The 2009 Champions League has certainly been entertain so far minus one or two groups. There has been plenty of see-sawing games, see-sawing tables and a good splash of refereeing controversy.
With two rounds left in the group stage the final 16 is looking a bit clearer, with a few teams qualified, a few teams out and a few teams locked in a tense battle to the last.
Group A
Group A probably should have been closer than it is, but Bordeaux have been great and Bayern have been terrible. Bordeaux lead the group on 10 points, Juve are 2nd on 8, Bayern third on 4 and Maccabi Haifa last on 0 points.
Bordeaux have qualified because Bayern can only level Bordeaux's 10 points and Bordeaux have the head to head advantage. So it is a battle between Juve and Bayern for 2nd spot. The intersting twist will be whether Bordeaux play for first or rest their players and give their bench a bit of experience.
The next round is Bordeaux V Juventus and Bayern V Maccabi Haifa and the final round is Maccabi Haifa V Bordeaux and Juve V Bayern. Bayern should beat Maccabi in Munich, so if Juve don't beat Bordeaux, Bayern will have the chance to qualify by beating Juve in Turin on the last day, which would be quite a feat.
Prediction: Bordeaux-Juve-Bayern-Maccabi
Group B
In Group B, United have qualified with 10 points, Wolfsburg are second on 7, CSKA Moscow are third on 4 and Besiktas are last with 1 point. Besiktas kept the group alive by drawing against Wolfsburg in the third round and could have more to say in the final order of the group, even if they can't qualify for the knockout stages.
Wolfsburg travel to CSKA next round and a draw will see them through on head to head, if CSKA win (depending on the size of the victory) they would have a pretty simple task of facing Besiktas in the last round while Wolfsburg take on United.
Prediction: United-Wolfsburg-CSKA-Besiktas
Group C
Group C will be one of the most tightly contested. AC Milan currently lead on 7 by virtue of head-to-head against Real Madrid also on 7. Marseille are third on 6 and Zurich are last on 7. Milan and Madrid both still get to face Zurich and I don't think either will slip up (despite Milan's shock loss to Zurich at the San Siro). That would mean Bordeaux would need to beat Milan and Madrid to qualify.
Marseille travel to Milan first. They were undone at home in the first round by two SuperPippo goals despite having legitimate claims to having been the better team on the day. Milan have come a long way in the last few months though and are a completely different side in terms of formation and form. I don't think either side will want a draw that would leave them in must-win situations going into the last day, but i think they might just end up with a high scoring draw.
Assuming Madrid dispense of Zurich, that would mean Marseille would have to beat Madrid on the last day and hope Milan didn't beat Zurich.
Prediction: Madrid-Milan-Marseille-Zurich
Group D
Group D is a bit more boring. It's a battle between Chelsea (10 points) and Porto (9) for 1st and 2nd and Atletico and Apoel for qualification to the Europa League.
The next round will probably be decisive as Apoel host Atletico and Porto host Chelsea. I have a feeling Chelsea won't care whether they come first or second and will probably just rest players for the rest of the group stage. I think Apoel might have enough to beat Atletico and then hold on to 3rd.
Prediction: Porto-Chelsea-Apoel-Madrid
Group E
Group E is interesting. Liverpool is 3rd (3 points) and needs to win its last two games (away to Debrecen and home against Fiorentina) to pip Fiorentia and qualify. Oh, and Fio need to draw or lose against Lyon for Liverpool to qualify.
If Fio lose to Lyon, Liverpool just need to win both their games, but if Fiorentina draw with Lyon, Liverpool have to beat Fio by 3 or more goals.
I don't think Lyon will care so much about coming 1st or 2nd as much as they want to regain the French first division so they might rest players for the last 2 rounds. I think Fio will get at least a draw against Lyon in Florence and head to Anfield with 10 defenders and a goalkeeper.
Prediction: Lyon-Fiorentina-Liverpool-Debrecen
Group F
Group F is perhaps the most exciting, but could potentially be over before the last round. Currently, Inter lead on 6 points, followed by Rubin Kazan and Barcelona on 5 and Dynamo Kyiv.
Kazan have the better head-to-head against Barca, so if they beat Kyiv and Inter defeat Barca in the next round, Kazan and Inter qualify. The last round would see Inter and Kazan battle for first and Kyiv host Barca for a Europa League spot.
I'm not sure Inter will beat Barca though and if Kyiv can get something out of Kazan this group will go into the final round with everyone still able to qualify, which I hope is the case.
Prediction: Barca-Inter-Kazan-Kyiv
Group G
Despite Sevilla (10 points) being run away leaders of this group, the bottom is close with Unirea Urziceni on 5 points, Stuttgart 3 points and Rangers on 2 points.
