A Tribute to Captain Fantastic

A century is always special. It’ll certainly be special for Steven Gerrard as he makes his 100th England appearance against Sweden in Stockholm tonight.

Not that his talent and early potential didn’t indicate he could reach this milestone; but in a sport in which factors like loss of form and ill-fortune with injuries have curtailed many careers, it’s hard to take this for granted. The fact that only 5 England players have cracked that 100 cap barrier speaks volumes about the difficulty of reaching a century of caps.

The last man to join that elite group was, of course, David Beckham – the only one in the last 20 years – and he joined English legends Billy Wright, Bobby Charlton, Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton in the “century club”.

At 32, Gerrard is hardly at the peak of his powers, but he’ll pick up his 100th cap as captain and sure starter in Roy Hodgson’s England team. It’s a truly fitting accolade for a man who has, over the last 12 years been as consistent as any other in what has been dubbed England’s “golden generation”, and whose exploits in Liverpool’s red shirt have sealed his legacy as a true Anfield legend.

It’s been a pleasure to watch the emergence and development of arguably the most complete midfield player of the last decade. He may not have the goals of the likes of Thierry Henry, Ruud van Nistlerooy or even Frank Lampard; but he has a good enough return for a midfield player (19 goals in 99 caps), and none of those prolific scorers can match his versatility. Some would argue that Paul Scholes and Xabi Alonso are better midfield passers; but he passes it better than most and neither of those can match him for tackling, dynamism or goal scoring ability. The likes of Claude Makelele, Javier Mascherano and Lucas will always be better defensive midfield players; but Gerrard was good enough to play this role for England earlier in his career, and none of these guys can offer what he does on the offensive end.

Right back, defensive midfield, offensive midfield, right wing, left wing, second striker. Gerrard as filled all these roles – and credibly too – for both club and country.

He made his international debut in 2000, at 19, and featured at Euro 2000. By the time the 2002 World Cup qualifiers got into full swing, Gerrard had replaced Paul Ince as midfield pivot, grabbing a memorable goal along the way as England trounced Germany in Munich. Injury kept him out of the World Cup finals, but he was back at Euro 2004 – where scored once – and scored twice at the World Cup in 2006. Even at the World Cup in 2010, where England had a miserable time, Gerrard, filling in as captain, was one of the few players to rise above the chaff, scoring once again. At last summer’s Euros, Gerrard was once again the pick of England’s under-performing squad, providing two assists and picking up two man of the match awards.

For me, as for most Liverpool fans, three key moments will always underline the quality of Steven Gerrard, and have gone a long way in firmly securing his place in Liverpool and football lore:

• Olympiakos, 2004 – when a well-placed half-volley from 20 yards helped complete a comeback win at Anfield and put Liverpool through to the Champions League 2nd round – and on to glory in Istanbul;

• Istanbul, 2005 – when his headed goal started the unlikely comeback from 0-3; his darting run won the equalising penalty; and he ended up at right back to nullify the rampaging Serginho in extra time;

• Cardiff, 2006 – where an exhausted Gerrard smacked home a volley of such ferocity from all of 30 yards to tie the FA Cup final in the very last minute, setting up a Liverpool win on penalties after extra time.

A true captain fantastic.

Euro 2012: My Team of the Tournament

Lots of Spaniards in my team of the tournament – but it’s not striker-less. I have opted for a very attacking, but balanced 4-2-3-1.

Here goes:

Goal
Gianluigi Buffon lived up to his reputation while the young pair of Joe Hart and Manuel Neuer enhanced theirs, but there’s no doubt that IKER CASILLAS was the pick of the lot. True, Spain’s possession game meant he was seldom called upon, but his few interventions were crucial. Two saves in the crucial group decider against Croatia kept Spain in the game – in the tournament, perhaps – and his penalty save in the semi-final came at just the right time, after Xabi Alonso had missed Spain’s first kick. He also made a few stops to keep the Italians at bay in the final.

Right Back
Not too many stood out in this position but Czech Republic’s Halle Gebre Sellasie, and Frenchman Mathieu Debuchy deserve a mention. My pick though is England’s GLEN JOHNSON, and it’s based largely on his defensive performance in England’s four matches. Johnson put in several last ditch defensive stops as England sat back – exemplified by the superb block that denied Antonio Nocerino from close range in the quarter final clash with Italy.

Left Back
I struggled with this one. Spain’s Jordi Alba staked his claim very strongly, especially in the quarter finals and with that superb goal in the final, but I have to give this one to Portugal’s FABIO COENTRAO, who carried a similar attacking threat but proved a stronger asset on the defensive side. Germany’s Phillip Lahm, as always, had a decent tournament, but blotted his copybook against Italy.

