First post on Soccerlens …

Got my first post published on Soccerlens. You can find it here. It is an analysis of Fabio Capello’s record against other top managers in the game and a statistical reality check on if England are shooting themselves in the foot by hiring him.

England out of Euro 2008

Getting burnt a couple of times makes most learn. Not so for dear Steve Mclaren. And thanks to his superhuman naivety England are out of Euro 2008. Of course, I am not taking anything away from the players themselves who looked like a bunch of emasculated oxen trying to chase down a flying ball of hay or something.

In the not to so distant past England finally seemed to be on the path to its best days of football. Two 3-0 nil victories at home, and Russia to face on the road. Expectations were high. But Guus Hiddink seemed to have not read the script and put ice cold water from Volga on the flaming manes of the English Lions. All was lost. Surely, a team that had grounded the mighty English would beat the poor Israeli’s. But over the last decade and a half, Israel has shown the world that talent and resources really do not count for too much if you have heart. And thus, England’s destiny was back in its own hands; draw with Croatia, the group leaders, and go merrily singing, dancing and drinking beer to Switzerland.

But on this fateful day, Mclaren had a fit of amnesia or something and promptly forgot that if Gerrard and Lampard played together they seem more like petulant children arguing about their playing positions rather than actually playing. The excellent Gareth Barry, who had combined brilliantly with Gerrard in the centre of the midfield in the last few matches, suddenly did not know where to pass. Of course, the flying wingers, ‘am-better-than-Becham-SWP and ‘can-play-on-the-left-Joe Cole did add to the mess, with the latter marginally better than the former. Which is not saying much! The defence ravaged by injuries and suspensions was playing together for the first time and if combined with the one-match old goal keeper seemed a recipe for leaking goals.Why England on their home ground would play 4-5-1 (or was it 4-3-3), I failed entirely to understand. Of course, Mclaren could illuminate us on that. Or maybe he will point to the fact that England scored 2 goals and that they gave away 3 was just bad luck due to defensive injuries.

England actually does have very decent players. None of their players are truly world class, in the league of a Kaka or Zidane (no, really no, Gerrard, Lampard & Rooney do not fall in the same category) but most of them are in the better-than-average category. What they needed is a coach who understands their strengths and designs his strategy on it. Football has gone well past the days when you put your best players on the pitch and expected that they deliver. One needs to have a plan and keep refining it over time. With players having limited period with the national team to train these strategies cannot be conjured overnight and perfected. Sadly, Mclaren never seemed to have one.

Hopefully, after this defeat we will see the hugely inflated egos of the English players shriveling as if they were dipped into liquid nitrogen or something and the reams of paper wasted on elucidating the talents of Lampard, Gerrard and co kept to a minimum. Thats really is not wishing for a lot, rather than something like England qualify for Euro 2008, is it?

Manchester United – The next season

With Sir Alex’s summer spending all but done it is time now to speculate how (formations/personnel) will turn up in the coming season. Apart from the summer arrivals (Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson) the other players I see getting into the first team squad are Rossi, Foster and Pique. Evans after  his productive stay in Sunderland, he might be a possible entry but I see him being loaned out again to a first division side either in England or elsewhere. There might be some outbound traffic too: O’Shea, Saha, Smith, Fletcher, Richardson, Heinze, Silvestre have all been linked to one club or the other. My guess is that we will let go Richardson (with Eagles coming up the ranks), Bardsley and one of Fletcher/O’Shea/Heinze/Silvestre. Heinze for one has been strongly linked to certain top clubs but unless he wants to go I don’t see him departing. There are still rumors about one more striker (Anelka/Huntelaar/Torres) coming in and you never say never in football but for practical purposes the squad is now settled.

Primary Squad

Goalkeepers: Edwin Van Der Sar, Ben Foster, Tomas Kuscack

Defenders: Gary Neville, Wes Brown, Nemanja Vidic, Rio Ferdinand, Gerard Pique, Gabriel Heinze (??), Mikael Silvestre (??), Patrice Evra

Midfielders: Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Michael Carrick, Owen Hargreaves, Darren Fletcher (??), John O’Shea (??), Christiano Ronaldo, Nani, Anderson, Park Ji-Sung

Forwards: Wayne Rooney, Guiseppe Rossi, Alan Smith, Ole Gunnar Solsjkaer, Louis Saha

Formations

As in this season, I think SAF will work with the 4-4-2 or the 4-2-3-1 formations primarily. I see the later being utilized primarily in European competitions where retention of the ball is important in all areas of the pitch. Wide men in both formations will be switching flanks giving greater mobility to the side.

4-4-2

(Van Der Sar/Foster)

(Neville/Brown)     (Ferdinand/Vidic/Pique/Brown/Heinze/Silvestre)    (Heinze/Evra/Silvestre)

(Ronaldo/Nani/Park)    (Carrick/Hargreaves/Fletcher/Scholes)    (Giggs/Ronaldo/Anderson)

(Rooney/Rossi)     (Smith/Saha/Ole)

4-2-3-1

(Van Der Sar/Foster)

(Neville/Brown)     (Ferdinand/Vidic/Pique/Brown/Heinze/Silvestre)    (Heinze/Evra/Silvestre)

(Hargreaves/Fletcher)   (Scholes/Carrick)

(Ronaldo/Nani/Park) (Rooney/Anderson/Giggs) (Giggs/Ronaldo/Anderson)

(Rooney/Saha/Rossi)

Key Decisions

The key decisions for SAF would not be the formations but the personnel employed primarily because certain players would not see themselves as mere squad players. I see 4 key areas:

1. Foster or Van Der Saar: Foster has had a outstanding season on loan. And Van Der Saar definitely looked slippery towards the later part in the season. Is Van Der Saar still the number one or is Foster capable enough to take over?

2. Anderson & Nani: Both of the new players were first team members in their old clubs. While they might have to still learn lots and adapt to the Premiership, they would not be content in sitting on the bench most of the time. Where and how to bring them in will decide how effective they are.

3. Giggs & Scholes: When to play them and when to rest them? If Nani and Anderson gel well with the team, does the superior experience of these guys merit them a place in the team. All the while considering that they probably don’t have the legs to play all matches in the entire season.

4. Hit-man: Rooney needs space to operate and is not an ideal hit man. How reliable is Saha? Or is Rossi capable enough to endure the physical nature of the Premiership?

Milan again :)

Two years earlier with a heavy heart I wrote this.

Today’s Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool was anything but like the 2005 one. And not only because it was Milan who finally won. But because in no point of the game did we see the classy Milan of 2005 who in the first half made Liverpool look like schoolboys (they did show some of that stuff against Man U though … and how I hated them for that) and because at no point did Liverpool look like a side that would snatch away victory because they wanted to. But then this is two years later.

The funny thing is that both teams started out (and continued through most of the match) as if they were playing the game a day after that fated day in May, 2005. Liverpool were wary of allowing Milan the space in middle to exploit and started out with three central midfielders in Xabi, Mascherano and Gerrard. Milan on the other hand seemed too busy looking over their shoulders if Liverpool were on the warpath like the last time. Like a chess match where both players expect the other to make the first bold move this became a cagey affair.

Pippo Inzaghi’s freakish half time goal seemed to have injected some fluidity into the match but with Gerrard probably cursing himself still for the most important miss of his career. If he he had put the ball past Dida, who knows what would have happened. What ultimately happened was that Super Pippo (Sir Alex once described him as “born offside”) latched onto a Kaka through ball before superbly rounding off the Reina and rolling the ball into the goal. As a result, Dirk Kuyt’s goal at the 88th minute remained only a consolation.

In 2005, I wrote:

The saddest part about the whole episode was that Paolo Maldini will probably not see another final to make up for this loss

How wrong was I and how glad am I that I was wrong. One of the true greats of the game, Maldini richly deserves his fifth European cup medal. And now that it is confirmed that he is staying for the next year, I will be wary of making similar conclusions again. But then probably this game showed why fans and pundits alike will always put a Zidane or a Maradona ahead of a Maldini in the lists of greatest ever.

Finally ManU!!!

The last three premier league seasons have been fairly painful for me as a ManU fan. Primarily because we did not even have a chance. It started off with that magical we-can’t-lose-ever season by Arsenal and was followed by the two don’t-you-even-dare-to-touch-the-title seasons by Chelsea under the special one. So it is no surprise that I am elated as a ManU fan that we won the title this year.

