There are times, aren’t there, when you wonder if the whole world’s gone mad. Mass graves are being uncovered in Iraq and children are being shot on the streets of London, but the English media have been dominated this week by David Beckham’s admission that he had committed a professional foul.
His lunge at Ben Thatcher of Wales — after a previous tackle by Thatcher had cracked Beckham’s ribs — served the dual purpose of revenge and allowing him, through the subsequent yellow card (the second he has received during this qualifying campaign), to serve out his international suspension while he was injured.
And what does the world do? It comes down like a ton of bricks on the great England captain for finally showing a bit of wit. Okay, he probably shouldn’t have admitted to his revenge attack, but look at Thatcher’s twisted face when he made the first tackle. He deserved the return.
As Lee Dixon, the controversial former Arsenal fullback says: ‘If this upsets people, so be it. But it is not bringing the game into disrepute to use your brain a little bit. To miss the Azerbaijan game is not the worst thing in the world, and if he was injured it makes perfect sense.â€
Thing is, Beckham’s cracked rib is worse than initially feared and he’s out for at least a month and misses Real Madrid’s European trip this week. Dr Juan Carlos Fernandez, on Real’s medical staff, says: ‘He has two small fractures. He will be out for three to four weeks.â€
That means he misses both of Real’s games against Dynamo Kiev, who are top of Group B. Real kicked off with a devastating defeat against Bayer Leverkusen but came from behind to beat Roma last time out. The last thing they need is Beckham, in goal-scoring form whatever the critics say, on the sidelines.
European contenders face the same club home and away over the next three weeks. On Tuesday, Liverpool play Deportivo la Coruna at Anfield in Group A while Manchester United go to Sparta Prague in Group D.
Wednesday sees Arsenal at Panathinaikos in Group E with Celtic at Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F and the big one … Chelsea taking on Roman Abramovich’s ‘other side†CSKA Moscow in Group H.
Real vs Kiev
Even Roberto Carlos, the boo-boy at the Bernebeu these days, got a goal against Roma in what was a fabulous comeback. We all know if the galacticos can perform, Real could win the lot. At home, they should clatter Dynamo Kiev. It’s the trip to the Ukraine that would worry me.
Verdict: Real 2 Kiev 0
Sparta vs Man United
United top their group after the come-from-behind draw with Lyon and the crushing defeat of those Turkish turkeys Fenerbahçe at Old Trafford. Now they go to Prague, who are finding this Champions League challenge pointless, literally and figuratively. Hopefully, this will be another Wayne Rooney show, though Ruud van Nistelrooy may feature too.
Verdict: Sparta 0 United 2.
Liverpool vs Deportivo
Rafael Benitez’s men, edged 1-0 at Olympiakos last time out, have to show the form they displayed in their opening game against Monaco when they come up against struggling Deportivo la Coruna, bottom of the group and faltering in La Liga. Spaniard Benitez knows all about Depo’s weaknesses.
Verdict: Liverpool 1 Deportivo 0
Panathinaikos vs Arsenal
A real test of Arsenal’s European weakness. While they sweep all before them domestically, the Gunners continue to misfire in Europe; just look at that awful 1-1 draw in Rosenborg a fortnight ago. This trip to Greece will be a lot more slippery. Bang goes the unbeaten season.
Verdict: Panathinaikos 2 Arsenal 1
Shakhtar vs Celtic
Celtic need a win here or it’s all over in Europe … and they can wave goodbye to coach Martin O’Neill, who has big ambitions. Mind you, Donetsk are pointless too. Time for Celtic to revive memories of 1967, the Lisbon Lions and all that.
Verdict: Shakhtar Donetsk 1 Celtic 1
Chelsea vs CSKA
Uefa had to look into this one when it came up in the draw. Abramovich owns Chelsea and sponsors CSKA Moscow, the former army team in Russia. They decided no clash of interests existed and it looks like both of these two will qualify anyway. Given the money he’s spent on Chelsea, Abramovich must be supporting the English club here, surely?
Verdict: Chelsea 3 CSKA 1