Centre Backs
Germany’s Mat Hummels looked very impressive – until Cassano got away from him in the semi-final – and Portugal’s Pepe was solid and restrained throughout. Even Italy’s Daniele de Rossi proved an assured option when he filled in against Spain. But I couldn’t bring myself to separate the tournaments meanest defensive pairing: Spain’s GERARD PIQUE and SERGIO RAMOS. Calm under pressure, tough when necessary and especially impressive in the way they passed their way out of trouble.

Defensive Midfield
He’s not strictly defensive, but XABI ALONSO was head and shoulders above the competition here. The Real Madrid man epitomised the selfless box-to-box midfielder with his energetic performances. Always on hand to help his defence deal with threats, he still found the lungs to get in the box and head home Spain’s opener in the quarter finals. Portugal’s Miguel Veloso also caught the eye, as did the German Sami Khedira, and the quietly effective Sergio Busquets.

Playmaker
ANDREA PIRLO rolled back the years to remind everyone why he had run AC Milan’s midfield through 3 Champions League finals, and had been man of the match when Italy won the World Cup six years ago. Despite playing from deep, Pirlo was Italy’s most creative outlet and he was simply unplayable in both the quarter finals and the semi-finals. England’s Steven Gerrard is worth a mention for his contributions to England’s cause through the first round.

Right Midfield
It’s not his usual position – he usually favours the left - but the highly adaptable ANDREAS INIESTA can hardly be assigned a usual position. At the heart of his country’s best attacking moves, the slight Barca man had another impressive tournament, deservedly walking off with the best player award.

Centre Midfield
Spain’s Xavi came to life in the final with two impressive assists, but I can’t look beyond the mercurial German MESUT OZIL. His immaculate first touch and drifting dribbling runs was a thing of beauty even in the semi-final loss to Italy. And his tendency to drift right and left would dovetail perfectly with Iniesta in this line up.

Left Midfield
RONALDO was left holding the can after Portugal crashed out in the semis, and his last minute miss probably cost his team that game. But CR7 put in a couple of commanding performances before that. He always carried a goal threat, bashing a tournament high 13 shots on target and hitting the woodwork a few times to boot. His goals proved the difference against the Dutch and the Czechs.

Forward
No one forward was consistently brilliant here. Mario Gomez looked the business after two matches, but eventually fizzled out in the semis; Fernando Torres took home the Golden Boot without ever being regular; and Antonio Cassano, for all his trickery, scored just once. Croatia’s Mario Mandzukic also looked sharp, but only lasted the first round. MARIO BALOTELLI gets the nod for a commanding semi-final performance against Germany. The finishing on that second goal was something special. Cesc Fabregas – two goals and two assists as a “False Nine” – is certainly deserving of a mention.

So, there you have it. My team of the tournament:

Casillas (Spa);

Johnson(Eng), Pique(Spa), Ramos(Spa), Coentrao(Por);

Xabi Alonso(Spa), Pirlo(Ita);

Iniesta(Spa), Ozil(Ger), Ronaldo(Por);

Balotelli(Ita)

Euro 2012 Final: A Fine Line

It comes down to Spain v Italy as Euro 2012 wraps up in Kiev on Sunday evening. But before I get into the whole “who will win” and what not, it’s worth noting one key thing. There’s often a fine line between victory and defeat in championships of this kind.

Strategy and tactics aside, these things often come down one or two key moments over the course of a match. History seldom recalls this though. Spain will be playing for a unique place in the history books – three straight major titles – on Sunday, and have been unbeaten in the knockout phase of a World Cup or Euro since France put them out in the second round of the World Cup in 2006.

In the light of that, and the seeming aura of invincibility that seems to surround this team, it’s perhaps hard to recall the many pitfalls that they narrowly escaped along that journey. We all think about that successful 2008 team now, yet they weren’t that super in the quarter final clash with Italy, which they only won after another nervy penalty shoot out. They were worthy winners against Germany in the final, but for once the Germans dominated possession and had their chances. But it came down to one moment of determined brilliance from Fernando Torres to win the cup.

In the same vein, pundits have repeatedly criticised Spain for a litany of failings at this finals. I believe the essential thrust of the argument is that the defending champions haven’t done enough to put opponents away in their 5 matches to date. The insinuation is that they have been below par and are yet to completely dominate any match so far. There is some truth in that, but to me, the criticism suggests that they had been consistently dominant in the past, sweeping all before them on their way to the last two titles.

Yet, when we cast our minds back to the World Cup in South Africa, Spain hardly blew any one away on their way to the final. Indeed, they were in immediate danger of elimination after losing the very first match to Switzerland. Then, after winning their next two matches, they negotiated a series of tight 1-0 wins – 4 in a row - before claiming the World Cup.

There were lots of narrow escapes along that path too, not least in a well-contested quarter final clash with Paraguay when, first Nelson Valdez had a goal disallowed – some say wrongly – for a borderline offside call; and then Iker Casillas stopped Oscar Cardozo’s penalty after 60 minutes to keep Spain in the game. Indeed, had Holland’s Arjen Robben put away the couple of chances that fell his way towards the end of regulation time in the final, we wouldn’t be talking about a Spanish era today.

