Fiorentina have taken Barcelona's next-big-thing-but-not-quite-yet Keirrison on loan. La Viola's first choice target was Antonio Cassano but Sampdoria's asking price was too high and with the window slamming shut in the near future they pulled the trigger on the Brazilian. Fiorentina are in a position where they had to do something to shore up their attack after the Adrian Mutu debacle. Although Fiorentina advanced through a reasonably competitive group in the Champions League they are languishing in the middle of the Serie A table, 7 points out of qualifying for next year's competition. That they are alive on three fronts (league, Europe, and copa) means their squad will be taxed heavily in the coming months. They needed add an attacking player if they want to succeed but I am not sure this was the right move.
Kierrison was signed from Palmeiras last summer for around 20 million Euros and Barcelona immediately shipped him off to Benfica to gain European experience. That experiment was a flop as he look poor on the rare occasion he got some playing time. If a guy can not win a starting place over guys like Javier Saviola and Oscar Cardozo (solid players but not elite figures) what makes Fiorentina think he can thrive in the more demanding Serie A? He will probably be on the bench behind Jovetic and Gilardino most of the time but the number of fixtures means he will get chances. I really don't expect this to be the signing that pushes Fiorentina over the top. From Kierrison's point of view it could be said this is a fresh start, a second chance to justify the hype and transfer fee of last summer. He is still very young. And while it would be tempting to say it is make or break time, the truth is that you can get many, many chances. Ricardo Quaresma has flopped in 3 of the biggest leagues in Europe and still gets mentioned as a possible target by reasonably successful clubs.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Monday, January 25, 2010
ACoN
I will freely admit I have not watched any of the African Cup of Nations matches. And I will also admit I am what you might call a hater and/or doubter when it comes to African football (as far as clubs and national teams go, I recognize that some of the best players in the world at elite clubs come from Africa). But seeing the highlights from the quarter final matches really left me in shock. The one that was particularly egregious was the match between World Cup bound Cameroon and 2 time defending champion Egypt. The game ended 3-1 in Egypt's favor and save the final goal scored (or more accurately not scored since it never crossed the line) on a freekick every goal involved at least one hackle raising mistake that would get a second division player sent to the bench. Like really eye-popping stuff. When I see play that sloppy in such an important game, my belief that African football is not ready for primetime is reinforced. Prove me wrong.
On a more serious note Pitch Itchy wishes a speedy and full recovery to Salvador Cabanas. He was shot in the head in a Mexico City nightclub early this morning. There seems to be a lot of tragedies around football these last few months. Sad and senseless, I hope he is able to pull through.
On a more serious note Pitch Itchy wishes a speedy and full recovery to Salvador Cabanas. He was shot in the head in a Mexico City nightclub early this morning. There seems to be a lot of tragedies around football these last few months. Sad and senseless, I hope he is able to pull through.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Thoughts on the Derby De La Mad
Here are some quick thoughts about Inter's 2-0 win today:
1. Julio Cesar is now the best goalkeeper in Serie A. Probably in the world.
2. Diego Milito is an absolute stud. In three Milan derbys he has scored four goals. His goals per game in Italy is well over .5, both this year and career.
3. The Sneijder red card for sarcastic clapping was absolutely ridiculous. That is a petty thing to do and maybe deserves to go in the book but come on. In the 27th minute?! Without any previous offenses?! In a huge game... not so cool.
4. Late in the first half Milan were their own worst enemy when it came to attack. So many balls to Inter players or lazy crosses or just killing time. AC Milan are probably the second best team in Italy right now but their lack of sharpness speaks to the current stature of Serie A vs La Liga and the Prem.
5. Down a goal but up a man Leonardo had the luxury of swapping Gatuso for Seedorf. Seedorf-Ronaldinho looked like a dangerous partnership in the opening minutes of the second half but the spark fizzled. It speaks volumes about a team when they can add an attacking player, be one man up for more than an hour, and the viewer hardly notices their opponent is on ten.
6. Goran Pandev seems to still be one-half step out of synch. That said he gives good effort and his free kick goal was beautiful. When he gets completely on the same page as the rest of the team he is going to go on a tear.
7. Lucio's red card was almost as stupid as Sneijder's. It was clearly a penalty but clearly not a red. Terrible call.
8. Ronaldinho sucks.
9. For being such a hardass Marco M. has a surprising fun side. He has hardly played this year but is always very supportive and lighthearted. When Balotelli scored that bomb of a freekick in the Champs League he ran off the bench and on to the field to congratulate what is by all accounts not a beloved player. He is always doing goofy stuff on the bench and I thought rocking the Berlusconi mask as the match ended was pretty good.
10. Pandev, Lucio, and Sneijder are on my fantasy team. So 1 goal is good but 2 red cards bad. Thanks jerk.
1. Julio Cesar is now the best goalkeeper in Serie A. Probably in the world.
2. Diego Milito is an absolute stud. In three Milan derbys he has scored four goals. His goals per game in Italy is well over .5, both this year and career.
3. The Sneijder red card for sarcastic clapping was absolutely ridiculous. That is a petty thing to do and maybe deserves to go in the book but come on. In the 27th minute?! Without any previous offenses?! In a huge game... not so cool.
