Another thing about the Inter-Rubin Kazan game yesterday: I had predicted Balotelli would be sent off against Barcelona but he only played like 10 minutes, so the fact he got sent off in the first CL game he started sort of makes me feel validated.
What I take away from today's games is how bad AC Milan and Atletico Madrid really are. I thought Milan would get a result at home but when I saw the game end 1-0 I didn't blink an eye. They are an old team with holes all over the park and a manager in way over his head (and I will admit I am surprised by this I thought Leonardo was prepared to make the leap). This is now 3 straight games were they have been outplayed by what should be inferior competition. AC Milan are unlike many other Italian teams in that they generally allow a manager time to find his footing. In 99% of other Italian clubs Leonardo would be looking at a must-win this weekend, but if the organization believes in him, and it seems like they do, he is probably going to get a chance to right the ship. That said they are zero percent of a threat at either League or Europe.
Atletico Madrid might be the shallowest big club in Europe. The professionals on their roster don't reach 20 and there is no sign of a willingness or ability to change this at window. Although the defense does look a bit better than last year there are major concerns in midfield and the overall managing of the ball over the course of 90 minutes. It can not be overstated how much better this team looks from afar do the individual skill and magic of Forlan and Aguero. In all honesty they should have finished mid-table last season. But with a spot in the CL come expectations and that makes us all shake our heads every time Atletico play. They had to make a GK switch when Roberto got hurt which makes a bad situation worse. Fortunately for them Sergio Asenjo, their real number 1 and one of the hottest young goalies in Europe, will return from the U-20 World Cup soon, although it may be too late.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Fantasy Failure
I should have posted a million things before this, but I didn't. Whatevs bra', I am oves. Anyway... there is still the second day of matches but this round of Champions League fantasy has not gone well for pitch itchey. Guys I dropped at the last minute include Stevan Jovetic (2 goals against Liverpool) and Pedrito (scored against Dinamo). I also thought about adding Chori Dominguez but didn't and he put one in against Inter. Speaking of Inter, I made Diego Milito my captain which was not a resounding triumph.
On the bright side, maybe, I have Diego Forlan and Radamel Falcao going tomorrow. That game could end 4-4 or something along those lines.
On the bright side, maybe, I have Diego Forlan and Radamel Falcao going tomorrow. That game could end 4-4 or something along those lines.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
I Will Take the Point
The clash of champions at San Siro ended in a goal-less draw and I am totally 100 percent okay with that. To be fair Barcelona had the better of the play and could have won, but they didn't. So there. It speaks to just how good they really are that the 4 time defending champion of Italy would clam up for 90 minutes and outright play for the tie at home. Balotelli only played 5 minutes at the end and kept himself out of the referee's book which is a good thing.
The rest of the matches went pretty much as you would expect. When someone tells me the group phase of the Champions League is boring and/or unwatchable I disagree and try to make the case for it, but eventually I am forced to admit it is a bit tedious. The one result that caught me a little by surprise was Rangers getting a point away to Stuttgart. I don't think this Rangers team is that good and will probably finish third behind Stuts and Sevilla.
The rest of the matches went pretty much as you would expect. When someone tells me the group phase of the Champions League is boring and/or unwatchable I disagree and try to make the case for it, but eventually I am forced to admit it is a bit tedious. The one result that caught me a little by surprise was Rangers getting a point away to Stuttgart. I don't think this Rangers team is that good and will probably finish third behind Stuts and Sevilla.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Champs, Bra'
Been a hectic few days and haven't been able to post. Too bad because there has been some interseting stuff going on. Anyway, no real surprises today in Champions League. United ground out a win in a tough place to play, Real Madrid and Bayern stomped on minnows, Atletico showed their slump is not confined to domestic opposition, the absence of Diego and Felipe Melo proved that Juve's hot start is mainly because of them, and Chelsea rarely lose at home.
I am pretty excited/nervous about the Inter-Barcelona game tomorrow. I will be at work during the game and am not sure if I can resist checking the score and waiting to watch the whole thing when I get home (I probably can't hold out), but it is too early in the competition to skip out of work early. Here are two predictions I have: If Inter come out in a 4-3-3, Barcelona win. If Balotelli plays he earns himself at least a yellow.
I am pretty excited/nervous about the Inter-Barcelona game tomorrow. I will be at work during the game and am not sure if I can resist checking the score and waiting to watch the whole thing when I get home (I probably can't hold out), but it is too early in the competition to skip out of work early. Here are two predictions I have: If Inter come out in a 4-3-3, Barcelona win. If Balotelli plays he earns himself at least a yellow.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Tough Times
Turns out I was fortunate not to watch the Argentina-Brazil game live. What a buzzkiller for Labor Day Weekend. I really expected Argentina to come up with a victory and the 3-1 loss stings. The one thing that made me nervous going in was the inexperience of the central defense and that was what cost them. 2 set piece goals in the first half which are attributable to shoddy marking changed the shape of the game.
