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ShareMumbai: Some things are just meant to be. Like the Champions League group stage pairing of Real Madrid and AC Milan. It was destined from the day Kaka signed on the dotted line to join the Spanish giants and leave the Italian fashion capital. Somehow, these two clubs had to clash. Always happens, doesn't it? Like the way you bump into the one person you want to avoid, at a bakery you don't particularly like going to.
Like the way Jose Mourinho always manages to draw out Barcelona (or Liverpool), no matter which club he might join. The warring lovers, who just can't seem to do without each other.
The group stage draw of the Champions League announced on Thursday, however, has been kind to the top four English clubs. Chelsea have a slightly tougher task, after being paired with Porto, Atletico Madrid and Apoel FC. But I think, with Carlo Ancelotti in-charge, moving to the last 16 shouldn't be much of a hassle. United, Arsenal and Liverpool avoided the big Spanish and Italian sides, implying they could probably concentrate on the fight they have at hand in the Premier League.
Before the draw, the buzz was that the one team all the big clubs wanted to avoid playing was Real Madrid. Just last year, even CSKA Moscow would have fancied their chances against the Spaniards. So inconsistent they had become. The aura was gone. Like the dragon, who no matter how hard he tries to hiss, can't create the fire that once terrorised even the bravehearts.
Suddenly, the dragon has risen again. He is rejuvenated and ready for mayhem.
Florentino Perez deserves credit for bringing Real Madrid back to being the most talked-about club again. It may have cost him over $300 million, but if it means clubs like Manchester United and Chelsea want to avoid a clash so early on in the European competition, it is worth it. For, whoever said football is only played on the pitch, never did really wear those boots.
I can't contain the excitement. It's the die-hard romantic in me that wants Real Madrid's success story to begin again.