4. Late in the first half Milan were their own worst enemy when it came to attack. So many balls to Inter players or lazy crosses or just killing time. AC Milan are probably the second best team in Italy right now but their lack of sharpness speaks to the current stature of Serie A vs La Liga and the Prem.
5. Down a goal but up a man Leonardo had the luxury of swapping Gatuso for Seedorf. Seedorf-Ronaldinho looked like a dangerous partnership in the opening minutes of the second half but the spark fizzled. It speaks volumes about a team when they can add an attacking player, be one man up for more than an hour, and the viewer hardly notices their opponent is on ten.
6. Goran Pandev seems to still be one-half step out of synch. That said he gives good effort and his free kick goal was beautiful. When he gets completely on the same page as the rest of the team he is going to go on a tear.
7. Lucio's red card was almost as stupid as Sneijder's. It was clearly a penalty but clearly not a red. Terrible call.
8. Ronaldinho sucks.
9. For being such a hardass Marco M. has a surprising fun side. He has hardly played this year but is always very supportive and lighthearted. When Balotelli scored that bomb of a freekick in the Champs League he ran off the bench and on to the field to congratulate what is by all accounts not a beloved player. He is always doing goofy stuff on the bench and I thought rocking the Berlusconi mask as the match ended was pretty good.
10. Pandev, Lucio, and Sneijder are on my fantasy team. So 1 goal is good but 2 red cards bad. Thanks jerk.
Nevermind
It looks like he is gone after all. This is going to be a fun one to speculate over. There is word that Guus is quitting the RNT officially next week so that might work.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
How Long Can He Last?
So Juve lost again. At home, again. This time they fell 2-1 to the resurgent Roma under former Grey Lady mister Claudio Ranieri. I know Ciro Ferrara seems to have an unending store of votes of confidence from the club but it feels like at some point he has to get sacked. They have taken only 3 of the last 18 possible points and are effectively out of the title chase. Add to that the embarassing debacle at home against Bayern Munich that took them out of the Champion's League and this is looking like the worst season post-calciopoli.
The squad isn't at the calibre of some of the powerhouses in Juventus history but it certainly has enough to be able to compete. Given the quickfinger culture of Italian football I am shocked he isn't gone yet. So much so that I think maybe he sticks out the season so they can bring in a big name over the summer. Or maybe not, who knows.
The squad isn't at the calibre of some of the powerhouses in Juventus history but it certainly has enough to be able to compete. Given the quickfinger culture of Italian football I am shocked he isn't gone yet. So much so that I think maybe he sticks out the season so they can bring in a big name over the summer. Or maybe not, who knows.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
So Sad
So that is my world cup prediction at the start of the new year. To recap here is how I see the round of 16:
France (1A) vs. Greece (2B)
Argentina (1B) vs. Uruguay (2A)
England (1C) vs. Ghana (2D)
Germany (1D) vs. USA (2C)
Netherlands (1E) vs. Italy (2F)
Paraguay (1F) vs. Denmark (2E)
Brazil (1G) vs. Chile (2H)
Spain (1H) vs. Portugal (2G)
I hope I am right. I love being right.
In much, much, much worse news, I am sure everyone has heard about the tragedy on the eve of the African Cup of Nations. Angolan rebels attacked the Togo team bus. The machine gun attack left at least four dead and many wounded. There is some dispute regarding the actual death toll and whether or not any players were among the fatalities, but ESPNsoccernet is reporting a goalkeeper was killed. I have seen that account denied in the European press, we will know soon.
I can't put into words how hard this bums me out. Togo rightly withdrew from the tournament and Marca claim that Ghana and Ivory Coast are on the verge of joining them. It is easy to blame Angola for lapse in security, and perhaps it is correct. But for me that is not the issue. The sadness is overwhelming when a tournament of such importance is subject to this. It is cliche for many of us in the western world to say things like "football is more than a game" and things of that nature, but the reality is that in some parts of Africa football is that rare thing that gets people to stop killing each other, at least for a while. And even if it sounds naive, to me it seems that when something like this comes along and ruins it, a certain bottom has dropped out.
How does/should this impact the world cup in South Africa? I don't know. It is well known that South Africa is a country with serious security problems, but they have had enough time to plan and from all accounts the South African government has been very good at seeking advice from abroad and coordinating it's efforts. A little over a year ago I was talking to a South African who lives here in the US about it and he told me in his opinion security would not be too much of an issue because the government would slam down an iron fist and create a pseudo-police state for the duration of the competition. I don't know if this is true but he made it sound plausible. It is probably for the best if it ensures the safety of players, staff, journalists, fans, and others. At the same time on a deeper level having that kind of thing happen in a host country kind of tarnishes what the game and the tournament should be about. It may be the reality of what has to happen, but it is not at all what I think a world cup should be.
France (1A) vs. Greece (2B)
Argentina (1B) vs. Uruguay (2A)
England (1C) vs. Ghana (2D)
Germany (1D) vs. USA (2C)
Netherlands (1E) vs. Italy (2F)
Paraguay (1F) vs. Denmark (2E)
Brazil (1G) vs. Chile (2H)
Spain (1H) vs. Portugal (2G)
I hope I am right. I love being right.