While the core of the side has remained more or less the same, the couple of new players Sir Alex got in the winter last year have proven their worth over this campaign. Nemanja Vidic was an absolute rock in the heart of the defense, while Patrice Evra grew ever more confident in defending the left side of the pitch as the season went on (to the extent that Heinze was reduced to a bit part player). And finally, Christiano Ronaldo, showed why some people were raving and ranting about him for the better part of the last three years. However, the most significant additions to the squad would probably be the introduction of Michael Carrick and the return of Paul Scholes. United’s midfield has been threadbare over the last few years. These two formed a partnership at the center of the park which allowed Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs to showcase their attacking talents. Scholes this season is almost back to his best (though his tackling has not improved a wee bit) demonstrated by that cheeky lob for the second goal against Milan at OT. Carrick widely considered unworthy of the 18 million pounds tag has quietly and efficiently stamped his authority on the center of the pitch. Detractors say he is no Roy Keane – but then he brings different qualities to the pitch that are equally beneficial to the team. Thankfully, these two remained fit for most of the season.

However, I have to say also that we have been extremely lucky this season. Before the season started, the major crib against the ManU team was that the squad was too threadbare. While the first team was as good as any other, the substitutes bench did not evoke any sense of confidence. The fact that none of the major first team players suffered lengthy injuries allowed this dimension to remain hidden for most of season. Towards the end, when the entire first choice defense was out everyone realized how thin the bench strength is. And apaarently in defense we were well covered. The second lacunae in the team is the lack of an out-&-out striker in the mold of RVN. With the absence of one, Rooney was even more tightly marked than ever and he got very little space in the games to work his magic. The below-par season for him cannot only be attributed to his bad form. The lack of a regular strike partner is also to blame. Louis Saha has been a major disappointment this season. Reports of his not willing to play through some pain were confounding because this season was his great chance to cement his place in a great team and convince his national team manager of his worth. He sadly, did not see it that way.

Also all the potential title challengers had quite a few things to worry about. Arsenal were without their talisman Henry and quite a few senior players for most of the season. That coupled with their playing at the new Emirates stadium ensured that the unsure start to the season defined the entire season. Chelsea on the other hand, faced a number of issues: injuries, player tantrums and the standoff between the owner and the manager. While each contributed in some way to their “relatively” staid showing this year, the absence of Peter Cech and John Terry was the single most important factor in their losing the crown. Liverpool, on the other hand, IMO lack the quality to maintain the sustained challenge necessary for winning the EPL. The tactical nous of Benitez assures them success where playoffs are concerned but winning a league with the opponent knowing all your moves is not something they are good at.

However, all said and done, we cannot take anything away from the entire ManU squad who showed tremendous grit and passion to win this title. The number of match-changing goals they scored in the last five minutes of games this season is probably the best testament for their never-say-die attitude and makes winning this title a sweet one for all of us who support this club.

Technorati Tags: soccer, Manchester United, English Premier League

Soccer Roundup

Yeah I know!! ManU are not good. Wait till the Chelsea machine kicks into gear. Wait till two players get injured. Heck, I am already waiting for the end of the season. And yes this post has been long in the works. It should have ideally come a lot earlier.

Anyway as the Premiership table stands today, ManU are a neat 6 points ahead of Chelsea. I will not attribute this lead solely to abilities of the Red Devils. Chelsea have lost the hunger to win that was evident in the last two seasons. Only Drogba and Essien, and when fit Terry seem to retain that self-belief. Whether it is due to Ballack and Shevchenko coming in or the boardroom chess game that Mourinho, Arnesen, Kenyon and Abrahmovich seem to be playing or the injuries to key players (Cole, Terry) is inconsequential. The results on the pitch are of consequence and Chelsea seem to be faltering there. Teams face Chelsea and believe that they can win. They now play their best games against Chelsea and not ManU. And yes, all this has helped ManU. But it could have helped Liverpool or Arsenal also.

Liverpool apart from a envious troika in the midfield, are IMHO a bloated squad of average performers. It is difficult to pick out one world class player in a position other than the midfield. Though they probably have a home record as good as Chelsea and ManU, this has hit them hard in the away matches. Arsenal is completely different story. Firstly, they are a squad in transition much like ManU a couple of years earlier. Coupled with Wenger’s stubborn refusal to buy, the entire squad with the exception of Henry and few other veterans is composed entirely of tyros. And each of them is not a new Cesc Fabregas. Another reason, for their below par season would the shift to the new stadium with a pitch considerably larger than at Highbury. Arsenal’s passing game requires a great understanding of the playing space and this was clearly lacking in the early season. I am counting Arsenal to be back in the reckoning next year at the earliest and the next to next at the latest.

Coming to ManU, all pieces have fallen into place at the right time. Scholes is back; almost as good as he was at the turn of the century. Ronaldo is in the form of his life, which greatly compensates for Rooney’s insipid form this season. Ferdinand and Vidic have formed a partnership that is now being compared with the legendary duo of Gary Pallister and Steve Bruce. And finally Carrick is in, forming with Scholes a central midfield partnership that is as good as any in the Premiership. And finally, apart from Giggs, Scholes and Neville the first eleven at Old Trafford has hardly won anything. The hunger is clearly there to be seen (lately though, ManU have squandered a few golden opportunities to make their lead at the top of the table unassailable). Even though, ManU is still short of one more quality midfielder (Owen Hargreaves/Scott Parker) and a decent backup left winger, the squad does have the rest of the positions covered with Larsson on loan and Solskjaer back to full fitness. The season however is far from complete and many things can still happen with United still to play Chelsea and Liverpool away. But what the heck, Rooney is still to fire all cylinders.

Elsewhere, Spanish Liga is taking very interesting shape with the top spot hosting three teams. Barcelona have been hit hard by the injuries to Eto and Messi. Combined with Ronaldinho’s dip of form (notwithstanding the rediscovery of Saviola), suddenly the all conquering machine does not look that menancing though they continue to lead the charts. Real Madrid are a far cry from the strutting kings they were a few years before. The squad now resembles a racing car made out of junkyard parts. However they managed to sign three of the most promising South American youngsters and the next year might mark a turning point for them. But, right now they are so wracked by internal troubles that non one remembers that they are at the top three in the table with a very realistic chance of winning the league. The surprise package however are Sevilla who have played the most consistently and have amongst them some of players that bigger clubs all around Europe are itching to sign on. Even if Sevilla wins the Liga, will it be enough to prevent the great sale. Only time will tell. And finally 6 points adrift of the league leaders are Valencia, who have been terribly unlucky with injuries and Atletico Madrid, who seem to finally coming out of their under performing shells.

Calcio has been a one horse race with Juve going down to Serie B and Milan starting with a heavy deficit and a creaking squad. Roma and Palermo just do not have the financial muscle of Inter to build a team capable of challenging for the Scudetto. So 2006 has been Inter’s year, though many had given up the hope of any semblance of competition even before the season began.

Finally, the Champions League. No major upsets, with all the usual suspects in the knock-out stages. It is here that the fun really begins but for that we would have to wait for a few weeks more.

Technorati Tags: soccer, premiership, ManU

Farewell Puskas

Few sportsmen become stars. But very few amongst them become the symbol of an era and a nation. Ferenc “Galloping Major” Puskas was one such sportsman. He will remain always the icon and the mascot of the great Hungarian team of the 50s. The one that defeated England at Wembley. The team that showed the world what Total footbal was before Rinus Michels even coined the term. The team that would probably beat the Oranje under Cruyff as the best team not win the world cup. The Magical Magyars.

Puskas was short, stocky, barrel chested and overweight for most of his life. He could not head and could play with one foot. His right was worst than Beckham’s left. But apart from that he was magificient. Blessed with probably the best left foot in the history of soccer, Puskas was also blessed with that rare asset; a supreme footballing brain.

Of all of us, he was the best. He had a seventh sense for soccer. If there were 1,000 solutions, he would pick the 1,001st.
[Hungarian team-mate, Nandor Hidegkuti]

Captaining the “Magical Magyars”, he conquered all before him before falling to West Germany in the finals of the 1954 World Cup. 20 years later the same West Germany would cause the demise of the Total Football Oranje. The thwarted Hungarian revolution, caused the disbandment of this great team and for some years Puskas roamed around Europe trying to play footbal till he was signed by Santiago Bernebau to play in the “Dream Team” of Real Madrid. Playing with Alfredo Di Stefano, Gento and Kopa Puskas went on to conquer Europe all over again winning the first five editions of European Cup. Puskas won everything that a player could in a lifetime but the wish to lift the World Cup made him play for Spain in the 1966 edition (12 years after his first WC) but he was 35 at that time and clearly was not at his best. The ultimate prize eluded him.

