Most clubs possess a 'Messi' of their own. Manchester United's Robin van Persie, Luis Suarez of Liverpool, Gareth Bale of Tottenham Hotspur and the list is endless and it all depends on the coach and the fans.
Barcelona have their own 'Messi' and that is Lionel Messi. It does not matter the opinion of pundits, media, coaches or any fans. Messi is great, greater than the greatest players because of the way he has carried a very weak and unable Barca on his own. With every cough, the Catalans struggled and struggled big time.
At this point, I do not need an opinion about how bad La Liga champions-elect are. They have been bad, and for a long while, only the mask performance of one Messi seduced us to believe they are good. They pass the ball well, yes, but they defend like school boys. Maybe that is good enough but I am not sold on that one.
The abilities of Iniesta and Xavi are undoubted, but Barca can easily do without each or both, but not without Messi - never. May I mention that after losing 0-2 to AC Milan in Italy two weeks ago, we all wrote Barcelona off. Their 4-0 victory is nothing short of a miracle. Without Messi, that scoreline could have easily belonged to Milan, believe it or not.
The Italians arrived at the Camp Nou believing being Italian is a defensive strategy on its own. They were almost right and they crowded both Messi and the spaces he works it. It worked wonders and nobody could have done a better job. I have never witnessed Messi have such a bad day in office. He lost the ball in one match more than I have seen him in a year.
On such a bad day for the magician, a glimple of who who is came in 5 minutes with a stunner from as little a space as could fit an ant. He squeezed the ball through a needle's eye with the accuracy to goal to match. One may have seen similar goals but the difference here is that the little Argentinian knew what he was doing and had every intention of doing that.
Five minutes from the break, with as little space from similar circumstances, maybe a little demanding, he coughed out the same deadliness and his intentions were less clearer, only this by his standards. Whether he is the greatest ever football player will remain a matter of opinion, as many measure that in term of accolades and team achievements. As an individual, Zinedine Zidane, Pele, Diego Maradona and Ronaldinho have been very close to what Messi is giving us, and maybe they gave more but an I doubt.
Showing posts with label AC Milan. Show all posts
Showing posts with label AC Milan. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Barca reach CL semis
Barcelona dispatched AC Milan in the quarter-final match of the Champions League in predictable fashion, 3-1, one Lionel Messi netting twice.
After the 0-0 San Siro surprise draw, the rest of the technicalities needed to be fulfilled as the Catalans have proved time and again to the the best European team, despite losing grip in La Liga, where Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are turning the tables on them.
Messi's 50th goal in the tournament made him the youngest player to get to that mark and he equalled the 14 goals per season record.
As Barca await possibly Chelsea, they will end the season warm, and probably lose their coach or key players. The necessary rebirth may rekindle the dwindling ambers as they get even cooler.
One can trust and hope they remain hot but when the drum is about to crack, it is so loud.
After the 0-0 San Siro surprise draw, the rest of the technicalities needed to be fulfilled as the Catalans have proved time and again to the the best European team, despite losing grip in La Liga, where Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid are turning the tables on them.
Messi's 50th goal in the tournament made him the youngest player to get to that mark and he equalled the 14 goals per season record.
As Barca await possibly Chelsea, they will end the season warm, and probably lose their coach or key players. The necessary rebirth may rekindle the dwindling ambers as they get even cooler.
One can trust and hope they remain hot but when the drum is about to crack, it is so loud.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
AC Milan assassinate Arsenal 4-0
Failure to place basic football components together in the correct order proved a fatal demise of Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League against AC Milan at the San Siro.
The alarmingly slow transition in converting from defence to attack just stuck with the Gunners as their seemingly super glued stunts gifted Milan with generous scoring opportunities.
On numerous occasions, the man on the ball took far too long to release the next player when it attack, allowing the Italians ample time to regroup and shape up.
The average decision-making became increasingly erratic and very much delayed in all departments, especially in midfield. The poor defending principles were obviously encouraging AC Milan and retreating to wrong areas did not help Arsenal's cause.
Too much spaces in defensive situations and poor take-off by the flat-footed Arsenal defenders resulted in the porous and stagnant shapes between the central defenders and the wing defenders as seen in the goals scored and missed clear-cut chances by Milan.
Playing too square and ignoring the blind side, the Londoners were found wanting for pace and ball watching. They seemed content dangerously zonal marking in the defending third.
The defense to attack conversion naturally failed to fatten the supply line in either channel and the numbers thinned in the attacking third.