In much, much, much worse news, I am sure everyone has heard about the tragedy on the eve of the African Cup of Nations. Angolan rebels attacked the Togo team bus. The machine gun attack left at least four dead and many wounded. There is some dispute regarding the actual death toll and whether or not any players were among the fatalities, but ESPNsoccernet is reporting a goalkeeper was killed. I have seen that account denied in the European press, we will know soon.
I can't put into words how hard this bums me out. Togo rightly withdrew from the tournament and Marca claim that Ghana and Ivory Coast are on the verge of joining them. It is easy to blame Angola for lapse in security, and perhaps it is correct. But for me that is not the issue. The sadness is overwhelming when a tournament of such importance is subject to this. It is cliche for many of us in the western world to say things like "football is more than a game" and things of that nature, but the reality is that in some parts of Africa football is that rare thing that gets people to stop killing each other, at least for a while. And even if it sounds naive, to me it seems that when something like this comes along and ruins it, a certain bottom has dropped out.
How does/should this impact the world cup in South Africa? I don't know. It is well known that South Africa is a country with serious security problems, but they have had enough time to plan and from all accounts the South African government has been very good at seeking advice from abroad and coordinating it's efforts. A little over a year ago I was talking to a South African who lives here in the US about it and he told me in his opinion security would not be too much of an issue because the government would slam down an iron fist and create a pseudo-police state for the duration of the competition. I don't know if this is true but he made it sound plausible. It is probably for the best if it ensures the safety of players, staff, journalists, fans, and others. At the same time on a deeper level having that kind of thing happen in a host country kind of tarnishes what the game and the tournament should be about. It may be the reality of what has to happen, but it is not at all what I think a world cup should be.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Group H
H is for Heathrow, Heathers (the movie), Heather (the name), and hockey which is probably my favorite team sport other than football. H is also the final group.
Group H
Switzerland, Chile, Spain, Honduras
This one looks pretty straight forward to me. Four teams, each at a very different level with distinct playing styles. Surprises are always possible but I think we know how this one is going to go.
Switzerland- They had an impressive run in 2006 making it through the group stage on an airtight defense. We all know they were the only team to go out without conceding and that was cool. But their unimpressive performance as host of the Euro two years later was a let down. Switzerland aren't a bad team but I see them as a kind of "happy to be here" squad. Maybe they get to four points, and in some scenarios that could be enough, we will see.
PTW- I dunno.
Spain- The best team in the tournament as of right now Spain will demolish this group. They have what looks to be a perfect set of conditions. Skilled players that also want to win and know how, a hungry and accomplished coach who can both motivate and handle the tactical side of managing, a deep squad that boasts more than one elite player at nearly every position, a group of players mostly at or near their prime, and the experience of having won a major trophy recently. One of the things that makes Spain easy to like as a neutral observer is that they are a superpower that wins and wins and wins but does it always on their terms. And in their case that means fluid, attractive, and attacking football.
PTW- Andres Iniesta. Spain are overloaded with superstars so this is subjective, but I think he is a key piece. At both club and country level Iniesta's teams have been nearly unbeatable the last 18 months. But take a look at the rare occasions they have lost: he has been absent. It may or may not be a coincidence but when Iniesta is running and touching and passing alongside Xavi there is no other midfield duo in the world that can approach them.
Honduras- This team is garbage. They qualified through Concacaf where they are an okay side, but on the big stage in a group where they are clearly the worst of the four their chances are extremely slim.
PTW- Carlos Pavon. Maybe he gets them a much needed goal. Does he get them two or three? Seriously doubt it, but maybe he makes me eat my words.
Chile- Much like Paraguay this is a team that will surprise those who do not follow the South American game. Marcelo Bielsa whipped the Chileans into a disciplined and astute team that can control the flow of a game to their advantage. Watching them play in qualifying was very enjoyable. They had a few signature wins over regional rivals and I fully expect them to take second place in this group. Chile do not have a great history at world cups but this team is cohesive and organized and has some legitimately good players like Alexis Sanchez and Chupete Suazo.
PTW- Speaking of... Suazo plays in the comparatively inferior Mexican league but he is a true goal scorer who is able to bury chances when they arrive. In this tournament I see the team laboring to create opportunities for him and he will seal the deal the if they are to go through. And he probably will.
Group H predictions
1. Spain (9)
2. Chile (6)
3. Switzerland (3)
4. Honduras (3)
Group H
Switzerland, Chile, Spain, Honduras
This one looks pretty straight forward to me. Four teams, each at a very different level with distinct playing styles. Surprises are always possible but I think we know how this one is going to go.
Switzerland- They had an impressive run in 2006 making it through the group stage on an airtight defense. We all know they were the only team to go out without conceding and that was cool. But their unimpressive performance as host of the Euro two years later was a let down. Switzerland aren't a bad team but I see them as a kind of "happy to be here" squad. Maybe they get to four points, and in some scenarios that could be enough, we will see.
PTW- I dunno.