After his playing days were over he took up coaching where his finest moment came in guiding Panathainikos to the European cup finals loosing to the great Ajax team of early seventies. He was seeing the birth of Total football as we know today. But his proudest monent was probably when he went back to Hungary in 1993 to become the caretaker manager of the national team. The hero finally returned home. On his homecoming he said,

When I left Hungary and received the FA and Fifa ban, I swore to myself I would never return. I felt bitter at such treatment, after so many years giving my best for the nation. But after 25 years I did go home. When I arrived at the airport it was packed with people who gave me the most warm welcome I could wish for. It was unbelievable. There were people screaming and shouting as if a pop star had arrived. As soon as I could, I visited the Kispest cemetery where the graves of my parents lay. I had never visited my mother’s before.[Puskas on Puskas]

In this day when soccer stars are for us beings from another galaxy, Puskas is remembered by those who knew him first and foremost as a good human being.

Although he was a famous footballer he seemed very normal compared to today’s modern stars.
He lived in a modest flat below ours and was very generous. He often brought home footballs from training for the kids in the block to play with.
[A former neighbour in Madrid]

Just how good was Puskas? I have never seen him play apart from the video clips and one full match of that magical evening in Hampden Park where Real Madrid played the greatest game of soccer. But in all he did one thing stood out. He was not the fastest nor had the most fancy tricks in his repertoire. Nevertheless he had the mark of a truely great player, to do the simple things simply; a trait that many of the superstars of tomorrow would do well to imbibe. And those who have seen him play or have played with or against him put him in the bracket of the best the world has seen. The opinion of Stanley Matthews and Alfredo Di Stefano is good enough for me.

technorati tags:soccer

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West Ham Argies …

Last season when this club bought a player for 7m pounds, eyebrows were raised and questions were asked if Dean Ashton was worth the highest transfer fee in the club’s history.

The same club in the final days of the just concluded transfer season managed to bag two of the hottest properties in world football; the minimum market estimate of whose transfers is in excess of 30m pounds. Tevez and Mascherano have been touted for some years as the future of Argentinian football (yeah Messi and Aguero have taken the mantle). At 22 years of age they are young; have already represented their country in the world cups and performed at all levels of the game. 30m combined for these two is definitely not a overestimation.

So where did West Ham get the money for them; especially considering that the Russian oil roubles and the Old Trafford war chest both fell short.

I would personally would have like to see Marscherano more than Tevez in ManU but atleast now I can see him playing week in week out.

Update: Soccerlens provides this link; dirt on MSI, Russian money and a worldwide cartel in football are the key words. Is fun to read these consipracy theories.

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Farewell Legends …

Zinedine Zidane. Dennis Bergkamp. One an artist. The other a surgeon. Both visionaries with intelligence, guile and skill far above their contemporaries, destined to shine in the pantheon of stars of the beautiful game long after they have left the pitch.

The precocious talent of Zinedine Zidane was first spotted by Cannes FC after Olympique Marseille did not deem him good enough. It was at Juventus however that he made his name. The schemer of the Juventus team of late 90s that reached 3 Champion league finals and won 3 Scudetti, Zidane was acknowledged in Turin and Paris as the true heir to the legacy of Michel Platini. His exquisite control on the ball, his comfort in running with it and his ability to shoot implied that for a decade nothing scared defenders more than Zizou with the ball at his feet. With him, magic was just a touch away. He made things happen. The flicks, the turns, the chips, the volleys will all be remembered for both their skills as well as the audacity of their execution.

Louis Van Gaal, Bergkamp’s coach at Ajax termed him a shadow striker. A more apt term cannot be conjured for him. Notwithstanding his ability to shoot at the goal from anywhere and probably the best first touch in contemporary soccer, he did as much with the ball as he did without it. He would appear out of nowhere in open spaces and thread his passes through nonexistent gaps. His ability to read the game implied that he set up more goals than he scored (not counting the goals he facilitated pulling defenders out of position with his intelligent running). Aspiring strikers might well compulsarily be made to see the videos of Bergkamp’s games to understand what being a complete striker means.

And yet how different their farewells to the sport were. Bergkamp signed off with a testimonal match in the new home of Arsenal, Emirates Stadium, between Arsenal and Ajax. Zidane went out in disgrace on a red card for headbutting a player in the World Cup finals. While Zidane has all the honours that a professional footballer can achieve, Bergkamp goes out a legend at Arsenal, with fans demanding to retire his number 10 shirt. While Zidane became a Galactico making a strong team stronger, Bergkamp preferred to cement his place amongst the Arsenal faithful by being instrumental in bringing their glory days back.

When asked to make a dream team, I tend to prefer including players I have seen play over the legends whom I, by my misfortune of being born in early 80s, have never seen. In any such list I make, these names will figure at the very top. They will remain the players watching whom I grew to love the game of football.

Italia, ‘90 to Germany, ‘06 – A journey

My first memory of a soccer match is the shocker that Cameroon gave the world when it defeated an Argentinian team with the Diego Maradona in Italia, ‘90. There was an all pervading sense of shock – how can a team with Maradona lose? For by that time, he was to the world probably the greatest footballer who ever lived; one who had single handedly taken Argentina to the ultimate prize four years earlier in Mexico. I did not know this at that time; I remember wondering what the fuss was all about.

Having finished Standard 3, I was all nine years of age and in the middle of a rather boring summer vacation. The daily digests of the matches at Italia ‘90, that came at around 10:00 or 10:30 p.m. every night were the only variance in the monotone of those days of sweltering heat. I followed the nightly digests with almost religious regularity. I remember very little of those viewings; but I do remember two things very clearly: Argentina (Maradona, Goycoechea) and Cameroon (Roger Milla). Tolstoy said, in War and Peace, that generals sitting in their tents might make make all the plans they want, but in the end the battle is decided not by their plans but by the soldiers fighting on the field; with all their machinations the generals have no way of knowing how the soldiers are going to fight. No truer statement could be made for football. And I believe it is this fact that generates the passion for the game; for there is always hope. The fan can dream till the end for that one magical moment which would turn the match in his sides’ favour.

By USA’ 94, I was not only four years older, I was infiniely more educated in matters concerning football. This was also the first time that I wasgetting to see the games live for which I woke up early in the mornings (5 a.m.)  and stayed up late in the night. And this is the only time I saw Maradona play live. The match against Greece will remain forever etched in memory as will be the dejected look on the face of the Argentine players going out to Romania. During those days I used to play football on the road, barefoot, with friends. On the day of the final we had a game with one team as Brazil and the other Italy; game was tied 1-1, when the sun set and the match was decided on penalties. Brazil won. I was in the Italian team.

France, 98. I had just finished 11th class and was preparing for JEE, the most important examination, I was told, I would ever give. It was a tough time. I was looking forward to WC but my parents were not too happy with my spending the time in front of the television. I watched all the matches till the Italy-France quarters after which Mom literally put a curfew on the television. I missed the great quarter-final between Argentina and Holland and missed Dennis Bergkamp getting his last minute wonder goal. I remember straining my ears to hear the commentary coming from neighbouring house, trying to piece together from incoherent words and snatches of conversation the happenings of the match. I was back for the semifinals and finals though, seeing the the great Zizou powering France a hapless Brazil.

2002, Korea and Japan. During a WC held nearest to home, I was furthest away from it. In the summer of 2002, I was doing my internship at INRIA near Paris. Watching matches was again tough since I had to be in the office by 10:00 a.m. and left the place only after 6:00 p.m..  I saw most of the 7 a.m. matches there, and some of the 10:00 a.m. and the 1:00 p.m. (including the Argentina vs england tie) ones. It was tough on the weekdays. I would perenially tracking the scores at some website while at work. But it was a different matter on the weekends. I would watch all the matches and for some of the matches, including the final I went to the Palace De Ville to watch it on the big screen put there. Seeing a match in between so many people, was a completely different experience. It was more like rock concert than a football match. And despite Kahnian antics, Brazil with Ronaldo sporting a hairstyle more suited probably for certain other parts of the human anatomy toom away the cup. Anyway Argentina, the team I had supported since 1994, were out in the first round so I had no one to really support.

