by BIG O’TEAM CUP
After Monday morning’s draw for the Grand Cup Round of 16, the general consensus on social media and elsewhere seemed to be that it was the most boring draw ever. Although Football Daily wouldn’t be so bold as to suggest that it wouldn’t be lively enough if Uefa’s special guest for the occasion turned up in the full Chelsea 2012 squad to help swirl, pick and unscrew the little football ahead of the team pairing for the On the first step achieved, John Terry’s door cannot realistically be blamed for any tedium sustained.
No, this Uefa draw was much like any other, in that it will not last long in the memory of those who slept through it in Nyon, which was needlessly convoluted and took place in a roomful of middle-aged clubs and elderly adapted. dignitaries and ligers with rumbling bubbles, all eager to put an end to the formalities of the day before sitting down for a gluttonous lunch in the dining room of Uefa Headquarters. In fact, it is the result Out of the widely maligned draw, the European football watching community at large seems to have decided that none of the eight two-legged ties are worth watching as reigning champions Manchester City only face FC Copenhagen, and the ice-cold ball bearing the name of Paris Saint-Germain was paired with the sizzling hot one of Real Sociedad.
After all, it’s not like the Danish champions provided much entertainment as they helped eliminate Manchester United in the group stages. And who isn’t excited to see PSG come up with a newer and funnier way to bounce out of the championship as they face a Basque club renowned for the number of academy graduates they have running and with a record signing of £17m. The Nigerian striker best known in the UK for failing to make any sort of impression, let alone coming close to cutting the mustard in Scotland during a loan spell with Rangers?
Back in the Big Cup for the first time in six years and having progressed serenely through their group as winners, fellow Premier League representatives Arsenal can look forward to a trip to Porto, who they put aside at the same stage more than 13. years ago when the young Lord Bendtner failed with a second leg hat trick. While the Gooners may not have the same level of professionalism, ambition and eye for precision these days, they will certainly be optimistic about their chances of making it through this Round of 8 Arsenal snooze-fest last. and perhaps beyond.
16 final draw: Porto v Arsenal, Napoli v Barcelona, PSG v Real Sociedad, Inter v Atlético Madrid, PSV Eindhoven v Borussia Dortmund, Lazio v Bayern Munich, Copenhagen v Manchester City, Leipzig v Real Madrid.
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STATEMENT OF THE DAY
“Thank God common sense and human decency prevailed [and] the game was abandoned. It was a great touch to have the Bournemouth fans join in the singing with real encouragement for Tom. It was a distressing, upsetting and terrible situation, but also an example of thousands of people coming together to show their support for a fellow human being, and for those who have been affected by a tragic situation” – Phill Macbeth-Seath, from We Are Luton Town podcast, describing the shocking incident on Saturday when Tom Lockyer collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Bournemouth. The game was abandoned, and the Wales international – who also fell during last season’s playoff final due to retrial fibrillation – is still in hospital, undergoing tests.
DAILY FOOTBALL LETTERS
Re: Howard Webb backs VAR’s ability to remove on-field errors (Friday Song of the Day). What about removing the off-field errors created by VAR, such as the Spurs-Liverpool offside howler? It seems to me that the solution is clear and self-evident: VAR Video Assistant. Vavar officials would sit in an isolated office with screens showing all the action at Stockley Park, ready to intervene if necessary. Of course, this ignores VAR tradition and would take away the unbridled joy of fans being able to celebrate a VAR decision. There would always be that moment of doubt until Vavar’s check was complete. But surely Howard wouldn’t want to leave VAR errors in the game, would he?” – Ian Potter.
As a fan of SG Union (not ‘SG Union’) may I question the description of our win over Liverpool being ‘about as meaningful as a Christmas card from your broadband provider’ (the God part Friday Vasa Mór, full email edition)? For these fans at least it was bloody great (and also ensured we at least got down to the Tin)” – Dave Lloyd.
Given that no goals were scored in a game where there were seven last year, I cannot conclude that Liverpool and Manchester United were not far ahead this year” – Peter Ó.
Send any letters to the.boss@theguardian.com. Today’s letter winner is … Ian Potter.
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