Spain- The best team in the tournament as of right now Spain will demolish this group. They have what looks to be a perfect set of conditions. Skilled players that also want to win and know how, a hungry and accomplished coach who can both motivate and handle the tactical side of managing, a deep squad that boasts more than one elite player at nearly every position, a group of players mostly at or near their prime, and the experience of having won a major trophy recently. One of the things that makes Spain easy to like as a neutral observer is that they are a superpower that wins and wins and wins but does it always on their terms. And in their case that means fluid, attractive, and attacking football.
PTW- Andres Iniesta. Spain are overloaded with superstars so this is subjective, but I think he is a key piece. At both club and country level Iniesta's teams have been nearly unbeatable the last 18 months. But take a look at the rare occasions they have lost: he has been absent. It may or may not be a coincidence but when Iniesta is running and touching and passing alongside Xavi there is no other midfield duo in the world that can approach them.
Honduras- This team is garbage. They qualified through Concacaf where they are an okay side, but on the big stage in a group where they are clearly the worst of the four their chances are extremely slim.
PTW- Carlos Pavon. Maybe he gets them a much needed goal. Does he get them two or three? Seriously doubt it, but maybe he makes me eat my words.
Chile- Much like Paraguay this is a team that will surprise those who do not follow the South American game. Marcelo Bielsa whipped the Chileans into a disciplined and astute team that can control the flow of a game to their advantage. Watching them play in qualifying was very enjoyable. They had a few signature wins over regional rivals and I fully expect them to take second place in this group. Chile do not have a great history at world cups but this team is cohesive and organized and has some legitimately good players like Alexis Sanchez and Chupete Suazo.
PTW- Speaking of... Suazo plays in the comparatively inferior Mexican league but he is a true goal scorer who is able to bury chances when they arrive. In this tournament I see the team laboring to create opportunities for him and he will seal the deal the if they are to go through. And he probably will.
Group H predictions
1. Spain (9)
2. Chile (6)
3. Switzerland (3)
4. Honduras (3)
Monday, January 4, 2010
Group G
Get is for Get it Over With, which is pretty much how I feel about this group. I have heard a lot of people floating the idea that this is a group of death, but that is wrong. There is one legitimate doormat in North Korea, and as attractive as some of the names in the Ivorian squad are, Brazil and Portugal will only fail to advance if they give less than they are capable of.
Group G
Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast
Brazil- All the plaudits go without saying. They are a machine and should cruise through the group. I will add that this team may not thrill the fans back home as much as previous editions but are superior to most Brazilian squads on set pieces and counter attacks, making them even more dangerous. Dunga also has his team buying into running, tackling, and defending in a way not many (or any that I can remember) Brazilian national teams have before. There is very much a "take the right players, not the best players" approach at work here.
If you are looking for a clue that a stumble is possible you can probably find it in their track record. Dunga took the reins of Brazil's olympic team in 2008 which included some heavy-weights as their 3 age exempt players and they looked dreadful. Early in qualifying this team looked very boring and dropped points they normally would have won in their sleep. That said they are one of the two or three best teams in the world and most of the players on their subs bench are in the first 11 at elite clubs in Europe.
*I hate them more than any national team in the world. So much so that a few months ago I told someone, "if North Korea and Iran fielded a joint national soccer team, I would pull for them against Brazil." And as it works out I will get the chance to do half of that this coming summer. Probably the only time I will be cheering for North Korea in anything.
PTW- Luis Fabiano. Since the begining of this European season he is looked like the most lethal striker in the world at times. It seems he is level-headed and humble, something that can be rare in Brazilian goal scorers, and that probably meshes well with Dunga's philosophy. If Luis Fabiano does not tear it up Brazil have no lack of firepower, but I get the feeling he could walk away from this tournament having put his name among the Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis as a global superstar.
North Korea- Seriously. Who knows? It is next to impossible to find any information on their players and, obviously, I have spent zero hours watching an actual North Korean match. This manager profile from ESPNsoccernet is somewhat informative and extremely entertaining. It appears they are a defensively-focused side. Maybe that will allow them to exit the group stage with some dignity but realistically against the three opponents they have drawn no hunkering down is going to spare them. Read the profile, it is intriguing.
PTW- I can't even find their names.
Portugal-
To me they are clearly not as good as Brazil but just as clearly better than rest of the group. Carlos Quieroz is a very good tactician and football mind but just has something missing when it comes to being a manager. This was evident in Portugal's difficulty in qualifying. Be that as it may, there is no bigger stage in sports than the World Cup and I am sure his players will find it within themselves to rise to the occasion. In some ways this team can be seen as a superstar with pieces around him but a closer look reveals a much more complete side. Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Ferriera, and Pepe are a very solid defense. Nani, Deco, and Assuncao are legitimate midfielders in their own right and will enhance Cristiano Ronaldo's play. Up top they might be a little thin but Liedson is a reliable if generic striker. I think Portugal and the Ivory Coast will both beat North Korea and both lose to Brazil, so second place will come down to either a) their opening game against each other or b) goal difference. In the head to head I like Portugal's well rounded squad and if it comes down to it I think Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Didier Drogba.