Lack of crosses in attack saw the Gunners rarely threatening the relaxed Milan defence. There was never a squeeze or telling pressure to cause anxious moments for the hosts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho had a field day running rings around Bacary Sagna, Karen Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen. Nocerino spent a good night supplying Kevin Prince Boateng with first class passes.
The goals came from Boateng (15 minutes), Robinho (38 and 49 minutes) while the 80th minute penalty by Ibrahimovic sealed the Gunners agony.
Thierry Henry bid farewell as he returns to the New York Red Bulls.
The alarmingly slow transition in converting from defence to attack just stuck with the Gunners as their seemingly super glued stunts gifted Milan with generous scoring opportunities.
On numerous occasions, the man on the ball took far too long to release the next player when it attack, allowing the Italians ample time to regroup and shape up.
The average decision-making became increasingly erratic and very much delayed in all departments, especially in midfield. The poor defending principles were obviously encouraging AC Milan and retreating to wrong areas did not help Arsenal's cause.
Too much spaces in defensive situations and poor take-off by the flat-footed Arsenal defenders resulted in the porous and stagnant shapes between the central defenders and the wing defenders as seen in the goals scored and missed clear-cut chances by Milan.
Playing too square and ignoring the blind side, the Londoners were found wanting for pace and ball watching. They seemed content dangerously zonal marking in the defending third.
The defense to attack conversion naturally failed to fatten the supply line in either channel and the numbers thinned in the attacking third.
Lack of crosses in attack saw the Gunners rarely threatening the relaxed Milan defence. There was never a squeeze or telling pressure to cause anxious moments for the hosts.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho had a field day running rings around Bacary Sagna, Karen Gibbs, Laurent Koscielny and Thomas Vermaelen. Nocerino spent a good night supplying Kevin Prince Boateng with first class passes.
The goals came from Boateng (15 minutes), Robinho (38 and 49 minutes) while the 80th minute penalty by Ibrahimovic sealed the Gunners agony.
Thierry Henry bid farewell as he returns to the New York Red Bulls.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
UEFA Champions League; Beggars are not choosers.
Tottenham Hotspur would have cared less who they drew in the quarter final of the UEFA Champions League. The only problem is that I rate Spurs team with my heart and love Jose Mourinho with all my mind. Nine-time European champions Real Madrid coach will be lying if he said he has minimum respect for Spurs, but in all fairness, the Londoners, with all due respect to the team and my English favourite manager, Harry Redknapp, cannot compete at that level. They however have an insignificant advantage of playing the 2nd leg at White Hart Lane.
For Barcelona, drawing Shakhtar Donetsk and avoiding Manchester United, Chelsea (who meet each other) and Madrid, is a true blessing. Defending champions Inter Milan, face Bundesliga club Schalke 04. The winner of Chelsea v United will play Inter or Schalke.
Madrid have an impressive record of the Cup, a total of over 150 matches in 15 appearances while Spurs are debutants. That is why, by any measure, they would have chosen a preferred opposition. Spurs midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart who used to play for Madrid will relish the chance to show his former pay masters a thing or two.
The Man U – Chelsea match will always be tagged as a rematch or revenge-cum grudge match following a bitter 2008 Chelsea loss to United in Moscow. I think that counts for nothing and it is The Blues’s realistic chance to get something away from United. Time will tell.
For Barcelona, drawing Shakhtar Donetsk and avoiding Manchester United, Chelsea (who meet each other) and Madrid, is a true blessing. Defending champions Inter Milan, face Bundesliga club Schalke 04. The winner of Chelsea v United will play Inter or Schalke.
Madrid have an impressive record of the Cup, a total of over 150 matches in 15 appearances while Spurs are debutants. That is why, by any measure, they would have chosen a preferred opposition. Spurs midfielder, Rafael van der Vaart who used to play for Madrid will relish the chance to show his former pay masters a thing or two.
The Man U – Chelsea match will always be tagged as a rematch or revenge-cum grudge match following a bitter 2008 Chelsea loss to United in Moscow. I think that counts for nothing and it is The Blues’s realistic chance to get something away from United. Time will tell.
Friday, March 18, 2011
EXTRA-TIME with Vusumuzi Mourinho Ndlovu - THE ANDREA PIRLO ROLE
With two exceptional talents vying for a single spot on the team sheet, Ancelotti was bound to have selection problems on his arrival at AC Milan. At that time Rui Costa was arguably the world’s best ball passer. He had established himself at Fiorentina and the case that he was the most expensive player signed by Milan added to the fact that he was not going to be relegated to the bench easily. Rui Costa had to contend with a young Italian rough diamond which had just joined from arch-rivals Inter Milan. Ancelotti did the unthinkable, he chose both.
