The Russian has defined a new way of understanding football, which now the sheikhs are imitating (see Manchester City, the next candidate in the next few years, to win the Cup). But, in hindsight, its principle is the old one that has inspired so many presidents in Italy: he who spends, wins. Abramovich has spent mountains of money, became the tsar of debt, was accused of manipulating the market, took on big fish Mourinho, has changed coaches, players, and moods. To achieve this, even through a final lost on penalties against Manchester United in 2008, took nine years. Too many? Too few? Now it no longer matters.