Semi life

After hundreds of millions spent on players, Manchester City can finally say they are in the European elite. Reaching the Champions League semi finals shouldn’t be undervalued. They were the only leading English club not to get to that stage. The club had been presenting themselves to break into the elite since the UAE takeover in 2009.

What happens next may tell us more about this status. Are they here to stay? PSG were disappointing and City didn’t have to do much to achieve a 2-2 draw in France. In earlier rounds they played.

But the likelihood is that they will play either Madrid teams, Barcelona or Bayern in the semi finals. Three of these teams have comfortably beaten City since 2010. Most commentators would expect a similar outcome. However with the semi final atmosphere and a new talisman in Kevin De Bruyne, there could be a closer outcome this year. City have beaten Bayern home and away in recent years, so perhaps this might be the best option.

Elsewhere Real Madrid overturned a two goal deficit and reached their sixth successive semi final. This is a great record of consistency driven by Ronaldo’s goals, although only once have they reached the final. The quest for undecima might not quite have the same obsession as the decimal, but given their lack of La Liga success, this is Real’s best trophy opportunity. With a new manager Zidane looking to repeat the 2002 win, they may be favourites.

The other major story from the quarters was the dumping of Barcelona by Athletico Madrid. This was a repeat of the 2014 quarter defeat, the only other time since 2007 (!) that Barcelona hadn’t reached the Champions League semi final. No team has ever retained the Champions League. The last team to do so was AC Milan in 1990, under the previous format. Having looked set for another treble, Barcelona have now lost 3 crucial games in 4 and their league position has become less certain.   

The draw today presents City with a tough game. Real Madrid are now coming into form having had a very mixed season.

The final battle

This year’s Masters marks twenty years since one of the most dramatic final round collapses in a Major. Greg Norman’s losing of a six shot lead to Nick Faldo was the most painful of sporting occasions. At several previous Masters Norman had been in prime position to claim the Green Jacket only to be eclipsed, but this was by far the most self-inflicted defeat. His closing 78 turned a six shot lead into a five stroke loss, a staggering reversal of fortune.

Neither man would win another Major. Norman would come close on a few occasions. Faldo entered a decline. The 1996 Masters was an end of an era for both men and for their rivalry. Although the commiserating hug from Faldo was for the beaten man, it could have been a farewell from golfing gladiators.

Since the 1990 Open, when Faldo also blew Norman away, the two had competed for top ranking and tournaments, notably the 1993 Open won by Norman in style. The two contrasting styles made for great rivalry newspaper copy. Faldo – the grinder, who rarely played a loose shot and relentlessly and flawlessly amassed pars and birdies. Norman – the cavalier, with aggressive driving, attacking shots and the capability to launch storming final rounds. Faldo was the dedicated loner pro before most pros turned into this character. Norman was the powerful driver before club technology allowed all pros to drive like this.

There is nothing to say that the rivalry was personal, but in golfing terms, it was fierce. As the rivalry concluded twenty years ago, Faldo recalls his feeling then: 'The only time I felt sorry for someone I'd beaten'

1996 saw Faldo’s last Major and he would never be close again, missing the next three cuts. The crowning of Tiger Woods the following year by Faldo was a real passing of the baton moment. The player of the 1990s handing over to the player of the 2000s.

It was also an end of an era for European success. Apart from Jose Maria Olazabal in 1999, Europeans have failed to win the Masters since, and haven’t been close. Prior to 1996, Europe’s Big Five all dominated Masters tournaments. Faldo’s win was the seventh in nine Masters. 

1996 was a great tournament, but also a sad one. Personal pain over losing was matched by the end of a great period for golf.