Well, They Won't Be As Entertaining
by SamFels on Jul 28, 2010 12:47 PM PDT
4 comments
-The big news of the past couple days is that Diego Maradona won't be back as manager of Argentina, which brings the Albicete two steps closer to a trophy, at least. It kind of looks like the Federation didn't want to bring Maradona back, but didn't want to be seen to be axing him, so they gave him an offer they knew he wouldn't take. Maradona was always going to be beg for his staff, as it's loaded with friends of his. Ah well. As entertaining as he is, Argentina was an obstacle to Argentina's hopes of a World Cup, and as soon as they came up against a talented squad that had a coach with a clue, his plan of playing exactly one central midfielder came undone.
-Liverpool have signed Luke Young to cover at left back until he is outplayed by Martin Kelly or Stephen Darby.
-Javier Mascherano is leaving. I didn't know this, but Liverpool win a greater percentage of their matches that Masch doesn't play. There's no question Mascherano is one of the best players at what he does, i.e. midfield destroyer. But he's the type of player you don't always need. At Liverpool, did you need him to be breaking up the constant threat of Wolves and West Ham? Probably not. But Rafa Benitez thinks so, and we'll use him to help bore Inter supporters while they slog to a 1-0 win over Siena or whatever it is. If Liverpool can get a decent price for him and replace him with Scott Parker or Steven DeFour, that would add another good move to the free transfer of Joe Cole for Roy Hodgson. Sadly, it probably means even more Lucas in midfield. What Lucas does that Masch didn't is get into the box far more and theoretically provide more threat. But that theory goes out the window when the ball gets within ten feet of him. But it's nice that he tries.
-Barca want Fabregas, can't afford him. In other news, water is wet.
-11 strangers who don't play together play the Man United reserves tonight. ESPN tells me it's a big event. And they'll sweat a lot in Houston.
-Sol Campbell has signed for Newcastle. While Campbell actually was very decent for Arsenal last year, something about those magpie stripes turn defenders into puddles of goo. Campbell will just be an old, slow pile of goo.
Goodbye Raul, Madrid Will Miss You
by Adrian Meta on Jul 26, 2010 6:11 PM PDT
1 comment
Goodbye Raul, Madrid Will Miss You
Written By Adrian Meta |
| Madrid close to Raul's heart |
Raul started his phenomenal career at Atletico Madrid, would you believe. Noticed as a young teen with a myriad of talent, Atletico signed him to their youth academy. Fast forward about a year, and Raul is let go by Atletico, as they decide to close their youth academy. Young Raul, who is determined to crack the big-time, travels cross-town to Atletico's fiercest, most hated rivals, Real Madrid. From there, it's the stuff of fairytales.
Real Madrid and current coach Jorge Valdano signed him to their C Team in the 94/95 season, where he quickly impressed with 16 goals in 9 games. Jorge Valdano, going through an injury crisis to his strikers, saw his talent and gave him his first team chance. How was Jorge to know the legend he had just unleashed? How was anyone to know?
Raul's debut already had him breaking records, as he became the youngest person (17 years and 4 months) to play for the Madrid senior side. The match was played against Real Zaragoza, and it ended in a 4-2 loss for Madrid, a bittersweet moment for Raul. But now that he had a taste of the first team, he wasn't going to give it up easily.
Raul's next game came against Madrid's biggest rivals. Yep, you guessed it, Atletico Madrid. The club who had discarded him as a teen were about to pay for that decision massively. The payback would last for years and years to come. This was just the start. Raul had an excellent match against Atletico, scoring once and making two, a sign of things to come from the youngster. Already, Atletico were realising the grave mistake they had made, and regretting it big-time.
Over the next year, Raul started to get more first-team chances, taking them with 9 goals in 28 appearances, not bad for a debut season at all. Raul helped Madrid secure the league title in his first season. The 94/95 season had ended, and Raul was known all across Spain. World recognition was soon to follow.
