A titanic struggle of immense proportions.
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- Created: Wednesday, 29 April 2009 16:53
- Written by Darren Douglas
The footballing news today is predictably dominated by the Champions League clash between Arsenal and Manchester United tonight. Usually I would therefore try and find something else to talk about, but apologies the pull is too much and besides it would be neglectful not to wax lyrical about a match that will probably be watched by millions of people across the world.
There are so many tasty parameters to tonight's game that it is difficult to know where to start. Primarily I was shocked to realise that the two heavyweights have never previously met in European competition. Of course back when the Champions League was the European Cup, there was far less chance of teams from the same country ever meeting. Only the actual title winners of a European League would have access, or naturally the defending champions themselves would have automatic entry for the next season.
The Liga Sagres would’ve fit in nicely on Clapham Common this weekend after its bottom was the scene of some significant action.
It’s now that time of year when the aspirations of different football clubs are either realised or shattered. In keeping with that theme I thought it would be apt and perhaps morbidly fascinating to take a look at the fortunes of some of the clubs that have been relegated from the Premier League.
There was a time when Juan Sebastian Veron was a very good player. Then, for a few years, he was wasn’t so good. But recently, at 34-years-old and back playing for his hometown club, Estudiantes, the playmaker has recaptured his very best form. 
After the latest in my seemingly endless run of disastrous trips to the hairdresser I was only prevented from crying myself to sleep by remembering all those footballers who’ve had worse luck than me over the years.