And so onto now. Germany, ‘06. Let the games begin and the journey continue.

Technorati Tags: soccer, world cup 2006

Viva la Argentina …

Yeah, I know Brazil are the favourites; and that ever since 1986, when the Hand and Feet of God performed in sync, there has been only disappointment. Anyway past history is not going to stop me from favouring the team with talents of Riquelme, Aimar, Messi and Tevez in it’s ranks.

The team itself looks balanced: except ofcourse the Zanetti fiasco. I still cannot understand how Pekerman could leave Javier Zanetti behind and take Lionel Scaloni in his place. There are arguements saying that since Scaloni can play in midfield or defense, he is a better bet. Utter rubbish !!! There are few wingbacks other than Zanetti who have so much attecking verve and yet are resolute in defense. I believe Zanetti’s omission has more to do with player dynamics rather than individual talent or team strategy. Of course all will be forgotten if Peker-boys come out looking good. But still it is a sad ending to one of Argentina’s longest serving players, who is still performing at the highest levels.

Other than that, I think the Confederation Cup final against Brazil showed that a 3 man defense is not a great idea when the other team has players who can hit you fast and sharp on the counter. So we would probably be seeing a standard 4-man defense with 2 central defenders (Ayala, Heinze) and two wingbacks (Sorin, Colcocinni/Scaloni???).

It is in midfield and attack that Pekerman has his tactical playground. He can go either with: a) 4-3-1-2,  b) 4-2-1-3 or c) 4-2-2-2 formation. It would depend on the opposition as to which of these is actually employed but against a team like Brazil, I would prefer (c), with two genuine playmakers playing behind the 2 strikers. Of, course if Pekerman is feeling adventurous he could still go for a 3-3-2-2 or 3-3-1-3 formation, bringing in another midfielder for a defender; but that looks unlikely.

The defense being accounted for we turn to the midfield, where Mascherano and Cambiasso are set to start with Juan Roman Riquelme as the schemer. In formation (a) we would have mostly Lucho providing some extra defensive cover. In (c) we would have Pablo Aimar playing alongside Riquelme; an ambitious formation with two gifted playmakers, both of whom are not great defensively.

In a front 2 lineup, there would be crespo as the hitman with Tevez/Saviola playing just off him. The front 3 formation would probably see Saviola/Tevez, Crespo/Tevez/Cruz and Messi lining up. I personally am of the opinion that in a front 3 scenario it should be Tevez in the middle, flanked by Saviola and Messi. Crespo is not that great running with the ball or shielding it.

The team’s greatest drawback I think lies in its lack of genuine width; with this crop of players the play will go through the centre. Crespo as a striker thrives on crosses and wing-play; while Tevez, Messi, Saviola, Riquelme, Aimar, his attacking foils, all prefer cutting in and chipping the ball or sliding through a pass. The onus is defnitely on Sorin to provide some bite on one side of the pitch atleast and this is where Zanetti will be sorely missed.

Notwithstanding the Group of Death, this team has the talent and balance to go through to atleast the semis; I of course would be backing it to win the cup itself.

Technorati Tags: soccer, world cup 2006, argentina

Barcelona FC WINS Champions League 2006 :)

If the just concluded Champions League final would be remembered in history it would not be for the players but for the referee – Terje Hauge. The Norwegian disallowed a Barca goal and sent an Arsenal player off because Lehmann the gunners’ goalie had fouled Eto before Guily had slotted the ball home. By the rules, he was right; an infringement has to identified immediately and play stops there; the foul was genuine and Lehmann was the last man; straight red. This however ensured that a possibly great football spectacle was ruined.

Thierry Henry post match comments clearly indicated that the referee had somehow cheated Arsenal and its fans. I agree that Puyol and Marquez did misjudge their tackles on him once each, but he was definitely not kicked around as he seems to think. On the contrary the free kick that resulted in the goal, was result of a blatant dive by Eboue. That probably was the biggest mistake the referee did. I was also fairly pissed off at the way the commentators were casting aspersions on the character of the referee throughout the match. I felt like I was having a really good steak with a bad sauce.

But let us not take anything away from the Blaugrana. Though Frank Rijkaard probably got his initial formation – Eto on the left and Ronaldinho in the centre – and selection – Van Bommel/Edmilson in place of Iniesta – wrong, his substitutions were perfect. Larsonn gave a man of the match performance coming off from the bench while the introduction of Iniesta steadied up the midfield to a great extent. And another sub Belleti scored the winner; his first in a Barcelona shirt. Though the backline looked shaky and the stars, Ronaldinho, Eto, Deco et all, did not impress it just shows the depth of the squad that players of Larson’s calibre come off the bench.

And full credit to Arsenal too; though the free kick was not really one, they made the most out of it and defended very well to keep the Rolandinho and Co. out till almost the 80th minute. But by then their superhuman effort was starting to take a toll. They fought with 10 men, backs to the wall, and almost came within sniffing distance of the title only to see their dreams snuffed out. They will go out as proud (and a little bit sore) losers.

But looking at the entire match I believe Barca was the better team, especially in the second half and the best team won.

Technorati Tags: soccer, champions league

Analysis of England’s WC Squad …

Soccer weblog has here, a very comprehensive review of England’s squad for the WC.

I differ with the analysis above on a few points,

a. Unless Rooney starts England are much better starting with 5 in the middle and leaving Owen (if fit) or Crouch to plough the lone furrow ahead. This will allow for the inclusion of a specialist defensive midfielder – Carrick and will free up Gerard and Lampard to make runs into the box from the middle as they do so successfully for their clubs all season.

b. One cannot have two players (forget top class) for each position. The argument of the defense (especially the right side) being undercovered sounds too much of a concotion. One can always create a hypothetical situation for failure.

c. However taking both Jenas and Hargreaves was overkill in the midfield and he should have opted more one more striker – one who has been regularly pumping in goals this season i.e. Bent.

Other than this I should say the analysis is spot on.

Technorati Tags: soccer, world cup 2006

EPL 2005 – 2006 : A lookback …

What happened and how it happened was what everybody expected; Chelsea won the English Premier League title. They became the first side to successfully defend their title after ManU. Though this was expected by many, some hopeful ones (including yours truely) had hoped that at least one of the other pretenders to the throne would push Chelsea to their limits. Sadly this was not the case; such was their dominance that people were talking of any challenge being over ahead of Christmas.

The incredible achievements of Chelsea FC are as much due to their owner and godfather Roman Abrahmovich, as due to their dour steward Jose Mourinho. After Mourinho took over they have yet to lose a match at home in the league. Though Chelsea pay millions, most of the time outbidding the rest of the suitors, for players they want, rarely have they gone for so called stars. Instead the team is built around people such as Terry, Makalele and Lampard who, talented as they might be, are not Beckhams. It also helps that Mourinho has fostered a seige mentality in the team: mostly by making them feel that everyone hates them because they are so good. After winning their second consecutive title the focus for this team next year has to be Champions League where they went out this year to Barcelona FC. With Michael Ballack coming in, Chelsea might be finally signing their first star. And their search for a top quality striker continues with Shevchenko again being consistently linked with them. However there might some warning bells for this team. News is that, Gallas and Carvalho are going out of the club this summer, which basically takes out half of their water-tight defense. However one can be fairly sure that with the money from Russia, the stars may never – or in the very near future – stop shining down on Stamford Bridge.

Arsenal can also, finally, feel happy about their season. Their amazing run to the finals in the Champions League notwithstanding there was always a doubt that they might not achieve the fourth position and qualify for CL automatically next season. The departure of Patrick Viera alongwith injuries to several first team regulars hit them really hard in the first half of the season. However their hero in the final season at Highbury has to be the 17 year old Spaniard – Cesc Fabgregas. Given the task to fill Viera’s, rather large, boots the young gunner admirably shouldered the burden. Especially in Europe where he gets a little more time on the ball he bas been stunning. And while in the first half of EPL he looked like being physically cowed down, after Christmas he looked already like seasoned pro. More than Ronaldo, more than Messi, and I would say more than Rooney, he is the player to look out for in the next decade. Next season the Gunners are moving to their new stadium at Ashburton Grove, but the catch is they might do so without Thierry Henry, who has been their talisman. Also almost certainly they are also going to move without Dennis Bergkamp, who in my opinion is amongst the most graceful and intelligent players ever to grace the football turf – a true legend of our times. With him gone,  football would lose not a player but an artiste, or as Arsene Wenger calls him, a scientist. However even with their CL successes, next year might be too soon to to expect this young Arsenal team to achieve the Premiership crown.