The next season saw Raul get more game time, and he rewarded the faith with 25 goals in 50 games, not a bad tally at all. Unfortunately for young Raul, it wasn't enough to see him earn a Spain debut, and adding to that, he was not picked for the 1996 European Championships. His debut came in October that year, against Czechoslovakia.
The next season came and went for Raul, as he continually impressed. The next season, however, saw the goals dry up, with Raul picking up a tally of 12 goals in 48 appearances. Yes, the 97/98 season was one to forget for Raul in terms of league success, with his poor tally and the title loss to Barcelona, but his efforts in the UEFA Champions League proved helpful as Madrid went on to win that title.
In 2000, Champions League success again came to Raul and Madrid, as his burgeoning reputation grew and grew. In the tournament, he scored a goal in the final against La Liga rivals Valencia, and finished as the top scorer.
His success in 2000 went on, as he earned a place in the Euro 2000 Team of the Tournament, despite scoring just one goal. Raul was reaching heights that seasoned veterans spent their whole careers searching, and he was still in his early 20's.
In 2002, as Madrid again relinquished the La Liga title, European success came once more. Raul had now won his third Champions League, and as he had scored in the final versus Bayer Leverkusen, he became the first player in history to score in two Champions League finals, a feat that has since only been matched by . Raul's accolades just kept coming, and one wondered whether he would move from Madrid or not, as he was in very high demand from Europe's top clubs. But, Raul repeatedly said no, citing his love for Real Madrid, the club who had given him his chance. During these highly successful years, Raul was one half of the most deadly striker force in Europe, with the other half being Fernando Morientes. The two were among the most feared in Europe.
In 2003, Raul was named Captain of Real Madrid, leading to the nickname El Capitan. Raul was realising the dream, and now he was one of the best in the world.
In the next few years, as the "Galacticos" nickname was penned to describe Real Madrid's superstars, Raul saw his status as the club's star player somewhat fall away. Players like Beckham, Zidane and Owen arrived, and while he still performed brilliantly, he was no longer the key player. He particularly didn't like Michael Owen, saying he preferred Fernando Morientes.
As the Galacticos era somewhat ended, the ageing Raul retained his starting spot, and continued his good form. His international career was a different story though. After a disappointing 2006 World Cup, Raul was left out of the Euro 2008 squad, with Luis Aragones preferring Fernando Torres and David Villa.
Raul lost his international captaincy to club-mate Iker Casillas and didn't play for Spain after 08. He holds the distinction of being Spain's all-time leading goal-scorer, as well as being Real Madrid's leader in that respect.
In the summer before the 09/10 season, it was signings galore at the Bernabeu. Kaka, Benzema, and Cristiano Ronaldo were all brought in to ensure success. As a result, Raul, despite being captain, lost his starting spot, and found goals and appearances hard to come by. At the end of the season, after no trophies being won, coach Manuel Pellegrini was sacked, and replaced by Jose Mourinho, the European Championship-winning coach.
Mourinho has signed several youngsters as he looks to restore Madrid to their former glory and bring trophies to the Bernabeu. Mourinho seemed to not hold Raul and fellow club legend Guti in his plans and both of the announced their departure from Real Madrid. Guti left the day before Raul, to the sadness of many fans. It was not quite the same as Raul's departure, as the fans today weep at their loss, but also rejoice in the memories their hero gave them. Like Francesco Totti to Roma, like Ryan Giggs to Manchester United, Raul is Real Madrid, and it will be hard to imagine Madrid without him. In fact, even if Raul isn't donning the famous white, he will always be Madrid through and through, as he himself said.
So goodbye Raul, you are a true legend, and Real Madrid will most certainly miss you. It will be odd not seeing you in the white shirt of Los Blancos, but I'm sure wherever you go you will entertain and delight. If it is indeed Schalke as rumoured, or even Tottenham Hotspur, I am sure you will leave your mark, just like you did at the Bernabeu. May new nicknames be made, may even more records be broken, may the fans love you as the madridista's always will. With all the records you broke, all the trophies you won, all the things you acheived it is a wonder how you never won the Ballon D'or. You're the King if the Champions League, the King of Spain and you will always be the King of Real Madrid. Goodbye Raul, Real Madrid will always will love you.
