As the new year sets in it’s time to take stock and reflect on the footballing year that was. Here’s our definite 5 greatest moments of the year!
Enjoy
Atletico Madrid title win
It’s only been a few months since Diego Simeone’s team of absolute warriors claimed the most remarkable of La Liga title wins in recent memory. Atletico were given 100 to 1 odds to dethrone Barcelona at the beginning of the season, similar odds given to a club like Everton to win the Premier League. Still, the capitals second club persevered through the season with a mix of hardened midfield battling and devastatingly clinical attacking play (courtesy of certain Diego Costa).
Come the final day Atletico faced Barcelona at the Nou Camp needing just a point to claim glory (Barca themselves needed a win to take the La Liga crown for themselves). Immediately the odds leaned in favour of the home side as a devastated Costa limped off minutes in. The tiny away section of 500 Atletico fans needn’t worry as their side stuck to their guns and held out for a deserved draw.
Atletico were worthy champions, this seemingly confirmed by the army of Barca fans chanting ‘Atleti Atleti’ come the final whistle. True Roy of the Rovers stuff.
Liverpool 5 -1 Arsenal
It all seems to have turned rather sour for Brendan Rodgers in recent times, undeniably however he did at least provide Liverpool fans with some truly steller Premier League moments during his tenure last season. The Merseysiders, spurred on by the impossibly brilliant Luis Suarez, were frighteningly direct and devastating on the attack. Only upon it dawning on the players that their good form might actually result in a trophy, it all seemed to tragically fall apart.
But before that when they were just having a darn good time….Christ they looked good.
Poor old Arsene Wenger caught the brunt of it has his back line was taken to pieces by Suarez, Sturridge and co just minutes into their Premier League meeting.
Germany 7-1 Brazil
It’s difficult to remember a match that shell-shocked the world quite like Brazil’s Semi-Final capitulation to Germany in Belo Horizonte. Prior to the match the home nation, happily admitting that they weren’t technically the greatest Brazilian side ever to grace the world stage (especially without crocked star-man Neymar), oozed a strong sense of national pride and belief which resonated during a staggering rendition of the national anthem just before kick off.
It was this display of togetherness and expectation that made the first thirty minutes just jaw dropping stuff. The Germans didn’t care much for a home nations expectations, they had plenty of their own, they were there to get a job done – and boy were they were prepared to work overtime. Before the Brazilian back line had a chance to smell a whiff of those daisy’s they had conceded five. Joachim Lowe’s were brutal but exhilarating, fearless but precise. Reports were that a half time German dressing room saw the players, being as awestruck as anybody else, quickly decided not to humiliate the Brazilians anymore.
Saying that they still powered a couple more past poor old Julio Cesar during the second period…..harsh.
Spain 1 – 5 Holland
Before the knock-out stage became something of a dud (apart from a certain Brazil/Germany semi final), the group stage for the 2014 World Cup was full of shocks and surprises.
The Group opener between Spain and Holland was no acceptation. Questions were already asked pre-competition whether the supremely talented Spain side could claim a third successive international trophy. And minutes in when the Spanish scored an early penalty the look of ‘ok, business as usual then’ was painted all over Fabregas and co.
From that point onwards things took a slight turn for the worst for the World Champions as the Dutch, buoyed by their Final defeat four years ago, went about dismantling every notion of ‘tikka taka’.
James Rodriguez
Every World Cup is seemingly defined by one breakout star, Maradona in 86, Roger Milla in 1990 even Michael Owen in 1998. The 2014 Brazil tournament’s equivalent had to be young James Rodriguez. Colombia’s fast free flowing side became the perfect pedestal for the baby faced Rodriquez to grab the metaphorical bull by the horns. Not satisfied with the tournaments Golden Boot, James scored one of the true great World Cup goals against Uruguay.
The goal in question happens around the 1:53 mark, we thought we’d treat you to his other five as well.
Have a Butchers…
(Featured Image: Getty Images)