heart attack may still feel so fresh, but the player has come a long way.
It is just nice to see someone unanimously applauded and made to feel looked after. His side may have lost 4-1 to Spurs, but the Bolton faithful will feel glad for seeing this that night.
You want action? Well here are two goals which represent two different things…
The first is a clip of the impossibly bendy strike by Newcastle goal-machine Papiss Cisse. The man has been in scintillating form since joining the Toon and last night he scored an impressive double to defeat Chelsea 2-0.
Newcastle and Spurs are still neck-and-neck as they both greedily eye fourth place in the English Premier League. With goals like this (I’m sorry, have you ever seen better?!) Newcastle will push Tottenham all the way.
The second goal? Well this is a record breaking strike by the inimitable Lionel Messi. It was one of three that the pocket-sized Argentine scored last night to shatter the tally for most goals scored in a single European season. He has 68.
Would he trade it all for a La Liga title?
Judging by this video of Real Madrid tossing victorious manager Jose Mourinho in the air as the team celebrated winning that title, I would suggest that anyone would want to swap places with them.
The Special One just keeps winning trophies. If he stays with Real there is a chance he could do this again and he could also win that coveted third Champions League title.
Of course not everyone in Europe is lusting for that silverware. Some, it must be said, get emotional just thinking about taking part. Ask the fans of Motherwell FC.
Yesterday it became official that the Scottish side from the Lanarkshire region will be taking part in their first ever Champions League next season. They will finish third in the Scottish Premier League after nearest rivals Dundee United were crushed 5-0 by Rangers last night, but because of Ranger’s financial issues and possible liquidation Motherwell take their spot in European qualifiers as the next team in the table.
It is a big step for such a small club, but it is one that is richly deserved. There is relief to finally know where they stand and a jubilant manager, Stuart McColl, told Scottish radio last night, “The fans can start getting the passports out and looking ahead to what might be some great times ahead.”
Here is a clip of how the hardy few felt when they knew they were closing in on that European adventure when they beat Hearts 1-0 on Tuesday.
Soccer can be cruel, but we love it when it gives us moments like these.