Playing with two playmakers in an era when catenaccio was much revered in Italian football was never going to be easy. Ancelotti gave Rui Costa the playmaker’s role and fielded Pirlo deeper alongside Gattuso, the anchorman. Ancelotti gradually transformed Pirlo into a world class player that went on to fire AC Milan and Italy to glory.
With much freedom, Pirlo’s dynamism, creativity, and vision enabled him to dictate the pace which ensured Milan was back in European football sooner. Blessed with a great first touch, his ability to spread play with his cross-field passes to wingers is second to none. He uses his deeper role to play long balls which exploits openings and creates opportunities to build up play.
Playing with two playmakers in an era when catenaccio was much revered in Italian football was never going to be easy. Ancelotti gave Rui Costa the playmaker’s role and fielded Pirlo deeper alongside Gattuso, the anchorman. Ancelotti gradually transformed Pirlo into a world class player that went on to fire AC Milan and Italy to glory.
With much freedom, Pirlo’s dynamism, creativity, and vision enabled him to dictate the pace which ensured Milan was back in European football sooner. Blessed with a great first touch, his ability to spread play with his cross-field passes to wingers is second to none. He uses his deeper role to play long balls which exploits openings and creates opportunities to build up play.
Pirlo was instrumental in the Rossoneri’s resurrection as Milan went on to dominate Europe again as they went on to win two UEFA Champions League trophies. His inspiration knew no boundaries, as national team coach Marcelo Lippi built his World Cup winning team around the AC Milan pair of Gattuso and Pirlo. ‘The architect’ scooped the bronze ball at the Azzuri’s last World Cup triumph after he had scored Italy’s opening goal. He further had four assists including the all important one in the final where he was voted man of the match. Prior to that, he had captained the Olympic team to bronze medal in 2004 where he became the third best player.
During Ancelotti’s era at the San Siro, Milan were said to be the custodians of the 1-4-4-2 narrow diamond formation until the departure of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea. After winning the UEFA Champions League in 2003, Ancelotti kept the formation and the team setup intact until the sale of Shevchenko. However, if you closely look at AC Milan lineups in 2003 and 2005 UEFA Champions League finals you will observe why I have always thought that Milan’s formation was more of an advanced centralised ‘magic rectangle’.
During Ancelotti’s era at the San Siro, Milan were said to be the custodians of the 1-4-4-2 narrow diamond formation until the departure of Andriy Shevchenko to Chelsea. After winning the UEFA Champions League in 2003, Ancelotti kept the formation and the team setup intact until the sale of Shevchenko. However, if you closely look at AC Milan lineups in 2003 and 2005 UEFA Champions League finals you will observe why I have always thought that Milan’s formation was more of an advanced centralised ‘magic rectangle’.
In those three Champions League finals that Milan reached under Ancelotti, Milan had four defenders, two centre backs and two wingbacks. He didn’t change Gattuso and Pirlo in defensive midfield. Kaka replaced Rui Costa to partner Seerdorf in central midfield in 2005 with Shevchenko and Inzaghi being returned upfront. Pirlo wasn’t going to be called a deep lying playmaker if he was a central midfielder like Seerdorf or a plymaker like Rui Costa. I emphasise that Milan’s formation was more of a1- 4-2-2-2 instead of a 1-4-1-2-1-2 a narrow diamond. Though both formations use wingbacks for width, the diamond uses a single player at the base and at the tip.
Above all, Milan continued to use Pirlo as a deep lying playmaker even after switching Kaka to a second striker role in a 4-4-1-1, he never ceased to inspire. Pirlo’s displays best define the deep lying playmaker’s role.
Above all, Milan continued to use Pirlo as a deep lying playmaker even after switching Kaka to a second striker role in a 4-4-1-1, he never ceased to inspire. Pirlo’s displays best define the deep lying playmaker’s role.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
The bigger Spurs fight is to secure CL spot next season
Tottenham Hotspur qualified for the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League by beating AC Milan on a 1-0 aggregate despite an average drawn match at White Hart Lane. Not only did Spurs beat AC, they vanquished Inter in the process. It is not a feat anyone can tell you is easy by any measure.