PTW- The Greasy One. Like Messi with Argentina, it is hard to pick someone over Ronaldo.
Ivory Coast-
This team is the darling of many football fans around the world and you can understand why. They are a good team, arguably the best on their continent, but the opponents in this group will make passage extremely difficult. This team has an exceptional spine with Kolo Toure in central defense, Yaya Toure anchoring the midfield as a ball-winner, and Didier Drogba threatening up top. Ultimately I think they will make an early exit because the other players around them don't match up with the supporting casts of Portugal and Brazil. That the squad will be taxed with the additional games and travel of the African Cup of Nations this month does not help.
PTW- Didier Drogba. Everyone has seem him do his thing in Europe for the last few years. One of the best and most exciting strikers in the world. He is deadly up close but much more than that. With a powerful and accurate shot Drogba is capable of putting in a freekick that makes the difference in a tight match and can also fire on the run from 20-25 yards out. That is the good. The (maybe?) bad is his fitness. Drogba is on the far side of thirty and although not a "man of glass" he has been hampered by injuries in recent years. Factor in that between today and their match against Portugal he will have played in the African Cup of Nations, the Premiership, the FA Cup, and the Champions League and there is a good chance he will not be at his absolute peak.
Group G predictions:
1. Brazil (9)
2. Portugal (6)
3. Ivory Coast (3)
4. North Korea (0)
Group G
Brazil, North Korea, Portugal, Ivory Coast
Brazil- All the plaudits go without saying. They are a machine and should cruise through the group. I will add that this team may not thrill the fans back home as much as previous editions but are superior to most Brazilian squads on set pieces and counter attacks, making them even more dangerous. Dunga also has his team buying into running, tackling, and defending in a way not many (or any that I can remember) Brazilian national teams have before. There is very much a "take the right players, not the best players" approach at work here.
If you are looking for a clue that a stumble is possible you can probably find it in their track record. Dunga took the reins of Brazil's olympic team in 2008 which included some heavy-weights as their 3 age exempt players and they looked dreadful. Early in qualifying this team looked very boring and dropped points they normally would have won in their sleep. That said they are one of the two or three best teams in the world and most of the players on their subs bench are in the first 11 at elite clubs in Europe.
*I hate them more than any national team in the world. So much so that a few months ago I told someone, "if North Korea and Iran fielded a joint national soccer team, I would pull for them against Brazil." And as it works out I will get the chance to do half of that this coming summer. Probably the only time I will be cheering for North Korea in anything.
PTW- Luis Fabiano. Since the begining of this European season he is looked like the most lethal striker in the world at times. It seems he is level-headed and humble, something that can be rare in Brazilian goal scorers, and that probably meshes well with Dunga's philosophy. If Luis Fabiano does not tear it up Brazil have no lack of firepower, but I get the feeling he could walk away from this tournament having put his name among the Cristiano Ronaldos and Lionel Messis as a global superstar.
North Korea- Seriously. Who knows? It is next to impossible to find any information on their players and, obviously, I have spent zero hours watching an actual North Korean match. This manager profile from ESPNsoccernet is somewhat informative and extremely entertaining. It appears they are a defensively-focused side. Maybe that will allow them to exit the group stage with some dignity but realistically against the three opponents they have drawn no hunkering down is going to spare them. Read the profile, it is intriguing.
PTW- I can't even find their names.
Portugal-
To me they are clearly not as good as Brazil but just as clearly better than rest of the group. Carlos Quieroz is a very good tactician and football mind but just has something missing when it comes to being a manager. This was evident in Portugal's difficulty in qualifying. Be that as it may, there is no bigger stage in sports than the World Cup and I am sure his players will find it within themselves to rise to the occasion. In some ways this team can be seen as a superstar with pieces around him but a closer look reveals a much more complete side. Bruno Alves, Ricardo Carvalho, Ferriera, and Pepe are a very solid defense. Nani, Deco, and Assuncao are legitimate midfielders in their own right and will enhance Cristiano Ronaldo's play. Up top they might be a little thin but Liedson is a reliable if generic striker. I think Portugal and the Ivory Coast will both beat North Korea and both lose to Brazil, so second place will come down to either a) their opening game against each other or b) goal difference. In the head to head I like Portugal's well rounded squad and if it comes down to it I think Cristiano Ronaldo is better than Didier Drogba.
PTW- The Greasy One. Like Messi with Argentina, it is hard to pick someone over Ronaldo.
Ivory Coast-
This team is the darling of many football fans around the world and you can understand why. They are a good team, arguably the best on their continent, but the opponents in this group will make passage extremely difficult. This team has an exceptional spine with Kolo Toure in central defense, Yaya Toure anchoring the midfield as a ball-winner, and Didier Drogba threatening up top. Ultimately I think they will make an early exit because the other players around them don't match up with the supporting casts of Portugal and Brazil. That the squad will be taxed with the additional games and travel of the African Cup of Nations this month does not help.
