I have come to observe that the answer to everything is based on one's positioning and understanding of the NATURE OF REALITY!
The nature of reality is:
- The pyramid of pyramids.
- The equilibrium of equilibriums.
- The fulcrum of everything.
So turn the knob accordingly.
His agent (in 2005) John Ola Shittu was the mastermind.
He was skillful and savvy in how he handled his "smuggling" to Lyn Oslo. He shielded Mikel well and played the game right, in my opinion.
The rest is history.
Ruud's argument is strong but in today's economic and variable league strengths reality, I have to disagree, and here is why.
Let's take a look at three title runs from that era - AC Milan's 1989 and Barcelona's 1992 European Cup titles as well as AC Milan's 1994 Champions League title runs:
AC MILAN 1988-89
- First Round: Vitosha Sofia
- Second Round: Red Star Belgrade
- Quarter-finals: Werder Bremen
- Semi-finals: Real Madrid
- Final: Steaua Bucharest
BARCELONA 1991-92:
- First Round: Hansa Rostock
- Second Round: FC Kaiserslautern
- Third Round (Group B): Sparta Prague, Benfica, Dynamo Kyiv.
(Winners of the third round groups A & B advance to the grand finale).
- Final: Sampdoria
AC MILAN 1993-94:
- First Round: Aarau (Swiss)
- Second Round: Copenhagen
-Group Stage (Group B): FC Porto, Werder Bremen, Anderlecht
(Milan finished top of the group.)
-Semi-finals: AS Monaco
Aggregate: 6–2 to Milan
- Final: Barcelona
Result: AC Milan 4–0 Barcelona
I would argue it was somewhat easier then for the winner of the top 4 domestic leagues (where the hard part [and path] was winning your domestic league), than today's format.
If we stayed with the old European Cup format, depending on the luck of the draw, we could have match-ups where [today's] Pep's Manchester City would face Anderlecht in round 1, then Galatasaray in round 2. Before proceeding to the Quarter-Final to face PSV Eindhoven. Then at the semifinals stage, he gets to face the winner of either La Liga, Italian Serie A, or Germany's Bundesliga.
Apart from Bayern, OM, Ajax, Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus, and Real Madrid of that era, which of the domestic league champions of those years will make the top 3 of the EPL of the modern era?
The modern era UCL had to evolve to accommodate variable league strengths, just like the Golden Boot Award. (For example, should we give a player who scores 40 goals today in Portugal vs. one who scores 30 goals in the EPL?).
I would suggest that the format today is just as difficult, from a [treacherous] path to victory perspective.
@Footballtweet Their stability is not by accident or happenstance.
It is a combination of Manchester City class (well-run club) + Pep's genius [of course].
@TouchlineX The players bought into the vision and direction Maresca sold to them.
Only for Egbahli boys to undermine his efforts and frustrate him for their egos.
I wish @paulwinstanley9 or @Loz_Stew did the presser today instead of putting Callum in that embarrassing situation.
@CFCPys@kierangill_DM I will not be shocked to hear Cole Palmer et al are already looking at their exit options.
It will be heart breaking but I cannot blame them.
@TheBlueDodger What a charade.
If they fully trust him, I dare them allow him pick the starting lineup.
No way it hell that happens. He will find out the starting 11 and squad list like everyone else. Good luck Callum.
@CFCPys@Direct__Racing All signs are pointing to Keller exiting.
Behdad Eghbali will call his bluff. "What do you mean I can't have him?" "Do you know who I is [sic]?"