El Clasico Comment: Record-Breaking Revenge As Barcelona Become The Kings Of Spain Again

Doubters defied, records rewritten and Madrid humiliated - Pep exacted the best form of revenge as Barca exorcised recent Clasico demons...

2 May 2009 22:04:31

Barcelona celebrate their historic 6-2 win over Real Madrid at the Bernabeu in the Clasico (MARCA)

Real Madrid were written off as contenders for the title as soon as Juande Ramos took charge, but as the wins began racking up, the most optimistic in the Spanish capital began counting down the points deficit minus three. That is to say that, the Clasico would be a guaranteed victory. Madrid would have to win, and so they would.

That was the feeling in the capital, and best of all for the Blanco faithful, Barcelona had just been held - and outplayed, to a degree - by Valencia, before that demoralising draw with defensive Chelsea, while Madrid managed a stunning trademark comeback against Sevilla. This predetermined Clasico win would have put them to within just a point of Barcelona.

And then, considering Barca's Champions League and Copa del Rey distractions, the reigning champions would, despite still being behind in the league table, have all the momentum and be in a 'best position', of sorts, to go on and win their third successive league title.

Everybody was ready to consider the possibility of Barcelona losing the Clasico and consequently losing La Liga to Madrid. In fact, for the first time all year, Barcelona were seen by many as underdogs. But this game - like so many other blockbusters in Spain and all of Europe this season - completely caught the masses by surprise.

Madrid opened up the game to Barcelona, and were the better side for the first 15 minutes. Barcelona certainly weren't expecting it, and the champions were decent enough value for their lead when Higuain headed home a Sergio Ramos cross.

But that was all the time Barca needed to gauge the situation and proceed to play Madrid off the park. Many will criticise Juande Ramos and his side for continuing to be so open after taking the lead, despite the fact these same people will often have been the ones who whistled Madrid during their unattractive yet quite amazing undefeated streak.

The Madrid coach has been in something of a no-win situation ever since taking the job, best illustrated by his offensive substitutions in the second half that only proceeded to pile on the misery and humiliation for his side when Barcelona continued to cut through them and bag goal after goal.

Madrid had never before shipped six at the Bernabeu in a Clasico, and this winning margin was greater than the unforgettable, Ronaldinho-inspired 3-0 of 2006, not to mention Madrid's revenge, the 4-1, last season. This was in another realm entirely.

It can be said that Madrid folded - and they did - but what rings just as true and remains far more important is that this is a Barcelona side better than the 3-0 Rijkaard side that went on to win the 2006 Champions League and La Liga double. It's no coincidence that this season, then, they remain in a strong position to surpass that and obtain a treble.

It's not that they can't be beaten, or even that they can't be outplayed, but there is simply no greater attacking force in world football - none even close - and that no neutral would ever begrudge them their forthcoming success. That is as good a measure of a great team as you can ask for; whether Spanish or Catalan, defensive or attacking, Madrid or Barcelona, everyone knows that Barcelona play great football.

For so long, on the points table, they have been matching each other - Madrid even faring slightly better - but head-to-head, where it mattered, the difference was so obvious, so undeniable. Madrid played with all behind the ball and Barca broke through twice at the death. Then Madrid came out to play and Barca walked six into the net.

The fact Pep Guardiola came under fire after successive draws tells you everything you need to know about the standards he has set for himself in his first ever season coaching a first team. To add to his Hiddink eye for tactics, Capello obsession with discipline and Mourinho sense of smooth-talking and smart-casual fashion , he has today shown he has the motivational skills of Sir Alex Ferguson in there somewhere as well.

The players and their quality, we know about already. But this is a game they could have drawn and still strolled to La Liga. There's Chelsea midweek. They didn't need to go all out, but they did. All the stars played, all the stars shone - an injured Henry and Clasico debutant Pique in particular - but while Juande Ramos essentially just lost his job in one corner, in the other stood the one and only undisputed man of this match, a man whose legacy just officially begun, and that is Pep Guardiola.

English Angle: Four Reasons Why Manchester United Are Desperate For Owen Hargreaves' Return

Some blame the defence and others blame fatigue, but I believe the Red Devils are short one key man in particular...

8 Apr 2009 14:45:08

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EPL: Owen Hargreaves, Manchester United - Arsenal (PA)

Teams

• Manchester United

Players

• Owen Hargreaves

Manchester United need Owen Hargreaves - the player, not the phantom of Old Trafford - back in action for four reasons: their suddenly human defence.