Stuttgart don't have to face Sevilla again. So their remaining games are both against their direct rivals. Unirea face Sevilla in the next round, while Rangers will face them last.
Rangers next match against Stuttgart is must win in my opinion. If they go into the last round needing a win against Sevilla they'll be out because that would mean they could only qualify if Unirea and Stuttgart drew on the last day and I think they'll be going all out.
Prediction: Sevilla-Stuttgart-Unirea-Rangers
Group H
You would think Arsenal (10 points) would come first in this group. I think Olympiakos (6 points) might struggle to travel to AZ then host Arsenal.
AZ seem to have the easiest run home of the teams under Arsenal, but its really close and the slightest mistake could cost a team qualification.
Prediction: Arsenal-AZ-Olympiakos-Standard Liege
So my Group winners would be Arsenal, Sevilla, Barca, Lyon, Porto, Madrid, United and Bordeaux.
My Group runners-up would be AZ, Stuttgart, Inter, Fiorentina, Chelsea, Milan, Wolfsburg and Juve.
So i think my dream draw for the round of 16 would be:
Arsenal V Juve
Sevilla V AZ
Barca V Chelsea
Lyon V Milan
Porto V Stuttgart
Madrid V Inter
United V Fiorentina
Bordeaux V Wolfsburg
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Wednesday, 28 October 2009
An A-League Farce
Dismayed A-League boss Archie Fraser has told Gold Coast United chief Clive Palmer his controversial decision to cap crowds at Skilled Park to under 5000 is "not in the best interests of the club."
United, who are averaging just 5651 after five home games - with an A-League season low of 4209 against Wellington in round nine – will save $100,000 per match under the downsizing scheme.
But the ploy has divided the few supporters who shell out the competition’s highest prices to watch the expansion club.
And it has caused consternation at Football Federation Australia headquarters where chairman Frank Lowy has been called in to try and persuade fellow billionaire Palmer to ditch a plot hatched in reaction to a ground rental which jumps from $40,000 to $140,000 each time the gate is in excess of 5000.
I thought that the A-League might suffer from poor performances from certain clubs and a widening in the gap between the top clubs and the bottom clubs on the pitch.
This hasn't been the case. While the table looks similar to what one might have expected, results have been unpredictable and the table is fairly tight.
However, Gold Coast United's decision to cap crowds to 5,000 in a stadium that holds in excess of 27000 is a huge threat to the credibility of the sport in Australia.
Football has grown in leaps and bounds since the inception of the A-League, our 2006 World Cup campaign and our move from Oceania to Asia, but its a critical juncture for football at the moment.
With the World Cup just around the corner and interest in the code about to spike, the last thing football in this country needs is a flood of stories about farcical crowd caps and and backroom wars between A-League officials and club owners.
Perhaps this is a sign the FFA rushed into expanding the A-League. Hopefully this incident will force it to go over plans to expand the competition again next season with extreme attention to detail to avoid similar situations.
I have every confidence that football in this country is on an inevitable rise, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need nurturing and care.
United, who are averaging just 5651 after five home games - with an A-League season low of 4209 against Wellington in round nine – will save $100,000 per match under the downsizing scheme.
But the ploy has divided the few supporters who shell out the competition’s highest prices to watch the expansion club.
And it has caused consternation at Football Federation Australia headquarters where chairman Frank Lowy has been called in to try and persuade fellow billionaire Palmer to ditch a plot hatched in reaction to a ground rental which jumps from $40,000 to $140,000 each time the gate is in excess of 5000.
I thought that the A-League might suffer from poor performances from certain clubs and a widening in the gap between the top clubs and the bottom clubs on the pitch.
This hasn't been the case. While the table looks similar to what one might have expected, results have been unpredictable and the table is fairly tight.
However, Gold Coast United's decision to cap crowds to 5,000 in a stadium that holds in excess of 27000 is a huge threat to the credibility of the sport in Australia.
Football has grown in leaps and bounds since the inception of the A-League, our 2006 World Cup campaign and our move from Oceania to Asia, but its a critical juncture for football at the moment.
With the World Cup just around the corner and interest in the code about to spike, the last thing football in this country needs is a flood of stories about farcical crowd caps and and backroom wars between A-League officials and club owners.
Perhaps this is a sign the FFA rushed into expanding the A-League. Hopefully this incident will force it to go over plans to expand the competition again next season with extreme attention to detail to avoid similar situations.
I have every confidence that football in this country is on an inevitable rise, but that doesn't mean it doesn't need nurturing and care.
Monday, 26 October 2009
Milan's Magic Week
First they came from behind against Roma, then they came from behind against Madrid in Madrid, today they came from behind at Chievo thanks to a 92nd minute goal. Oh, and the 92nd minute goal was Alessandro Nesta's second of the game.
