The Old Lady is back, so we can rightly say Serie A is back in full swing this season. No disrespect to Inter and their championship sweep last term, but Italy’s top division isn’t quite the same without Turin giants Juventus, and their absence last season certainly took some of the excitement out of Serie A. Of course, Inter’s title also owed much to the form of Juventus old boys Patrick Vieira and Zlatan Ibrahimovic – who opted out of the drop to Serie B – and when you consider that the likes of Lazio and Milan had huge points deficits to overcome, it’s no surprise that the Nerrazurri took the scudetto at a canter.
Things are sure going to be different this term, with Juve joining the usual pretenders – Inter, Milan and Roma – for what should be a closer race.
Inter are my favourites to repeat, after adding the prolific goalscoring of David Suazo to an already strong squad. They’ll have to do without Marco Materazzi early in the season, but they have the squad to cope with that, especially with the highly-rated Christian Chivu arriving from Roma. The stability of keeping virtually the same team will serve the Nerazurri well, but I think Roberto Mancini has his eyes firmly set on the Champions League this year. That could prove a distraction from Scudetto ambitions.
Milan look a little too old again – Paolo Maldini, Dida, Alessandro Nesta, Pippo Inzaghi, Ronaldo, Clarence Seedorf, Massimo Ambrosini are all over 30 – but we’ve been saying that for the past 4 years and they conquered Europe last season. The arrival of Brazilian Emerson from Real Madrid does nothing to reduce that average age – nor does it raise the team’s entertainment value – but they got a potential gem in the shape of 17-year old Alexandre Pato, one of Brazil’s few successes at the recent World Youth Championships. I think he’s one for the future though and much would depend on the form of Pirlo, Kaka and Seedorf his season.
Roma still have Francesco Totti – will he ever move? – and boast an impressive midfield with newcomers Mauro Esposito and Ludovic Guily complementing Daniele De Rossi and Alberto Aquilani. Brazilian centre-back Juan, arrives to replace the departing Chivu in defence but they just don’t look as solid a team as they did three to four years ago under Fabio Capello.
Juventus got off to flying start, scoring five goals last weekend, and that would boost confidence no end. Again, it’s a different team from the one that “won” back-to-back titles under Capello. David Trezeguet is back with old hands, Pavel Nedved, Gigi Buffon and Alex Del Piero, but there are several new faces as well. Vincezo Iaquinta has loads of serie A experience and should fit in well, and the likes of Tiago (ex-Porto, ex-Chelsea, ex-Lyon) and Jorge Andrade (ex-Deportivo la Coruna) have decent track records. But it’s all down to the “Tinkerman”, Claudio Ranieri, to mould these different parts into an effective whole.
I’ll bet you want me to stick my neck out and pick a winner – just so you can call me on it in May. Okay, fair enough. I don’t think Juve will win in their first season back, and I don’t think Roma have a deep enough squad to last the distance. It’ll be one of the Milan teams – my heart says Milan but my head disagrees: Internazionale to win again.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
merry xmas, chelsea
I have to dig into the Prem again this week, just because it would be criminal not to comment on the catastrophe that was referee Rob Styles performance at Anfield last Sunday. For those who didn’t see the Liverpool-Chelsea game, please bear with me. Those who saw it – and the generous gifting of a penalty equalizer to Chelsea – would certainly understand my fury. Unless they are Chelsea fans, of course. Then again, I would expect much more from those fans than we got from Jose Mourinho after his team had been handed a “Get out of jail” pass by Mr Styles.
Most media reports have described the penalty decision - given after Florent Malouda crashed into Steve Finnan in the Liverpool box - as questionable. That’s not right. It wasn’t questionable, it was outright wrong. The only thing questionable about that call was Mr. Styles’ eyesight. It wasn’t even close! Finnan was just standing there when Malouda, attempting a dummy, skipped over the ball and crashed into him. Not one Chelsea player appealed for a penalty and they must have thought Christmas had arrived early when the ref pointed to the spot.
Okay, the fact that Rob Styles has since admitted the error of his ways and apologized to the Liverpool club means I don’t need to convince anyone about the demerits of that decision. Except for Mourinho, that is. His comments after the game were, as usual, erm…what’s the word…baloney. The gall of that man! First, it was the Liverpool players “from another culture” who hadn’t helped the referee – suggesting that Liverpool’s foreign players were “simulating” (fancy word for diving). And then, of course his team was “naïve…. pure and clean” and not given to diving and violence. Indeed. Well, we all know which team won the dodgy penalty even if, to be fair, Malouda didn’t seem to be playing for it. Of course, not one member of the “pure and clean” team – like their manager - had the decency to admit that they had just escaped a crucial defeat on account of the referee’s charity. Pure and clean would have been one Chelsea player admitting the ref had got it wrong – as Robbie Fowler did at Highbury all those years ago when, having just won a penalty for his team, he told the ref he hadn’t been fouled. Not that he changed the ref’s decision, but at least he showed his honesty. Pure and clean would have been one Chelsea player – just one - admitting that Liverpool had been robbed by Rob (well!!) Styles. Instead what did we get? Well, whatever the opposite of pure and clean is I suppose. Next, Mourinho will be telling us – as he did last season - how penalty decisions never favor poor Chelsea. More “special” baloney from the “Special One”.