When the Red Devils were racking up the clean-sheets, many said that the defence, with goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar behind them, was invincible. Now, that same rearguard is taking a battering, both from opposition attackers and an array of critics. The truth behind United's current slump, though, must surely lie somewhere in between, and that naturally leads us to the midfield.

Even whilst Sir Alex Ferguson's men were charging on unchallenged, there were signs of frailty during the too-close League Cup win over Derby County in January. Blackburn Rovers' Roque Santa Cruz broke the clean sheet record but the flaws weren't really amplified until the 2-1 win at Newcastle United in early March, wherein the gung-ho Magpies provided a real test. Inter then outplayed them to no avail, before the levee broke three days later: Liverpool thumped them, Fulham stunned them, Aston Villa went down narrowly and, finally, Porto drew 2-2 in midweek, and could have won easily.

Sure, there have been individual errors at the back. Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand were shocking against the Reds, and even though the resurgent former and injured latter weren't to blame as Porto ran riot, Jonny Evans and Gary Neville made costly mistakes. More to the point, however, the midfield has been dominated time and again in recent weeks, often at home, thus the defence is far more exposed than it should be. There's no shield in front of the defence, 50-50 balls are going the wrong way and games are raging from end-to-end - like a basketball match, as the cliche goes.

Now we've come to the business end of the season, when Manchester United are supposed to come alive. Instead, they're gasping for air and every side they encounter will fancy their chances, based on what they've seen recently. There's something missing, quite literally, in the shape of perma-crocked midfield battler Owen Hargreaves.

So why should we yearn for the Canadian-born English international with the German background? Simply put, he's a tiger and does not let games pass him by as some of the United midfielders have done lately. Michael Carrick looks somewhat bereft of confidence and authority after a stunning half-season or so, and fatigue may be playing its part. Anderson is an option, but he's too classy for extended shifts in the war zone. Paul Scholes is what he is – a veteran to be used sparingly and a player whose raking passes are his main asset in his twilight years. Darren Fletcher, meanwhile, is a squad man playing more than even he expects to.

Boss Ferguson bought Hargreaves from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2007 for a weighty £17 million, handing him a four-year contract which hinted at his plans for the player. He's a peak-age 28-year-old now, and would come alive on the big occasions, such as Tuesday evening's Champions League fiasco. Certainly, he showed early on in his United career that he intended to bring titles to the club. Other bonus points include his free kick prowess – United are suddenly shambolic on that front – and his positional versatility.

To play Hargreaves, of course, he has to be fit. Exactly what stage he's at has been the subject of some confusion, but the word is that he's training at Carrington and stepping up his fitness bid by the day, now onto the final stretch of his rehabilitation. He's needed surgery twice to correct his patella tendonitis, which means that both knees have not been able to handle the impact of landing after a routine leap. Highly-rated American surgeon-cum-miracle worker Dr. Richard Steadman has been working on Hargreaves, giving hope that he'll make a full recovery, as many under his care have.

When someone has been out this long, then, it's probably best to complete the programme and not risk the kind of damage that can end careers prematurely. Hargreaves recently insisted that he'll be back even stronger but admitted that he hasn't been watching United's progress closely due to frustration, something that Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas also revealed during his lay-off. It looks as though United will have to wait until the summer before the midfielder can plug their hole – yet it's clearly still there.

Obviously, there remains the possibility that Hargreaves could suffer a further set-back, or that he won't be the same player on his eventual return. Thus, one would be surprised if Ferguson's wily eyes haven't wandered across the globe looking for a potential replacement. Real Madrid's Mahamadou Diarra and Sporting Lisbon man Miguel Veloso are two possible targets, with Standard Liege starlet Alex Witsel also frequently linked with a Premier League move. There are attainable players to fill the void, but 'Fergie' is likely to wait on 'Hargo' for as long as possible.

More immediately, the gaffer must readjust somewhat to compensate. His side need to reclaim the midfield and pull together in order to protect a lambasted defence which cannot have become a bad unit overnight. Let's hope the talented Mr Hargreaves returns in time for next season, but for now, United must somehow compensate for a problem they have yet to fully identify.

Champions League Debate: What Made This Competition So Great Again?

Everything we thought we knew, we don't - the Champions League is back to its enthralling and unpredictable best....

9 Apr 2009 14:15:15

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CL: Branislav Ivanovic, Liverpool - Chelsea (PA)

Teams

• Arsenal
• Barcelona
• Chelsea
• FC Bayern München
• Liverpool
• Manchester United
• Porto
• Villarreal

Anyone who says they saw all four Champions League quarter-final first legs panning out as they did is a liar.

