UEFA Season Review 2/10
Top 5 Leagues, Ninth-placed everything.
The season 2020–21 finished in all the five leagues yesterday, and it is, I believe, my duty, to reflect upon it. Today, we shall decide on everything in the ninth place, the team, player, Manager, forward, midfielder, surprise team, and surprise player.
Let us begin.
Best Team #9
Real Madrid
Oh, how this hurts. Just above FC Barcelona, Real Madrid. I am not a happy man, but I have to be honest. Although Barcelona comes out on top based on domestic games alone, Real Madrid excelled in the Champions League, and that is not ignorable. They did not win a single trophy, but they were close to winning two, and that is how it works, doesn’t it? No, but I would say that they played well this season. Modric was great, and so was Casemiro, and Benzema.
Again, just like Milan, they weren’t tactically spectacular, but they got the results for the most part and that is what matters. I have no other way to explain this. Zizou is not Cruyff or anything, but he knows how to set his team up for success.
Best Player #9
Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne, the ultimate midfielder, right? Anyway, the City captain was phenomenal again, walking away with 32 goal contributions in all competitions. He was ever-present this season, expanding his roles, getting a bit away from the goal, and helping the defence. This was probably Guardiola’s plan and De Bruyne excelled in it.
He already won the Premier League and Carabao Cup and might complete the treble, as a captain. That would surely feel special. I, for one, am rooting for Man City and not Chelsea.
Best Forward #9
Erling Haaland
Dortmund’s striker and probably the most energetic player I have seen, along with being the most prolific at such a young age. He’s a great player, and he is constantly improving. My choice in the Mbappe V/s Haaland debate is clear.
43 Goals in all competitions, that is insane. 8 assists and a disappointing season. As a team, not individually. He ran riots, but the team finished third in Bundesliga, that would have been fine if the race was close. But, they needed a 7 winning to finish there, they could have ended up in Europa League places. However, they did win DFB Pokal.
Best Midfielder #9
Pedri Gonzalez
The jewel and one of the only positives from this disappointing season for Barcelona, Pedri is very good with the ball, and active without it. He was visibly tired towards the end of the season, and that might have affected his ranking here, but I hope he keeps his form next season. Oh, I am so excited for him, Ansu, De Jong, Riqui, Messi, Araujo, Mingueza, Dest and Busquets to play together. Other teams must be trembling…
He also won the Copa Del Rey, and was one of the important players for Barcelona in that.
Best Manager #9
Diego Simeone
I do understand that Atleti won the title for the first time in seven years, but I would say, Simeone was a much better manager in each of the last six seasons, than he was this season, and yet, he was good enough to be on this list. I am not being biased here. Go and watch Atleti play in 2018 and then in 2021. They had a VERY clear identity then, which they still do, but they are more likely to have an off day. Maybe that is because of Godin’s absence, or just Simeone is getting tired.
He did win the La Liga and helped Suarez fit like a glove, which is harder than you think it is.
Surprise Player #9
Ruben Dias
The Man City defender was a rock at the back and proved to be one of the best piece of business in the Premier League. He isn’t spectacular, but he has a composed presence, along with a dominant head. That is pretty much all you need to succeed as a center back, but he is also fast and intelligent, both of which are handy when it comes to any kind of sport.
I knew he was at least decent if Pep was scouting him, but he turned out much better than decent. I am definitely in awe of the eye of Pep Guardiola.
Surprise Team #9
Union Berlin
Union Berlin, until last year, was joked about, like every club that is based in the capital and does not perform well is, but they just ramped up the intensity and finished seventh. Not anything spectacular, but nothing to cough at either. For an average club, this is a huge achievement, and it was not expected.
This is an opinion, and let me know yours in the comments! Not included defenders and goalkeepers because I found them very hard to rank. I felt I shouldn’t rank them at all. If you want to let me know your rankings of the same, again, let me know in the comments.
I have a newsletter now! It will be a monthly email, a kind of monologue about literature, writing, philosophy and humanities, linking the articles I found most useful. It will be delivered on the 19th of every month. Do Subscribe if you are interested.
That’s it then!