PTW- Didier Drogba. Everyone has seem him do his thing in Europe for the last few years. One of the best and most exciting strikers in the world. He is deadly up close but much more than that. With a powerful and accurate shot Drogba is capable of putting in a freekick that makes the difference in a tight match and can also fire on the run from 20-25 yards out. That is the good. The (maybe?) bad is his fitness. Drogba is on the far side of thirty and although not a "man of glass" he has been hampered by injuries in recent years. Factor in that between today and their match against Portugal he will have played in the African Cup of Nations, the Premiership, the FA Cup, and the Champions League and there is a good chance he will not be at his absolute peak.
Group G predictions:
1. Brazil (9)
2. Portugal (6)
3. Ivory Coast (3)
4. North Korea (0)
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Group F
Group F
Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, New Zealand
In my mind this is one of the more straight forward groups in World Cup 2010. I think the more casual fan of the game might be surprised at how it shakes out but if you had an eye on qualifying Group F is likely to follow a script.
Italy- Of all the world powers Italy are the most likely to underwhelm in the group stages of a tournament. They are also the most likely to turn it around and go on a run. It is a little strange to think they are the actual title holders as this team feels and looks very different from the squad that won in Germany. I see the Italians as a national team in transition. There is a whole crop of young players in their early 20s that are capable of shining on the big stage, but the older generation are not quite out the door. It will be interesting to see if Marcelo Lippi gives the Camoranesi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Cannavaro crowd one last turn or if guys like Santon, Montolivo, Pepe, and maybe Aquafresca make this their own team. There is a strange discord between Lippi and Antonio Cassano which makes his inclusion all but impossible. That is too bad as Cassano is a player of rare ability that could provide this team with a creative spark in attack. Ther personnel aside the way Italy will play is not a mystery: they are an Italian squad coached by Marcelo Lippi. Defense.
PTW- Giorgio Chiellini. This group is not overflowing with dangerous center-forward types so he is not likely to be tested, but I am incredibly high on him. Perhaps the best central defender in the world. If and when Italy come up against a heavy-weight, Chiellini's effectiveness against a world class 9 will determine how far they progress.
New Zealand- I have always had a soft spot for all things Kiwi, for reasons I do not understand. Their football team is no exception and in a game where I don't have "a dog in the fight" I wish them all the best. That said it is impossible to like their chances. The squad is comprised of very modest talent, a few guys who have played at humble European clubs or MLS. Their drubbing at the Confed Cup last summer may well be a preview of what happens on their next trip to South Africa.
PTW- I don't know.
Paraguay- A disciplined, well coached, focused side with a bit more skill that people realize Paraguay may be one of the sleeper teams in this tournament. They have appeared in the last 3 world cups and this might be the one where they turn heads. Their impressive run in qualifying included wins over Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Paraguay are coached by Gerardo Martino who is tactically minded to the point of maybe being obsessive but has also been able to produce an atmosphere where every player knows they are working for each other and the shirt and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the result. In what we have seen of them they rarely if ever stray from that formula.
PTW- Oscar Cardozo. Cardozo has been one of the stars in Benfica's current challenge for the Portugese title. He has been at the club since 2007 and scored an impressive 64 goals in 70 games (!) which should be enough to convince that he is not on a good run of luck. Although sometimes strike partner Roque Santa Cruz has gotten more attention in the English speaking media I think Paraguay's offensive output is more dependent on the play of Cardozo.
Slovakia- A modest but able European side, Slovakia will need a rival in the group stage to slip if they are to make it through. The team looks solid in a defense built around Martin Skrtel and has some legitimate spark going forward with Marek Hamsik and Vlad Weiss as attacking midfielders. If the pieces around them take care of the ball and Slovakia collectively run, grind, and tackle, perhaps it is enough. I kind of like this team but I am not sure they have what it takes.
PTW- Marek Hamsik. He has been killing it at Napoli for a few seasons now and I am eager to see him at a big international tournament. In addition to his creativity Hamsik is blessed with a cannon of a shot that can keep defenders on alert as he approaches. He must have at least one big game against either Paraguay or Italy to give Slovakia a shot at passage.
Group F predictions:
1. Paraguay (9)
2. Italy (6)
3. Slovakia (3)
4. New Zealand (0)
Italy, Slovakia, Paraguay, New Zealand
In my mind this is one of the more straight forward groups in World Cup 2010. I think the more casual fan of the game might be surprised at how it shakes out but if you had an eye on qualifying Group F is likely to follow a script.
Italy- Of all the world powers Italy are the most likely to underwhelm in the group stages of a tournament. They are also the most likely to turn it around and go on a run. It is a little strange to think they are the actual title holders as this team feels and looks very different from the squad that won in Germany. I see the Italians as a national team in transition. There is a whole crop of young players in their early 20s that are capable of shining on the big stage, but the older generation are not quite out the door. It will be interesting to see if Marcelo Lippi gives the Camoranesi, Gattuso, Pirlo, Cannavaro crowd one last turn or if guys like Santon, Montolivo, Pepe, and maybe Aquafresca make this their own team. There is a strange discord between Lippi and Antonio Cassano which makes his inclusion all but impossible. That is too bad as Cassano is a player of rare ability that could provide this team with a creative spark in attack. Ther personnel aside the way Italy will play is not a mystery: they are an Italian squad coached by Marcelo Lippi. Defense.