It has certainly been a crazy week. Three of the most amazing wins in three of the most amazing fashions. Milan haven't looked dominant at all and may have been lucky in all three games, but it is the kind of run that can turn a teams season around. Before Roma, Milan were mid-table in Serie A and were third in their Champions League group thanks to an embarrassing loss to FC Zurich. After this mornings effort, Milan are fourth in Serie A and top of their Champions League group. What a difference a week does make.
While things do seem much rosier at Milan now than it did just over a week ago, Milan still have plenty of issues. The playing roster isn't anywhere near what it needs to be for a club of Milan's history and ambition, they have issues starting games, they have issues scoring, they haven't found a formation they are comfortable with just yet and injuries are an ever persistent problem.
The issues about the playing roster, its age, depth and versatility have been well documented and don't require repeating. Injuries are once again a major problem. The squad is just plain old and is always going to be prone to injuries. It seems that Leo has brought a change of heart to Galliani and Berlusconi and transfers have focused on younger players, but this is a squad in development and major injury concerns will be a fact of life for Milan until next season at least.
The worst of these injury crises is probably the goalkeeper crisis. First choice keeper, Christian Abbiati, is still recovering from last years shocking injury and second choice Marco Storari got injured after some encouraging performances. Third choice keeper Dida shows some glimpses of why he has a couple of Champions League winners medals at home, and has shown plenty of reasons why he is now a third string keeper. It will be devastating if Milan's momentum is killed by another Dida howler.
Scoring is an issue for Milan. They haven't scored more than 2 in any league game this season. In fact, in 66% of league matches they have scored just 1 goal or less and have just 8 league goals at an average of just 0.88 goals per game and some of those goals have been own goals. Milan's goal scoring troubles aren't a home or away thing either, they've proven to be equally inept at netting the ball where ever they play. I think their search for a formation has added to their struggles up front.
As far as the strikers go, Huntelaar is taking time to gel and force a place. Borriello has had injury troubles and managed to fluff a whole swagger of opportunities against Chievo this morning. Inzaghi is patchy and seems to perform best when saved for the big occasions and should only be used in 30-35 games a season anyway given his age and injury record. That leaves Pato, the great white hope. While he certainly looks like he will one day be one of the worlds greatest strikers, at the moment he is struggling to try and carry Milan while at the same time develop his game, where he needs to improve his decision making, tighten his dribbling and learn to build combinations with the other attackers.
However, I think Milan's biggest problem currently (that they can work on without the aid of transfers) is the fist half. In the Serie A, if you made a table based on first half results Milan would be last, 4 points behind second last. Milan have not gone into half time with a lead in Serie A or the Champions League this season which is now 12 matches old. Conversely, they would be top of Serie A if you made a table based solely on second half results. In all competitions Milan have a 7-3-2 record based on second half results (24 of a possible 36 points).
My advice to Leonardo would be to send the team out in the first half to just defend, defend, defend. Get to half time on at least equal terms and hope that the teams second half form continues. I guess you could make the argument that Leo could send the team out to just flat out attack from the start, but I think the team clearly has issues finding a rhythm and maintain ball control early on and that sending them out to just defend for the first 20 minutes or even the whole first half is probably the best choice.
Then once January comes I'd buy a centre-back, a fullback and a winger. I'd make sure they were all young without a history of chronic injuries and build from there. Hopefully Abbiati is back and picks up where he left off prior to his injury, like Nesta has, and Milan might have a reasonable season to build from in the future.
It has certainly been a crazy week. Three of the most amazing wins in three of the most amazing fashions. Milan haven't looked dominant at all and may have been lucky in all three games, but it is the kind of run that can turn a teams season around. Before Roma, Milan were mid-table in Serie A and were third in their Champions League group thanks to an embarrassing loss to FC Zurich. After this mornings effort, Milan are fourth in Serie A and top of their Champions League group. What a difference a week does make.
While things do seem much rosier at Milan now than it did just over a week ago, Milan still have plenty of issues. The playing roster isn't anywhere near what it needs to be for a club of Milan's history and ambition, they have issues starting games, they have issues scoring, they haven't found a formation they are comfortable with just yet and injuries are an ever persistent problem.
The issues about the playing roster, its age, depth and versatility have been well documented and don't require repeating. Injuries are once again a major problem. The squad is just plain old and is always going to be prone to injuries. It seems that Leo has brought a change of heart to Galliani and Berlusconi and transfers have focused on younger players, but this is a squad in development and major injury concerns will be a fact of life for Milan until next season at least.
The worst of these injury crises is probably the goalkeeper crisis. First choice keeper, Christian Abbiati, is still recovering from last years shocking injury and second choice Marco Storari got injured after some encouraging performances. Third choice keeper Dida shows some glimpses of why he has a couple of Champions League winners medals at home, and has shown plenty of reasons why he is now a third string keeper. It will be devastating if Milan's momentum is killed by another Dida howler.
