Mourinho, King of Coaching

Recent hatrick achievement with Inter Milan, put Jose Mourinho in the club of legendary coaches. When you watch Inter, you can see clearly the touches of a great coach. Mourinho coaching style and his sharp words made him a very provocative character and a good story for the media.



Now Mourinho has signed for Real Madrid, this will add a lot of joy to the typical Real Madrid / Barcelona race. In this post, I introduce to you Mourinho, but in a form of quotes, things he said or said about him. I collected them from World Soccer Magazine, Champions Magazine, a small book about him, and recent talk in the media.

I hope you enjoy these quotes as they reveal many parts of Mourinho character and style.

Born as a coach:
"I was the owner of the ball, because my father would give the best to play with. So, it's my ball, I choose the team, I decide where I want to play, how long the game lasts, and we only finish playing when my team are winning. It's true! Everybody used to wait for me to come out, they'd e ringing my doorbell, because without me they played with a plastic ball. With me, it was an Adidas Tango World Cup ball. I was the manager and I was the president. If my friends read this interview they will laugh, because it's true." (Mourinho)

"On Birthdays and at Christmas, he would always ask me for various things, but if he didn't get a ball, it was as if he hadn't been given anything" (Mourinho mother)

"We coaches are born with something. I remember as a kid, around 10 or 12 speaking to my father or watching and talking about a game - not as a crazy football kid, but as a coach. Of course, step by step with experience you do it better and better. We coaches small the game, we read it and feel it." (Mourinho)


Mourinho as a translator in Barca to Bobby Robson:
"If I was upset with any player or needed to get a point over strongly, Jose would not pull any of my punches. There's always a temptation for the interpreter to do that, but Jose was very assertive" (Bobby Robson)

"I speak a bit of English so in the dressing room I knew that Mourinho's translations weren't literal. It was Robson, plus Mourinho's own observations, and they made sense" (Oscar Garcia, former Barca player)



Rude and Arroganct or frank and confident?
"I was in Barcelona with Lousi Van Gaal, who had nine Dutch players. I didn't want that. It's like a young boy who goes in holiday with his parents all the times because he is afraid to go by his own" (Mourinho, on his transfer policy, 2004)

"Please don't call me arrogant, but I am a European champion and I think I am a special one"
" We have top players, and sorry if I am arrogant, we have a top manager"
(Mourinho after winning 2004 Champion League with Porto)

"I am surprised to see that Mr. Ranieri so popular, but without a trophy in four years"
(Mourinho on Ranieri who coached Chelsea before him for four years)

"We are on top at teh moment, but not because of the club financial power. We are in contention for a lot of trophies because of my hard work" (Mourinho, 2005)

"When you give success to stupid people, it makes them more stupid, not more intelligent"
(Arsene Wenger, 2005, after long ping-pong media fight between both coaches)

"Arsene has shown difficulty understanding his life has changed. He is trying to defelct the truth about the rise of Chelsea" (Mourinho replying, 2005)

"It's like two peacocks strutting their stuff, showing their fathers" (Ian Wright on both managers)



Mourinho as a coach:
"A coach must be everything: a tactician, motivator, leader, methodologist, psychologist. A teacher at university told me "a coach that knows only about football is not a top one. Every coach knows about football, the difference is made in the other areas". He was a teacher of philosophy. I got the message." (Mourinho)

"My scouts take a really long time because they prepare audio-visual and computer work, and I study their work to prepare my team in training. This is the real work, the work on the pitch. After that we have three meetings with the players to go through every detail, but the most important thing is a game plan. It's crucial to anticipate the game on the training ground. I want my players to be comfortable on the pitch, and only work can give them that comfort". (Mourinho)

"I need top personalities to work with. I put a lot of pressure on my players. A top personality becomes a super-player. A soft, fragile personality can be smashed." (Mourinho)

"English football has the intensity other countries don't. Italy have all the tactics, although English football is no longer at zero when it comes to tactics. Spanish football has the talent, technical ability and skill, plus intensity can be high with the ball. And right now, intensity is what makes the difference; it's what football is all about." (Mourinho)

 "there is no coach like him when it comes to sticking his neck and defending everyone, that way reducing the tension within the team when things aren't going well. It's no fluke that after a defeat, Inter gets straight back on its feet. That's all thanks to Mourinho" (Milito)

"Remember in football, for 90 minutes, you have no old friends" (Mourinho)

I like England, I don't like Italy:
"Mourinho likes nothing about Italy" (Alessandro Altobelli, former Inter legend)

"Yes, I love English football and the idea to go back and live in England."  (Mourinho, 2010)

"I think the best place to work in football is England" (Mourinho, 2004)

"After that (end of contract with Inter) who knows what will happen. I could stay here, I could go to Japan, I could go to Riyadh, I could go anywhere and may be I would not return to England immediately. However, one day, I will go back to England, that's 100% certain, I just don't know when" (Mourinho, early 2010)

"In just one year, everything in London has become so familiar to me. That and the fact that my family and I were received with open arms means I've always felt like a Londoner from day one" (Mourinho, 2005)

"I don't like Italian football but I respect it" (Mourinho, 2010, after first leg of Inter-Barca semi-final)

"Everyone knows that I have never felt at home in this country, but I don’t have time to think about that" (Mourinho, 2010)

Defending tactics
And the best quote I found is criticizing Tottenham defending tactics in September, 2004
"THEY DIDN'T PLAY FOOTBALL, THEY JUST DEFENDED, DEFENDED, DEFENDED. AS WE SAY IN PORTUGAL, THEY BROUGHT THE BUS AND THEY LEFT THE BUS IN FRONT OF THE GOAL" It was the exact same tactic that Mourinho used vs. Barcelona this year. Though I don't like this tactic, but I respect it when it works.