Spurs progressed from a very tough group stage and their novice status made their participation a question of numbers and fulfilling the fixtures. Now they are a worry to many teams. Being a new book in this league, I guess even power houses in the game, they will try not to stroke Spurs ego but few will hope to meet them after a draw next week.
On their part, and rightly so, they would not care less whether they meet Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United. Why should they after toppling two Italian teams in a single tournament? Their lack of care in this regard is what makes them dangerous as they do not have pressure to perform. From now on, it is all for the fun of it and it can be very fulfilling.
To put it mildly, they are like a boxer who had complete rest after a good night sleep fighting another who spent a night in a bar. I am not saying that Spurs will win this thing. Of course they have the pedigree as long as their full complement of the squad is at their disposal, hence putting your life’s saving against them winning it would be fatal.
There is a tougher task ahead of Harry Redknapp’s team than a quarter-final fixture. The Londoners have performed worst in the domestic scene after success in Europe. For them to dance with the stars again next year, the trend must stop immediately. They have been erratic in overtaking Chelsea and Manchester City in the title race for the 4th spot. Spurs could have left the rest of the tams fight for 4th with their 3rd position secure. Like Arsenal, they threw away easy points.
After the champagnes of last night victory, let us leave the party to go on and the boys to enjoy the lime light. It is not something that came on a silver platter. There are so many highly rated teams that would have loved to be in their position, but are leaking their wounds with their tails between the legs.
God bless Tottenham Hotspur of White Hart Lane, London.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Today Spurs represents
For a moment tonight, friends and foes gather in spirit from several parts of the world at White Hart Lane. Many are in high spirits after Tottenham Hotspur beat 6 time UEFA Champions at the San Siro. Spurs are having their first shot at the Cup in modern times. The others are of heavy spirit after a dismal Arsenal performers who bowed out to superior Barcelona 24 hours ago.
For all Engish football lovers, Spurs have to revenge the Gunners tonight. All the hype and fuss is not unfounded. Spurs are capable. After so many doubts of their abilities, they pulled off a string of astonishing results and records. With their last victory coming in the absence of Gareth Bale, there is no doubt that their abilities are anchored on team work. Bale may play a part tonight, byt Rafael van der Vaart is the man to do the damage.
Spurs have been very unlucky with injuries and for them, this fixture is a fun game and that relieves all the pressure to perform. AC Milan have a reputation to prove. Some men can stand up and be counted when it matters the most and there is nothing to suggest this will be their moment. Spurs have a crawd, the ground and the players behind them. Not to reward evil, there is no way Gattusso's antics will be unpunished by the Creator.
At the end of the day, Harry Redknapp has all the keys and buttoms he needs to land the Londoners on the moon tonight. All ye Spurs, can you feel it?
For all Engish football lovers, Spurs have to revenge the Gunners tonight. All the hype and fuss is not unfounded. Spurs are capable. After so many doubts of their abilities, they pulled off a string of astonishing results and records. With their last victory coming in the absence of Gareth Bale, there is no doubt that their abilities are anchored on team work. Bale may play a part tonight, byt Rafael van der Vaart is the man to do the damage.
Spurs have been very unlucky with injuries and for them, this fixture is a fun game and that relieves all the pressure to perform. AC Milan have a reputation to prove. Some men can stand up and be counted when it matters the most and there is nothing to suggest this will be their moment. Spurs have a crawd, the ground and the players behind them. Not to reward evil, there is no way Gattusso's antics will be unpunished by the Creator.
At the end of the day, Harry Redknapp has all the keys and buttoms he needs to land the Londoners on the moon tonight. All ye Spurs, can you feel it?
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Spurs fairy tale continues against AC Milan
Aaron Lennon picked up the ball, got on his bike, accelerated at 500 miles per hour, skipped a hump. attracted unnecessary attention, checked his rear view mirrors and spotted Peter Crouch, played the ball square and Crouch unleashed a low curling shot into the bottom left corner in the 80th minute. Cometh the moment, cometh the man.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrestled Dawson down and attempted a Wayne Rooney acrobatic bicycle kick and fired past Gomes and the officials caught the act and disallowed the cheating. Flamini and Gattuso were lucky to be in the pitch the entire match. Milan survived 2 obvious penalty cases. They are not out yet but their task at White Hart Lane is the worst any team has had to face this season.
The match started well with Tottenham Hotspur controlling the UEFA Champions League match with quick and incisive passes into the attacking area and out-shooting the host in the opening 15 minutes. Spurs looked like the side at home and defended efficiently. The end of the half was a balanced affair and Spurs were the happier of the two teams.