Anyone who denies the past two days have been a celebration and resurrection of adventurous, entertaining and exceptional football is insane.

But then that's the thing: there are so few bitter Bayern, Liverpool or Man United fans. They may rue the inevitable and indisputable mistakes made by their clubs, but there have been far less excuses and complaining than usual, because the football really did do all the talking.

Who said football needs controversy to be exciting?

In two breathtaking nights, four captivating games have been played out between eight fearless and talented teams. The atypically tentative and uninspired round of 16 is history.

Inter and Real Madrid are two clubs in particular that, whether they admit it or not, now believe themselves to be cursed in Europe. And it shows. These are great clubs that ultimately failed to live up to their billing.

Add to this Juventus and Atletico Madrid sides still not suitably rehabilitated to trade blows with the best of the best and Roma, a side like Lyon, now on the way down after having hit their peak, and it's not hard to see why they ended up as near-misses.

And to finish off the complement of those eliminated, there are Panathinaikos and Sporting CP, whose only knockout potential was the physical and literal process of being knocked out in the first place.

It's now clear that the right teams went through from the second round to serve up the best games in the quarter-finals. We perhaps didn't know it then, but we know it now.

Who is honestly wishing that Roma, Inter, Juventus or Real Madrid were here, other than fans of those clubs or countries? No one. The competition has progressed perfectly without them.

Villarreal out-passing Arsenal with their trickery and technique was truly captivating and both the game's goals were out of this world.

Porto's young guns tearing through the reigning champions stunned the masses and will have put all of Europe's elite on alert ahead of the summer transfer window.

The return of Drogba and Essien, as well as the delayed emergence of Ivanovic and undisputed arrival of Hiddink was almost dumbfounding. Liverpool rarely look so helpless.

Barcelona kept alive their magic, blitzing a Bayern side that were just starting to be taken seriously.

Two weeks ago, this entire showpiece had been written off as a dirge - a Premier League procession - and who knows, maybe that's what it needed to be sparked back into life.

The rest of Europe (barring Barcelona) had been counted out of contention, just as England (barring Man United) always had been in years gone by.

The mass media has perpetuated the belief that the 'big four' will dominate for years to come off the back of a couple of years in which they have been the dominant presence in the quarters and semis.

When the Italians and Spanish enjoyed this success, there was never such widespread prophecy of a decade-long dynasty or anything of the sort being on the horizon for them, so why for England? Maybe the belief that the Premier League has relative recession immunity is what makes this era so much more scrutinised than others from years gone by.

Several figureheads from around Europe have at times expressed a sense of powerlessness with regards to stopping the Premier League dominance. That pathetic, defeatist attitude thankfully wasn't adopted by the likes of Porto and Villarreal and will hopefully serve as an example to one and all, next season and beyond.

The same four English teams' repeated qualification for the competition has enabled them to practice to the point of perfection and the energetic, pressing game of the English game has provided a culture shock of sorts to several European heavyweights, but it is merely a matter of time until they acclimatise to the wind of change sweeping over UEFA's showpiece event.

What captured the imagination of many fans was the defiance of the underdogs: Porto, Villarreal and even Chelsea. None were expected to win, but all not only got somewhat surprising results, but outplayed their opponents.

The favourites were favourites no more - and that's what makes Barcelona such a genuine threat: they were the only big guns who lived up to their billing.

Three Premier League teams could yet go through; Bayern could yet even beat Barcelona. A few of us remember Barca throwing away their Copa del Rey semi-final against Getafe despite a monumental first leg lead, most of us remember what Deportivo did to Milan a few years ago and absolutely everybody remembers what Liverpool managed - again against Milan - in Istanbul four years ago.

Anything can happen, but it probably won't. This wasn't defying the odds just for defiance's sake. This was the beautiful game blossoming in its evolution.

Barcelona still drop the odd lead, but Pep Guardiola is not Frank Rijkaard.

Liverpool are still the architects of the impossible, but Hiddink never loses by three goals - at least not against teams on a similar skill level - and especially when knowing exactly what's required from the game in order to win the tie.

Meanwhile, Porto have never lost to English opposition at the Dragao and already showed they can subdue all kinds of firepower at home, but United rarely disappoint when all is to play for, while Villarreal remain the most likely candidates for heroic failure, just as they did when the draw was made.