"He has more belief in defence than attack. My philosophy is always to have attacking play. His philosophy is to win" (Van Gaal in 2004) wow, this quote is like it was said last week

"Mourinho makes his team play defensive all the time. I have no joy watching Chelsea. It is a shame because I like English Football" (Johan Cruyff, 2005)

I cannot say I like Mourinho, but I respect him a lot, and he would be a coach any fan would wish for his team.

All Zizou goals with Le Bleus

I found this very interesting video that has all Zizou 31 goals with the national French team.

All goals for Zidan with Le Blues

The first two goals are special, they were in a friendly vs. Czech republic in 1994 in Bordoux, where he used to play at that time.

Czech was leading 2-0 till the middle of the second half. Zizou came out of the bench to start his international career. In few minutes, he scored a wonderful goal. With the closing minute of the game, he scored the equalizer.

I cannot resist putting bonus material : )
(all bonuses are short videos)

One more
Another one

Who will win the WC (2 of 2)

Brazil or Spain? No doubt that both are the best in the world today. Both are winners of their continents, both qualified in an impressive way, and both produced some of the finest football we watched in the new millenium.

But wait a second, let's check history in what I call (Team Life Cycle):

- 2006: It was Brazil, and no one else. When I saw the way Brazil beating Argentina in 2005 with four stunning goals, I thought this is the team of the 21st century and for sure they can win any other team. One year later, they were very unconvincing and were out by the Quarter Final.

- 2002: I remember a quote by Beckenbaure in 2002  "I said Argentina or France will win the world cup, but after the first round, I shut up". Both teams were knocked out at first round.

- 1992 (Euro): France qualified after a perfect record in its group, without losing a single point. World Soccer magazine awarded them as "Team of the year" in 1991. They also had Jean Pier Papin, European player of the year. In Euro 1992, France could not win a single game and were out from the first round.

- 1990: Everyone was talking about Netherlands dream team that won Euro 88 and played one of the finest football in history with AC Milan in 1989 and 1990, winning both European Cup finals.

In the personal level too, it is not any less dramatic:
- 2006: Ronaldinho did his best season with Barcelona winning the Champion League. Few week later, he had very modest appearance with Brazil WC.

- 2002: Zidane scored his best goal ever winning the Champion League with Real Madrid. About a month later, he was out with France in one of their worst WC appearances.

- Euro 92 and WC 90: Marco Van Basten had two great seasons with AC Milan winning the top scorer in both seasons. In both competitions with his national team he could not score a single goal and his appearance was too paled.

Football schedule became too hectic and intense, and it is getting worse and worse. Yesterday, I read an interview with Robbin complaining about long season with the club and short period to prepare. About 10 years ago, I read an interview with Beckenbauer warning of this trend. That local and Champion Leagues will compete with World Cup. We can see too many players are injured now.

This why in 2002 World Cup, big part of Ronaldo performance was regarded to his fitness and readiness, and that he was resting and recovery before the World Cup. It was fortunate to him, that only few weeks before the World Cup he started playing again. His first goal int he final game, was a best example of fitness power, and against whom? German defenders!

My idea of the Teams Life Cycle, that is a team can hardly keep its peak for two or three seasons. There is a build up period for the peak of any team. This why I think another team might find its peak during the Mondial, like Holland or Germany.

It is very difficult to judge before seeing the first one or two games of the World Cup. For Spain, there are a lot of injury doubts for Torres, Iniesta, Xavi, Febregas. Yes, Spain got so much depth and substitutes in their squad, but yet, without these stars, I doubt that we can nominate Spain seriously for the World Cup.

As for Brazil, it is less critical. Robinho was playing in Santos with less pressure of the long European seasons. There is more depth for Brazilian team than any other team in the world. And when you watch their games, you recognize, the individual importance is much less.

I still keep Brazil as #1 and Spain #2, but with some reservations.

A flavour of what will be missing (Egypt)

I always find that African World Cup Qualification does not introduce to the World Cup best teams in the continents. In the second round, 20 teams are divided into five groups, and only the first qualify. In 2006, there were six teams in each group.

This means any tie or defeat and the team can say bye bye to the World Cup. Egypt was African Cup Nations winner for the last three times, and failed to qualify to the World Cup each time.

Algeria deserved to qualify to the World Cup, without a single doubt. Yet, the draw should be more fair and allow a team like Egypt a second chance to qualify. Today, Egypt is the best team in Africa, and it is very hard to debate that opinion. Yet, they will watch the World Cup from TVs.