The second half saw the change in fortunes and Milan took the game to the visitors but the Spurs defence, for the first time ever, was really water tight, giving nothing away at all. Robinho was beginning to get too much space and finding Ibrahimovic. Spurs cracked a few times and Gomes was to be at his best to keep them out.
Spurs will be taking home a comfortable 1-0 win and will be welcoming back Gareth Bale in the second leg. It will be folly for them to rest on their laurels. They carry an advantage of a great coach and playing without pressure as they play the masters of Europe.
The fairy tale of Harry Redknapp's team continues and hopefully they will be at full strength in the return leg.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic wrestled Dawson down and attempted a Wayne Rooney acrobatic bicycle kick and fired past Gomes and the officials caught the act and disallowed the cheating. Flamini and Gattuso were lucky to be in the pitch the entire match. Milan survived 2 obvious penalty cases. They are not out yet but their task at White Hart Lane is the worst any team has had to face this season.
The match started well with Tottenham Hotspur controlling the UEFA Champions League match with quick and incisive passes into the attacking area and out-shooting the host in the opening 15 minutes. Spurs looked like the side at home and defended efficiently. The end of the half was a balanced affair and Spurs were the happier of the two teams.
The second half saw the change in fortunes and Milan took the game to the visitors but the Spurs defence, for the first time ever, was really water tight, giving nothing away at all. Robinho was beginning to get too much space and finding Ibrahimovic. Spurs cracked a few times and Gomes was to be at his best to keep them out.
Spurs will be taking home a comfortable 1-0 win and will be welcoming back Gareth Bale in the second leg. It will be folly for them to rest on their laurels. They carry an advantage of a great coach and playing without pressure as they play the masters of Europe.
The fairy tale of Harry Redknapp's team continues and hopefully they will be at full strength in the return leg.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
If you care about what I think about the UEFA Champions League...
The UEFA champions league first legs in 2011 will be played on February 15 and 16 and February 22 and 23 with the return legs on March 8 and 9 and March 15 and 16. The final will be at Wembley Stadium on May 28.
Barcelona attracts Arsenal with alarming regularity in this tournament, and they even give them a hiding with the same consistancy. The reason is simple. Barcelona has men and Arsenal boys. Will we see boys turning to men? Not in our life-time. The Gunners can only go a gear up with a new set of players or a new manager. Barca blasted Gunners 6-3 on aggregate in the quarter-finals last season and gunned them in the 2006 final. It was nice having Arsenal in the Champions League. There is still another season, next year, hoping Lionel Messi will not be eligible for the encounter then.
The same can be said of Tottenham Hotspur. They had an amazing run in the Champions League so far and my prayers were always that they draw a tough team to play. They had fantastic trips to the San Siro for the memorable encounter with holders, Inter Milan and now return there for a date with seven time champions, AC Milan. As an after thought, AC are better than Inter for now, and that is the tonic Harry Redknapp needs. I feel for the San Siro crowd. Gareth Bale will haunt them for life.Manchester United will spend much of their Champions League preparation time doing work for the Barclays Premier League. This ensures they regain the championship, but drawing Olympique Marseille, those who think they know, will tell you it is a plate of chips. This Manchester United is the worst side ever to take on Europe. While they has been praise of how well they began to defend and getting result without playing well, that is coming to an end. Marseille are a hard nut and it will be sad to lose for champions in such an easy fashion but like the Gunners, they will be concentrating on the league.
Chelsea are to play rookies, FC Copenhagen. Chelsea will make light work of the former Swiss heavy weights who have become very ordinary in recent years. Such teams make good prey for the ‘men at work’ attitude of The Blues, who are seeking a comeback. Copenhagen will suffer the indignity of meeting the team that will be ruthless in atorning for it’s recent dismal performances. Didier Drogba started the season playing a blinder after blinder without scoring but providing essential supply for Nicolas Anelka. No one has tried to return the favour and the team is badly suffering. The bosses did not help with firing the first team trainer, but that has now been water under Stanford Bridge.
European champions Inter Milan drew Bayern Munich. Bayern will seek to revenge the loss at the last season's final. Inter buried Bayern 2-0 in the final that was played in Madrid. Diego Milito was the double scorer in what turned out to be a simple workout for Inter to clinch their first European crown for 45 years. As it turns out, Inter struggled under Rafa Benitez and their qualification was an anti climax for the defending champions as they came second to Spurs. Bayern’s fortunes were different, as they ran rampant with their 5/6 win group stage record, and they will surely made a light meal of the Italians.