Most media reports have described the penalty decision - given after Florent Malouda crashed into Steve Finnan in the Liverpool box - as questionable. That’s not right. It wasn’t questionable, it was outright wrong. The only thing questionable about that call was Mr. Styles’ eyesight. It wasn’t even close! Finnan was just standing there when Malouda, attempting a dummy, skipped over the ball and crashed into him. Not one Chelsea player appealed for a penalty and they must have thought Christmas had arrived early when the ref pointed to the spot.
Okay, the fact that Rob Styles has since admitted the error of his ways and apologized to the Liverpool club means I don’t need to convince anyone about the demerits of that decision. Except for Mourinho, that is. His comments after the game were, as usual, erm…what’s the word…baloney. The gall of that man! First, it was the Liverpool players “from another culture” who hadn’t helped the referee – suggesting that Liverpool’s foreign players were “simulating” (fancy word for diving). And then, of course his team was “naïve…. pure and clean” and not given to diving and violence. Indeed. Well, we all know which team won the dodgy penalty even if, to be fair, Malouda didn’t seem to be playing for it. Of course, not one member of the “pure and clean” team – like their manager - had the decency to admit that they had just escaped a crucial defeat on account of the referee’s charity. Pure and clean would have been one Chelsea player admitting the ref had got it wrong – as Robbie Fowler did at Highbury all those years ago when, having just won a penalty for his team, he told the ref he hadn’t been fouled. Not that he changed the ref’s decision, but at least he showed his honesty. Pure and clean would have been one Chelsea player – just one - admitting that Liverpool had been robbed by Rob (well!!) Styles. Instead what did we get? Well, whatever the opposite of pure and clean is I suppose. Next, Mourinho will be telling us – as he did last season - how penalty decisions never favor poor Chelsea. More “special” baloney from the “Special One”.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
excuses and apologies
Okay, let’s get through the excuses and apologies first. Truth is I used to be a fairly prolific writer – five to six pieces every week in a well-circulated Sunday paper. But – excuse number 1 – I’ve been out of that gig for the better part of six years now and this blog is my way of getting back in the game. The game of writing that is. As for the beautiful game itself, I never left. So, I hope you’ll forgive me – if there’s anyone out there – for the lack of activity of the first two weeks of soccereccos’ existence. And while you’re at it, you might as well forgive me if my posts do not come in as regularly as scheduled and for any hint of rust as I get my groove back.
I intend to post something here every week and you can bet it’ll be well worth your while. If you hadn’t guessed yet, it’s going to be soccer, soccer and more soccer and it’ll be as wide in scope as you like.
I‘ll be starting this week with a look at the four contenders for this season’s Premiership title. Or does anyone seriously think there are any other title contenders? Don’t be fooled though; this isn’t a Prem only blog – even if Liverpool is my number one club. But the season’s fresh and there’s loads going on so……here goes.
Sluggish start for Man U – no complaints here – and Chelsea are squeezing out wins as usual. I expect both teams to be there or thereabouts come season end in May. Talk of stating the obvious, right? Despite the slow start, I think Man U have made the stronger additions to their squad, especially in Hargreaves and Tevez. BTW, I’m pretty irritated that the Argentina striker ended up at Old Trafford. What Liverpool fan wouldn’t be?? Like they weren’t strong enough, already. But getting Tevez could well secure a successful title defence for Man U this season. He’s obviously one of the best young strikers in the world, and anyone who can make the Argentina team has got to be special. I don’t think he’s Leo Messi-special, but then again, who is? How West Ham, a team in a relegation battle, could have left Tevez and Javier Mascherano on the bench early last season still bugles my mind! But that’s a matter for another day. Everyone will be looking to stop Ronaldo this season so we may not get quite the same impact from the winger this term. But, of course, they have Wayne Rooney as well..
Last season appears to have taught Jose Mourinho the value of squad players, hence the arrival of the likes of Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizzaro and Tal Ben-Haim. No silly talk of playing with a small squad from “The Special One” this season and hopefully, we won’t have to put up with all the whining about losing players to injury this season. Chelsea isn’t ever likely to ever win the entertainment award, but who needs that if you can keep winning. Mourinho’s a brilliant coach with quality players at his disposal and Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard keep scoring they’ll be fighting till the very end. For me though, the key to Chelsea’s success is a guy I call The Bionic Man – Ghana’s Michael Essien.
Expectations are high at Anfield where Rafa Benitez as assembled the most attack-minded Liverpool side in eons. I’ve been particularly thrilled with Ryan Babel, the young Dutch winger. He plays with pace, purpose and great skill – if 15 minutes against Aston Villa is enough to go on. He’s gonna bump Pennant to the bench pretty soon – if Rafa decides to play him on the right. Fernando Torres has looked sharp too, but there’ll be loads of competition from Andrii Voronin, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt for places upfront. At the back, things should be as tight as ever – or even tighter, with Mascherano fully integrated in the team. Whether that’ll be enough to win a fist league title in 17 years remains to be seen, but Liverpool should be more fun to watch this season.
