Here is a look at 7 major title races in Europe. Although the ones chosen are not the top 7 in terms of Uefa rankings they are ordered according to the Uefa ranking of 2010 and the Uefa rank of each one is given in brackets.
1. English Premier League ( Rank - 1st )
Contenders :-
i) Manchester United ( 69 points from 31 matches ) - Looking to make it an unprecedented 4th time in a row and also surpass Liverpool as the English club with maximum league titles there is a slight suspicion this could be Sir Alex Ferguson's swansong especially if successful. Wayne Rooney's inspirational form is the other reason for bookies now rating them as the favorites.
ii) Chelsea ( 68 points from 31 matches ) - The exit from the UCL seems to have left some scars. In addition to that the well publicized scandals of leading stars like John Terry and Ashley Cole is said to have damaged the morale at the club. To that there is another problem of some of the stars coming to the end of their contracts and no agreement on a new contract in sight for them. The latest rumor is that the owner Mr. Roman Abramovich has issued an ultimatum that they must win one title at least if they all want a future at the club. Due to several such problems some are rating them as the last of the favorites at the moment but Chelsea is still very much in this title race.
iii) Arsenal ( 67 points from 31 matches ) - After 4 trophy less seasons this time fans desperately want to see some silverware won. Some are still not convinced that this squad has enough resilience in it for facing the toughest of battles but in the last few weeks they have managed to convert at least a few of the erstwhile sceptics. Can Arsene Wenger prove to the whole world that big trophies can be won without spending big money?
Outsiders :-
None since it's clearly between these 3 clubs.
2. Spanish La Primera Liga ( Rank - 2nd )
Contenders :-
i) Barcelona ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - While some say that the team is not at their world beating levels of last season all agree that Lionel Messi is indisputably the best player in the world and unstoppable on his day. Still with tough ties to negotiate in UCL and a team in which certain aspects are still not working that well, is Messi enough to take them to their 2nd successive title against deadly competition from their eternal rivals?
ii) Real Madrid ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - Perhaps the only hope Manuel Pellegrini has of saving his job after an unceremonious exit in the UCL is winning the league title. The team is in good form and is picking up points steadily. El Classico is also approaching. Can the Merengues do enough to win at least one title this season and will it be enough to save face in view of the huge transfer expenditure of last summer?
Outsiders :-
None as it is clearly a 2 horse race between the 2 eternal giants.
3. Italian Serie A ( Rank - 3rd )
Contenders :-
1) Inter Milan ( 63 points from 30 matches ) - After having given one of their best performances in Europe in recent times its ironic that Inter's form in Serie A has not been good. There are suspicions that UCL is their first priority this season. Then again a 2 legged tie against CSKA in UCL is not the kind of competition their league rivals wanted them to have at this stage. Jose Mourinho rarely loses league titles but can he lose this one?
ii) A C Milan ( 59 points from 30 matches ) - Hardly anyone except ardent fans of the club would have predicted them to be title contenders at the start of this season. Coach Leonardo deserves a lot of credit for making very good use of what can be called an aged, overused and undernourished squad. Some still don't think they are good enough to win a league title but perhaps they can capitalize on the slip ups of others.
iii) A S Roma ( 59 points from 30 matches ) - The points table suggests they are at a disadvantage but they also have the easiest run-in of all the contenders. Besides this is a squad with not just a fine first team but good bench options. Coach Ranieri could be called a weakness because he is not known for winning titles.
Outsiders :-
None as it's clearly between these 3.
4. German Bundesliga ( Rank - 4th )
Contenders :-
i) Bayern Munich ( 56 points from 27 matches ) - After a disastrous first few months when he was almost on the verge of being fired Louis Vaan Gaal's team did such an amazing turnaround that they are still alive and kicking in 3 competitions. Will the stress of too many competitions not least of which is a 2 legged tie against English powerhouses Manchester United take its toll or will their superior know how carry them to one more league title?
ii) Schalke ( 55 points from 27 matches ) - It seems Felix Magath particularly enjoys leading different teams to the Bundesliga title and that too while all the time outwardly maintaining that his teams do not have much of a chance. Perhaps he still nurses some grievances against his former employers Bayern Munich and it would double his pleasure if he could beat them to the summit just like last year.
iii) Bayer Leverkusen ( 53 points from 27 matches ) - Coach Jupp Heynckes began in such impressive fashion that one was forced to wonder whether Bayern Munich who employed him as a caretaker for the last few matches of last season should have at all let him go. However then came a not so unexpected slump from a team which was perhaps punching a little above its weight. Can the man who once won the UCL with Real Madrid lead his team to a resurgence and win the race at the death?
Outsiders :-
Maybe Borussia Dortmund but its mainly between these 3.
5. French Ligue 1 ( Rank - 5th )
Contenders :-
i) Bordeaux ( 56 points from 28 matches ) - At one time it seemed like they were destined to win another successive title but form fell and now they are only one of the contenders although arguably they still have the most chance of all. Laurent Blanc is tipped to move to a higher profile job this summer and stars like Maroune Chamakh are even more certain to depart. Can they all sign out on a high or will the European adventures take their toll?
ii) Montpellier ( 56 points from 29 matches ) - When was the last time we saw a promoted team in a title race? And can they actually win it and make history for ages? The deservingly proud coach of this unassuming club calls them the 2nd favorites in the title race after the reigning champions.
iii) Auxerre ( 55 points from 29 matches ) - Another team that's not usually seen in the title race. Are they punching way above their weight this season?
iv) Marseille ( 53 points from 28 matches ) - Their case is quite peculiar. It wouldn't be wrong to say that Marseille have played quite well this season but more often not got the desired results. Something somewhat inexplicable seems to be lacking since the squad has a good number of competent players and a more than able coach in Didier Deschamps who took Monaco to the UCL final in 2004.
Outsiders :-
Both Lyon and Lille have 51 points from 29 matches. France's all conquering team of the last decade is surprisingly far behind but can they still use their years of experience to bridge the gap completely?
6. Portuguese Superliga ( Rank - 9th )
Contenders :-
i) Benfica ( 58 points from 23 matches ) - This has been a long awaited season of joy for Benfica fans. The team has played well and done well almost everywhere. Nothing less than the league title will suffice now.
ii) Braga ( 55 points from 23 matches ) - It's quite a surprise that the greatest challenge comes from not one of the usual giants but this less known team. The gap in points is still very small which should not be forgotten.
Outsiders :-
Although Porto have only managed 47 points from 23 matches they are so used to winning this title that maybe they shouldn't be completely ruled out just yet.
7. Dutch Eridivisie ( Rank - 10th )
Contenders :-
i) Twente ( 71 points from 28 matches ) - He may have become a figure of mirth in his homeland after failing to qualify England for Euro 2008 but Steve McLaren still feels that he has a lot to offer in the coaching world not least of which would be winning a title in a country whose footballing style compared to his homeland is like chalk and cheese and that too with a lesser known club.
ii) Ajax ( 67 points from 28 matches ) - They are Holland's most successful club in Europe and some of Europe's greatest players have made their beginning here. Yet in the last few years they have been overshadowed by PSV in terms of both domestic success and European performance. With PSV not looking that strong this season can they capture the league title after a long time?
iii) PSV ( 66 points from 28 matches ) - Of course consistent giants PSV are by no means out but stuttering form in recent times does not do their fans' confidence any good.
Outsiders :-
None as it's clearly between these 3.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Reflections : Who Is The World's Greatest Manager?
Yes we have had this discussion before but in light of recent events I thought it would be a good idea to pick just 5 names who are still active and examine the strengths and weaknesses of each. While discussing strengths I will try to focus on what makes that person stand out from the rest while when discussing weaknesses I will concentrate of why this person can still not be called the very best. At the end of it I will not draw any firm conclusions and leave it open to discussion. Also please note that this is not about achievements in the last decade or any specific time period. We are looking at the entire careers of these individuals.
1. Sir Alex Ferguson :-
Strengths - 1. a one man show at ManUtd who has taken the club to unprecedented success
2. a very rich trophy haul
3. ability to build new teams from scratch after letting some of the biggest stars leave for various reasons
4. teams are more about players who are bought young and developed under his tutelage than established stars from outside
5. always promotes an attacking style of play
Weaknesses - 1. it might sound harsh but he is a slow learner. He took a long time to get settled at ManUtd and start winning trophies. It's debatable whether anyone in today's times would be afforded that kind of time.
2. took a long time to grasp the European game. For many years he was tactically outwitted in UCL till he finally learnt the ropes but once he did he became as good as anyone.
2. Guus Hiddink :-
Strengths - 1. ability to get maximum returns from minimal resources and often working so called miracles
2. the very best at going to diverse club and international environments, picking up things in double quick time and producing results almost instantaneously
3. can make teams play very stylish football but can sacrifice that readily when winning becomes a priority
4. an excellent tactician who can get the better of just about anyone in the world
Weaknesses - 1. lack of big trophies. His trophy haul is the least impressive of all in this list.
2. his critics say that he is not at his best with the biggest of teams and some even suggest that he is not the best at handling immense pressure with his best performances having invariably come with the smaller teams
3. Marcello Lippi :-
Strengths - 1. the only contemporary coach to have attained the highest echelons of success in both club and international football.
2. a very rich trophy haul in club football
3. an able tactician who can at times surprise opponents with tactics not expected from his team
4. a huge motivator who can promote bonding and team spirit like few can
Weaknesses - 1. although he can at times provide a little style his teams are often accused of being dull
2. known to take a conservative approach and not promote young players as very evident in his second tenure with Italy.
3. often said to not be able to get along with the biggest of star players to the extent of dropping them in favor of group unity
4. Fabio Capello :-
Strengths - 1. arguably the biggest winner of all since he wins where he goes and that includes diverse club environments in different countries.
2. a huge trophy haul
3. a non-nonsense disciplinarian who can set the biggest of stars straight and clean up the most difficult of environments
4. excellent in transfer market
Weaknesses - 1. the number one promoter of ugly, boring football
2. has often had poor relations with his employers leading to some undeserved sackings and rumors which harmed his reputation
3. not so successful in UCL in later years losing out to contemporaries and younger coaches
5. Jose Mourinho :-
Strengths - 1. a trophy haul which seems to be aiming towards matching those of the all time best
2. loved unconditionally by his teams and especially the key players
3. a very strong motivator who can make his team believe they can do the impossible
4. success in diverse environments
Weaknesses - 1. hated by everyone else including opposing teams, the media etc. for his consistent ill-natured comments
2. known to promote substance over style to the extent of often championing ugly football
3. at times tactically outwitted by his contemporaries but certainly not too often
4. in later years has succeeded only in teams with large transfer expenditures and the biggest of stars at his disposal
1. Sir Alex Ferguson :-
Strengths - 1. a one man show at ManUtd who has taken the club to unprecedented success
2. a very rich trophy haul
3. ability to build new teams from scratch after letting some of the biggest stars leave for various reasons
4. teams are more about players who are bought young and developed under his tutelage than established stars from outside
5. always promotes an attacking style of play
Weaknesses - 1. it might sound harsh but he is a slow learner. He took a long time to get settled at ManUtd and start winning trophies. It's debatable whether anyone in today's times would be afforded that kind of time.
2. took a long time to grasp the European game. For many years he was tactically outwitted in UCL till he finally learnt the ropes but once he did he became as good as anyone.
2. Guus Hiddink :-
Strengths - 1. ability to get maximum returns from minimal resources and often working so called miracles
2. the very best at going to diverse club and international environments, picking up things in double quick time and producing results almost instantaneously
3. can make teams play very stylish football but can sacrifice that readily when winning becomes a priority
4. an excellent tactician who can get the better of just about anyone in the world
Weaknesses - 1. lack of big trophies. His trophy haul is the least impressive of all in this list.
2. his critics say that he is not at his best with the biggest of teams and some even suggest that he is not the best at handling immense pressure with his best performances having invariably come with the smaller teams
3. Marcello Lippi :-
Strengths - 1. the only contemporary coach to have attained the highest echelons of success in both club and international football.