Eliminating Ireland
by SamFels on Jul 23, 2010 12:05 PM PDT
4 comments
The Doldrums
by SamFels on Jul 21, 2010 6:38 PM PDT
5 comments
Obviously, there isn't much going on these days. Some of the big transfers that have been oft-rumored haven't gone down yet due to most of the big names still kicking it with the homies on various beaches in Spain or Portugal or wherever you go if you're European, in great shape, young, and have more money than was on hand to buy the one witness to put Kaiser Soze down (yes, I'm watching Usual Suspects right now). Some themes:
-I doubt there's anyone on the planet who isn't tires of the Fabregas-to-Barcelona story. At this point, I wonder if Arsenal fans aren't fed up with it and just want to see him go so they don't have to feel like the uglier girl any more. I don't see why Cesc should go now. Iniesta and Xavi still have a couple good years left in them, so he wouldn't get to automatically play in his favored role. Unless he's going to replace Yaya Toure, which would seem to be a waste of what he does best, there could be ample time on the bench. Best to wait a year or two to be the heir apparent, no? Secondly, whenever he does go he'd be under such suffocating pressure. How'd that work out for Kaka at Madrid? He'd be best to remain where he is the focal point of the team, the captain, and where he still hasn't won anything as such. But somehow, when Barcelona calls, it's probably just the same as Mama callin'.
-The Donovan to Man City rumors are floating again. MLS has already said they won't part with him, as it's a league that is running out of drawing cards that aren't over the hill. But everyone has their price, and Donovan could always make a stink and get his way. But Man City? One bad half and you're out of that team for a month. Though I think we'd all like to see Lando ply his trade overseas, a club with slightly smaller ambition would make more sense (insert your Liverpool joke here).
-Martin Jol is going to leave Ajax at some point to coach Fulham. Jol never got the proper credit for the development he was on hand for at Spurs, setting the stage for Harry's charge into the Champions League. While he won't have the budget to create the structure at Fulham, there's money where there's a Fayed and a base of players that are already used to achieving more than is expected. Solid hire, though it probably keeps Bob Bradley our problem for a while.
-Thierry Henry has landed in New York. I'll be honest, I don't watch enough MLS to really know how much of an impact this will have. I know if he cares he'll score. I know he's maybe the brightest guy to play the sport in the last 20 years, and could do much more for the league than the good looking airhead Becks could (and most women I know think Henry is at least as good looking anyway). But I don't know how much he cares, or how he'll feel about a sweltering, meaningless league game in Kansas City, but hopefully it works out.
If It Was Five Years Ago...
by SamFels on Jul 19, 2010 10:39 AM PDT
2 comments
...then I'd be jumping for joy over the free transfer of Joe Cole to Liverpool. But it isn't. We've referred to Joe Cole as "Young Joe Cole" for so long it's hard to believe he's 28 now. And while he might have less tread on those tires than a lot of players that age because of injury, that's due to...well, fucking injuries. Liverpool weren't exactly aching for another player with flair who's made of glass, but now they've got one.
Secondly, Cole has expressed desire to play in a position that Steven Gerrard and Alberto Aquilani (who I still like) need to play in, i.e. behind the striker. Gerrard's better games this year actually came from deeper. alongside Lucas (which must be like chaperoning your friend's mentally-challenged younger brother, but still). But Cole didn't sign at Anfield to be stunted out to the right, where Kuyt is anyway (unless he's on his way or back to striker while all the king's men try and put Fernando Torres back together again), or to the left where new signing Jovanovic is probably patrolling.
So does that mean Roy Hodgson is considering a change of formation? A 4-3-3 with Lucas, Aquilani, and Gerrard behind a troika of Jovanovic, Kuyt/Torres/Remy?, and Cole? Would seem to make more sense. However, any of these formations would require a left-back, which after the sale of Emiliano Insua Liverpool have exactly none of. That's a small problem.
