Has there ever been a bigger build up to a domestic league match in the football world? If so, I would certainly like to see it. Tonight provides football lovers with the first Classico of the new season. Arguably the biggest rivalry in Europe, Barcelona and Real Madrid will lock horns tonight in front of an excitable and hostile atmosphere at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Much of the pre and early season talk has been around the two forward triangles. James, Bale and Ronaldo for Madrid and Messi, Neymar and a third member who coincidently will make his debut for Barcelona tonight after the completion of a 4 month ban for biting. His name, Luis Suarez. A man and player of equal uniqueness.
Suarez epitomises the underlying principle of Economics. The social science is fundamentally built around the study of how to most efficiently allocate scarce resources. This principle illustrates an issue we as humans face every single day of our lives. Trade-offs. Resources have multiple uses. When allocating a resource to one area, you are sacrificing allocating that resource to another area.
The career of Luis Suarez has brought about many interesting yet agonising trade-off situations. Where is his best position? many say Number 10, others prefer him as an out and out striker. Is he best starting in the channels and coming in or starting from central areas and moving into space. The more attributes a player and person possesses, the larger the trade-off. He is so exceptional both offensively and defensively, the opportunity cost of playing him in a certain position is higher than any other player. Hence the growth of the revolving door in football. Every player strives to be interchangeable and dynamic.
Behaviourally, Suarez has provided the most high profile of trade-offs throughout his career. He has been involved in three separate biting incidents, an alleged racism incident, an intentional hand ball to stop a goal that sent his team through to a World Cup Semi Final in 2010 and various other acts that have harmed his reputation. Yet ironically, he possesses the most incredible leadership qualities in general play. He sets the benchmark in many areas. His work-rate, courage on the ball, tactical discipline and unmatched will to win is infectious both with his team mates and his adoring fans. Is a player with such a high level of all round quality worth more than the risk in which his on field antics could destroy a dressing room and the reputation of his club? this is the debate that has sparked such contrasting views around the globe.
Yet, when you study his life and sporting experiences up to this point, the extremities of the good the bad and the different make much more sense. As does the intense rivalry which awaits us tonight. It is not only a clash of two teams, but two cities, two cultures and two philosophies. Catalans are proud people, many of which have increased the momentum of a separatist movement which could change the face of La Liga, but that is a story for another day. Barca pride themselves on their development of players, most famously of which in one season, the top three Ballon D'or vote recipients Xavi, Iniesta and Messi were not only all from the same team, but all went through the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona and cost the club a total of $0 in transfer fees. Real Madrid on the other hand, are viewed as the Galacticos. A team of high wealth and incredible individual players purchased from all over the world. The movie stars of Spain and the most successful club in Europe, finally achieving the sacred La Decima, winning their tenth European Cup last season.
Enjoy the game everybody!
Much of the pre and early season talk has been around the two forward triangles. James, Bale and Ronaldo for Madrid and Messi, Neymar and a third member who coincidently will make his debut for Barcelona tonight after the completion of a 4 month ban for biting. His name, Luis Suarez. A man and player of equal uniqueness.
Suarez epitomises the underlying principle of Economics. The social science is fundamentally built around the study of how to most efficiently allocate scarce resources. This principle illustrates an issue we as humans face every single day of our lives. Trade-offs. Resources have multiple uses. When allocating a resource to one area, you are sacrificing allocating that resource to another area.
The career of Luis Suarez has brought about many interesting yet agonising trade-off situations. Where is his best position? many say Number 10, others prefer him as an out and out striker. Is he best starting in the channels and coming in or starting from central areas and moving into space. The more attributes a player and person possesses, the larger the trade-off. He is so exceptional both offensively and defensively, the opportunity cost of playing him in a certain position is higher than any other player. Hence the growth of the revolving door in football. Every player strives to be interchangeable and dynamic.
Behaviourally, Suarez has provided the most high profile of trade-offs throughout his career. He has been involved in three separate biting incidents, an alleged racism incident, an intentional hand ball to stop a goal that sent his team through to a World Cup Semi Final in 2010 and various other acts that have harmed his reputation. Yet ironically, he possesses the most incredible leadership qualities in general play. He sets the benchmark in many areas. His work-rate, courage on the ball, tactical discipline and unmatched will to win is infectious both with his team mates and his adoring fans. Is a player with such a high level of all round quality worth more than the risk in which his on field antics could destroy a dressing room and the reputation of his club? this is the debate that has sparked such contrasting views around the globe.
Yet, when you study his life and sporting experiences up to this point, the extremities of the good the bad and the different make much more sense. As does the intense rivalry which awaits us tonight. It is not only a clash of two teams, but two cities, two cultures and two philosophies. Catalans are proud people, many of which have increased the momentum of a separatist movement which could change the face of La Liga, but that is a story for another day. Barca pride themselves on their development of players, most famously of which in one season, the top three Ballon D'or vote recipients Xavi, Iniesta and Messi were not only all from the same team, but all went through the famous La Masia academy in Barcelona and cost the club a total of $0 in transfer fees. Real Madrid on the other hand, are viewed as the Galacticos. A team of high wealth and incredible individual players purchased from all over the world. The movie stars of Spain and the most successful club in Europe, finally achieving the sacred La Decima, winning their tenth European Cup last season.
Enjoy the game everybody!