Ditching the monotony of predictable soccer wins? You're in luck! Let me fill you in on the fascinating first half of the current soccer season.
Soccer fans around the globe have been expressing dissatisfaction due to the usual suspects frequently clinching the title. Money often rules the game, leaving the average spectator with little excitement. With money acting as the main deciding factor, the energy and enthusiasm of fans have been eclipsed by frustrations. Late qualifications, long-term subscriptions, and questionable decisions by FIFA and VAR, have taken a toll on the viewing experience. Adding to this mix, the controversial practices of Qatar and Saudi Arabia in the sports world, have allowed a sense of alienation to engulf fans.
Things took a drastic turn for the better in the summer of 2023. UEFA Football decided to take a brief pause, ushering in a streak of developments that were nothing short of magical. If the earlier reasons had driven you away from soccer fandom, here's a glimpse at what you might have missed:
- In Spain, FC Girona is now sharing the second spot on the table with Real Madrid.
- The Bundesliga has a fierce title contest ongoing, with a passionate Bayer Leverkusen leading the charge.
- Stuttgart striker Serhou Guirassy is on a rampage, displaying Gerd Müller-like skills, scoring an impressive 16 goals.
- Curiously, Harry Kane currently leads the goalscoring charts with 18 goals.
- Manchester United is struggling to keep their head above water in the Champions League, currently occupying the bottom spot in their group.
- Bayern Munich, the perennial Bundesliga champions, faced a shocking elimination at the hands of Saarbrücken in the DFB Cup.
- Union Berlin, the Gallic village, is in a relegation battle.
- FC Schalke 04 is facing a frightening relegation battle in the League Two.
- A soccer talk show on Sky featuring Roman Weidenfeller and Riccardo Basile has garnered attention.
Halfway through the season, it appears as if there could be a shake-up in all four major European leagues. Yet, it's not just the sporting highlights that make the season an intriguing watch. Unexpected downfalls in performance are a trending phenomenon:
- In the Netherlands, champion club Ajax Amsterdam is experiencing its worst start to a season in 58 years.
- Olympique Lyon, the former champions of France, are languishing in last place with only one victory under their belt.
- In Germany, experts, fans, and managers are scratching their heads over the state of affairs at Schalke and Eintracht Köpenick.
- Between their Champions League matches against Real Madrid and Napoli, Union Berlin is currently battling for survival.
As the season unfolds, it remains to be seen whether there will indeed be a change in the Champions League titles. Though, it's certainly not just for sports enthusiasts. For those who have taken a break from soccer, this season might be the perfect time to tune back in. After all, as Sepp Herberger once famously said, "People go to soccer because they don't know how it will end." And at the moment, there's nothing more certain than uncertainty in the world of soccer.