The real deal is the Real Madrid versus Olympique Lyon. Real have a good reputation in this tournament, lifting it 9 times winners. They have never been the same side that made it their annual habit to house the Cup with the big ears. Jose Mourihno has been trying to break all records, including winning this cup with 4 different clubs. The Special One lifted the Cup in Portugal with FC Porto, England with Chelsea and Italy with Inter Milan.
All eyes are on him after he transformed Madrid to a fluid playing side, though not to the level of Barcelona. Mourinho is smarting from the embarassment he suffered from the UEFA suspensions and fines for issues concerning evading player suspensions when he ‘ordered’ Xavi and Ramos to receive silly yellow cards to miss the dead rubber of qualification stages. Barcelaona hammered him for 5 and I pity Olympique Lyon, as hell hath no fury like Jose scorned.
AS Roma had a soft opponent in Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine. Shakhtar are a gifted side without a doubt, but they are easy meat and ready for the taking. I had prayed for teams like Spurs not to draw them as the attitudes would sink and the English would struggle against them. Arsene Wenger knows what I am talking about. It must be said that Roma are not the side of years back, but they have been dishing out some decent football and one can only hope they were not flattering to deceive.
Finally, Valencia gave Man U a torrid time and showed that they real mean business this season. They will play Schalke 04 of Germany and betting against them will be ill-advice for any invester and by that, it does not mean Schalke will give it up easy. It does not necessarily mean putting United on the back foot in the group stages is a licence to advance, given United were not upto scratch in technical terms, but psychologically, they are on cloud nine and they are the last opponents to draw at this stage.
THE DRAW
Roma v Shakhtar Donetsk
AC Milan v Tottenham Hotspur
Valencia v Schalke 04
Internazionale v Bayern Munich
Lyon v Real Madrid
Arsenal v Barcelona
Marseille v Manchester United
Copenhagen v Chelsea
Tell us, where is it gonna go?
Thursday, November 4, 2010
It was a genuine coaching mistake by Wenger and I understand why
Arsene Wenger and myself do not always agree in matters of tactics and teams selections, and even worse, substitutions. In recent weeks, he has erred and still came off tops. There are matches in which the ineffective Andrei Arshavin was supposed to be replaced by Nicklus Bendtner and he brought in Tomas Rosiscky, and others in which he had to bring Bendetner for Chamakh when the Moroccan needed Walcott for a partner.
During the 2010 World Cup in which we were both observers, I outscored him 3 : 1 in all issues from day one till the final. This is a combination of him trying to be modest to protect his high profile status and reputation and your truly being free to say my mind without any risk of consequence. In that case, he should be more analytical to shoot his status down by wrong assumptions and anticipation.
About the line-up that faced Shakhtar in Ukraine, I was 100% with Wenger in both the tactics and team selection, but as it turned out we were both so wrong in our different differences. This match must tell one something that is so easy to overlook. Shakhtar are a physically strong side in terms of conditioning but tactically, they are very much inferior. That was both our true observations of the team.
Given that, superior planning and the quality Arsenal have, any player selected for that match would not struggle. Wenger forgot the technical ability of the Brazilians in the Ukrainian side. It all boiled down to tacticians versus technicians. It that aspect, it would result in a draw match for the Gunners, which would be a welcome result in any case. I would still tip the English team to grind a result nonetheless.
What I did not factor in was the home crowd. It is exactly the only difference that mattered at the end of 90 minutes. The feel good factor just put wings on Shakhtar who were effective in dispossessing the nervous Arsenal and then launching counter attack after counter attack. It was enough to steal the points Wenger and I banked on. Arsenal live to fight another day.
As for Real Madrid, Ike Casillas had a nightmare of an outing as he gifted AC Milan with golden goals in a silver platter. Mourinho will be disappointed but the relief of the final minute goal can only be summed up by his run in celebrating the goal.
Chelsea will always give you that clear separation of boys from men with an all round intimidatory effort in both the Premiership and Champions League. With Drogba coming back, it looked a little easy for the Blues. Frank Lampard and John Terry were not missed much as the team showed steel and class to put away 4 even though they let in a silly goal.
During the 2010 World Cup in which we were both observers, I outscored him 3 : 1 in all issues from day one till the final. This is a combination of him trying to be modest to protect his high profile status and reputation and your truly being free to say my mind without any risk of consequence. In that case, he should be more analytical to shoot his status down by wrong assumptions and anticipation.