And so into another final we go. Spain, as I believe they have done in the past, have found just enough to get through tight elimination games, and now face an Italian side that has slowly gained everyone’s admiration as the tournament as progressed. Cesare Prandelli’s tactical flexibility has been well taken on board by a squad of determined, experienced and talented players, and as they proved in their semi-final defeat of Germany, the Azzurri boast a commendable mix of defensive steel, midfield graft and clinical finishing to trouble the best of teams. Much has been made of the guile of Andrea Pirlo and the unpredictable Mario Balotelli, but the other bits of this team are just as important. Gigi Buffon in goal is as good as any ‘keeper in the world; Daniele de Rossi brings tireless running and versatility to midfield and Antonio Cassano – surprisingly ignored amidst “Mariomania” – can be a tricky customer on his day. I expect Italy to carry on as Croatia and Portugal before them and look to deny Spain the space to play their short passing game – at least anywhere near their penalty area. Pirlo will be crucial again, as one well-placed pass off his right peg is enough to set up the most cutting counter attack.

Enough has been written about Spain. Their passing game remains the hallmark of all that they do, even if opponents seldom make things easy for them anymore. That has meant the hub of their play has been pushed back and Xabi Alonso now sees more of the ball than Xavi. That`s not necessarily a bad thing – Alonso`s having a great tournament. The one missing spark from their teams of the past is the dynamic wing play of Sergio Ramos, now playing alongside Pique in central defence. For all his industry, Arbeloa just doesn`t carry the same offensive threat.

Four big questions:

Will Spain change their approach to stop Pirlo? I doubt that. Such is la Roja’s belief in their principles that they seldom change for anyone. Nor will they leave him with all the room in the world though – a la England. One thing that`s usually left forgotten in discussions about Spain is how well they defend as a team. True, their dominant possession is a defensive tool in itself, but when they do lose the ball, they work extremely hard – and very well – to win it back.

Will del Bosque go striker-less again? He says he`s starting with three attackers but I don`t think it matters. They`ve played both ways so far and it`s been the same story. There may be changes though. David Silva has struggled to make an impression of late and Pedro more than made a case for a starting role after his semi-final cameo on Wednesday, and his combination with Jordi Alba brought the Spanish left flank to life in extra time.

Which Balotelli will show up – the focused finisher or mad Mario? Who knows? I doubt Balotelli himself knows the answer to that one. I get the feeling he is aware of what`s at stake here and should behave – yet, if Spain over-dominate possession, and Italian frustration sets in anything can happen. On the other hand, a focused Mario could be the hero of the day.

As to who will win this one, it could go either way, but I won`t chicken out of making a prediction. Italy go in as underdogs – but not by much. In fact, many pundits are backing them to beat Spain. For me, they also have one thing going for them: no team has ever achieved what Spain is aiming for – three straight major titles AND back to back Euro titles. There`s a good reason why that`s never happened before – it`s damned hard – and the enormity of it may just prove beyond even this Spanish team.

But, I find it incredibly hard to bet against Spain. They`ve beat the odds so often over the past four years, surmounting every obstacle and proving they are a great team over and over again. I think they`ll pull this one off and enter a special place in the history books.

Oh, there was one more question. Who will win the battle of the beards – Daniele de Rossi or Xabi Alonso?

Enjoy.

Euro 2012 Quarter Final 2: Defensive Test for German Machine

Business as usual, or the biggest shock of Euro 2012? That’s the question that will be answered after favorites Germany and underdogs Greece slug it out in Gdansk this evening.

On the one hand, to even suggest that the Greeks have a chance of upsetting the Germans here would appear optimistic in the extreme, but considering that the 2004 champions have plenty of “previous” when it comes to upsets, it would be foolhardy to dismiss the Greek challenge. Their triumphant 2004 team not only beat hosts Portugal twice – opening match and final – they also took out defending champions France in the last eight. Add to that the much unexpected win over Russia that booked their quarter final place this year and its clear why matters are seldom taken for granted with this team.

Of course, this year’s squad is very different from Otto Rehagel’s vintage. Only midfielders Kostas Katsouranis and Karagounis remain eight years on and Fernando Santos has had to rely on an interesting mix of the old and the inexperienced who, despite gaining just one point from their first two matches, have scratched their way into this quarter final clash. The Greeks will work hard to resist what should be a German onslaught and much will depend on the composure and experience of young centre backs Sokratis Papastathapoulous and Kyriakos Papadopoulous, both of whom, incidentally, play in the German Bundesliga, with Werder Bremen and Schalke respectively. The suspended captain, Karagounis, will be a big miss in midfield though and chances will be few and far between for forwards Giorgio Samaras, Sotiris Ninis and Dimitri Salpingidis.

