by Jay Williams

Created on: May 23, 2008   Last Updated: October 31, 2008

Wednesday's Champion's League final provided a metaphorical battleground for the steel vs. style argument, with the pragmatic Chelsea facing the freewheeling Manchester United.
The game, while it was far from football at its most beautiful, was an enthralling affair; often a case of functionality over flair and a wonderful example of how ugly football' can still provide an exciting and enjoyable experience.

The English FA have accepted that results must come above performances; the appointment of the astute Italian Fabio Capello - an advocate of catenaccio - has confirmed this, and few fans will complain if Capello ends England's long wait for a trophy whilst scraping one-nil victories, rather than, once again, succumbing to their nearly men status.

Yet, the neutral will always adore flair - the players, and teams that produce football that leaves jaws agape and pundits breathless and understandably so. The excitement that a Ronaldo, Messi or Kaka can generate will never be comparable to the steadfast, never-say-die attitude that has been the mainstay of many a terrace legend.

Take Roy Keane, for example. Manchester United fans will often find themselves bleary-eyed at the mention of their iconic former captain; but leave a football fan breathless that memorable semi-final in Turin aside I doubt it.

The moments that remain ingrained in football fan's memories, the moments that warrant legend, are those that seem entirely superhuman. Yes, fans will recall Liverpool's 2005 Champions League final; that most miraculous of turnarounds, but the most pronounced memory of that night for Liverpool fans and neutrals alike is Jerzy Dudek's miraculous double save, twice denying the then lethal Andriy Shevchenko; a moment that defied belief and ensured that Dudek will remain an Anfield legend.

That one moment defined Dudek's career. Followers of football, Liverpool fan or otherwise, will not be able to recall any other moments from his career, akin to Keane, he will be remembered for solid performances, every game blurring into the next; solid, yet unspectacular.

It is those aforementioned players, those flair players, who capture the imagination. They raise people from their seats, make people spill drinks and inspire us. These players produce adored memories week in week out and it is they, not the foot-soldiers or victories, who make football the planet's most loved sport.

Of course all types are needed to ensure that the modern game functions, even the prawn sandwich merchants and business analysts, but this is a game of passion and it is remarkably difficult to remain passionate about a game that values is willing to sacrifice style and beautiful football all for the sake of winning.

Fans may want trophies, but I feel we can learn a great deal from the setup at Real Madrid who, despite having won La Liga the previous season, sacked Capello citing a lack of attractive football as the reason. The club's president Ramon Calderon was quoted as saying: "We've laid the foundations, but we need to find a more enthusiastic way of playing". In other words; trophies are fine, but only when they are won playing attractive football.

Oh, and just in case you were wondering I was supporting United.

Learn more about this author, Jay Williams.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.