Soccer Blog

Did you ever know that UEFA Champions League have some very nasty curse? It is merely related with Real Madrid, the 9 times winner. The Los Blancos, after winning their ninth UEFA Champions League title in 2002, the infamous nasty curse started immensely. “Whoever kickReal Madrid out of the champions league, they must be defeated by the eventual winner of the champions league” - this must be the word spell of some spanish Real Madrid’s fan shaman in that year.

Let’s take a look on 2002–03 season. After pimping Manchester United in the quarter-finals, Real Madrid then lost 3-1 on aggregate to Juventus in the semi-finals. Of course then Juventus went on to the final and lost it to the Champions League winner that year which is A.C. Milan on penalties. The shaman smiled on the stand.

2003-04 is dubbed as Jose Mourinho’s Porto year(also, Underdog’s year), surprisingly though Real Madrid is the only side in Champions League that Mourinho’s side cannot tempt to beat – ok this might look like a spam, back to the curse story. This time around Real Madrid did not lost in semis as the Galacticos side that year went on to Quarter-finals in hoping to beat what everyone else called as underrated, underdog, underwear team from Monaco, France. Oh, and it’s the goals from the former Real Madrid player, Fernando Morientes that kick them out of the competition. Monaco then beat Chelsea in the Semi-Finals but then the shaman has stated again “The nasty curse of mine must go on, whatever it takes” echoing the Porto’s side. Well, of course they win it anyway with the scoreline at 3-0, again thanks to the work of the shaman.


Then on 2004–05, it was the year for the Rafa Benitez’s side. Liverpool completed their 5th title in a style. Of course again and again the work of the unsung hero gone unnoticed, the shaman. The Los Merengues side that year this time have go down to the Knockout Stage as they were knockout-ed by the Juventus side – again. Then, of course Juventus defeated by Liverpool and went on to win the Champions League Trophy. Uniquely this time, AC Milan look much more superior and stand a very high chance to win it(Liverpool were 3 goals down in the 1st half), but the shaman again strutting his stuff to make sure the curse is still in the competition.

2005–06 season happened to be Rijkaard-Ronaldinho-Eto’o season. It was the 2nd title for FC Barcelona in 14 years(Last time they won with Ruud Gullit-Van Basten year), and very much thanks to Mr. shaman. Well, again they lost in the knockout stage, where Arsenal’s Henry lone-dribbling from the half of the pitch to scored the only goal in Bernabéu. As expected, Arsenal then lose to the Catalan side in the Finals where that time the rejunevated Lehmann was sent off. It could be seen that the shaman working his magic spell on Eto’o and Belletti.

Ricky Kaká have made 2006-07 as his Champions League year. The Brazil born midfielder has revitalised the veteran side of Milan whom tactically superior than others. Oh, and that year, Real Madrid was beaten in the Knockout stage by Bayern Munich on away goal rule. What might seems to be obvious is Bayern is losing anyways with the Great Milan side and they went on to win the title in an epic-revenge-finale-replays of 2004-2005 finals. No one would have expect that Inzaghi would make the difference in the Athens.

Now, i will take a scoop on the last year’s Champions League, the Manchester United year. Also, for the first time in the European Cup competition, it was an historically first All-English finals. This time, Real Madrid was humbled by the Spalleti side, also known as the Totti side. And this i Giallorossi side was then defeated by Manchester United and eventually became the Champions League winner last year merely thanks to a slipped John Terry. Not to mention the shaman~

The curse is showing to progress steadily this year, as Real Madrid was thrashed by Liverpool in the knockout stage (which is the 4th time they were defeated in Knockout rounds) who is then edged by Hiddink’s Chelsea. We will never know what would happen in the clash between FC Barcelona and Chelsea, but the shaman probably knows.Another thing is after i take a look on the past seven years reviewing the so-called curse, i may then might be interested in the relation with the fact that the Real Madrid side in the Golden Ages who is winning this European Cup 5 times a row, 1955–56, 1956–57, 1957–58, 1958–59, 1959–60 and the fact that this Millenium Ages side started to be knockout from the competition in the knockout stage at 2005–06, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09. Well, if according to this statistic(Or a new curse) maybe then it will be the same fate that the madridistas have yet to receive next year – knockout-ed in the knockout stage.

For Chelsea and Barcelona fans, this what i have taken from wikipedia,

“Barcelona set a new record of 15 games without a Champions League loss, having gone undefeated from their first match in the 2005–06 group stage against Werder Bremen until they drew 1–1 with the same team in their second match of the 2006–07 group stage, before being beaten by Chelsea in the next match. Coincidently, the last team to defeat the Catalan giants was also Chelsea, who beat them in the first knockout round of the 2004–05 competition.”

Obviously, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2008-09?