Friday, September 16, 2011

Ryan Babel Vs Mainz (Mainz 0-4 Hoffenheim)


- Originally posted by Roberto Rivelino - Bianconer8.blogspot.com

Ryan Babel isn't exactly an unknown. With 17 years started to shine and made his debut for Ajax, with the help and hand of Ronald Koeman.
Initially has a Forward, soon enough, it was easy to spot that it wasn't his best function. Therefore, he was "moved" to the Wing because he was able to create chances, though, as a Forward, he missed most of them. And it was in the Wing that the saga of dribbles and runs of Ryan Babel started to gave the spectators of the Amsterdam Arena a good feeling and the fame of his football started to grow, and soon, in 2005, he was called for the National Team of Holland. Two years later, Liverpool would buy him.



At Anfield, Babel had very highs and lows and, the "lows" had the major emphasis. Constantly praised by legends, such as Kenny Dalglish, who was his coach for only 6 days, because Babel wanted to "new fresh air" and so, despite Kenny's guarantee that he wouldn't move, Babel went to Germany to sign for Hoffenheim. In 6 months he became one of the favorites from the crowd and, in that (past) season (2010-2011), he had 1 goal scored in 15 matches.

Against Mainz, Ryan Babel gave the reasons and more than reasons, for every adjective and compliment delivered to him.
Started playing on the right side, but with the match development, he was either on the left side, or at Second-Striker, behind Roberto Firmino, the first goal scorer. Protecting the ball with his body (1,83m for 77kg), it was a constancy to see him doing the "sombrero" or the "step-over" skill and he had the "icing on the cake" with a brilliant goal! In velocity, "exploded" from the defender's back, by William's pass, dribbled Popech (the defender already beaten before) and Noveski before hitting the ball into the right inferior corner of Müller's net. 8 minutes after, at 82', he got replaced to hear an ovation on the opponents stadium.

With 24 years he is, certainly, one player to have in check. Babel one pure example that, sometimes, it's needed to go one step back, to give two in front.

- Roberto Rivelino

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Juventus Vs Parma - Individual Performances Analysis





Heads up, the new season has started in Italy, and so did started to grow the expectations of Juventus fans, specially, after such show against Parma, in which Juve won for 4-1, with goals scored by Lichtsteiner, Pepe, Arturo Vidal and Marchisio, for Juventus and, for Parma, Giovinco scored with a penalty committed by De Ceglie during the extra time, the red card followed Juventus full back, in consequence.


Juventus got their defense tested and Barzagli was the best defender, along with Lichtsteiner. Barza' really worked his body off and had some great tackles and interceptions, but, not only, defensively, he was important on the ball release from the defense to the midfield, with good passes and moves.
Lichtsteiner was really good as well. Lich' has something that Juventus have been missing from long time ago. He can defend and he can attack, and he is really good with the ball on his feet and he is brave and aggressive, which is perfect for a Right Back.
De Ceglie for some part of the match was good. He is really aggressive as well, but though, I think he needs to have more brains, because he has a lot of heart and has improved quite a bit since last season.

On the midfield, well, I could just mention Pirlo and that would do it.
He was amazing. He gave Juve something that they didn't had the chance to see on the last decade or so, maybe since Zidane. And that is flair, technique and class to our game flow.
Sometimes I thought about three things:
1- I wonder how would be this Midfield with Felipe Melo and Diego. Oh hell, that would be amazing. Diego would play so much better with Pirlo supporting his moves, and then Melo learning from Pirlo and doing (almost) the same as him (though, not really comparing both, take notice).
2- Juventus will score many goals with Vucinic and Matri because of him. The ability that he has to put the ball on defenders backs is really remarkable. He did it 10 times (from the top of my head) in this match, though, most of them were to Del Piero, who is not a 26 year-old anymore. Then when Vucinic came on, he (Andrea) served him a lot, but he was really nervous and didn't had a good debut at all.
3- This will have some irony... He reminds me of Busquets for Barcelona. (There's the irony, it should be the contrary) Busquets is like a watch for Barça, and so that will be Pirlo's role for Juventus too. Both turn the game to the left, the team game-play goes to the left, they turn to the right, and the team plays to the right. They are dictators of the rhythm of the match, they are fulcral on their teams because they are the major player in the first phase of game-construction and both are amazing players and I can't imagine Juventus without Pirlo right now.
Marchisio will also learn a lot with Pirlo, though, Pirlo's performance out-shined Marchi's. But I saw a couple of movimentations and skills (and with that I also include passes) that will give, Juve, points.

