There is no crisis at Arsenal. Having been predicted to drop out of the top four in the summer, there is no question that any rational Arsenal fan, would have grabbed our current league position with two hands, having followed two seasons of toying with Tottenham in fourth place mediocrity. Yet, as fatigue, injuries amongst other things set in; it is our formation that is not bringing the best performances out of the team, not shown by our recent collection of league points this winter.
This defensive formation, while it suited us last year, as it gave Cesc physical support in the midfield to counter the rougher sides, he rarely made the runs he does this year, and Hleb there inhibits the space in which he can operate as does the aggressive Flamini who closes down so early Cesc isn't in any position to play the pass; the 4-5-1 worked with Gilberto last year, who was passive in his role. Furthermore Rosicky has a tendency to cut in, and while this is typical of a fluid style, it further congests the midfield. Eboue on the opposite flank has shown a lack of spontaneity in his play, consistently looking for the one-two instead of opening his mind into better options. Instead, two strikers pressure the opposition defence to be wary all the time, and give more freedom to the midfield. It also spatially covers the most ground on the pitch, rendering it most effective.
In a 4-4-2 Adebayor can run the channels and pull out wide as his strike partner, normally Van Persie, would stay central or move to the right flank. If one comes short, the other will hang on the shoulder of the last defender in a bid to split the central defensive pairing. Therefore it would make sense in a 4-5-1 that the lone striker stays central, and if not directly involved in the play, can affect the opposition with his mere presence. At Portsmouth, Adebayor pulled wide (in an attempt to allow midfield runners, who surprisingly had poor movement), and on many occasions inadvertently blocked Clichy’s forward run, who then was forced to play it back (similar to this was Eboue running directly ahead of Sagna’s run, making his intentions crystal clear and thus ending the attack). On other occasions, he received the ball short, when pulling away to the far post was the better option. When pulling wide was the correct option, the wrong man made the forward run into space, and this can be put down to pure luck as Fabregas’ touch let him down. We created two chances in the final few minutes with two strikers on the pitch, both of which should have led to goals, but instead led to injury to the captain and then a bewildered look from our Czech playmaker.
At the beginning of the season, Arsenal were frustrated at home by Fulham, until Bendtner came on late in the game, and provided a greater attacking presence, coupled with Van Persie and Hleb, who won the game right at the death. Therefore this is not a criticism of any Arsenal striker but more so of the formation employed by Wenger, a great tactician perhaps slightly flawed by his reluctance to change formation. Our game is based on intuition, fitness and concentration in manipulating the ball, and if influential players are off form, then it reflects on the whole performance, especially in a formation not bringing out the best in the team as a whole. There are many examples of world-class strikers struggling as a lone forward, with Torres in his later years at Atletico, being criticised for his contribution, when his lack of supply formed statistics shaped against his talent. Drogba only blossomed at Chelsea when played with a partner, and with Rooney shown to be lacking in discipline when leading the line alone, this point shows a clear pattern.
Credit must be given to Portsmouth; they gave a master-class into defending against Arsenal. They squeezed the midfield, reducing our fluency, and sat back, when the ball was on the flanks. It would have been a great escape, as Benjani nearly stole a goal, yet fortunately his touch was too heavy past Almunia, allowing the impressive Clichy to clear away. It occurred because Toure abandoned his position and tried to play in midfield and add urgency to our game, but only succeeded in further congesting the area. Furthermore our last two winners in the Premiership have come as a result of poor defending from the opposition. Put Cech’s error down to pure luck (unless it is the beginning of an unthinkable dip in form) and Spurs, well it was bound to happen. Both corners taken by Fabregas were in the area where the keeper normally collects as shown by James on many occasions on Boxing Day, yet inept Spurs’ defending and an uncharacteristic gaffe from a world class keeper allowed us to win both games.
Earlier in the season, Wenger admitted his error in playing the 4-5-1 against Manchester United, yet he continues to adopt this formation. Possession of the ball is vial in Arsenal’s game and the 4-5-1 helps this along with coping with a physical threat, yet it reduces our attacking potential in the final third, although by no means is it a defensive formation. As it reduces attacking options, i.e. bodies (in the optimum position) to pass to, the players have limited options and on many occasions have played the wrong option, or have been unable to execute the correct one (see Adebayor’s attempted slide-rule pass to Toure at Anfield). This compounds frustration in the players. On the other hand, it can highlight the efficiency of some of our play, in taking one chance out of a few, though not at Fratton Park.
The statistics however, do not lie. We have played the 4-5-1 in 15 games of a possible 28 and have scored a disappointingly low 9 goals, with a measly 0.6 goals scored per game. In contrast, we have scored a huge 31 goals in the 13 games that we played 4-42. This gives a ratio of 2.38 goals per game. This includes every fixture we have played this season, and so shows the 4-4-2’s played excluding Van Persie (although he is hugely important in our game, it shows that we have played a 4-4-2 based on the opposition and not entirely on the personnel available) too, a clear example of which is the 7-0 demolition of Slavia Prague, with Adebayor and Walcott, as the forward pairing. As pure statistics, these do not look at injuries or suspensions, form (as clearly the win over Slavia had the whole team on form, while the Middlesbrough game away had a depleted side). Nor do they look at the quality of the opposition.
Therefore, while this is one of many articles on our minute drop in form, all show that a return to 4-4-2 is needed, as are some fresh legs through rotation. Yet with extremely busy period coming up, rest for some of our first team stars looks like a rare prospect. Also, having gained 7 points in our last three games, when two are tough London derbies and the other against a side who have now only let in one goal in their last five premiership home games, we appear to have come through well, without playing too well (the mark of strong team spirit and belief). The comparison to Man Utd is not needed, they are the champions, have spent close to £100 million in the summer, and have potentially the best player in the world in Ronaldo.
We are in the early stages of developing the third generation under Wenger. If we can continue to achieve results as we have done so far and as the players gain even more experience, we can become something special. This is just the beginning. Let us hope the team perform at Everton tomorrow (and hopefully play in a 4-4-2!).
Friday, 28 December 2007
The 20 Greatest Defeats Of All Time (No. 5-1)
And here it is… the top five defeats in the history of football. And what better place for all of these to occur on the biggest stage there is: the World Cup. Controversy, huge upsets and national pride being battered…
Chile 2-0 Italy 1962 World Cup Group 2
‘Good evening. The game you are about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game’. These were the words used to introduce the Battle of Santiago by BBC presenter David Coleman. Tensions ran high due to two Italian journalists (Antonio Ghiredelli and Corrado Pizzinelli – and both had to leave the country before the game) describing earthquake-stricken Chile in a deriding manner. The first foul came eight seconds after kick-off. The first sending off came eight minutes later. Next came a kick in the neck, soon followed by a broken nose. More scuffles, spitting occurred and the police had to repeatedly intervene during the came, such as escorting Giorgio Ferrini off the pitch after eight minutes. Late goals by Ramirez and Toro sealed Chile’s revenge against the Italians.
Argentina 2-1 England 1986 World Cup Quarter Final
Mention this defeat to any Englishman and it is a guarantee that Diego Maradona will be the first words out of his mouth. Forget the controversy from the ‘Hand of God’ goal or the individual excellence of the dribble (both were recently imitated by Leo Messi, one of the endless line of heirs to the legend himself). The background behind the defeat surrounding the dispute over the Falklands islands in 1982 between the two countries in question. The most recent invasion of British territory caused a strong rivalry that affected the viewpoints of the public in both countries. Thus Maradona claimed ‘Whoever robs a thief gets a 100-year pardon’, a popular Spanish saying, which is seen as a justification by Maradona as a retaliation against the British for the war four years previous.
Hungary 2- 3 West Germany 1954 World Cup Final
‘Das Wunder von Bern’. The Miracle of Bern saw the Germans pitted against the ‘Mighty Magyars’. Unbeaten in their previous 32 games, lead by a strike-force of Puskas and Hidegkuti, they had previously defeated England at Wembley 6-3, becoming the first non-UK team to do so at the famous stadium. They won 7-1 in the return game in Budapest. Legendary coach Josef Herberger was famous for conjuring up phrases such as ‘The ball is round and the game lasts for 90 minutes’, played his reserves that lost 8-3 in the first round. The Hungarians raced into a two goal lead in the first 8 minutes, through the unfit Puskas and Czibor. The Germans, playing with Adidas’s revolutionary removable studs, had an advantage in the ‘Fritz Walter’ (rainy) weather, named after their star player, whose best performances came ironically against the literary idea of pathetic fallacy. A film was released almost 50 years later in 2003, to commemorate the victory and it signifying the change in German society purging it from the sin of the Nazi regime. Helmut Rahn, featured in the film named: ‘Das Wunder von Bern’, scored twice in the final, and the winner caused Herbert Zimmermann to scream ‘Tor! Tor! Tor! Tor!’ followed by an eight second gap, before the celebrations continued.
Brazil 1-2 Uruguay 1950 World Cup Final
Another day… it was earlier in history but equally important in shaping another country’s mentality through football. Having taken victory for granted, after seeing the team, led by Ademir, an outstanding forward, defeat rivals, who adopted the WM formation, they were surprised when Uruguay appeared in the final with an attacking mentality and a formation that was equal to Brazil’s attacking play. The Europeans, were awestruck by Brazil, and before letting in the first goal so were Uruguay, but words from their captain inspired the team to victory. The goal by Ghiggia in the 79th minute, after shooting at the near post, rather than crossing as he did for his team’s first goal, caught out Barbosa, who dived too late. ‘The Fateful Goal’ silenced the 199,954 Brazilians in the Maracanã. It ruined celebrations, prepared, such as the golden medals with the players’ names on it, the speech in Portuguese Jules Rimet had prepared and amongst other things, it prompted a thorough post mortem into the defeat.
Germany 2-1 Holland 1974 World Cup Final
Possibly the greatest team to never win the World Cup, the Dutch raced into an early lead with a Neeskens penalty, but rather than adding to their lead, played a taunting style of possession football, perhaps in retaliation to Nazi oppressors in the second world war to which their opponents on the day had no relation to. This angered the Germans, who came back as the first half progressed, perhaps because Cruyff, in an attempt to find space and be released from Berti Vogts shackles, played too deep and lost his influence upon proceedings. The game was also a tale of two penalties, both given by the English referee Taylor, the first, a correct one, the second was given after simulation by Holzenbein, perhaps influenced by Beckenbauer’s words to Taylor (perhaps in another reference to the war): ‘You are an Englishman’. The Dutch played their usual unique style in the second half but could break down a rearguard action lead by ‘Der Kaiser’ Beckenbauer, leaving July 7th 1974 as the day when every Dutchman remembers where there were, mourning the ‘Lost Final’.
Chile 2-0 Italy 1962 World Cup Group 2
‘Good evening. The game you are about to see is the most stupid, appalling, disgusting and disgraceful exhibition of football, possibly in the history of the game’. These were the words used to introduce the Battle of Santiago by BBC presenter David Coleman. Tensions ran high due to two Italian journalists (Antonio Ghiredelli and Corrado Pizzinelli – and both had to leave the country before the game) describing earthquake-stricken Chile in a deriding manner. The first foul came eight seconds after kick-off. The first sending off came eight minutes later. Next came a kick in the neck, soon followed by a broken nose. More scuffles, spitting occurred and the police had to repeatedly intervene during the came, such as escorting Giorgio Ferrini off the pitch after eight minutes. Late goals by Ramirez and Toro sealed Chile’s revenge against the Italians.
Argentina 2-1 England 1986 World Cup Quarter Final
Mention this defeat to any Englishman and it is a guarantee that Diego Maradona will be the first words out of his mouth. Forget the controversy from the ‘Hand of God’ goal or the individual excellence of the dribble (both were recently imitated by Leo Messi, one of the endless line of heirs to the legend himself). The background behind the defeat surrounding the dispute over the Falklands islands in 1982 between the two countries in question. The most recent invasion of British territory caused a strong rivalry that affected the viewpoints of the public in both countries. Thus Maradona claimed ‘Whoever robs a thief gets a 100-year pardon’, a popular Spanish saying, which is seen as a justification by Maradona as a retaliation against the British for the war four years previous.
Hungary 2- 3 West Germany 1954 World Cup Final
‘Das Wunder von Bern’. The Miracle of Bern saw the Germans pitted against the ‘Mighty Magyars’. Unbeaten in their previous 32 games, lead by a strike-force of Puskas and Hidegkuti, they had previously defeated England at Wembley 6-3, becoming the first non-UK team to do so at the famous stadium. They won 7-1 in the return game in Budapest. Legendary coach Josef Herberger was famous for conjuring up phrases such as ‘The ball is round and the game lasts for 90 minutes’, played his reserves that lost 8-3 in the first round. The Hungarians raced into a two goal lead in the first 8 minutes, through the unfit Puskas and Czibor. The Germans, playing with Adidas’s revolutionary removable studs, had an advantage in the ‘Fritz Walter’ (rainy) weather, named after their star player, whose best performances came ironically against the literary idea of pathetic fallacy. A film was released almost 50 years later in 2003, to commemorate the victory and it signifying the change in German society purging it from the sin of the Nazi regime. Helmut Rahn, featured in the film named: ‘Das Wunder von Bern’, scored twice in the final, and the winner caused Herbert Zimmermann to scream ‘Tor! Tor! Tor! Tor!’ followed by an eight second gap, before the celebrations continued.
Brazil 1-2 Uruguay 1950 World Cup Final
Another day… it was earlier in history but equally important in shaping another country’s mentality through football. Having taken victory for granted, after seeing the team, led by Ademir, an outstanding forward, defeat rivals, who adopted the WM formation, they were surprised when Uruguay appeared in the final with an attacking mentality and a formation that was equal to Brazil’s attacking play. The Europeans, were awestruck by Brazil, and before letting in the first goal so were Uruguay, but words from their captain inspired the team to victory. The goal by Ghiggia in the 79th minute, after shooting at the near post, rather than crossing as he did for his team’s first goal, caught out Barbosa, who dived too late. ‘The Fateful Goal’ silenced the 199,954 Brazilians in the Maracanã. It ruined celebrations, prepared, such as the golden medals with the players’ names on it, the speech in Portuguese Jules Rimet had prepared and amongst other things, it prompted a thorough post mortem into the defeat.
Germany 2-1 Holland 1974 World Cup Final
Possibly the greatest team to never win the World Cup, the Dutch raced into an early lead with a Neeskens penalty, but rather than adding to their lead, played a taunting style of possession football, perhaps in retaliation to Nazi oppressors in the second world war to which their opponents on the day had no relation to. This angered the Germans, who came back as the first half progressed, perhaps because Cruyff, in an attempt to find space and be released from Berti Vogts shackles, played too deep and lost his influence upon proceedings. The game was also a tale of two penalties, both given by the English referee Taylor, the first, a correct one, the second was given after simulation by Holzenbein, perhaps influenced by Beckenbauer’s words to Taylor (perhaps in another reference to the war): ‘You are an Englishman’. The Dutch played their usual unique style in the second half but could break down a rearguard action lead by ‘Der Kaiser’ Beckenbauer, leaving July 7th 1974 as the day when every Dutchman remembers where there were, mourning the ‘Lost Final’.
The 20 Greatest Defeats Of All Time (No. 10-6)
Enter the top ten defeats of all time. Naturally many matches are remembered for incidents occurring of and on the pitch, perhaps with violent clashes, footballing master classes and shifts in power concerning who rules the footballing world.
France (4) 3-3 (5) West Germany 1982 World Cup Semi- Final
An epic football match marred by Harold Schumacher’s tendency to rush out to take out man or ball, in a mindset where the end justifies the means, as it did for the Germans. The match was level between the two sides with Littbarski rifling in a shot and a Platini penalty to equalise. Then Schumacher took out substitute Battiston (whose attempted shot went just wide), knocking him unconscious and leaving him with two less teeth. Later when Platini went for a header, when Schumacher came to claim the ball; Platini was left clutching his shoulder. Tresor scored with a hooked finish for France, followed by a thunderbolt from Giresse, Rummenigge pulled one back, before Fischer sent the match to penalties – a first in the World Cup. Schumacher made the headlines, by moving early off his line (a ploy not noticed by the officials) and saving twice from Six and then Bossis. The great French team of Platini and Tigana could not progress ‘because the officials did not do their job’ as the BBC commentator put it.
Real 0 -5 Barcelona 1973 Primera Division
After being voted out of the captaincy at Ajax, Cruyff left for a club that too was valued on playing beautiful football. In this match he crossed superbly twice to result in goals, and scored a gorgeous goal. Receiving the ball in the edge of the area from the left he burst forward to the left past the despairing lunge of a Real defender, running towards another defender, he quickly shifted the ball onto his right then again onto his left, always shielding the ball from the defender. To top off a superb performance, he finished with aplomb, blasting the ball through the keeper’s legs. To this day Cruyff and his Barcelona team-mates hold the record for Real’s heaviest defeat in the Bernabeu in an El Clasico, an astonishing achievement.
Arsenal 4-5 Man Utd 1958 Old Division One
The Busby babes came to North London, with a brand of exciting attacking, youthful football. They raced up a 0-3 lead in the first half, and the match seemed to be as good as over. Yet in the space of three minutes The Gunners came racing back and clawed back to a 3-3 score-line. The reputation of the Manchester United side came through, showing mental strength to score twice through the devastating Denis Viollet and Tommy Taylor to an unreachable 3-5 lead. Yet in the dying minutes The Gunners pulled a goal back, leaving a tense finish in which Vic Groves almost equalised. A few days later, the Red Devils flew out to Belgrade to meet Red Star in the European Cup. After a victory, their plane stopped to refuel in Munich. Therefore the game at Arsenal’s historical Highbury was to be the last arena where the famous ‘Busby Babes’ strutted their stuff in England.
England 3-6 Hungary 1953 International Friendly
The first defeat at Wembley by a team outside of the British Isles broke an undefeated streak since 1901 against such teams. Finally showed how different styles had evolved in contrast to the stereotypical gung-ho British football and it was no fluke. The Hungarians played a pass and move style, with a strike-force of ‘that fat little chap’ (The England player who referred to the Hungarian legend would later live to regret his words) Ferenc Puskas and Nandor Hidegkuti, who played in a revolutionary half-striker role, ghosting between the lines of midfield and attack, impossible to pick up. ‘The Mighty Magyars’ were seen to many as the influence to Rinus Michel’s ‘Total Football’ concept with their fluid formation and interchange of positions. The return game in 1954 was even more one-sided with Hungary annihilating England 7-1.
Real 11-4 Barcelona 1943 Kings Cup Semi Final
The words Generalissimo or Franco will crop up in remembrance of this semi-final. 3-0 up from the first leg, the Catalans were favourites to meet Bilbao in the final. Yet before the start of the second leg, they were paid a visit by the director of state security, who emphasized the unpatriotic Catalans were only living in Spain on behalf of the generous Franco. Therefore they were forced to throw the match, and even with ten men at half time, it is believed that only such a reason would cause such a loss. The conspiracy theorists continue to look to this dressing room visit. Real still managed to lose the final to Bilbao, after all of their favourite dictator’s help against their arch-rivals.
France (4) 3-3 (5) West Germany 1982 World Cup Semi- Final
An epic football match marred by Harold Schumacher’s tendency to rush out to take out man or ball, in a mindset where the end justifies the means, as it did for the Germans. The match was level between the two sides with Littbarski rifling in a shot and a Platini penalty to equalise. Then Schumacher took out substitute Battiston (whose attempted shot went just wide), knocking him unconscious and leaving him with two less teeth. Later when Platini went for a header, when Schumacher came to claim the ball; Platini was left clutching his shoulder. Tresor scored with a hooked finish for France, followed by a thunderbolt from Giresse, Rummenigge pulled one back, before Fischer sent the match to penalties – a first in the World Cup. Schumacher made the headlines, by moving early off his line (a ploy not noticed by the officials) and saving twice from Six and then Bossis. The great French team of Platini and Tigana could not progress ‘because the officials did not do their job’ as the BBC commentator put it.
Real 0 -5 Barcelona 1973 Primera Division
After being voted out of the captaincy at Ajax, Cruyff left for a club that too was valued on playing beautiful football. In this match he crossed superbly twice to result in goals, and scored a gorgeous goal. Receiving the ball in the edge of the area from the left he burst forward to the left past the despairing lunge of a Real defender, running towards another defender, he quickly shifted the ball onto his right then again onto his left, always shielding the ball from the defender. To top off a superb performance, he finished with aplomb, blasting the ball through the keeper’s legs. To this day Cruyff and his Barcelona team-mates hold the record for Real’s heaviest defeat in the Bernabeu in an El Clasico, an astonishing achievement.