This is a flavour of what we will be missing. This is a goal scored in the classical derby of Al-Ahli vs. Al-Zamal yesterday in Egypt Cup



More flavour from African Cup 2010:
 Gedo goal vs. Mozambique   Egypt Algeria 4-0   Ahmad vs. Benin
And Gedo wonderful goal in the final vs. Ghana

Or the Confederation Cup 2009:
Egypt three goals in Brazil (3-4)
Egypt Goal in Italy (1-0)

Tango started to Tango

For those who are supporting Argentina might not be too opimistic to win the World Cup. But, it looks that we all will be watching a Tango music in the World Cup.

Last Monday Argentina beat Canada 5-0. It is friendly and Canada is not a good test, but the five goals were all wonderful, especially the third one.

Messi was injured and didn't play. The game witnessed strong appearance of the 2006 WC star Maxi Rodriguez who scored two nice goals.

WC Photo Break - Maradona

1982 

1986 

1990

1994

Maradona vs. Messi goal

I found this interesting comment by Maradona when Messi scored his famous goal:

"Those who made that comparison were exaggerating, they really over exaggerated. To start with, my goal was more beautiful than Messi's. And what's more, I scored it against eleven internationals from England, a world champion team, and in a World Cup. Leo scored his against Getafe, in the Copa del Rye in Spain. It's not the same. It has nothing to do with mine. No, no, leave it, they are nothing alike. I scored millions of those kinds of goals in training, they're just not on tape. If we're going to talk seiously about this, don't make me say something I don't mean. "



Crazy fans did this interesting comparison, of the two goals:
Distance: Maradona ran 62 meters, while Messi run 60 meters
Time: Maradona 10.8 seconds, Messi 12.0 seconds
Speed: Maradona ran with 5.7 m/seconds, Messi 5.0 m/seconds
Touches: Maradona did 12 touches of the ball, Messi did 13 touches
Dribbling: Maradona and Messi passed same number of opponents (6 or 5) depending how you count them
Both celebrated at same flag corner of the field. Even TV broadcasting angle happened to be the same.

Irregardless of figures, I think both goals were great, but I favor Maradona goal much more, and I think it was more difficult one. Yet, I see Maradona comments were over-creative, and we gotta remember that  Maradona was 26 years old, and Messi wasn't even 20 (19 years, 10 months) when each scored their famous goal.

Who will win the WC? (1 of 2)

• Fabio Capello said that he is confident that England can win the mondial.
• My comment: good dream, achievable but yet not too realistic. England produced much better teams in the past. Yet, England is always a strong side.

• Beckenbauer said that Germany has a very good team and they can reach the semi-final.
• Mycomment: When Franz talks, he talks seriously. He is not a person who talk just for media. He always give clear anlaysis that often comes true. It is very clear indication that Germany might introduce a very strong team to the world cup.

• Luis Van Gaal: didn't expect a Bayern Munich player to win the world cup “To be honest, I don’t expect that one of my players will come back from South Africa with the status of world champion, I think Spain or Brazil will be world champions,”. This means he ruled out chances for Germany, Holland, France and Argentina.
• Comment: I don't disagree much with him, but I think Germany and Holland might have very strong teams.
  


• Jonathan: "This is a call to national duty and I expect the Eagles to prepare well and win this trophy". If you didn't get it, that was Nigerian president demand to the "Super Eagles" to bring the world cup trophy as a gift to the country 50th celebrations of the Independence day.
• Comment: NOT EVEN IN YOUR BLUE DREAMS. Nigeria could not beat Tunisia in the World Cup Qualifications in two games. Tunisia needed only a tie in the last game vs. Mozambique to qualify, but they lost. Nigeria hardly beat Kenya 3-2 and qualified. In the Afircan Cup, Nigeria could not reach the semi-final and lost to Egypt and Ghana. That could be the most demotivating comment I ever heard to a world cup team.

Well, we are left with Brazil and Spain, I leave it to part 2.

Great skillful assists

Rivaldo vs. Deportivo La Coruna 2001-2002 season


Berbatov wonderful assist for Ronaldo vs. Westeham


and the very famous 2000 game of Real Madrid beating Manchester United 3-2


and i save the best for last "Pele didn't die"

Tabasco for English team training

Health experts say the spicy additions to the team's daily diet will work as natural anti-inflammatory aids to keep bruises and swellings down. Also, carbohydrates and high sugar food like dried apricot are essential to provide fuel for players for 90 minutes.

This why, here is in the news now that Capello requested players to dine with extra hot chilli sauces and sharp English mustard, and the team is sending piles of Tabasco bottles, Nando's Peri Peri and tubes of eye-watering Wasabi paste.

Capello cancelled team request for Jaffa cakes and replaced them with apricots, seaweed and pine nuts, organice chocolate and herbal tea in addition to the custard and strawberry jam.

As for the Italian team, they are packing piles of risotto rice, their own pasta from Rome, Tesco's virgin olive oil, Giacobazzi, balsamic vinegar and Cardini Caesar dressing. Also high sugar foods such as jams and dried apricots are on the list.

This reminds me also of a story I read about 1990 WC, when German team had a lot of grilled meat (BBQ) two days before their semi-final vs. England. Beckenbauer was so angry and requested the cheif big pasta meal the next day to restore the energy in the muscles.