Both Manchester United and Liverpool do not give me too much write about. They were neither too good nor too bad. However both of the clubs finished the season strongly inspiring some hope that next year it will be a tighter affair with Chelsea. While Sir Alex in Manchester has to look for atleast one top class midfielder in the summer, Rafa Benitez on Merseyside has to balance his strike force. Both the sides are approaching a maturing period as far as teams go and the next couple of years might be theirs if the proper ingredients are thrown into the mix. Personally as a fan of ManU I would like to see one or more of Diarra, Mascherano, Michael Carrick or Daniele De Rossi in the midfield of the Old Trafford side next season.

If you are a Spur’s fan, you would still be nursing a broken heart – so close and yet so far – that elusive Champions League spot. While arch rivals Gunners nicked the 4th position from them on the last day, they should look back at this season with satisfaction. Martin Jol has in a short period been able to build a team that looks destined for greater things. They like Arsenal are young and their game is a mixture of European finesse mixed with British directness. With Michael Dawson, Ledley King at the back, Michael Carrick, Jermain Jenas in the middle and Aaron Lennon bursting down the right wing they have quality players everywhere on the pitch and their performance this season is not a flash in the pan in my opinion. While they may not have a really top class striker (with due respects to Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe) at the moment, Martin Jol should be looking to correct that in the summer market. Next season I believe they will push for a top four finish again.

Last season it was Everton, this season it was Wigan. Everybody’s favourite bet at the start of the season to get relegated, Wigan stunned both their detractors and supporters alike by finishing in the top half of the table. Coming from a place known more for its pies than for soccer clubs and where Rugby overshadows soccer; a team shorn of any players with Premiership experience and built by picking relative unknowns from second divison club sides this is not an achievement to be mocked at. With all his successes I do not think even Jose Mourinho would be rueful if Paul Jewell were to be given the Manager of the Year award by PFA. They epitomized teamwork and showed sides like Middlesbrough that buying costly players only does not ensure success. Sadly though the team is starting to scatter away, with their top performers – Jimmy Bullard and Pascal Chimbonda – planning to move to richer pastures.

Though Chelsea won the crown fairly comfortably in what seemed like a one horse race, other teams showed enough to give me hope that maybe next year there will be more people fighting for the top honours. And itself is a good thing for football.

Technorati Tags: football, soccer

Nerazzuri bite the dust … again …

It must be maddening to be an Inter fan. Every season starts with the exit of some big names, the entry of others and a renewed hope that this is the year when Inter show the world what a great team they are. Sadly for Inter fans, they have to hope for the next year now after being dumped out by a plucky Villareal side inspired by the Argentine playmaker Juan Roman Riquelme.

After having lost out to Juventus in the Serie A race, Inter’s only hope of some credible silverware was in Europe. They probably had the easiest route (if there is anything like that in football) to semi-finals of Champions League facing a depleted Ajax and debutants Villareal in the knockout rounds. They dispatched the young Ajax team out of Europe with some authority, sparking genuine hopes in their fans that maybe there is still light at the end of tunnel. And yet again for them it was the headlights of an onrushing train which crushed a disjoint and underperforming Inter team at the El Madrigal today.

What is frustrating about Inter is the inconsistency of their star players. Adriano looks like the shadow of the player he was a year back when defenses fell apart with his charging runs. Figo, Stankovic, Veron, Martins, Recoba – all stars and matchwinners on their day were merely lumbering around the pitch today, seemingly with thoughts more important than the match occupying their heads. And the coach Roberto Mancini clearly had no plan B in case his first choice lineup failed to work. Compared to the compact Villareal team they looked pedestrian and had it not been for their goalie Toldo the margin of defeat would have been much heavier than the final 1 – 0.

So what should Inter do?

First and foremost build a team. One thing I see lacking in Italian football is a willingness to give a manager or coach the time and resources to build a team. This requires both the management and the fans to look beyond the next season. All the great teams who have made their marks were built over a period of 3-4 years before their greatest show. And the building block of a great team is a coach who believes in building one and not assembling one. Inter have to look no further than their own team in 1960s under the
legendary Hellenio Herrara (the coach who made catenaccio fashionable).
Today, one has to look over to England to see examples of such individuals – Mourinho, Benitez, Sir Alex, Arsene Wenger – they all have their own footballing philosophies but the common link is that they believe that a team is dish to be cooked and not a salad to be put together. In the continent, there are Paul Le Guen, erstwhile of Olympique Lyon and in future of Rangers or Frank Rijkaard leading the second Barcelona revolution.

Or maybe the easiest thing would be to take a lesson from Manuel Pellegrini, the coach of the current Villareal side – one of the smallest in Spain and now in the semis of CL in their maiden appearance. I think, there is no better example of a team being more than the sum of the individuals than Villareal.

Technorati Tags: soccer

Theatre and football

Playacting. Diving. Rolling around as if you are going to die. Call it whatever. Its probably the ugliest facet of soccer; the current offside rule notwithstanding.

Lionel Messi, is the new name in the unholy pantheon of stars who seems to have perfected the skills so necessary in theatre and cinema. However it would be naive to blame only the 18 year old; who at this moment is probably the most talented of all the teenage sensations. It is more a failure of the soccer officialdom and mostly the backroom staff at clubs than individual players.

Jose Mourinho, the special one, immediately branded Messi as a cheat and actor in his after match comments. Of course, he had been completely blind a few weeks before when Arjen Robben – yet another brilliant player – managed to get Liverpool goalkeeper Reina sent off for nothing. Or the fact that the Porto side he trained before his current assignment had acting superstars in form of Deco and Carlos Alberto, so instrumental in getting Manchester United out of CL 2 years ago.

I will not judge whether the challenge on Messi was justification enough for a red. What is more important is this developing culture of coaches and players to blame it on the refs when it is they who are responsible for this situation. Messi is a young and reasonably light-weight soccer player. He had been challenged rashly a few times before by Del Horno and this time the defender did not even attempt to play the ball instead prefering to body check him. Even on television the challenge looked bad and warranting a red when it happened. However we had the comfort of later watching Messi looking up and rolling away but for the ref that luxury was non-existent.

And whatever be the ethical side of Messi’s actions, it is very clear what the sporting side was. Barcelona go into their home leg with 2-1 lead. A great plus in their efforts to move into the next stage of CL this year. With qualification to the next stage not a matter of prestige only but also finances, Messi’s actions can hardly be condoned by personnel at Barcelona FC. However it is them and their ilk who have to stop defending the playactors in public to have any chance to stamp out this growing trend in soccer.

Predictions on some of the upcoming CL ties …

Lets start with the most mouth watering one; Chelsea vs Barcelona. Barca are without their influential playmaker/pivot Xavi and Iniesta or Van Bommel will find it difficult to fill his boots. Though oft underrated, Xavi’s influence on this Barca team is very close to that of Lampard on the Chelsea team. Also defensively they will have a few problems with the pace and trickery of Robben and Cole. Though a team with Leo Messi, Eto and Ronaldinho can be reasonably expected to outscore their opponents, Barca might find the Chelsea defense a bit too tight for their comfort. Verdict: 1 – 0 for Chelsea

Both teams are in trouble this year. Though one appears to be sinking deeper with every passing match, the other seems to be rising like a phoenix from the ashes. Real Madrid’s form of late has been spectacular taking them to the second position in the Primera Liga. The pieces (Robinho, Cicinho, Ramos and even Woodgate) seem to be finally coming together and on their day the Zidanes and the Ronaldos can tear apart any team single handedly. Arsenal on the other hand still have not emerged from the shadow Patrick Viera’s departure. That huge gap in the midfield is expected to be filled by Fabregas but it might be too much ask an 18 year old to contain a Real midfield consisting of Zidane, Beckham and Guti. Add to it the fact that of the back four only Toure will be a first choice and one cannot see Arsenal getting from this tie. Verdict: 2-0 for Real Madrid

Talking of heavyweights, clubs don’t come in sizes any bigger than these two; Bayern Munich and AC Milan. Traditionally their strongest point, Milan’s defense has been often the cause of their woe this season. Age coupled with injuries has implied that they now rely on the most un-Italian footballing principle – outscore your opponents. And with Shevchenko, Kaka, Gilardino and Inzaghi they can be condoned for thinking so. Bayern however have looked the most solid of all teams in the competition this year. They bear the look of a well engineered Mercedes (no pun intended). However recent performances have shown their frailities in terms of their dependence on Ballack and Kahn. So if they remain or are made to remain quiet the tie will favour the Italians. Verdict: 0 – 0

Since this is first leg I would expect most of the matches to be low scoring, with the home side anxious not to concede an away goal and the guests happy to go with a single point and leaving all to play for in the second leg in their own backyards.