2. a very rich trophy haul in club football
3. an able tactician who can at times surprise opponents with tactics not expected from his team
4. a huge motivator who can promote bonding and team spirit like few can
Weaknesses - 1. although he can at times provide a little style his teams are often accused of being dull
2. known to take a conservative approach and not promote young players as very evident in his second tenure with Italy.
3. often said to not be able to get along with the biggest of star players to the extent of dropping them in favor of group unity
4. Fabio Capello :-
Strengths - 1. arguably the biggest winner of all since he wins where he goes and that includes diverse club environments in different countries.
2. a huge trophy haul
3. a non-nonsense disciplinarian who can set the biggest of stars straight and clean up the most difficult of environments
4. excellent in transfer market
Weaknesses - 1. the number one promoter of ugly, boring football
2. has often had poor relations with his employers leading to some undeserved sackings and rumors which harmed his reputation
3. not so successful in UCL in later years losing out to contemporaries and younger coaches
5. Jose Mourinho :-
Strengths - 1. a trophy haul which seems to be aiming towards matching those of the all time best
2. loved unconditionally by his teams and especially the key players
3. a very strong motivator who can make his team believe they can do the impossible
4. success in diverse environments
Weaknesses - 1. hated by everyone else including opposing teams, the media etc. for his consistent ill-natured comments
2. known to promote substance over style to the extent of often championing ugly football
3. at times tactically outwitted by his contemporaries but certainly not too often
4. in later years has succeeded only in teams with large transfer expenditures and the biggest of stars at his disposal
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Reflections : Please No More Conspiracy Theories
What is football coming to? What do we mainly end up discussing after most matches? How unlucky one of the teams were? How bad the referee and linesmen were? How many wrong decisions were given?
Firstly a human being no matter how competent cannot give correct decisions in a split second since he is not a TV camera. Secondly it is true that much more could have been done to improve the standard of officiating but for whatever reasons that has not happened. It's also true that some of the officials in charge of some of the biggest matches are simply not good enough to officiate them.
By now most of the football fans and pundits are of the view that technology must be introduced into the game so as to decrease the number of controversies. Unfortunately their plea falls to deaf years as Sepp Blatter and his team steadfastly refuse to listen.
So in such circumstances what do we end up with? More and more controversies. However that's not all. If controversies were where it ends then it wouldn't be so bad. What's much worse are the millions of conspiracy theories that are floated around? And while players say their bit once in a while the main people using such situations to their advantage are football coaches and journalists who just love to come up with one more conspiracy theory whenever they feel that their team is hard done by and choose not to notice when their team is the beneficiary of wrong decisions.
Let's look at some of the conspiracy theories floated in recent times. The case of Ireland where they were knocked out of qualification for WC 2010 due to a hand ball goal immediately comes to mind. To be honest no matter how much noise that matter made credit must be given to the Irish for not saying anything out of turn. They said that seedings before the playoffs were unfair. For those problems there is only one entity responsible and that is Fifa and Mr. Sepp Blatter. They were so careless as to not even mention in the rules that the world cup playoffs would be seeded and they invented the system for the draw for the group stage of the world cup after all the qualifying countries had been decided. Seriously if they think they can get away with even this latter act they must be presuming themselves to be pseudo dictators because any accountable person(s) in any field of work would have been ripped apart for committing a monstrosity like that. Coming back to the Irish they had a right to use the word unfair. And they never said that the hand ball decision against them was deliberate.
However most other "victims" show no such class as the Irish showed. In England the common cry sometimes heard is that Uefa President Michel Platini is French and so he naturally hates the English. No wonder English clubs are suffering so much. Even if Platini imposes economic measures to make the competition fairer it is only seen as exploitative by the bigwigs. Steps such as trying to get clubs from the so called lesser leagues to participate more effectively in UCL are not even recognized as worthy efforts.
In Italy on the other hand the standard line is we don't have enough political clout in the Uefa and so naturally we would be given less value. Why is it so easy to forget that not so long ago Serie A ruled UCL and surely clubs from other countries would have also had their complaints against decisions given in those days? So does that mean we should now conclude that Italian clubs did well in those days because they had political clout at that time and not because they had very fine teams with very fine players? So what happened? Why did they lose this "political clout"? The brutal truth which very few want to accept is that the margin between winning and losing at these levels is very fine but the results when evaluated as a whole over a reasonable period of time tend to even out in terms of luck. Looking at those results indicates that Serie A today is not on par with EPL or La Liga. Instead of trying to correct what's going wrong let's float one more conspiracy theory has become the deeply regrettable attitude of most concerned.
While on Italy just look at this irony for instance. Inter's very well known coach Jose Mourinho is continuously trying to hint in the media sometimes subtly and sometimes not so subtly that the Italian FA have something against Inter and want to bring them down. Rewind to 2007-08. At the end of the title race the comments coming out from the Roma camp were that the referees won the Scudetto for Inter. So does that mean whoever wins does so because of the referees?
England and Italy are by no means the only ones. It took just a couple of decisions to go in Barcelona's favor for the notoriously biased Madrid press to go so far as to suggest that La Liga is being manipulated in favor of the Catalans. So now that a few decisions have gone against the reigning champions, perhaps it's time for the pro-Barcelona dailies to return the favor.
And how about international football. Well Brazilians can go to a world cup such as WC 2006 more intent on having a ball than playing the ball but when they are knocked out it doesn't stop their supporters from coming up with all kinds of theories about how Brazil is being brought down to help European countries. Of course winning the world cup is Brazil's birth right and how can we deny them that.
Please don't for a moment think that we are singling out the Brazilians here. Germany, who in the past have been accused of being lucky beneficiaries of controversial decisions, had the gall to claim through their outspoken goal keeper Jens Lehmann after the Euro 2008 final how certain decisions had gone against them when the whole world had witnessed them being annihilated on the pitch by a vastly superior Spanish team.
And we must give an honorable mention to Portugal without whom this discussion just cannot be rounded off. Portugal in WC 2006 showed that it isn't wrong to break a few jaws and legs of opponents if it can help you progress in the world cup but once they were knocked out they were back with their favorite line - we are a small nation whom no one wants to see win major trophies.
The intent here is not to criticize individual club or national teams. It's merely to indicate how sorry a state of affairs this is. And with Fifa completely ruling out technology what are we in store for at WC 2010? More wrong refereeing decisions, more controversies and worst of all more such conspiracy theories.
It's understandable to feel bitter after a match which a team feels they deserved to win. Accusing the referee and pointing out specific incidents is also acceptable. However when conspiracy theories start floating it just gets a bit too murky because there is no end to them with accusations which would invariably in the recent future be followed by counter accusations. The only time an accusation of bias should be morally permissible is when you can talk purely in terms of facts such as with Ireland saying that Fifa had no right to seed teams before the playoffs began if they had not written that in the rules earlier.
As a fan and admirer of the beautiful game, if while watching a major club or international match, one is not firmly of the belief that what will happen the next minute is not known to anyone in the entire world and only time will tell the result of this encounter, then what's the point in watching football? If this game of conspiracy theories continues then eventually someone like this writer will have to give up football. You go to the beautiful game to add beautiful moments in your life but if all around it there is so much dirt then what's the point in staining your apparel?
Firstly a human being no matter how competent cannot give correct decisions in a split second since he is not a TV camera. Secondly it is true that much more could have been done to improve the standard of officiating but for whatever reasons that has not happened. It's also true that some of the officials in charge of some of the biggest matches are simply not good enough to officiate them.
By now most of the football fans and pundits are of the view that technology must be introduced into the game so as to decrease the number of controversies. Unfortunately their plea falls to deaf years as Sepp Blatter and his team steadfastly refuse to listen.
So in such circumstances what do we end up with? More and more controversies. However that's not all. If controversies were where it ends then it wouldn't be so bad. What's much worse are the millions of conspiracy theories that are floated around? And while players say their bit once in a while the main people using such situations to their advantage are football coaches and journalists who just love to come up with one more conspiracy theory whenever they feel that their team is hard done by and choose not to notice when their team is the beneficiary of wrong decisions.
Let's look at some of the conspiracy theories floated in recent times. The case of Ireland where they were knocked out of qualification for WC 2010 due to a hand ball goal immediately comes to mind. To be honest no matter how much noise that matter made credit must be given to the Irish for not saying anything out of turn. They said that seedings before the playoffs were unfair. For those problems there is only one entity responsible and that is Fifa and Mr. Sepp Blatter. They were so careless as to not even mention in the rules that the world cup playoffs would be seeded and they invented the system for the draw for the group stage of the world cup after all the qualifying countries had been decided. Seriously if they think they can get away with even this latter act they must be presuming themselves to be pseudo dictators because any accountable person(s) in any field of work would have been ripped apart for committing a monstrosity like that. Coming back to the Irish they had a right to use the word unfair. And they never said that the hand ball decision against them was deliberate.
However most other "victims" show no such class as the Irish showed. In England the common cry sometimes heard is that Uefa President Michel Platini is French and so he naturally hates the English. No wonder English clubs are suffering so much. Even if Platini imposes economic measures to make the competition fairer it is only seen as exploitative by the bigwigs. Steps such as trying to get clubs from the so called lesser leagues to participate more effectively in UCL are not even recognized as worthy efforts.
In Italy on the other hand the standard line is we don't have enough political clout in the Uefa and so naturally we would be given less value. Why is it so easy to forget that not so long ago Serie A ruled UCL and surely clubs from other countries would have also had their complaints against decisions given in those days? So does that mean we should now conclude that Italian clubs did well in those days because they had political clout at that time and not because they had very fine teams with very fine players? So what happened? Why did they lose this "political clout"? The brutal truth which very few want to accept is that the margin between winning and losing at these levels is very fine but the results when evaluated as a whole over a reasonable period of time tend to even out in terms of luck. Looking at those results indicates that Serie A today is not on par with EPL or La Liga. Instead of trying to correct what's going wrong let's float one more conspiracy theory has become the deeply regrettable attitude of most concerned.
While on Italy just look at this irony for instance. Inter's very well known coach Jose Mourinho is continuously trying to hint in the media sometimes subtly and sometimes not so subtly that the Italian FA have something against Inter and want to bring them down. Rewind to 2007-08. At the end of the title race the comments coming out from the Roma camp were that the referees won the Scudetto for Inter. So does that mean whoever wins does so because of the referees?
England and Italy are by no means the only ones. It took just a couple of decisions to go in Barcelona's favor for the notoriously biased Madrid press to go so far as to suggest that La Liga is being manipulated in favor of the Catalans. So now that a few decisions have gone against the reigning champions, perhaps it's time for the pro-Barcelona dailies to return the favor.
And how about international football. Well Brazilians can go to a world cup such as WC 2006 more intent on having a ball than playing the ball but when they are knocked out it doesn't stop their supporters from coming up with all kinds of theories about how Brazil is being brought down to help European countries. Of course winning the world cup is Brazil's birth right and how can we deny them that.
Please don't for a moment think that we are singling out the Brazilians here. Germany, who in the past have been accused of being lucky beneficiaries of controversial decisions, had the gall to claim through their outspoken goal keeper Jens Lehmann after the Euro 2008 final how certain decisions had gone against them when the whole world had witnessed them being annihilated on the pitch by a vastly superior Spanish team.
And we must give an honorable mention to Portugal without whom this discussion just cannot be rounded off. Portugal in WC 2006 showed that it isn't wrong to break a few jaws and legs of opponents if it can help you progress in the world cup but once they were knocked out they were back with their favorite line - we are a small nation whom no one wants to see win major trophies.
The intent here is not to criticize individual club or national teams. It's merely to indicate how sorry a state of affairs this is. And with Fifa completely ruling out technology what are we in store for at WC 2010? More wrong refereeing decisions, more controversies and worst of all more such conspiracy theories.
It's understandable to feel bitter after a match which a team feels they deserved to win. Accusing the referee and pointing out specific incidents is also acceptable. However when conspiracy theories start floating it just gets a bit too murky because there is no end to them with accusations which would invariably in the recent future be followed by counter accusations. The only time an accusation of bias should be morally permissible is when you can talk purely in terms of facts such as with Ireland saying that Fifa had no right to seed teams before the playoffs began if they had not written that in the rules earlier.
