Have you been enjoying the back to back coverage of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers? For me the answer to this question is a definitive no. Even though it's given me the opportunity to catch up with Arsenal games and revisit my fantasy football team, this international break like all such similar breaks was a complete non event.
Below are just some of the reasons that come to mind as to why Club football is so much better than Internationals;
1- Passion
As the legendary Bill Shankly once said "Football is not a matter of life and death...it's much more important than that". This for me sums up the attitude of a vast majority of club supporters.
How many cats have been kicked, dinner dates postponed, blazing rows ensued when your one true love is beaten? This passion is lived and breathed for more than nine months during the course of each year. Contrast with the drab, half hearted offerings when you watch your country play, not the same feelings is it?
2- Rivalry
The passion of club football is fuelled and renewed by the rivalries played out through the generations. These rivalries could be due to location proximity, competitiveness or an incident that occurred in a match played two centuries ago. What ever the origin, International football fails to generate the fervour and hatred of the worlds great derbies.
3- Quality
You would struggle to name, from the top of your head, some great international teams. Brazil '70, Holland '88 maybe or the magical Magyars of the '50's (I'm not that old, never saw them play). Now, how many great club sides can you name? The list is endless if you remain impartial.
4- Competitiveness
Club football is far more competitive than Internationals. Pitting the best players in the world against a motley crew of fishermen, bakers and bankers is not egalitarian, it's an insult to the players and the paying public. I do not want to turn up to a match that's a foregone conclusion irrespective of the performance of the teams.
5- FIFA
Kept blank due to legal advice.
These are just five of the reasons why I prefer club football over the pale imitation that is International football, I'm sure you can add more to this list.