The real El Clasico isn’t from Spain

Early this year, in this column, I argued that the Spanish La Liga is over hyped. I stressed my disappointment towards how the 2012 FIFpro XI included eleven players from La Liga and none from leagues in England, Germany or Italy.Chelsea had won the Champions League with a talismanic Didier Drogba; Borussia Dortmund had won the Bundesliga title with an incredible Robert Lewandowski, while Juventus has had an outstanding season with Andrea Pirlo. Yet all of them were overlooked for the likes of Radamel Falcao, Dani Alves and Xavi whose seasons were not that telling.I knew time would tell for justice to prevail; I knew we would reach a time when great players from other leagues would be given the recognition they deserve. I however didn’t know it would come in an overwhelming fashion like it happened in the Champions League semi final first leg ties.After the humiliating losses to both Barcelona and Real Madrid, I joked with my friends that UEFA boss Michel Platini called for a crucial meeting with his board to find out why his favorite clubs had been given a beating.Personally, I couldn’t have wished for anything more; we now know where the real El Clasico is. It is not between Barcelona and Madrid. As a matter of fact, recent ties between the two clubs were a tad boring, with Madrid defending and breaking on the counter, while Barcelona having the lion’s share of ball possession but not putting it to use.In Bayern and Dortmund, we are likely to be treated to an appetising Champions League final weaved in dreams. The two dangerously attacking teams won’t fade till the last minute- a true El Classico indeed!The Noisy Neighbors are silentManchester United clinched its 20th English League Title in true fashion, and as Sir Alex Ferguson, not by goal difference but with as many as four games left to play.United thus cemented its place as the biggest club in England at the detriment of Manchester City’s pretence to contend in second place.Hard to understand, but the second best club in England which is Liverpool, simply cannot skip past seventh spot- and things don’t seem like they will change for the Merseyside club in years to come. Robin Van Persie got his dream; with his first season at United, he won a trophy; he didn’t just win it but was the most influential player at Old Trafford this season.Sorry to the Gunner faithful, but looks like he made the right decision to leave, and looking at statistics, it seems like every player who leaves Arsenal actually wins something in the end.Thierry Henry and Cesc Fabregas left Arsenal and won trophies with Barca; Adebayor left Emirates and lifted the Copa Del Rey with Real Madrid. Kolo Toure and Nasri left for Manchester City and lifted the Premier League. Enough said.The cannibal of LiverpoolThey even wore shirts with his face to support him. They scathed everyone who dared criticise him. Now they won’t wear his t-shirts nor will they come out to defend him- but eat humble pie. Luis Suarez has put Liverpool in one of the most bemusing positions ever. They cannot risk losing their best player, and yet, they can’t come out in public to defend his antics.They say lightening doest strike the same place twice; for Suarez to have had his teeth sank in an opponent’s skin twice on camera, kind of solves the never-asked-question; chances are that Suarez is indeed a true-life cannibal.We can only imagine how many other people he has tried to chew in private, away from the prying eyes of the camera. Just imagine how Branislav Ivanovic felt when all of sudden he was attacked, when all he minded about was how to get the ball away from Chelsea’s goal area.This action by Suarez is at least unacceptable wild human behavior; while at most, it is a violent assault.