Scoring is an issue for Milan. They haven't scored more than 2 in any league game this season. In fact, in 66% of league matches they have scored just 1 goal or less and have just 8 league goals at an average of just 0.88 goals per game and some of those goals have been own goals. Milan's goal scoring troubles aren't a home or away thing either, they've proven to be equally inept at netting the ball where ever they play. I think their search for a formation has added to their struggles up front.
As far as the strikers go, Huntelaar is taking time to gel and force a place. Borriello has had injury troubles and managed to fluff a whole swagger of opportunities against Chievo this morning. Inzaghi is patchy and seems to perform best when saved for the big occasions and should only be used in 30-35 games a season anyway given his age and injury record. That leaves Pato, the great white hope. While he certainly looks like he will one day be one of the worlds greatest strikers, at the moment he is struggling to try and carry Milan while at the same time develop his game, where he needs to improve his decision making, tighten his dribbling and learn to build combinations with the other attackers.
However, I think Milan's biggest problem currently (that they can work on without the aid of transfers) is the fist half. In the Serie A, if you made a table based on first half results Milan would be last, 4 points behind second last. Milan have not gone into half time with a lead in Serie A or the Champions League this season which is now 12 matches old. Conversely, they would be top of Serie A if you made a table based solely on second half results. In all competitions Milan have a 7-3-2 record based on second half results (24 of a possible 36 points).
My advice to Leonardo would be to send the team out in the first half to just defend, defend, defend. Get to half time on at least equal terms and hope that the teams second half form continues. I guess you could make the argument that Leo could send the team out to just flat out attack from the start, but I think the team clearly has issues finding a rhythm and maintain ball control early on and that sending them out to just defend for the first 20 minutes or even the whole first half is probably the best choice.
Then once January comes I'd buy a centre-back, a fullback and a winger. I'd make sure they were all young without a history of chronic injuries and build from there. Hopefully Abbiati is back and picks up where he left off prior to his injury, like Nesta has, and Milan might have a reasonable season to build from in the future.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
What's the Big Deal??
A lot of fuss has been made on the peninsula about the fact that not one Italian player was listed in a group of 30 nominees for the Golden Ball. I don't get why anyone cares...
When Kanye West made his big scene by claiming Beyonce should have won a music award instead of Taylor Swift, my first reaction was to ask myself "when has a music award ever gone to someone that deserved it?"
Much the same, the Golden Ball is a marketing tool for the French Football Magazine and any player of the year award that doesn't have Paolo Maldini's name on it at least once isn't a real award at all.
When Kanye West made his big scene by claiming Beyonce should have won a music award instead of Taylor Swift, my first reaction was to ask myself "when has a music award ever gone to someone that deserved it?"
Much the same, the Golden Ball is a marketing tool for the French Football Magazine and any player of the year award that doesn't have Paolo Maldini's name on it at least once isn't a real award at all.
Tuesday, 13 October 2009
Ibra burns another bridge
Barca forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has always said he was never going to be a one club man and has always been keen to move to greener pastures. Fair enough. Footballers have very short careers and have a right to make the most of it while they can, but Zlatan has a habit of upsetting his former employers and he is at it again.
Just months after his move from Inter to Barca he has bagged his former club by stating they are not a great team like Barca. The powerful forward said "There are not many players who can make the difference at Inter. If there was ever a problem, then it would be hard to recover. However, if someone is out here at Barcelona, then we have the players to come in. This is what makes Barcelona a great team."
Probably true, but perhaps to retain any inter fans who still admire him, he might have let the dust settle before he started denegrating his former club. He lost enough fans last season with an episode that ended in him gesturing to his own supporters to be quite after he scored a goal.
Just months after his move from Inter to Barca he has bagged his former club by stating they are not a great team like Barca. The powerful forward said "There are not many players who can make the difference at Inter. If there was ever a problem, then it would be hard to recover. However, if someone is out here at Barcelona, then we have the players to come in. This is what makes Barcelona a great team."
Probably true, but perhaps to retain any inter fans who still admire him, he might have let the dust settle before he started denegrating his former club. He lost enough fans last season with an episode that ended in him gesturing to his own supporters to be quite after he scored a goal.
Leo to be sacked?
Milan coach Leonardo has just 180 minutes of football to prove he is worthy of keeping his job as the club lose patience with him.
According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, the Brazilian has been given two matches to turn the team's dwindling fortunes around. The Rossoneri have been stuck in a rut, and they will need to evoke winning performances against Roma at the weekend, followed by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
I'm not so sure I believe this story. It is an International break, so club news is slow and this might just be a page filler. Plus, it seems extraordinarily unfair to tell a coach he has to turn a team that hasn't played well for over two years in less than a fortnight and beat Roma and Real Madrid in a four or five day period.