All roads leading to Rome sure has come in handy, as we now find ourselves taking a couple of spectacular detours along the way, knowing and hoping this tournament reaches the destination it deserves.

Calcio Debate: The Sad Story Of Why Jose Mourinho Must Sell Adriano

The Emperor is unstable once more, and is seems that now is the time for his coach to take decisive action over his future...

7 Apr 2009 12:00:12

José Mourinho & Adriano - Inter-Milan - Serie A (Grazia Neri)

Those old enough to remember when yo-yos were cool, Princess Diana wore a seat belt and Newcastle United were actually the second best team in England (but still, for the record, never actually won anything) may also remember a man by the name of Jardel.

He was and remains one of the most prolific strikers in modern history. For ten years, he was incredible. For around five, he was beyond Cristiano Ronaldo last season. His most prolific spells may 'only' have been in Portugal; but these were not some Dirk Kuyt or Mario Gomez goalscoring ratios. These weren't even Ruud van Nistelrooy or Gerd Muller goalscoring ratios. They were better.

Jardel was the highest goalscorer in Europe for three consecutive years and yet he's not even as big a name as Gareth Southgate. He had two afflictions: one being that he was Brazilian, and this meant his competition at international level consisted of Ronaldo and Romario, among others, and the other being a fragile mental state, perhaps brought about by a string of unfortunate circumstances in his personal life.

He was controversially left out of the national squad for the 2002 World Cup, which Brazil would go on to win, and from there began his fitness woes and journeyman decline. He has represented 10 clubs in the last six years, doing very little for any of them, yet is still playing for Ferroviario in Brazil.

If any of this isn't sounding familiar by now, you should probably stop reading.

Now I turn to those of you old enough to remember when Real Madrid's Galacticos era began to go spectacularly wrong, Chelsea were without Roman Abramovich and better suited to the UEFA Cup and somewhere along the line, Digimon replaced Pokemon as the most annoying money-making childrens' franchise on the planet. Yes, we're looking even more recently now, to a time when Adriano was feared and revered as a man who would dominate world football.

Inter scooped him up from Flamengo, farmed him out to Fiorentina and then to Parma, where he truly began to hit the heights before making his return to Milano. He was unstoppable. Everything was either going to go in off his head or his left foot - everybody knew it - but there was nothing anybody could do to stop him.

He hit almost 30 goals in 2004-05; perhaps not in the Jardel realms of supremacy, but this is where playing in the most defensively impressive league in the world did perhaps work against him. Unlike Jardel, Adri was at least fortunate enough to break into the national team - and in some style.

He scored as many goals as Ronaldo ate cupcakes, blasting Brazil to Confederations Cup glory in 2005 looking the world's best striker almost without question at the time. His record for the Selecao to date, his slump and all, is 31 goals in 51 games - imagine what could have been?

It was the 2006 World Cup that was to signal the beginning of his end, just as it did for Ronaldo and even, as many may argue, Ronaldinho. Adriano's father, to whom he had been very close, died before the tournament, and a hapless tactical showing from Brazil coach Carlos Alberto in Germany sought to benefit nobody except perhaps Ronaldo, who broke the all-time World Cup goalscoring record before Brazil crashed out in the quarter-finals to France.

Adriano had already gone off the rails. From being a potential target for Abramovich at Chelsea and Perez at Real Madrid he now couldn't even seal a deal with Manchester City. And this was before the Sheikhs.

The 2006-07 season was his only unmitigated flop on paper. The others were passable - including a fairly successful loan back to Brazil with Sao Paulo last season - but ultimately, this was a man not looking like he could cut it at the highest of high levels anymore. All thoughts of professionalism were drowned in his mini-fortune and the luxurious lifestyle it had granted him. It was just so much easier to drink and party than train and play professional football.

Jose Mourinho taking over at Inter almost seemed perfect. The antithesis of Roberto Mancini and a man who can bring out the best in the ferocious as well as the fragile. Adriano would be his new Drogba.

But now finally, for those of you old enough to remember when Argentina were massacred in La Paz by Bolivia, Manchester United lost to Fulham and I wrote one of the most blatant April Fools' jokes of all time. Yes, even a zygote should remember this, as it was last week. Adriano went missing. Again.

He neglected to return home from international duty on time and not even his agent knew of his whereabouts. Compatriot and Milan rival Kaka even said he fears for the big man's footballing future. Jose Mourinho played his hand well to the press, saying he was not angry, but concerned about his striker - but who was he kidding? Really? He has tried to embrace the Brazilian as best he can, but it's just not a fit anymore.