As a fan and admirer of the beautiful game, if while watching a major club or international match, one is not firmly of the belief that what will happen the next minute is not known to anyone in the entire world and only time will tell the result of this encounter, then what's the point in watching football? If this game of conspiracy theories continues then eventually someone like this writer will have to give up football. You go to the beautiful game to add beautiful moments in your life but if all around it there is so much dirt then what's the point in staining your apparel?
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Reflections : The Two Major International Friendlies
For whatever reason the two biggest matches of the day took place within a time gap of just 15 minutes of each other. Here are some inferences that can be drawn from each match. As both the matches were not only a clash of 2 heavyweights each but each featured one of my 2 favorite teams I couldn't help but watch both together on my laptop screen resizing both the browsers to occupy half the screen each. That means that I could not watch either match with sufficient concentration. Also the transmission was a little disturbed at times. So please be tolerant of what is written below as some conclusions can be mistaken or at least hasty. At the same time please feel free to point out the mistakes while making comments.
For the first time since taking charge of the Argentina national team Diego Maradona not only seemed to get a few things right but it also seemed like the team is going somewhere. In effect it was just one tweak that made the difference and that was making Messi play further behind as the play maker rather than a striker. This in effect changed the previously used energetic 4-4-2 formation to a more technical 4-2-3-1. Now Veron and Mascherano played deeper in midfield with the latter acting as the protector and the former a deep lying passer in the mold of Pirlo or Xabi Alonso. The play making duties previously assigned to Veron now fell on Messi's shoulders which is not only much fairer on Veron's aging legs but let's be honest which Argentina fan on earth doesn't want to see that. Messi put in a performance that was at least good enough to prove that he can and will play well for the national team if given a chance to do so. Now people in Argentina should completely stop getting after him and recognize the fact that he is their greatest hope. Playing in this position is just what the reigning world player of the year needs to aim to become the best player at WC 2010. In Higuain Argentina have a clinical striker who can make good use of any chance created. Angel Di Maria, who first came to prominence in Olympics 2008, on the left flank seems to be one of the hitherto missing links that is now in place. His ability to control the ball and move past defenders is not only great to watch but also an asset to the team. The importance of Jonas on the right flank cannot be overstated. While lacking the technical finesse of Di Maria Jonas often cuts back to help the team out defensively which is crucial. So in effect with Jonas not going forward much and Messi shifting a little to the right the formation sometimes plays out like a 4-3-3. The central defensive partnership of Demichellis and Samuel looked solid and assured even though both of them picked up a booking each. It was not a perfect performance by any means but perhaps the best performance and result under Maradona. Beating 3 time world champions Germany in their own back yard is not something to be scoffed at.
While Argentina seem to have taken a few steps forward it seems that the eternal worshipers of efficiency Germany had quite surprisingly taken a few steps back. There are quite a few problems. Team play is not developed well enough with some of the brightest talents who are new to the national setup making it look like a team in transition. Rene Adler's horrifying mistake in what was after all a high profile match means that the position of goal keeper does not look assured. The strikers have not been firing. And to add to all this the coach Joachim Loew seems to be at loggerheads with the German Football Federation. The team last night found it really difficult against a technically superior Argentina team. However Germany is not one to give up without a fight. Since they could not match their rivals in the football played they resorted to continuous tackling with a few tackles harsh enough to seriously injure players but thankfully that didn't happen. Based on last night's evidence this team does not look a world cup contender. But then it's Germany we are talking about. We can bet our bottom dollar that the Germany that shows up once the world cup starts will be vastly improved from the one of last night. However there is a lot of work to do in the next 3 months or so and who knows that better than the Germans.
It had been billed as a mismatch by some. That sounds too audacious a comment to make when two huge football powers clash. Yet those comments proved to be on the money. Not only did Spain record their first victory in France in 40 years and by a healthy 2 goal margin but they did it virtually without breaking a sweat. Spain are clearly the best passing side in the world and are simply mesmeric when in full flow. The match was killed in the first half itself with two well taken goals. There were times in the match which could be termed as what in England is called a walk in the park. In the second half Spain actually conceded possession needlessly at times, misplaced a few passes and were out-muscled off the ball at times. Yet that is hardly significant because clearly the players were conserving energy and saving themselves from injuries. There was nothing left to prove against an opponent that just wasn't in the same class and whom they are very unlikely to meet in WC 2010. With all the raging debates regarding who out of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres should be in the starting 11, it seems that both of them will have to sit on the bench. It's too big a sacrifice for two of the world's best players but one that they must make for the larger good of the team. Del Bosque seems to have understood that Spain plays best in a 4-2-3-1. Also even in that system especially since Marcos Senna who was very impressive at Euro 2008 is no longer that fit or in form the Spain coach has decided to use 2 defensively minded midfielders instead of 1. Neither of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets have a physically intimidating presence but they are both used to this deep lying role and as a bonus are very good passers of the ball. This also makes it easier for them to interchange duties with either one staying back and the other going forward to join the attack. With this additional security the front four is simply like a symphony at its best. Another point that Del Bosque seems to have worked on is ensuring that no one in the team is indispensable. Even the very best players have a ready made replacement ready. Xavi is clearly the talisman but in his absence Fabregas is ready to play that role. Villa is perhaps the best striker in the world but Torres is very close behind. The combination of Iniesta and Silva on either flank is a pure joy but Navas and Mata are worthy replacements from the bench. Even in defense the partnership of Puyol and Pique is wonderful but there is also Raul Albiol waiting on the bench. Does this mean all the problems that I had previously pointed out have been taken care of? Not really but what's heartening is the conscious effort that has been put in trying to redress some of them. Perhaps one writer on Goal.com was right that instead of playing France, Spain should have played a physically imposing opponent to see how far they have been able to conquer their own demons. Then again let's not underestimate the significance of this victory which is another feather in the well decorated cap of the Spanish national team.
Still last night was not so much about the excellence of Spain as it was about the haplessness of France. Team work, organization and team play were conspicuous by their absence. The team was so devoid of spark that it did not look like a world cup contender but rather as a team still struggling to qualify. Last night's display will give more credence to statements that this team does not deserve to be at the world cup. One particular incident perhaps describes this performance best. Some time in the second half Spain now sitting on a 2 goal lead and playing much more carelessly lost the ball 3 times in succession but the ease with which they got it back with France unable to do anything was baffling to say the least. And while all this was going on the hot seat was occupied by a man so completely inert that there are no words left for him. Mr. Raymond Domenech made no changes for a long time even though his side was trailing by 2 goals. Once the changes came they were essentially like for like replacements with no attempt being made by the coach to change the clearly not working formation and tactics. Only Malouda seemed to have added a bit of spark and he did hit the post but it was too little too late. Going by France's display there is absolutely no reason why very competent teams like Uruguay and Mexico should not fancy their chances of eliminating the French in the group stage itself. South Africa may not be at that level yet but they are the hosts and the hosts almost invariably do well at a world cup. Of course once France is eliminated Domenech will be sacked but that's just not enough. It's only fair that the entire French Football Federation be dissolved and recreated with completely new personnel because simply put they have failed their nation. The international media had found their decision of retaining Domenech after Euro 2008 staggering and nothing has since happened to even challenge that belief.
So based on the performances and results of the last few months here's how I think the top 9 national teams should be ranked. Then again this only reflects the present and a lot can change between now and when the world's greatest sporting show actually begins.
1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. England
4. Netherlands
5. Argentina
6. Germany
7. Portugal
8. Italy
9. France
For the first time since taking charge of the Argentina national team Diego Maradona not only seemed to get a few things right but it also seemed like the team is going somewhere. In effect it was just one tweak that made the difference and that was making Messi play further behind as the play maker rather than a striker. This in effect changed the previously used energetic 4-4-2 formation to a more technical 4-2-3-1. Now Veron and Mascherano played deeper in midfield with the latter acting as the protector and the former a deep lying passer in the mold of Pirlo or Xabi Alonso. The play making duties previously assigned to Veron now fell on Messi's shoulders which is not only much fairer on Veron's aging legs but let's be honest which Argentina fan on earth doesn't want to see that. Messi put in a performance that was at least good enough to prove that he can and will play well for the national team if given a chance to do so. Now people in Argentina should completely stop getting after him and recognize the fact that he is their greatest hope. Playing in this position is just what the reigning world player of the year needs to aim to become the best player at WC 2010. In Higuain Argentina have a clinical striker who can make good use of any chance created. Angel Di Maria, who first came to prominence in Olympics 2008, on the left flank seems to be one of the hitherto missing links that is now in place. His ability to control the ball and move past defenders is not only great to watch but also an asset to the team. The importance of Jonas on the right flank cannot be overstated. While lacking the technical finesse of Di Maria Jonas often cuts back to help the team out defensively which is crucial. So in effect with Jonas not going forward much and Messi shifting a little to the right the formation sometimes plays out like a 4-3-3. The central defensive partnership of Demichellis and Samuel looked solid and assured even though both of them picked up a booking each. It was not a perfect performance by any means but perhaps the best performance and result under Maradona. Beating 3 time world champions Germany in their own back yard is not something to be scoffed at.
While Argentina seem to have taken a few steps forward it seems that the eternal worshipers of efficiency Germany had quite surprisingly taken a few steps back. There are quite a few problems. Team play is not developed well enough with some of the brightest talents who are new to the national setup making it look like a team in transition. Rene Adler's horrifying mistake in what was after all a high profile match means that the position of goal keeper does not look assured. The strikers have not been firing. And to add to all this the coach Joachim Loew seems to be at loggerheads with the German Football Federation. The team last night found it really difficult against a technically superior Argentina team. However Germany is not one to give up without a fight. Since they could not match their rivals in the football played they resorted to continuous tackling with a few tackles harsh enough to seriously injure players but thankfully that didn't happen. Based on last night's evidence this team does not look a world cup contender. But then it's Germany we are talking about. We can bet our bottom dollar that the Germany that shows up once the world cup starts will be vastly improved from the one of last night. However there is a lot of work to do in the next 3 months or so and who knows that better than the Germans.
It had been billed as a mismatch by some. That sounds too audacious a comment to make when two huge football powers clash. Yet those comments proved to be on the money. Not only did Spain record their first victory in France in 40 years and by a healthy 2 goal margin but they did it virtually without breaking a sweat. Spain are clearly the best passing side in the world and are simply mesmeric when in full flow. The match was killed in the first half itself with two well taken goals. There were times in the match which could be termed as what in England is called a walk in the park. In the second half Spain actually conceded possession needlessly at times, misplaced a few passes and were out-muscled off the ball at times. Yet that is hardly significant because clearly the players were conserving energy and saving themselves from injuries. There was nothing left to prove against an opponent that just wasn't in the same class and whom they are very unlikely to meet in WC 2010. With all the raging debates regarding who out of Cesc Fabregas and Fernando Torres should be in the starting 11, it seems that both of them will have to sit on the bench. It's too big a sacrifice for two of the world's best players but one that they must make for the larger good of the team. Del Bosque seems to have understood that Spain plays best in a 4-2-3-1. Also even in that system especially since Marcos Senna who was very impressive at Euro 2008 is no longer that fit or in form the Spain coach has decided to use 2 defensively minded midfielders instead of 1. Neither of Xabi Alonso and Sergio Busquets have a physically intimidating presence but they are both used to this deep lying role and as a bonus are very good passers of the ball. This also makes it easier for them to interchange duties with either one staying back and the other going forward to join the attack. With this additional security the front four is simply like a symphony at its best. Another point that Del Bosque seems to have worked on is ensuring that no one in the team is indispensable. Even the very best players have a ready made replacement ready. Xavi is clearly the talisman but in his absence Fabregas is ready to play that role. Villa is perhaps the best striker in the world but Torres is very close behind. The combination of Iniesta and Silva on either flank is a pure joy but Navas and Mata are worthy replacements from the bench. Even in defense the partnership of Puyol and Pique is wonderful but there is also Raul Albiol waiting on the bench. Does this mean all the problems that I had previously pointed out have been taken care of? Not really but what's heartening is the conscious effort that has been put in trying to redress some of them. Perhaps one writer on Goal.com was right that instead of playing France, Spain should have played a physically imposing opponent to see how far they have been able to conquer their own demons. Then again let's not underestimate the significance of this victory which is another feather in the well decorated cap of the Spanish national team.
