REMOVE FC Barcelona’s ‘The Kop’

The morning was unusually sunny Liverpool. To the neighbor Anfield, in the northwest of the city, there is not a soul on the street. It was a work day and it was 11:00, but it was surprising how little traffic there was and the absence of pedestrians. Some houses keep the union jack including pictures of King Charles III who celebrated their recent coronation, and there, in the midst of the very Brexit and English scenario, appeared the crimson stadium of Anfieldconsidered by many, debatable, like all others, to be the best temple of football in the world.

It is interesting to visit Anfield, built in 1884, and visit its museum and the stadium stands. The presence of FC Barcelona in this temple, and not only because of the logical video broadcast of the comeback from 4-0 in the semifinals of Champions of the fatal May 7, 2019, but in the presence of the shirts of the great stars of boat On the road.

Barça reappeared like those troops
British defeated in a battle in South Africa

In the museum area dedicated to the great captain Steven Gerard, Pep Guardiola’s number 4 shirt awaits to be signed next to Paolo Maldini, Gerard’s two references. And in the visiting dressing room, hanging on the hangers of the players that give the atmosphere to the small area, are, through the decoration, the Xavi, iniesta and Messialong with those Buffon, cafe, Cristiano Ronaldo, Henry, Cannavaro, Desailly and cole.

Guess the most photographed? Exactly, one Messi. But for Barcelona fans, the presence of the shirts of Xavi and iniesta they are appreciated. Visitors can also touch the legendary painting This is Anfieldwhich the local players usually shake their hand before leaving the field of play, as an obligatory liturgy.

During the visit it was observed how the operators prepare the stadium. Electricians and gardeners usually get everything ready for the next game, a Liverpool vs Aston Villa, which is due this Saturday. Grass is a carpet. As in Wembley or the field no The playing field has 95% natural grass and 5% synthetic grass which gives it uniformity and a certain hardness or feeling of being compact, very unified. A wonder.

In the east goal area, it is The Kop. The stand containing 12,000 of the loudest fans of Liverpool. The Kop It takes its name from one of the battles of the Anglo-Boer War, in South Africa, where on January 24, 1900, 243 British soldiers died. The Kop try to remember that page of colonial military history and the sense of overcoming and victory that followed the death of so many members of Imperial Light Infantry.

is on The Kop where the corner is certain, to the entire blaugrana confusion, from which the ball is thrown into place Ter Stegen and where he is Liverpool He got the fourth goal from the Belgian origin of divockthe goal that came true in the historic return of the ‘reds’ of Liverpool he is new boat.

Vinnythe club employee guiding the guests, responded with a short and polite “Yes” to the question of whether in that corner where the fatal game for the player began. boat. That goal caught the team’s defense confused boatIt was a blow, and for me, harder to forget than that pandemic and pathetic 2-8 of Bayern.

Visit Liverpoolfeel the spirit of the stands of The Kopand accept defeat the same week that the FC Barcelona won the League, leave a lesson. After the disappointment and sadness of defeat, if you can accept your mistakes, you can rise again. After the fall you have to get up and Xavi He gave that impetus and we should thank him. He boat he came back to life. There are many difficulties ahead, but nothing that seriousness, enthusiasm, dedication and preparation cannot solve.