Still, considering the situation the Reds find themselves in, they were always going to have to get creative. They've managed to sign to pretty creative players on free transfers, and that should be commended. Whatever money they gain from Insua's, Mascherano's assured departure, and maybe even Kuyt's could go to other problem areas. And at least they'll be interesting.
Back To The Lecture At Hand
by SamFels on Jul 15, 2010 7:32 PM PDT
3 comments
Well, it's time to get back to the silly season and the preseason friendlies and United's money-spinning tour of the US and all the usual summer bullshit. So let's review what you may have missed while watching the goings-on in South Africa.
-Man City have gone on a spending spree, but of what appears to be squad players for now. Sure, David Silva on his day can be wonderful, but he can also float out of games and one wonders how his slight frame is going to hold up when fullback after fullback attempt to put him in the fifth row. Especially at 25 million or so. Another 27 million of The Sheik's money was spent on Yaya Toure, a midfield destroyer presumable to join Nigel de Jong. While Toure is a fine player, how much shielding did he have to do when Xavi always had the ball? Jarome Boateng also has joined up, although I think they may have accidentally bought the wrong Boateng. Whatever, they have like 12 fullbacks, so if he goes tits up they won't notice.
-Liverpool hired Roy Hodgson, or as he's known "the only guy who'd gratefully take the job". Yossi Benayoun immediately left for a bevy of 78th minute substitute appearances at Stamford Bridge, and Hodgson has spent his entire time at Liverpool on the phone with Gerrard, Mascherano, and Torres on his knees. It's really a shame that Real Madrid eventually figured out that Gerrard was about to turn 30, because getting 20-25 million for a player that age would have been a real coup. You think Perez hired a P.I. to find that info? Or just looked online finally? Anyway, Mascherano is certain to head to Inter, Torres's injury either assures his departure or makes his stay more certain depending on who you talk to, and Gerrard isn't going anywhere because no one is going to cough up enough money for him to leave, whether he likes it or not. Oh, and he's apparently impregnating teenagers, but there are only so many ways to pass the time in Liverpool, so we'll give him a pass. Still waiting for Hodgson to bring Dempsey with him to Anfield. In fact, still waiting for Hodgson to do anything, other than loan out David N'gog. So now Pool have one, crocked striker.
-Marouane Chamakh washed up at Arsenal finally, filling the gaping hole they had shaped like a striker who doesn't score as much as he should who can't stay healthy.
-Apparently, both Manchester clubs are fighting over who gets to suspend Mario Balotelli for the next few years for being an absolute penis.
-United have welcomed Javier Hernandez into the fold, giving US-based Liverpool supporters an easy, #1 guy to throw darts at his poster for a decade.
-Bob Bradley Sr. is a candidate to replace Hodgson at Fulham, which to be fair would be pretty interesting as he'd be the first US coach to try and make a fist of it in a major European league (I think). It would also probably be hilarious as Fulham supporters get a look at that blank stare week in and week out, where we only had to deal with it every couple of months or so.
-Chelsea haven't done much yet, but they're kind of like the tiny guy in the Yakuza fighting the mob on the Simpsons' lawn. You know when they do something it's gonna be good.
Those are the major stories for now, back tomorrow.
Post Mortem On It All
by SamFels on Jul 12, 2010 9:38 PM PDT
5 comments
Here are what Jamie and I had to say about it all today, Ally will be along later.
Favourite moment of the tournament:
Jamie: Tshabalala - "A goal for all of Africa". Corny or not, it was the perfect way for the tournament to get underway. I'm pretty sure I heard the cheer here in northern England. Just a shame South Africa didn't have the required quality or good fortune to find a second goal to kill off that opening game, and that the rest of the tournament largely failed to live up to that level of quality.