Still last night was not so much about the excellence of Spain as it was about the haplessness of France. Team work, organization and team play were conspicuous by their absence. The team was so devoid of spark that it did not look like a world cup contender but rather as a team still struggling to qualify. Last night's display will give more credence to statements that this team does not deserve to be at the world cup. One particular incident perhaps describes this performance best. Some time in the second half Spain now sitting on a 2 goal lead and playing much more carelessly lost the ball 3 times in succession but the ease with which they got it back with France unable to do anything was baffling to say the least. And while all this was going on the hot seat was occupied by a man so completely inert that there are no words left for him. Mr. Raymond Domenech made no changes for a long time even though his side was trailing by 2 goals. Once the changes came they were essentially like for like replacements with no attempt being made by the coach to change the clearly not working formation and tactics. Only Malouda seemed to have added a bit of spark and he did hit the post but it was too little too late. Going by France's display there is absolutely no reason why very competent teams like Uruguay and Mexico should not fancy their chances of eliminating the French in the group stage itself. South Africa may not be at that level yet but they are the hosts and the hosts almost invariably do well at a world cup. Of course once France is eliminated Domenech will be sacked but that's just not enough. It's only fair that the entire French Football Federation be dissolved and recreated with completely new personnel because simply put they have failed their nation. The international media had found their decision of retaining Domenech after Euro 2008 staggering and nothing has since happened to even challenge that belief.
So based on the performances and results of the last few months here's how I think the top 9 national teams should be ranked. Then again this only reflects the present and a lot can change between now and when the world's greatest sporting show actually begins.
1. Brazil
2. Spain
3. England
4. Netherlands
5. Argentina
6. Germany
7. Portugal
8. Italy
9. France
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Reflections : What Does Manchester City's Away Victory Against Chelsea Mean?
A few minutes ago an EPL match finished with one of the most extraordinary and unpredictable results this season has shown. Chelsea who are almost invincible at home and it's a credit for even the biggest of teams to get even a draw at Stamford Bridge have been defeated by a club whose aim is to make the top 4 after ages and that too beaten quite comfortably. This match and result seems significant in more ways than one. Let's make a list of what conclusions we can draw from it.
1. The EPL title race seems to have been reopened. Just a few weeks back most of us were of the view that the EPL title is almost destined to head to Chelsea but at this point in time that has become quite debatable. It's more like a three horse race now. Chelsea have been hit by a number of problems - some which have always been there but not been specifically pointed out and some which have come quite unexpectedly. They have been struggling in away matches and for it now to be shown that they can be vulnerable at home as well does them no favors. The injury to goal keeper Cech means Hilario now has to be in goal for a month or so. To most he does not appear to be good enough to face up to the biggest of matches. Has Chelsea erred by keeping a weak number 2 and letting Carlo Cudicini leave? Then the defense is looking increasingly less convincing with each match. Terry has been making too many mistakes in the last few matches. Some say this is due to his well known personal problems but whatever the reason it's costing the team and he is too big a name to be dropped. With both Ashley Cole and Zhirkov out the left back position is a problem. Michael Essien is a huge miss in central midfield with John Obi Mikel not looking good enough most of the times. There is a slight lack of both creativity and cutting edge in the attack. Joe Cole coming back is good news for them but without him there is a lack of creativity. Anelka too seems to have gone a little into his shell after an excellent start to the season. Chelsea are still league leaders but ManUtd are just one point behind. The latter are short of world class players and are also not without their injury problems but they have two huge aces up their sleeve - the red hot Wayne Rooney and the master Sir Alex Ferguson who in the last few years has given a tutorial on just how a club should handle injury problems. And Arsenal has been gifted the kind of chance that they would be stupid not to take full advantage of. Arguably a team with better overall attacking prowess or at least creativity than the other two they need to win at Stoke today which is easier said than done but it will put them just 3 points away from the top. They have a comparatively easier run of fixtures after that. With Fabregas running the team every time they need Arshavin to come back to his world class best. With that and some other basic problems such as the goal keeper and the central striker which need to be handled at least to an extent Arsenal must now go all out for the title.
2. As a separate point let's discuss just what the title would mean to each team. There is mainly one reason for Carlo Ancelotti, who has a more than decent claim to be called the best manager in UCL in a long time, to sometimes not be considered when a list of the world's best coaches is made. And that is quite obviously the lack of league titles. One Serie A title in eight years at Milan is just not good enough. He is more than expected to win EPL this time because on paper Chelsea have the best squad of all. Besides not doing that would mean giving a chance to biggest adversary Mourinho to claim that only he can win the title in his very first year in England. To ManUtd it means the chance to fulfill Sir Alex's long cherished dream to overhaul Liverpool as the club with the most league titles in England as they are tied right now. Besides four league titles in a row is unprecedented in England and it's also a chance for Rooney to establish himself as not just the best player in England but right up there with the very best in the world. And what of Arsenal who have gone 4 years without any trophy and 5 years without the title. Winning EPL would mean Arsene Wenger answering all his numerous critics and showing that success can be got without spending big money. And since Arsenal is out of both the cups this really is their best chance to win a trophy with UCL being that much more competitive and unpredictable.
3. My apologies that I haven't yet talked about the team that needs to be lauded for such a huge achievement. ManCity have lost all chances to win a trophy this year. Indeed after the FA Cup exit there was even talk of sacking Roberto Mancini. However no matter how much a trophy would mean it's arguable that a top 4 finish in the EPL and then capitalizing it to make the group stages in UCL after what has to be called an eternity would mean even more to the club. Now sitting on 4th place with a game in hand this is the least this club needs to aim for. The 4th place race in England is arguably even more exciting than the title race. However there is more to this victory. It's been an excellent day for Mancini who has made himself safe in the hot seat for some time. What's more he's once more put one over his old rival Ancelotti. And it's been a little less than 20 years since ManCity won a league game at Stamford Bridge. Even more ManCity have now done the double over Chelsea after more than 50 years. We can only imagine the kind of joy their supporters would be feeling now. Mancio has written his name in the club's history and taken a place in the supporter's hearts with this result.
4. Let's also talk a little about ManCity as a team and their players. Shay Given was arguably their purchase of the decade or some such thing. Reliable whenever he is needed and extraordinary at times how Arsenal could do with a goal keeper like that. The defense is still not fully convincing but it is showing signs of improvement having benefited from getting to know the Italian way from Mancini. The problem area remains the midfield which is not even up to the mark in England leave alone the world. More aptly it's the biggest weakness of the entire team that they are a poor passing side that just cannot keep the ball. One touch, two touches and after that the third player just has to play a long ball that may or may not end up at the right place. The team's confidence of playing on the ground is really low. The attack though is a different story. Even after letting Robinho go and having a Santa Cruz struggling for fitness ManCity do have a lot at their disposal. Adebayor, if he can keep his temper in check and his attitude under control, can be a real handful for defenses and can score goals at a steady pace. Yours truly takes pride in saying that this summer he said quite clearly that Carlos Tevez is that single player that can take ManCity to the next level. And it does look possible this season or soon after that. With his work rate, skills, intelligence, strength ( both physical and mental ) and finishing the Argentine really is the talisman of this side that they cannot do without. And finally a word about who its fair to say has been a very underrated player throughout his career - Craig Bellamy. We are not saying he is world class but he is a very competent player for sure. He has pace, the ability to run with and without the ball, can tirelessly work for the side and is well capable of scoring goals with commendable shooting ability. At times it's worth wondering why Benitez let him go. Yes Torres had just been purchased but with the kind of mediocrity Benitez stuffs his Liverpool squad with, he could do much worse than Bellamy. Any way the Welshman is now at just the right club and more than deserves a place in the starting 11.
5. Let's end with one more look at Chelsea's troubles but from a different perspective. Among all the 8 UCL ties whose first legs have been played the bookies rate the one between Chelsea and Inter as the most finely balanced. They do however still rate Chelsea as the favorites. Jose Mourinho who will be serving a long touchline ban in Serie A still gets enough reason to rejoice because this match proves that there are enough chinks in Chelsea'a armor for the 'Special One' to exploit. So what happens if Inter do get the better of Chelsea? And to add to that Chelsea cannot claim the EPL title either? Will Ancelotti be shown the door and Chelsea returns next season with a new coach for the umpteenth time? Well your guess is as good as mine. One point worth considering is that they cannot get Guus Hiddink back since he has committed to Turkey and bringing Mourinho back would mean Roman Abramovich having to lower his ego. All we can do at the moment is wait and watch.
1. The EPL title race seems to have been reopened. Just a few weeks back most of us were of the view that the EPL title is almost destined to head to Chelsea but at this point in time that has become quite debatable. It's more like a three horse race now. Chelsea have been hit by a number of problems - some which have always been there but not been specifically pointed out and some which have come quite unexpectedly. They have been struggling in away matches and for it now to be shown that they can be vulnerable at home as well does them no favors. The injury to goal keeper Cech means Hilario now has to be in goal for a month or so. To most he does not appear to be good enough to face up to the biggest of matches. Has Chelsea erred by keeping a weak number 2 and letting Carlo Cudicini leave? Then the defense is looking increasingly less convincing with each match. Terry has been making too many mistakes in the last few matches. Some say this is due to his well known personal problems but whatever the reason it's costing the team and he is too big a name to be dropped. With both Ashley Cole and Zhirkov out the left back position is a problem. Michael Essien is a huge miss in central midfield with John Obi Mikel not looking good enough most of the times. There is a slight lack of both creativity and cutting edge in the attack. Joe Cole coming back is good news for them but without him there is a lack of creativity. Anelka too seems to have gone a little into his shell after an excellent start to the season. Chelsea are still league leaders but ManUtd are just one point behind. The latter are short of world class players and are also not without their injury problems but they have two huge aces up their sleeve - the red hot Wayne Rooney and the master Sir Alex Ferguson who in the last few years has given a tutorial on just how a club should handle injury problems. And Arsenal has been gifted the kind of chance that they would be stupid not to take full advantage of. Arguably a team with better overall attacking prowess or at least creativity than the other two they need to win at Stoke today which is easier said than done but it will put them just 3 points away from the top. They have a comparatively easier run of fixtures after that. With Fabregas running the team every time they need Arshavin to come back to his world class best. With that and some other basic problems such as the goal keeper and the central striker which need to be handled at least to an extent Arsenal must now go all out for the title.
2. As a separate point let's discuss just what the title would mean to each team. There is mainly one reason for Carlo Ancelotti, who has a more than decent claim to be called the best manager in UCL in a long time, to sometimes not be considered when a list of the world's best coaches is made. And that is quite obviously the lack of league titles. One Serie A title in eight years at Milan is just not good enough. He is more than expected to win EPL this time because on paper Chelsea have the best squad of all. Besides not doing that would mean giving a chance to biggest adversary Mourinho to claim that only he can win the title in his very first year in England. To ManUtd it means the chance to fulfill Sir Alex's long cherished dream to overhaul Liverpool as the club with the most league titles in England as they are tied right now. Besides four league titles in a row is unprecedented in England and it's also a chance for Rooney to establish himself as not just the best player in England but right up there with the very best in the world. And what of Arsenal who have gone 4 years without any trophy and 5 years without the title. Winning EPL would mean Arsene Wenger answering all his numerous critics and showing that success can be got without spending big money. And since Arsenal is out of both the cups this really is their best chance to win a trophy with UCL being that much more competitive and unpredictable.