Arsenal 4-5 Man Utd 1958 Old Division One
The Busby babes came to North London, with a brand of exciting attacking, youthful football. They raced up a 0-3 lead in the first half, and the match seemed to be as good as over. Yet in the space of three minutes The Gunners came racing back and clawed back to a 3-3 score-line. The reputation of the Manchester United side came through, showing mental strength to score twice through the devastating Denis Viollet and Tommy Taylor to an unreachable 3-5 lead. Yet in the dying minutes The Gunners pulled a goal back, leaving a tense finish in which Vic Groves almost equalised. A few days later, the Red Devils flew out to Belgrade to meet Red Star in the European Cup. After a victory, their plane stopped to refuel in Munich. Therefore the game at Arsenal’s historical Highbury was to be the last arena where the famous ‘Busby Babes’ strutted their stuff in England.
England 3-6 Hungary 1953 International Friendly
The first defeat at Wembley by a team outside of the British Isles broke an undefeated streak since 1901 against such teams. Finally showed how different styles had evolved in contrast to the stereotypical gung-ho British football and it was no fluke. The Hungarians played a pass and move style, with a strike-force of ‘that fat little chap’ (The England player who referred to the Hungarian legend would later live to regret his words) Ferenc Puskas and Nandor Hidegkuti, who played in a revolutionary half-striker role, ghosting between the lines of midfield and attack, impossible to pick up. ‘The Mighty Magyars’ were seen to many as the influence to Rinus Michel’s ‘Total Football’ concept with their fluid formation and interchange of positions. The return game in 1954 was even more one-sided with Hungary annihilating England 7-1.
Real 11-4 Barcelona 1943 Kings Cup Semi Final
The words Generalissimo or Franco will crop up in remembrance of this semi-final. 3-0 up from the first leg, the Catalans were favourites to meet Bilbao in the final. Yet before the start of the second leg, they were paid a visit by the director of state security, who emphasized the unpatriotic Catalans were only living in Spain on behalf of the generous Franco. Therefore they were forced to throw the match, and even with ten men at half time, it is believed that only such a reason would cause such a loss. The conspiracy theorists continue to look to this dressing room visit. Real still managed to lose the final to Bilbao, after all of their favourite dictator’s help against their arch-rivals.
The 20 Greatest Defeats Of All Time (No. 15-11)
Continuing on from yesterday, here is the next five, which were influenced by pieces of magic, the event and social and moral talking points.
Real Madrid 0-1 Ajax 1973 European Cup Semi-final second leg
According to David Winner, author of ‘Brilliant Orange’ the greatest moment of Ajax’s ‘Golden Age’ was not a goal or a great save. It was a simple piece of juggling by a player who had idolised the legends which had graced the turf of the Bernabeu before him. Gerrie Muhren had the 110,000 fans applauding, rather than the customary white handkerchiefs away teams were used to. It was said to be the moment Ajax took over from Real Madrid as the true Kings of Europe. Having already won the two previous European cups, Ajax strolled to their third successive European Cup victory, having raised the Bernabeu to applaud the brilliance of totaalvoetbal.
Italy 3-2 Brazil 1982 World Cup Second Round
This was truly an occasion was for a phoenix to rise from the flames. His name blackened from a betting scandal and his critics rounding on the poor performances of his and the national’s teams poor ‘aimless’ play. They reached the second round on the back of three draws to meet a Brazilian side that truly brought back beautiful football. Falcao, Zico and Socrates, formed a midfield of vision technique and unlimited flair. Yet it was Rossi who struck first blood, ghosting in to score a free header. John Motson said the Brazilian school of footballing philosophy shows ‘how to play when you’re behind’. He was proved right when an awesome turn by Zico allowed him to release Socrates with a threaded pass. Yet Rossi replied with a brace, and even with a Falcao thunderbolt, Italy prevailed with Dino Zoff making crucial saves. ‘Thankfully skill will still prevail even though teams try to destroy it’. In hindsight, Motson’s words truly marked the ‘death of joga bonito’ as one internet forum member put it. Brazil’s light, glowing football did not prevail and it was loss for football in the long run.
Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United 1999 Premier League
The unwritten rule can have a strong influence and it did until the English FA decided to ignore it from this previous season and onwards. Kelly was putting a ball out, so that his team-mate could receive treatment, or rather so that Bergkamp didn’t score. The resulting throw-in, was taken by Parlour to the Sheffield United players, but was intercepted by Kanu, who crossed for Overmars to slot home. The fact that giving the ball back is seen as an unwritten rule, no-one cannot be sure if all 22 players are playing to the same rule! The match was followed by a generous offer by Arsenal to replay the match, which Steve Bruce ‘expected’, yet in truth he had no right to. Arsenal won the return match 2-1, with no controversy.
Peru 0-6 Argentina – 1978 World Cup Second Round
The situation: Argentina needed to win by more than four goals to reach the final. Why? Brazil’s superior goal difference was blocking their path to World Cup glory. The conspiracy theory: The game was fixed. The Peruvian keeper had only let in 6 goals in his previous five games; He had Argentinean nationality too. Argentina had only scored 6 in their previous games; the exact margin they won this game by. Argentina progressed to the final where they used stalling tactics to unnerve the Dutch team in Estadio Buenos Aires, a cauldron of blue and white. The greatest mystery of all: they were winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Germany 2-1 Holland 1990 World Cup Round of 16
After the second World War, the Dutch had moved away from it and had rebuilt. A few generations later, books were released about concentration camps, and trials were held for war crimes. Thus the new youth, which included the footballers, coached by Cruyff, in van Basten, Gullit and Rikjaard saw Germany as the enemy. This boiled over onto the pitch, with Rikjaard spitting at Rudi Voller, and this settled the match. Another aspect to the rivalry was the setting. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The AC Milan team of the nineties had a Dutch spine, and in contrast the Inter team, contained a number of Germans. Thus the match reflected a rivalry that was on a number of planes; club and international. The defeat also caused violent clashes on the Dutch-German border.
Real Madrid 0-1 Ajax 1973 European Cup Semi-final second leg
According to David Winner, author of ‘Brilliant Orange’ the greatest moment of Ajax’s ‘Golden Age’ was not a goal or a great save. It was a simple piece of juggling by a player who had idolised the legends which had graced the turf of the Bernabeu before him. Gerrie Muhren had the 110,000 fans applauding, rather than the customary white handkerchiefs away teams were used to. It was said to be the moment Ajax took over from Real Madrid as the true Kings of Europe. Having already won the two previous European cups, Ajax strolled to their third successive European Cup victory, having raised the Bernabeu to applaud the brilliance of totaalvoetbal.
Italy 3-2 Brazil 1982 World Cup Second Round
This was truly an occasion was for a phoenix to rise from the flames. His name blackened from a betting scandal and his critics rounding on the poor performances of his and the national’s teams poor ‘aimless’ play. They reached the second round on the back of three draws to meet a Brazilian side that truly brought back beautiful football. Falcao, Zico and Socrates, formed a midfield of vision technique and unlimited flair. Yet it was Rossi who struck first blood, ghosting in to score a free header. John Motson said the Brazilian school of footballing philosophy shows ‘how to play when you’re behind’. He was proved right when an awesome turn by Zico allowed him to release Socrates with a threaded pass. Yet Rossi replied with a brace, and even with a Falcao thunderbolt, Italy prevailed with Dino Zoff making crucial saves. ‘Thankfully skill will still prevail even though teams try to destroy it’. In hindsight, Motson’s words truly marked the ‘death of joga bonito’ as one internet forum member put it. Brazil’s light, glowing football did not prevail and it was loss for football in the long run.
Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United 1999 Premier League
The unwritten rule can have a strong influence and it did until the English FA decided to ignore it from this previous season and onwards. Kelly was putting a ball out, so that his team-mate could receive treatment, or rather so that Bergkamp didn’t score. The resulting throw-in, was taken by Parlour to the Sheffield United players, but was intercepted by Kanu, who crossed for Overmars to slot home. The fact that giving the ball back is seen as an unwritten rule, no-one cannot be sure if all 22 players are playing to the same rule! The match was followed by a generous offer by Arsenal to replay the match, which Steve Bruce ‘expected’, yet in truth he had no right to. Arsenal won the return match 2-1, with no controversy.
Peru 0-6 Argentina – 1978 World Cup Second Round
The situation: Argentina needed to win by more than four goals to reach the final. Why? Brazil’s superior goal difference was blocking their path to World Cup glory. The conspiracy theory: The game was fixed. The Peruvian keeper had only let in 6 goals in his previous five games; He had Argentinean nationality too. Argentina had only scored 6 in their previous games; the exact margin they won this game by. Argentina progressed to the final where they used stalling tactics to unnerve the Dutch team in Estadio Buenos Aires, a cauldron of blue and white. The greatest mystery of all: they were winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award.
Germany 2-1 Holland 1990 World Cup Round of 16
After the second World War, the Dutch had moved away from it and had rebuilt. A few generations later, books were released about concentration camps, and trials were held for war crimes. Thus the new youth, which included the footballers, coached by Cruyff, in van Basten, Gullit and Rikjaard saw Germany as the enemy. This boiled over onto the pitch, with Rikjaard spitting at Rudi Voller, and this settled the match. Another aspect to the rivalry was the setting. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The AC Milan team of the nineties had a Dutch spine, and in contrast the Inter team, contained a number of Germans. Thus the match reflected a rivalry that was on a number of planes; club and international. The defeat also caused violent clashes on the Dutch-German border.
The 20 Greatest Defeats Of All Time (No. 20-16)
Following on from my article about reasons of defeat, I have compiled a list of defeats, which have caused a great impact in the course of footballing history. Here is the first five…of which most have been chosen of the circumstances and the drama involved.
Inter Milan 0 – 5 AC Milan 2005 Champions League Quarter Final
One of the most infamous Milan derbies in recent history, with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, AC were set to win, with a 1-0 lead from Shevchenko when the unruly Inter Ultras struck in protest to a goal from Argentine Cambiasso ruled out by referee Markus Merk. The objection consisted of bottles and debris being thrown onto the pitch and soon escalated to lit flares, one of which hit Milan keeper Dida on the shoulder, suffering first-degree burns. Therefore, the game was abandoned and Milan were awarded a 3-0 win, and the Nerazzurri fined €200,000, a UEFA record.
Bayern Munich v Manchester United 1999 Champions League Final
Three minutes of injury time had changed the outcome of this game. Man United had played poorly in Barcelona and it seemed to be Bayern’s trophy. The Bavarian club’s ribbons had been attached onto the cup, and it was only till after Munich substituted Basler and Matthaus that United came back into the game. A scuffed Giggs shot reached Sheringham, who scored from six yards. Then came another Beckham corner as ITV commentator asked: ‘is this their moment?’ Sheringham headed the ball down and Solskjaer instinctively swung his boot at the ball and lashed it into the roof of the net with virtually the final kick of the game. Having played an effective counter-attacking game-plan and hit the woodwork a number of times, against all the odds, the Mancunians completed the infamous treble and rival fans would never hear the end of it.
AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool 2005 Champions League Final
An impossible defeat. A Milan side, who scored inside a minute, and tore Liverpool to shreds through the clever running of Kaka, the smart passing of Pirlo and the killer instinct of Crespo and Shevchenko. It should have been four, if not for a poor decision by the linesman to deny Milan a fourth before the half time whistle. Then inside a six minute period, doubts crept into Milanese minds, when Gerard scored with a looping header. Reminders of previous matches against Deportivo La Coruna and close scares against Lyon and PSV Eindhoven cropped up. Even after the score was level, now cult hero Jerzy Dudek made to awesome saves from Shevchenko in the dying moments of extra-time at point-blank range. The penalty shoot-out brought out a Grobbelaar-esque instinct in Dudek who won the cup for the Merseyside club. Milan took revenge two years later.
USA 1-0 England 1950 World Cup First Round
Dubbed ‘Miracle on Grass’, it also has a film made after it released in 2005. This defeat finally took away the English belief of superiority in the game of football, and it displayed an urgent need to change the outlook upon the English game. New styles were being developed; most were tactically and aesthetically superior. Having refused to play against countries against whom they had fought in the war previously, and arguments on bonuses amongst other things, they finally arrived in Brazil, ready to prove their dominance. Or so they hope. Gaetjens scored against in defiance to the English dominance. It was beautifully summed by victorious American footballer Harry Keough in the aftermath through, ‘Boy, I feel sorry for these bastards. How are they ever going to live down the fact we beat them?’
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal 1989 Division One
It was the final game of the season. Arsenal was trailing by three points. Liverpool was ahead on goal difference. The situation to George Graham’s Gunners was clear. They had to win by two clear goals. For Liverpool defeat was unthinkable and not a possibility against an Arsenal side with a defeat and a draw in their previous two home games. Enter Michael Thomas. Arsenal was leading by a goal through Alan Smith. Appeals of offside were waved away, and the final seconds are remembered by Brian Moore’s commentary: ‘Thomas, charging through the midfield... it's up for grabs now... Thomas, right at the end!’ Liverpool had lost in unbelievable circumstances.
Inter Milan 0 – 5 AC Milan 2005 Champions League Quarter Final
One of the most infamous Milan derbies in recent history, with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, AC were set to win, with a 1-0 lead from Shevchenko when the unruly Inter Ultras struck in protest to a goal from Argentine Cambiasso ruled out by referee Markus Merk. The objection consisted of bottles and debris being thrown onto the pitch and soon escalated to lit flares, one of which hit Milan keeper Dida on the shoulder, suffering first-degree burns. Therefore, the game was abandoned and Milan were awarded a 3-0 win, and the Nerazzurri fined €200,000, a UEFA record.
Bayern Munich v Manchester United 1999 Champions League Final
Three minutes of injury time had changed the outcome of this game. Man United had played poorly in Barcelona and it seemed to be Bayern’s trophy. The Bavarian club’s ribbons had been attached onto the cup, and it was only till after Munich substituted Basler and Matthaus that United came back into the game. A scuffed Giggs shot reached Sheringham, who scored from six yards. Then came another Beckham corner as ITV commentator asked: ‘is this their moment?’ Sheringham headed the ball down and Solskjaer instinctively swung his boot at the ball and lashed it into the roof of the net with virtually the final kick of the game. Having played an effective counter-attacking game-plan and hit the woodwork a number of times, against all the odds, the Mancunians completed the infamous treble and rival fans would never hear the end of it.
AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool 2005 Champions League Final
An impossible defeat. A Milan side, who scored inside a minute, and tore Liverpool to shreds through the clever running of Kaka, the smart passing of Pirlo and the killer instinct of Crespo and Shevchenko. It should have been four, if not for a poor decision by the linesman to deny Milan a fourth before the half time whistle. Then inside a six minute period, doubts crept into Milanese minds, when Gerard scored with a looping header. Reminders of previous matches against Deportivo La Coruna and close scares against Lyon and PSV Eindhoven cropped up. Even after the score was level, now cult hero Jerzy Dudek made to awesome saves from Shevchenko in the dying moments of extra-time at point-blank range. The penalty shoot-out brought out a Grobbelaar-esque instinct in Dudek who won the cup for the Merseyside club. Milan took revenge two years later.
USA 1-0 England 1950 World Cup First Round
Dubbed ‘Miracle on Grass’, it also has a film made after it released in 2005. This defeat finally took away the English belief of superiority in the game of football, and it displayed an urgent need to change the outlook upon the English game. New styles were being developed; most were tactically and aesthetically superior. Having refused to play against countries against whom they had fought in the war previously, and arguments on bonuses amongst other things, they finally arrived in Brazil, ready to prove their dominance. Or so they hope. Gaetjens scored against in defiance to the English dominance. It was beautifully summed by victorious American footballer Harry Keough in the aftermath through, ‘Boy, I feel sorry for these bastards. How are they ever going to live down the fact we beat them?’
Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal 1989 Division One
It was the final game of the season. Arsenal was trailing by three points. Liverpool was ahead on goal difference. The situation to George Graham’s Gunners was clear. They had to win by two clear goals. For Liverpool defeat was unthinkable and not a possibility against an Arsenal side with a defeat and a draw in their previous two home games. Enter Michael Thomas. Arsenal was leading by a goal through Alan Smith. Appeals of offside were waved away, and the final seconds are remembered by Brian Moore’s commentary: ‘Thomas, charging through the midfield... it's up for grabs now... Thomas, right at the end!’ Liverpool had lost in unbelievable circumstances.
Passive Midfield Causes Tactical Defeat!
In the ‘invincible season’, we played a team with two destructive centre midfielders with two unconventional wingers, attacking the box, and switching positions with Henry, with the central focus, arguably the greatest Dutchman of this era, with his vision, technique and awareness providing elegance to the intelligent runs of Pires and Ljungberg. In contrast, that central attacking focus has changed, with Fabregas adopting a deeper role in this new, more continental team. With more technical players used in the elusive Hleb and the (ever so slightly) Rosicky, the speed on the counter-attack is not what it once used to be. Until this season that is. As Vieira used to press and harass opponents high up the pitch, leading his fellow players in forcing the opposition into making a mistake, now it is Flamini who while not as physically intimidating, makes this deficiency up through his unlimited stamina, and this new-found aggression allows us to exploit any space with greater speed.
Yet in rotating against Sevilla, while we lost any consistency, (injuries also played a hand), there has no central attacking focus, and with our wide players a striker and a right-back, this tactic did not work. It has done on occasions, such as in January 2007, in the FA cup game at Anfield where, we adopted almost a stereotypical Brazilian 4-2-2-2, with Flamini providing aggression and Gilberto experience. The wing play was superb, with the two eastern Europeans in Hleb and Rosicky, combining to great effect. Yet such a counter-attacking formation was allowed by playing two strikers, who while they were marked well, always gave a hint of a threat, and in the end (with some luck), Henry scored a great goal. With poor wide players (with Eboue limited technically, with the exception that inch perfect back heel and Eduardo, not accustomed to tracking back, leaving us exposed on the left flank), the central trio had to be strong and compact and providing an attacking focus. The fact that Cesc Fabregas, a player who has grown to become the fulcrum of this new side, barely touched the ball in the game, and operating with limited space, epitomised the poor nature of the performance.
Gilberto’s role was vital in the game-plan, with Wenger assuming he would sweep up any counter-attacks, and tackle efficiently, preventing any prolonged spell of possession for the home side. Yet after scoring early, in a group from which we had qualified, the team perhaps subconsciously dropped off, and ceased from pressing and maintaining the momentum built up. There were several instances where a Sevilla player ran at the back-four, without Denilson, Cesc or the Brazilian captain getting near to him, and delaying the release of the pass. The strong central core that was necessary had failed; as a result Sevilla for all their wasteful nature could have had six or seven, if only for some composure. With Eduardo not attempting to track back, once he scored his goal, Traore was left woefully exposed to the attacking intent of Alves and Navas, a potent combination, especially at home in front of over 60, 000 fans. Yet this was not the main issue. The midfield was being bypassed with every Sevilla attack, our ‘volante’ and his young pretender, were like Fabregas, being completely outplayed. While this added to our demise, the simple mistakes made in a Champions League match, which were extremely disappointing, emphasise that concentration and focus must be 100% at all times.
The creativity dilemma is very difficult to solve, with no replacement capable of playing the natural game, which Cesc adds to our team. Without Hleb, it will be even more evident how much this duo adds to our attacking game. Rosicky is not the solution, although he is a wonderful footballer, his direct nature is needed on the wing, where he will track back too, unlike make-shift wide-men in Walcott and Eduardo. We must hope our maestro’s injury is not serious, and will need Flamini back for the Villa game, adding aggression and a high pressing game to our style, which has now been disrupted.
A pacy backline will be needed as the positioning of Senderos ( no more needs to be said, knee-jerk articles will crop up anyway) did not inspire, nor did the majority of his play. Toure lost Fabiano for the header and conceded the penalty, and so a calm presence in Gallas, with the addition of the assured Sagna and Clichy, must improve our defensive shambles. The return of Van Persie would help the team to no end, and would force Wenger to drop the unsuccessful 4-5-1 formation he has adopted since the Dutchman’s unfortunate injury. This would all cover the fragile midfield played in Seville, but a replacement for Cesc is needed, as is cover for Hleb and Rosicky. Naturally Luka Modric comes to mind, but in addition to this, young Fran Merida can come to the fray as a contender to become Cesc’s replacement when suspension and injury strikes. In addition to this, a centre-back is needed, to cover Toure’s departure in January. The Villarreal youngster Caceres may be a possibility, having impressed on loan at Huelva. While it proved to be a good learning experience for the younger member’s of the team, it proved that many of our players aren’t as versatile as once thought.
