The UEFA champions league has been affected heavily by the Corona Virus pandemic on virtually all levels. With the current situation of the major contenders and heavy favorites crashing out, it is clear that UEFA, FIFA and the FA(s) of all the major soccer leagues did not envisage such a major issue.
The quarterfinals of this year’s competition saw Juventus (Italian Serie A Champions), Manchester City (English Premier league runners up), FC Barcelona (Laliga Runners up), Real Madrid (Laliga champions), Atletico Madrid (Strong Contenders) and Atalanta (Worthy Opponents) all crash out to teams who had their seasons ended well over a month before.
RB Leipzig, PSG, Lyon, Bayern Munich all are now in the semifinals but one thing is common with all of these teams. they were all well rested for the quarterfinals. This in our minds is a huge factor as to why they have all qualified to the last four of the UEFA champions league.
Considering all other factors aside, COVID-19 has played a major role in deciding who wins the prestigious trophy for this year. The anxiety of players and coaching staff getting infected was another concern and when you look at it, teams who were still playing league games had to face the uncertainty.
Like in the NBA, all the teams had the same amount of time to prepare for the return of th NBA in Orlando Florida.
Did UEFA not factor this into their resumption of the champions league. Should all teams not have had the same amount of rest after their seasons ended?
These questions remain questions that soccer fans would ponder on. The result of tiredness and lack of freshness was seen in the display of teams that have crashed out. The Barcelona Bayern match was a perfect example. 10 goals scored. Messi and his teammates helpless to withstand the pressure from Lewandowski and his merry men.
Manchester city losing again to Lyon with a lacklustre effort on the pitch. Juventus loss to this same Lyon side had similar. Atletico Madrid were run over by RB Leipzig as the young team kept possession of the ball with intricate passes and lots of goal mouth opportunities.
Atalanta played well against PSG but at the last minutes of the game lost it all to two late goals. Looking at how well rested the French Ligue Un champions were, we believe this also helped them over the line.
Looking forward, it would be advisable to give all teams equal time to rest and recoup energy levels on all front. With the new season for the teams competing in the champions league just weeks away. Do not be surprised that teams who rested well start off on a strong front.
A team like Liverpool that has missed out on all of this champions action should start it’s title defending campaign on a flyer. Real Madrid are also in the same category.
Do you feel COVID-19 affected the UEFA champions league?
Who out of the last four can go all the way to win it?
Leave your comments below.
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