PTW- Giorgio Chiellini. This group is not overflowing with dangerous center-forward types so he is not likely to be tested, but I am incredibly high on him. Perhaps the best central defender in the world. If and when Italy come up against a heavy-weight, Chiellini's effectiveness against a world class 9 will determine how far they progress.
New Zealand- I have always had a soft spot for all things Kiwi, for reasons I do not understand. Their football team is no exception and in a game where I don't have "a dog in the fight" I wish them all the best. That said it is impossible to like their chances. The squad is comprised of very modest talent, a few guys who have played at humble European clubs or MLS. Their drubbing at the Confed Cup last summer may well be a preview of what happens on their next trip to South Africa.
PTW- I don't know.
Paraguay- A disciplined, well coached, focused side with a bit more skill that people realize Paraguay may be one of the sleeper teams in this tournament. They have appeared in the last 3 world cups and this might be the one where they turn heads. Their impressive run in qualifying included wins over Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay. Paraguay are coached by Gerardo Martino who is tactically minded to the point of maybe being obsessive but has also been able to produce an atmosphere where every player knows they are working for each other and the shirt and are willing to do whatever it takes to get the result. In what we have seen of them they rarely if ever stray from that formula.
PTW- Oscar Cardozo. Cardozo has been one of the stars in Benfica's current challenge for the Portugese title. He has been at the club since 2007 and scored an impressive 64 goals in 70 games (!) which should be enough to convince that he is not on a good run of luck. Although sometimes strike partner Roque Santa Cruz has gotten more attention in the English speaking media I think Paraguay's offensive output is more dependent on the play of Cardozo.
Slovakia- A modest but able European side, Slovakia will need a rival in the group stage to slip if they are to make it through. The team looks solid in a defense built around Martin Skrtel and has some legitimate spark going forward with Marek Hamsik and Vlad Weiss as attacking midfielders. If the pieces around them take care of the ball and Slovakia collectively run, grind, and tackle, perhaps it is enough. I kind of like this team but I am not sure they have what it takes.
PTW- Marek Hamsik. He has been killing it at Napoli for a few seasons now and I am eager to see him at a big international tournament. In addition to his creativity Hamsik is blessed with a cannon of a shot that can keep defenders on alert as he approaches. He must have at least one big game against either Paraguay or Italy to give Slovakia a shot at passage.
Group F predictions:
1. Paraguay (9)
2. Italy (6)
3. Slovakia (3)
4. New Zealand (0)
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Group E
E is for excellent and that should be enough.
Group E
Cameroon, Denmark, Holland, Japan
The Japanese will be sacrificial lambs in this one and any two of the other three can go through without shocking anyone. Interesting group, but most of them are.
Cameroon- Cameroon are among the African nations with the best pedigree in big tournaments and after an absence this squad seems well equipped to carry the torch that began in 1990 when they made the best run of a team from their continent, a campaign that included a win over the defending champions in the group stage, a defeat of a Colombia on the rise, and taking England to overtime in the quarter finals. What I like about this team more than other African squads is the well rounded it seems going into next summer. Carlos Kameni is a solid keeper and the defensive and midfield corps are made up of players with valuable European club experience. Maybe not superstars but guys like Bassong and Alexander Song are certainly capable of doing what needs to be done to get results. And this will likely mean working in support of Samuel Eto'o, the current Spanish silver boot and Inter Milan goal machine.
PTW- Eto'o. He is not the most self-sufficient striker in the world and some of the criticism of him are valid, but when chances arise he seldom misses. I think he will open the campaign with a multiple goal performance against the Japanese. Whether he is able to maintain the output against the European squads will determine if Cameroon see the next phase of the tournament.
Holland- An axiom of international football should be to consider the Dutch contenders in any competition they enter. Their exit from Euro 2008 perhaps soured what they had accomplished to that point and maybe they are not flying quite as high 6 months out as other European giants, but don't sleep on them. Holland went through qualification a perfect 8-0 with a goal differential of plus 15. One of the virtues of the Dutch football is the supreme technical ability which allows any group that reach national team level to work as a highly efficient unit. Despite some of the players who will be in this squad currently experiencing difficult times at their clubs, the amount of talent they will bring to South Africa is impressive. Van Der Vaart, Snjeider, Van Nistleroy, Robben, Huntelaar, Van Percy... those are just some of the names. It will not be easy but I see Holland winning this group.
PTW- Klaas Jan Huntelaar. This might be going on a limb a bit due to his poor club form at Milan. He may not even be in the starting 11 in South Africa. But I am betting he is and will destroy group E. His fiasco of a half season at San Siro not withstanding Huntelaar is one of the deadliest pure goal scorers in the world. He has 14 goals in 29 caps for the national team and has scored well over a goal every other game in his club career.
Denmark- This team is seldom mentioned with the big boys on the old continent but it would be a mistake to overlook them. They earned qualification by winning a group that included Portugal, Sweden, and a resurgent Hungary. There is limited but threatening firepower in the Danish squad and the games I saw indicate they are willing to work for a common good and have impressive team cohesion. Nicklas Bendtner is one of those classic troubled-but-gifted strikers that can put a team over the top or disappear completely. On a big stage like this with the national team shirt on his back I think the former is more likely. Denmark have a track record of success at big tournaments and they will battle Cameroon for the second spot in this one.