There is a lot of fan pressure, but plenty of fans in recent times have wanted to see Carlo Ancelotti leave and the club kept him until he got a better offer and jumped ship. Fans also wanted to get rid of players, such as Dida and he is still at the club despite managing to get injured while sitting on the bench and maintaining atrocious form. The sight of him being stretchered off from the bench at half-time was so embarrassing for the club they should have paid whatever they had to to get rid of him.
So given the clubs reticence to get rid of anyone in the last four or five years, I'd be surprised if Leo is let go so soon. Then again, before Ancelotti the club did have a rotating door policy on managers and it seemed for awhile fruit lasted longer than Milan managers. Lets hope they don't revert back quite that far.
According to Il Corriere Dello Sport, the Brazilian has been given two matches to turn the team's dwindling fortunes around. The Rossoneri have been stuck in a rut, and they will need to evoke winning performances against Roma at the weekend, followed by Real Madrid in the Champions League.
I'm not so sure I believe this story. It is an International break, so club news is slow and this might just be a page filler. Plus, it seems extraordinarily unfair to tell a coach he has to turn a team that hasn't played well for over two years in less than a fortnight and beat Roma and Real Madrid in a four or five day period.
There is a lot of fan pressure, but plenty of fans in recent times have wanted to see Carlo Ancelotti leave and the club kept him until he got a better offer and jumped ship. Fans also wanted to get rid of players, such as Dida and he is still at the club despite managing to get injured while sitting on the bench and maintaining atrocious form. The sight of him being stretchered off from the bench at half-time was so embarrassing for the club they should have paid whatever they had to to get rid of him.
So given the clubs reticence to get rid of anyone in the last four or five years, I'd be surprised if Leo is let go so soon. Then again, before Ancelotti the club did have a rotating door policy on managers and it seemed for awhile fruit lasted longer than Milan managers. Lets hope they don't revert back quite that far.
Thursday, 24 September 2009
A few quick questions...
There has been some debate recently about poaching by English clubs, which lead to the debate being raised again about Italians blooding youths slowly and whether the peninsula needed to change the way they treated youngsters.
My questions is, does it benefit a player to hit their best form early?
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best player in the world at the moment along with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi is 22, Ronaldo is 24.
How long can either of them continue to be at their best?
Accepted knowledge suggests midfielders like Messi and Ronaldo peak during their late twenties and start to deteriorate once they are into their thirties.
Does that mean Messi and Ronaldo will start to deteriorate after they turn 25? Or, will they continue to dominate football for the next 8-10 years?
The financial pressures of footballs transfer and wage price inflation has meant clubs have looked to buy players younger while they are still cheap and turn them into stars quicker so they can be marketed for longer, but is that how it will work?
Will Real Madrid and Barcelona find their Messiah's are burnt out well before they're 30?
My questions is, does it benefit a player to hit their best form early?
Lionel Messi is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best player in the world at the moment along with Cristiano Ronaldo. Messi is 22, Ronaldo is 24.
How long can either of them continue to be at their best?
Accepted knowledge suggests midfielders like Messi and Ronaldo peak during their late twenties and start to deteriorate once they are into their thirties.
Does that mean Messi and Ronaldo will start to deteriorate after they turn 25? Or, will they continue to dominate football for the next 8-10 years?
The financial pressures of footballs transfer and wage price inflation has meant clubs have looked to buy players younger while they are still cheap and turn them into stars quicker so they can be marketed for longer, but is that how it will work?
Will Real Madrid and Barcelona find their Messiah's are burnt out well before they're 30?
Wednesday, 16 September 2009
Milan stumble against Livorno, scrape past OM
Lets start with this mornings match against OM. Milan were lucky. There were questions of offside and they looked terrible in parts, but to their credit the team battled through poor weather in the south of France and were clinical enough with their opportunities to take all 3 points in a crucial match.
During the week VP Adriano Galliani claimed "Real Madrid will presumably finish in one of the two top spots [in the group], therefore Milan and Marseille will presumably fight it out for the other one. And that is why tomorrow’s game is very important.” 3 away points versus Marsielle does give Milan alot of early breathing space, especially as Marseille travel to Madrid on the next matchday, while Milan host Zurich. If results go our way, we could be 6 points up on OM after just 2 games.
Now to league matters...
Milan slumped on the weekend, only managing an away draw against Livorno who had managed to collect just 1 point in their opening two matches.
Ronaldinho took a lot of the slack and, although he deserved it perhaps, as usual, he got more than he deserved. The fact is that if you have two playmakers (Pirlo and Ronaldinho) who are tremendously skillful but about as quick as a two-legged elephant, you need to build speed around them.