In Comparison, in 1993 UAE lost to Japan 0-2 in WCQ in Tokyo. Valeri Lobanovsky their Ukrainian coach at that time said that one of the main reasons to lose was a heavy 'biryani' meal (Indian meat and rice) that the team ate the lunch before the game. It made them heavy and slow during the game.

The local and regional press, made it laugh story of the week. As it would be the last 'escape goat' a coach should think of when losing. We remember days when players were real men and eating piles of meat and rice, not a burger generation ..........etc.

I still think that UAE would not have beaten Japan that game, even if they ate good pasta and tabasco, but I put my vote to Lobanovsky, that more attention should be given to local teams nutritions.

Playstation passes goals

Nothing I love in football more than teamwork passes. No comments in those great videos, some very recent, some few years old

Time for a laugh

This is really most stupid defender and referee I ever seen



Very funny video Messi hitting Pique, and what's more funny is the Egyptian commentator, as this hit is a very big insult in Egypt :)


Spiderman is the best keeper in the world


Finally, something to laugh at, not stupid, but really blind referees
Blind Drunk Referee
Blind High Referee

Barca new 15 y.o. star with an amazing goal

A delightful goal from Barca new star who is 15 years old only in a game between Spain and Portugal under-17, direct from the corner kick.

CLICK TO WATCH THE GOAL

Barca football academy is producing very gifted players, and soon we will start seeing Gerard Deulofeu name in the first team. Watch this video for some of the young star. Thid video was three years ago, this means Gerard was only 12 years old.

Musical goals Santos x Gremio 3-1

Three wonderful goals from Santos that deserves watching when Santon beat Gremio last Wednesday in the second leg semi-final of COPA DO BRASIL 2010. Robinho scored the second with a beautiful touch.

Final will be played after the WC at 28-Jul and 4-Aug vs. Vitoria.
4-Aug will be the last day of the Robinho loan from Manchester City to Santos.

Murinho brings the cup home after 45 years

Diego Milito scored what they could be his two most imporant goals in his career to lit all the firewords at the Duomo square in Milano where it is estimated that a 100,000 fans watched the game on the big screen.

Another 70,000 fans went very silently from the Allianz stadium Munich where they watched the game on the big screens.

It was one of the most wonderful and strongest games in the season, a game that it deserves to be called "Champion League Final". Inter looked very organized, well balanced between defence and attack. Though Inter looked controlling the direction of the game pretty well, Julio Caesar needed to do few great saves to secure the game.

I liked especiall the first goal of Milito, great pause before snapping it to the top of the net.

Stunning non-famous goals

First from USA second division



Second, fro the Swedish league last year

WC News: Algerian team getting lessons in refereeing

Algeria lost the semi-final in the African Cup 2010 vs. Egypt 0-4, and their players scored three red cards in a very amateuer way. No team can hope to perform well in world cup with such lack of discipline.



Algerian team is doing a great step - in my opinion - where they called a FIFA refeering member, Beleid Lacarn, who is Algerian, to give lessons to the players in football law. A very nice step by Algerian football team.

Murinho vs. his teacher Van Gaal

It was a coincidence for me that last year I have visited two stadiums in Europe, San Siro in Milano where I saw a game and the Allianz Arena in Munich just for a visit. I would never dreamed, that both teams that I have visited would be the finalists in Champion League today.

The real coincidence, however, in Saturday final is that Murinho was an assistant coach manager for Luis van Gaal when he was coaching Barcelona. Van Gaal won a great title with a home team, the European Cup final in 1995 with Ajax Amsterdam beating AC Milan at the final. Murinho did another great achievement 9 years later, when he won the CL with his home team Porto.

Today, will be the first time ever where they play against each others.

I think this game will have no surprise. What I mean that neither teams victory will be considered a surprise. Each of the two teams has the capacity to win the title, though I see little more strength for Inter Milan.

I picked the following exected line-ups from zonalmarking.net site

In general, Inter looks more balanced, but Bayern is a very tactical team that can deal with any game.

I found interesting what Luis Van Gaal told the press:

"It's always possible that the lower level club wins, that's sport." (so, he admits Inter got more strength)
"I think Inter Milan are a very difficult opponent and I think their matches against Chelsea and Barcelona have proved that. I think my philosophy is always to attack. I think Mourinho is more defensive tactically but he has good players who can decide the outcome of a match."

and I liked especially what he said here, it is a big proof, that the game is in the brain as much as in the feet:

"From day one the team tried to understand me. I have a specific way of training not only the body but the mind and this takes time. When I was at Ajax it also took six months for the team to understand my philosophy, and also at Barcelona and Bayern. The chemistry between the players and coach is very important."

Maradona driving over a camera man

Maradona ran over a camera man foot while he was driving his Mini Cooper and surrounded by journsalists. Seems Maradona is not a fan of jouranlists at al. We remember that he shot one of them in his arm several years ago.

Few months ago, I saw a very good documentary about Maradona, and the director showed many of the controversial photos, and he had a wonderful description of Maradona. He said "if Maradona was not a football star, he definately would be one of the revolutionalary guards in a country like Argentina or Mexico"

Just for the fun of it, I insert this very famous video, showing Maradona with same reckless crazy attitude, but in a very different situation. Most likely you are like me, seen it many times, but still enjoy it again and again.

Sorry Ballack, you won't play against us.