Germany have looked the most balanced squad in the tournament and were the only team to come through the group phase with maximum points. Joachim Low’s decision to rest his first choice strike force will be under scrutiny should his team struggle early, yet the new faces – Marco Reus, Miroslav Klose and Andre Schurrle – are hardly a huge dip in quality. The rest of the team remains intact with Jerome Boateng returning at right back after missing the last game due to suspension. Midfield playmaker Bastian Schweinsteiger is slowly returning to his best form after a season marred with injuries, and sidekick Sami Khedira has been bursting with energy and confidence after a successful season with Real Madrid. As always though, the key to Germany’s best attacking opportunities should be the mercurial Mesut Ozil, one of the world’s best number 10s.

Germany’s much-advertised game control and patience will be well tested by the obdurately defensive Greeks, but Low’s team should have enough in the tank to take this one by two goals.

Euro 2012 Quarter Final 1: Easy For Portugal

Roy Hodgson’s England raised a few eyebrows in Group D, Holland took the poison pill in the Group of Death, and Russia’s unexpected capitulation more than ignited what many thought would be the Group of Sleep. Yet, the pre-tournament favorites are still well in the running as Euro 2012 enters the quarter final phase this evening.

That’s not to say though, that Germany and Spain will have a free-pass to the final in Kiev come July1st. Indeed, such has been the nature of these finals that banana skins lie at every turn. Take for instance, Russia; who would have thought that a team that so easily brushed aside the Czechs 4-1 in their opening game, would be heading home after losing to Greece? Or Sweden, who after sloppily giving away leads against Ukraine and England, then turned on a superb performance to deny France top spot in Group D.

Given all that, today’s clash between the surprising Czechs and Ronaldo’s Portugal could provide yet another shock outcome – if the Czechs win. If any team looks likely to upset the odds and get the big prize ahead of the big two it’s got to be Portugal. Much has been made of Ronaldo’s lacklustre showing against Germany and Denmark – as well as his star turn in the Holland game – but, for all he brings, Portugal have a bit more going for them than the Real Madrid superstar. They look solid all over the pitch; Fabio Coentrao has been the stand out left back here and Bruno Alvez and Pepe form quite an intimidating partnership in central defence, if they can keep their physicality in check. The midfield may lack an obvious creative genius, but the trio of Miguel Veloso, Raul Meireles and Joao Moutinho provide tons of neat passing and box-to-box endeavour, leaving the inspiration to Ronaldo and Nani on the flanks.

They’ll be expected to see off a Czech Republic side shorn of their midfield star Tomas Rosicky, and Petr Cech will have to be at his best – something we haven’t seen at this finals – to keep out the Portuguese. He’ll hardly be encouraged by the fact that Ronaldo has smacked a tournament-high 13 shots on target so far. That will also have consequences for the Czech’s most potent attacking outlet, overlapping right back Theodor Gebre Selassie, who’ll have his hands full tracking the Portuguese captain. On the other flank, David Limbersky offers overlapping drive as well, and Michal Kadlec, from Bayer Leverkusen, is competent in central defence. Jaroslav Plasil and Tomas Hubschman will have to fill in the void left by Rosicky’s absence and the pair of Petr Jiracek and Vaclav Pilar, each with two goals so far, will need to be at their sharpest to make up for Milan Baros’ continued failings. Then again the former Liverpool striker could finally wake from his slumber.

This should be an easy win for Portugal.

Champions League Final: Unusual Suspects in Munich

It’s the final no one predicted. Not back in August and September, when Mario Gomez’s load of goals shot Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga; and surely not in the autumn, as Andres Villas Boas struggled to impose his high-line defense on a struggling Chelsea side.

Then came the New Year, and this final looked even less likely. Bayern’s early season swagger was gone; the Bavarians left in the wake of a streaking Borussia Dortmund in Germany, and Chelsea’s troubles had escalated after a 3-1 defeat in Naples had cost AVB the top job.

Even after they both reached the semi-finals in April, the fact that the two Spanish giants stood in the way of a Chelsea-Bayern final made it seem even less likely.

Yet here we are. Come Saturday in the impressive Allianz Arena in Munich, Bayern will play Chelsea to decide which club would have earned the right to be called Europe’s best for the next year.

Given what we’ve already seen this year, it seems almost crazy to name favourites in the Champions League this year, yet there can be no getting away from the fact that Bayern, playing in their own stadium, will start this one with the expectations heavily stacked on their shoulders. Chelsea, on the other hand, have already survived some incredible odds to make it this far and would be forgiven for thinking their name is surely on the Cup this year. Two cases in point: Ashley Cole’s last ditch block on the goal-line in Naples prevented the Italians from taking what would have been momentous 4-1 lead in the 2nd round; and who can forget that remarkable night in Camp Nou when Leo Messi, of all people, smacked a penalty off the Chelsea cross bar with the tie hanging in the balance.