Hopefully this nightmare of a tactical plan will make Wenger to abandon his 4-5-1 approach, and we should be lucky that it was in a match with little significance, although come February, we may be cursing the decision to rotate.
Yet in rotating against Sevilla, while we lost any consistency, (injuries also played a hand), there has no central attacking focus, and with our wide players a striker and a right-back, this tactic did not work. It has done on occasions, such as in January 2007, in the FA cup game at Anfield where, we adopted almost a stereotypical Brazilian 4-2-2-2, with Flamini providing aggression and Gilberto experience. The wing play was superb, with the two eastern Europeans in Hleb and Rosicky, combining to great effect. Yet such a counter-attacking formation was allowed by playing two strikers, who while they were marked well, always gave a hint of a threat, and in the end (with some luck), Henry scored a great goal. With poor wide players (with Eboue limited technically, with the exception that inch perfect back heel and Eduardo, not accustomed to tracking back, leaving us exposed on the left flank), the central trio had to be strong and compact and providing an attacking focus. The fact that Cesc Fabregas, a player who has grown to become the fulcrum of this new side, barely touched the ball in the game, and operating with limited space, epitomised the poor nature of the performance.
Gilberto’s role was vital in the game-plan, with Wenger assuming he would sweep up any counter-attacks, and tackle efficiently, preventing any prolonged spell of possession for the home side. Yet after scoring early, in a group from which we had qualified, the team perhaps subconsciously dropped off, and ceased from pressing and maintaining the momentum built up. There were several instances where a Sevilla player ran at the back-four, without Denilson, Cesc or the Brazilian captain getting near to him, and delaying the release of the pass. The strong central core that was necessary had failed; as a result Sevilla for all their wasteful nature could have had six or seven, if only for some composure. With Eduardo not attempting to track back, once he scored his goal, Traore was left woefully exposed to the attacking intent of Alves and Navas, a potent combination, especially at home in front of over 60, 000 fans. Yet this was not the main issue. The midfield was being bypassed with every Sevilla attack, our ‘volante’ and his young pretender, were like Fabregas, being completely outplayed. While this added to our demise, the simple mistakes made in a Champions League match, which were extremely disappointing, emphasise that concentration and focus must be 100% at all times.
The creativity dilemma is very difficult to solve, with no replacement capable of playing the natural game, which Cesc adds to our team. Without Hleb, it will be even more evident how much this duo adds to our attacking game. Rosicky is not the solution, although he is a wonderful footballer, his direct nature is needed on the wing, where he will track back too, unlike make-shift wide-men in Walcott and Eduardo. We must hope our maestro’s injury is not serious, and will need Flamini back for the Villa game, adding aggression and a high pressing game to our style, which has now been disrupted.
A pacy backline will be needed as the positioning of Senderos ( no more needs to be said, knee-jerk articles will crop up anyway) did not inspire, nor did the majority of his play. Toure lost Fabiano for the header and conceded the penalty, and so a calm presence in Gallas, with the addition of the assured Sagna and Clichy, must improve our defensive shambles. The return of Van Persie would help the team to no end, and would force Wenger to drop the unsuccessful 4-5-1 formation he has adopted since the Dutchman’s unfortunate injury. This would all cover the fragile midfield played in Seville, but a replacement for Cesc is needed, as is cover for Hleb and Rosicky. Naturally Luka Modric comes to mind, but in addition to this, young Fran Merida can come to the fray as a contender to become Cesc’s replacement when suspension and injury strikes. In addition to this, a centre-back is needed, to cover Toure’s departure in January. The Villarreal youngster Caceres may be a possibility, having impressed on loan at Huelva. While it proved to be a good learning experience for the younger member’s of the team, it proved that many of our players aren’t as versatile as once thought.
Hopefully this nightmare of a tactical plan will make Wenger to abandon his 4-5-1 approach, and we should be lucky that it was in a match with little significance, although come February, we may be cursing the decision to rotate.
In Praise Of The Belarussian Genius!
It is not right that while Walcott was very, very impressive in his role in last night’s victory, most pundits and fans alike missed out our very own Belarusian genius’ role in one of the most complete footballing performances of recent times. This was clear when the ITV commentator screamed ‘Arsenal and England!’ that most other players were to be left the scraps of praise after a young Englishman appeared to have gotten his break at the most aesthetically pleasing football club in the country.
Yet as this happened, there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how well Hleb has been playing recently and his role in the destruction of Slavia Prague. Done Howe, the former Arsenal manager, claimed some months ago that Hleb can play a similar role in this side as Messi does for Barcelona (this is not to directly compare the two players in any way). After witnessing his form this season it is hard to understand why he could not fulfil such a role. His close control, vision and awareness, enabled Arsenal to unlock the stubborn rearguard action of Bolton last weekend. His ability to find space in the centre of the pitch assisted his more direct team-mates with an inch perfect pass exploited by Walcott to enable Rosicky to score. In a similar fashion he attracted a couple of Prague defenders to the corner flag occupying them as Fabregas ran into the space created, albeit assisted by a slip of his marker, to fire a curling effort beyond the reaches of Vlcek.
For all his abilities Hleb once epitomised Arsenal’s tendency to overplay. No longer is this the case. After scoring the winning goal against Fulham on the opening day of the season, which followed the equalising goal in the Emirates Cup against Inter Milan, Hleb repeated the trick in Europe against Sparta in a last minute counter attack. And against their neighbours and Czech league leaders Slavia, a quick turn in direction left a defender for dead and his pose as he shaped to shoot deceived the keeper who dived for the far post, with Hleb slotting in at the near post. Overall, of the few goals he has scored for Arsenal, more have come in Europe with perhaps the slower tempo and more tactical play benefiting Arsenal and the Belarusian in particular. And if we’re being generous, he can claim the second, which took a large deflection to lift it over the flailing hands of the Prague keeper.
Having played on the right hand side for the majority of his Arsenal career, linking up with the marauding Eboue (and now Sagna), it is clear that at his most effective Hleb plays best in the half-striker role. During Arsenal’s unbeaten season, Hleb played in the hole for Stuttgart, in a run of games which saw them defeat Manchester United, but as momentum dissipated, he was shunted out to his old role on the left, with Coach Felix Magath in favour of Hakan Yakin, which ironically is where some of his best Arsenal performances have come from. With Wenger experimenting with a more possession based 4-5-1 rather than the 4-5-1, successful in Europe in 2005/6 with runners from midfield supporting Henry, this new style was less direct but more efficient in unlocking defensive teams and in retaining the ball against giants such as Inter. Qualms that remain that in this free roaming role, he may inhibit areas usually covered by Fabregas and now, Flamini.
His style which can embarrass opponents has caused retaliation or such very unorthodox methods of stopping his genius. Read Mark Noble (when has a name never been so uncomplimentary to the nature of his actions) and Paul Mcshane. Wenger has encouraged the Belarusian to continue his playing style despite a number of obstacles blocking his path, including thuggish tackles and overly defensive formations. So praise Hleb, and his much improved performances. On last night’s exhibition his name should be held in the same manner as Cesc and Theo.
If we continue our momentum there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be silverware to fill the empty trophy cabinet at Emirates Stadium, and one of the deciding factors surely must be Hleb’s awkward, yet graceful playing style.
Yet as this happened, there aren’t enough adjectives to describe how well Hleb has been playing recently and his role in the destruction of Slavia Prague. Done Howe, the former Arsenal manager, claimed some months ago that Hleb can play a similar role in this side as Messi does for Barcelona (this is not to directly compare the two players in any way). After witnessing his form this season it is hard to understand why he could not fulfil such a role. His close control, vision and awareness, enabled Arsenal to unlock the stubborn rearguard action of Bolton last weekend. His ability to find space in the centre of the pitch assisted his more direct team-mates with an inch perfect pass exploited by Walcott to enable Rosicky to score. In a similar fashion he attracted a couple of Prague defenders to the corner flag occupying them as Fabregas ran into the space created, albeit assisted by a slip of his marker, to fire a curling effort beyond the reaches of Vlcek.
For all his abilities Hleb once epitomised Arsenal’s tendency to overplay. No longer is this the case. After scoring the winning goal against Fulham on the opening day of the season, which followed the equalising goal in the Emirates Cup against Inter Milan, Hleb repeated the trick in Europe against Sparta in a last minute counter attack. And against their neighbours and Czech league leaders Slavia, a quick turn in direction left a defender for dead and his pose as he shaped to shoot deceived the keeper who dived for the far post, with Hleb slotting in at the near post. Overall, of the few goals he has scored for Arsenal, more have come in Europe with perhaps the slower tempo and more tactical play benefiting Arsenal and the Belarusian in particular. And if we’re being generous, he can claim the second, which took a large deflection to lift it over the flailing hands of the Prague keeper.
Having played on the right hand side for the majority of his Arsenal career, linking up with the marauding Eboue (and now Sagna), it is clear that at his most effective Hleb plays best in the half-striker role. During Arsenal’s unbeaten season, Hleb played in the hole for Stuttgart, in a run of games which saw them defeat Manchester United, but as momentum dissipated, he was shunted out to his old role on the left, with Coach Felix Magath in favour of Hakan Yakin, which ironically is where some of his best Arsenal performances have come from. With Wenger experimenting with a more possession based 4-5-1 rather than the 4-5-1, successful in Europe in 2005/6 with runners from midfield supporting Henry, this new style was less direct but more efficient in unlocking defensive teams and in retaining the ball against giants such as Inter. Qualms that remain that in this free roaming role, he may inhibit areas usually covered by Fabregas and now, Flamini.
His style which can embarrass opponents has caused retaliation or such very unorthodox methods of stopping his genius. Read Mark Noble (when has a name never been so uncomplimentary to the nature of his actions) and Paul Mcshane. Wenger has encouraged the Belarusian to continue his playing style despite a number of obstacles blocking his path, including thuggish tackles and overly defensive formations. So praise Hleb, and his much improved performances. On last night’s exhibition his name should be held in the same manner as Cesc and Theo.
If we continue our momentum there’s no reason why there shouldn’t be silverware to fill the empty trophy cabinet at Emirates Stadium, and one of the deciding factors surely must be Hleb’s awkward, yet graceful playing style.
Merida Out? Not A Chance!
Francisco Merida Perez. The excitement was evident especially when those barely followed the youth and reserves were excitedly rubbing their hands in expectation. Arsenal had just signed a player who had apparently been rated more highly than Cesc Fabregas, a player who was (and is more so than ever) the nucleus of this young Arsenal team at the ripe, old age of 19.
With a cloud of confusion between UEFA and FIFA concerning rules over the transfer of youth players, with the latter prohibiting the international transfers of U18s and the former allowing it in exceptional circumstances, which for most Champions League sides such a rule applies on all occasions. Thus Arsenal again exploited the loophole and was helped by the fact that promising youth players cannot sign a professional contract until 18 in Spain. In shady circumstances, Merida left the Barcelona academy months before his 16th birthday and signed for Arsenal under the advice of Joseba Diaz, also the agent of Fabregas. At London Colney, he improved various aspects of game, which were already acquired from the £7 million academy at Barcelona. An experience of the continental way of playing certainly bodes well, especially if one considers the unique brand of football Arsenal play. Compare the player to Theo Walcott, who started playing the beautiful game relatively late, and it appears that the majority of his youth football exploited his pace and focused on competitiveness, rather than look to improve his weaknesses.
While Theo has great potential as we have seen in a number of his appearances (where he has been played out of position), his footballing intelligence is relatively poor, while the majority of foreign players can quickly select the most promising option to advantage their side. Therefore players like Rooney, who has extraordinary footballing intelligence, are extremely rare to find in England. On personal evidence, I have seen Merida play thrice at the Emirates, with the former two appearances in the FA Youth Cup, where he dictated the play from deep, playing as a base, which the youngsters used to keep possession, in an almost Pirlo-esque manner. He rarely ventured forward in the matches but in most cases kept the attacking impetus to the home side. This appeared to be similar to Fabregas’ early Arsenal career, where having scored 30 goals a season in the Barca youth team, he played from deep, and only recently where having bulked up, he started adding goals to his already large tally of assists. I see Merida progressing in a similar way, perhaps even quicker. The player himself has a stocky build, allowing him to shield the ball to find enough time to spot and execute a pass. In a similar fashion to Fabregas, he does not have great pace, but he overcomes this with a strong positional sense. Merida, is predominantly left footed, and thus can adopt the position of an unconventional winger similar to either Hleb or Rosicky, where vision, awareness and quick feet aid the attacking cause.
As one tabloid claimed his lack of mobility and pace are said to be his downfall, yet this is just seen as a sensationalized twist by a newspaper which has little or no credibility at all. Therefore a £2.1 million fine for one of the most promising youngsters in the world is seen to be perfectly reasonable, considering Barcelona’s state of the art youth academy and the training Merida, an Atletico fan, received. Compare this to a scapegoat of many fans in Alex Song. Playing as a relatively composed central defender now, he once was ridiculed at half time in a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, almost cursing Arsene Wenger in signing a £2.8 million flop. In comparison to this Merida looks to be a bargain, with Song improving to such an extent that he was the most impressive defender in the recent Carling Cup tie against Newcastle United.
It is clear that foreign players are more highly rated at clubs rather than home-grown ones. The best example is at Barcelona, where Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos, are all originally from Argentina, Serbia/Spain and Mexico respectively, these three were the only ones to graduate to the first team, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Captain Carlos Puyol and Ronaldinho. With Arsene Wenger recently claimed he is ‘addicted to statistics’, no one is better placed than the Frenchman himself to judge whether the young Spaniard is good enough. Proof that Merida has a bright future at the club is shown by a brief appearance against Newcastle in what was his first team debut. With the player predominantly left-footed, a rarity at Arsenal, with only left-full backs and striker Eduardo, such a quality is again likely to be treasured. Therefore, the reports of a possible loan move to Spain are interesting, and the cause of a presidential candidate making transfer promises in the ‘Segunda division’ (think of it to be a smaller scale claim in comparison to Calderon’s claims of signing Fabregas this summer)
Therefore I firmly believe that the young Spaniard will be fixture in the Arsenal side for years to come.
With a cloud of confusion between UEFA and FIFA concerning rules over the transfer of youth players, with the latter prohibiting the international transfers of U18s and the former allowing it in exceptional circumstances, which for most Champions League sides such a rule applies on all occasions. Thus Arsenal again exploited the loophole and was helped by the fact that promising youth players cannot sign a professional contract until 18 in Spain. In shady circumstances, Merida left the Barcelona academy months before his 16th birthday and signed for Arsenal under the advice of Joseba Diaz, also the agent of Fabregas. At London Colney, he improved various aspects of game, which were already acquired from the £7 million academy at Barcelona. An experience of the continental way of playing certainly bodes well, especially if one considers the unique brand of football Arsenal play. Compare the player to Theo Walcott, who started playing the beautiful game relatively late, and it appears that the majority of his youth football exploited his pace and focused on competitiveness, rather than look to improve his weaknesses.
While Theo has great potential as we have seen in a number of his appearances (where he has been played out of position), his footballing intelligence is relatively poor, while the majority of foreign players can quickly select the most promising option to advantage their side. Therefore players like Rooney, who has extraordinary footballing intelligence, are extremely rare to find in England. On personal evidence, I have seen Merida play thrice at the Emirates, with the former two appearances in the FA Youth Cup, where he dictated the play from deep, playing as a base, which the youngsters used to keep possession, in an almost Pirlo-esque manner. He rarely ventured forward in the matches but in most cases kept the attacking impetus to the home side. This appeared to be similar to Fabregas’ early Arsenal career, where having scored 30 goals a season in the Barca youth team, he played from deep, and only recently where having bulked up, he started adding goals to his already large tally of assists. I see Merida progressing in a similar way, perhaps even quicker. The player himself has a stocky build, allowing him to shield the ball to find enough time to spot and execute a pass. In a similar fashion to Fabregas, he does not have great pace, but he overcomes this with a strong positional sense. Merida, is predominantly left footed, and thus can adopt the position of an unconventional winger similar to either Hleb or Rosicky, where vision, awareness and quick feet aid the attacking cause.
As one tabloid claimed his lack of mobility and pace are said to be his downfall, yet this is just seen as a sensationalized twist by a newspaper which has little or no credibility at all. Therefore a £2.1 million fine for one of the most promising youngsters in the world is seen to be perfectly reasonable, considering Barcelona’s state of the art youth academy and the training Merida, an Atletico fan, received. Compare this to a scapegoat of many fans in Alex Song. Playing as a relatively composed central defender now, he once was ridiculed at half time in a 2-1 defeat at Craven Cottage, almost cursing Arsene Wenger in signing a £2.8 million flop. In comparison to this Merida looks to be a bargain, with Song improving to such an extent that he was the most impressive defender in the recent Carling Cup tie against Newcastle United.
It is clear that foreign players are more highly rated at clubs rather than home-grown ones. The best example is at Barcelona, where Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic and Giovani Dos Santos, are all originally from Argentina, Serbia/Spain and Mexico respectively, these three were the only ones to graduate to the first team, rubbing shoulders with the likes of Captain Carlos Puyol and Ronaldinho. With Arsene Wenger recently claimed he is ‘addicted to statistics’, no one is better placed than the Frenchman himself to judge whether the young Spaniard is good enough. Proof that Merida has a bright future at the club is shown by a brief appearance against Newcastle in what was his first team debut. With the player predominantly left-footed, a rarity at Arsenal, with only left-full backs and striker Eduardo, such a quality is again likely to be treasured. Therefore, the reports of a possible loan move to Spain are interesting, and the cause of a presidential candidate making transfer promises in the ‘Segunda division’ (think of it to be a smaller scale claim in comparison to Calderon’s claims of signing Fabregas this summer)
Therefore I firmly believe that the young Spaniard will be fixture in the Arsenal side for years to come.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Captain Fantastic Leads Gunners To Victory
Arsenal (Gallas 83’, Rosicky 85’) 2 – 0 Wigan
What do you do when three of your most influential centre-midfielders are out either suspended or injured? Also with two reserves out too, one being the Brazil captain and World Cup winner? In Arsene Wenger’s case, you bring in the second volante a.k.a. Denilson and if we’re going down the comparison route, the new Makelele in Diarra.
Yet this was far from the polished performance from Arsenal’s youngsters, with neither youngster able to make the runs from deep to support Adebayor, the Togolese focal point in attack, in a way that only the mercurial Fabregas can.
After a week of criticism concerning the lack of Englishmen in this Arsenal team, young Theo Walcott had a promising performance, where rather than give the ball away as an Englishman tends to do (just ask Luka Modric), his performance was full of pace, control and excitement, with one turn, evading a trio of Wigan players, but the end product compromised of a lash that went into the upper tiers of the Emirates stadium.
Wigan came into the game with the simple idea of defending in numbers and counter-attacking sporadically (with some added luck), executed it with some success with Marcus Bent heading over the bar, when forcing Almunia (when does he naturalise to play for England?) into at least a save should have been on the cards.
Frustrated in their inability to break through the resilient Latics’ backline, led by Emerson Boyce, who made a number of blocks and interceptions to keep Arsenal out, as usual in their bid to replicate Cruyff’s ‘total football’ Messrs Gallas and Toure came forward in a bid to rescue their relatively blunt attack.
After all this is Arsenal we are talking about. An unfortunate injury to Theo Walcott was caused by a foul from the substitute Heskey, making his comeback from the dreaded metatarsal injury.
Enter Bendtner. The young Dane came to the fray, with Steve Bruce quaking in his corporate box seat, after managing the youngster on loan last season. And Bruce was right to be worried, with Bendtner laying off Sagna to provide the assist for a Gallas header, in a typical captain’s performance, naturally including a scuffle and stoutly accusing Bent.
Immediately after, he provided the assist to Rosicky, who finished with aplomb as the Gunners went three points clear, but with Walcott now out, Arsenal will be a marketing tool in the quota propaganda machine.
What do you do when three of your most influential centre-midfielders are out either suspended or injured? Also with two reserves out too, one being the Brazil captain and World Cup winner? In Arsene Wenger’s case, you bring in the second volante a.k.a. Denilson and if we’re going down the comparison route, the new Makelele in Diarra.
Yet this was far from the polished performance from Arsenal’s youngsters, with neither youngster able to make the runs from deep to support Adebayor, the Togolese focal point in attack, in a way that only the mercurial Fabregas can.