PTW- Nicklas Bendtner. His size, strength, and technical ability will be just as key in breaking down a physical defense like Cameroon's as a technical one like Holland's. He is a truly gifted player that can be Denmark's weapon for passage.
Japan- I don't like to be negative but I really don't see them moving through a very tough group like this. The Japanese national team has never impressed me on the big stage and this edition does not look to be any better. It is comprised of so-so journeyman at European clubs and domestic players. I have seen a couple of a Japanese heavy teams at CWCs and none of them showed me anything. Maybe in a weaker group they could pull together and scrap out the needed points, but with Cameroon, Denmark, and Holland that is too much to ask.
PTW-Shunsuke Nakamura. He had a great career at Celtic but his time at Espanyol has been a disappointment so far. He has pace and skill and might be able to create some opportunities against the run of play. Like I said I don't think it is the cards for Japan, but if it is it will come through the feet of Nakamura.
Group E predictions:
1. Holland (7)
2. Denmark (5)
3. Cameroon (4)
4. Japan (0)
Group E
Cameroon, Denmark, Holland, Japan
The Japanese will be sacrificial lambs in this one and any two of the other three can go through without shocking anyone. Interesting group, but most of them are.
Cameroon- Cameroon are among the African nations with the best pedigree in big tournaments and after an absence this squad seems well equipped to carry the torch that began in 1990 when they made the best run of a team from their continent, a campaign that included a win over the defending champions in the group stage, a defeat of a Colombia on the rise, and taking England to overtime in the quarter finals. What I like about this team more than other African squads is the well rounded it seems going into next summer. Carlos Kameni is a solid keeper and the defensive and midfield corps are made up of players with valuable European club experience. Maybe not superstars but guys like Bassong and Alexander Song are certainly capable of doing what needs to be done to get results. And this will likely mean working in support of Samuel Eto'o, the current Spanish silver boot and Inter Milan goal machine.
PTW- Eto'o. He is not the most self-sufficient striker in the world and some of the criticism of him are valid, but when chances arise he seldom misses. I think he will open the campaign with a multiple goal performance against the Japanese. Whether he is able to maintain the output against the European squads will determine if Cameroon see the next phase of the tournament.
Holland- An axiom of international football should be to consider the Dutch contenders in any competition they enter. Their exit from Euro 2008 perhaps soured what they had accomplished to that point and maybe they are not flying quite as high 6 months out as other European giants, but don't sleep on them. Holland went through qualification a perfect 8-0 with a goal differential of plus 15. One of the virtues of the Dutch football is the supreme technical ability which allows any group that reach national team level to work as a highly efficient unit. Despite some of the players who will be in this squad currently experiencing difficult times at their clubs, the amount of talent they will bring to South Africa is impressive. Van Der Vaart, Snjeider, Van Nistleroy, Robben, Huntelaar, Van Percy... those are just some of the names. It will not be easy but I see Holland winning this group.
PTW- Klaas Jan Huntelaar. This might be going on a limb a bit due to his poor club form at Milan. He may not even be in the starting 11 in South Africa. But I am betting he is and will destroy group E. His fiasco of a half season at San Siro not withstanding Huntelaar is one of the deadliest pure goal scorers in the world. He has 14 goals in 29 caps for the national team and has scored well over a goal every other game in his club career.
Denmark- This team is seldom mentioned with the big boys on the old continent but it would be a mistake to overlook them. They earned qualification by winning a group that included Portugal, Sweden, and a resurgent Hungary. There is limited but threatening firepower in the Danish squad and the games I saw indicate they are willing to work for a common good and have impressive team cohesion. Nicklas Bendtner is one of those classic troubled-but-gifted strikers that can put a team over the top or disappear completely. On a big stage like this with the national team shirt on his back I think the former is more likely. Denmark have a track record of success at big tournaments and they will battle Cameroon for the second spot in this one.
PTW- Nicklas Bendtner. His size, strength, and technical ability will be just as key in breaking down a physical defense like Cameroon's as a technical one like Holland's. He is a truly gifted player that can be Denmark's weapon for passage.
Japan- I don't like to be negative but I really don't see them moving through a very tough group like this. The Japanese national team has never impressed me on the big stage and this edition does not look to be any better. It is comprised of so-so journeyman at European clubs and domestic players. I have seen a couple of a Japanese heavy teams at CWCs and none of them showed me anything. Maybe in a weaker group they could pull together and scrap out the needed points, but with Cameroon, Denmark, and Holland that is too much to ask.
PTW-Shunsuke Nakamura. He had a great career at Celtic but his time at Espanyol has been a disappointment so far. He has pace and skill and might be able to create some opportunities against the run of play. Like I said I don't think it is the cards for Japan, but if it is it will come through the feet of Nakamura.
Group E predictions:
1. Holland (7)
2. Denmark (5)
3. Cameroon (4)
4. Japan (0)
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