But it may well be the suspensions that make all the difference on Saturday. Both sides will be missing players – Bayern three, Chelsea four – and how they replace them could heavily influence the destination of the big cup. Bayern will be without left back David Alaba, centre back Holger Badstuber and holding midfielder Luiz Gustavo. They’ll have plenty of cover in defence, with Anatoliy Tymoshenko, Diego Contento and Rafinha in reserve, but the energy and defensive nous of Gustavo in midfield may be harder to replicate. Toni Kroos would likely step back alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger, with Thomas Muller starting further ahead in a very attack minded midfield.

Chelsea have to replace defenders John Terry and Branislav Ivanovic, as well as midfielders Raul Meireles and Ramires, and with two centre backs in Gary Cahill and David Luiz still fighting for fitness, and defensive options restricted to the likes of Paolo Ferreira, Sam Hutchison, and maybe even Michael Essien, theirs could well be a very make-shift – or unfit - central defence in Munich.

Ramires would also be a huge loss on the offensive side. The Brazilian played a key part in the Barcelona win – and again in Chelsea’s FA Cup win – and Roberto di Matteo will have to plan smartly to fill the void. The veterans – Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba – will be highly motivated in what is more than likely a last chance at European glory, and Juan Mata should find room to impose himself in midfield, especially without the cloying attentions of the suspended Gustavo.

In all, Bayern look better equipped to cope with their suspensions, and if Chelsea’s defensive troubles continue it is hard to imagine them keeping out Frank Ribery, Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben, especially in front of a loud partisan crowd. Then again, they somehow got past Barcelona – with 10 men – in the Nou Camp, and will likely look to the same defensive counter-attacking strategy in Munich. In Didier Drogba and a resurgent Fernando Torres, Chelsea certainly have the tools for that direct, quick transition game, and if they score first – or meet a Bayern side weighed down by expectation – it could be their day.

I think Bayern have the edge though, and should win this one 2-1 or 3-1.

EPL Super Sunday: Gotta Be City!

There’s just one game to go, yet it seems like everything’s still up in the air in the English Premier League. The title will end up in the city of Manchester, yet whether it will return to Old Trafford or grace the Etihad Stadium for the first time, is as yet unsettled.

Further down the table, the last two Champions League places are also still in play, with Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle all needing to win to stand any chance of sealing a spot.

Down at the bottom, it’s a straight duel between Bolton and QPR for the dubious honour of joining already relegated Wolves and Blackburn on the way down to the Championship.

All that means we could be treated to some dramatic fare on what is perhaps the most exciting last day since Blackburn pipped Man United to the title back in 1995.

The key game will, of course, be Man City’s home clash with QPR. Roberto Mancini’s side need all three points to seal the deal, and it’ll take a brave man to bet against a side that has won an incredible 17 of their 18 home matches this season. Indeed, after seeing off both Man Utd and Newcastle in their last two games, City’s superstars will be expected to see off QPR’S challenge rather easily. Then again, strange things happen when nerves are jangling and the fact that QPR – coached by former City boss Mark Hughes – need a point to make their Premiership place certain will only spice up the occasion. Regardless, I don’t see QPR pooping this particular party and City and their long-suffering fans should be celebrating a first title in 44 years come Sunday evening.

That would leave QPR’s fate hanging on the result from the Brittania Stadium, where visiting Bolton will be desperately fighting for the three points against Stoke City. Anything less and Owen Coyle’s team can start preparing for life in the Championship next season. Brittania is a tough place to visit at the best of times and if Stoke are up for it Bolton, in all their desperation, will struggle to get away with a win.

The three-way race for 3rd and 4th should be the most interesting of the lot. Arsenal lead the pack going in, and their superior goal difference means just one point at West Brom will secure yet another Champions League qualification. With the Alex Song-Robin van Persie tandem still in fine form, the Gunners shouldn’t have a problem finding goals here and it would be a huge surprise if they failed to do the necessary.

Any slip could open the door for Spurs and Newcastle, but they both face tough tests on Sunday. Tottenham host London rivals Fulham, and would be glad to finish a tupsy-turvy season on a high. Champions League qualification would be ample reward from a season in which the Spurs were briefly touted as title challengers – before their form fell away in January.

Newcastle have been the surprise team of the season, and it would be quite the story if they ended the season with a place in the Champions League. But they face the toughest task of the three with a trip to Goodison Park to face Everton, and have a vastly inferior goal difference. Besides, even an away win – which I doubt they’ll get - would still leave them hoping for one of the other two to slip up.

Arsenal’s firepower should be enough to secure a draw – at least - at the Hawthorns, and I think Tottenham will do enough to join them in the top four.

So, here’s what Super Sunday will throw up:

Champions: Man City

Third: Arsenal

Fourth: Tottenham

Relegated: Bolton

That’s what I think anyway.