Ghanian federation apoligized to Michael Ballack after the bad tackly from the Ghanian player Kevin-Prince Boateng in a game between Chelsea and Portsmouth which will cause Ballack to miss the next world cup games.



"We are sorry that Michael Ballack cannot take part in the World Cup. He is well knowin in Ghana. We wish him all the best and hope that he can play again as soon as possible"

Few days earlier Boateng provided an apology
"All I can do is apologise, I was just too late and I hit him straight on. It looked stupid. I apologised to him twice on the field and now for a third time. I am sorry. It was not intentional."

Ballack seemed reluctant to accept the apology
"Of course I am angry and it is disappointing. I don't want to comment on it yet,When you get such a diagnosis just two or three weeks before a World Cup then it is bitter."

The irony that Germany and Ghana will face each others in the world cup in Group D. Kevin-Prince Boateng might be in Ghana team in world cup.

If he made it in the short-list of 23 players, he will face his brother Jerome Boateng who got the German nationality and plays for the German national team.

40+ meters goals

This goal was scored by a Brazilian player in a local game in Paraguay, wonderful to watch



which reminds us of one of famous Roberto Carlos goals when he first started getting famous, with Palmiras in Brazil in 1995

4-4-2 vs. 40-40-20 tactics

Athletico Madrid played a charity game in farewell of Joseba Etxeberria who is leaving the club after 15 years. The team played against a team of 100 players of schoolkids.

Athletico managed to win 5-3



More on this story from Soccer Blog

WC Photo break - Keepers

This is René Higuita, Columbian famous keeper getting the ball ahead of Jorgen Klinsmann in 1990

Four years later, you have no idea why a keeper is running behind a striker

The way he runs reminds me so much by the famous legend, the Pirate Jack Sparrow : )

This was the photo of the year in 1989 in Maracana stadium. Brazil was about to be ruled out of the world cup qualifications because Rojas, Chile keeper pretended that this fire work hit him, and Chile withdrew from the game.

This one is when German keeper Schumacher broke Battiston ribs, few teeth and caused him to go into coma. Platini said that he thought Battiston is dead. After the game, Schumacher refused to give an apology, and said I can only pay his dentist fees.

That was semi-final 1982 Germany - France

Photo of the week (Messi)

Whoever saw the game today of Barca beating Valladolid 4-0 to win La Liga title, and saw Messi last goal of the season, which equalized Ronaldo record of 34 goals with Barca, watched a very special moment

Messi celebrated this special goal by walking to his family and hugging them. I selected this photo for many reasons

Messi owes so much of his success to the big support he had from his family. Messi comes from a very nice modest middle family. The father, who is factory worker and part-time cleaner, struggled to keep up with family expenses. In addition to Messi, he had two more sons, daughter and Celia as a wife.

At Rosario, it was obsious that Messi was very unusual. He had great talent, but also lack of hormon growth. He needed special treatment, which costed 900 dollars amonth. The father struggled between social security, promises of local clubs and his own savings to secure Messi treatment.

The very well known story goes on. What caught my attention is the bonding of his family. When Barcelona provided their offer to get Messi to Barcelona at age of 13 and provide him the medical treatment, it was a very generous offer.

At first glance, many might think it was the fortune that came out of sky and changed their lives. Reality was different. This offer had so much risk. It was good for the family, but it was not that it will change their life forever that they never need to worry about money.

Parents will need to quit their jobs. Family will move over, brothers and sister will change their schools, just to watch the 13 years old kid plays football.

What if he didn't succeed? What if Barca didn't commit? What if Lionel got injured? The whole family life will be doomed for years.

The family did a round table meeting, to discuss all options. At the end, they all decided to take the big step and move to Barcelona.

Things didn't go well at start. After few weeks of arrival, Messi got a broken leg. Brothers and sister could not adapt to life in Spain. His mother returned home to be with her sister who was doing an operation. All of that within five months of their arrival.

They did another meeting, asking Messi what does he want to do? He was extremely focused of his goal. He wanted to stay at Barca. He had very big confidence of his success.

So, family decided that mother, sister and brothers will go back home to Argentina. His father Jorge and Lionel will stay.

With that big support from his family, and father, Messi started his career. When I saw him hugging his family today after his very big achievement, it was a wonderful moment and worth a post.

Europe Golden Week

This week is one of the most interesting weeks in Europe for 2010, where all titles has been decided for top leagues. Bayern Munich today smashed Werder Bremen 4-0 in the final of the German Cup to get their double today. Inter got their double today, beating Roma in Italian Cup 10 days ago, and finishing ahead of Roma today by one point. This will make next Saturday Champion League final a very special one. Chelsea got a very impressive double too.

With that, I have selected few goals from this week.

ASSIST PLAY OF THE WEEK

It is from Italy, where Inter Milan won the Serie A title after Siena 1-0 by Diego Milito goal. Javier Zanetti, Inter Captain did a great pass.

Well, Zanetti is not worth playing in the WC as per Maradona.

GOAL OF THE WEEK

I was very hesistant between selecting Didier Drogba goal in the FA Cup final or Pedro goal today for Barca. I always prefer team work goals, and for that I prefer Pedro goal from beauty angle. But, when I consider the importance of the goal, together with its quality, I think it deserves to be the best goal of the week.