Ownership management and coaching staff, both past and present, need to take the blame for a very poor transfer policy that has too often lead to buying a player with a big name rather than a player with a lot to offer the team. We are left with a team full of talent that don't complement each other or the formation they've been bought to play in.
But we are getting into the guts of the season now and their is not much use complaining about what resources we have, we just have to hope that Leo and co. can make the most of what they have.
On a positive note, Inzaghi and Seedorf played well and Oddo wasn't half the disaster the media have made him out to be during preseason.
On a positive note, In the league we have 4 points from 3 games, one more point than last season. If we continue to get 4 points for every 3 we got last season, we will get 98 or 99 points. So on that sound and reasoned logic, we are on course to win the league this year. Woot!
During the week VP Adriano Galliani claimed "Real Madrid will presumably finish in one of the two top spots [in the group], therefore Milan and Marseille will presumably fight it out for the other one. And that is why tomorrow’s game is very important.” 3 away points versus Marsielle does give Milan alot of early breathing space, especially as Marseille travel to Madrid on the next matchday, while Milan host Zurich. If results go our way, we could be 6 points up on OM after just 2 games.
Now to league matters...
Milan slumped on the weekend, only managing an away draw against Livorno who had managed to collect just 1 point in their opening two matches.
Ronaldinho took a lot of the slack and, although he deserved it perhaps, as usual, he got more than he deserved. The fact is that if you have two playmakers (Pirlo and Ronaldinho) who are tremendously skillful but about as quick as a two-legged elephant, you need to build speed around them.
Ownership management and coaching staff, both past and present, need to take the blame for a very poor transfer policy that has too often lead to buying a player with a big name rather than a player with a lot to offer the team. We are left with a team full of talent that don't complement each other or the formation they've been bought to play in.
But we are getting into the guts of the season now and their is not much use complaining about what resources we have, we just have to hope that Leo and co. can make the most of what they have.
On a positive note, Inzaghi and Seedorf played well and Oddo wasn't half the disaster the media have made him out to be during preseason.
On a positive note, In the league we have 4 points from 3 games, one more point than last season. If we continue to get 4 points for every 3 we got last season, we will get 98 or 99 points. So on that sound and reasoned logic, we are on course to win the league this year. Woot!
Monday, 7 September 2009
Nobody Likes Me, Everybody Hates Me...
Fifa’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players, Article 17, paragraph 4, states: “It shall be presumed, unless established to the contrary, that any club signing a professional who has terminated his contract without just cause has induced that professional to commit a breach. The club shall be banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for two registration periods.”
In 2005 Roma were banned from the transfer market for two windows over their signing of Philippe Mexès from Auxerre. The club appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ordered that Roma should be banned only from the January 2006 window.
Sion, of Switzerland, received a similar Fifa ban in April for two transfer windows after enticing Essam El Hadary from Al Ahly. Sion appealed to CAS, which has frozen the sanction while it deliberates. A verdict is likely this year.
But the English don't care that Chelsea has been treated the same as everyone else. In their self-proclaimed position as the best domestic competition in the world, English clubs have grown exceedingly paranoid, to the point that any action that doesn't go their way is perceived as a slight.
"Chelsea will argue that the punishment is disproportionate to the relatively modest fine imposed and the nature of the offence, while senior figures at the club — who have maintained their innocence — believe that they are victims of an anti-English conspiracy at the heart of Fifa and Uefa.
Yesterday’s punishments came two days after Eduardo da Silva, the Arsenal striker, was given a two-match ban for diving by Uefa, leading Arsène Wenger, the manager, to voice similar concerns about Barclays Premier League clubs being victimised.
“Chelsea will mount the strongest appeal possible following the decision of Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gaël Kakuta,” a club statement read.
“The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed. We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision.”
It's a similar line to the one Chelsea were pushing after their exit from the Champions League last season. I don't see how Chelsea can claim the punishment is extreme or without precedent given the Roma and Sion cases, then again, I am assuming that English clubs keep up with what happens outside of their own little world.
I hope the ban remains and, if it is reduced, Chelsea should at least be banned for one transfer window. I also think that this type of ban should be used as punishment for other infringements for two reasons.
1) It would be a major deterrent and a real punishment. Do clubs, especially big clubs, care about the minuscule fines they are often handed out? I doubt it. Stadium bans are a good visual way of punishing clubs, like making them sit in the corner with a 'dunce' hat on, but transfer bans are what would really hurt clubs and make them think twice about trying to play fast and loose with the games regulations.