Then there’s Arsenal – sans Thierry Henry. Arsene Wenger’s latest creation sure looks lightweight without their record goal scorer, and even more so when you consider the established stars that have left in the just three seasons – Bergkamp, Vieira, Pires, Wiltord, Campbell, Cole, Lauren. But they’ll be as exciting to watch as ever and if Cesc Fabregas keeps performing, I think they’ll be even better this term. Sure they’ll miss Henry, but he was out for the better part of last season anyway, and in Robin van Persie – if he can stay healthy – they have a capable source of goals. Maybe not Henry-esque 30 goals per season, but if Nicholas Bendtner and Eduardo da Silva settle quickly and Emmanel Adebayor continues to develop the Gunners could be back on the way up. Okay, I guess there are too many ifs in there to suggest that the title will end up at the Emirates, so which of the other three will win it?
I kind of gave up soccer predictions several years ago and I’m going to chicken out of this one too. I hope it’s close and exciting and I very sincerely hope that Liverpool can edge out the other three and bring the title to back to Anfield. That’s my heart talking. My head is kinda quiet right now.
I’d love to read your thoughts though, so don’t be shy now!
Catch you later.
I intend to post something here every week and you can bet it’ll be well worth your while. If you hadn’t guessed yet, it’s going to be soccer, soccer and more soccer and it’ll be as wide in scope as you like.
I‘ll be starting this week with a look at the four contenders for this season’s Premiership title. Or does anyone seriously think there are any other title contenders? Don’t be fooled though; this isn’t a Prem only blog – even if Liverpool is my number one club. But the season’s fresh and there’s loads going on so……here goes.
Sluggish start for Man U – no complaints here – and Chelsea are squeezing out wins as usual. I expect both teams to be there or thereabouts come season end in May. Talk of stating the obvious, right? Despite the slow start, I think Man U have made the stronger additions to their squad, especially in Hargreaves and Tevez. BTW, I’m pretty irritated that the Argentina striker ended up at Old Trafford. What Liverpool fan wouldn’t be?? Like they weren’t strong enough, already. But getting Tevez could well secure a successful title defence for Man U this season. He’s obviously one of the best young strikers in the world, and anyone who can make the Argentina team has got to be special. I don’t think he’s Leo Messi-special, but then again, who is? How West Ham, a team in a relegation battle, could have left Tevez and Javier Mascherano on the bench early last season still bugles my mind! But that’s a matter for another day. Everyone will be looking to stop Ronaldo this season so we may not get quite the same impact from the winger this term. But, of course, they have Wayne Rooney as well..
Last season appears to have taught Jose Mourinho the value of squad players, hence the arrival of the likes of Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizzaro and Tal Ben-Haim. No silly talk of playing with a small squad from “The Special One” this season and hopefully, we won’t have to put up with all the whining about losing players to injury this season. Chelsea isn’t ever likely to ever win the entertainment award, but who needs that if you can keep winning. Mourinho’s a brilliant coach with quality players at his disposal and Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard keep scoring they’ll be fighting till the very end. For me though, the key to Chelsea’s success is a guy I call The Bionic Man – Ghana’s Michael Essien.
Expectations are high at Anfield where Rafa Benitez as assembled the most attack-minded Liverpool side in eons. I’ve been particularly thrilled with Ryan Babel, the young Dutch winger. He plays with pace, purpose and great skill – if 15 minutes against Aston Villa is enough to go on. He’s gonna bump Pennant to the bench pretty soon – if Rafa decides to play him on the right. Fernando Torres has looked sharp too, but there’ll be loads of competition from Andrii Voronin, Peter Crouch and Dirk Kuyt for places upfront. At the back, things should be as tight as ever – or even tighter, with Mascherano fully integrated in the team. Whether that’ll be enough to win a fist league title in 17 years remains to be seen, but Liverpool should be more fun to watch this season.
Then there’s Arsenal – sans Thierry Henry. Arsene Wenger’s latest creation sure looks lightweight without their record goal scorer, and even more so when you consider the established stars that have left in the just three seasons – Bergkamp, Vieira, Pires, Wiltord, Campbell, Cole, Lauren. But they’ll be as exciting to watch as ever and if Cesc Fabregas keeps performing, I think they’ll be even better this term. Sure they’ll miss Henry, but he was out for the better part of last season anyway, and in Robin van Persie – if he can stay healthy – they have a capable source of goals. Maybe not Henry-esque 30 goals per season, but if Nicholas Bendtner and Eduardo da Silva settle quickly and Emmanel Adebayor continues to develop the Gunners could be back on the way up. Okay, I guess there are too many ifs in there to suggest that the title will end up at the Emirates, so which of the other three will win it?
I kind of gave up soccer predictions several years ago and I’m going to chicken out of this one too. I hope it’s close and exciting and I very sincerely hope that Liverpool can edge out the other three and bring the title to back to Anfield. That’s my heart talking. My head is kinda quiet right now.
I’d love to read your thoughts though, so don’t be shy now!
Catch you later.
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