This has to be the final straw. With Zlatan Ibrahimovic having rightly had demigod status bestowed upon him in the Nerazzurri half of San Siro, Adriano will never be the Emperor he could and should have been at the club. Even tactically, his continued appearance in the side has to an extent limited how they could play. Two big men up top has its advantages, but certainly not in a side with as little wide presence as Inter. Adri has had his moments, but is ultimately hindering Ibra, and vice-versa. Both would gain from a new tactical system, but only one can find a new club in which to do so.

Mario Balotelli is ready and waiting, and if his attitude is not to Jose's liking, the 'Special One' could possibly have his pick of David Villa, Sergio Aguero, Giuseppe Rossi or even Samuel Eto'o this summer. Massimo Moratti is unlikely to stop at anything to give his coach everything he wants, and the Portuguese made it clear after being outclassed by Manchester United in the Champions League that change would be needed this summer.

And then there is Adri. What he will make of his career, as the old cliche goes, remains a mystery. He could go the Jardel route and fade into journeyman obscurity in the lower levels of the game. He may emulate Ronaldinho and start afresh elsewhere, but still a shadow of his former self - and that's if any big gun is willing to take a chance on him, which remains highly unlikely. The best he could hope for is to follow similar footsteps to Ronaldo: to continue raking in the goals, even if in slightly less awe-inspiring fashion than before and at the cost of a shortened career - because one thing remains for sure: he will never be the same again.

Champions League Quarter-Final Draw: Liverpool-Chelsea & Manchester United-Porto... Again!

All roads lead to Rome - at least for two lucky competitors. Join Goal.com for a look at the eventual draw for the Champions League quarter finals and beyond...

20 Mar 2009 13:00:28

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Teams

• Arsenal
• Chelsea
• Manchester United
• Liverpool
• Barcelona
• Villarreal
• FC Bayern München
• Porto

Summary

Quarter Finals (April 7th-8th, April 14th-15th,2009)

1. Villarreal vs Arsenal
2. Manchester United vs Porto
3. Liverpool vs Chelsea
4. Barcelona vs Bayern

Semi Finals (April 28th-29th, May 5th-6th, 2009)

5. Winner of Match 2 vs Winner of Match 1
6. Winner of Match 4 vs Winner of Match 3

Final (May 27th, 2009, Rome)

Winner of Match 6 vs Winner of Match 5

Analysis

The UEFA Champions League quarter-final draw threw up four ties comprising the eight remaining clubs. We'll look at each in turn.

Villarreal VS Arsenal

Gunning For It Last Meeting: Villarreal 0-0 Arsenal, El Madrigal. Champions League semi-finals. April 26, 2006. Bookies' Favourite: Arsenal

The only time these two sides have ever met in competition was at such a dizzying height - for both clubs - in the form of the 2006 Champions League semi-final.

Villarreal were without doubt the overwhelming underdogs and that pressure proved to tell, when star player Juan Roman Riquelme had a chance to take the tie to extra time but had a poor late penalty saved by Jens Lehmann. Arsenal went on to lose the final to Barcelona.

Now, both teams have changed. Villarreal have continued their steady progression. Arsenal have completely removed themselves from the 'Invincibles' era and are a team that can perform from the sublime to the ridiculous. On the big stage, more often than not, they have come through this season. They are worthy favourites in what is sure to be a tight and tactical tie. The Gunners will win the day at the Emirates.

Manchester United VS Porto

Revenge Last Meeting: Manchester United 1-1 Porto, Old Trafford. Champions League quarter-final, March 9, 2004. Bookies' Favourite:Manchester United

And this, this is the mother of all rematches. We all know how Jose Mourinho hopped, skipped, jumped and slid down the Old Trafford touchline after his side snuck a late equaliser that put them through to the quarters at that time. They went on to win the competition.

Their performance and tactics against the Red Devils were lambasted and the English side bemoaned a wrongfully disallowed goal, but since, Mourinho has gone on to prove it was no fluke. Porto, meanwhile, have continued to dominate domestically but cannot make a dent on the continent.

United's progression since then has been outstanding. Now it is they who are the champions and they look to have the most well-rounded, united and best-drilled squad in Europe. Few would bet against them exorcising their demons.

Liverpool VS Chelsea

Fifth Time, Unlucky Last Meeting: Liverpool 2-0 Chelsea, Anfield. Premier League, February 1, 2009. Bookies' Favourite: Tie!