Player of The Tournament:
Goal of The Tournament:
Jamie: I don't think this is really up for debate. Giovanni Van Bronckhorst against Uruguay in the semi final. Absolutely astounding, and correctly described by Sam as something Thor would have been proud of.
Sam: Ditto. Although Villa's from the halfway line was pretty wonderful.
Todd: So many to choose from. Dempsey's against England was a classic. Lampard's against Germany was a sublime piece of...oh wait, never mind. Donovan's against Algeria almost made my head explode. But the best goal of the tournament was David Villa sliding and twisting past 4 Hondurans and curling a shot from almost a prone position into the top corner. A special shoutout needs to go out to all of the terrific crossbar rattling efforts this tournament. I don't know what it was, but it seemed like more balls pounded the frame in this tournament than I can ever remember. Pavel Nedved would've been proud.
Biggest surprise:
Jamie: Germany. I don't think anyone had even spoken of Germany in the tournament preamble. While most people probably wouldn't have been surprised by them reaching the last 8, but no-one expected them to charge into the semi finals with the style they did, and having come within one poorly defended set piece of the final itself took the bronze medal with aplomb. Winning rave reviews for their flair to go along with their usual efficiency and steely determination, Germany will surely be a force to be reckoned with in world football over the next 10 years.
Biggest Disappointment:
Jamie: Brazil. They had the quality to be the equals of Spain in this tournament, and in Dunga they had a head coach who could have added the steel that this bunch of global superstars desperately needs. Instead, while Spain got their heads down and churned out 1-0 results like Arsenal under the management of George Graham, Brazil acted like Arsenal under the captaincy of William Gallas and wilted the first time someone threatened to give them a game.
Your team of The Tournament:
Jamie: My heart says that with their starry-eyed march into the quarter finals, inspiring a whole continent who had no-one else to left to cheer, it could be Ghana. But with my head it's clear they were still a relatively poor footballing side (what price Michael Essien being fit to partner Boateng in that midfield) and as pretty much the only team to come out of this tournament with any credit, it has to be Germany. Again. Notable mention for the only unbeaten team in the whole tournament, New Zeland. Weird, eh?
Sam: Kingson-Ramos, Pique, Lugano, Cointreau-Alexis Sanchez, Oezil, Bradley, Robben- Villa, Forlan
Todd:
Forlan--Villa
How does this World Cup rank?
Jamie: The football was, honestly, horrible. But it was at times at least exciting - Portugals thumping of DPRK, the crazy 3 minutes of penalties in Paraguay vs. Spain, Holland dumping out Brazil, Suarez's handball, Iniestas golden goal, Germany dismantling Argentina, Lampards disallowed "goal", and more - the list of memorable incidents is seemingly endless. While many will bemoan the final as a tense and turgid affair, it had more excitement than many world cup finals in recent times. As for the tournament as a spectacle and experience, in my memory it's been better than 2002, 1994 and 1990. Not as good as 1998 or 2006, and I'm willing to bet that anyone who can remember further back than that will tell you through their rose tinted specs that all the world cups before 1990 were miles better than 2010. But in terms of the legacy it could leave, both for African football and the long overdue changes to FIFAs rules and regulations for refereeing, it could be one of the most important world cups in our lifetime.
What will it be remembered for?
Jamie: As Ali insightfully pointed out before the tournament even began, the buzzy sound of the Vuvuzela. I for one love them and welcome our new one pitched sport-stadium overlords. The bad tempered final which featured no fewer than 14 yellow cards might also live on for a few years, and I actually think that for those lucky enough to have been able to make the journey to South Africa, the atmosphere in the host country which bordered on pure carnival from the start to the finish of the tournament will surely be an abiding memory.
And the World Cup 2014 winners…?
Jamie: Argentina. If they get anyone who even vaguely knows what they're doing in charge in 4 years time, when the bulk of their present talent should peak and some of the older tired legs can be replaced, they should destroy everyone. While the same could be said of Brazil, particularly in their own back yard, the likes of Kaka and Robinho have been shown that they can biff it up even when someone as astute as Dunga is in charge. If we're lucky we'll be rewarded with a Brazil-Argentina final in 2014.