2) Transfer bans would also help to slow the massive inflation in transfer fees and player wages at the moment. Say Chelsea's ban is up held and Manchester United get a similar ban for their alleged breach, that's potentially upwards of 100 million pound taken out of the transfer market for the next 18 months. Also, if transfer bans were regularly meted out to those who committed serious infringements, it might force clubs to invest in their youth academies to ensure they can continue to bring new talent into the first team during such bans.
This is one FIFA crusade I'm willing to sign on for.
In 2005 Roma were banned from the transfer market for two windows over their signing of Philippe Mexès from Auxerre. The club appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which ordered that Roma should be banned only from the January 2006 window.
Sion, of Switzerland, received a similar Fifa ban in April for two transfer windows after enticing Essam El Hadary from Al Ahly. Sion appealed to CAS, which has frozen the sanction while it deliberates. A verdict is likely this year.
But the English don't care that Chelsea has been treated the same as everyone else. In their self-proclaimed position as the best domestic competition in the world, English clubs have grown exceedingly paranoid, to the point that any action that doesn't go their way is perceived as a slight.
"Chelsea will argue that the punishment is disproportionate to the relatively modest fine imposed and the nature of the offence, while senior figures at the club — who have maintained their innocence — believe that they are victims of an anti-English conspiracy at the heart of Fifa and Uefa.
Yesterday’s punishments came two days after Eduardo da Silva, the Arsenal striker, was given a two-match ban for diving by Uefa, leading Arsène Wenger, the manager, to voice similar concerns about Barclays Premier League clubs being victimised.
“Chelsea will mount the strongest appeal possible following the decision of Fifa’s Dispute Resolution Chamber over Gaël Kakuta,” a club statement read.
“The sanctions are without precedent to this level and totally disproportionate to the alleged offence and the financial penalty imposed. We cannot comment further until we receive the full written rationale for this extraordinarily arbitrary decision.”
It's a similar line to the one Chelsea were pushing after their exit from the Champions League last season. I don't see how Chelsea can claim the punishment is extreme or without precedent given the Roma and Sion cases, then again, I am assuming that English clubs keep up with what happens outside of their own little world.
I hope the ban remains and, if it is reduced, Chelsea should at least be banned for one transfer window. I also think that this type of ban should be used as punishment for other infringements for two reasons.
1) It would be a major deterrent and a real punishment. Do clubs, especially big clubs, care about the minuscule fines they are often handed out? I doubt it. Stadium bans are a good visual way of punishing clubs, like making them sit in the corner with a 'dunce' hat on, but transfer bans are what would really hurt clubs and make them think twice about trying to play fast and loose with the games regulations.
2) Transfer bans would also help to slow the massive inflation in transfer fees and player wages at the moment. Say Chelsea's ban is up held and Manchester United get a similar ban for their alleged breach, that's potentially upwards of 100 million pound taken out of the transfer market for the next 18 months. Also, if transfer bans were regularly meted out to those who committed serious infringements, it might force clubs to invest in their youth academies to ensure they can continue to bring new talent into the first team during such bans.
This is one FIFA crusade I'm willing to sign on for.
Sunday, 6 September 2009
Fate Is A Cruel Mistress
Kakha Kaladze, recovered from injury and ready to get back amongst the thick of things was making some bold claims prior to Georgia's match up against Italy. Kaladze claimed he would not accept a permanent role as left fullback for Milan and was confident he could challenge Nesta and Silva for a starting role in the cetre of defence.
“If it will be necessary, I can play at left-back, but for no more than two or three matches... but I am now ready and the match against Italy will be my first match for six and a half months. I am fired up. After that, I will go back to Milanello and compete with Nesta and Thiago Silva." confidently proclaimed Kaladze.
Some 24 hours later and the Georgian sings to a different tune:
“The team did well and the lads gave their heart and soul tonight, so I am so very sorry that we conceded two goals and it was my fault. These things happen in football,” sighed the captain.
“Now I will return to Milan and if they decide to send me out on to the field, then I will do my best.”
said I rather more humble Kaladze after scoring two, thats right, two own goals against Italy. I'm sure he will spend a few restless nights reflecting on how his best laid plans went so wrong.
“If it will be necessary, I can play at left-back, but for no more than two or three matches... but I am now ready and the match against Italy will be my first match for six and a half months. I am fired up. After that, I will go back to Milanello and compete with Nesta and Thiago Silva." confidently proclaimed Kaladze.
Some 24 hours later and the Georgian sings to a different tune:
“The team did well and the lads gave their heart and soul tonight, so I am so very sorry that we conceded two goals and it was my fault. These things happen in football,” sighed the captain.
“Now I will return to Milan and if they decide to send me out on to the field, then I will do my best.”
said I rather more humble Kaladze after scoring two, thats right, two own goals against Italy. I'm sure he will spend a few restless nights reflecting on how his best laid plans went so wrong.
