One Goal

One Goal was all that separated the winners from the losers.

Man U vs Barca, Chelsea vs Liverpool

The scoreline may not be flattering, and it may even seem mocking, but the truth is, nobody remembers the losers; even the losers themselves do not want to remember.

Yet we must be aware of the difference between these 2 semi-final results. Man U won because we scored the one and the only goal that mattered, despite the absence of Vidic and Rooney. We played after a loss to Chelsea, without our formidable aegis and with our aura of invincibility seemingly-shattered. However, we triumphed.

In contrast, Liverpool lost because they conceded a goal in the first leg. If they didn't, they would have gone through on aggregate, since they managed to do what they could not in so many previous visits to Stamford Bridge. Ultimately, they paid the price for that one goal.

Is there a lesson to be learnt here? Definitely, Life is all about lessons and learning.

I think that the most important point, at least for me, is that a good defence is priceless. True, we were without Vidic, but the way we defended, over two legs, home and away, showed our desire to win. In contrast, Liverpool managed to break their scoring duck at Chelsea, but their defence was inadequate.

The foundation for a good offence is a strong and stable defence, no?

Foundations are important, even if the basic stuff seems boring.

『Today, and every day, deliver more than you are getting paid to do. The victory of success will be half won when you learn the secret of putting out more than is expected in all that you do. Make yourself so valuable in your work that eventually you will become indispensable. Exercise your privilege to go the extra mile, and enjoy all the rewards you receive. You deserve them!』
~Og Mandino~