The start of the men’s soccer league invites you to a different look, but too much forgiveness is not appropriate.
Early disillusionment: Kane and FC Bayern score on their own again Photo: Imago
The first game day of the season, cinematically speaking, goes like this: Before sunrise– Moment: A new beginning, a lot of magic is in small, unnoticed places. Big clubs and title races have not yet dominated the public discourse. There is still room for Heidenheim’s outstanding work to be recognized. And not just because it is visible on the table for all the fools to see.
There is still room to appreciate what Julian Schuster, the successor to the interesting striker at SC Freiburg, is and how courageous and enthusiastic Holstein Kiel have been in the first two games (contrary to the table position that every fool can see). Many have even been particularly curious about FC Bayern Munich, which has long had a likeable and humble coach with original game ideas in Vincent Kompany.
But this moment of dawn was short-lived, and it seemed to have disappeared with Bayern’s 6-1 victory over Holstein Kiel, which put them on top. Much of it will be the same now, and much more so. The Champions League, which is now starting, is a friendly reminder that it is now essentially a permanent league. Everyone is arguing about the handball rule again, and players are running around the penalty area like deer running from a hunter’s ball. And as usual, after VAR, the penalty is constantly whistling.
Record 13 penalties
It is worth remembering this exceptional situation. As of press time, there have been 13 penalties in three days, and six in this match alone. This could be an all-time record. Normally, around 77% are converted without a big scoring opportunity beforehand. Now every second game is decided by (almost) a missed goal.
It’s nonsense. This nonsense will probably be discussed loudly again soon. But it’s also notable that it’s nonsense that is hardly discussed anymore. The super rich, the perennial champions, the bloated Champions League and the ownership of multiple clubs have long been the subject of outrage.
The silence of the Unioner curve against Red Bull at the weekend is almost ritualistic, Haaland’s new £375,000-a-week increase has barely moved, and the Champions League is facing the most serious resistance from exhausted pundits. The belief in structural restructuring has been successfully suspended for the time being. Even after dawn, you can see that the situation remains the same as the previous evening. It’s really sobering. But at least: a clear view will help.