It is unfair to say the outcome would have been different under the leadership of another manager but it is undeniable that Maradona has hurt this team more than he has helped. With this latest result he has 2 wins and 3 losses in qualifying, a dismal record, and that includes an unforgettable humiliation in La Paz and this latest sour defeat to Brazil at home. At times it really seems like he doesn't understand what a national team manager does at the elite level. Almost like he thinks if he picks 11 players he likes and pats them on the back they can go out and beat anyone because the mighty Maradona believes in them. That is not the way it works. They were beaten by a Brazilian team that has continuity and identity. On top of that they had efficient execution of set pieces and clearly established ideas of how to play the game. Up against 11 players who were just out there to play, depending on the emotional charge of wearing the national team shirt to carry them through, the Brazilian superiority was never in question.
In less than 24 hours Argentina will play what is now the biggest game of the campaign to date, away to Paraguay. For all the stumbles of the Maradona era a win in Asuncion would put them within striking distance of a spot in South Africa. I hope the days since the defeat in Rosario were enough to study the opponent, fix what was wrong, and prepare for this match. Four changes have been made to the squad that started Saturday's game. Tomorrow night Argentina's 11 will be:
Sergio Romero (in for Andujar)
Emiliano Papa (for Otamendi), Heinze, Dominguez, Zanetti
Gago (for Maxi Rodriguez), Mascherano, Veron, Datolo
Messi, Aguero (for Tevez)
I am hoping for the best but to be candid this line-up screams out wait and see. Papa is a good player who can perform at this level but sliding Heinze into central defense to make room for him might not be such an awesome idea. His adventures in that alternate position are well chronicled. This incarnation of the midfield I think will do well. If there was a bright spot on Saturday it was Jesus Datolo, and with Gago in for Maxi I think there is some balance in the middle. Aguero for Tevez is not exactly like for like but it does not give the attack a radically different identity. That an offense featuring those two players plus Lionel Messi has only mustered three goals in the last four competitive games should send up red flags. It is crying out for something new. This would be a great place to try Messi alongside a true 9, either Milito or Lopez, like many have been suggesting for months.
On the other side of the equation there is cause for concern as well. Although Paraguay have looked wobbly in the last several qualifying matches they are still in a commanding position vis-a-vis Argentina. Tata Martino is a very good manager and he knows that a draw is a very comfortable result for his side. He also knows Argentina are coming in desperate and with something to prove. Given this I am sure he has spent the last few days building a safe and sturdy if boring counter-attacking game plan.
I am hoping for the best but doing so with the unfamiliar feeling that Argentina don't walk on the field with the inherent advantage I have come to expect.
It is unfair to say the outcome would have been different under the leadership of another manager but it is undeniable that Maradona has hurt this team more than he has helped. With this latest result he has 2 wins and 3 losses in qualifying, a dismal record, and that includes an unforgettable humiliation in La Paz and this latest sour defeat to Brazil at home. At times it really seems like he doesn't understand what a national team manager does at the elite level. Almost like he thinks if he picks 11 players he likes and pats them on the back they can go out and beat anyone because the mighty Maradona believes in them. That is not the way it works. They were beaten by a Brazilian team that has continuity and identity. On top of that they had efficient execution of set pieces and clearly established ideas of how to play the game. Up against 11 players who were just out there to play, depending on the emotional charge of wearing the national team shirt to carry them through, the Brazilian superiority was never in question.
In less than 24 hours Argentina will play what is now the biggest game of the campaign to date, away to Paraguay. For all the stumbles of the Maradona era a win in Asuncion would put them within striking distance of a spot in South Africa. I hope the days since the defeat in Rosario were enough to study the opponent, fix what was wrong, and prepare for this match. Four changes have been made to the squad that started Saturday's game. Tomorrow night Argentina's 11 will be:
Sergio Romero (in for Andujar)
Emiliano Papa (for Otamendi), Heinze, Dominguez, Zanetti
Gago (for Maxi Rodriguez), Mascherano, Veron, Datolo
Messi, Aguero (for Tevez)
I am hoping for the best but to be candid this line-up screams out wait and see. Papa is a good player who can perform at this level but sliding Heinze into central defense to make room for him might not be such an awesome idea. His adventures in that alternate position are well chronicled. This incarnation of the midfield I think will do well. If there was a bright spot on Saturday it was Jesus Datolo, and with Gago in for Maxi I think there is some balance in the middle. Aguero for Tevez is not exactly like for like but it does not give the attack a radically different identity. That an offense featuring those two players plus Lionel Messi has only mustered three goals in the last four competitive games should send up red flags. It is crying out for something new. This would be a great place to try Messi alongside a true 9, either Milito or Lopez, like many have been suggesting for months.
On the other side of the equation there is cause for concern as well. Although Paraguay have looked wobbly in the last several qualifying matches they are still in a commanding position vis-a-vis Argentina. Tata Martino is a very good manager and he knows that a draw is a very comfortable result for his side. He also knows Argentina are coming in desperate and with something to prove. Given this I am sure he has spent the last few days building a safe and sturdy if boring counter-attacking game plan.