3. My apologies that I haven't yet talked about the team that needs to be lauded for such a huge achievement. ManCity have lost all chances to win a trophy this year. Indeed after the FA Cup exit there was even talk of sacking Roberto Mancini. However no matter how much a trophy would mean it's arguable that a top 4 finish in the EPL and then capitalizing it to make the group stages in UCL after what has to be called an eternity would mean even more to the club. Now sitting on 4th place with a game in hand this is the least this club needs to aim for. The 4th place race in England is arguably even more exciting than the title race. However there is more to this victory. It's been an excellent day for Mancini who has made himself safe in the hot seat for some time. What's more he's once more put one over his old rival Ancelotti. And it's been a little less than 20 years since ManCity won a league game at Stamford Bridge. Even more ManCity have now done the double over Chelsea after more than 50 years. We can only imagine the kind of joy their supporters would be feeling now. Mancio has written his name in the club's history and taken a place in the supporter's hearts with this result.
4. Let's also talk a little about ManCity as a team and their players. Shay Given was arguably their purchase of the decade or some such thing. Reliable whenever he is needed and extraordinary at times how Arsenal could do with a goal keeper like that. The defense is still not fully convincing but it is showing signs of improvement having benefited from getting to know the Italian way from Mancini. The problem area remains the midfield which is not even up to the mark in England leave alone the world. More aptly it's the biggest weakness of the entire team that they are a poor passing side that just cannot keep the ball. One touch, two touches and after that the third player just has to play a long ball that may or may not end up at the right place. The team's confidence of playing on the ground is really low. The attack though is a different story. Even after letting Robinho go and having a Santa Cruz struggling for fitness ManCity do have a lot at their disposal. Adebayor, if he can keep his temper in check and his attitude under control, can be a real handful for defenses and can score goals at a steady pace. Yours truly takes pride in saying that this summer he said quite clearly that Carlos Tevez is that single player that can take ManCity to the next level. And it does look possible this season or soon after that. With his work rate, skills, intelligence, strength ( both physical and mental ) and finishing the Argentine really is the talisman of this side that they cannot do without. And finally a word about who its fair to say has been a very underrated player throughout his career - Craig Bellamy. We are not saying he is world class but he is a very competent player for sure. He has pace, the ability to run with and without the ball, can tirelessly work for the side and is well capable of scoring goals with commendable shooting ability. At times it's worth wondering why Benitez let him go. Yes Torres had just been purchased but with the kind of mediocrity Benitez stuffs his Liverpool squad with, he could do much worse than Bellamy. Any way the Welshman is now at just the right club and more than deserves a place in the starting 11.
5. Let's end with one more look at Chelsea's troubles but from a different perspective. Among all the 8 UCL ties whose first legs have been played the bookies rate the one between Chelsea and Inter as the most finely balanced. They do however still rate Chelsea as the favorites. Jose Mourinho who will be serving a long touchline ban in Serie A still gets enough reason to rejoice because this match proves that there are enough chinks in Chelsea'a armor for the 'Special One' to exploit. So what happens if Inter do get the better of Chelsea? And to add to that Chelsea cannot claim the EPL title either? Will Ancelotti be shown the door and Chelsea returns next season with a new coach for the umpteenth time? Well your guess is as good as mine. One point worth considering is that they cannot get Guus Hiddink back since he has committed to Turkey and bringing Mourinho back would mean Roman Abramovich having to lower his ego. All we can do at the moment is wait and watch.
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Reflections : Inter Milan vs. Chelsea
It was said to be the biggest tie of the UCL round of 16 for 2009-10. It was also meant to be a personal battle between Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho. What we got in the end was not a spectacle in terms of the football played but still an exciting game with several unpredictable moments.
The start itself was quite sensational. A well worked team move by Inter was finished off with aplomb by Diego Milito. John Terry was at fault for the goal but it was a very good finish showing why Milito should be ranked with the very best strikers in the world today if he is not already given that status. It was also a message to Diego Maradona that if he does not take El Principe to WC 2010 he would be committing harakiri.
Then onwards Chelsea dominated possession in the first half and Inter were content to sit back a little and soak up the pressure. However when Inter did get possession they launched very quick attacks which looked a wee bit more precise than the ones Chelsea launched and Inter's rearguard also looked that much more reassured than Chelsea's. Chelsea did have several shots at goal and even on target but mostly from long distances. Drogba's shots did look dangerous though including one free kick he took. The reason Chelsea could not get players close to Inter's goal was a very commendable performance by Inter's back line. Lucio needs to be singled out for not only speed of feet but more importantly his ability to read the game. Also the ageless warrior Javier Zanetti playing as left back this time was yet again very good doing all of helping out his central defenders, adding an extra midfielder in the pitch and of course running along the flanks to launch attacks. This is another player who Maradona should just not leave out because no matter where he plays he can and will make a difference.
Inter had a really good chance to double their lead when the ball fell to Samuel Eto'o and Chelsea's defenders were slightly away from him. Unfortunately the Cameroonian's touch let him down and the chance was wasted. In all Eto'o didn't have a good game. Other than this missed chance he did take a few decent touches but did not look sharp or clinical enough especially considering he was that one sure shot world class player Inter had been proud to acquire this summer.
The came a moment of controversy when Diego Milito went down in the box. It's not very clear whether there was any contact on him but even if there was it was slight and Milito did exaggerate it. He was booked for that but this will remain a talking point.
A much bigger moment of controversy and more came right at the end of the first half. Chelsea had a very strong claim for a penalty because from a throw in Salomon Kalou had caught the Inter defense napping and had raced towards their goal only to be fouled by Walter Samuel very close to the goal mouth. The replays clearly show both the defender's hand and his leg making contact with the attacker. The referee was far away from the incident and waved play on without consulting the linesman. Needless to say this will remain the biggest talking point in the match and how a penalty for Chelsea at that stage could have altered the complexion of the match and consequently the tie.
The second half began and continued in much the same way. Just when the game seemed like it was settling down Chelsea scored almost out of the blue. A decent long shot by Kalou who did play a part in several important moments hit Julio Cesar's hand when he was trying to save it but the goal keeper who is currently known as one of the world's best did the unexpected by pushing it into his own net while trying to keep it out. 1-1 and Chelsea were back in it.
However just when it seemed it would be one more of the sorry European stories for Inter and Chelsea would show what a powerful European team they are Inter got one more goal. A rebound from Chelsea's penalty area was struck so wonderfully by Esteban Cambiasso using such great technique that Petr Cech had no chance. 2-1 and Inter in the driving seat once again. And before we forget Mr. Maradona this is another player who you should not ignore and Walter Samuel as well.
However a 2-1 win in a home leg is by no means a safe result and could even arguably be called an even result. Knowing this a bit too well Mourinho decided to gamble especially seeing that Chelsea's rearguard which had Malouda playing as a makeshift left back did not look very convincing. He threw on Balotelli to replace Thiago Motta when Motta had actually had quite a decent game going one on one with Michael Ballack and giving him a tough time both offensively and defensively. Mourinho was encouraged to go for the jugular even more when Petr Cech suffered a major injury and had to be replaced by Henrique Hilario. He finally replaced Eto'o who had arguably been one of Inter's worst players on the night with the exciting Balotelli.
After this the action promised much with both sides wanting one more goal but nothing much happened. There was a really good shot by Lampard which Cesar saved well and Zanetti prevented the Chelsea players from having any chance with the rebound.
So it ended 2-1 and one has to say it is fantastically poised.
This has got to be one of Inter's best performances in a UCL knock out match or even in a UCL match against top class opposition in many years. This team was completely unrecognizable from the team that faced Manchester United last year in the first leg at the same stage at home, got battered in the first half and were very lucky not to concede a goal. Overall Mourinho's teams are nothing if they don't have character and this team certainly showed enough of it.
Can Inter finally make their mark in Europe? Can Mourinho put one over his old club? During the last few days the Special One has put on a garb of friendliness towards Chelsea. Well it would be worth reminding that immediately after leaving his post as Chelsea manager Mourinho had proclaimed that if he ever met Chelsea he would absolutely knock them out. A 2-1 lead is not a big one and can easily be overturned even by a 1-0 result. However there is another side to it. If Inter score first at Stamford Bridge one would have to call them favorites for the tie because Mourinho sure has the capability to shore up the rearguard enough so as not to concede two goals in ninety minutes. Chelsea will at least be worried. Will their continuous dominance as a powerful UCL team be met by a somewhat surprising early exit? Only time can answer all these questions and one just cannot wait for the second leg.
What would it mean to Inter if they can progress to the quarter finals? Well literally everything. Finally they would have made something of a mark in Europe and Mourinho would have to be considered one of the best managers of the modern era if he is not already considered that by some people. What's more is that they will feel such a surge of confidence that they would be well capable of beating any team. In fact after this anything less than winning the UCL title would be seen as a disappointment. Also it's worth mentioning that even though Inter have been domestically dominant for the last few years they have still been a bit surprisingly outperformed by an aging Milan side in UCL. This time Milan is very unlikely to go through against ManUtd. So it would also be time to put one over their city rivals while also keeping them away from the Scudetto in what is once again becoming a somewhat open race for the Serie A title.
The start itself was quite sensational. A well worked team move by Inter was finished off with aplomb by Diego Milito. John Terry was at fault for the goal but it was a very good finish showing why Milito should be ranked with the very best strikers in the world today if he is not already given that status. It was also a message to Diego Maradona that if he does not take El Principe to WC 2010 he would be committing harakiri.
Then onwards Chelsea dominated possession in the first half and Inter were content to sit back a little and soak up the pressure. However when Inter did get possession they launched very quick attacks which looked a wee bit more precise than the ones Chelsea launched and Inter's rearguard also looked that much more reassured than Chelsea's. Chelsea did have several shots at goal and even on target but mostly from long distances. Drogba's shots did look dangerous though including one free kick he took. The reason Chelsea could not get players close to Inter's goal was a very commendable performance by Inter's back line. Lucio needs to be singled out for not only speed of feet but more importantly his ability to read the game. Also the ageless warrior Javier Zanetti playing as left back this time was yet again very good doing all of helping out his central defenders, adding an extra midfielder in the pitch and of course running along the flanks to launch attacks. This is another player who Maradona should just not leave out because no matter where he plays he can and will make a difference.
Inter had a really good chance to double their lead when the ball fell to Samuel Eto'o and Chelsea's defenders were slightly away from him. Unfortunately the Cameroonian's touch let him down and the chance was wasted. In all Eto'o didn't have a good game. Other than this missed chance he did take a few decent touches but did not look sharp or clinical enough especially considering he was that one sure shot world class player Inter had been proud to acquire this summer.
The came a moment of controversy when Diego Milito went down in the box. It's not very clear whether there was any contact on him but even if there was it was slight and Milito did exaggerate it. He was booked for that but this will remain a talking point.
A much bigger moment of controversy and more came right at the end of the first half. Chelsea had a very strong claim for a penalty because from a throw in Salomon Kalou had caught the Inter defense napping and had raced towards their goal only to be fouled by Walter Samuel very close to the goal mouth. The replays clearly show both the defender's hand and his leg making contact with the attacker. The referee was far away from the incident and waved play on without consulting the linesman. Needless to say this will remain the biggest talking point in the match and how a penalty for Chelsea at that stage could have altered the complexion of the match and consequently the tie.
The second half began and continued in much the same way. Just when the game seemed like it was settling down Chelsea scored almost out of the blue. A decent long shot by Kalou who did play a part in several important moments hit Julio Cesar's hand when he was trying to save it but the goal keeper who is currently known as one of the world's best did the unexpected by pushing it into his own net while trying to keep it out. 1-1 and Chelsea were back in it.
However just when it seemed it would be one more of the sorry European stories for Inter and Chelsea would show what a powerful European team they are Inter got one more goal. A rebound from Chelsea's penalty area was struck so wonderfully by Esteban Cambiasso using such great technique that Petr Cech had no chance. 2-1 and Inter in the driving seat once again. And before we forget Mr. Maradona this is another player who you should not ignore and Walter Samuel as well.