With United-Porto being the mother of all ties, this is the great, great, great, great grandfather: we cannot believe it's not dead yet. UEFA have yet again contrived to pair the two rigid English juggernauts in the Champions League for the fifth year in a row.

Liverpool have the edge. They won more convincingly to get to this stage, they've done the double over the Blues domestically this season and they've won more of the head-to-heads in this competition in the past five years.

What Chelsea have on their side is that they may actually be the underdogs this time - as they were under Avram Grant last year - which proved to be just what they needed to kill off their Red demons: to be written off beforehand.

This will not be a tie for spectacle. It never has been. Drama will be of the highest order in this all-English clash and the winner will fancy their chances of going all the way.

Barcelona VS Bayern Munich

Goals, Goals, Goals Last Meeting: Barcelona 1-2 Bayern Munich, Camp Nou. Champions League group stage, November 4, 1998. Bookies' Favourite: Barcelona

This is the only tie of the round that doesn't have a recent history. You have to go back over 10 years to find their last meeting: in the Champions League group stage, with Bayern winning at Camp Nou.

Bayern have never lost to Barcelona in European competition, but times are changing. The Blaugrana are now a genuine European superpower while the Bavarian giants have, in recent years, slipped off the radar ever so slightly.

But now, they are back. What's more, they are joint-top scorers in the competition along with Barcelona. They recorded the biggest aggregate win in the competition's history in the last round against Sporting Lisbon. It may not have been the stiffest of opposition, but Bayern's ruthlessness was worthy of considerable admiration. They are exactly the type of team that could punish a slightly leaky Barca defence.

But then, who can mention this tie without remembering the Three Musketeers up front for Pep Guardiola's men. Three of the best forwards in the world: the champion Thierry Henry, Samuel Eto'o in his prime and Lionel Messi, an all-time great in the making. Then there is Xavi and Andres Iniesta. Dani Alves and youngster Bojan Krkic. This is the only team outside of England to capture world imagination and they will be looking to prove why in this mammoth encounter.

And Beyond...

The semi-finals look like they may put together another familiar tie or two, as well. The winners of United-Porto will play the winners of Villarreal-Arsenal, which, according to the bookies, would give us a United-Arsenal semi. The Gunners have the most recent bragging rights over their domestic rivals and they have had some classic encounters over the past decade.

Porto and Arsenal also met in the group stages of this competition and exchanged victories, while United and Villarreal have shared four goalless draws in their only meetings in competitive football - an outstanding statistic.

Then there is the international semi-final, which has no chance of being a tie all of one country. It will be either Barcelona or Bayern against Chelsea or Liverpool. If Barcelona go through, we're sure to get an emotional encounter against one of two English teams against whom they have recent history. A Barca-Chelsea clash in particular would evoke memories of the Frank Rijkaard-Ronaldinho Blaugrana that won the competition in 2006, while Liverpool in fact felled Barca in the following year in what was a huge upset.

Bayern, on the other hand, met Chelsea in a quarter-final full of goals from which the Blues emerged victorious, but have not met Liverpool in recent history. What we can be assured, though, is that if the Bavarians make it past the second-favourites, when coming up against either of these two English sides, they will put up one hell of a fight. Germans know how to win in a knockout scenario as well as anyone. 

Then comes Rome, and the final. It's so near, yet so far. All eight clubs remaining have made their credentials clear so far, but there is room for just two. Who will it be?

English Angle: From Heroes To Villans - The Definitive Guide To Ruining Your Club's Season

The bubble in the claret and blue half of Birmingham finally looks to have burst and it should be no surprise to some fickle fans, whose despicable attitude is only making matters worse....

17 Mar 2009 15:15:59

Hyperbolic calls for crisis are all too often vocalised by the press in this country in an attempt to fuel and escalate newspaper/magazine sales and/or internet hits.

What if Arsenal had a comfortable top four position but started to struggle for form? Would the club be in dire straits if their own fans turned on their home-grown or academy-produced players? What if they squandered leads? What would the headlines read if they failed to record maximum points for a six week period and ended up losing a lead over their fifth-placed rivals that could potentially have been eight points but was cut-sharp to zero with an inferior goal difference and, in so doing, started flirting precariously with a UEFA Cup finish as opposed to a lucrative Champions League spot?

Would the back-page pandemonium that would inevitably ensue have been warranted?

The Gunners, though, are safe - for now. The aforementioned drama has instead been inflicted on Aston Villa but, considering the Villans' ambitions at the season's genesis, their fall from the top four has not been granted as many column inches as it would have should the same fate have awaited a supposed Premier League heavyweight.