Barcelona, Madrid and Manchester: Week of Thrills

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Christmas lovers – as opposed to Christians, but that’s a whole ‘nother story – will have to forgive me, but for us football “fanatics” it simply doesn’t get better than this. Close title races, relegation dogfights, and the high stakes and high drama that invariably come with the latter stages of the Uefa Champions League.

Think about it: Evenly poised races in France, Italy and England and close ties in both Champions League semi-finals make for what should be an interesting last month of the European season. Indeed, but for Real Madrid finally conquering their el clasico jinx at the Nou Camp last Saturday, Spain would still be in play too.

The next week should serve up three excellent games that will go a long way in settling two of the biggest contests of the season – the Champions League and the English Premier League.

Interestingly, it all begins in Spain, where both La Liga giants look to overcome first leg deficits in a bid to set up a climactic el clasico Champions League final in Munich on May 19th.

The action kicks off at the Nou Camp on Tuesday night when Chelsea arrive, one goal in hand, looking to upset the odds and silence the Blaugrana faithful. The Blues will need to be just as resolute – and lucky – as they were at Stamford Bridge to escape this one without conceding. Yet, having survived Barca’s first leg onslaught, and seen their opponents suffer another loss at the weekend, Roberto di Matteo’s team must think they’ll never have a better opportunity to upstage the defending champions. Barcelona was fluent but profligate at the Bridge, less fluent but still profligate against a determined Real team at the weekend. It’s hard to imagine this team losing three in a row – although a draw would suffice for Chelsea – and Pique’s return should mitigate their obvious aerial weaknesses which Chelsea will look to exploit again. It’s set to be an interesting affair, with an away goal putting Chelsea firmly in the driver’s seat – they’ll need to be more positive for that to happen. But if Barca settle into their passing rhythm, and rediscover their finishing touch, the best efforts of Terry, Cahill and co. will not be enough to keep Messi, Iniesta and co. from another trip to the final.

It will be Real Madrid’s turn at the Bernabeu on Wednesday and Mourinho’s team – thanks to that away goal in Munich - will be highly favoured to progress. Confidence should be sky high after their weekend triumph and in the attacking talents of Mesut Ozil, Benzema and the free-scoring Ronaldo, they have the tools to hurt any team, especially on home turf. But Bayern coped very well in the first leg and with Ribery, Robben and Gomez upfront; they look a side that can score goals too. Much will depend on how well Bayern’s unsung defenders – Boateng, Badstuber, Alaba, Gustavo – cope with the pressure that comes with playing in front of that partisan crowd, and how much they expose themselves to Real’s blistering counter-attack. This one could come down to away goals; Real will score goals, but Bayern are well capable of grabbing one or two as well. It’ll be a close one, but I think home advantage and Mourinho’s tactical nous – and squad depth - should see Real through to Munich.

Once the dust of the Champions League semis settle, a match of immense proportions will catch the world’s fancy next Monday when the two Manchester clubs clash in what could very well become England’s version of the clasico. And they won’t just be playing for bragging rights this time. With United blowing a two-goal lead against Everton at Old Trafford last Sunday, the Premiership title is up for grabs again. The Reds take a three point lead to the Etihad, but their inferior goal difference means a win for the Blues will put Mancini’s side top of the table with three matches left to play.

Man City seem to have recovered their mojo, after the slump that saw them relinquish a once commanding lead to their city rivals, and they still boast an unbeaten home record in the league that stretches back a couple of years. With Yaya Toure back to his powerful best and Tevez and Aguero scoring for fun, City will be favourites to win at home. United have been in great form too, and but for that slip up last Sunday, they would have one hand on the cup by now. Paul Scholes has only enhanced an already stellar reputation since returning in January, and Wayne Rooney may well end up with a career season as far as goals are concerned. There’s the revenge element too; City thumped United 6-1 at Old Trafford in the autumn, and United won at Etihad to knock City out of the FA Cup in January. It sets up what should be a truly compelling battle – local derby, title on the line, vendetta, in-form attacking players – and should be a real treat for the neutrals, if there is any such thing when it comes to United.

I think City will win on Monday – but that won’t guarantee the title.

Enjoy.

Chelsea's AVB Folly

It’s a little ironic that Chelsea fans are celebrating the departure of the unfortunate Andres Villas Boas following his sacking last weekend. Then again, given that the club owned by a fan is also, sadly, run like a club owned by a fan, that reaction shouldn’t be too surprising.

Let’s face it; for all the emotion and passion fans invest in their clubs, they are hardly best placed to make management decisions in the best interest, both short-term and long term, of the club. Of course, Roman Abramovich invests much more than his emotions in the Stamford Bridge club, yet his track record – with both manager and player acquisitions – suggest many of his key decisions are down to his emotional whims rather than the business logic one would expect of a club with Chelsea’s aspirations. The fact that Abramovich’s Chelsea have now seen off 7 managers – including some of the best names in the game - in 7 years only underlines Roman’s fan mentality: quick to covet, quick to discard.

