My opinion on Chicharito has changed

While he still looks like a chihuahua or a rodent of sorts, due to the fact that his eyes are just way to close to each other, this interview has changed my opinion on the man quite a bit. While I for some reason thought that the kid seems somewhat arrogant, the interview portraits quite the opposite. It seems Chicha (which means little pea btw, in case you cared) is quite a humble fella who wants to do anything in his power to be successful with united. When asked about comparing himself with Messi, he calls himself a "simple footballer" begs the question if "simple footballers" like us are worth their paycheck but that of course is a whole new topic. But for now I take my hat off to the man, definitely rose up in my books, and might be a beer buddy soon.

here is the original interview:

[W]hen he was asked if he aspired to the status of the Argentinian double Ballon d'Or winner, Hernandez was quick to play down his achievements.

"No. I am a player of this great team," he said.

"What obsesses me is sweating this shirt to death, and I will never stop running.

"I don't aspire to be like Messi. I'm just a simple footballer."

"I'm not obsessed with goals. The goals are the result of the work of the whole team. The forwards only have the good fortune to score them. In a team like ours, even Edwin (van der Sar) can claim the goals."

Schalke vs ManU

Setting an alarm for 4:30 in the morning is never a pleasant thing, but when you do it to support your natural rival, it becomes a whole new thing. I cursed and twirled but I got out of bed, lined up 3 coffee mugs and plugged in the sandwich maker, for what you ask? To support Schalke, even though I am a true Bayern fan, I wanted to see a German team in the Champions League final this year. Sadly it will probably stay a dream.

There are 10 Schalke players that should hang their head in shame after that performance, and one that should be proud of himself and happy that he made the decision to leave Gelsenkirchen at the end of the season. If it hadn't been for Manuel Neuer Schalke would have drowned 4/5 - 0 today. Yes it was that bad. The Arena auf Schalke is arguably the best (again this hurts me to say) stadium when it comes to German stadiums, perhaps only contested by the Westfahlen stadion (yes I will continue to call it that) and the Allianz Arena (Because I wouldn't be a true Bayern fan if I didn't include it), and there were plenty of Schalke fans there to support their team, but they played the slowest and most uncreative football I have seen in while. There was no tempo up front, no heart to push forward, no teeth to show Manchester what they are capable of.

This is the same team that beat Inter 5-2 after conceding after just 25 seconds, what happened to that. A lucky Giggs goal and they just switched off, no wonder Neuer was furious at his defense. Farfan was the biggest disappointment in my eyes, the man is brilliant but it seems he has on and off days at random and for no reason, he let the ball run through his foot passed the out line twice today, in a Semi-final! Most of the players were rested in last weekends defeat against Kaiserslautern (0-1) so it can't even be said that they were tired. Needless to say it is near impossible to win by 3 goals in Manchester's "theater of dreams" and even though I myself don't really belief it will happen, I will wake up and show you the continued support, except this time it will be more because of my love for the beautiful game (if you can call it that when Rooney is present) rather than to shout for Schalke.

Let me point out one thing, there is no shame in losing to Manchester United by 2 goals, they are a great team, and at times also a lucky team. There is however shame if you lose by 2 goals and look like you didn't even want to be on that pitch, if you've made the long and hard way to the semi-final, I don't understand why you don't want to fight to make the pot yours.

Credit where Credit is due

I am a Bayern fan so it somewhat stings to say this: "Well done Schalke". You played some amazing football and really showed our overpaid superstars how to capitalize on a huge advantage from the first leg and not to ride on cloud 9 and think: "defending? dude we don't need that anymore."

Schalke you are now one of the best 4 teams in Europe as of 2011, along with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United, whom you will host on the 26th and while not all Bayern Fans agree, you will have my full support. Because I'll be damned if I cross my fingers for a British side before I do so for a German side. Yes the media is saying that you are the underdogs, and that no one could possibly stop his majesty Rooney, but let's be honest here for a second. How many so called "experts" really thought Schalke was going to stop Inter and and "dribble you into Nirvana" Eto, yeah that's what I thought.

So don't let them put you down, you got this, you really do, just believe in yourself, fill that jersey of Royal Blue and show Fergie and and his chewing gum how it's done. Just to be perfectly clear in this final part of the post though, next time we clash in the league, the rivalry is back on, no hugs, no kisses.

Inter Milan VS Schalke Fc

Stayed up till 1.45AM to watch this one. Truth be told I was anticipating the Madrid - Spurs game to be the one-to-watch but found my eyes being drawn to the screen on the other side of the bar ( which coincidentally had nothing to do with that girl in the short skirt.. Honest ).


This game began with, arguably, one of the best technical goals in Champions League history.

Check it out and let the 'jizzed-in-my-pants faces' begin.




This is actually the second time Stankovic has left the opposition keeper red faced with a similar type of volley. Genoa being the other team to suffer a 'Stankovic Serbian Special'.



An early goal in any game usually sets the precedent for a cracking game of football. Thus was the case here. Beautiful counter-attacking football and a true ebb and flow to the game. 1-0. 1-1. 2-1. 2-2. HALF TIME. And then it all went a little crazy ( Balotelli- style crazy? Unfortunately not. Jens Lehmann - style crazy? Nein. Rooney - style crazy? Oh f**k off! )

Schalke went 3-2 up, courtesy of one of the games true legends. A neat first touch put Raul one - on - one with Julio Ceasar, his second taking the ball a touch to his right yet his aging legs still carrying enough steam to charge in and poke home. 70th Champions League goal. Top class.



Two yellow cards in a ten minute period ( with an Inter own goal sandwiched in between for good measure ) had Christian Chivu taking an early shower for the second time in 4 days. Don't blame him to be honest, his scalp must get mighty itchy wearing that headgear all the time. And Italians just don't DO bad hair. Ask Zanetti.

Edu ( Eduardo Goncalves de Oliveira - no. I am not paying for you to have that on the back of your new Schalke jersey ) curled one in on 75mins and that was that.

5-2. Final score.

Now who is up for staying awake with me next week? In a completely heterosexual way.. of course.

Fact of the Day: Schalke became the first team ever to win two games of professional football in the same day. The postponed game against St. Pauli was awarded as a win to Schalke, ensuring a vital 3 points for a team that is potentially facing relegation.

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