Then, the attack, and there I'll include Simone Pepe and Giaccherini.
Del Piero was really good, in my opinion, for the time he played. He served Matri really well, specially when Matri hit the post, he made an amazing pass, but not only talking about passes or shots, he was amazingly amazing when it came to the tactical campus. He opened a lot of spaces for Pirlo's balls and to Matri's runs behind the defenders. When Lichtsteiner scored Juve's first goal, I believe Del Piero pushed one or two defenders of Parma, which left Licht alone.
Matri was good. He looked really sharp and I the fact that he got pissed with himself for not scoring, when he got substituted is a good indication. He had some good runs, he hit a ball on the post, "scored" and had some great controls with his chest, receiving passes from Pirlo. He was also majorly helped by Del Piero and I think they will do a great combination during the season, specially if Matri hits the goal many times.
Vucinic was really really average on his debut. I think he will be a great player, but he was a bit nervous indeed. He had a lot of opportunity's and he crumbled. I might be being a bit severe, but I excepted a lot more from him, and that's about it.

Simone Pepe had a good match too. He showed some major improvement from the "narrow-minded" Pepe from Udinese or from the first half of the past season. He worked a lot, helped Lichtsteiner defensively, and had some good passes and scored a good goal. His crosses are terrible, though.
Gia' was a shame. Probably the worst man on the field.

Krasic had a good impact on the match, but honestly, I'm sick and tired of watching him doing the same skill: Ball Roll, followed by a Stepover with his left foot and then a push to his right and run. Every defender in Serie A knows that he makes that every-time and he is becoming more and more predictable with every match.

Arturo Vidal had a good impact on the match, as well, I must repeat. He gave a bit of muscle to the Midfield and his goal was pure class and power. I'm expecting good things from him. 



- Roberto Rivelino



Tuesday, September 13, 2011

The Greatest Stage In Club Football Opens Back Up Tonight!



Liverpool and Manchester United meet at Anfield on Saturday - and the incentive is so great for Kenny Dalglish's side that I am backing them to inflict the first defeat of the season on the champions.
It is a bigger match for Liverpool than it is for United, even though it is early in the season.
This match is the big test for Liverpool because, at the end of the last campaign, they improved so dramatically under manager Kenny Dalglish that plenty were predicting they could really make an impact this time around.
Liverpool spent a lot of money in the summer and started well, only to have a blip when they lost at Stoke City, then delivered a totally unacceptable performance in the 4-0 defeat against Tottenham.
They may not have been brilliant in the wins over Wolves and Everton but they got the job done. Now, if they beat United, they will be within three points of them. If they lose, a nine-point difference looks a very hard gap to bridge.

FAST FACT


If Liverpool win at Anfield on Saturday, it will be the first time Manchester United have lost four consecutive away games to a specific team in the Premier League
This is why I believe Liverpool will be right up for this and I think they will win. They are playing the team everyone regards as the one to beat in the race for the Premier League title.
It is a game that has potentially huge ramifications for Liverpool's own confidence and aspirations. If they win, it will send confidence and self-belief soaring - if they lose, it is a long way back.
For Charlie Adam, Jose Enrique, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson, this is a new experience, while most of United's squad have played in this fixture before.
Liverpool will call on the memories of their 3-1 win against United at Anfield last March, when Dirk Kuyt scored a hat-trick and Luis Suarez was involved in all three goals.
The Kop will look to Suarez to be their match-winner again and this guy is already a hero to Liverpool supporters.
It might be stretching the point to say it is a case of "Fernando Who?" but no-one talks about Torres any more - the name on everyone's lips is Suarez.
I have spoken to a couple of Liverpool players about him and they don't talk so much about what he does on the pitch but about how good he is in training.
The Uruguayan reminds me of Ian Rush. Defenders are drawn into watching him instead of the ball and this guarantees mistakes.
The trick of defending is to make the attacker think about what you are doing. When you spend your time watching the attacker and wondering what he is doing, it causes problems.
This is exactly what Suarez does - he puts pressure on defenders. He has quick feet, natural ability, scores goals and is strong and aggressive. That's some package.

DID YOU KNOW?


