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Who should a neutral support in Wednesday's Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan?
Where are you from? England or Italy? Obviously, you are expected to support the team who represent your own country, but complications do arise (see below). But if it is to be dumbed down to a simple case of England versus Italy, first make sure there are no dual-nationality issues, then check your loved one is not from the opposing country and if he/she is not, you should be in no doubt who to follow in Athens.
Which domestic side do you support? This is where it gets interesting. With rivalries so fierce in both the Premiership and Serie A, allegiances for the final could be based on levels of hatred felt towards one of Wednesday's night's participants. And with both sides involved in some of the fiercest rivalries in the world, there are plenty of people out there whose interest in the game is unlikely to be entirely neutral. So, depending on your levels of bias, if you are an Everton or Manchester United fan, you should shout for Milan, while Internazionale and Juventus followers should get behind Liverpool.
Do you have any particular footballing grievances against either side? Think back to any previous meetings between your club and Liverpool or Milan. Has there ever been a particularly controversial moment that has cost your side victory? Perhaps one the two sides has cost your own team dear; Champions League qualification or maybe even your team was relegated by a result involving one of them?
Do you have anything in particular against one of the players who will be appearing in Milan? Does Rino Gattuso get under your skin? How about Craig Bellamy? Does Pippo Inzaghi and his inability to stay on his feet grind your gears? Do some of the Liverpool players' lifestyles annoy you? Well, get right behind the other team!
Do you have any personal issues involving Liverpool or Milan? Did an ex-girlfriend use to wear a Liverpool shirt in bed? Did a Milan ultra give you an 'obscene' gesture at the San Siro once? Did that waiter in the café opposite the Duomo short-change you on your summer holidays five years ago? Does Jamie Carragher's accent leave you confused and upset? A personal grievance could prove to be the difference and swing you towards, or away from, one of the two sides.
Are you the jealous type? If your club has not seen the same levels of success as Liverpool or Milan, then jealousy could lean you towards one or the other. Liverpool have been European champions five times and won the English league a record 18 times, while Milan have claimed six European gongs and 17 Scudetti. Only Real Madrid have won more European Cups, and let's face it, everyone hates them.
Either way, to watch the game as a real neutral kills any kind of enjoyment. Football is all about passion and excitement, so get behind one of the teams, for whatever reason, and support them to the full. You'll have more fun, and at the end of the day, you won't be left disappointed.
Where are you from? England or Italy? Obviously, you are expected to support the team who represent your own country, but complications do arise (see below). But if it is to be dumbed down to a simple case of England versus Italy, first make sure there are no dual-nationality issues, then check your loved one is not from the opposing country and if he/she is not, you should be in no doubt who to follow in Athens.
Which domestic side do you support? This is where it gets interesting. With rivalries so fierce in both the Premiership and Serie A, allegiances for the final could be based on levels of hatred felt towards one of Wednesday's night's participants. And with both sides involved in some of the fiercest rivalries in the world, there are plenty of people out there whose interest in the game is unlikely to be entirely neutral. So, depending on your levels of bias, if you are an Everton or Manchester United fan, you should shout for Milan, while Internazionale and Juventus followers should get behind Liverpool.
Do you have any particular footballing grievances against either side? Think back to any previous meetings between your club and Liverpool or Milan. Has there ever been a particularly controversial moment that has cost your side victory? Perhaps one the two sides has cost your own team dear; Champions League qualification or maybe even your team was relegated by a result involving one of them?
Do you have anything in particular against one of the players who will be appearing in Milan? Does Rino Gattuso get under your skin? How about Craig Bellamy? Does Pippo Inzaghi and his inability to stay on his feet grind your gears? Do some of the Liverpool players' lifestyles annoy you? Well, get right behind the other team!
Do you have any personal issues involving Liverpool or Milan? Did an ex-girlfriend use to wear a Liverpool shirt in bed? Did a Milan ultra give you an 'obscene' gesture at the San Siro once? Did that waiter in the café opposite the Duomo short-change you on your summer holidays five years ago? Does Jamie Carragher's accent leave you confused and upset? A personal grievance could prove to be the difference and swing you towards, or away from, one of the two sides.
Are you the jealous type? If your club has not seen the same levels of success as Liverpool or Milan, then jealousy could lean you towards one or the other. Liverpool have been European champions five times and won the English league a record 18 times, while Milan have claimed six European gongs and 17 Scudetti. Only Real Madrid have won more European Cups, and let's face it, everyone hates them.
Either way, to watch the game as a real neutral kills any kind of enjoyment. Football is all about passion and excitement, so get behind one of the teams, for whatever reason, and support them to the full. You'll have more fun, and at the end of the day, you won't be left disappointed.
Last edited by on Mon May 21, 2007 6:26 pm; edited 1 time in total
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