Why results of pre-season tours are not to be worried for?

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Chelsea - The champion clubs of their respective leagues did not fare well in the pre-season tour.

The squad they boast doesn't comply with the results that they have produced in these games, they have spent money to bring in new players, some established players have left the team but overall the team's balance is maintained.

Despite having quality players, the teams have not been able to perform that well as expected by their fan bases. This resulted in frustration for some of them who did not think twice before bashing their players, managers and their decisions. They forgot that it's the same players, same manager who guided his team to glory in the previous season.

FC Bayern posing for the shutterbugs before the match

Several fan pages on social media posted their opinions, some were easy on the teams while some went all out in criticising the players, managers and even board.

But do these results really matter ?

We should not forget the fact that teams who lost these friendlies are the ones who go all the way in their domestic competitions and also in the UEFA Champions League.

For example - Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are the champions of their respective leagues. They are champions because of the belief they had in themselves, the support they had from their fans and the performance their players gave on the pitch.

Chelsea FC posing for the cameras before the match

These teams won just a single game in their pre-season friendlies, but it should not blemish their achievements from the last season. 

Pre-season tour is just an opportunity to try new things, a manager experiments by taking some out of the box decisions, some work in favor, some do not. 

It's a game which someone has to lose and another has to win. These results does not show any reality or it does not say the teams will be performing at the same level in the regular season like they did in friendlies.

Some people may argue that other teams which won also experimented, so why didn't they lose. It's not about winning or losing in friendlies, it's about experimenting things so that when in regular season if something wrong happens unfortunately, like any injury, the managers will be able to implement one of these ideas they tried in friendlies, so that the team and it's season doesn't suffer.

Mateo Kovacic in action against FC Barcelona in Miami

So a fan must understand the fact and always be a support to their team. There's nothing wrong in voicing your opinion regarding the team and it's performance but that does not mean they should believe, the performance should be of same level in the regular season as well.

This is my personal opinion regarding the pre-season tour. If you have any different ideas do post in comments.

Read some more of my blogs and comment if you like them.

Picture credits - Official Facebook pages of the teams 

©sportskafun.blogspot.com

Why Real Madrid will win the UEFA Champions League and become the first team to retain the title in modern era?

11 UCL titles including two in last three years speaks itself for the success Real Madrid have in the UCL. The teams may have not performed well in the league in those seasons but winning UCL is something which runs in the blood of this capital club from Madrid.

This year's team is as complete and deep as any team could thrive for. The quality of the players, their importance and how they benefit the team is simply outstanding. This team has shown their will and attitude time and again on the ground. Every player has contributed for the success and deserve every bit of that UCL crown.

Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 8 goals in the knock-out stages so far. © Getty images

Not forgetting to mention the coach, Zinedine Zidane, the ultimate tactician. He was criticized earlier this season, sometimes, for lacking sharpness in his team, but the way he tamed his team to first achieve a Liga title  in 5 years and into the final of UCL is something to be applauded. He was able to instil that hunger for success in the team and the never say die attitude.

Real Madrid stand on the brink of history and the night in Cardiff is going to be an unforgettable one. Every player is ready to go and give it all on the pitch. The Old Lady from Turin, will try to complete the treble, they were deprived off a couple of years ago, but Los Blancos won't give in so easily. The defence of Scudetti champions has been impenetrable but they are up against the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Isco, Morata etc.

It will be a treat to watch for football fans  around the world.

Rumored Real Madrid transfer target insists his kids are settled in London

Rumored Real Madrid transfer target this summer Eden Hazard insists that he is happy in London.

Hazard has had a brilliant 2016/17 season with Chelsea under Antonio Conte as the blues are the current table toppers in Premier League and are in the semifinals of the FA Cup.

Eden Hazard regained his excellent form back this season after a disappointing last season under Jose Mourinho and has therefore attracted the attention of Los Blancos.

Hazard is reportedly valued at £100m and even Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has echoed his praise for the Belgian International at times.

Despite all the link-up rumours Hazard has told in an interview to Chelsea website that he is happy in London.

Excerpts here -

"Maybe I will in Belgium, to be close to the family or else I could go somewhere with nice weather," he told the Chelsea website when asked where he will be after retirement.

"My kids are very settled in London so it could be here - that's a long way off yet, so we will see."

Eden Hazard has been in sublime form this season as he has netted 11 times in 26 league appearances.

Chelsea are currently 10 points clear of second placed Tottenham Hotspur.

Mourinho 'desperate' to win the title

Jose Mourinho has had a pretty satisfactory first season at Manchester United.
He has already won two titles with the Red Devils and is in contention of the top four finish in the Premier League and also in the quarters of Europa League.

Ex-United midfielder and an 11-time Premier League champion Paul Scholes feels Mourinho will be desperate to win the Premier League title with Manchester United after a pretty good campaign in his first season at United.

Mourinho ended United's turbulent period after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
He rectified the errors and brought the team together with the help of some good signings and his tactical ability.

In an interview with Omnisport, Paul Scholes said what Mourinho will be looking for in his upcoming seasons.

"He will be given loads of time," Scholes said to Omnisport.

"He has had to consolidate after the difficult couple of years. He has managed to do that, and he will want to kick on now.

"He won't be happy with finishing fourth or fifth in the league. He will want to be up there trying to win the league. I believe in the next couple of years he will be desperate to do that."

Manchester United return to Premier League action this Saturday after the International break.

©sportskafun.blogspot.com