The Midlands outfit are rapidly in decline and the run of games that is ahead of them gives no sign of a easy fix. An on-song and giant-slaying Liverpool are their opposition at Anfield on Sunday (from where they have not returned to Birmingham with a win in seven years), then a return to the north west is on the cards the following week as Martin O'Neill's men are due to take on Manchester United at Old Trafford (a ground that has not witnessed a Villa win for over a quarter of century), followed by a hosting of Everton the next weekend in a game that could effectively decide who finishes fifth - with fourth already starting to look a lost cause.

Considering the Claret club's recent plight, it would not be hard to fathom a nine-point loss over the next three fixtures, especially when the Aston Villa support is, for the moment, hyper-critical of every misplaced pass and disappointing move.

Where is the much-needed squad depth that clubs challenging on multiple fronts require as they go into the business end of the season? O'Neill has used just 19 men all season but the club are only left to compete for a lofty league finish after a fringe team was knocked out of the UEFA Cup. In addition, the Villans suffered early exits in the domestic cups. Arsenal, on the other hand, have used nearly half as many men just as captains, and are attempting a European and FA Cup assault, to boot.

Player fatigue should not even be used as a factor for the demise of Villa. It was when O'Neill - taking heed of the actions of his late mentor Brian Clough - treated his side to a brief sojourn on foreign soil. Clough, while at Nottingham Forest, treated his world-beaters to Mallorca vacations, O'Neill opted to jet his Champions League qualification hopefuls to Dubai. Not for intense training sessions, but to soak up the sun... to split a few beers... and to return to Blighty fully prepped and suitably recharged enough to ward off any tiredness going into the crucial business end of the season.

Prior to their break, they had capitulated at home to Stoke. After holding a healthy lead for a lion's share of the game, Villa allowed the Potters to leave with a point due to late goals from Ryan Shawcross and Glenn Whelan. A 2-0 loss away to Manchester City followed. Then Dubai. Then, on their return, they lost 2-1 to Tottenham Hotspur.

The willingness to devalue the UEFA Cup by fielding a reserve XI has not been vindicated.

Some commentators attribute experience as paramount to sustaining either a title challenge or, in Villa's case, a threat to the monopolisation of the top four. In the 2003-04 season Villa, under David O'Leary, finished sixth, yet only Gareth Barry remains as a notable first-team player from that season.

Hull City, after such an impressive start to their rookie season in the top flight, fell away in just as dramatic fashion, declining even further with an embarrassing on-pitch half-time dressing down. Elsewhere in Europe, Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga were hot conversation points due to their great start in the race for the title, but now find themselves in fifth place having occupied first only a matter of months ago. Decline seems, cruelly, an inescapable avenue for teams who haven't been there and haven't done it all before.

Now it's Villa's turn.

Securing a place in next season's Europa League is not something to mock and, with a generous investor in Randy Lerner financially backing the club, then there is, of course, room for much-needed squad bolstering during the summer, allowing Villa - and O'Neill - to be adequately prepared for a sustained march on a top four finish this time next year.

Top Five Achievements Of Giovanni Trapattoni's Career

Giovanni Trapattoni today celebrates his 70th birthday. We look at the top five moments of the legendary Italian coach's career...

17 Mar 2009 15:08:53

FIFTH PLACE - The Benfica RevivalAfter a poor Euro 2004 with Italy in Portugal, the legendary coach stayed behind, while the rest of La Nazionale went home. 'Trap' joined Lisbon-based side Benfica. The O Glorioso hadn't won the Portuguese title since 1994. The Italian wasted no time in bringing the team back to the pinnacle of Portuguese football as he steered his men to a glorious league win. Trapattoni spread his magic in Portugal and earned the name 'O Conquistador' from the Benfica faithful.

FOURTH PLACE - The Pele BattleMay 12, 1963 sees Italy take on World Champions Brazil in a prestigious friendly. Sounds familiar. The game is held at the San Siro where 'Trap' played for club side Milan. The Nazionale stopper had the task of marking the legendary Pele who was no slouch. With professionalism and skill, Trapattoni keeps the hitman quiet and forces him to abandon the pitch, such was his affect on the great Brazilian. Italy went on to win the game thanks to the defender and his prowess over Pele.