However a 2-1 win in a home leg is by no means a safe result and could even arguably be called an even result. Knowing this a bit too well Mourinho decided to gamble especially seeing that Chelsea's rearguard which had Malouda playing as a makeshift left back did not look very convincing. He threw on Balotelli to replace Thiago Motta when Motta had actually had quite a decent game going one on one with Michael Ballack and giving him a tough time both offensively and defensively. Mourinho was encouraged to go for the jugular even more when Petr Cech suffered a major injury and had to be replaced by Henrique Hilario. He finally replaced Eto'o who had arguably been one of Inter's worst players on the night with the exciting Balotelli.
After this the action promised much with both sides wanting one more goal but nothing much happened. There was a really good shot by Lampard which Cesar saved well and Zanetti prevented the Chelsea players from having any chance with the rebound.
So it ended 2-1 and one has to say it is fantastically poised.
This has got to be one of Inter's best performances in a UCL knock out match or even in a UCL match against top class opposition in many years. This team was completely unrecognizable from the team that faced Manchester United last year in the first leg at the same stage at home, got battered in the first half and were very lucky not to concede a goal. Overall Mourinho's teams are nothing if they don't have character and this team certainly showed enough of it.
Can Inter finally make their mark in Europe? Can Mourinho put one over his old club? During the last few days the Special One has put on a garb of friendliness towards Chelsea. Well it would be worth reminding that immediately after leaving his post as Chelsea manager Mourinho had proclaimed that if he ever met Chelsea he would absolutely knock them out. A 2-1 lead is not a big one and can easily be overturned even by a 1-0 result. However there is another side to it. If Inter score first at Stamford Bridge one would have to call them favorites for the tie because Mourinho sure has the capability to shore up the rearguard enough so as not to concede two goals in ninety minutes. Chelsea will at least be worried. Will their continuous dominance as a powerful UCL team be met by a somewhat surprising early exit? Only time can answer all these questions and one just cannot wait for the second leg.
What would it mean to Inter if they can progress to the quarter finals? Well literally everything. Finally they would have made something of a mark in Europe and Mourinho would have to be considered one of the best managers of the modern era if he is not already considered that by some people. What's more is that they will feel such a surge of confidence that they would be well capable of beating any team. In fact after this anything less than winning the UCL title would be seen as a disappointment. Also it's worth mentioning that even though Inter have been domestically dominant for the last few years they have still been a bit surprisingly outperformed by an aging Milan side in UCL. This time Milan is very unlikely to go through against ManUtd. So it would also be time to put one over their city rivals while also keeping them away from the Scudetto in what is once again becoming a somewhat open race for the Serie A title.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Reflections : Top 20 Transfers Of The Winter Transfer Window
The January transfer window has just closed. While it is never as exciting as the summer transfer window at times acquisitions in January do make a difference to the club's season. Here is a list of the top twenty transfers that happened in this window. Please add others which you think were equally or even more noteworthy but have been missed in this list. The list is presented in reverse order of significance in the sense either the importance of the player to the club or the importance of the player to his national team or the profile of the player in general.
20. Tremendous youth prospect Keirrison who was purchased by Barcelona last summer and then loaned to Benfica has now moved to Fiorentina. At Benfica he saw negligible game time. At Fiorentina it's difficult to say whether his situation will improve. Adrian Mutu's failed drug test means the possibility of a long term ban. The Viola has not signed any other forward. Could this mean that Keirrison will see more minutes? Could it also mean that he may get to play in the UCL?
19. Due to some injured and several other poorly performing midfielders Juventus have pinned some of their hopes on recently signed Antonio Candreva who has been procured on loan from Udinese. He is said to be a talented young midfielder but it's too much to ask of him to make much of a difference to the floundering season that the Old Lady is currently having.
18. Inter Milan tried hard to sign a midfielder this winter especially a midfielder who could give them some extra physical presence. The stalwarts such as Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso are still going strong but age is not on their side. Inter had almost signed Manuel Fernandes from Valencia but the deal feel through due to a failed medical. They then went after Lazio rebel Christian Ledesma but Claudio Lotito proved too stubborn to convince even though some feel that he has risked squad morale in times when Lazio is facing a relegation dogfight by retaining Ledesma who it's almost guaranteed will not play at all this season. Then Inter tried for Palermo's Fabio Simplico but the negotiations took time and nothing could be settled in the given duration. So finally they went for Kenyan international McDonald Mariga who has arrived from Parma on a co-ownership deal.
17. Error prone central defender Phillipe Senderos who had a big hand in Arsenal's elimination from UCL 2007-08 in the quarter final at the hands of Liverpool and who has since then not been able to inspire any confidence from Arsene Wenger has been loaned to Everton.
16. South African international striker Benni McCarthy who has not been a regular in the national team for some time but on whom the nation still pin their hopes has moved from Blackburn to West Ham where he would naturally expect to see much more playing time.
15. In a story that shocked quite a few people Tottenham Hotspur captain Robbie Keane was loaned to Celtic on transfer deadline day. A few years ago Keane along with Dimitar Berbatov formed a deadly striking duo at Spurs. When his form was at its peak Rafa Benitez decided to bring him to Liverpool and amidst accusations of tapping Tottenham released him. Keane could never make it at Anfield. Some say that he was never good enough to play for a top club while others say that Benitez did not use him properly. After just half a year he was sold back to Tottenham where manager Harry Redknapp even made him the club captain. Once again he was in the starting lineup this time being paired alongside Jermaine Defoe. However Keane's form continued to fall and he was eventually replaced in the starting lineup this season by Peter Crouch. Despite this his manager openly praised him in the media for showing exemplary professionalism. It has now been said that Keane was so desperate for regular playing time that he decided to move on any way.
14. Former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen who has had a disastrous six months at Monaco has now moved to Tottenham Hotspur. His arrival may have had something to do with the departure of Keane.
13. In another bizarre twist Arsenal have signed ex-player and veteran central defender Sol Campbell on a free transfer. Seems even an aged Campbell is a better bet than Senderos for 'The Professor'.
12. When at Juventus Tiago said that he was not able to play well because the league is very tactical making it too difficult for him. So he has now moved to Atletico Madrid since in the Spanish league technique counts much more than tactics and he hopes to show that he is much better technically than he is tactically.
11. Hitherto almost unknown Argentine forward Alejandro 'Chori' Dominguez who lit up the group stage of the UCL this season with some inspiring performances has moved to Valencia from his previous club Rubin Kazan. It remains to be seen how much game time he will get when competing against the likes of David Silva, Juan Mata, Pablo Hernandez, Joaquin and even the injury prone Vicente but this is a talent to keep an eye on for sure.
10. You may be thinking that Juventus fans can nowadays barely muster a smile. Well at last they have found some reason to make an attempt at a half smile at least. Error prone left back Cristian Molinaro who had become something of a figure of mirth in Serie A has moved to Stuttgart. Now consider this. In the second round of the UCL Molinaro will be coming up against one Mr. Lionel Messi who incidentally plays on the right flank. That "duel" should provide some extra entertainment to the viewers if nothing else.
9. Former Barcelona prodigy Giovanni Dos Santos who was hardly seeing any playing time at erstwhile club Tottenham Hotspur still managed to play a vital role in his country Mexico's world cup qualification campaign. Now he has done both himself and his national team manager Javier Aguirre a big favor by moving on to Galatasaray to join his former manager Frank Rijkaard under whom he is likely to see a good amount of playing time. This has got to one of best transfers of this window from a player's perspective.
8. Amantino Mancini made a good name for himself when playing at Roma. In a UCL knock out tie he even scored a memorable solo against Lyon. Yet after his move to Inter his career seemed to have stagnated. It's not that easy to understand what exactly went wrong because in spite of being in the same league and playing in virtually the same position as before he was unable to make any sort of impact. Jose Mourinho's proposed 4-3-3 system did not work with Ricardo Quaresma also proving a flop. Once Mourinho gave up this system game time proved very scarce for Mancini and he could make little use of whatever negligible time he got. So he is now trying his luck at not very far away but in the red and black half of the same city.
7. Thomas Hitzlsperger has become quite a regular name in Joachim Loew's Germany team. Surprisingly he has been unable to hold down a first team place at Stuttgart. Germans have for years hardly moved to Italy. Yet this German has done just that by joining Lazio in order to ensure that he is chosen for WC 2010 but he must pull his socks up for the relegation dogfight that he has now got into.
6. Veteran star Argentine striker Hernan Crespo has returned to Parma from Genoa. Parma is the club where Crespo first shone in Europe and then moved to Lazio in what was then one of the costliest transfers. Crespo says that he's trying hard to get a place in the Argentina squad for WC 2010. His task is not made easier by the fact that Argentina probably have more top class forwards than any other country in the world.
5. Still in name he is captain of the French national team but Patrick Vieira has hardly been called up in recent times mainly due to extended injury spells. Frustrated at not seeing enough game time at Inter Milan Vieria in a last throw of the dice has moved to mega rich Manchester City. He may still find it hard to replace the likes of Nigel De Jong and Garreth Barry in the heart of City's midfield but the traditional Italian conservatism of manager Roberto Mancini may see him be used to close out games. Also Mancini may look up to Vieria in games which become more like battles. Needless to say Vieria's main aim is to make it to WC 2010.
4. For long Roma has cried out for a classic number 9 target man striker. For quite some time Franceso Totti who is actually a brilliant second striker was forced to play this role. Now with the signing of Luca Toni on a free from Bayern Munich where he had a major fall out with manager Louis Van Gaal Roma have got just what they wanted. Toni is desperate to make it to Italy's squad for WC 2010 but his form in recent years has not warranted a place for him. It's now up to him to perform well enough to combat the not so tough competition from his rivals and we can be sure that from his side Luca will do his very best.
3. Celebrity veteran footballer David Beckham has once again joined A C Milan on a season long loan from L A Galaxy like he did last season. He hopes to make enough of an impression on England boss Fabio Capello so as to bag a place in the WC 2010 squad. Last season Beckham surprised all but his most ardent fans by performances of such quality that he even displaced the mercurial but indisciplined Brazilian Ronaldinho from the first team. This season it will be more difficult for him because Ronaldinho now has a settled place on the left flank while Beckham's right flank place belongs to young Alexandre Pato who it can be said offers more to the forward line than the veteran can. Still Becks should be making some substitute appearances at the very least.
2. It's too early to say whether this is the shrewdest acquisition of this winter but Goran Pandev who somehow got his contract with Lazio rescinded has since arriving at Inter Milan already showed enough to suggest that he is first team material in a top club and can even endanger the place of superstar striker Samuel Eto'o. Could Pandev have a major role to play against Chelsea in the UCL? Let's wait and watch.
1. Let's end with one that is a win-win for all. Robinho about whom Der Kaiser has said that he is best fit to play in a circus has moved to club Santos in his native Brazil to "suck his thumbs" if we quote what a Goal.com editor recently wrote. Jokes aside Robinho is very serious about ensuring a place in Brazil's WC 2010 squad and preferably even first team and for that his priority is playing time. For Manchester City's no-nonsense manager his lack of commitment had become a serious concern. He had not done enough to be an unquestioned first teamer unlike Carlos Tevez whose work rate if compared to Robinho would seem like comparing chalk and cheese. Mancini offered a rotational position in the team to Robinho at best which he refused. Mancini does not mind his move too much since he now feels that he is able to maintain squad unity and morale better especially because City are very serious about trying to bag a top four place in the EPL after ages.
20. Tremendous youth prospect Keirrison who was purchased by Barcelona last summer and then loaned to Benfica has now moved to Fiorentina. At Benfica he saw negligible game time. At Fiorentina it's difficult to say whether his situation will improve. Adrian Mutu's failed drug test means the possibility of a long term ban. The Viola has not signed any other forward. Could this mean that Keirrison will see more minutes? Could it also mean that he may get to play in the UCL?
19. Due to some injured and several other poorly performing midfielders Juventus have pinned some of their hopes on recently signed Antonio Candreva who has been procured on loan from Udinese. He is said to be a talented young midfielder but it's too much to ask of him to make much of a difference to the floundering season that the Old Lady is currently having.
