Monthly update

So, let's talk about football. Actually I didn't think of writing any new post this week, but changed my mind after seeing the Super cup match between Bayern and Chelsea. Boy, What A Match. The time is 03.15AM, 31/08/2013.

First, let's see the background. The last time these two teams met, Bayern lost on their home ground to Chelsea. And this is not in just any other match. It's the Champions League FINAL. Bayern completely dominated the match, with 20+ shots on target, 20+ corner kicks, 70% possession but they managed to get only one past Cech. But Drogba with just 2 minutes left in the match equalized for Chelsea. Then in extra time, Bayern missed a penalty, blame Robben for his poor effort. And then the humiliating defeat at their own backyard to under par, bus-parking Chelsea was completed when Schweini missed from the spot-kick in the shoot-out. So, Bayern desperately want to avenge their defeat and claim the only major trophy that's missing from their trophy cabinet.


Now, the second special thing about this match is, it's also Jose vs Pep, meeting after more than a year. Bayern, managed by Pep, play more or less Barca style which is based on possession. Chelsea, managed by Jose, parked the bus, just as the way Real used to do under him when faced Barca, and looked to counter attack. Okay, I am not drawing any Real vs Barca comparisons into everything, but the similarity in playing style is obvious. Also, Jose & Pep are arguably the top two managers in the world now, but who is the best between the two. So, bottom line, this couldn't get any bigger and better.

Now, the match review, as usual, Chelsea defended and defended, Bayern attacked and attacked. Torres scored one for Chelsea on the counter, Ribery with his fantastic strike, equalized for Bayern. And then again as one would expect, in Jose vs Pep matches, one of Jose's men was sent off. Thiago Motta in CL semis 2010, Pepe in CL semis 2011 and now Ramires. Somehow 10-men Chelsea held Bayern and took the game to extra time. Then out of nowhere, Hazard put Chelsea ahead, thanks to poor goal keeping by Neuer. The clock showed 93 minutes. Chelsea defended heroically till the last minute of the game. When literally there were only 30 more seconds in the game, Bayern's relentless attacks paid off and they equalized with the last shot of the match. It would be a crime not to mention Cech's goal keeping skills. If not for his 4 absolute master class saves, Bayern would have scored the equalizer long back and possibly may have taken the lead. He kept Chelsea in the game till the very end. Anyway once Bayern equalized, match went into shoot out and Chelsea lost in the shoot out, that idiot Lukau was so casual in taking his shot, Neuer easily saved that one. But this match is not great tactically as one team attacked like mad and other team defended like mad. But the result that who wins Jose or Pep, Bayern or Chelsea, the crowd support, Jose's antics on the touch line, Pep's nervous face during the last minutes were all worth watching. I am really really glad that I saw this match.

Now, draw for CL group stages has been made. Real got relatively easy draw compared to last year. This time Group F is the group of death. The four teams in this group are Arsenal, Marseille, Dortmund and Napoli. And then we always have other footballing news as usual, Casillas vs Lopez, Bale transfer saga, Ronaldo's contract renewal and other such stuff.

Coming to my preparation, I am studying at my own pace, not at all concerned that only 3 more months are left. At this pace, I am not sure if I could complete the syllabus even for 2014 Mains. Right now, my mind is preoccupied on filling the Detailed Application Form (DAF) Mains 2013. There are things like service preferences, cadre choices, hobbies, prizes and medals and all such stuff. Anyway let's see how things go. That's all for now...