Thursday, 3 September 2009
Doomed to Repeat the Past
"We are looking at many things, but life goes on and we have a good team; we didn't die. Then, we shall go back to our natural habitat: the Champions League."
I had hoped a lot of this rhetoric had died after we missed out on qualification for last years Champions League. It is partly this belief that only a dozen or so games out of fifty plus games matter. This attitude has helped breed the sort of complacency which is crippling the club.
I had hoped a lot of this rhetoric had died after we missed out on qualification for last years Champions League. It is partly this belief that only a dozen or so games out of fifty plus games matter. This attitude has helped breed the sort of complacency which is crippling the club.
Tuesday, 1 September 2009
Derby della Madonnina
I didn't believe Milan would win the derby or, at least, I didn't believe they were favorites, but I never thought they would get so completely embarrassed. And it wasn't just the 4-0 scoreline. The Gattuso-Seedorf substitution that never happened, along with a myriad of other embarrassing moments really tested the resolve of the rossoneri tifosi, most of whom are already one step away from a mental asylum after a difficult few seasons.
Credit where it is due, Inter were flat out fantastic. Some of their passing play made even me gush. I also want to give credit to the referee for calling the penalty. It was clearly a penalty, even if some refs let similar situations go every weekend.
Who knows what we can really take out of the derby. Many will suggest we saw the real Milan and perhaps we did. I think Milan's main problems are width and physical ability. No matter how much experience Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, ect have, it doesn't really matter if they're too slow and weak to get the ball and hold on to it. Others will say Wesley Sneijder is Inter's missing link and the creative midfielder will take them to the next level in Europe. We'll see.
The Derby will have a confidence effect though and with Milan fans already in a despondent mood it will be hard for Leo to build the team up from such a weak position.
Credit where it is due, Inter were flat out fantastic. Some of their passing play made even me gush. I also want to give credit to the referee for calling the penalty. It was clearly a penalty, even if some refs let similar situations go every weekend.
Who knows what we can really take out of the derby. Many will suggest we saw the real Milan and perhaps we did. I think Milan's main problems are width and physical ability. No matter how much experience Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, ect have, it doesn't really matter if they're too slow and weak to get the ball and hold on to it. Others will say Wesley Sneijder is Inter's missing link and the creative midfielder will take them to the next level in Europe. We'll see.
The Derby will have a confidence effect though and with Milan fans already in a despondent mood it will be hard for Leo to build the team up from such a weak position.
And now for something completely different
Something curious took place in Florence, less than 24 hours after the violence at Upton Park. Fiorentina took on Sporting in their Champions League play-off without an on-duty policeman at the Stadio Franchi. With Uefa’s permission, security was left to the stewards.
It is all part of an ambitious plan by Francesco Tagliente, Florence’s progressive chief of police. Tagliente believes in reducing — and in some cases eliminating — police presence to combat fan violence, including creating special “pram parking” areas at the ground for families with toddlers and urging Fiorentina’s Ultras to “twin” with Liverpool supporters’ groups before their Champions League match.
It is about time someone in Italian law enforcement tried a different approach.
A policeman willing to use his brain and not his baton. Something we should all celebrate.
It is all part of an ambitious plan by Francesco Tagliente, Florence’s progressive chief of police. Tagliente believes in reducing — and in some cases eliminating — police presence to combat fan violence, including creating special “pram parking” areas at the ground for families with toddlers and urging Fiorentina’s Ultras to “twin” with Liverpool supporters’ groups before their Champions League match.
It is about time someone in Italian law enforcement tried a different approach.
A policeman willing to use his brain and not his baton. Something we should all celebrate.
Thursday, 27 August 2009
Fiorentina Qualify
Fiorentina became the fourth Italian side to reach the Champions League group stages this season by ousting Sporting CP of Portugal on the away goals rule.
Fiorentina have been a thorn in Milan's backside in the last few years so I generally enjoy seeing them suffer a bit, like their 1-1 draw against Bologna on the weekend. However, I am happy they qualified for the Champions League. It's always great to see Italian representation in Europe's biggest competition.
I also wanted to note that Platini's great plan to get more "Champions" in the Champions League has succeeded, all four teams from Italy, Spain and England qualified. In Pot 1 there are 2 champions and 4 in Pot 2. 20 of the 32 clubs come from just 6 nations.
Fiorentina have been a thorn in Milan's backside in the last few years so I generally enjoy seeing them suffer a bit, like their 1-1 draw against Bologna on the weekend. However, I am happy they qualified for the Champions League. It's always great to see Italian representation in Europe's biggest competition.
I also wanted to note that Platini's great plan to get more "Champions" in the Champions League has succeeded, all four teams from Italy, Spain and England qualified. In Pot 1 there are 2 champions and 4 in Pot 2. 20 of the 32 clubs come from just 6 nations.
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