Don’t get me wrong; it’s not so much that the sacking of AVB in itself was a surprising or illogical conclusion to this tryst. It has indeed been a hugely disappointing season for the Blues. It’s not just that the results have seen a squad packed with expensive talent trailing in 5th place, the team has seldom performed well all season. Defeat at West Brom may have ultimately sealed Villas Boas’ fate, but they were equally abysmal in a 2-0 loss at Everton a fortnight earlier, and they were fortunate to tie Championship team Birmingham at home in the FA Cup a week later.

Where the questions must be asked of Abramovich and the Chelsea higher ups would be in their original decision to bring in Villas Boas last summer and what their expectations of this young coach and the squad were for this season.

On the face of it, few would argue that Chelsea’s aging squad has been in need of fresh blood for the better part of the last four years. Indeed, the club’s procurement record over the last year or so appears to be an attempt to begin the transition. Ramires, Fernando Torres and David Luiz arrived last season, followed in the summer, at great expense, by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Oriol Romeu, Juan Mata, Raul Meireles, striker Romelu Lukaku – and the return from loan of Daniel Sturridge. January saw the club sign another Belgian; Kevin de Bruyne from Racing Genk.

Was Villas Boas brought in to ease out the holdover veterans from the Jose Mourinho era – Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Ashley Cole, Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien – and bed in these new faces? And if so, was that supposed to happen this season or at a more relaxed pace? And if the new boys were supposed to take over right away, did Chelsea spend wisely in bringing in a clearly unready Lukaku, a goalkeeper in Courtois that has spent this season on loan at Atletico Madrid, and de Bruyne, still playing on loan at Genk?

Beyond the supposed transition and its pace, there are tactical considerations too. If Chelsea were well aware of Villas-Boas preference for a high defensive line and energetic pressing, why hire him to manage a squad so clearly ill-suited, at least in the short term, for such a tactical framework? In their defence, Chelsea isn’t the only big club to fall into this trap. Inter Milan found themselves in the same mess this season, when they brought in a coach in Gian Piero Gasperini whose preferred 3-4-3 system, so effective at Palermo, was ill-suited Inter’s squad. Unlike his Portuguese counterpart though, Gasperini didn’t make it to Christmas, making way for ex-Chelsea man Claudio Ranieri after just three months in charge.

But Chelsea’s courting of the high profile Villas Boas, on the back of an unbeaten triple winning season at Porto, smacks of the same kind of thinking that prompted the arrival of Torres from Liverpool last January. Once again Chelsea were quick to covet a shining star – like most fans – with seemingly little regard for how that star would match their existing system.

Of course, it wouldn’t matter one jot if AVB had been brought in to change that very system. But if that were the case, it is clear that he has been given neither time nor personnel to effect that change.

If on the other hand, he was brought in to cajole this squad to another title challenge – nay, a first Champions League win – then it’s easy to conclude that Chelsea picked the wrong man from the off.

As things stand, it is interesting that whatever hopes Chelsea have left for the season – essentially the FA Cup and a place in the top four – now lie in the hands of a coach that, just a year ago, was deemed not good enough to save West Brom from relegation.

Liverpool Quality Should Tell

It wasn’t exactly all gloom and doom at Anfied Road at this time last year. Kenny Dalglish’s New Year return had brought renewed optimism and Liverpool – despite the shock departure of Fernando Torres and the absence of Steven Gerrard – were smack in the middle of a six match unbeaten run. Yet the feel-good atmosphere surrounding the return of King Kenny can only pale in comparison to the enthusiasm that will follow Liverpool into the Carling Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Sure, it’s not the holy grail of the Champions League, the final of which the Reds contested in both 2005 and 2007, but it presents an opportunity to bring some silverware into the Anfield trophy room for the first time in six years. That it’s Championship side Cardiff City standing in the way of Liverpool and the cup only means that Dalglish’s side will start as clear favourites as they take to the turf at the new Wembley stadium for the very first time.

That will only add extra pressure to a club that is expected to challenge for honours – especially after bringing in close to 100 million pounds worth of new talent over the last 13 months. But after seeing off Stoke, Chelsea and Manchester City – all beaten on their home turfs – to get this far, Liverpool should have enough confidence and quality to win this one.

With so many new faces still finding their feet, Dalglish’s team is hardly the finished article; exciting and frustrating in equal measure, inconsistency has been the hallmark of a season that has seen them combine solid defense, decent, sometimes sublime midfield play with alarming profligacy in front of goal.

But Liverpool may just be entering their best spell of the season. Not only is the inspirational Gerrard just returning to full fitness, embattled striker Luis Suarez is also freshly returned from his 8-match ban, and the much-maligned duo of Andy Carroll and Stewart Downing seem to be finding form just in time for the trip to Wembley – that is if their showing in last week’s FA cup trouncing of Brighton is anything to go by. Add to the mix the impressive form of the evergreen Craig Bellamy – 4 goals in his last 7 games – and you’d expect a more potent strike force.