After a week of criticism concerning the lack of Englishmen in this Arsenal team, young Theo Walcott had a promising performance, where rather than give the ball away as an Englishman tends to do (just ask Luka Modric), his performance was full of pace, control and excitement, with one turn, evading a trio of Wigan players, but the end product compromised of a lash that went into the upper tiers of the Emirates stadium.
Wigan came into the game with the simple idea of defending in numbers and counter-attacking sporadically (with some added luck), executed it with some success with Marcus Bent heading over the bar, when forcing Almunia (when does he naturalise to play for England?) into at least a save should have been on the cards.
Frustrated in their inability to break through the resilient Latics’ backline, led by Emerson Boyce, who made a number of blocks and interceptions to keep Arsenal out, as usual in their bid to replicate Cruyff’s ‘total football’ Messrs Gallas and Toure came forward in a bid to rescue their relatively blunt attack.
After all this is Arsenal we are talking about. An unfortunate injury to Theo Walcott was caused by a foul from the substitute Heskey, making his comeback from the dreaded metatarsal injury.
Enter Bendtner. The young Dane came to the fray, with Steve Bruce quaking in his corporate box seat, after managing the youngster on loan last season. And Bruce was right to be worried, with Bendtner laying off Sagna to provide the assist for a Gallas header, in a typical captain’s performance, naturally including a scuffle and stoutly accusing Bent.
Immediately after, he provided the assist to Rosicky, who finished with aplomb as the Gunners went three points clear, but with Walcott now out, Arsenal will be a marketing tool in the quota propaganda machine.
Sunday, 9 September 2007
Super Eagles Fly High as Spain’s Penalty Hell continues…
Two contrasting styles faced each other in Seoul with a powerful Nigeria full of enthusiasm, up against the more technical and patient Spanish style; the result? An open attacking game, with plenty of chances but in the end, Spain lost in a shoot-out, which followed history, with most Spanish national teams being knocked out in the latter stages of a competition, perhaps due to an unseen mental block.
Nigeria’s adventurous style created a number of chances, with a plethora of dribbles, past a number of Spanish players, shooting as soon as the opportunity rose. Naturally, this eccentric style resulted in a number of efforts unsuccessfully off target. Spain too, missing the striker’s instinct and cutting edge provided by Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic, who was suspended, and so adopted this method of shooting on site, with the link up play with the strikers erased by the disciplined Nigerian defence, whose quick release of possession allowed the Super Eagles to embark on quick counter attacks, to unsettle the Spaniards.
Quick passing and strength allowed Yemi Tella’s side to keep the ball well and the dangerous Rafeal amongst others provided a predatory threat to De Gea’s goal, with long shots, to mazy dribbles and good positioning making him a constant threat. But don’t forget luck. When a cross evaded all and reached the far post (30’), he cut inside his marker to create space, and having done the hard part, the shot rifled the net from five yards (the side netting that is).
What followed was constant Nigerian pressure, with the Spaniards unable to cope with the speed and strength, which was clearly evident, of the African side. When Spain attempted to break up the run of play, they were unsuccessful, with Fran Merida and co. being pressed into making errors. In one occasion, Spain did nearly score (35’) but at the far post from a corner, the Spanish player side-footed against the post, in what was one of the game’s best chances.
The end to end action petered out, as the tempo slowed and both sides over-hit simple passes or tried the unnecessarily complex pass. Any attempts to break the deadlock were becoming more desperate, with the best chances coming from set pieces. In a jagged second period Spain, had few opportunities, but decision making was poor, even by the normally reliable Merida, who opted to shoot (high and wide), when a pass was better option.
Nigeria discovered a late sense of urgency and attacked in numbers with substitute Isa forced a great save from the Spanish keeper after he controlled a pass over the top of the Spanish defence, cut inside his marker and fired towards the opposite corner, with De Gea tipping the ball over at full stretch (90+2’). The game could have been over earlier if Nigeria used their counter attacks to good effect, with a number of their players guilty of perhaps overplaying and losing the opportunity to create a scoring chance.
Extra time beckoned and both sides hit the woodwork, with Iago Falque, who has interested Chelsea cutting in from the right wing, firing in a powerful drive (116’). The look on his face presumed defeat, as the penalty shoot-out loomed. Both sides received bookings as the flow broke up, and both Merida and Abdulkarim being booked for unnecessary challenges.
Ajiboye was to be Nigeria’s hero saving two spot kicks and seeing another wide, with his large presence. The final penalty was slightly delayed due the ball being in the wrong position and with the added pressure of the necessity to score; Iago Falque struck a poor penalty straight at Ajiboye and sealed the Super Eaglets’ win in Seoul.
No doubt the number of scouts would have been impressed by the talent displayed in South Korea, with eyes pointing towards, Toni Kroos, the German playmaker, Chrisantus, the top-scoring Nigerian, and naturally Bojan Krkic, who is set to break into Barcelona’s first team, while his team mate Dani Aquino has already been interesting Real Madrid. It is natural to expect that in a few years time, these same names will be showing their talents on a much greater stage.
Nigeria’s adventurous style created a number of chances, with a plethora of dribbles, past a number of Spanish players, shooting as soon as the opportunity rose. Naturally, this eccentric style resulted in a number of efforts unsuccessfully off target. Spain too, missing the striker’s instinct and cutting edge provided by Barcelona’s Bojan Krkic, who was suspended, and so adopted this method of shooting on site, with the link up play with the strikers erased by the disciplined Nigerian defence, whose quick release of possession allowed the Super Eagles to embark on quick counter attacks, to unsettle the Spaniards.
Quick passing and strength allowed Yemi Tella’s side to keep the ball well and the dangerous Rafeal amongst others provided a predatory threat to De Gea’s goal, with long shots, to mazy dribbles and good positioning making him a constant threat. But don’t forget luck. When a cross evaded all and reached the far post (30’), he cut inside his marker to create space, and having done the hard part, the shot rifled the net from five yards (the side netting that is).
What followed was constant Nigerian pressure, with the Spaniards unable to cope with the speed and strength, which was clearly evident, of the African side. When Spain attempted to break up the run of play, they were unsuccessful, with Fran Merida and co. being pressed into making errors. In one occasion, Spain did nearly score (35’) but at the far post from a corner, the Spanish player side-footed against the post, in what was one of the game’s best chances.
The end to end action petered out, as the tempo slowed and both sides over-hit simple passes or tried the unnecessarily complex pass. Any attempts to break the deadlock were becoming more desperate, with the best chances coming from set pieces. In a jagged second period Spain, had few opportunities, but decision making was poor, even by the normally reliable Merida, who opted to shoot (high and wide), when a pass was better option.
Nigeria discovered a late sense of urgency and attacked in numbers with substitute Isa forced a great save from the Spanish keeper after he controlled a pass over the top of the Spanish defence, cut inside his marker and fired towards the opposite corner, with De Gea tipping the ball over at full stretch (90+2’). The game could have been over earlier if Nigeria used their counter attacks to good effect, with a number of their players guilty of perhaps overplaying and losing the opportunity to create a scoring chance.
Extra time beckoned and both sides hit the woodwork, with Iago Falque, who has interested Chelsea cutting in from the right wing, firing in a powerful drive (116’). The look on his face presumed defeat, as the penalty shoot-out loomed. Both sides received bookings as the flow broke up, and both Merida and Abdulkarim being booked for unnecessary challenges.
Ajiboye was to be Nigeria’s hero saving two spot kicks and seeing another wide, with his large presence. The final penalty was slightly delayed due the ball being in the wrong position and with the added pressure of the necessity to score; Iago Falque struck a poor penalty straight at Ajiboye and sealed the Super Eaglets’ win in Seoul.
No doubt the number of scouts would have been impressed by the talent displayed in South Korea, with eyes pointing towards, Toni Kroos, the German playmaker, Chrisantus, the top-scoring Nigerian, and naturally Bojan Krkic, who is set to break into Barcelona’s first team, while his team mate Dani Aquino has already been interesting Real Madrid. It is natural to expect that in a few years time, these same names will be showing their talents on a much greater stage.
Friday, 31 August 2007
AC Milan 3 Sevilla 1
In a moving tribute to the late Antonio Puerta, Sevilla decided to play in the European Super cup final. In the aftermath to the tragic death of the much loved Andalusian, Sevilla president stated, “With the memory of Antonio Puerta, we start playing again with the desire to win the Super Cup and we will dedicate it to him”. With a short video preceding the match showing the highlights of Puerta’s short footballing career, his Sevilla team-mates sporting his name on their shirts and the fans chanting ‘Puerta!’ right until the minute of silence...the whole of the Stade Louis II appearing to be weighed down by emotion and the memory of Puerta.
The match began at a fast pace, with a well worked opening allowing Renato to shoot in the second minute, inevitably wide after scuffing the effort. Immediately at the other end Seedorf played in Inzaghi, who cut in, only for Kaka to take the ball into his stride and fire against the woodwork. 14 minutes in Renato headed in at the far post from a corner taken in from the right, after Jankulovski took no chances from a deep Duda cross. The celebration that followed was a team huddle with all arms pointing to the high heavens. In a game of fair play, Inzaghi soon had to fall with alarming ease in a meager attempt (20’) to win Milan a penalty. The experienced back-line were torn to shreds when an Alves cross was deflected into Kanoute’s path, who evaded Dida and opted to cross to Renato, whose shot was hacked clear by Nesta on the goal line. Duda’s return was high and wide.
Renato was an aerial threat and failed to connect to a free-kick on 28 minutes. Then Seedorf headed over following a Pirlo corner a few minutes later. In 32 minutes Palop gratefully clutched the ball after Inzaghi moved away from his marker and fired in a low drive from the edge of the area. Ambrosini (43’) almost broke the resistance but a dangerous through ball was cut out but the Sevilla defence. While earlier Kanoute chested down and fired wide. Inzaghi went even closer but somehow missed. Finally the Sevilla defence broke, but the linesman’s flag chalked off a predatory finish by the Italian (46’).
Alves was a constant thorn in the Milan side, with driving runs and probing lofted passing he applied himself well by spreading the play with long range passing and also Sevilla’s short passing game and burst a lung to supply support to Sevilla’s pacy counter attacks. His aggressive manner in defensive situations certainly doesn’t bode well for Rosicky or whoever plays on the Arsenal left flank for the opening Champions league match against the Andalusian club.
After a slow second start, Milan started to press more and on 51 minutes a Seedorf cross was cut out, a minute later a Pirlo counter attack ended following a poor cross from the Dutchman. Following this a clever turn and backheel by the deep-lying Italian playmaker released Gattuso, who crossed for Inzaghi to head into an empty net after the Sevilla defence fell asleep, perhaps unprepared for Pirlo’s brilliance (55’). Sevilla almost regained the lead when Kanoute crossed, but Duda was unable to connect (56’). But it was the Milanese that struck, with Jankulovski running in from left-back on a lofted through ball by Pirlo to volley past Palop in an efficient manner (62’).
Milan took control as they showed their experience, with pieces of delightful skill coming from Kaka, who knocked the ball past Alves and ran the opposite side, with the strong dribble ended with a stern Poulsen challenge. In an attempt to press for the equaliser, Juande Ramos brought on Luis Fabiano, a volatile Brazilian on for Julian Escude, who is a centre-back (82’). Sevilla’s hopes ended when the brilliant Brazilian Kaka headed in a rebound after his penalty was saved by Palop (86’). The celebration included pointing to Puerta’s name on his shirt at the Sevilla end of the ground in a touching gesture. In similar fashion Seedorf raised his shirt to the fans, holding up Puerta’s name, when being substituted. Maresca had a late chance to make for a nervy finish but hit the post from point blank range (90’).
In the end the Italians deserved their win, but this night will long be remembered for the tribute of Antonio Puerta. Meanwhile Arsenal should be aware of the quality of the Spanish team, while the occasion may have been overwhelming, the Andalusians acquitted themselves well and well dangerous on many occasions. Rest in Peace: Antonio Puerta.
Goals: Renato (14’), Inzaghi (55’), Jankulovski (62’), Kaka (86’)
Milan: Dida, Kakha Kaladze, Gennaro Gattuso (Emerson 73’ ), Filippo Inzaghi (Alberto Gilardino 88’), Clarence Seedorf (Cristian Brocchi 89’), Alessandro Nesta, Marek Jankulovski, Andrea Pirlo, Kaká, Massimo Ambrosini, Massimo Oddo
Subs Not Used: Zeljko Kalac, Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Daniele Bonera
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Sevilla: Andrés Palop, Ivica Dragutinović, Daniel Alves, Duda (Enzo Maresca 84’), Jesús Navas, Christian Poulsen, Renato, Frédéric Kanouté, Julien Escudé (Luis Fabiano 83’), José Luis Martí (Aleksandr Kerzhakov 65’), Seydou Keita
Subs Not Used: Morgan De Sanctis, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Diego Capel, Tom De Mul,
Coach: Juande Ramos
Referee: Konrad Plautz (AUT)
Assistant referee: Egon Bereuter (AUT), Markus Mayr (AUT)
Fourth official: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)
The match began at a fast pace, with a well worked opening allowing Renato to shoot in the second minute, inevitably wide after scuffing the effort. Immediately at the other end Seedorf played in Inzaghi, who cut in, only for Kaka to take the ball into his stride and fire against the woodwork. 14 minutes in Renato headed in at the far post from a corner taken in from the right, after Jankulovski took no chances from a deep Duda cross. The celebration that followed was a team huddle with all arms pointing to the high heavens. In a game of fair play, Inzaghi soon had to fall with alarming ease in a meager attempt (20’) to win Milan a penalty. The experienced back-line were torn to shreds when an Alves cross was deflected into Kanoute’s path, who evaded Dida and opted to cross to Renato, whose shot was hacked clear by Nesta on the goal line. Duda’s return was high and wide.
Renato was an aerial threat and failed to connect to a free-kick on 28 minutes. Then Seedorf headed over following a Pirlo corner a few minutes later. In 32 minutes Palop gratefully clutched the ball after Inzaghi moved away from his marker and fired in a low drive from the edge of the area. Ambrosini (43’) almost broke the resistance but a dangerous through ball was cut out but the Sevilla defence. While earlier Kanoute chested down and fired wide. Inzaghi went even closer but somehow missed. Finally the Sevilla defence broke, but the linesman’s flag chalked off a predatory finish by the Italian (46’).
Alves was a constant thorn in the Milan side, with driving runs and probing lofted passing he applied himself well by spreading the play with long range passing and also Sevilla’s short passing game and burst a lung to supply support to Sevilla’s pacy counter attacks. His aggressive manner in defensive situations certainly doesn’t bode well for Rosicky or whoever plays on the Arsenal left flank for the opening Champions league match against the Andalusian club.
After a slow second start, Milan started to press more and on 51 minutes a Seedorf cross was cut out, a minute later a Pirlo counter attack ended following a poor cross from the Dutchman. Following this a clever turn and backheel by the deep-lying Italian playmaker released Gattuso, who crossed for Inzaghi to head into an empty net after the Sevilla defence fell asleep, perhaps unprepared for Pirlo’s brilliance (55’). Sevilla almost regained the lead when Kanoute crossed, but Duda was unable to connect (56’). But it was the Milanese that struck, with Jankulovski running in from left-back on a lofted through ball by Pirlo to volley past Palop in an efficient manner (62’).
Milan took control as they showed their experience, with pieces of delightful skill coming from Kaka, who knocked the ball past Alves and ran the opposite side, with the strong dribble ended with a stern Poulsen challenge. In an attempt to press for the equaliser, Juande Ramos brought on Luis Fabiano, a volatile Brazilian on for Julian Escude, who is a centre-back (82’). Sevilla’s hopes ended when the brilliant Brazilian Kaka headed in a rebound after his penalty was saved by Palop (86’). The celebration included pointing to Puerta’s name on his shirt at the Sevilla end of the ground in a touching gesture. In similar fashion Seedorf raised his shirt to the fans, holding up Puerta’s name, when being substituted. Maresca had a late chance to make for a nervy finish but hit the post from point blank range (90’).
In the end the Italians deserved their win, but this night will long be remembered for the tribute of Antonio Puerta. Meanwhile Arsenal should be aware of the quality of the Spanish team, while the occasion may have been overwhelming, the Andalusians acquitted themselves well and well dangerous on many occasions. Rest in Peace: Antonio Puerta.
Goals: Renato (14’), Inzaghi (55’), Jankulovski (62’), Kaka (86’)
Milan: Dida, Kakha Kaladze, Gennaro Gattuso (Emerson 73’ ), Filippo Inzaghi (Alberto Gilardino 88’), Clarence Seedorf (Cristian Brocchi 89’), Alessandro Nesta, Marek Jankulovski, Andrea Pirlo, Kaká, Massimo Ambrosini, Massimo Oddo
Subs Not Used: Zeljko Kalac, Cafu, Giuseppe Favalli, Daniele Bonera
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Sevilla: Andrés Palop, Ivica Dragutinović, Daniel Alves, Duda (Enzo Maresca 84’), Jesús Navas, Christian Poulsen, Renato, Frédéric Kanouté, Julien Escudé (Luis Fabiano 83’), José Luis Martí (Aleksandr Kerzhakov 65’), Seydou Keita
Subs Not Used: Morgan De Sanctis, Aquivaldo Mosquera, Diego Capel, Tom De Mul,
Coach: Juande Ramos
Referee: Konrad Plautz (AUT)
Assistant referee: Egon Bereuter (AUT), Markus Mayr (AUT)
Fourth official: Fritz Stuchlik (AUT)
Thursday, 30 August 2007
'Red and White Holdings' Gunning for Arsenal
August 30th…the day before the transfer window shuts. It’s also the day when rather than a flurry of transfer activity occurs, £75 million pounds worth of shares have been ‘sold’ to a Russian Alisher Usmanov (not an oligarch in this case), and the formation of ‘Red and White Holdings’ has occurred, with Iranian Farhad Moshiri also involved. With the media eagerly anticipating a swift takeover, it now appears that there is competition to American Stan Kroenke for the right to own Arsenal football club.
While Arsenal fans should be cautiously accepting the possible return of Dein and his associates, who while they may have a supporting interest in football, have little experience in investing in the sporting world, which possibly only Dein has. Kroenke, on the other hand, who many journalists had tipped to lead a takeover in liaison with Dein, has a wealth of sporting investments, including the ownership of Colorado Rapids, who conduct a marketing partnership with Arsenal.
Yet after such a bid failed, Dein has found a way back into the club in an attempt to provide the necessary financial muscle he believes is necessary to thrive in today’s game, with Premiership clubs appearing to become a common plaything of foreign billionaires. He stresses that there is “no current intention” to invest in further shares for the club, and this move is also unlikely to prompt Kroenke to act, with a lock down agreement, in action until March of next year at the earliest, formed by the board. Neither should F1 chief and Chelsea fan Bernie Ecclestone act, as it is believed he entertained the gesture of bidding for the club in jest.
It was Dein (along with Wenger, who was hired by Dein himself) who took ‘The Gunners’ to the top, the same applies to his career, when he lead the break away to form The Premiership and in 2002 was pivotal in Arsenal joining G14. The Emirates Stadium was more an achievement of other board members such as Keith Edelman, and also Arsene Wenger, with Dein wanting Arsenal to move into the proposed New Wembley (and what a sham construction turned out to be). It is believed any takeover will occur over a lengthy period of time, with majority shareholder Danny Fiszman intending to keep his shares after the proposed ‘lock-down agreement’, as is Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith.
While the other shareholders in the club have done a sterling job, Hill-Wood included, overlooking his ill-timed remarks concerning foreign investment in “We don’t want his sort over here”, tradition and history will be lost if such a change does occur in the upper hierarchy at the club, yet fans should be pleased as long as a English presence is retained at the club, and one that also allows Arsenal to compete on the same level as the other European giants.
On the other hand, the enigmatic Arseblogger claims that Usmanov was in prison during the old Soviet regime, and states that a man with no social responsibility should not be deemed fit to own shares in Arsenal football club. With the Emirates stadium bringing in over £1 million pounds every match day, it makes most sense for the current board to remain. Meanwhile, I’ll leave the pro-Dein propaganda to Myles Palmer and co.
While Arsenal fans should be cautiously accepting the possible return of Dein and his associates, who while they may have a supporting interest in football, have little experience in investing in the sporting world, which possibly only Dein has. Kroenke, on the other hand, who many journalists had tipped to lead a takeover in liaison with Dein, has a wealth of sporting investments, including the ownership of Colorado Rapids, who conduct a marketing partnership with Arsenal.
