SoccerBlogs

Apart from the unacceptable events that occurred during the trophy ceremony at the Trocadéro, there is a bigger problem at hand for the PSG staff. 10 000 to 15 000 fans attended on Monday for the third championship win of PSG's history, and the first in 19 years. The Paris metropolitan area has 12 million people.

The PSG has always been my favorite French club. My father used to bring me to the Parc des Princes since I was age 5 and I have seen countless matches with some great players like Dahleb, Susic, Weah, Rai, Leonardo, Pauleta along the way. Now with the arrival of the Qatari financial backup, the PSG has a unique chance of competing amongst the best teams in Europe.

Take a snapshot of how the Mannschaft and Nazionale are playing in this year's Euro and rewind some years ago. The contrast is flagrant. The whole philosophy has changed. Instead of reasoning in terms of preserving your own goal, Klinsmann and then Löw and Prandelli have built their strategy which prioritizes an attacking style that concerns all players, not only the offensive side.

Many football commentators still believe in some form of divide between incumbents and substitutes. I think those days are over. Welcome to the era of the incumbent that just doesn't start the game. That's a small paradigm shift which has already happened in rugby for example.

In my opinion, football has become popular in certain countries and not others because styles became rooted in the national imagination. Take for example the Argentinian toque or the Brazilian jogo bonito or the Italian grinta or the Uruguayan garra. Generation after generation have identified with these styles and this has become entrenched in how each of these countries takes pride in their own football.

When the institution it represents is stronger than the players, the coaches, the management. Look at Mourinho's current problems with Real Madrid. I don't know if this is a grand scheme by the Great One to purposefully have Marca and As criticize him so as to win the support from the fans?

After Platini, Messi is the only other player to win the Ballon d'Or 3 times in a row. This is fully deserved because:

• Messi is both a fuoriclasse dribbler and plays for his teammates.
• Messi is decisive in the games that count.
• A unique style made of robustness, speed, technique.

Learning from other sports is often a good exercise. I recently discussed how football could use a golf type handicap system to make the UEFA's Financial Fair Play easier to apply for some of Europe's most debt driven clubs. Football could also learn from tennis. I had already referred to this sport when debating on the current World Cup 1st round group stage which is contrary to the spirit of any cup type competition.

Dear Michel,

You do allow me to call you Michel I hope? I have seen you play at least a dozen times when I was a kid in the Parc des Princes and your unforgettable goals against Bulgaria, Yougoslavia, and Spain to list just a few. I consider you as my favorite player of all times.

Lugano is about to sign with the Paris Saint-Germain. It's certain to happen in the next day or so. I predict that's a decisive move for the PSG to win the championship this year. Diego Lugano will bring the garra that can overcome any obstacle. Well done Leonardo!

Maracanazos wish a warm welcome to Diego Lugano!