There are a couple of other interesting matches apart from the ones I have listed but they have well identified favourites and underdogs. The teams most likely to cause an upset are PSV, Villareal and Benfica in my opinion but thats just my choices.  On their day each team is a possible winner; and this is what makes CL so interesting year after year.

The draw sure looks yummy

The matchups for the Champions League 2005-06 round of 16 were announced today. Details here.

The top half of the table surely throws up some prospective crackers. We see Barcelona vs Chelsea again. The Catalans now have the opportunity to take revenge for their defeat at the hands of the same opponents. The clash is not merely between the two of the strongest clubs in Europe right now, but is also one between two radically different and equally effective footballing philosophies. Barcelona play to entertain and with a prodigious talent like Ronaldinho in their team believe they can always outscore their rivals. Their defensive frailities notwithstanding the team won the Primera Liga last season. Chelsea under the stewardship of Mourinho would rather bore and win. They have achieved magnificent success in the English League, leaving Sir Alex Ferguson to rue that Chelsea’s achievements makes it “embarrassing” for other teams. Though having some fantastically gifted players in their ranks, they rely on organization and tenacity rather than genius. Overall I think Barca have a slight edge, having the second leg at home.

AC Milan faces a real test against an increasingly confident Bayern Munich. Clearly the dominant team in german football Bayern are looking to make their mark in Europe this year. AC on the other hand look to be on the decline with their normally mean defence leaking goals with alarming regularity. The movement of Michael Ballack from Bayern however might jus tip the scales in favour of the Italians. The inspirational midfielder is still the major driver in the Bayern engine room and they would find it hard to replace him, especially on such big matches.

The third tie which caught my attention is Real Madrid vs Arsenal. Both the teams capable of playing scintillating football on their day and going down to dumps the next match. Arsenal have long been tagged as chokers in Europe. And the young team of Arsene Wenger does not look like it is ready yet to take that tag off. Real, though have their own set of problems – mainly self inflicted. They are currently without a regular coach and apparently with a slew of differences between the Brazilians and the Spaniards in the club. There is little to choose between the teams; but I would consider Real to hold a slight edge due to the experience they have in their ranks.

The other matches are no less interesting but they come in with clear favourites and underdogs. PSV and Lyon play each other in a rematch of last seasons quarter finals but Lyon almost look unbeatable this year. However in the past two seasons the unexpected has come to pass as far as Champions League is concerned and with the quality present in the so called weak sides, it might just happen three years in a row. Now that would be truely embarrassing for the Madrids, Chelseas and Milans.

technorati tags: soccer

England beat Argentina :(

I like Argentinian way of playing football. Puritans may favour the quick passing game of Dutch while connosieurs of footballing beauty may prefer the Brazilian Samba. But none these sides present to a viewer the flexibility that Argentina offers. Their play is different against each team, moulding itself to exploit the weaknesses of their opponents. You will find them playing the quick passing game against an onerous defensive rival like Italy and yet switch to more catenaccio style of play relying on counterattacks, against a flashier opponent like Brazil. And the fact remains that most of the times they end up playing good football.

Sad then they lost against an England team. It was a friendly … but then who ever wants to lose?

Manchester United – a mid season review

Doomed for the season? Out of the title race? Maybe yes. Watching the 4-0 defeat by Boro at the Riverside, I would be hard pressed to argue otherwise. It is not the scoreline nor the dominance of their opponents for the entire 90 minutes that has elicited these comments. It’s the way Man U played and the character they displayed when the chips were truly down.

If it is one thing Manchester United have displayed throughout the Ferguson years, it has been their never say die attitude. Their famous last gasp goals, which on numerous occasions have clinched them points and titles are a testament to this. Coupled with their penchant to take everything that comes their way and finish it has made them one of the biggest and most respected clubs on this planet. Sadly however with all the talent the current crop of players have, they lack these two attributes to a large extent. It is often said that greatness of a team is really put to test, when they do not play well. Getting those scrappy goals and making those last ditch lunges on a opponent rushing past or to intercept a finely threaded ball is the true test of the hunger of the players – and this hunger is what makes a team great and what Man U lacked today.

This criticism might sound too harsh, because the team today lacked probably 4-5 first team regulars – but it was also the team on which Manchester United are resting their future hopes. Rooney, Ronaldo, Fletcher all are slated to be stars of tomorrow. But apart from Rooney and Alan Smith, nobody displayed an ounce of urgency on the pitch. Some players were playing as if the score was not three nil against them but for them. Seniors in the team like Scholes and Ferdinand rather than lifting the young side up were in fact the most culpable. True Middlesborough played the best match of their season so far. But why did not Manchester United players rise to the occasion and do the same? And it is not a rant based on a single performance. The last Champions League match against Lille also we saw this lackadaisical approach.

In the past few years a lot of players have come into the side who promise a lot and deliver little. The number of good crosses Ronaldo put in today compared to the number of fancy stepovers he did on the byline was abysmal. For all the running he did and energy he displayed, Park Ji Sung rarely created anything. For all his purported comfort on the ball, Flecther gave the ball away way too easily and needlessly on numerous occasions. And less said about the performance of Ferdinand, who at the start of the season held the club hostage over his salary as the best defender in the world, the better. In comparison, Beckham with all his deficiencies rarely delivered a bad ball, Giggs matched his trickery with the goals he scored and created for others and Keane inspite of being booked never shirked away from making a strong tackle. And they did this consistently and often when the team was down lifting up the morale of the entire team. More than ability this requires mental fortitude.

There are key pieces which are missing in the current side, without which ManU will probably not regain their former glory and enough I believe has been said by me on this before. But more important is the resurgence of the attitude of fighting to the last gasp and taking those half chances. Because without those regardless of who comes in Manchester United are going to lose. As for making up the 13 points gap on Chelsea, well it looks impossible. The current crop of players probably think so already.

Manchester United – a preview of the upcoming season

Do or Die probably describes the state that Manchester United staff and players should find themselves this season. With no success both in cup and league for the last 2 seasons, each time coming third in the league, getting kicked out in the first knockout stage of Champions league and clearly nowhere near the top teams, the pressure will be on Ferguson to deliver.

However to get anywhere near the top prizes ManU have to be first and foremost more consistent than the previous years. They cannot afford to drop points against teams in the lower half of the table because you can be sure that Chelsea under Mr. Mourinho won't do so. The pre-season training has went well for the Red Devils, with Rooney-Ronaldo duo shining and RVN finding himself amongst goals again. However they have failed to strengthen the squad. Van der Saar might be able to fill the big boots of Peter Schmeichel, but who will take on the mantle of Roy Keane. Without the marauding Keane of yesteryears United risk being completely overrun in the midfield.

Over the last couple of years Ferguson has tried hard to unearth a new Keane. Djemba-Djemba, Miller, O-Shea, Phil Neville have all been tried at the position. This year it seems to be the turn of Alan Smith. But you do not get a new Roy Keane everyday. There would only be a handful of players today who can dream of replacing the Irishman and none of them would be available. This episode more than anything else allows me question Ferguson tactical nous especially when compared to his counterparts at Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool. Apart from Keane, Giggs, Scholes and Gary Neville even now integral part of the squad are not getting any younger. Ferguson should take this opportunity to give Darren Fletcher an important role in this campaign and as well introduce the likes of Kieran Richardson to regular first team football.

While the once feared midfield is now derelict, the new forward line could probably be counted amongst ManU's finest. Rooney, RVN, Ronaldo being the usual suspects and Louis Saha and Soljskaer their compadres ever willing to fill in for them. And not too many problems in defense, which suffered terribly when Ferdinand was banned in the early part of last season. With him signing a new contract things would have become much more stable. Also there are rumors about the Brazilian Cicinho joining Old Trafford, which can only mean good things for ManU.