Yet after such a bid failed, Dein has found a way back into the club in an attempt to provide the necessary financial muscle he believes is necessary to thrive in today’s game, with Premiership clubs appearing to become a common plaything of foreign billionaires. He stresses that there is “no current intention” to invest in further shares for the club, and this move is also unlikely to prompt Kroenke to act, with a lock down agreement, in action until March of next year at the earliest, formed by the board. Neither should F1 chief and Chelsea fan Bernie Ecclestone act, as it is believed he entertained the gesture of bidding for the club in jest.
It was Dein (along with Wenger, who was hired by Dein himself) who took ‘The Gunners’ to the top, the same applies to his career, when he lead the break away to form The Premiership and in 2002 was pivotal in Arsenal joining G14. The Emirates Stadium was more an achievement of other board members such as Keith Edelman, and also Arsene Wenger, with Dein wanting Arsenal to move into the proposed New Wembley (and what a sham construction turned out to be). It is believed any takeover will occur over a lengthy period of time, with majority shareholder Danny Fiszman intending to keep his shares after the proposed ‘lock-down agreement’, as is Lady Nina Bracewell-Smith.
While the other shareholders in the club have done a sterling job, Hill-Wood included, overlooking his ill-timed remarks concerning foreign investment in “We don’t want his sort over here”, tradition and history will be lost if such a change does occur in the upper hierarchy at the club, yet fans should be pleased as long as a English presence is retained at the club, and one that also allows Arsenal to compete on the same level as the other European giants.
On the other hand, the enigmatic Arseblogger claims that Usmanov was in prison during the old Soviet regime, and states that a man with no social responsibility should not be deemed fit to own shares in Arsenal football club. With the Emirates stadium bringing in over £1 million pounds every match day, it makes most sense for the current board to remain. Meanwhile, I’ll leave the pro-Dein propaganda to Myles Palmer and co.
'We Lost Because We Didn't Win!'
There have been football matches over various times, which have shaped the game as we know it. The result has been creation of new formations, new styles and the making and breaking of reputations within the game. What is the cause of such great change? Defeat: an enigma that occurs on many occasions, yet the cause of defeat itself lies on a number of factors rather than a solitary, crystal-clear reason. Surely it cannot be as Ronaldo suggested in a 2000 hearing, analysing the loss against France a few years previous?
On a number of occasions, the defeat is often self-inflicting, with poor tactics being exploited by the opposition team, with the manager being criticised. For example in 1950, Brazil’s reliance on the opposition playing the WM formation (devised by Herbert Chapman of Arsenal), which they easily took apart, was the predominant factor in their 2-1 defeat to Uruguay. The Uruguayans, in contrast to Spain and Sweden took up an offensive looking formation, and found faults in the Brazilians defensive line, which was covered up by their brilliant attacking play. The consequence of the defeat was so great that even now it is seen as the greatest national tragedy in Brazilian history, where the overwhelming favourites lost. According to Alex Bellos’s Futebol, in the 28th minute, Obdulio hit Bigode, Brazil's left half, and this punch changed the psychological advantage that Brazil had over their opponents. And in the 79th minute, Gigghia caught out Barbosa, by shooting at the near post rather than crossing as he did for Uruguay’s first goal. It is now known as The Fateful Goal.
A similar national tragedy occurred in 1974, when Rinus Michels reunited the majority of the legendary Ajax team for the World Cup. Similar to 1950, the fate of the final had already been sealed according to the public and the media. Jules Rimet had already prepared a speech in Portuguese; The Brazilian Federation had ordered gold medals for the players and for the 173,850 Brazilians, losing to local rivals, recently disposed of, in front ‘almost 10%’ of Rio’s population’, a world record at the time, according to Bellos. Countless books and articles have been published since then, analysing why such an impossible result had indeed happened. Overwhelming favourites in Germany 1974, against the hosts themselves, this defeat is blamed on a plethora of reasons, but most intriguingly against Bild, the German tabloid, who ran a story of a pool party before the final itself. The party may have caused a change in mood in the Dutch camp, with the wives and girlfriends calling to seek the truth. In the years after the defeat, they acknowledge its existence, but deny their partners’ involvement in it.
Another reason is political. The Nazi invasion of Holland in the World War is one that is almost always mentioned in the build up to any Dutch-German match up, and many see this as an inferiority complex in Holland’s disfavour. Yet when the Dutch found themselves a goal up inside a minute from Cruyff’s run and the penalty which it fashioned, they ‘forgot’ about the second goal and killing the game off. They wanted to embarrass their ‘German oppressors’, which their fellow finalists had no part in. This taunting football, angered the Germans, led by Beckenbauer, Der Kaiser, and soon they rallied, with Paul Breitner and Der Bomber, Gerd Muller scoring an awkward yet balletic goal. As the second half progressed, the Dutch played their usual game of ‘Total Football’, but could not breach the Deutsch rearguard, led by the original libero Beckenbauer.
What other reasons can one conjure up, rather than inferior quality? The fact that Cruyff, man-marked by Berti Vogts, played too deep in the first half to have impact through his sublime technical ability, shows that even a tactical genius such as the Dutchman himself is prone to flaws. Another reason, why defeat occurs is through refereeing decisions. The words by Beckenbauer to English referee Jack Taylor in the appeals to the first minute Dutch penalty award may have affected his unbiased view throughout the rest of the game. ‘You are an Englishman’ must have echoed through his mind when awarding a penalty to the Germans, for which Holzenbein dived. This was countered when he disallowed a potential second Muller goal for offside, perhaps in his mind evening up the consequences of his previous decision.
Rene Mercet is a name which lies with Italy’s 1934 World Cup success. The Swiss referee had a hand in Italy’s path to World Cup glory. With the use of this global sporting event hosted in Italy, Mussolini used it to his advantage to promote his fascist views. Mercet is thought to have favoured Italy through controversial refereeing decisions, seen in Italy’s 7-1 win against the USA and the Quarter Final replay against Spain. He was later suspended by the Swiss Football Federation. Calls for use of goal-line technology were heightened when teams were saved from defeat due to a lack of communication. The first incident was in early 2005, when Pedro Mendes’s shot from 50 yards was fumbled by then United keeper Roy Carroll, but the linesman Rob Lewis defends the ‘non-goal’ claiming he was ‘doing my primary job’ which was ‘watching for offside’. Worse was the ‘lack of concentration’ in a regional tournament in the state of Sao Paulo, where female referee Silvia Regina de Oliveira awarded a goal when a ball boy kicked the ball in jest into the net, allowing Santacruzense to draw level late into the game. As was the case with Cruyff’s decision not to go to the 1978 World Cup, the decision was blamed on his wife Danny; it seemed easy to blame defeat on women then.
Unlike Mussolini, who was promoting his Fascist party, Franco, the notorious Spanish dictator, used to apparently allow Barcelona the occasional victory in the El Clasico derby in order exploit morbo, and in this way he portrayed the Catalan club and everything connected with it to be taboo. He banned Catalan to be spoken amongst other things. In 1943, Barcelona were 3-0 up front the first leg in the King’s cup match, and lost 11-1 in the second leg after a visit before the game from the director of state security threatening the players that they are only living in the country due to the generous nature of Franco. This bullying nature still appears to live on in Madrid through their tactics in the transfer market.
The final reason is financial. Of course aside from the watch worth £18,000, that Moggi gave to a referee in Italy, in return for certain favours within the recipient’s profession, there lies a reason why defeat occurs instead of corruption and match-fixing. Conspiracy theorists will be glad to see the return of contemplating the reason of Ronaldo’s zombie-esque movement in the 1998 World Cup final. Many say it was a fit of some sort, but what was the reason for the inclusion in the starting XI? Perhaps a boot contract that requires him to play? This was also reported to be the case why Rensenbrink of the Netherlands played in the 1974 final, when it was clear he was not fit with a thigh injury.
Or maybe you could forget all this and just believe Ronaldo’s input, which is to put it simply: difference in quality, conceding goals and also poor team performance.
On a number of occasions, the defeat is often self-inflicting, with poor tactics being exploited by the opposition team, with the manager being criticised. For example in 1950, Brazil’s reliance on the opposition playing the WM formation (devised by Herbert Chapman of Arsenal), which they easily took apart, was the predominant factor in their 2-1 defeat to Uruguay. The Uruguayans, in contrast to Spain and Sweden took up an offensive looking formation, and found faults in the Brazilians defensive line, which was covered up by their brilliant attacking play. The consequence of the defeat was so great that even now it is seen as the greatest national tragedy in Brazilian history, where the overwhelming favourites lost. According to Alex Bellos’s Futebol, in the 28th minute, Obdulio hit Bigode, Brazil's left half, and this punch changed the psychological advantage that Brazil had over their opponents. And in the 79th minute, Gigghia caught out Barbosa, by shooting at the near post rather than crossing as he did for Uruguay’s first goal. It is now known as The Fateful Goal.
A similar national tragedy occurred in 1974, when Rinus Michels reunited the majority of the legendary Ajax team for the World Cup. Similar to 1950, the fate of the final had already been sealed according to the public and the media. Jules Rimet had already prepared a speech in Portuguese; The Brazilian Federation had ordered gold medals for the players and for the 173,850 Brazilians, losing to local rivals, recently disposed of, in front ‘almost 10%’ of Rio’s population’, a world record at the time, according to Bellos. Countless books and articles have been published since then, analysing why such an impossible result had indeed happened. Overwhelming favourites in Germany 1974, against the hosts themselves, this defeat is blamed on a plethora of reasons, but most intriguingly against Bild, the German tabloid, who ran a story of a pool party before the final itself. The party may have caused a change in mood in the Dutch camp, with the wives and girlfriends calling to seek the truth. In the years after the defeat, they acknowledge its existence, but deny their partners’ involvement in it.
Another reason is political. The Nazi invasion of Holland in the World War is one that is almost always mentioned in the build up to any Dutch-German match up, and many see this as an inferiority complex in Holland’s disfavour. Yet when the Dutch found themselves a goal up inside a minute from Cruyff’s run and the penalty which it fashioned, they ‘forgot’ about the second goal and killing the game off. They wanted to embarrass their ‘German oppressors’, which their fellow finalists had no part in. This taunting football, angered the Germans, led by Beckenbauer, Der Kaiser, and soon they rallied, with Paul Breitner and Der Bomber, Gerd Muller scoring an awkward yet balletic goal. As the second half progressed, the Dutch played their usual game of ‘Total Football’, but could not breach the Deutsch rearguard, led by the original libero Beckenbauer.
What other reasons can one conjure up, rather than inferior quality? The fact that Cruyff, man-marked by Berti Vogts, played too deep in the first half to have impact through his sublime technical ability, shows that even a tactical genius such as the Dutchman himself is prone to flaws. Another reason, why defeat occurs is through refereeing decisions. The words by Beckenbauer to English referee Jack Taylor in the appeals to the first minute Dutch penalty award may have affected his unbiased view throughout the rest of the game. ‘You are an Englishman’ must have echoed through his mind when awarding a penalty to the Germans, for which Holzenbein dived. This was countered when he disallowed a potential second Muller goal for offside, perhaps in his mind evening up the consequences of his previous decision.
Rene Mercet is a name which lies with Italy’s 1934 World Cup success. The Swiss referee had a hand in Italy’s path to World Cup glory. With the use of this global sporting event hosted in Italy, Mussolini used it to his advantage to promote his fascist views. Mercet is thought to have favoured Italy through controversial refereeing decisions, seen in Italy’s 7-1 win against the USA and the Quarter Final replay against Spain. He was later suspended by the Swiss Football Federation. Calls for use of goal-line technology were heightened when teams were saved from defeat due to a lack of communication. The first incident was in early 2005, when Pedro Mendes’s shot from 50 yards was fumbled by then United keeper Roy Carroll, but the linesman Rob Lewis defends the ‘non-goal’ claiming he was ‘doing my primary job’ which was ‘watching for offside’. Worse was the ‘lack of concentration’ in a regional tournament in the state of Sao Paulo, where female referee Silvia Regina de Oliveira awarded a goal when a ball boy kicked the ball in jest into the net, allowing Santacruzense to draw level late into the game. As was the case with Cruyff’s decision not to go to the 1978 World Cup, the decision was blamed on his wife Danny; it seemed easy to blame defeat on women then.
Unlike Mussolini, who was promoting his Fascist party, Franco, the notorious Spanish dictator, used to apparently allow Barcelona the occasional victory in the El Clasico derby in order exploit morbo, and in this way he portrayed the Catalan club and everything connected with it to be taboo. He banned Catalan to be spoken amongst other things. In 1943, Barcelona were 3-0 up front the first leg in the King’s cup match, and lost 11-1 in the second leg after a visit before the game from the director of state security threatening the players that they are only living in the country due to the generous nature of Franco. This bullying nature still appears to live on in Madrid through their tactics in the transfer market.
The final reason is financial. Of course aside from the watch worth £18,000, that Moggi gave to a referee in Italy, in return for certain favours within the recipient’s profession, there lies a reason why defeat occurs instead of corruption and match-fixing. Conspiracy theorists will be glad to see the return of contemplating the reason of Ronaldo’s zombie-esque movement in the 1998 World Cup final. Many say it was a fit of some sort, but what was the reason for the inclusion in the starting XI? Perhaps a boot contract that requires him to play? This was also reported to be the case why Rensenbrink of the Netherlands played in the 1974 final, when it was clear he was not fit with a thigh injury.
Or maybe you could forget all this and just believe Ronaldo’s input, which is to put it simply: difference in quality, conceding goals and also poor team performance.
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
Antonio Puerta: May He Rest in Peace
Sevilla’s Antonio Puerta’s death was confirmed three days after collapsing in their opening game of the season against Getafe. He was a promising, versatile footballer, with the world at his feet, and was about to become a father. Sevilla had postponed Tuesday's Champions league qualifier against AEK Athens and the Super Cup match against AC Milan but now it will be played in homage to the late Spanish footballer.
A short film showing the 22-year-old's career will be played before the game between the Champions League and Uefa Cup winners. Flags in the stadium will be flown at half mast, there will be a minute's silence and the players will wear black armbands.
I would like to refer you to a piece by Arseblogger, who put how the majority of the footballing world is feeling.
A short film showing the 22-year-old's career will be played before the game between the Champions League and Uefa Cup winners. Flags in the stadium will be flown at half mast, there will be a minute's silence and the players will wear black armbands.
I would like to refer you to a piece by Arseblogger, who put how the majority of the footballing world is feeling.
My deepest sympathies to Sevilla Fútbol Club and more importantly, the family of Puerta. RIP."Finally today I want to take a moment to talk about how sad I felt about the
death of Sevilla’s Antonio Puerta. I, like many of you, was watching the game on
Saturday night when he collapsed so we’ve been with him ever since. Seeing him
wheeled out of the ground and rushed away in an ambulance was sickening,
especially when you could tell by the paramedics that it was serious. There was
hope as many times in cases like this an athlete simply drops and that’s the
end. We saw it some years ago when Marc Vivien Foe died during the Confederations Cup.But as the days passed the doctors grew more pessimistic and yesterday afternoon Antonio Puerta passed away. For someone like me who plays park football and enjoys a pint and the odd smoke and doesn’t always stick to a healthy diet it’s quite sobering. A young man, less than 6 weeks away from being a father for the first time, is dead.
I’ve been reading the coverage in the Spanish papers and it’s heartbreaking stuff. Julio Baptista spoke of the enormous jolt of pain he felt when he heard. Messages of support and sympathy have flooded in from every Spanish club. Ex-teammate Antoñito declared himself ‘broken’ at the news. I listened to the President of Betis, Manuel Ruiz de Lopera, who has had the worst relationship with Sevilla FC and their President Jose Maria del Nido that you can possibly imagine, speak on the radio about Puerta’s death and the genuine emotion and solidarity for Sevilla, their fans and the family of Antonio Puerta was very moving.
Antonio Puerta will be buried today at 2pm Spanish time. A promising career and a young life cut short well before time. Perhaps, as we bitch and moan about not signing a fat Brazilian or any kind of winger, we might think about this and put it all in perspective.
I have never tried to speak on behalf of any other Arsenal fans, but I think I can do so today when I say to the family and friends of Antonio Puerta, everyone at Sevilla FC and all their fans, that we send our most sincere condolences and sympathy. May he rest in peace. "
Thursday, 23 August 2007
The Dark Horses of Europe
There are certain clubs where many feel the time has come, for glory again. Having lain dormant, they have to challenge again for the title and become national champions. Here is a preview of the underdogs in the various national leagues all around Europe.
England: Arsenal
A team in transition, the majority say…’you don’t win anything with kids’, Alan Hansen says…well the Arsenal camp has come out with several statements of a great team spirit, epitomised in the late goals against Fulham, the battling successes against Sparta and Blackburn. The season is long and hard, but while fellow rivals underestimate the North London team, on the basis of their summer spending, which was one of Wenger’s bigger expenditures in his time in charge of the Gunners, I believe that they shall quietly challenge without any big names and a team ethic.
Liverpool shouldn’t really be considered as a dark horse considering their current squad quality and depth, but not having won the league since 1989-90 means there is a pressure on the Anfield side, and the lack of domestic success means they are a huge outsider to break the recent Chelsea, Manchester United monopoly.
Italy: Fiorentina
Having not won Serie A since the ‘Italian Job’ was released in 1969, the Florence club have assembled an side, which can challenge the Champions league spots and even have an outside chance for the title. Toni may have been sold, but the funds have been used to build a youthful yet talented side, with the prolific (albeit at youth level) Lupoli, along with the other outstanding Belgian talent of his generation in Vanden Borre and other potential stars, the club can surprise a few giants this year, especially with future star Pazzini, who scored the first hat-trick in the new Wembley.
Juventus, having returned from their Serie B exile, still have the experienced Nedved, Trezeguet and club captain Del Piero, along with a number of talented youngsters. Part of the upper hierarchy at the club has been overturned and a new beginning is imminent.
Spain: Villarreal
Riquelme is at the centre of a transfer conundrum. Having decided that he is not important enough to have a team built around him, the Spanish side instead decided upon a team ethos. Gone too, is the prolific Forlan (well in Spain anyway). Long term injury victims Pires and Rodriguez have returned, along with Rio Mavuba, to give the team a technical and physical style.
Having spent big via the sale of star striker Torres, Atletico Madrid has a great chance to break into the top four. An encouraging pre-season along with impact from signings Reyes, Simao amongst others, has added to the underachieving side flair and a strong work ethic. Is it enough to mount an outside title challenge? Time will tell…
Germany:
Who in Germany is capable of surpassing Bayern Munich? Well apart from the current Champions from Stuttgart, naturally Bremen or Schalke 04 are considered. Both have had title bids in recent years, both are considered dark horses since Bayern’s summer shock therapy, which cost them near to €80 million. Having bought from their rivals in Altintop and Klose, they have strengthened as well as weakening the outside bets. As the Bundesliga progesses, it will be evident who will form the supposed chasing pack, especially when Werder have already been slaughtered by the Bavarian machine.
England: Arsenal
A team in transition, the majority say…’you don’t win anything with kids’, Alan Hansen says…well the Arsenal camp has come out with several statements of a great team spirit, epitomised in the late goals against Fulham, the battling successes against Sparta and Blackburn. The season is long and hard, but while fellow rivals underestimate the North London team, on the basis of their summer spending, which was one of Wenger’s bigger expenditures in his time in charge of the Gunners, I believe that they shall quietly challenge without any big names and a team ethic.
Liverpool shouldn’t really be considered as a dark horse considering their current squad quality and depth, but not having won the league since 1989-90 means there is a pressure on the Anfield side, and the lack of domestic success means they are a huge outsider to break the recent Chelsea, Manchester United monopoly.
Italy: Fiorentina
Having not won Serie A since the ‘Italian Job’ was released in 1969, the Florence club have assembled an side, which can challenge the Champions league spots and even have an outside chance for the title. Toni may have been sold, but the funds have been used to build a youthful yet talented side, with the prolific (albeit at youth level) Lupoli, along with the other outstanding Belgian talent of his generation in Vanden Borre and other potential stars, the club can surprise a few giants this year, especially with future star Pazzini, who scored the first hat-trick in the new Wembley.
Juventus, having returned from their Serie B exile, still have the experienced Nedved, Trezeguet and club captain Del Piero, along with a number of talented youngsters. Part of the upper hierarchy at the club has been overturned and a new beginning is imminent.