Sam: Logic would dictate that there's no way Brazil can lose at home. But the pressure will be so great on them, I wonder if they won't crack. Four years is such a long time in football now, it's hard to know what will happen to these players. If they can stick together, stay healthy, and keep form, I wonder if that Ghana side we saw who were all like 20 years old won't make some serious noise in four years time.
Todd: Well, I'm certainly not wagering against Brazil. But let's go out on a limb and say Germany, at least they'll definitely be competitive. Ozil, Mueller, Boateng, Khedira, Marin, Schweini...not a bad nucleus.
Stopping Spain In Vain
by SamFels on Jul 11, 2010 11:14 PM PDT
9 comments
I'd really love to pat myself on the back here, because I said Spain would win this thing, but it wasn't that hard of a call. You know why? Look at who Spain brought off the bench tonight: Jesus Navas, Fernando Torres, and Cesc Fabregas. All three of those players are world class at their positions (when fully fit at least). Navas changed the game, Fabregas set up the winner (after nearly bagging it himself) and Torres...well, he got hurt. Which he's also world class at (as a Liverpool supporter, I can't decide if his injury is more or less likely to see him sold. Probably neither). I also called Uruguay as the surprise, but that wasn't all that hard either. Anyway, notes.
-I had an admiration for the Dutch up until this Final . Notice the past tense there. Their diving and whining was barely palatable as long as Sneijder and Robben were providing moments of class that made up for it. When they added thuggery that only NHL teams of the 80's would be proud of, well, I couldn't be happier they lost. Holland is capable of so much more, and they really should have finished with about 8 guys. Their non-stop bitching didn't help, and frankly they got exactly what they deserved.
-It tells you everything you need to know about Spain that one of the more talented teams in the tournament, maybe the most behind the winners, Brazil, and Argentina had to resort to those tactics. That they were terrified of engaging the Spanish for fear of them running riot. This is why I think Spain will go down in the history of the game as one of the best ever.
-Another reason I think that? Because Spain's style may change the game. How many teams now are going to learn the ball is paramount and being able to pass it wins games? I hope the US is one of them. I know France around the turn of the century was an all-time great, but I can't help but feel they were defined by the genius of one player, Zidane, more than the way they played. I'm sure it's going to go down as Brazil '70, Holland '74, and now Spain '10.
-Is there anything more entertaining than watching Arjen Robben after his team have lost a big match? And he seems to do it so often. Champions League semis in '05 and "07. Champions League Final this year and now the World Cup Final? Awe. Some.
-Speaking of him, he can bitch and moan all he wants but the one time he decided not to do dive probably cost his team immortality. Though Puyol's contact was a lot less than it appeared at first glance, he still could have gotten a free kick and a red card. It's only because he totally biffed the chance and dribbled right into Casillas's arms that he decided to throw a hissy fit at Howard Webb.
-I don't know how you show 14 yellow cards and 1 red and be considered lenient, but Howard Webb did it. Only one or two of his bookings could be considered questionable, and they were hardly scandalous. De Jong and Van Bommel should have been walking long before Heittinga was, and the Dutch could have come close to forfeiting the whole thing.
-Andre Iniesta's wont to walk the ball into the net can be infuriating -- he had at least two chances today to let fly early but decided his left foot wouldn't release Zeus's lightning -- but who could possibly argue with that finish? Speaking of which, the shot of him running to the corner while the entire Spanish bench runs down the touch line to greet him is the best shot of the tournament.
-Over/under on Villa goals for Barca this year, assuming health and interest? 40.
-I think that's about it. Brazil seems so close and so far. Will there be a country in history under more pressure to win than Brazil in four years' time (at least until England host it in 2018)? It's going to be entertaining to watch Brazil's market correction. They grudgingly bought in to Dunga's discipline and structure and still went out. Who's to say they won't go total party time next time round?
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