  • Both cities of Liverpool and Manchester have historically been part of the county of Lancashire, so this fixture has been known as a Lancashire derby.
  • Between them they have won 118 honours: 60 for Manchester United and 58 for Liverpool.
  • Roy Hodgson's Liverpool lost 3-2 at Old Trafford last season but their new manager Kenny Dalglish helped his side win 3-1 at Anfield.
We have seen the effect he has on defenders. He panics them, provokes fear and Rush was the same. It happened at Arsenal when Suarez's presence forced an own goal from Aaron Ramsey and Liverpool went on to win.
We saw it again in the Merseyside derby when Sylvain Distin and Leighton Baines, two fine and experienced Premier League defenders, were aware of him and got into the mix-up that gave Suarez the second goal in Liverpool's 2-0 win.
Liverpool have Steven Gerrard moving towards full fitness but I'm not sure Dalglish will bring him back. He has tended to go with more or less what he has when he is winning unless the situation is in dire straits.
Steven's rehabilitation has been very carefully and sensibly managed by Liverpool's medical team, while Dalglish is able to look at the bigger picture because Liverpool's squad is so much stronger these days.
We saw it when Suarez and Raul Meireles came on to help Liverpool beat Arsenal and again when Gerrard and Craig Bellamy were introduced for the last 25 minutes to help Liverpool defeat Everton.
United have always had great quality on the bench but it has been something of a downfall for Liverpool. This is changing now.
If Suarez is Liverpool's key figure, then rest assured Wayne Rooney will still be Manchester United's. I do not expect him to be fazed by his sending off for England in Montenegro last Friday.
Wayne has had a torrid week and there is no question he let himself down. But Rooney is a great player who can present United with their best chance of winning the game.
I have nothing but admiration for him, despite what happened in Podgorica. I still recall how he was having a nightmare in that defeat at Anfield last season - but was trying as hard in the last minute as he was in the first.
If there has been a concern in United's start to the season, it is that they are conceding too many chances.

Phil Jones ... is going to be a brilliant player but, at the moment, he is not the best positionally
Alan HansenBBC Match of the Day pundit
Sir Alex Ferguson said the game was too open in the 3-1 victory against Chelsea. Norwich City had chances before United won 2-0 at Old Trafford and Basel were creating opportunities almost at will in the 3-3 Champions League draw.
United currently have four defenders who have not played with each other often and this can create a problem. In a big game, if you offered me four class defenders who have not played with each other much or four half-decent players who had played together 200 times, I would take the latter every time.
Defensive understanding takes time and I'm not talking ten games - sometimes it can take a season.
Phil Jones has been a high-profile introduction to United's defenceafter his £16m move from Blackburn Rovers. He is going to be a brilliant player but, at the moment, he is not the best positionally. Defending is about three things - position, position, position.
If you have four defenders in a line who know each other's every move, you would not believe how hard it is to get through. But if you have one out of position, the others might go as well and you have problems.
This means Ferguson faces a massive call in central defence withNemanja Vidic in the frame after playing for Serbia against Slovenia in midweek following his recovery from a calf injury, while Rio Ferdinand is also available.
Ferguson will no doubt take into consideration that central defensive play is about partnership and nothing to do with individuals.
Chris Smalling and Jones may be a fine partnership of the future but, even if they played 50 consecutive games together, they will not be as good as Ferdinand and Vidic have been.
As for Liverpool, it is a big chance for them to catch up to United. They might not have another opportunity so they need to make the most of it.
source: BBC
Alan HansenBy Alan Hansen
BBC's Match of the Day football pundit

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Ronaldinho Is Back!


Ronaldinho moved to Flamengo to increase his chances of international football - Action Images
Brazil national team coach Mano Menezes is happy with Ronaldinho's performance during the win against Ghana.
The Flamengo winger played his first match for the international team in ten months and he was able to show glimpses of his class during the match.
Although it wasn't his best performance, Menezes confirmed after the game, we could see more of Ronaldinho playing for the Selecao.
Menezes told reporters: "He (Ronaldinho) played very well and he is a player we need to bring back into the team.
"He got into his rhythm and showed what he is all about in the second half. He played really well and the Ghana keeper (Adam Kwarasey) made a few wonderful saves from him.
"We need to bring him back into the international team."
Brazil won the game through Leandro Damiao's first international goal on the stroke of half-time and Menezes was grateful for the win in what was a test for his side.
Menezes continued: "I am very satisfied as we were playing a very good team. We didn't concede any chances to our opponents and it's very importnat we could get back to winning games after losing our last games.
"We didn't start very well but once we got into our rhythm we played very well, but we could have scored more goals.
Daniel Opare was harshly sent off for Ghana with two bookable offences by referee Mike Dean and Menezes believes it could have been a much closer game, if it wasn't for the sending off. 
"This Ghana team was more or less the team that played in the World Cup. They are a bit ahead of us but we are still rebuilding our team.
"We are bringing through a whole new generation of players. What makes it difficult to judge is that it wasn't 11v 11. If it was 11 v 11, it would have been much closer."
 source: Sambafoot