THIRD PLACE - A record-smashing Scudetto win with InterTrapattoni is once again reunited with the San Siro. This time he is on the black and blue half as coach of Inter. A perfect season sees the Nerazzurri fly to the top of Serie A to win a Tricolore which had been missing since 1980. The 1988-89 season was a memorable one. Walter Zenga kept dog in goal while Aldo Serena fired the shots up front. Lothar Matthaus was also there to keep things on the pitch under control. 58 points in 34 games with 67 goals scored and only 19 conceded as the Beneamata strolled to the Scudetto.

Second Place - The great 1976-77 SeasonFor many, this was the greatest season on the Juventus bench for Trapattoni. At 38, the coach was one of the youngest around as he learned his early management skills. He created the perfect winning formula which would see his Juventus side go all the way with bitter rivals Torino. The Old Lady stumbled over the line to win the title by a point. That same season, the Italian led his side to victory in the UEFA Cup against Bilbao. It was Juve's first ever European trophy as 'Trap' put them on the continental football map.

FIRST PLACE - The legendary triumph at Wembley.Many a great victory has been witnessed at the home of English football. It was the 60's, but this time an Italian side lifted a World famous trophy. The European Cup, now known as the Champions League, final took place in north-west London for the 1962-63 season. Benfica took the lead through the legendary Eusebio. However, Trapattoni stepped in to keep the big man shackled to the Wembley turf. The stopper's man marking skills allowed Milan to turn the game on it's head as Jose Altafini grabbed a brace to fire his side to European glory. 'Trap' and Milan conquered Europe on a memorable night in what is, perhaps, his greatest achievement during a career which has spanned the best part of half a century.

Spanish Inquisition: Robben, Huntelaar, And Team-Mate Feuds

Is the alleged spat between the Dutch pair at Real Madrid is in any way decisive...

16 Mar 2009 16:35:42

Football is a game, you need hardly be told, in which passions run high. Opposing teams will fight as if lives depend on it; fans will shout and sing non-stop for 90 minutes, and coaches will, as they say, kick every ball.But sometimes such emotions spill even among those of the same shirt. Training-ground bust-ups, after all, are that most iconic of dramatic images, and just as those who once sailed the high seas found a disagreeable shipmate to be insufferable and inescapable, so too do today's athletes find their patience tested by men with whom they must not just share a starting XI, but a training ground, a locker room - a way of life.Curiously, when Dutchman meets Dutchman sparks seem to fly with regularity and ferocity, and that seems to be the case at Real Madrid this season. With a hefty Oranje contingent, it was only a matter of time before some drama appeared: it's come courtesy of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar and Arjen Robben.Reports from the Spanish capital indicate that the pair exchanged a few choice phrases of mutual disapproval in Bilbao on Saturday as the Blancos managed a 5-2 win at San Mames against Athletic. This may not be unusual - show me a team in which the players don't occasionally castigate each other and I'll show you a team without spirit - but what is notable here is that this has apparently been building up for a while.Indeed, the two Oranje stars are said to be on pretty poor terms, and as such Saturday's incident was not so much a meaningless one-off as an early culmination of what could potentially cause future problems.Well, potentially. We must ask, given that these two aren't the first pair of footballers to seemingly share a mutual dislike, is such an issue really problematic? Or will professionalism take over and results continue to come?We needn't look too far to find a frame of reference. After all, at Barcelona, it was said that Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho were, to put it mildly, not the best of friends.Still, the two lined up alongside each other more often than not and, as one would expect of men of their income levels, at least tried to conduct themselves professionally on the pitch. As Eto'o himself put it, he didn't need to be friends with everyone on the team. Ronaldinho, meanwhile, sometimes fought back in a passive-aggressive manner, quietly berating his comrade for allegedly refusing to come on as a substitute against Racing just over a year ago.For all their (one assumes) stage-managed public hugs and smiles, there did seem to be real trouble brewing under the surface. Ronaldinho, after all, is a superstar, and as such will have strong ideas of his own; Eto'o is well-known for his effervescent, smouldering nature. In this sense some forthright exchanges are not only expected but inevitable. But when this boils over onto the training pitch, that is where problems begin. If it happens on the pitch proper, that is even worse.At Barcelona, such outcomes were commonplace in the latter days of the Frank Rijkaard era as the Dutchman singularly failed to rein in the dominant personalities of his dressing room. At Madrid, though, neither Huntelaar nor Robben is top dog, nor even close. (That honour falls to the likes of Raul and Iker Casillas.) With this in mind the coach has little to fear - for now. But he would do well to learn from Barcelona that failing to nip such issues in the bud can lead to future problems.