Though Ferguson is building his new team steadily, this year I do not think will be a match for Chelsea. Neither do they have the quality of a A.C. Milan or Barcelona, to hope for any Champions league glory. However, they would probably be on a neck to neck race with Arsenal for the second and third positions.

Istanbul – 2005

I just saw the most incredible game of football in my life. For today it was proved that even today in the era of big money clubs, their talented squads and great managers what matters most in the game is still the character of those who play the game. What matters most is to stand up and be counted on the day of reckoning.

3-0 down to the imperious AC Milan, Liverpool looked like a bunch of juniors playing against a senior side. When Kaka delivered an absolutely amazingly threaded ball for Crespo to score the third for AC, Andy Gray said this is how football should be played at the highest level. Liverpool came out in the second half and showed the world how exactly football should be played at the highest level. With guts, determination, passion and a never say die attitude. When fifty years from now people remember this day, they will be remember it not for the exquisite passes of the Rossoneri but for the spirit of the Merseysiders.

I have been a big fan of AC ever since I remember. Their judicious mix of offense and defense, neat passing game and the quality of players they have had over the years have made the side a pleasure to watch. But they did not deserve to win today – they did not even deserve to get into the finals. PSV outplayed them 3/4ths over the two legs only to be disappointed with late goal from Milan. On both those legs PSV showed the same qualities that Liverpool showed after the first half today. But tactics ruled that day. Today three goals up, with the trophy all but in their bag Milan became complacent. Yes, complacent on a Champions League final!! They started the second half as if they were warming up for a practice session. And Liverpool punished them in a six minute blitz scoring three goals. Maybe tactics can take you so far; to make the final jump you need to stretch when you think you can go no further – hold your chin up when the chips are down – like Gerrard, Hyppia, Carragher, Alonso and every Liverpool player did today .

The current Milan squad except probably Kaka (who still hopefully has many such days ahead of him) has won everything in the game. With that experience and one of the world's best stoppers in Dida, AC would have been more comfortable with the penalties. And what did we see – a skier from Serginho and tame efforts from Pirlo and of all people from Shevchenko. What a contrast to the Liverpool players – who seemed to put all their energy into striking that ball to the back of the net. The penalties showed why some new blood is needed in the Milan team, why some hunger needs to injected into players.

And did I forget Rafa Benitez? He made a mistake by starting with Kewell, but did everything correct after that. That he managed to keep the team motivated after the half time is a feat to be acknowledged. That he realized his error and changed his tactics in time is a true measure of his tactical nous. He created the wonderful Valencia team which broke the Madrid, Barcelona duopoly in the Primera Liga. He is doing to do the same in Premier League. Watch out Man U, Arsenal and Chelsea.

The saddest part about the whole episode was that Paolo Maldini will probably not see another final to make up for this loss. Probably the greatest left back the world has seen, he is the only player of the last decade along with Zidane fit to be counted with the greats of the game. If he retires this season (he is 37 after all, however young he seems and looks), it will be a sad finale for a career marked with so many highs. And unusual in this era is the fact that he did it all at one club. A true legend.

As strains of "You will never walk alone" ring out from the Ataturk stadium in Istanbul, I am again reminded of what is football.

[Football] – England’s left sided problem

John Caird's article blows away the excuses England have been giving for their absymal form in internationals – "If only Ryan Giggs had played for England" aka the "Left sided problem".

Chelsea's Joe Cole is the new guinea pig for that role after Paul Scholes and Steven Gerrard. However Cole is best suited for a wide role in a 4-3-3 formation rather than a 4-4-2, where he would probably relish sitting in the hole. Englands dependence on 4-4-2 is probably rooted in more reasons than just lack Sven Goran Eriksson's tactical nous.

English game has been evolving from the standard long ball games to a more continental style of play. I base these observations on the emergence of players, who today are ranked amongst the best and will be suited to any club and league viz. the Lampards, Gerrards and Ferdinands. However one role in which English lack the continental flair, is that of the centre forward. Even today in the Premiership the centre forward's main role seems to collecting long balls and bulldozing past the opposite defenders. Their ability at controlling the game by dropping deeper, splitting defences with short passes and positioning in front of the goal remains suspect.

In the English national team, that role is occupied by Michael Owen. Owen is a good but limited player and to play him as centre forward in 4-3-3 will be suicidal for the team. He thrives on long passes, an attribute which necessiates the 4-4-2 formation. Any other formations will imply playing not to the strengths of your main goalscoring threat. England today I think need a complete centre forward much in the mold of Shevchenko or Eto to really display their full abilities and to win something.

Just before the Champions League starts …

I was just going through my old post about the Champions League matchups later this week and clearly I felt that a lot has changed since those days of december when Barca looked unbeatable and Real madrid could do no good. So a couple of re-thought(and more pertinent) points with regards to the upcoming matches.

1. Real Madrid vs Juve : In December, this was a match which looked most one sided. Now it looks the most unoredictable. Juventus have slipped down from the imperious machine of those days into a lumbering team which finds it difficult to score goals against opposition such as Messina. Madrid, its recent loss to Sevilla notwithstanding are in great form. Prior to this loss they had a eight match winning streak and they are producing some good (as well as lucky football). This fixture's result is a difficult one to call because both the teams have players in every position who can produce that little bit of magic to turn the game.

2. Barca vs Chelsea : Roman Abrabmovich should not blame Jose Mourinho too much if Chelsea crash out of the CL. They are probably playing the team which for the majority of the last year played the best football on the planet. Barca, notwithstanding their long injury list, continued to pull it off till this year's beginning when another Roman virtually ripped them apart in their loss to Villareal. While Barca have an edge in attack with Eto' clearly in better touch compared to Drogba, Chelsea will be looking to its defenders to do the job once more this season. Though it will not really be the "Irresistible force" vs "Immovavble Wall" contest, it is clear that while Barca hold the trumps in attack Chelsea hold them in defense. A key battle in the centre of the park between Makalele and Albertini might well decide who wins this fixture.

3. Arsenal and Bayern : Two great and yet inconsistent teams of this season. Bayern looked to have the Bundesliga in wraps given their imperious form in December. Arsenal also looked the only alternative to Chelsea in EPL. However January has not been good to both the teams. Bayern have sprinted and stuttered while Arsenal just cannot get their engine going. On the good side, any given any both of these are capable of beating the best.

4. ManU vs AC Milan : Probably the best game of the lot. Two in-form teams. AC has caught up with Juve in Serie A and ManU now looks the only team which can stop Chelsea. Both are playing good football and their will be battles all over the pitch worth watching. Its a pity that Shevchenko won't be playing for I was looking forward to his battle with Rio Ferdinand. Though Crespo I am sure would also keep the ManU defence occupied. Also the key matchup will be Pirlo vs Keane and Scholes vs Gattuso. The players first in the pairs are those start the moves and break the opposition moves. Milan for example relies a lot on the pinpoint long distance passing of Pirlo in their gameplay. It will be upto Keane and Scholes to check that. On the wings Ronaldo and Giggs on one side and Kaka and Seedorf in the other should provide a good spectacle. And then we have Rooney and RVN vs Nesta and Maldini/Stam. So I don't expect any one of these to roll over and gift a tie away.

Let the best team win …

Champions league 2005 – The round of 16

The draw for 'Round of 16' for the CL was made in Nyon …. (matches on Feb 22/23 and Mar 8/9) … And boy what a set of matches is this going to be … Some of the confrontations are worthy of finals in any competition ….

you have ….

Real Madrid v Juventus

FC Porto v Inter Milan

Barcelona v Chelsea

Werder Bremen v Lyon

Liverpool v Bayer Leverkusen

PSV Eindhoven v Monaco

Manchester United v AC Milan

Bayern Munich v Arsenal

Key matchups being the 1st, 3rd , 7th and 8th … I can safely say that in all probability one of 8 teams from these is going to win the CL this year … But what a pity only 4 of them will be in the quarters ….

Some key observations ….

1. Liverpool have a good chance of being the only English team in the quarters. Chelsea, Arsenal and ManU have all been drawn against continental opponents capable of beating them at their best. I wonder what Sir Alex is thinking now …. Maybe a matchup against Werder now looks a much better proposition since he now has to face AC Milan .

2. Real Madrid might go out … They meet their nemesis of 2 years before Juventus again …. But the 'The Old Lady of Turin' is now in imperious form compared to the doldrums of the 'Les Merengues' …

3. Mourinho gets his wish as does Jaap Stam … Chelsea play Barca in a matchup between the best 2 clubs on this planet right now … AC Milan and ManU also play … I do not know whom to support … Guess I shall go for AC.

