Offside...

Football is an extremist's game, hinged on pure, unadulterated passion for ninety solid minutes. Or so a friend muses, and I find myself agreeing with her view without the slightest hint of reluctance. I understand extreme behaviour in football; the classic dichotomy of good and bad that surrounds the club we support, and everyone else - they are by default the enemy.

If you lurk, or actively participate in football forums, you'll begin to see the trend of how sensitive people can be with the club they support. How quick they are to question someone's loyalty, and how equally speedy they are to brand someone a gloryhunter in the middle of online altercations make a fascinating study. Perhaps someone should do a new study on the psychology of a sports fan - if I weren't struggling with the overwhelming presence of Economics in my life, I might have done the relevant module offered in my university - Sports Psychology - and would've made an attempt to elaborate said demeanour within 2000 words.

Alas, I'm not.

But I'll tell you one thing; it annoys me gravely when someone tries to direct my opinion over football matters. When they tell me, "Oh god S, you can't like him! He's from so and so club!" - granted unnamed club is the biggest, most competitive rival of the club I support. Look, there's a difference between admiring a player/coach for his abilities and jumping ships to go and support his club when yours undergo a tough time.

Loyalty isn't a novelty. Not in a game like football. I know I'll never stop feeling that sense of passion, and blind attachment I feel with Real Madrid - even if they are relegated to the Segunda division. It's true that from time to time they frustrate with their lackluster performances. There have been occasions where I've wanted to do nothing short of smashing Kaká and Cristiano Ronaldo's heads to a concrete slab for being overpaid, underperforming douchebags. But at the end of the day - this is Real Madrid. With their Di Stéfanos, and Puskáses, to their Butragueños and Hierros, to the Raúl's and Morientes', they are what they are. They win some, they lose some; that is just how football plays itself out.

I GET THAT.

My biggest consternation is when friends tell me flat out that I'm not allowed to express admiration for what Pep Guardiola has done with Barca. I cannot stress sufficiently my dislike for Barcelona. I'd love to see them relegated, or caught in the middle of a Calciopoli v2.0, Spain; I'd love to sit back and smirk when Joan Laporta loses his fortunes, and is forced to sell Lionel Mess etc etc. I do. Ask any other fan who understands the importance behind the Clasico, they'll tell their exact same sentiments.

But it is ridiculously childish to take away the admiration from a man whose achievements speak for themselves - even in this hard line dichotomous dimension of football . He might have won it at Real Madrid's expense, but it isn't an easy feat for a coach, with no proper first team experience, to step into the shoes of the Barcelona boss and win six trophies in his first season. That is greatness. Regardless of the colour of your club, that needs to be recognized and applauded.

If you think otherwise, you are a shallow-minded moron.