I am hoping for the best but doing so with the unfamiliar feeling that Argentina don't walk on the field with the inherent advantage I have come to expect.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Clasico of Clasicos
It is almost here. Tomorrow night, Argentina vs. Brazil. This is probably my favorite match up ever. I have a lot of memories of the South American clasico. Some good, some bad, but it is always a great experience. Unfortunately I am going to be traveling and will be relegated to streaming the game if anything.
This particular edition has a lot of interesting subplots. Maradona vs. Dunga 19 years after the famous game from Italia 90, Messi vs. Kaka, the importance it has re WCQ, the change of venue to Rosario, the peculiar mix of players Maradona has called into the squad, the return of Adriano to the Brazilian national team.
I don't think the Brazilian team sheet has been released yet but Argentina will line up in a 4-4-2:
Andjuar
Heinze, Otamendi, Seba Dominguez, Zanetti
Maxi Rodriguez, Mascherano, Veron, Datolo
Messi, Tevez
There are a few question marks with this formation but all in all I think if the players execute Argentina will be fine. In central defense are two players who have never played club football in Europe and have 2 caps between them. That is the bad. The good is that they make up the tandem at Velez Sarsfield, the defending Argentine champions, and were responsible for the league's lowest goals against last term. To be fair Maradona called Otamendi into the squad early on and raised some eyebrows but had his vision vindicated when he came to dominate the first division last year. With Demichelis injured and Coloccini in poor form (he probably shouldn't have even been called to the squad in my opinion) Maradona didn't have many other choices but going with such a green central defense still makes me a bit nervous.
The injury to Jonas Gutierrez is more of a blow than many people thing. In the game in Brazil he was key in shutting down Maicon. This Brazilian team uses the attacking right-back as a key to their offense and Jonas is the perfect player to neutralize that. The job will now fall to Maxi Rodriguez who is a good player but not as specialized in that area.
I continue to think the national team needs a number 9 up front and the Messi-Tevez combo does not strike me as the best option when there are guys like Milito and Licha Lopez to choose from. Still, those two are more than capable of changing a game in flash and over the course of 90 minutes I suspect they will have chance to do so. What I like in this set up is the more narrow look of the team going forward may allow for more coherent linkage between Veron, who will be the 10, and the strikers. In the 4-3-3 they used against Colombia the team was spread to thin for the Veron-Messi partnership to be much of a threat and the opposing defenders snuffed out any danger far from goal.
I like Argentina's options of the bench but Brazil has probably as many weapons to choose from. In addition I think Dunga is a very, very good in-game manager and despite all of Maradona's experience and knowledge he is still new to coaching. For Argentina to win it is imperative that the players on the field beat their men one on one.
My prediction is Argentina 2-0 Brazil.
This particular edition has a lot of interesting subplots. Maradona vs. Dunga 19 years after the famous game from Italia 90, Messi vs. Kaka, the importance it has re WCQ, the change of venue to Rosario, the peculiar mix of players Maradona has called into the squad, the return of Adriano to the Brazilian national team.
I don't think the Brazilian team sheet has been released yet but Argentina will line up in a 4-4-2:
Andjuar
Heinze, Otamendi, Seba Dominguez, Zanetti
Maxi Rodriguez, Mascherano, Veron, Datolo
Messi, Tevez
There are a few question marks with this formation but all in all I think if the players execute Argentina will be fine. In central defense are two players who have never played club football in Europe and have 2 caps between them. That is the bad. The good is that they make up the tandem at Velez Sarsfield, the defending Argentine champions, and were responsible for the league's lowest goals against last term. To be fair Maradona called Otamendi into the squad early on and raised some eyebrows but had his vision vindicated when he came to dominate the first division last year. With Demichelis injured and Coloccini in poor form (he probably shouldn't have even been called to the squad in my opinion) Maradona didn't have many other choices but going with such a green central defense still makes me a bit nervous.
The injury to Jonas Gutierrez is more of a blow than many people thing. In the game in Brazil he was key in shutting down Maicon. This Brazilian team uses the attacking right-back as a key to their offense and Jonas is the perfect player to neutralize that. The job will now fall to Maxi Rodriguez who is a good player but not as specialized in that area.
I continue to think the national team needs a number 9 up front and the Messi-Tevez combo does not strike me as the best option when there are guys like Milito and Licha Lopez to choose from. Still, those two are more than capable of changing a game in flash and over the course of 90 minutes I suspect they will have chance to do so. What I like in this set up is the more narrow look of the team going forward may allow for more coherent linkage between Veron, who will be the 10, and the strikers. In the 4-3-3 they used against Colombia the team was spread to thin for the Veron-Messi partnership to be much of a threat and the opposing defenders snuffed out any danger far from goal.
I like Argentina's options of the bench but Brazil has probably as many weapons to choose from. In addition I think Dunga is a very, very good in-game manager and despite all of Maradona's experience and knowledge he is still new to coaching. For Argentina to win it is imperative that the players on the field beat their men one on one.
My prediction is Argentina 2-0 Brazil.
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