About the line-up that faced Shakhtar in Ukraine, I was 100% with Wenger in both the tactics and team selection, but as it turned out we were both so wrong in our different differences. This match must tell one something that is so easy to overlook. Shakhtar are a physically strong side in terms of conditioning but tactically, they are very much inferior. That was both our true observations of the team.
Given that, superior planning and the quality Arsenal have, any player selected for that match would not struggle. Wenger forgot the technical ability of the Brazilians in the Ukrainian side. It all boiled down to tacticians versus technicians. It that aspect, it would result in a draw match for the Gunners, which would be a welcome result in any case. I would still tip the English team to grind a result nonetheless.
What I did not factor in was the home crowd. It is exactly the only difference that mattered at the end of 90 minutes. The feel good factor just put wings on Shakhtar who were effective in dispossessing the nervous Arsenal and then launching counter attack after counter attack. It was enough to steal the points Wenger and I banked on. Arsenal live to fight another day.
As for Real Madrid, Ike Casillas had a nightmare of an outing as he gifted AC Milan with golden goals in a silver platter. Mourinho will be disappointed but the relief of the final minute goal can only be summed up by his run in celebrating the goal.
Chelsea will always give you that clear separation of boys from men with an all round intimidatory effort in both the Premiership and Champions League. With Drogba coming back, it looked a little easy for the Blues. Frank Lampard and John Terry were not missed much as the team showed steel and class to put away 4 even though they let in a silly goal.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
All UEFA Champions League Results: Partizan Gunned Down By Arsenal.
Arsenal played their away UEFA Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade in a match in which 2 penalties were missed by both sides. It took a few minutes for the Gunners to find their feet as the home team took longer to size their opponents. Jack Wilshire and Andre Arshavin cut a corridor in the middle of the central defence resulting in a goal from Arshavin 15th minute.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
All UEFA Champions League Results: Partizan Gunned Down By Arsenal.
Arsenal played their away UEFA Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade in a match in which 2 penalties were missed by both sides. It took a few minutes for the Gunners to find their feet as the home team took longer to size their opponents. Jack Wilshire and Andre Arshavin cut a corridor in the middle of the central defence resulting in a goal from Arshavin 15th minute.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
All UEFA Champions League Results: Partizan Gunned Down By Arsenal.
Arsenal played their away UEFA Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade in a match in which 2 penalties were missed by both sides. It took a few minutes for the Gunners to find their feet as the home team took longer to size their opponents. Jack Wilshire and Andre Arshavin cut a corridor in the middle of the central defence resulting in a goal from Arshavin 15th minute.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
All UEFA Champions League Results: Partizan Gunned Down By Arsenal.
Arsenal played their away UEFA Champions League match against Partizan Belgrade in a match in which 2 penalties were missed by both sides. It took a few minutes for the Gunners to find their feet as the home team took longer to size their opponents. Jack Wilshire and Andre Arshavin cut a corridor in the middle of the central defence resulting in a goal from Arshavin 15th minute.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
A combination of cracking under pressure by Partizan and a five-star trademark Arsenal assault ensued and the Gunners flattened the gas pedal creating chance after chance. The clearest opportunity fell to Arshavin in 23rd minute, a one-on-one opportunity immediately followed Tomas Rosiscky's similar one versus one chance in 25th minute that the goalkeeper incredibly saved.
The Gunners temporarily went into overdrive pushing the hosts against the wall. Arshavin's attempt was cleared off the line with the goalkeeper well beaten. The goal-line clearance in the 27th minute by Jovanovich, saw Arsenal drop their heads a little. The sloppy Arsenal was to slumber for a second and they paid the price.
A long ball into the penalty area from the left was needlessly handled Denilson. The resultant penalty was coolly converted by former Brazilian, now Serbian Cleo. Partizan started to fancy their chances and caught the Gunners in sixes and sevens. They got first to the ball and passed better until half time.
After the half-time break, Arsenal composed themselves to thread passes and possessing the ball their traditional way. With just 5 minutes played, Jovanovic brought down striker Chamakh earning a straight red card. Arshavin's spot kick was saved as he tried to drive the ball hard through the centre of goal.
With exactly 20 minutes to go, Rosiscky's pin-point cross found Chamakh whose initial header crushed against the crossbar before he slotted the rebound to set Arsenal's lead. The Gunners would make the numerical advantage count and Nasri was introduced in Chamakh's place. His corner kick was headed home by defender Squillaci headed in the 82nd minute.