18. Inter Milan tried hard to sign a midfielder this winter especially a midfielder who could give them some extra physical presence. The stalwarts such as Javier Zanetti and Esteban Cambiasso are still going strong but age is not on their side. Inter had almost signed Manuel Fernandes from Valencia but the deal feel through due to a failed medical. They then went after Lazio rebel Christian Ledesma but Claudio Lotito proved too stubborn to convince even though some feel that he has risked squad morale in times when Lazio is facing a relegation dogfight by retaining Ledesma who it's almost guaranteed will not play at all this season. Then Inter tried for Palermo's Fabio Simplico but the negotiations took time and nothing could be settled in the given duration. So finally they went for Kenyan international McDonald Mariga who has arrived from Parma on a co-ownership deal.
17. Error prone central defender Phillipe Senderos who had a big hand in Arsenal's elimination from UCL 2007-08 in the quarter final at the hands of Liverpool and who has since then not been able to inspire any confidence from Arsene Wenger has been loaned to Everton.
16. South African international striker Benni McCarthy who has not been a regular in the national team for some time but on whom the nation still pin their hopes has moved from Blackburn to West Ham where he would naturally expect to see much more playing time.
15. In a story that shocked quite a few people Tottenham Hotspur captain Robbie Keane was loaned to Celtic on transfer deadline day. A few years ago Keane along with Dimitar Berbatov formed a deadly striking duo at Spurs. When his form was at its peak Rafa Benitez decided to bring him to Liverpool and amidst accusations of tapping Tottenham released him. Keane could never make it at Anfield. Some say that he was never good enough to play for a top club while others say that Benitez did not use him properly. After just half a year he was sold back to Tottenham where manager Harry Redknapp even made him the club captain. Once again he was in the starting lineup this time being paired alongside Jermaine Defoe. However Keane's form continued to fall and he was eventually replaced in the starting lineup this season by Peter Crouch. Despite this his manager openly praised him in the media for showing exemplary professionalism. It has now been said that Keane was so desperate for regular playing time that he decided to move on any way.
14. Former Chelsea and Barcelona forward Eidur Gudjohnsen who has had a disastrous six months at Monaco has now moved to Tottenham Hotspur. His arrival may have had something to do with the departure of Keane.
13. In another bizarre twist Arsenal have signed ex-player and veteran central defender Sol Campbell on a free transfer. Seems even an aged Campbell is a better bet than Senderos for 'The Professor'.
12. When at Juventus Tiago said that he was not able to play well because the league is very tactical making it too difficult for him. So he has now moved to Atletico Madrid since in the Spanish league technique counts much more than tactics and he hopes to show that he is much better technically than he is tactically.
11. Hitherto almost unknown Argentine forward Alejandro 'Chori' Dominguez who lit up the group stage of the UCL this season with some inspiring performances has moved to Valencia from his previous club Rubin Kazan. It remains to be seen how much game time he will get when competing against the likes of David Silva, Juan Mata, Pablo Hernandez, Joaquin and even the injury prone Vicente but this is a talent to keep an eye on for sure.
10. You may be thinking that Juventus fans can nowadays barely muster a smile. Well at last they have found some reason to make an attempt at a half smile at least. Error prone left back Cristian Molinaro who had become something of a figure of mirth in Serie A has moved to Stuttgart. Now consider this. In the second round of the UCL Molinaro will be coming up against one Mr. Lionel Messi who incidentally plays on the right flank. That "duel" should provide some extra entertainment to the viewers if nothing else.
9. Former Barcelona prodigy Giovanni Dos Santos who was hardly seeing any playing time at erstwhile club Tottenham Hotspur still managed to play a vital role in his country Mexico's world cup qualification campaign. Now he has done both himself and his national team manager Javier Aguirre a big favor by moving on to Galatasaray to join his former manager Frank Rijkaard under whom he is likely to see a good amount of playing time. This has got to one of best transfers of this window from a player's perspective.
8. Amantino Mancini made a good name for himself when playing at Roma. In a UCL knock out tie he even scored a memorable solo against Lyon. Yet after his move to Inter his career seemed to have stagnated. It's not that easy to understand what exactly went wrong because in spite of being in the same league and playing in virtually the same position as before he was unable to make any sort of impact. Jose Mourinho's proposed 4-3-3 system did not work with Ricardo Quaresma also proving a flop. Once Mourinho gave up this system game time proved very scarce for Mancini and he could make little use of whatever negligible time he got. So he is now trying his luck at not very far away but in the red and black half of the same city.
7. Thomas Hitzlsperger has become quite a regular name in Joachim Loew's Germany team. Surprisingly he has been unable to hold down a first team place at Stuttgart. Germans have for years hardly moved to Italy. Yet this German has done just that by joining Lazio in order to ensure that he is chosen for WC 2010 but he must pull his socks up for the relegation dogfight that he has now got into.
6. Veteran star Argentine striker Hernan Crespo has returned to Parma from Genoa. Parma is the club where Crespo first shone in Europe and then moved to Lazio in what was then one of the costliest transfers. Crespo says that he's trying hard to get a place in the Argentina squad for WC 2010. His task is not made easier by the fact that Argentina probably have more top class forwards than any other country in the world.
5. Still in name he is captain of the French national team but Patrick Vieira has hardly been called up in recent times mainly due to extended injury spells. Frustrated at not seeing enough game time at Inter Milan Vieria in a last throw of the dice has moved to mega rich Manchester City. He may still find it hard to replace the likes of Nigel De Jong and Garreth Barry in the heart of City's midfield but the traditional Italian conservatism of manager Roberto Mancini may see him be used to close out games. Also Mancini may look up to Vieria in games which become more like battles. Needless to say Vieria's main aim is to make it to WC 2010.
4. For long Roma has cried out for a classic number 9 target man striker. For quite some time Franceso Totti who is actually a brilliant second striker was forced to play this role. Now with the signing of Luca Toni on a free from Bayern Munich where he had a major fall out with manager Louis Van Gaal Roma have got just what they wanted. Toni is desperate to make it to Italy's squad for WC 2010 but his form in recent years has not warranted a place for him. It's now up to him to perform well enough to combat the not so tough competition from his rivals and we can be sure that from his side Luca will do his very best.
3. Celebrity veteran footballer David Beckham has once again joined A C Milan on a season long loan from L A Galaxy like he did last season. He hopes to make enough of an impression on England boss Fabio Capello so as to bag a place in the WC 2010 squad. Last season Beckham surprised all but his most ardent fans by performances of such quality that he even displaced the mercurial but indisciplined Brazilian Ronaldinho from the first team. This season it will be more difficult for him because Ronaldinho now has a settled place on the left flank while Beckham's right flank place belongs to young Alexandre Pato who it can be said offers more to the forward line than the veteran can. Still Becks should be making some substitute appearances at the very least.
2. It's too early to say whether this is the shrewdest acquisition of this winter but Goran Pandev who somehow got his contract with Lazio rescinded has since arriving at Inter Milan already showed enough to suggest that he is first team material in a top club and can even endanger the place of superstar striker Samuel Eto'o. Could Pandev have a major role to play against Chelsea in the UCL? Let's wait and watch.
1. Let's end with one that is a win-win for all. Robinho about whom Der Kaiser has said that he is best fit to play in a circus has moved to club Santos in his native Brazil to "suck his thumbs" if we quote what a Goal.com editor recently wrote. Jokes aside Robinho is very serious about ensuring a place in Brazil's WC 2010 squad and preferably even first team and for that his priority is playing time. For Manchester City's no-nonsense manager his lack of commitment had become a serious concern. He had not done enough to be an unquestioned first teamer unlike Carlos Tevez whose work rate if compared to Robinho would seem like comparing chalk and cheese. Mancini offered a rotational position in the team to Robinho at best which he refused. Mancini does not mind his move too much since he now feels that he is able to maintain squad unity and morale better especially because City are very serious about trying to bag a top four place in the EPL after ages.
Monday, January 11, 2010
Reflections : The Magic Of Guus Hiddink
This writer has something to confess first. His pre-occupation during the last few days has been the world teams of the decade. And when he saw the list of Goal.com's nominees for the manager of the decade and the name of Guus Hiddink was nowhere to be found he did a double take. For a few minutes he couldn't believe his eyes looking at the list repeatedly. Yes it's true that Hiddink does not have as many trophies this decade as some of his competitors but in the eyes of this writer he is the number one coaching genius of the last two decades perhaps even ahead of Fabio Capello. And then to see the name of Rafa Benitez on that list. Yes Rafa did win one UCL and commendably two league titles with Valencia but anyone following EPL knows well that abusing Rafa and his ways is the number one pastime of EPL fans and pundits alike. When was the last time anyone abused the ways of the Guus? Let's look at the significant events in this decade in the coaching career of the one who actually deserved to wear the title of 'The Special One' in point form.
1. South Korea had no idea what it was like to be in a knock out round at a world cup. Well the Guus made them taste that thrice by taking them all the way to the semi finals. Fine there were many refereeing controversies but then when did football happen without them. Maybe this time they were excessive but still to take a country like that to a world cup semi final is some achievement. There were many noteworthy moments for the Koreans but the one this writer has decided to point out for now is the penalty shoot out against Spain in the quarter final. Korea facing a European super power who had none less than San Iker in goal in a do or die situation. Yet they looked so much more confident than the Spanish. One can only wonder from where they got so much confidence.
2. The Guus then decided to go back to PSV for some time. Dutch titles were not even much of a challenge for him. So let's talk about something else. Remember PSV in UCL 2004-05? Who thought anything of this team? And then they went all the way to the semi final. In the semi final they lost on away goals but they had so convincingly outplayed the mighty A C Milan in two legs that even some of Milan's players admitted they did not deserve to be in the final. We hear again and again about how Milan were both so careless and so unlucky to lose that UCL final after leading 3-0 at half time but it's unfortunately forgotten that another team probably deserved to be there more than them. When was the last time PSV played like that before 2005? When will we ever see them playing like that again?
3. Then Hiddink decided that he would take up the coaching job at Australia as a part timer. Well Australia was just so used to winning the Oceania group, which they were then part of, easily in their world cup qualifiers and it was no different this time. This writer can clearly remember the shock he felt when he opened the newspapers one morning to read that Australia had qualified at the expense of Uruguay - South American giants and twice world champions. Well they continued their performance in the main tournament as well. Firstly they got the better of a very efficient European team like Croatia. After that they gave the eventual world champions Italy a real run for their money in the second round right till the last minute.
4. All this while Russian football was sinking faster than the Titanic. When it seemed that nothing could save them Lord Guus for some reasons decided that he would accept their prayers. So in the very next major tournament i.e. Euro 2008, Russia managed to qualify albeit after a struggle. By that time casual observers of the game already knew that Andrei Arshavin was a special player. However post Euro 2008 he became a world renowned superstar. Arshavin's performance or rather his almost single handed annihilation of the mighty Dutch who had been the best attacking team of the tournament till then in the quarter final is in the eyes of this author one of the very best performances by any player in a single international match this decade. However Arshavin did have help - more so from off the pitch rather than from on it. The Lord had chosen him to bestow all his blessings. At the end of the match Arshavin's line to the press was that one brilliant coach can beat eleven brilliant players. Now just how many coaches in the world would fancy themselves doing that?
5. Now while the Russians were progressing towards what looked like a likely qualification for WC 2010 at that stage, the tycoon from Russia, Mr. Roman Abramovich decided that he too couldn't do without the Lord's blessings. After all his Chelsea side were then floundering big time and had looked like amateurs in the defeat to ManUtd at Old Trafford and this in spite of having a top class coach and world cup winner in Luis Felipe Scolari to guide them. Exit Big Phil. Enter Lord Guus. Within time so less that it challenged Mathematical concepts of the infinitesimal Hiddink make the side look something completely different. The popular belief was that Drogba and Anelka, both top class players in their own right, just couldn't play together. Guus said no problem. How about playing Drogba as a striker and Anelka joining Malouda as a supporting wide player. It just worked wonders. Every single thing was now different from the unity to the discipline to the fighting spirit. Chelsea ended up giving ManUtd and Liverpool a close fight in EPL and did even better in the UCL. Oh and Guus did complete the small matter of winning the FA cup. At the end of his tenure every single Chelsea fan worth his salt was willing to touch his feet if he were to agree to stay. The Lord acknowledged this immense show of affection and admiration from the fans with a bow but chose to concentrate on the Russian national team instead. Today Chelsea is guided by Carlo Ancelotti, a top class coach in his own right, but the Guus stamp is still unmistakable in everything they do.
