Spectator Sport

21 March 2009

Soccer’s suits will be in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday pulling out the balls for the final stages of the European Football competitions and I confess I’m looking forward to it with a nameless sense of dread, as American Psycho Patrick Bateman observed.

So why the unease? Perhaps its because European football was always, in a rheumy-eyed way, the lovely counterpart to brutal but effective British biff-bang. And now if British football is not just beautiful, but out of sight of the European competition, there’s nothing to yearn for. But spare a thought for blessed Barca, the outstanding team this year, or mighty Munich, destroyers of Lisbon. I don’t think anyone really wants another all-English final in Rome on 27 May. Chelsea vs Man U was one of the greatest sporting events of last year, with a rare beauty and drama. It can’t be repeated — so someone else, please muscle in. And see you in Rome!

Scholars of ancient history may remember a brief flurry of activity in January when it was reported that the great Brazilian Kaka might be on his way to Manchester City from AC Milan for, oh, £120 million or so. Eventually the charismatic young striker decided not to take his God-fearing ways to Eastlands because, it was said, he wanted European football. City of course are still in Europe, in the Uefa Cup. And Milan? Er, they’re out, beaten by Werder Bremen.