The defence pretty much picks itself these days – Reina, Johnson, Enrique, Skrtel and Agger have been superb - so the key decisions facing Dalglish would concern how to set up in midfield. Will the defensive harrying of Jay Spearing be preferred to the creative passing of Charlie Adam? Will the experience of the tireless Dirk Kuyt get in ahead of the youthful energy and pragmatism of Jordan Henderson?

The bigger question, in the mind of Liverpool fans, would be which Liverpool team will turn up; the lacklustre, disinterested bunch that lost at Bolton a few weeks ago; the creative, but wasteful team that have lost so many points to draws at home; or the much more efficient bunch that scored three at Wolves and saw off Brighton last week?

The one thing they will need to avoid is thinking all they have to do is show up.

Cardiff will no doubt be looking to play the underdog role to perfection and pull out a win here. For that happen, they’ll need winger Peter Whittingham to reproduce his Championship form. He has been Cardiff’s biggest threat in their promotion quest with 9 goals and 11 assists to his name, but he’ll have to be at his very best against one of the Premiership’s best defences. The much-travelled Scottish striker Kenny Miller also carries a goal threat – he also has 9 Championship goals to his name – and the experienced Rob Earnshaw could prove an effective tool from the bench.

In all, it would be a shock of epic proportions were Cardiff to overturn the Reds, but Liverpool – I expect they’ll dominate possession - will need to stay focused and make the most of their chances. A much expected win here could be just the boost this team needs to finish the season on a high.

After so many years without a trophy, I doubt they’ll need any more motivation.

For The Lost Ones...

It was one of those endings one has come to expect of Hollywood movies. Indeed, no one could have scripted an ending this perfect. Yet, as Stoppira Sunzu scored to put an end to a marathon penalty shoot-out in Libreville last Sunday, this real life redemption story had reality imitating art in a most refreshing manner.

Sunzu’s kick won Zambia its very first Africa Nations Cup crown, the very highest point in the history of Chipolopolo, achieved at the very site of the country’s most traumatic tragedy. For it was on this very same shores – a mere 500 yards off mainland Libreville – that a chartered airplane carrying Zambia’s national team to a World Cup qualifier in Senegal had plunged into the Ocean on April 17 1993, killing off an entire generation of the finest footballers Zambia had ever produced.

That it’s taken nigh on 20 years - a whole generation – for Zambia to reach this crowning moment perhaps undermines the enormity of what this team have achieved here. And indeed, the magnitude of what that loss represented to Zambian - and African – football at the time. Much more will be written about today’s heroes – the impressive goalkeeping of Kennedy Mweene; the resilient man-marking of Sunzu; the midfield industry of Rainford Kalaba; and the attacking guile of Chris Katongo and Felix Mayuka. But those whose loss, all those years ago, has played a part in inspiring these ones can never be forgotten, and it was particularly pleasing to see Kalusha Bwalya (the one player who missed that fateful flight as he was supposed to join up with his teammates directly from his base in Belgium) celebrating with Katongo and co. in Libreville.

More recent observers of African football can be forgiven for thinking of Zambia as this middle-order soccer country enjoying its 15 minutes of fame. But those who remember Chipolopolo before that fateful day in 1993 will recall a blossoming African soccer power. Indeed, the fact that a reconstituted national team – basically a B team, since none of them (save Bwalya) was deemed good enough to be on that fateful flight – was only narrowly beaten by a superb Nigeria team in the Nations Cup final just a year later, speaks volumes about the quality of that team.

But the full story of that Zambian team can only begin in the summer of 1988 at the Olympic Games in South Korea. There, a team brilliantly back-stopped by the legendary Efford Chabala, and inspired by the midfield talents of Charles Musonda and Kalusha Bwalya, started off with a 5-0 rout of Guatemala, before posting what remains perhaps the biggest result in Zambian football history – a 4-0 bashing off mighty Italy. Kalusha claimed a hat-trick on that day, underlining his role as the team’s talisman, and cementing his place in Zambian football lore.

Five years later, that team had matured together and had a really good chance of making another splash on the international scene. They had started their World Cup final qualifying round with an impressive 2-1 win against Morocco in Lusaka. But it all went awry with that fateful trip that ended so tragically in Libreville.

Goalkeepers Efford Chabala and Richard Mwanza; defenders John Soko, Whiteson Changwe, Robert Watiyakeni, Samuel Chomba, Kenan Simambe, and Winter Mumba; midfielders Eston Mulenga, Derby Makinka, Moses Chikwalakwala, Wisdom Chansa, Numba Mwila, Godfrey Kangwa; strikers Kelvin Mutale, Timothy Mwitwa, Moses Masuwa, Patrick Banda.

All gone – but not forgotten. This one’s for them too.