Chelsea beat Portsmouth 1-0 in the English FA Cup fina.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Who else?
He scored two goals today vs. Valladolid, the second was a wonderful peice of skills. But, his best play for today was his assist for the second goal for Barca to Pedro. A wonderful team work, and great move by Messi.

By today, he equalized Ronaldo record on goals for La Liga in one season, 34 goals, that is 35% of Barca goals in the La Liga. He scored all together 47 goals for Barca this season.

Without a doubt, Messi is best player in the world - so far - for 2010.



Don't miss last Messi goal of the season.

UPSET OF THE WEEK

Nop, it wasn't Real Madrid run vs. Barca, which ended today with a disappointing tie with Malaga 1-1. Since last week, it was very clear that Real Madrid was hoping for a very big surprise to get the title.

The real upset came from Turkey.

Fenerbahce was leading the Turkish league with 73 points, ahead of Bursaspor with 72 points.

Fenerbache tied today with Trabzonspor 1-1, to give the title as a gift to Bursaspor who beat Beşiktaş 2-1 and win the Turkish League title in the last day.

World Cup Initial Squads (2 of 2)

When you watch Maradona playing, you feel that he got one of the highest IQ levels for football.
When you watch Maradona coaching, you feel he got one of the lowest in the game.

Few days ago, Maradona released the 30 names for Argentina initial team for the world cup. List contained so many surprises.

Both Esteban Cambiasso and Zanetti probably are having one of their best ever seasons on the personal levels, playing key roles in Inter Milan qualifying to the Champion League final, and are steps away from winning the fifth Italian league in a row for Inter. Both are very tactical players with in which Maradona might want to add to his squad.

Maradona said: "There is nothing strange and nothing to explain about Zanetti's exclusion. It was already decided a long time ago. And as for Cambiasso, it's the same story.”

Another name is Lisandro Lopez, a 24 million Euros sriker, playing with Lyon in France and he was just name player of the year in French Ligue 1.  His style is more of a European stirker than an Argentinian.

Also, Gago from Real Madrid will watch the World Cup from TV screen.

So, who is in the team?

• 10 out of 30 players are based in Argentina
• Of course Messi and Veron are in the team. I think the latter will add a lot of value to the squad.
• Juan Mercier: he is 30 years midfielder, 2 international caps, never played outside  Argentina.
• 
  Ariel Garce: 30 years defender, no international caps yet. Never been outside South America.
• Juan Manuel Insaurralde: 30 years, never been played outside Argentina. Only 1 Cap under Maradona.
• Boca Juniors striker Martin Palermo 37 years old, very famous by his hatrick missed penalties in Copa America vs. Columbia last decade. He might be having very good season, but putting a 37 years old next to a 35 years old Veron (who deserves to be there) with 30 years old players, might be a big big risk.

The selection might seems to have so much emotions rather than clear objective and focus.
This is very bad news for Messi, whose career is going into a very similar path to Maradona. Not only that his was sidelined at 2006, just like Maradona 1978 WC, but now Messi will be playing under Maradona at age 22, just like Maradona played under Menotti at the exact same age in 1982.

in 1982 under Menotti coaching, Argentina is often described to have many stars, but no real coach.
Menotti said that if he didn't win the world cup, he will leave coaching and play as a shoe cleaner. Argentina lost 3 out of 5 games in 82, and Menotti never honored his words.

Maradona at 22 played a tough Mondial, he was just one of the stars, no clear tactics. He was easily marked, and ended that Mondial with a deserved red card.

At first look, Maradona behaviour might seems like Carlos Bilardo 1986 where he trimmed out so many big stars. He gave the captain title to Maradona, which upset Daniel Passarella, a veteran who was won 1978 WC as a Captain and was captain in 1982 too. He ignored the very skillful striker Ramon Diaz. He trimmed bunch of other players who carried the world cup.

But, he had very clear focus and purpose. He made a big bet on Maradona. Bilardo rented a house in Napoli, where Maradona was playing. He designed a special training program for him, which has nothing to do with the ball. It was all about physical balance, focus and flexibility.

Then, he called 22 more tactical players to the world cup. When you watch 1986 videos, you feel Maradona was the only real skillful one, and the others were very good tactical players.

Bilardo won his bet with Maradona.

When Maradona was named as national team coach on October 2008, Bilardo was tapped for the post of Argentina General Manager. At that moment, I thought the Bilardo will be the real coach, and Maradona will take only of the inspirational side, and take only an image as a coach. I was wrong.

Not too much later, Bilardo agreed to quit his Secretary post.

Today, Maradona is not doing anything close to Bilardo, apart from trimming big names. He is doing things similar to Menotti, but in a worse way. Well, let's wait and see!

World Cup Initial Squads (1 of 2)

It is almost clear now, who will play next month in South Africa. All coaches submitted to FIFA list of players to play for their teams.

Here are some important dates that you may like to follow:

• 11 May: Teams must submit 23 to 30 names to FIFA.
• 1 June: Teams must narrow down the list to 23 names only. (no players outside the first list)
• 4 June: FIFA to release all names
• Only in case of injury, teams can change a player till 24 hours before team first match. Players can be outside the initial 30 names.