Spain: Villarreal
Riquelme is at the centre of a transfer conundrum. Having decided that he is not important enough to have a team built around him, the Spanish side instead decided upon a team ethos. Gone too, is the prolific Forlan (well in Spain anyway). Long term injury victims Pires and Rodriguez have returned, along with Rio Mavuba, to give the team a technical and physical style.
Having spent big via the sale of star striker Torres, Atletico Madrid has a great chance to break into the top four. An encouraging pre-season along with impact from signings Reyes, Simao amongst others, has added to the underachieving side flair and a strong work ethic. Is it enough to mount an outside title challenge? Time will tell…
Germany:
Who in Germany is capable of surpassing Bayern Munich? Well apart from the current Champions from Stuttgart, naturally Bremen or Schalke 04 are considered. Both have had title bids in recent years, both are considered dark horses since Bayern’s summer shock therapy, which cost them near to €80 million. Having bought from their rivals in Altintop and Klose, they have strengthened as well as weakening the outside bets. As the Bundesliga progesses, it will be evident who will form the supposed chasing pack, especially when Werder have already been slaughtered by the Bavarian machine.
Monday, 20 August 2007
The €30 Million Horror Show
Granted it was his first big game for the club, but on first impressions, class usually shines through and here it was a dark cloud that hung over the Bernabeu more so than anything else. When bombing forward with the ball, Pepe first seemed to be a reminder of Bayern’s Lucio, but when he stayed forward, leaving Cannavaro to defend against a dangerous and effective Sevilla attack, it clearly showed that he lacks the discipline to play in a top team.
The Real movement was very poor, which presented a lack of options to play the ball out of the defence, but when options were open he passed the ball either out of play or straight to the defence, with Sneijder, supposed to be providing an link throughout the team, virtually anonymous. The game passed Diarra by, a player more suited to perhaps a physical battle, not a common occurrence in Spain. The Midfield was too narrow, with Robinho, Drenthe, although he scored playing in each other’s space, allowing the Andalusian club to exploit the space with ease. A Kanoute hat-trick and Renato double sealed a convincing win over their title rivals.
The width came from the full backs, with Ramos capping an effective attacking performance with a goal, and this left Cannavaro playing against three men, with Drenthe always overlapping Robinho (in the second half, when he was moved back), and Ramos, practically the only effective outlet for the Madrid giants, and when that is the case, it is clear that the final outcome is not going to be great. While Alves was a force, with driving runs, the discipline of Poulsen and Renato covered their team-mate’s (a word not heard by the 11 footballers in the white shirts) place.
Eventually, his generally poor performance was worsened by a hand ball to clear the ball over the bar to concede a penalty and then a sending off. When Queiroz said he could have bought Pepe a number of years ago for €2 million, perhaps that value hasn’t risen, except through Calderon’s overindulgence in signing playing staff. Schuster has a huge job in overturning his side’s fortunes, and sorting the mental block of his players in not passing to one another quickly enough, after deciding that dribbling or a shot on goal is not possible. Schuster must build from the back in order to keep the vultures off his back. The return of his fellow countryman Metzelder will be crucial. However the link through the team, still hangs on Guti’s shoulders, who is a bit-part player, yet still turns the team’s game around in his substitute appearances. Sneijder will step into this role but the squad must remain the same for a team approach and spirit to be created.
Another sacking is imminent and a lack of continuity in Real’s play is evident, and with Calderon adopting this strategy of sack and hope, it appears that the Madrid club will not have a team (just 11 individuals) ready in time for the Madrid derby and first game of La Liga season.
The Real movement was very poor, which presented a lack of options to play the ball out of the defence, but when options were open he passed the ball either out of play or straight to the defence, with Sneijder, supposed to be providing an link throughout the team, virtually anonymous. The game passed Diarra by, a player more suited to perhaps a physical battle, not a common occurrence in Spain. The Midfield was too narrow, with Robinho, Drenthe, although he scored playing in each other’s space, allowing the Andalusian club to exploit the space with ease. A Kanoute hat-trick and Renato double sealed a convincing win over their title rivals.
The width came from the full backs, with Ramos capping an effective attacking performance with a goal, and this left Cannavaro playing against three men, with Drenthe always overlapping Robinho (in the second half, when he was moved back), and Ramos, practically the only effective outlet for the Madrid giants, and when that is the case, it is clear that the final outcome is not going to be great. While Alves was a force, with driving runs, the discipline of Poulsen and Renato covered their team-mate’s (a word not heard by the 11 footballers in the white shirts) place.
Eventually, his generally poor performance was worsened by a hand ball to clear the ball over the bar to concede a penalty and then a sending off. When Queiroz said he could have bought Pepe a number of years ago for €2 million, perhaps that value hasn’t risen, except through Calderon’s overindulgence in signing playing staff. Schuster has a huge job in overturning his side’s fortunes, and sorting the mental block of his players in not passing to one another quickly enough, after deciding that dribbling or a shot on goal is not possible. Schuster must build from the back in order to keep the vultures off his back. The return of his fellow countryman Metzelder will be crucial. However the link through the team, still hangs on Guti’s shoulders, who is a bit-part player, yet still turns the team’s game around in his substitute appearances. Sneijder will step into this role but the squad must remain the same for a team approach and spirit to be created.
Another sacking is imminent and a lack of continuity in Real’s play is evident, and with Calderon adopting this strategy of sack and hope, it appears that the Madrid club will not have a team (just 11 individuals) ready in time for the Madrid derby and first game of La Liga season.
Saturday, 18 August 2007
Dutch... Not French!
You may think I’m crazy, but I’m not actually comparing this Arsenal side to that great Ajax team, more towards the entire Dutch culture towards football and it appears to relate to this new Arsenal side.
Naturally it is easy to look at past Dutch players at the club, when you had arguably the most influential player of his era in Dennis Bergkamp. He often said, ‘I guess I’m not interested in scoring ugly goals’, and this is clear to see nowadays with a number of flair players at the club, preferring to pass the ball to create an opening and scoring a ‘pure’ goal. It is this moral superiority of aesthetically better football, which causes defeats against inferior opposition. The Dutch have had a nemesis in the shape of the dreaded penalty shoot-out, and it is interesting to note that in 1998 World Cup Semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat against an inferior Brazil only Overmars and Bergkamp scored their respective spot-kicks, perhaps showing a different, perhaps English perspective towards this lottery. It is because of this moral high ground that perhaps the team have subconsciously not tried as much against teams in the lower half of the table, an argument clearly proven in the results against those very teams.
Moving on to the coach, Wenger is similar to the Romanian Stefan Kovacs, in his footballing philosophy. Both allowed their players freedom, in their style of play and used a closer man-management approach rather than the disciplinarians whom they succeeded in George Graham and Rinus Michels (excluding Bruce Rioch). It was in Kovacs’s years as coach, in which Ajax swept all aside in front of them, with a freedom to play and destroy. Both emphasised a team ethos and perhaps it is because the lack of a true leader that Arsenal failed. The most technically gifted players were the captains in Henry and Cruyff, and while one was tactically accomplished, and a leader, the other had a glaring, demotivating stare. While both left their respective teams, Cruyff, because he was voted out of the captaincy, and Henry, for personal reasons, they were both repressing the rest of their team-mates. It was rumoured that a number of the other Ajax players were disconcerted by Cruyff’s influence at the club, while the youngsters were intimidated by Henry’s glare and the enormity of his accomplishments.
While this Gunners team is nowhere near in the league of that great Ajax team, it can accomplish success through a style of football based on Michel’s idea, but with football now faster and more physical it would be impossible to create such a team. Ajax, like Arsenal in recent years did defeat big teams, such as Shankly’s Liverpool but could not bring home trophies due to a lack of experience, in similar fashion to Arsenal’s near misses in the Champions League and Carling Cup. Yet they eventually achieved greatness as Wenger can do so with this young, underrated team. Wenger even appears to be attempting to build such a side, with versatile players such as Hleb, Flamini and Sagna all a part of the Arsenal line up. He has even recently encouraged his defenders to burst forward, such as Toure’s run leading to a powerful penalty in the match against Fulham, and also Gallas’s forays forward against Ajax in preseason.
Naturally you wouldn’t expect to see van Persie as the furthest player back, as some sort of shape and discipline must be required to play in English football today. This comes through the reliable Gilberto and Fabregas axis, with allows the full backs to burst forward and overlap as they did effectively against Sparta in the Champions league qualifier recently. Arsenal’s tempo currently is too low to play such a brand of possession football as the extra few seconds allows the opposition to reshape their defence. Therefore there must be an option back in an attempt to retain the ball, this is why Gilberto must be open and cover any defensive position. It is this sort of decision making commonly seen in van Gaal’s Ajax of the nineties, where simplicity was used and triangles created on the pitch as is possible in the 4-5-1/4-3-3, which the Gunners are recently adopting. It is such simplicity, which Arsenal lack, for example, if the ten outfield players where on the edge of their box, Arsenal would try and pass through, when Cruyff would say, ‘pass around the majority’. The fluid attack gives Arsenal more options and a surprise in who will have the final shot on goal, but because of this style odd play, the team must become more efficient (another Dutch trait in which there is a lack of killer instinct) and defend as a unit.
Speaking of a unit, there are many potentially brilliant players at the club, but there must not be too many individualistic players, which causes a friction in team spirit. The same can be said of Holland at international tournaments, where each player is seeking personal glory and cannot even utter a word of the national anthem. This was similar to the spirit at Colney in 2005/06, with a split of the ‘invincibles’ and the younger players. Greed and money is a common issue in football…just ask Ashley Cole, this is a Dutch characteristic which appears frequently and thankfully there appears to be no sign of such an unnecessary attribute in the Arsenal squad currently. It was obvious that having different style of player up front changes the perspective of the game, while, the rest of the team, play aesthetically superior football, which in reality appears have little end product, using an awkward figure point changes the attacking options. The Czech Republic team with Jan Koller had skilful players such as Nedved and Rosicky, but rather than a flat pass as a final ball, Koller provides aerial threat, and a physical style that mixes well with the flair players and their ‘tiki taka’, as Sid Lowe of the Guardian put it, style of play (pass and move).
In conclusion, this is why against gritty teams, which Arsenal feel superior to, should be up against a Bendtner style player, who won a number of headers against the huge (but average) Zat Knight, because Bendtner does not play that style of ‘Dutch’ football, but the more efficient ‘German’ style (if you forgive me for another stereotypical comparision). He is still young, thus his technique will improve as will his experience of top flight football. Therefore, Arsenal must strive to use a player, who will adapt to their playing style, but also bring one of his own, and that is difficult in today’s game.
Naturally it is easy to look at past Dutch players at the club, when you had arguably the most influential player of his era in Dennis Bergkamp. He often said, ‘I guess I’m not interested in scoring ugly goals’, and this is clear to see nowadays with a number of flair players at the club, preferring to pass the ball to create an opening and scoring a ‘pure’ goal. It is this moral superiority of aesthetically better football, which causes defeats against inferior opposition. The Dutch have had a nemesis in the shape of the dreaded penalty shoot-out, and it is interesting to note that in 1998 World Cup Semi-final penalty shoot-out defeat against an inferior Brazil only Overmars and Bergkamp scored their respective spot-kicks, perhaps showing a different, perhaps English perspective towards this lottery. It is because of this moral high ground that perhaps the team have subconsciously not tried as much against teams in the lower half of the table, an argument clearly proven in the results against those very teams.
Moving on to the coach, Wenger is similar to the Romanian Stefan Kovacs, in his footballing philosophy. Both allowed their players freedom, in their style of play and used a closer man-management approach rather than the disciplinarians whom they succeeded in George Graham and Rinus Michels (excluding Bruce Rioch). It was in Kovacs’s years as coach, in which Ajax swept all aside in front of them, with a freedom to play and destroy. Both emphasised a team ethos and perhaps it is because the lack of a true leader that Arsenal failed. The most technically gifted players were the captains in Henry and Cruyff, and while one was tactically accomplished, and a leader, the other had a glaring, demotivating stare. While both left their respective teams, Cruyff, because he was voted out of the captaincy, and Henry, for personal reasons, they were both repressing the rest of their team-mates. It was rumoured that a number of the other Ajax players were disconcerted by Cruyff’s influence at the club, while the youngsters were intimidated by Henry’s glare and the enormity of his accomplishments.
While this Gunners team is nowhere near in the league of that great Ajax team, it can accomplish success through a style of football based on Michel’s idea, but with football now faster and more physical it would be impossible to create such a team. Ajax, like Arsenal in recent years did defeat big teams, such as Shankly’s Liverpool but could not bring home trophies due to a lack of experience, in similar fashion to Arsenal’s near misses in the Champions League and Carling Cup. Yet they eventually achieved greatness as Wenger can do so with this young, underrated team. Wenger even appears to be attempting to build such a side, with versatile players such as Hleb, Flamini and Sagna all a part of the Arsenal line up. He has even recently encouraged his defenders to burst forward, such as Toure’s run leading to a powerful penalty in the match against Fulham, and also Gallas’s forays forward against Ajax in preseason.
Naturally you wouldn’t expect to see van Persie as the furthest player back, as some sort of shape and discipline must be required to play in English football today. This comes through the reliable Gilberto and Fabregas axis, with allows the full backs to burst forward and overlap as they did effectively against Sparta in the Champions league qualifier recently. Arsenal’s tempo currently is too low to play such a brand of possession football as the extra few seconds allows the opposition to reshape their defence. Therefore there must be an option back in an attempt to retain the ball, this is why Gilberto must be open and cover any defensive position. It is this sort of decision making commonly seen in van Gaal’s Ajax of the nineties, where simplicity was used and triangles created on the pitch as is possible in the 4-5-1/4-3-3, which the Gunners are recently adopting. It is such simplicity, which Arsenal lack, for example, if the ten outfield players where on the edge of their box, Arsenal would try and pass through, when Cruyff would say, ‘pass around the majority’. The fluid attack gives Arsenal more options and a surprise in who will have the final shot on goal, but because of this style odd play, the team must become more efficient (another Dutch trait in which there is a lack of killer instinct) and defend as a unit.
Speaking of a unit, there are many potentially brilliant players at the club, but there must not be too many individualistic players, which causes a friction in team spirit. The same can be said of Holland at international tournaments, where each player is seeking personal glory and cannot even utter a word of the national anthem. This was similar to the spirit at Colney in 2005/06, with a split of the ‘invincibles’ and the younger players. Greed and money is a common issue in football…just ask Ashley Cole, this is a Dutch characteristic which appears frequently and thankfully there appears to be no sign of such an unnecessary attribute in the Arsenal squad currently. It was obvious that having different style of player up front changes the perspective of the game, while, the rest of the team, play aesthetically superior football, which in reality appears have little end product, using an awkward figure point changes the attacking options. The Czech Republic team with Jan Koller had skilful players such as Nedved and Rosicky, but rather than a flat pass as a final ball, Koller provides aerial threat, and a physical style that mixes well with the flair players and their ‘tiki taka’, as Sid Lowe of the Guardian put it, style of play (pass and move).
In conclusion, this is why against gritty teams, which Arsenal feel superior to, should be up against a Bendtner style player, who won a number of headers against the huge (but average) Zat Knight, because Bendtner does not play that style of ‘Dutch’ football, but the more efficient ‘German’ style (if you forgive me for another stereotypical comparision). He is still young, thus his technique will improve as will his experience of top flight football. Therefore, Arsenal must strive to use a player, who will adapt to their playing style, but also bring one of his own, and that is difficult in today’s game.
Friday, 27 July 2007
Power Of The Media
In recent times, as technology increases, the relationship of the football club and the fan has evolved, become more technological and less personal. Football was always a business, a way of making money. Yet as it becomes more commercial, it shapes our way of thinking especially through the media. With the idea that Premiership clubs have become the new plaything of the typical billionaire, the globalisation of football has created a trend displaying the greatest sport in the world as a money-maker. Since 1979, Liverpool led the way in carrying shirt sponsorship, a trend which grew and still is, for the space across the front of the shirt appears now to have become prestigious. Yet recently, its morality was questioned, when Fredi Kanoute, the Sevilla striker refused to wear the logo of the team sponsor 888.com, because as a devout Muslim, he believed that the promotion of gambling poisoned the minds of young and old fans alike.
It is examples such as these which shows how the media is becoming ever important and as it through the media, of whatever kind that speculation of a plethora of matters concerning clubs occurs. The recent coverage of the Premiership is set by a deal worth £1.7 billion pounds split by BSkyB and Setanta, who broke Rupert Murdoch’s monopoly on the television rights with £625 million being split between the 20 clubs each season until the 2009/10 season, predicting a windfall of £2.7 billion for the clubs involved in that time period. The worldwide interest in the Premiership, was epitomised by the fierce bidding war by companies in Hong Kong in an attempt to win broadcasting rights. Now as media formats evolve, new rights concerning mobile phone highlights, internet, radio and naturally the prestigious terrestrial and digital television have emerged.
It is exposure of this media through which the views of a typical fan have been shaped. Those who have a lack of access to a match ticket, a common dilemma in the multicultural London, or access to a television may resort to poor quality internet streaming or an almost masochistic use through the use of Ceefax, with the constant refreshing of the page, agonising in a bid to check whether the score that concerns one has changed or not, for better or for worse.
The media communicates football all over the world and is a powerful tool, especially with ticket prices being raised with increased, watching highlights doe not give a full picture of a player’s performance, which is why attacking players with flair have greater exposure with perhaps a great piece of skill, when their overall contribution is minimal. Thus players such as Makelele or Gilberto, with their impeccable positioning and stability are not noticed on a television screen by the average fan. This view towards players whose game is based upon work ethic and generous team play is backed up by many fans, who are exposed to tabloids, where the commentary are often bias and even lazy as the Palacio hoax exposed Mark Irwin and The Sun’s ignorance. For example the overuse of comparisons of past or even present players to new signings due to a similarity in appearance or position or even nationality, and inability not to use pun in a large proportion of headlines. The lack of true journalistic integrity in ‘stealing’ stories from other newspapers or purposeful mistranslations from foreign stories are all reasons perhaps why the reading age of The Sun is between 9-10 years. It is the media that influences a typical fan’s view, with a certain Arsenal forum member convinced of Eboue’s capability to play on the right wing, dismissing Hleb’s return to form in the pre-season friendly against Trapattoni’s Red Bull Salzburg. While in the Northern parts of England, attendances continue to fall even with lowering ticket prices, a continuing trend shows that more revenue appears to be coming in from television and sponsorship deals rather than income accumulated from the total number of match-days. This commercialisation of football is epitomised by the idea of a bell being rung in the Emirates stadium before half time to inform the ‘audience’ (as they have been referred to) that they can purchase refreshments from the stalls. It is this new view towards football that is taking it away from the ‘terraces’ and making it a impersonal and corporate fashion accessory.
Yet in various parts of the world, this is not the case. The Kop may be joked at by the Arsenal fans in a recent match at Anfield with the chant ‘Stand up if you’ve got a job!’, yet is the idea that football is seen as a religion, which is why the aura of the sport still exists today. The great rivalry between the teams in the El Classico derby is described by Phil Ball through the Spanish word: morbo, literally translated as disease, yet in most cases it does not undertake this rather frank definition. An image defining this antipathy between the Catalan giants and Franco’s team is the plethora of objects thrown at Figo, a player who transferred for £37 million from Barcelona to Real, with the peak of ‘hatred’ the pig’s head; this act did not allow the winger to take a corner until deep into the match.
For example a young fan of either party are bred to detest the other, with the reason an enigma to the mind of the child, not exploring the social and political reasons which lead to such morbo. This can lead to violence as European nights in Rome have shown with the infamous Ultras of the club. Yet this is not one sided as xenophobic elements on either side of the incident blame the opposition. The English fans and authorities blamed the extremely intolerant Italian police force, while in reverse; the Romans blamed the actions of the English. This was the view the media of either country took, blaming the other in an attempt to appeal to their national pride.
In another side, away from violence and racist chanting, an action not uncommon in Spain; there are the lighter points, not reported in today’s media, in a permanent bid to look for the sensationalist headline. For example, in Bulgaria, a group of Arsenal supporters greeted Aliaksander Hleb, who was present with the Belarusian national team. Therefore when one looks at various sources of media, approach it with caution.
N.B I did not intend to offend the readership of any of the tabloid newspapers.
