The sports
Yesterday, Samuel and I viewed the best match of the last two or three years: Atlético de Madrid’s victory, in extra time, over title holders Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League’s round of 16. As brilliant as last year’s semifinals were, this game was superior – at least in terms of the overall quality of play. Both teams did what they do well. Both were fairly successful. The Liverpudlians attacked ferociously, the Colchoneros defended, and Jan Oblak was a monster at blocking shots. The Liverpudlians slowly clawed their way into the lead. But then the series was turned around by substitutes who scored three crisp goals. Thrilling, heady stuff.
I happened to watch this game rather than others because it was held in a stadium with fans. To contain the new coronavirus, fans were kept outside of other games played at the same time.
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Rumbo a la gloria eterna said the arch over the players entering the field of the Copa Libertadores Group A match between Independiente del Valle and Junior de Barranquilla. (This slogan, too, was in step with the coronavirus pandemic.) IDV won 3–0 with cracking goals, what Argentinian commentators call goles de altura – goals characteristic of the altitude.
My own team, Barcelona, lost 3–0 at title holders Flamengo. Elimination stares us in the face.
I happened to watch this game rather than others because it was held in a stadium with fans. To contain the new coronavirus, fans were kept outside of other games played at the same time.
♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦
Rumbo a la gloria eterna said the arch over the players entering the field of the Copa Libertadores Group A match between Independiente del Valle and Junior de Barranquilla. (This slogan, too, was in step with the coronavirus pandemic.) IDV won 3–0 with cracking goals, what Argentinian commentators call goles de altura – goals characteristic of the altitude.
My own team, Barcelona, lost 3–0 at title holders Flamengo. Elimination stares us in the face.