The Lead
There was an idea in vogue in the 19th century popularized by German transcendental philosophers who envisioned the experienced world as a giant rational synthesis machine that reflected our own rational thought process. First, en empirical thesis is proposed (there is being), which when countered with its anti-thesis against lived experience (‘being’ as such and nothing are indistinguishable) produces a new proposition: synthesis (something the philosopher Hegel called “becoming,” which doesn’t make any sense).
While Hegel didn’t explicitly put forth the above model, he did popularize the view that the world could be reliably understood rationally according to the categories of the mind (or something like that—Hegel is a lot of bullshit, really). And then Marx ran with it and applied it to human history, the material world, and economic progress, and that’s how we eventually got the 1972 Summit Series.
Anyway, we know now that the above—which I will scandalously call dialectics—is a giant empty castle in the sky, but human beings have become adept at developing conventional cultural past-times upon which “progress” is easily measured. Sports is one of them, and that includes football.
Why am I giving you this error-strewn lesson in philosophy? Because one shouldn’t mistake the tactically-minded #beatbarca movement as a Madrista-fueled troll. Instead, the need for Barca to be beaten reflects the human need to avoid the End of Progress, which would herald the End of History (these capitals are important in philosophy). It’s not enough for Barca to lose because their players have aged or have had a dip in form—Guardiola’s tactical system must be defeated so that football can progress.
So don’t get mad at those writers theorizing this morning on how Chelsea will beat Barcelona at the Camp Nou. They just want what’s good for football, and good for progress and human development. Tactics is just an ever-shifting dialectic really, with no end except to bring us the next Barcelona. Which means while Chelsea aren’t anti-football, they may be the anti-thesis of Pep Guardiola’s footballing thesis. Which means tonight’s result may go a long way toward synthesis.
Canada
Toronto FC suck. They suck bad. They really, really suck.
So the best thing to do now would be to send a kid to see Canada play Honduras.
The Montreal Impact training schedule!
England
Di Matteo honestly believes Chelsea FC will beat Barcelona today. Seriously.
Team GB get their group drazzzzzzzzzzz.
Roberto Mancini on the Manchester derby—meh. Meanwhile City’s owners back the manager even if he doesn’t win the title.
Ferguson tempers media bombast over derby as well.
Robin van Persie also won the Football Writers’ Association award for Premier League footballer of the year (I voted for Michel Vorm, but my ballot was returned). Too bad he’ll be playing for Juventus next year.
An arrest warrant has been issued to Everton’s Steven Pienaar.
Poor Alberto Aquilani could be on his way back to Anfield.
Italy
Today in obviousness: Conte says a Scudetto win is possible. And Max Allegri says AC Milan “have to get back winning.”
The latter will be helped in that cause by the return of several key players.
Luis Enrique says “blame me” for problems at Roma, to which fans will reply, “okay.”
Spain
Sid Lowe on the intransigent Pep Guardiola.
All eyes on Pique and Pep ahead of tonight’s game.
La Liga wrapped up.
Germany
An in-depth look at how Dortmund secured their second consecutive Bundesliga league title.
Eintracht Frankfurt going up.
Bits and bobs
Rangers fans upset over the SFA’s ban on transfers for that club for 12 months.
MLS has it wrong on ref discipline.
Ref gets the crazy eyes treatment.
Nigel Reed on soccer’s hidden medical dangers.