A dramatic turn of events a minute later saw Fabianski save a softly awarded penalty. The penalty was basically softly taken but Fabianski was very alert to get to the right side on time. He had to pull the save of the match with seconds of play left.
The rest of the result: Chelsea 2 Marsellie 0, FC Basel 1 Bayern Munchen 2, AS Roma 2 1907 Cluj 1, Auxere o Real Madrid 1, Ajax 1 AC Milan 1, Sporting Braga 0 Shaktar Donetsk 3, Spartak Moskva 3 MSK Zilina 0.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?
One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities. Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.
Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca.
Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.
Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.
David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.
There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him.
Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.
Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.
West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.
Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.
Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?
One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities. Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.
Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca.
Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.
Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.
David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.
There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him.
Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.
Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.
West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.
Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.
Why Did Arsenal Not Signing Robinho?
One player Arsenal would have done with, is Brazilian Manchester City and Santos player, Robinho. Silvio Berlusconi snapped Brazil star after AC Milan also signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic. They have Pato, Ronaldinho and Filippo Inzaghi. He hinted Marco Borriello has to leave, and may he may head Juventas. Robinho must decide where he has to be and stay put. This may be the beginning of his end. It will be such a shame for him not to realise his full potential. To me, he has shown us half of his abilities. Klaas Huntelaar has singed for German side Schalke 04 from AC Milan and was rumoured to have been heading to the English Premiership, while Liverpool Javier Mascherano made his worst career choice when he joined Barcelona. While The Reds showed a gap in his absence, he was better off with Benitez at Inter instead. With the talent at Barcelona, people still of Pep Guardiola as a good coach. That may be right, but sometimes that becomes over-rated, especially when you start counting the victories and honours the club wins. Back to Mascherano, he has to uproot Xavi or Busquets for a twin anchor role, a tall order indeed.
Barcelona seem to be taking off from where they left last season, winning 3-0, with new boy David Villa scoring. The FIFA World Cup is over, as you may realise after Messi's hat-trick last week in the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid fired blanks to the disgust of the Special One, who would have liked to enter La Liga in style. As if that wasn't enough, Portuguese Ronaldo got what looks like a long-term injury. This will give Jose Mourinho reason to dig deeper into his tactics bag to pull it away from perennial top achievers, Barca.
Of course, it is fair to salute a Super Cup win by Athletico Madrid over Italian giants Inter Milan. Athletico took the Cup courtesy of a 2-0 victory. They went on t open a league account with a 4-0 drubbing of Sorting Gijon, in a match the FIFA World Cup hero shined. Diego Forlan was priceless scoring twice in Madrid.
Despite the obvious technical downside at Anfield, manager Roy Hodgson seems more interested in a striker. This is a little confusing, given that Ryan Babel is a firebrand striker always coming off the bench to produce the goods. He may be an ideal impact player, but manager after manager give him a cold shoulder, only throwing him with 2 or 3 minutes of play remaining.
David Ngog is one player ready to be thrown at the deep end, but somehow is invisible to the coach. I think managers must make players, especially those with potential. Anyway, Hodgson will be signing Konchesky from Fulham soon.
There has been the interesting form of Theo Walcott. This is very notable regardless of the 2 match window since Robin van Persie seems to be nursing an injury that may take him several weeks to heal. The downside is that Theo would draw all the attention for van Persie to score goals to the potential he has always shown. I think he still has a long way to go to convince me he belongs where Arsenal fans place him.
Mikel Silvestre is turning into a nomadic player, moving to Werder Bremen after spending just over a season at Arsenal when he moved from Manchester United. He had been clubless for a while. It is not clear what he lacks, having spent such a long time at a club of Man U stature, he should have been a hot cake too good to spend a season without kicking a ball.
Meanwhile, you will remember that Tottenham Hotspurs were bidding for Brazilian Luis Fabiano. The 'hand ball-tapping' forceful striker was Redknapp's heart's desire for his Champions' League assault. Sevilla have since put an electric fence around 29-year-old Fabiano, extending his contract after refusing some $30 million offers.
West Brom Albion scored with the signing of Paul Scharner, given he was a free agent and his versatility. He is gifted to play effectively in various position at the back and middle.
Aston Villa deny claim that Spurs are hunting Ashley Young. Harry Redknapp likes artists of Young's calibre, given he has Aaron Lennon, who plays the same role. The pair would be a handful for any defence with each on either wing and the centre being operated by either Peter Crouch or Jermaine Defoe or both. Wow. I still think that Spurs is the only team that will decide where the championship ends up this season. Have your say.
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