It is examples such as these which shows how the media is becoming ever important and as it through the media, of whatever kind that speculation of a plethora of matters concerning clubs occurs. The recent coverage of the Premiership is set by a deal worth £1.7 billion pounds split by BSkyB and Setanta, who broke Rupert Murdoch’s monopoly on the television rights with £625 million being split between the 20 clubs each season until the 2009/10 season, predicting a windfall of £2.7 billion for the clubs involved in that time period. The worldwide interest in the Premiership, was epitomised by the fierce bidding war by companies in Hong Kong in an attempt to win broadcasting rights. Now as media formats evolve, new rights concerning mobile phone highlights, internet, radio and naturally the prestigious terrestrial and digital television have emerged.
It is exposure of this media through which the views of a typical fan have been shaped. Those who have a lack of access to a match ticket, a common dilemma in the multicultural London, or access to a television may resort to poor quality internet streaming or an almost masochistic use through the use of Ceefax, with the constant refreshing of the page, agonising in a bid to check whether the score that concerns one has changed or not, for better or for worse.
The media communicates football all over the world and is a powerful tool, especially with ticket prices being raised with increased, watching highlights doe not give a full picture of a player’s performance, which is why attacking players with flair have greater exposure with perhaps a great piece of skill, when their overall contribution is minimal. Thus players such as Makelele or Gilberto, with their impeccable positioning and stability are not noticed on a television screen by the average fan. This view towards players whose game is based upon work ethic and generous team play is backed up by many fans, who are exposed to tabloids, where the commentary are often bias and even lazy as the Palacio hoax exposed Mark Irwin and The Sun’s ignorance. For example the overuse of comparisons of past or even present players to new signings due to a similarity in appearance or position or even nationality, and inability not to use pun in a large proportion of headlines. The lack of true journalistic integrity in ‘stealing’ stories from other newspapers or purposeful mistranslations from foreign stories are all reasons perhaps why the reading age of The Sun is between 9-10 years. It is the media that influences a typical fan’s view, with a certain Arsenal forum member convinced of Eboue’s capability to play on the right wing, dismissing Hleb’s return to form in the pre-season friendly against Trapattoni’s Red Bull Salzburg. While in the Northern parts of England, attendances continue to fall even with lowering ticket prices, a continuing trend shows that more revenue appears to be coming in from television and sponsorship deals rather than income accumulated from the total number of match-days. This commercialisation of football is epitomised by the idea of a bell being rung in the Emirates stadium before half time to inform the ‘audience’ (as they have been referred to) that they can purchase refreshments from the stalls. It is this new view towards football that is taking it away from the ‘terraces’ and making it a impersonal and corporate fashion accessory.
Yet in various parts of the world, this is not the case. The Kop may be joked at by the Arsenal fans in a recent match at Anfield with the chant ‘Stand up if you’ve got a job!’, yet is the idea that football is seen as a religion, which is why the aura of the sport still exists today. The great rivalry between the teams in the El Classico derby is described by Phil Ball through the Spanish word: morbo, literally translated as disease, yet in most cases it does not undertake this rather frank definition. An image defining this antipathy between the Catalan giants and Franco’s team is the plethora of objects thrown at Figo, a player who transferred for £37 million from Barcelona to Real, with the peak of ‘hatred’ the pig’s head; this act did not allow the winger to take a corner until deep into the match.
For example a young fan of either party are bred to detest the other, with the reason an enigma to the mind of the child, not exploring the social and political reasons which lead to such morbo. This can lead to violence as European nights in Rome have shown with the infamous Ultras of the club. Yet this is not one sided as xenophobic elements on either side of the incident blame the opposition. The English fans and authorities blamed the extremely intolerant Italian police force, while in reverse; the Romans blamed the actions of the English. This was the view the media of either country took, blaming the other in an attempt to appeal to their national pride.
In another side, away from violence and racist chanting, an action not uncommon in Spain; there are the lighter points, not reported in today’s media, in a permanent bid to look for the sensationalist headline. For example, in Bulgaria, a group of Arsenal supporters greeted Aliaksander Hleb, who was present with the Belarusian national team. Therefore when one looks at various sources of media, approach it with caution.
N.B I did not intend to offend the readership of any of the tabloid newspapers.
Friday, 13 July 2007
New Breed
As time passes, the general playing style of the game has changed, from new tactical systems, to individual excellence. For example the most lamented moment in the history of Brazilian football, the 1950 defeat to Uruguay, is blamed upon many factors, but most decide upon Uruguay’s decision not to play the WM formation, thought up by Arsenal revolutionary Herbert Chapman, which was adopted by the teams Brazil deposed of in the earlier rounds. In similar fashion, the way in which strikers play and how they are used has changed throughout the various generations affecting the history of the game, choosing the winners and losers.
When one thinks of the targetman they immediately think of the stereotype of the big, strong centre forward, who is efficient in holding up the ball, effective in winning the aerial battle during those cold winter nights in the northern parts of England. The stereotypical image is that of Jan Koller, or recently Didier Drogba. The new type of targetman does not have to resort to use of the elbow, as Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson to gain an advantage in challenging for the aerial ball. Instead, as football has progressed, so has the physical fitness and build of the players, with players that exceed the norm, from Crouch to Zigic. Now, even strikers, which have an intimidating build, prefer to play the ball on the ground, with a finer first touch, releasing better through balls, rather than chase hopeful clearances from the first-third of the pitch. The new model of the target man is one with a plethora of qualities, which include pace, skill, awareness and a necessary selfish streak.
There are also unorthodox strikers, with Francesco Totti, who is currently the holder of the golden shoe, the award for the most lethal marksman in Europe. Totti, who is normally a playmaker, took on the role, and operated much higher up the field of play, where his contributions were more efficient, with his clever movement allowing team-mates to take supporting runs from deep in a fluid tactical system. In a similar fashion Thierry Henry played this kind of role in the 2005/06 Champions League run, as a lone front man, moving to either flank allowing midfield runners Fabregas, Reyes and Ljungberg to make penetrative runs wreaking havoc to the opposition, as well has scoring a few goals b exploiting the space created by the movement.
The poacher is a tag given to players who have good movement in the box and therefore tend to score more often, due to composure in tight spaces and seemingly difficult situations, and a ‘sixth sense’ for where the net is. The player which epitomises this generalisation is Gerd Müller, who scored goals of any kind, perfecting his movement in the box, twisting and turning to approach each possible situation with the maximum possibility that he would have a clear-cut chance and that that the most possible outcome would be the scoreboard reading his name. As the game has gone on, the use for pure goal-scorers has diminished as Ruud van Nistlerooy discovered when he was ruthlessly dropped mid-season by Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2005/06 season in favour of the more all-rounded Louis Saha. As the game progresses in terms of speed, players must have greater qualities and such gems are more difficult to find even with thorough scouting systems. For example, players such as Samuel Eto’o have great pace, strength and stamina make him the first line of defence for Barcelona, and allow his team to press the opposition high up the field, and along with his fellow forwards, Ronaldinho and Messi, and the interplay allows fluid change of positions, lets him use his goal-scoring talents to the full extent as his 73 goals in 115 appearances for Los Cules shows. Arsenal’s recent acquisition of Eduardo da Silva, who rather has the same instinct in front of goal, but can also dribble, pass and hold up the ball shows that not only a ‘poacher’ is now required as the failed gamble on Francis Jeffers proved. On the other hand in a team with a mindset as defensive as Helenio Herrera’s perfection of the catenaccio displayed through his Inter Milan side in the 1960’s, van Nistlerooy has been feeding off scraps, scoring a goal for every 2.3 shots he had, shows that on rare occasions, players can rely on pure instinct.
The shadow striker or half-striker is the name given to the player who drops in between the attacking and midfield lines to find space and create advantageous plays for his team. Naturally, one must be gifted to operate in this kind of role, which is rarely adopted in English football, where use of a defensive midfielder is the norm, who picks up any midfield runners, or playmakers. After Hidegkuti’s revolutionary creation of this position, coaches have created new roles or different formations for their players in order to inhibit the half-striker, from man marking, sometimes disciplined, sometimes, through collective fouling in a simultaneous fashion with each player committing a foul, a pastime in Italy. As I have suggested in a previous article, Genius is normally positioned in this role, free to move between lines, affecting the play as one sees fit. These players have lesser goal-scoring records from an aesthetic point of view, but looking at the assist and involvement in moves leading up to a goal, they normally lead the charts.
Therefore players with vision such as Dennis Bergkamp used the few seconds bought by the extra space to use his vision and pick out a player. The understanding formed between him and his fellow attackers was built either on hard work in training or natural instinct and 360 degrees awareness on movement of his team-mates, through constant turning and twisting of his head to see progression of play. This was highlighted in a quick counterattack by Arsenal in the 2003/04 season at Chelsea, where high pressing forced an error from Makelele, and immediately after Bergkamp had possession and after a look, used his experience and decision-making skills to pick the best option within a few seconds and released Vieira with a wonderful curling pass from the outside of the foot right into the Frenchman’s stride, allowing him to slot home with ease. A wise man did once say the best players have one or two touches on the ball a thousand times during a game. Hidegkuti also used his more direct strike partner Puskas, to run in behind the defence and pull the centre backs away from him, and create space, which he used to take shots on goal.
Most teams use a proven blue-print with a number of players complementing each other in their strike force. Take a look at Arsenal’s options, where no one player is the same, with different attributes, van Persie offers elegance and technical excellence, Eduardo offers a clinical edge, Adebayor offers a awkwardness that is displayed through great stamina and strength, Walcott offers youth and pace, and Bendtner has a self-confidence and a urgency to prove himself. Some teams have ‘direct’ replacements in their squad, such as the Czech Republic national team where Lokvenc directly replaced Koller in their system of play, yet the lack of quality meant the team went out in the group stage at last summer’s World Cup as Lokvenc was later ruled out forming a lack of a reference point in attack. Yet some teams choose to avoid this. Thierry Henry was never a pure goal-scorer along with partner Bergkamp; he was clinical but without his trademark ‘drifting out to the left’ he would have scored more but this would have inhibited his influence on proceedings. In another formation, Barcelona use two supporting playmakers in Messi and Ronaldinho alongside Eto’o but injury to either one of these causes a lack of fluidity in their attack, and this is a facet which the Catalan side rely on. The ‘total football’ on Cruyff, Neeskens and co. never had a true reference point as the tactical master-class of interchanging positions to create space meant there was never one true pure striker, and the names on the team sheet only marked the starting positions of the players as the referee blew the whistle to start the game.
It is perhaps England’s downfall that a lack of a plethora of striking options and inability to change their style of play effectively. The focus of a 4-4-2 is shutting down imagination. When Eriksson used Saachi’s pressing system, the country abandoned any other tactical system meaning an unfortunate series of events could destroy their hopes. It is because of this that different types of strikers cannot thrive in England’s system, which narrow-mindedly requires a poacher and a support striker upon who’s shoulders is the burden of creativity. Now there is a new generation of strikers changing in their style of play as the race in club football progresses to reach the ultimate goal. Glory.
When one thinks of the targetman they immediately think of the stereotype of the big, strong centre forward, who is efficient in holding up the ball, effective in winning the aerial battle during those cold winter nights in the northern parts of England. The stereotypical image is that of Jan Koller, or recently Didier Drogba. The new type of targetman does not have to resort to use of the elbow, as Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson to gain an advantage in challenging for the aerial ball. Instead, as football has progressed, so has the physical fitness and build of the players, with players that exceed the norm, from Crouch to Zigic. Now, even strikers, which have an intimidating build, prefer to play the ball on the ground, with a finer first touch, releasing better through balls, rather than chase hopeful clearances from the first-third of the pitch. The new model of the target man is one with a plethora of qualities, which include pace, skill, awareness and a necessary selfish streak.
There are also unorthodox strikers, with Francesco Totti, who is currently the holder of the golden shoe, the award for the most lethal marksman in Europe. Totti, who is normally a playmaker, took on the role, and operated much higher up the field of play, where his contributions were more efficient, with his clever movement allowing team-mates to take supporting runs from deep in a fluid tactical system. In a similar fashion Thierry Henry played this kind of role in the 2005/06 Champions League run, as a lone front man, moving to either flank allowing midfield runners Fabregas, Reyes and Ljungberg to make penetrative runs wreaking havoc to the opposition, as well has scoring a few goals b exploiting the space created by the movement.
The poacher is a tag given to players who have good movement in the box and therefore tend to score more often, due to composure in tight spaces and seemingly difficult situations, and a ‘sixth sense’ for where the net is. The player which epitomises this generalisation is Gerd Müller, who scored goals of any kind, perfecting his movement in the box, twisting and turning to approach each possible situation with the maximum possibility that he would have a clear-cut chance and that that the most possible outcome would be the scoreboard reading his name. As the game has gone on, the use for pure goal-scorers has diminished as Ruud van Nistlerooy discovered when he was ruthlessly dropped mid-season by Sir Alex Ferguson in the 2005/06 season in favour of the more all-rounded Louis Saha. As the game progresses in terms of speed, players must have greater qualities and such gems are more difficult to find even with thorough scouting systems. For example, players such as Samuel Eto’o have great pace, strength and stamina make him the first line of defence for Barcelona, and allow his team to press the opposition high up the field, and along with his fellow forwards, Ronaldinho and Messi, and the interplay allows fluid change of positions, lets him use his goal-scoring talents to the full extent as his 73 goals in 115 appearances for Los Cules shows. Arsenal’s recent acquisition of Eduardo da Silva, who rather has the same instinct in front of goal, but can also dribble, pass and hold up the ball shows that not only a ‘poacher’ is now required as the failed gamble on Francis Jeffers proved. On the other hand in a team with a mindset as defensive as Helenio Herrera’s perfection of the catenaccio displayed through his Inter Milan side in the 1960’s, van Nistlerooy has been feeding off scraps, scoring a goal for every 2.3 shots he had, shows that on rare occasions, players can rely on pure instinct.
The shadow striker or half-striker is the name given to the player who drops in between the attacking and midfield lines to find space and create advantageous plays for his team. Naturally, one must be gifted to operate in this kind of role, which is rarely adopted in English football, where use of a defensive midfielder is the norm, who picks up any midfield runners, or playmakers. After Hidegkuti’s revolutionary creation of this position, coaches have created new roles or different formations for their players in order to inhibit the half-striker, from man marking, sometimes disciplined, sometimes, through collective fouling in a simultaneous fashion with each player committing a foul, a pastime in Italy. As I have suggested in a previous article, Genius is normally positioned in this role, free to move between lines, affecting the play as one sees fit. These players have lesser goal-scoring records from an aesthetic point of view, but looking at the assist and involvement in moves leading up to a goal, they normally lead the charts.
Therefore players with vision such as Dennis Bergkamp used the few seconds bought by the extra space to use his vision and pick out a player. The understanding formed between him and his fellow attackers was built either on hard work in training or natural instinct and 360 degrees awareness on movement of his team-mates, through constant turning and twisting of his head to see progression of play. This was highlighted in a quick counterattack by Arsenal in the 2003/04 season at Chelsea, where high pressing forced an error from Makelele, and immediately after Bergkamp had possession and after a look, used his experience and decision-making skills to pick the best option within a few seconds and released Vieira with a wonderful curling pass from the outside of the foot right into the Frenchman’s stride, allowing him to slot home with ease. A wise man did once say the best players have one or two touches on the ball a thousand times during a game. Hidegkuti also used his more direct strike partner Puskas, to run in behind the defence and pull the centre backs away from him, and create space, which he used to take shots on goal.
Most teams use a proven blue-print with a number of players complementing each other in their strike force. Take a look at Arsenal’s options, where no one player is the same, with different attributes, van Persie offers elegance and technical excellence, Eduardo offers a clinical edge, Adebayor offers a awkwardness that is displayed through great stamina and strength, Walcott offers youth and pace, and Bendtner has a self-confidence and a urgency to prove himself. Some teams have ‘direct’ replacements in their squad, such as the Czech Republic national team where Lokvenc directly replaced Koller in their system of play, yet the lack of quality meant the team went out in the group stage at last summer’s World Cup as Lokvenc was later ruled out forming a lack of a reference point in attack. Yet some teams choose to avoid this. Thierry Henry was never a pure goal-scorer along with partner Bergkamp; he was clinical but without his trademark ‘drifting out to the left’ he would have scored more but this would have inhibited his influence on proceedings. In another formation, Barcelona use two supporting playmakers in Messi and Ronaldinho alongside Eto’o but injury to either one of these causes a lack of fluidity in their attack, and this is a facet which the Catalan side rely on. The ‘total football’ on Cruyff, Neeskens and co. never had a true reference point as the tactical master-class of interchanging positions to create space meant there was never one true pure striker, and the names on the team sheet only marked the starting positions of the players as the referee blew the whistle to start the game.
It is perhaps England’s downfall that a lack of a plethora of striking options and inability to change their style of play effectively. The focus of a 4-4-2 is shutting down imagination. When Eriksson used Saachi’s pressing system, the country abandoned any other tactical system meaning an unfortunate series of events could destroy their hopes. It is because of this that different types of strikers cannot thrive in England’s system, which narrow-mindedly requires a poacher and a support striker upon who’s shoulders is the burden of creativity. Now there is a new generation of strikers changing in their style of play as the race in club football progresses to reach the ultimate goal. Glory.
Friday, 29 June 2007
Genius...Unravelling The Mystery
Footballing genius is defined as extraordinary talent and intellect and in many cases creative power and flair. What causes some players to become footballers and others to fail in trying to do so?
Is it genetic?
You look at clubs taking on close relatives of their own players. For example, when Milan bought Kaka, they also decided to buy his brother Digao, in the hope that Kaka’s technical excellence runs in his sibling’s blood. With Giovanni dos Santos, found in a youth tournament by Barcelona, along comes his apparently more promising brother Jonathan with him. Sometimes, this is only done to appease the parent and seal the deal, as Tomas Rosicky contemplates. His father, a left back in his playing career, also played for Sparta Prague, issued a ultimatum to his former club: “If you want Jiri [Rosicky, Tomas’s older brother], then you have to take my younger son Tomas as well”. This paid off for the club, when both brothers moved in multi-million pound moves to Atletico and Dortmund respectively. Other examples include the three generations of the Maldini family: from Cesare, now Milan Scout, to Paolo himself, to Christian, the elder of Maldini’s two sons and is in Milan’s youth system, for whom the legendary no.3 shirt will be pulled from ‘retirement’ if he makes it to the first team.
This is because there are a number of genes, linked with physical fitness, both muscular and cardiovascular. It is these passed down from generations that can influence the physical fitness of a player. Naturally, it would be impossible to find one gene that can make a person a sportsman or woman. There are probably a number of genes linked to the psychological aspect of the game, with genes linked to natural intelligence and team work and decision making, but these are less obvious as football is a physical game, but nonetheless a team game, so the effect of genes is more subtle. Discovering genius in the future points to more rigorous scouting systems, rather than developments in to gene research, simply due to the cost benefit ratio and the likelihood of any success. But knowing the scientific nature of the Milan-lab, based at ‘Milanello’, the training ground of AC Milan, it is likely that they may be looking at research into genes and whether this develops into a form of scouting tool or injury therapy is anyone’s question.
Tactics, Individual or Team genius?
Naturally, when a club has a very talented player, it is appears most likely that that player will play in the free role, drifting freely in between lines of midfield and attack, learning who to influence the game. It is normally the player that adopts this role who is labelled a genius. And this is common, as the majority of teams in Europe have a focal point, through which the majority of the team’s attacking play is directed, such as Arsenal’s is directed by Cesc Fabregas and as Barcelona’s play is by Deco. This was not the trend in England, until recently, where the majority of attacking play came from the wings, where the ‘flair’ players played, away from the physical and aerial battle that occurred in the middle of the park. This was where players such as Keane and Vieira resided, but now more technically accomplished players such as Fabregas dictate play. This changes the style of play of a team, as Arsenal fans have realised in recent times, with a slower more ‘European’ game-plan being adopted rather than the counterattacking, high pressing game that the ‘invincibles’ played. While the majority of playmakers lie in attacking midfield, there are and were a few, who played in other positions, defying tactical knowledge of the time, and came as great use to their team. These missionaries adapted their technical skills and knowledge to the new role and executed its use with lethal precision. Geniuses such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Nandor Hidegkuti and even Andrea Pirlo, who used his previous experience as a striker, to adapt and make plays for Milan from a deep role, where there is more time and space.