With the submitted lists, there has been many controversial debates, the super star of the week   undoubtfully was Maradona.

In addition to the old known list of players to miss the world cup like Juan Riquelme, David Bechkam, Ashley Cole, Alessandro Del Piero here are more names. Some expected, some surprising. I marked the ones that are surprising to me by yellow:

• Ronaldinho (but he will be in the seven reserve selections in case of injury)
• Pato
• Adriano
• Neymar
• Francesco Totti 
• Luca Toni
• Mario Bolatolli (Inter, famous by Super Mario)
• Cassano
• Inzaghi
• Marco Matterazzi
• Cambiasso
• Zanetti
• Gago (Argentinian in Real Madrid)
• Lisandro Lopez (Argentinian in Lyon), named best player in French League
• Ruud van Nistelrooy
• Seedorf
• Karim Benzema 
• Samir Nasri
• Patrick Vieira
• Paul Schols: said no to Capello after he was called.

CLICK TO DOWNLOAD DIRECTLY FROM FIFA PDF FILE WITH FULL TEAM LISTS

Some comments on teams:

• Brazil: Though I was little disappointed not seeing Ronaldinho name among the 23 key players, I say I never seen Brazil as so focused since 1994. Dunga is prepared for a real mixture of tactic and skills without much of a showoff.
• Italy: Yes, the coach is Marcello Lippi, but Italy for me seems far from being favorites, especially with many names like Fabio Cannavaro, Fabio Grosso and Andrea Pirlo. People, keep telling me that you never know when Italy or Germany surprise us. This time, I say Germany? May be, but Italy? Will wait and see
• France: Henry is in, Benzema and Nasri are out. I am not a fan of Benzema, but I think his performance with Real Madrid was excellent this year and deserve a seat in the blues. At least Frank Ribery name is still there in the list after his big sexual scandal.
• Spain: very good strong squad. what I doubt is the fatigue of players. Xavi, Torres, Ineista and Fabregas are all surrounded by news of injuries.
• Argentina: ......................... well well well, this is worth a special different post. This is the most contraversial one.

Goals: wonderful local goals

I HAVE TO SAY, THAT I AM WARMING UP FOR THE WORLD CUP!
I AM PREPARING FOR MANY POSTS ABOUT SQUADS, HISTORICAL ODD STORIES AND MORE.

In the mean time, there are always beautiful goals that I stumble with and like to share with you. These goals are from local Arab leagues, fragile defence, but beautiful skills worth watching.

First is from UAE,


Second is for Hilal from Saudi, by the very skillful (yet not very effective) Easa Mihayani


From Jordan! Got no idea who is who, but a joy to watch


BONUS MATERIAL
Bicycle kick from Kuwait. Goal captured by a fan camera
Very long range by Ittihad from Saudi
From Kuwait, very precise smart shot of a counter attack
Powerful shot by Makinga from Kuwait

Goals: Skillful shots

My pick for you from last week from England, two beautiful shots, where power wasn't the secret, but the skills in the shot

The first is by Chris Cohen for Nottingham Forest vs. Blackpool


The second is a beautiful Everton goal vs. Portsmouth by Diniyar Bilyaletdinov. It was the last game for Everton in the season in the last second in a 1-0 victory. Beautiful End for a season.

La Liga crazy race - 1992 (2 of 2)

As I said, this is one of the most dramatic stories I seen in the history of the game. I will say it as if it happened today:

- 20 May: Barca won the European Cup (old version of Champion League) with an amazing free kick by Ronald Koeman in the extra time vs. Sampdoria



- In August, Barca will host the 1992 Olympic games. The city most important event in its history. Winning the La Liga title is a wonderful dream to celebrate the city. But, Real Madrid is almost certain of the title.

- 7th June: Today is the last games in La Liga. Real Madrid is about to celebrate the title.

- Barca playing today in Camp Nou Stadium facing Athletico Bilbao. Even a victory won't count. Real Madrid MUST lose to Tenerife, a weak team that time. Very slim chance that could happen.

- Real Madrid scored to goal to lead 2-0. Barca was still tying 0-0. At this moment, it looks like Real Madrid certain of title by almost 90%

- Drama started. Barca scored twice, which is normal. What was not normal, that Tenerife scored a goal in the first half, and two more late in the second half.

- The most interesting moment when Barca game ended few minutes before Real Madrid game. Johan Cruyff Barca coach was holding his Radio tight to his ears (no mobiles in 1992) listening to the updates of the other game.

The stadium waited in silence for four minutes, before it exploded in celebrations when Cruyff start raising his hands after knowing the final whistle of Real Madrid game.

Barca won the title with 55 points, Real second with 54 points.



The story didn't end here. Later, it was found that Barca promised to pay good compensation Tenerife if they beat Real Madrid.

The case went to court, and Barca was not guilty. It became a rule, if you pay for a team to win, then it is acceptable. If you pay for them to lose, then, it is a bribe.

La Liga crazy race - 2010 (1 of 2)

The race between Barca and Real Madrid with only one point difference  for Barca for the last many games, is making the La Liga is the most entertaining league to watch this year.

Any tie for either of the team, means a bye bye to the title. Both lost every other title this year, and this is the only title to win.