4. Bayern Munich vs Arsenal throws up another interesting fixture … Both teams are far from their imperious selves this season … Arsenal has a reputation for underperforming in Europe and Bayern have flattered to deceive in the last few years …

All I can say now is, "May the best team win … "

[Football] – On the recurring woes of Manchester United and Real Madrid

Arguably the two biggest clubs on this planet, ManU and Real Madrid both are in deep waters following a run of poor shows at both home and CL.

ManU first. They lost their opening match of the EPL to title contenders Chelsea. It was a away defeat and one ManU need not be ashamed of. But the episodes after that day continued the story in the same vein though the opposition scarcely measured up to Mourinho's men. They hung on to a 2-1 victory against promoted Norwich, drew nil-nil against Everton and luckily drew 2-2 with Bolton. What more they were losing 2-0 away to Lyon in their first match when RVN saved the day with two neat strikes for another draw.

Now ManU is at least drawing their matches. Real is losing them. In the last week they lost twice, 3-0 to Bayer Leverkusen in Cl and 1-0 to Espanyol in the Primera liga. Camacho's gesticulations at the touchlines in contrast to the serene Queiroz and the signing of two quality defenders, Samuel and Woodgate, notwithstanding Real's poor form does not seem to be deserting them.

Both these sides have one thing in common. They have quality all over the pitch. Except in one place. Bang in the middle of the pitch. Both of them lack a Steven Gerrard, Patrick Viera, Xabi Alonso or even a Fabregas. A player who can play full 90 minutes at full throttle, putting in crucial tackles at the edge of his box one moment and then delivering a killer pass at the end of the oppositions' D in the other.

And who covers this position. Eric Djemba Djemba (I think he confuses tackling with tripping), Duncan Fletcher (I am sure he is ardent fan of Gandhi, the way he shirks from physical contact) and John O'Shea (he is a left back for christ sake) do the job for United. Inept Beckham and the constantly shifting Helguera do the job for Real. None of whom like playing there or are plain 'just not good enough'.

And what should ManU do (Real I do not care. They will buy off someone like Viera or Gerrard for some obscene amount of money) ?? ManU as of now should shift to an standard 4-4-2 with Roy Keane and Scholes playing in the centre of the field more or less like a flattened diamond and Rooney and RVN in the attack as first choice.

[Football] – Real Madrids’ galaxy…

The moment I heard Real are buying Michael Owen, I was at loss to see any semblance of logic in the move. Owen is one of those players who expect their name to be on the team sheet for every match, and in Raul, Moreintes and Ronaldo Les Meringues already have three such strikers. Why then did they buy Owen? Clearly the number of Real Madrid T-shirts sold with number 23 did not satiate the appetite of Perez. Owen clearly is most recognisable face in football after Beckham in the Far East, where the T-shirt monies really are. What is sad is that if he continues on the same path as Beckham, we will be seeing the last of a extremely promising player in Michael Owen.

However their second and more recent English signing of the summer, Jonathan Woodgate, makes much more sense. Reals' central defenders last season were the primary reason they went trophy less last season. They have seen some sense and bought a brand new central defensive pair in Walter Samuel and Woodgate, arguably amongst the top defenders in Europe right now. Provided Salgado and Roberto Carlos maintain their form of last season Real will have a decent back line to bank upon.

However the team is far from complete. There are two major worry areas, the central holding mid-field and the left side of the mid-field. Real are not yet willing to accept the fact that Makalele's departure was also a major factor in their dismal season last year. All said and done Makalele and Flavio Concecaio, limited players that they are, provided the spine for the Los Galacticos to strut there stuff upon. Their chasing of first Soceidads' Xabi Alonso and then their eternal target Patrick Viera is understandable. What is incomprehensible is the fact they are going off the transfer window without getting a defensive midfielder in the team. I am hoping they are not banking upon Beckham oreven worse Guti to do that job. Both showed their woeful inadequacies in that position in terms of technique and physical strength last season.

Another problem area, though not so apparent is the left side of the midfield. Last season in the team sheet almost always Zidane's name was put there. But Zizou prefers to be in the centre of things and he showed that he can get away with straying from the left because he is Zizou, last season for Madrid as well as in Euro for Les Bleus. Though if Zizou plays a good game it is doubtful if Real will ever feel the need for genuine width (now also provided to a large extent by Roberto Carlos. Sadly even he is getting old), in a tight game where Zidane is not what he is expected to be things might turn in oppositions favour because of this. Solari is perfect replacement but then who will be axed. Figo, Raul or Zidane. Looks like Solari will spend another season coming on for Zidane in the dying stages of the game. Or Figo playing in the left with Beckham doing the honours on the right and Zidane playing in a slightly retracted role at the centre still pulling the creative strings. Figo might not be very happy with such an arrangement though.

Real as usual go into the season with a lopsided team, though less weighted than last year, while main rivals Valencia and Barcelona will be putting up much more balanced teams. And in Europe, well Milan still looks the best all round team in Europe. At least on paper.

Now playing: Dream Theater – The spirit carries on

Manchester United, this transfer season

This summer transfer season in soccer has been hectic to say the least. Entire teams have got replaced including trainers and coaches. Roma , Barca and of course Chelsea have been probably been the most prominent of the sellers and buyers. But what about Manchester United? Of course Sir Alex has again been in hunt. Here is the list of the ManU's new recruits this season.

1. Gabriel Heinze (Argentina) – Right-sided/Central defender
2. Alan Smith (England) – Forward
3. Liam Miller (Ireland) – Midfield
4. Gerard Pique (Spain) – Defender [Juniors]
5. Guiseppe Rossi (Italy) – Forward [Juniors]

In effect there have been only three additions to the first team. The last 2 might turn out to be astute signings but that only time will tell.

But do these signings really bode well for United in the coming season and how do they fill the gaps in the squad? Let us look at each department of the squad and analyse the situation.

Goalie: You do not need a replacement for Tim Howard. And the second choice Roy Caroll is also pretty good.

Judgement – The signing of Howard last year was probably one of the best. No problems here.

Defence: With the Neville brothers signing new contracts for 5 more years, the right side looks covered. I would have really been pleased if they had signed a genuine central defender maybe somebody like Coloccini. With Ferdinand out for half of the season and Silvestre's nightmarish performance in Euro'04 the centre of the defence does not look very promising. Expecting Heinze or O'Shea to fill in the backup roles. On the left there is O'Shea and there is Fortune with even Phil Neville having the ability to play there.

Judgement – Defence does look rusty and creaky. Expecting some reinforcements.

Midfield: Regardless of whatever one says games are won at the midfield. United have a excess of midfielders by any standard. Left there is Giggs. As a cover Ronaldo can play there and equally effectively. Holding and centre mid Sir Alex has Phil Neville, Kleberson, Liam Miller, Roy Keane, Djemba Djemba, Fletcher and even Scholes if the system is 4-4-2 rather than 4-5-1. In the latter Scholes will definitely be in the hole and maybe somebody like Kleberson or even Miller can also play there. And on the right Ronaldo will probably be first choice with Ole Gunnar (if he is fit) next in the pecking order. Kleberson also can fill in there and probably Bellion also. The problem here is that of Roy Keane. A complete box-to-box midfield player, he has been the engine of United success in the many past seasons and is definitely not getting any younger. And I do not see a new Roy Keane emerging and the other players of that caliber (Viera, Gerrard) will not be easy to pry away from their current clubs. Fletcher has the technique and from what I have seen of Miller he has the tenacity and grit necessary but the complete package is missing.

Judgement – If the engine runs, the old one or a new one does not really matter, this area is covered.

Forwards: A season back, if I had written this post this would have been the most worrying area. Sir Alex seems to have read my mind and got Louis Saha in the winters and Alan Smith this summer to Old Trafford. Forlan it seems, is also going nowhere and with rookie Bellion and good old Ole the forward line does look promising and stable. True there isn't any real replacement for RVN in terms of quality but not many teams can afford to have 2 players like him.

Judgement – If RVN stays fit then no problems. Decently covered by Saha and Smith.

In all, ManU's transfer policy seems to be building a team for the future rather than immediate gains. All the new signings are relatively young. Any regrets – Would have loved to see Robben in Theatre of Dreams scripting his story. And maybe Rooney. But on that front there is still time.