While these ‘geniuses’ used new tactics to their effect, it is now the opposition of the attacking player, who is adapting, with better defensive systems, which include man marking the playmaker, or cutting of his supply with pressuring his fellow team-mates. Therefore when a genius is given the ball, he has little time, before he can do something efficient for his team, or lose the ball. Therefore, a genius must adapt and use his flair to beat the system, normally from a moment of inspiration. This does not always work, for a genius must have a strong mentality, and a number of geniuses can often cause conflict due to a clashing of egos. “If Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldinho were all at their best for 90 minutes, Brazil would win 23-0”. What Gordon Strachan said may be true, but the reason that Brazil did not win, was due to a lack of correct physical and tactical preparation. The main star, one of the ‘magic quartet’, Ronaldinho, was played out of position, with no freedom to roam and probe and create openings. This was perhaps due to the lack of runs made by the two strikers, both criticised in the build up to the tournament, and both suffering personal problems.
It is for this reason, why it is the team that can maximise the positive output on the field of play rather than vice versa. For example, Frank Rikjaard had a masterstroke by devising a new position for Ronaldinho in 2003/2004 after a missing five matches in October due to a hamstring injury, giving the player a role as a ‘false’ left winger, who could cut in to the box, score goals and drift around to influence proceedings. And it is in this position that Ronaldinho has won two ‘FIFA world-player of the year’ awards in the past three years and become more prolific than ever. It may be tactics that allow a team to use its focal point, but sometimes it is just moments of inspiration. For example, Thierry Henry’s audacious back-heeled finish, having been turned away from goal, and surrounded by a number of Charlton players who were marking him correctly to stop anything normal. But Thierry Henry is not a normal player. Another example is Ronaldinho’s ‘run and see what happens approach’, through his darting dribble into the heart of the Chelsea box, using his raw physical strength to hold off challenges from John Terry among others, before rifling home a shot, which sent Petr Cech the wrong way, thus knocking Chelsea out of the Champions League. Genius is developed as a player grows as experience causes better decision making to occur and a player to become more effective. Technique in all good players is evident, but it is the way it is used and the decision making, both on the pitch and off it is what makes a player great.
True legends are the Dutch 1974 World Cup team, who lead by Johan Cruyff, destroyed opposition, through interchanging positions in what was described as ‘total football’. This prevented any sort of man marking from the opposition, while his vision, of knowing where his team-mates would be also contributed to the cliché of his team being known as ‘the greatest team never to win the cup’. Pele, too had a similar effect in his team in the 1970 World Cup, epitomised by the amazing team play that resulted in Carlos Alberto’s emphatic finish against Italy in the final. A similar move occurred in the 2006 World Cup with Esteban Cambiasso, a defensive midfielder, rounding off a flowing 24-pass move against Serbia & Montenegro. Therefore, genius can also be a team move rather than an individual piece of brilliance.
Culture
The best example of a genius that for all his talent was embroiled in social, health and perhaps fiduciary problems is perhaps the greatest player ever: Diego Maradona. After quarrels with Barcelona’s directors, the player demanded a transfer to SSC Napoli, where he was adored. Genius is also constantly in the spotlight, with the Argentine’s ‘Hand of God’ goal, and later in the 1994 World Cup, he failed a drugs test and was sent home. After his career, he had drug and obesity problems and his residence has fluctuated from various medical clinics to rehabilitation centres. Perhaps the most iconic player of his time, Johan Cruyff, too was in the spotlight, mainly for his footballing talent, from helping ‘Los Cules’ picking apart arch rivals Real Madrid, culminating in a 5-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu, to playing for Ajax, and later arch rivals Feyenoord, leading both clubs to a league and cup double.
Now the greatest players in the world are bought and sold for inflated transfer fees. The Galacticos era at Real Madrid, brought in Figo for £39 million pounds, Zidane for £47 million pounds, Ronaldo for £26 million, among others. The transfer fees for these players, who had the ‘X-Factor’, along with their outlandish wages always kept the genius in the public spotlight. The media-friendly face of the superstars brought in by Florentino Pérez also brought in money from image rights, which the club took in. It is widely believed that in the summer of 2004, Arsenal Invincible Patrick Vieira spurned Real’s advances purely on the fact that due to his lack of marketability, he was offered a lower wage than, for example, David Beckham, who earns millions from a variety of endorsements he has taken aboard. While he was their equal in football terms, the fact that he could not sell shirts meant that he was not deemed worthy of such a high wage. His style of football, which is based more on brute force, rather than finesse, also appears to diminish his marketability.
The North American Soccer League, which formed in 1968 and ran until 1984, had stars such as Pele and Beckenbauer vying against fellow geniuses such as Eusebio. This was the final swansong in most of these players’ careers, with the failure to land the 1986 World Cup in America a major part in its downfall. The majority of the clubs became bankrupt due to the lack of funds and inability to make profit, due to the salaries of the playing staff and low attendance income.
Revolutionaries
The true greats in the game, changed the way it was played, with new tactics, technique and vision. Here are a few legends:
Johan Cruyff is someone who has won 34 titles in his playing and managerial career, He was a general on the pitch, ordering his fellow players around into different positions. As Terence, the Roman poet once wrote ‘fortune favours the brave’, Cruyff, who lead a revolution in the style of football, winning plaudits from all over the world and also owner to a trophy cabinet brimming full of silverware, should know what Terence was talking about. He says he does not regret losing the 1974 World Cup final, stating it made ‘total-football’ more famous than ever. Perhaps trying to recreate its unique style is a great tribute to one of Holland’s greatest players. Only Van Basten and Bergkamp could even come close.
Pele is a name heard in association with the word ‘GOOOOOOOOL’. He should know he’s scored 1281 of them. His technical ability, vision, and his amazing dribbling ability, led Waldemar de Brito, who coached the to-be-legend at a youth club, to tell the Santos directors that Pele, who at the time was 15, would become the greatest player ever. He was certainly true. The player matured over time, winning countless trophies and in 1962, he was announced as a ‘national treasure’ which meant Europe never saw him.
Puskas and Hidegkuti are two halves of a partnership which destroyed England at Wembley. Ferenc Puskas was imprudently written off by the English players as ‘a fat little chap’. Rivalled by Maradona for the award of the greatest left foot in football, his amazing shot, and vision led him to become a great, but as the game becomes more physical, he would not have been able to survive due to his physical condition, which in modern times, would most likely lead him to be criticised as Ronaldo has been in recent times. Nandor Hidegkuti created the half-striker role, where coming in from deep allowed him more time and space to execute his vision with deadly precision. It is because of this that he is a genius.
Franz Beckenbauer: another revolutionary, who changed footballing tactics with his perfection of the role of the ‘libero’. According to Osvalso Ardiles, he was the reason why Cruyff’s Holland failed to win in Germany. A great leader, his technical abilities launched attacks for his teams after clearing up attacks from the opposition through tackling, anticipation, positioning and his exemplary reading of the game.
Alfredo Di Stefano, the original Galactico, and along with a plethora of legends at Los Merengues, he dominated Europe for a period of five years from 1955. He had great strength physically as well as mentally and like most geniuses, he did make his mark in history, being known as the first Total footballer, with his ability to play in any outfield position, before Cruyff had even invented the concept of team total football. He still remains with Real Madrid, now honorary president of the club. The rights to sign the genius widened the gap between the sides who take part in el classico, with the Spanish federation prompting a ban on foreign imports due to this incident. Still all time leading scorer in European football, he averaged almost a goal a game for Real.
Eusebio, another who carried teams on his back to success, it was a pity he could not leave Benfica for a big money move to Inter but again due to political reasons, he was denied a move. A player, who could score freely, from any angle, because he loved football and spent hours after training, harnessing his skills. Rumours of kidnappings by Benfica, to hide him from rival suitors, when he was a youngster arriving from Mozambique, shows how his potential was evident, even before he became a genius.
Maradona made a huge mark in football, through his amazing dribbling ability and unavoidable need to use his hand to score or stop goals as views of the World Cup have found out. Also he was one of the true greats with an outstanding left foot, including Puskas, Riva and Maldini. Genius shines through when the odds are stacked are against one, and Maradona led SSC Napoli to the Serie A title, breaking the monopoly of the richer northern clubs, who usually won it.
Platini had five key attributes: tackling, passing, vision, positioning and goal-scoring. Perhaps his one weakness: his left foot. Luck evaded him in 1982, when Toni Schumacher, a likely idol for Jens Lehmann, was not dismissed after his obvious ‘foul’, which almost certainly stopped France reaching the final. He was perhaps the true great of European football in the 80s.
Zidane is probably the reason why football was called the working man’s ballet. His last great performance was against Brazil in the World Cup of 2006, in his final international tournament. Pervious to this he was on the wane in a Real Madrid side full of overpaid, underachieving Galacticos. The ball was a diamond to Zidane, who could find the thousandth option if you offered him 999. His vision, strength, which helped in shielding the ball, passing, and sheer ability to make players around him seem world class, along with his eternal spotlight in the media, make him a genius.
Is it genetic?
You look at clubs taking on close relatives of their own players. For example, when Milan bought Kaka, they also decided to buy his brother Digao, in the hope that Kaka’s technical excellence runs in his sibling’s blood. With Giovanni dos Santos, found in a youth tournament by Barcelona, along comes his apparently more promising brother Jonathan with him. Sometimes, this is only done to appease the parent and seal the deal, as Tomas Rosicky contemplates. His father, a left back in his playing career, also played for Sparta Prague, issued a ultimatum to his former club: “If you want Jiri [Rosicky, Tomas’s older brother], then you have to take my younger son Tomas as well”. This paid off for the club, when both brothers moved in multi-million pound moves to Atletico and Dortmund respectively. Other examples include the three generations of the Maldini family: from Cesare, now Milan Scout, to Paolo himself, to Christian, the elder of Maldini’s two sons and is in Milan’s youth system, for whom the legendary no.3 shirt will be pulled from ‘retirement’ if he makes it to the first team.
This is because there are a number of genes, linked with physical fitness, both muscular and cardiovascular. It is these passed down from generations that can influence the physical fitness of a player. Naturally, it would be impossible to find one gene that can make a person a sportsman or woman. There are probably a number of genes linked to the psychological aspect of the game, with genes linked to natural intelligence and team work and decision making, but these are less obvious as football is a physical game, but nonetheless a team game, so the effect of genes is more subtle. Discovering genius in the future points to more rigorous scouting systems, rather than developments in to gene research, simply due to the cost benefit ratio and the likelihood of any success. But knowing the scientific nature of the Milan-lab, based at ‘Milanello’, the training ground of AC Milan, it is likely that they may be looking at research into genes and whether this develops into a form of scouting tool or injury therapy is anyone’s question.
Tactics, Individual or Team genius?
Naturally, when a club has a very talented player, it is appears most likely that that player will play in the free role, drifting freely in between lines of midfield and attack, learning who to influence the game. It is normally the player that adopts this role who is labelled a genius. And this is common, as the majority of teams in Europe have a focal point, through which the majority of the team’s attacking play is directed, such as Arsenal’s is directed by Cesc Fabregas and as Barcelona’s play is by Deco. This was not the trend in England, until recently, where the majority of attacking play came from the wings, where the ‘flair’ players played, away from the physical and aerial battle that occurred in the middle of the park. This was where players such as Keane and Vieira resided, but now more technically accomplished players such as Fabregas dictate play. This changes the style of play of a team, as Arsenal fans have realised in recent times, with a slower more ‘European’ game-plan being adopted rather than the counterattacking, high pressing game that the ‘invincibles’ played. While the majority of playmakers lie in attacking midfield, there are and were a few, who played in other positions, defying tactical knowledge of the time, and came as great use to their team. These missionaries adapted their technical skills and knowledge to the new role and executed its use with lethal precision. Geniuses such as Johan Cruyff, Franz Beckenbauer, Nandor Hidegkuti and even Andrea Pirlo, who used his previous experience as a striker, to adapt and make plays for Milan from a deep role, where there is more time and space.
While these ‘geniuses’ used new tactics to their effect, it is now the opposition of the attacking player, who is adapting, with better defensive systems, which include man marking the playmaker, or cutting of his supply with pressuring his fellow team-mates. Therefore when a genius is given the ball, he has little time, before he can do something efficient for his team, or lose the ball. Therefore, a genius must adapt and use his flair to beat the system, normally from a moment of inspiration. This does not always work, for a genius must have a strong mentality, and a number of geniuses can often cause conflict due to a clashing of egos. “If Ronaldo, Adriano and Ronaldinho were all at their best for 90 minutes, Brazil would win 23-0”. What Gordon Strachan said may be true, but the reason that Brazil did not win, was due to a lack of correct physical and tactical preparation. The main star, one of the ‘magic quartet’, Ronaldinho, was played out of position, with no freedom to roam and probe and create openings. This was perhaps due to the lack of runs made by the two strikers, both criticised in the build up to the tournament, and both suffering personal problems.
It is for this reason, why it is the team that can maximise the positive output on the field of play rather than vice versa. For example, Frank Rikjaard had a masterstroke by devising a new position for Ronaldinho in 2003/2004 after a missing five matches in October due to a hamstring injury, giving the player a role as a ‘false’ left winger, who could cut in to the box, score goals and drift around to influence proceedings. And it is in this position that Ronaldinho has won two ‘FIFA world-player of the year’ awards in the past three years and become more prolific than ever. It may be tactics that allow a team to use its focal point, but sometimes it is just moments of inspiration. For example, Thierry Henry’s audacious back-heeled finish, having been turned away from goal, and surrounded by a number of Charlton players who were marking him correctly to stop anything normal. But Thierry Henry is not a normal player. Another example is Ronaldinho’s ‘run and see what happens approach’, through his darting dribble into the heart of the Chelsea box, using his raw physical strength to hold off challenges from John Terry among others, before rifling home a shot, which sent Petr Cech the wrong way, thus knocking Chelsea out of the Champions League. Genius is developed as a player grows as experience causes better decision making to occur and a player to become more effective. Technique in all good players is evident, but it is the way it is used and the decision making, both on the pitch and off it is what makes a player great.
True legends are the Dutch 1974 World Cup team, who lead by Johan Cruyff, destroyed opposition, through interchanging positions in what was described as ‘total football’. This prevented any sort of man marking from the opposition, while his vision, of knowing where his team-mates would be also contributed to the cliché of his team being known as ‘the greatest team never to win the cup’. Pele, too had a similar effect in his team in the 1970 World Cup, epitomised by the amazing team play that resulted in Carlos Alberto’s emphatic finish against Italy in the final. A similar move occurred in the 2006 World Cup with Esteban Cambiasso, a defensive midfielder, rounding off a flowing 24-pass move against Serbia & Montenegro. Therefore, genius can also be a team move rather than an individual piece of brilliance.
Culture
The best example of a genius that for all his talent was embroiled in social, health and perhaps fiduciary problems is perhaps the greatest player ever: Diego Maradona. After quarrels with Barcelona’s directors, the player demanded a transfer to SSC Napoli, where he was adored. Genius is also constantly in the spotlight, with the Argentine’s ‘Hand of God’ goal, and later in the 1994 World Cup, he failed a drugs test and was sent home. After his career, he had drug and obesity problems and his residence has fluctuated from various medical clinics to rehabilitation centres. Perhaps the most iconic player of his time, Johan Cruyff, too was in the spotlight, mainly for his footballing talent, from helping ‘Los Cules’ picking apart arch rivals Real Madrid, culminating in a 5-0 thrashing at the Bernabeu, to playing for Ajax, and later arch rivals Feyenoord, leading both clubs to a league and cup double.
Now the greatest players in the world are bought and sold for inflated transfer fees. The Galacticos era at Real Madrid, brought in Figo for £39 million pounds, Zidane for £47 million pounds, Ronaldo for £26 million, among others. The transfer fees for these players, who had the ‘X-Factor’, along with their outlandish wages always kept the genius in the public spotlight. The media-friendly face of the superstars brought in by Florentino Pérez also brought in money from image rights, which the club took in. It is widely believed that in the summer of 2004, Arsenal Invincible Patrick Vieira spurned Real’s advances purely on the fact that due to his lack of marketability, he was offered a lower wage than, for example, David Beckham, who earns millions from a variety of endorsements he has taken aboard. While he was their equal in football terms, the fact that he could not sell shirts meant that he was not deemed worthy of such a high wage. His style of football, which is based more on brute force, rather than finesse, also appears to diminish his marketability.
The North American Soccer League, which formed in 1968 and ran until 1984, had stars such as Pele and Beckenbauer vying against fellow geniuses such as Eusebio. This was the final swansong in most of these players’ careers, with the failure to land the 1986 World Cup in America a major part in its downfall. The majority of the clubs became bankrupt due to the lack of funds and inability to make profit, due to the salaries of the playing staff and low attendance income.
Revolutionaries
The true greats in the game, changed the way it was played, with new tactics, technique and vision. Here are a few legends:
Johan Cruyff is someone who has won 34 titles in his playing and managerial career, He was a general on the pitch, ordering his fellow players around into different positions. As Terence, the Roman poet once wrote ‘fortune favours the brave’, Cruyff, who lead a revolution in the style of football, winning plaudits from all over the world and also owner to a trophy cabinet brimming full of silverware, should know what Terence was talking about. He says he does not regret losing the 1974 World Cup final, stating it made ‘total-football’ more famous than ever. Perhaps trying to recreate its unique style is a great tribute to one of Holland’s greatest players. Only Van Basten and Bergkamp could even come close.
Pele is a name heard in association with the word ‘GOOOOOOOOL’. He should know he’s scored 1281 of them. His technical ability, vision, and his amazing dribbling ability, led Waldemar de Brito, who coached the to-be-legend at a youth club, to tell the Santos directors that Pele, who at the time was 15, would become the greatest player ever. He was certainly true. The player matured over time, winning countless trophies and in 1962, he was announced as a ‘national treasure’ which meant Europe never saw him.
Puskas and Hidegkuti are two halves of a partnership which destroyed England at Wembley. Ferenc Puskas was imprudently written off by the English players as ‘a fat little chap’. Rivalled by Maradona for the award of the greatest left foot in football, his amazing shot, and vision led him to become a great, but as the game becomes more physical, he would not have been able to survive due to his physical condition, which in modern times, would most likely lead him to be criticised as Ronaldo has been in recent times. Nandor Hidegkuti created the half-striker role, where coming in from deep allowed him more time and space to execute his vision with deadly precision. It is because of this that he is a genius.
Franz Beckenbauer: another revolutionary, who changed footballing tactics with his perfection of the role of the ‘libero’. According to Osvalso Ardiles, he was the reason why Cruyff’s Holland failed to win in Germany. A great leader, his technical abilities launched attacks for his teams after clearing up attacks from the opposition through tackling, anticipation, positioning and his exemplary reading of the game.
Alfredo Di Stefano, the original Galactico, and along with a plethora of legends at Los Merengues, he dominated Europe for a period of five years from 1955. He had great strength physically as well as mentally and like most geniuses, he did make his mark in history, being known as the first Total footballer, with his ability to play in any outfield position, before Cruyff had even invented the concept of team total football. He still remains with Real Madrid, now honorary president of the club. The rights to sign the genius widened the gap between the sides who take part in el classico, with the Spanish federation prompting a ban on foreign imports due to this incident. Still all time leading scorer in European football, he averaged almost a goal a game for Real.
Eusebio, another who carried teams on his back to success, it was a pity he could not leave Benfica for a big money move to Inter but again due to political reasons, he was denied a move. A player, who could score freely, from any angle, because he loved football and spent hours after training, harnessing his skills. Rumours of kidnappings by Benfica, to hide him from rival suitors, when he was a youngster arriving from Mozambique, shows how his potential was evident, even before he became a genius.
Maradona made a huge mark in football, through his amazing dribbling ability and unavoidable need to use his hand to score or stop goals as views of the World Cup have found out. Also he was one of the true greats with an outstanding left foot, including Puskas, Riva and Maldini. Genius shines through when the odds are stacked are against one, and Maradona led SSC Napoli to the Serie A title, breaking the monopoly of the richer northern clubs, who usually won it.
Platini had five key attributes: tackling, passing, vision, positioning and goal-scoring. Perhaps his one weakness: his left foot. Luck evaded him in 1982, when Toni Schumacher, a likely idol for Jens Lehmann, was not dismissed after his obvious ‘foul’, which almost certainly stopped France reaching the final. He was perhaps the true great of European football in the 80s.
Zidane is probably the reason why football was called the working man’s ballet. His last great performance was against Brazil in the World Cup of 2006, in his final international tournament. Pervious to this he was on the wane in a Real Madrid side full of overpaid, underachieving Galacticos. The ball was a diamond to Zidane, who could find the thousandth option if you offered him 999. His vision, strength, which helped in shielding the ball, passing, and sheer ability to make players around him seem world class, along with his eternal spotlight in the media, make him a genius.
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