What happened today, was almost, one of the most dramatic moments I seen in football:

- It was the 17th minute of the second half when Barca  scored a third goal vs. Sevilla in an away game. At the same time, Real Madrid was tying with Athletico Bilbao 1-1. At that moment, it seemed that Barca will celebrate the title by the end of today.

- 9 minutes later, Barca 3-0 lead became 3-2 while Real Madrid was leading 2-1.

- by the last minute, Real was leading 5-1, and Barca looked very shaky in a 3-2 lead. Sevilla was very close in scoring a tie, which would secure the title to Real Madrid.

- Final Whistle: Barca winning 3-2, Real winning 5-1. Next Sunday the La Liga title will be decided. Barca is leading with one point difference only.

This post is only an introduction to my next post, on one of the most amazing stories I seen in the world of football.

Why Brazil is Brazil?

This might be my favorite post with skillful goals. It explains why Brazil got that stereotyping of skills, beauty and dancing samba in football.These goals are from the old Brazilian generation, scored in local leagues, so most of them not famous at all outside Brazil. However, the players themselves are mostly most famous Brazilian players from the 70s and early 80s.

Let's start by Jairzinho, who starred in 1970 and 1974 WCs


Next is Nelinho who scored one of best goals in 1978 WC



Falcao, who was a superstar in 1982 WC scored this wonderful goal in 1976 in Brazilian semi-final in last second



Everyone knows Zico, a nice peice of skills in 1982 with Flamengo



What about Rivelino? He is the first one to invent the flip-falp, not Ronaldinho



Reinaldo played 1978 WC, but was out of shape. He supposed to be the new Pele but a bad knee injury ended his career early



I don't know this player, but it is from 1989 season, worth enjoying


You can't talk about Brazilian football with mentioning freekicks
this goal is from Eder in 1981 game (watch at second 50). For me he was better in free kicks than Roberto Carlos



Finally, Dr. Socrates who started his football career at 26 and was famous by his back heel skills. This video shows some of his heel skills and much more.

12,000 volt if you invade a field

It became a global fashion that a fan invade the field and run there before the security capture them, in a peaceful way. Many times they produce very funny moments, like this one from Russia or this one from a Saudi game. In one of the Saudi incidents, the guy was educated and when asked why? He said only for the challenge of it.

However, this fan who invaded a baseball game in the US didn't face friendly security at all. 44,000 fans in Philadelphia watched him receiving 12,000 volt gun taser to collapse in a second.

Football Karate

Even if you aren't a football fan, you must have seen the picture in the left for Zizo headbutt.
If you follow football daily, you might heard about Totti disgusting tackle and red card yesterday.
But, almost no one knows the picture in the bottom.
It is one of the funniest / ugliest incidents in Saudi league involving Rivelino (in white shirt) almost 28 years ago.

Totti red card:


This tackle was yesterday in the Italian cup final of Inter-Roma (1-0). The other player was Mario Balotelli,
an Italian striker originally from Ghana famous by Super Mario. God only knows what did he do or say to Totti, who is 14 years older than him. Not that Totti record is clean, but Balotelli record is so dirty. He just had a bad incident in the Semi Final vs. Barca two weeks ago. He gave a finger to Inter fans and threw his shirt in the ground. Matterazzi attacked him in the player tunnel that created so much criticism on Inter.

Rivelino red card:

Now, let's go 28 years ago, almost in 1978 or 1979 to Saudi field, in a game between Hilal and Ittihad, and let's watch the chase:



For clarification, Rivo (as Saudis used to call him) is in the white shirt chasing "Saad Break", a right back from Ittihad in the yellow one.

Now, let me analyze that:
- Zizo headbutt: press kept speculating a lot on what Matterazzi said to Zizo. Matterazzi had a black history, and a black future before/after this headbutt. So, apprantly, he said something too aweful to Zizo.


- Totti red card: Baletolli is following his teammate Matterazzi steps in the good manners. He might have said something to Totti that made him retaliate.


- Rivo: Rivo didn't speak English or Arabic. "Saad Break" didn't speak Portugese nor English. There is no way that they both had a conversation of any kind. This leaves with only one communication possibility "Body Language" :)

For the record, Rivo played next to Pele in 1970 scoring 3 goals to win the world cup. He gave the famous pass in the final to Pele. He played in 1974 and 1978 WCs and scored 3 more goals and was a clean player overall. (unlike Zidane and Totti who got a decent record of red cards).

What happened next?
Not sure if this incident happened in the same game, or after, but Rivo did a bad tackle to the exact same player. He was banned for few months on the local league after that, despite the fact he was playing to the most powerful team, that people think the soccer federation favors him.

Six entertaining goals worth watching

First, from Spain
an amazing bicycling kick by Roberto Soldado to score a goal for Getafe against Sporting Gijon (1-1)



Second, from England
Wonderful acrobatic goal by Steve Gohouri for Wigan vs. Hull City

Third, from アビスパ福岡
lol I could not even know which country it is from, I just know it is wonderful I assume it is Japan not China


Fourth, from Sweden
A bit old, from last year Swedish youth team, watch especially the last replay


Fifth, from Italy
also from end of last year


Sixth, from Saudi Arabia
Obdo Otaif, not a fan of him, but a wonderful goal to watch