6. In the entire story of the decade so far for our Lord, there hasn't been anything called failure. Yet even the Lord is human and he did fail just once. The ironical thing about this failure was that it happened when it was least expected. If we study the above given five points carefully every time Guus and his team were up against it. Unfortunately this time with Russia things seemed much easier. And they failed when it was least expected - against Slovenia who many thought were the minnows of the playoffs. Why did this happen? To be honest this writer has yet to make complete sense of it. Some important players such as Pavlyuchenko were not getting playing time for their clubs. Arshavin's mind seemed somewhere else for reasons that are yet to be disclosed. Yet even that is not enough to understand how the Guus can fail when given such a relatively simple task. For this writer the Guus was the closest thing to infallible in the world of football but even he failed. However that has not shaken the faith of this writer in the Lord one bit. And what happened after that. Well many of the countries who had qualified were so eager to give their coaches the short shrift if only Lord Guus were to take them under his care. The Lord however refused saying that he would not take charge of a national team that he had not helped to qualify for the final tournament.
Now let us discuss something that is not directly connected to the article but if fate wishes so it could very well become linked in the future. Juventus were considered one of the most promising teams during the summer. That they have been an unmitigated disaster so far is not even worth illustrating. If anyone can save them now it's the one and only Guus. The way Juventus have still persisted with Ferrara at times makes one wonder if he is related to the management in some way which makes them softer on him. In today's world no one gets so much time especially someone with no coaching pedigree. Just ask all the ex-coaches of Real Madrid for more than adequate proof. This writer has read many comments citing Ferrra's inexperience as the cause of his continued failures. Such comments frankly make no sense to him. Ferrara has assisted one of the very best in Marcello Lippi. Leonardo on the other hand did not even have a coaching degree. And yet he seems to have proved virtually the entire world wrong. And do we even need to mention a certain Mr. Josep Guardiola. Milan in sharp contrast to Juventus have made the world of football punditry as well as self styled analysts like this writer feel like complete idiots because they have performed several times better than the maximum that was expected of them with only about half the season done. If anyone watched them play on Sunday night against Juventus it could be said that they are still the second best passing side in the world after Barcelona. Perhaps Arsenal will have something to say about that but this statement is not completely devoid of merit. At this point in time looking at how ManUtd seem to be on a decline and their midfield is a total mess, wouldn't it make sense for the bookies to make Milan the favorites against them not least so because Milan already have a past psychological advantage over them? Right now don't the chances of Milan overcoming ManUtd seem higher than the chances of Inter overcoming Chelsea? Many consider Jose Mourinho among the greatest of coaches. For a variety of reasons this writer has always had his doubts. However this writer hereby promises Mourinho and all his fans that if his Inter qualify for the UCL 2009-10 quarter final at the expense of Chelsea, he will unquestionably accept Mourinho among the very best of coaches.
Okay the last paragraph did detract from the main topic but the connection with Guus was established and after that this writer just couldn't control his emotions. Actually Guus had half a mind to retire from active coaching leaving this writer feeling that the coaching world would become so bereft of the expertise of such a master. However somewhere there are indications that a person with such unprecedented achievements would not end his career on a failure. Maybe both the world and he himself still deserves at least one more miracle from him. Let's end this by saying that there was, there is and there will be only one Guus. He is the Jesus Christ of the football world. If Christ worked miracles in the world like no else could the Guus does the same in the football world and what's more he almost matches Christ for consistency.
Note : This writer very humbly requests all the readers of this article to note that this is not an article about refereeing controversies. Refereeing controversies have been part of Hiddink's career with decisions at times favoring him a lot and at times going against him big time as well. Each of the refereeing incidents directly or indirectly mentioned here have already been discussed to death umpteen times. This writer does not even want to say a word about any of them again if possible because it is one of the best ways to spoil one's mood, day and more. To discuss refereeing controversies in response to an article in his honor would be a huge act of disrespect towards his majesty King Guus Hiddink.
1. South Korea had no idea what it was like to be in a knock out round at a world cup. Well the Guus made them taste that thrice by taking them all the way to the semi finals. Fine there were many refereeing controversies but then when did football happen without them. Maybe this time they were excessive but still to take a country like that to a world cup semi final is some achievement. There were many noteworthy moments for the Koreans but the one this writer has decided to point out for now is the penalty shoot out against Spain in the quarter final. Korea facing a European super power who had none less than San Iker in goal in a do or die situation. Yet they looked so much more confident than the Spanish. One can only wonder from where they got so much confidence.
2. The Guus then decided to go back to PSV for some time. Dutch titles were not even much of a challenge for him. So let's talk about something else. Remember PSV in UCL 2004-05? Who thought anything of this team? And then they went all the way to the semi final. In the semi final they lost on away goals but they had so convincingly outplayed the mighty A C Milan in two legs that even some of Milan's players admitted they did not deserve to be in the final. We hear again and again about how Milan were both so careless and so unlucky to lose that UCL final after leading 3-0 at half time but it's unfortunately forgotten that another team probably deserved to be there more than them. When was the last time PSV played like that before 2005? When will we ever see them playing like that again?
3. Then Hiddink decided that he would take up the coaching job at Australia as a part timer. Well Australia was just so used to winning the Oceania group, which they were then part of, easily in their world cup qualifiers and it was no different this time. This writer can clearly remember the shock he felt when he opened the newspapers one morning to read that Australia had qualified at the expense of Uruguay - South American giants and twice world champions. Well they continued their performance in the main tournament as well. Firstly they got the better of a very efficient European team like Croatia. After that they gave the eventual world champions Italy a real run for their money in the second round right till the last minute.
4. All this while Russian football was sinking faster than the Titanic. When it seemed that nothing could save them Lord Guus for some reasons decided that he would accept their prayers. So in the very next major tournament i.e. Euro 2008, Russia managed to qualify albeit after a struggle. By that time casual observers of the game already knew that Andrei Arshavin was a special player. However post Euro 2008 he became a world renowned superstar. Arshavin's performance or rather his almost single handed annihilation of the mighty Dutch who had been the best attacking team of the tournament till then in the quarter final is in the eyes of this author one of the very best performances by any player in a single international match this decade. However Arshavin did have help - more so from off the pitch rather than from on it. The Lord had chosen him to bestow all his blessings. At the end of the match Arshavin's line to the press was that one brilliant coach can beat eleven brilliant players. Now just how many coaches in the world would fancy themselves doing that?
5. Now while the Russians were progressing towards what looked like a likely qualification for WC 2010 at that stage, the tycoon from Russia, Mr. Roman Abramovich decided that he too couldn't do without the Lord's blessings. After all his Chelsea side were then floundering big time and had looked like amateurs in the defeat to ManUtd at Old Trafford and this in spite of having a top class coach and world cup winner in Luis Felipe Scolari to guide them. Exit Big Phil. Enter Lord Guus. Within time so less that it challenged Mathematical concepts of the infinitesimal Hiddink make the side look something completely different. The popular belief was that Drogba and Anelka, both top class players in their own right, just couldn't play together. Guus said no problem. How about playing Drogba as a striker and Anelka joining Malouda as a supporting wide player. It just worked wonders. Every single thing was now different from the unity to the discipline to the fighting spirit. Chelsea ended up giving ManUtd and Liverpool a close fight in EPL and did even better in the UCL. Oh and Guus did complete the small matter of winning the FA cup. At the end of his tenure every single Chelsea fan worth his salt was willing to touch his feet if he were to agree to stay. The Lord acknowledged this immense show of affection and admiration from the fans with a bow but chose to concentrate on the Russian national team instead. Today Chelsea is guided by Carlo Ancelotti, a top class coach in his own right, but the Guus stamp is still unmistakable in everything they do.
6. In the entire story of the decade so far for our Lord, there hasn't been anything called failure. Yet even the Lord is human and he did fail just once. The ironical thing about this failure was that it happened when it was least expected. If we study the above given five points carefully every time Guus and his team were up against it. Unfortunately this time with Russia things seemed much easier. And they failed when it was least expected - against Slovenia who many thought were the minnows of the playoffs. Why did this happen? To be honest this writer has yet to make complete sense of it. Some important players such as Pavlyuchenko were not getting playing time for their clubs. Arshavin's mind seemed somewhere else for reasons that are yet to be disclosed. Yet even that is not enough to understand how the Guus can fail when given such a relatively simple task. For this writer the Guus was the closest thing to infallible in the world of football but even he failed. However that has not shaken the faith of this writer in the Lord one bit. And what happened after that. Well many of the countries who had qualified were so eager to give their coaches the short shrift if only Lord Guus were to take them under his care. The Lord however refused saying that he would not take charge of a national team that he had not helped to qualify for the final tournament.
Now let us discuss something that is not directly connected to the article but if fate wishes so it could very well become linked in the future. Juventus were considered one of the most promising teams during the summer. That they have been an unmitigated disaster so far is not even worth illustrating. If anyone can save them now it's the one and only Guus. The way Juventus have still persisted with Ferrara at times makes one wonder if he is related to the management in some way which makes them softer on him. In today's world no one gets so much time especially someone with no coaching pedigree. Just ask all the ex-coaches of Real Madrid for more than adequate proof. This writer has read many comments citing Ferrra's inexperience as the cause of his continued failures. Such comments frankly make no sense to him. Ferrara has assisted one of the very best in Marcello Lippi. Leonardo on the other hand did not even have a coaching degree. And yet he seems to have proved virtually the entire world wrong. And do we even need to mention a certain Mr. Josep Guardiola. Milan in sharp contrast to Juventus have made the world of football punditry as well as self styled analysts like this writer feel like complete idiots because they have performed several times better than the maximum that was expected of them with only about half the season done. If anyone watched them play on Sunday night against Juventus it could be said that they are still the second best passing side in the world after Barcelona. Perhaps Arsenal will have something to say about that but this statement is not completely devoid of merit. At this point in time looking at how ManUtd seem to be on a decline and their midfield is a total mess, wouldn't it make sense for the bookies to make Milan the favorites against them not least so because Milan already have a past psychological advantage over them? Right now don't the chances of Milan overcoming ManUtd seem higher than the chances of Inter overcoming Chelsea? Many consider Jose Mourinho among the greatest of coaches. For a variety of reasons this writer has always had his doubts. However this writer hereby promises Mourinho and all his fans that if his Inter qualify for the UCL 2009-10 quarter final at the expense of Chelsea, he will unquestionably accept Mourinho among the very best of coaches.
Okay the last paragraph did detract from the main topic but the connection with Guus was established and after that this writer just couldn't control his emotions. Actually Guus had half a mind to retire from active coaching leaving this writer feeling that the coaching world would become so bereft of the expertise of such a master. However somewhere there are indications that a person with such unprecedented achievements would not end his career on a failure. Maybe both the world and he himself still deserves at least one more miracle from him. Let's end this by saying that there was, there is and there will be only one Guus. He is the Jesus Christ of the football world. If Christ worked miracles in the world like no else could the Guus does the same in the football world and what's more he almost matches Christ for consistency.
Note : This writer very humbly requests all the readers of this article to note that this is not an article about refereeing controversies. Refereeing controversies have been part of Hiddink's career with decisions at times favoring him a lot and at times going against him big time as well. Each of the refereeing incidents directly or indirectly mentioned here have already been discussed to death umpteen times. This writer does not even want to say a word about any of them again if possible because it is one of the best ways to spoil one's mood, day and more. To discuss refereeing controversies in response to an article in his honor would be a huge act of disrespect towards his majesty King Guus Hiddink.
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