If there was a Venn diagram to describe Luiz Felipe Scolari, it would involve Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger. The Brazilian coach has formed a side which encompasses parts of the ethoses of both the ex-Chelsea coach and the Arsenal manager. There were doubts of the manager’s credentials in club football, having never managed in Europe. Apparently winning a World Cup with a Brazil side that many have called the worst ever to do so is not enough.

Read the rest of this entry »

Diego Maradona is one of three people to have deific status in Argentina. The other two are Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara and another catalyst of the Cuban revolution Fidel Castro. He is the only one to have won over the nation through sport and not political ambition. Yet with Maradona’s appointment as Argentina manager, one can argue that is not for his management skills that he has gained the top job but for the image and what Maradona represents that the Argentine Football Association has taken this decision.

Behind the myth of Diego the player is a management record that runs to only 23 games, with little success at either Racing Club or Deportivo Mandiyu. As for his powers of motivation and inspiration, there is little to suggest he can do so. Yes, he was captain in 1986, but the role of captain and manager are completely different. The role of lead cheerleader at the 2006 World Cup reveals his passion for Argentina but as we all know, football fans are fickle and easily frustrated. We know Maradona has a will to win at all costs, be it through illegal substances, or punching the ball into the net, or even an exquisite piece of skill.

Read the rest of this entry »

This is a new feature on Liberofootball.com, looking at all the latest talent cropping up in world football at the moment. Here are a number of prodigous talents, ranging from powerful defenders to lightening-quick wingers:

Mario Balotelli – Inter Milan (ST)

The young striker made such an impression in his debut season at the San Siro, that he began taking all the set pieces. Under Roberto Mancini’s tutelage, the black Italian scored a number of key goals in the Coppa Italia, including a brace away to Juventus. His height, pace and strength, combined with exquisite technique has made him a feared opponent for any side. Of Ghanaian heritage, he has committed to his adopted Italy, with the Azzurri desperate to recruit ‘Super Mario’ to their cause. Now with Jose Mourinho, Balotelli is having to play the waiting game.

Read the rest of this entry »

Many have claimed the Champions League is losing the ethos of attacking football or even questioning whether it was ever present in the first place, with sides very concerned over conceding an away goal. Yet teams don’t need to worry about this in the Group Stage and it showed on Tuesday night. The games were played in a similar spirit to that of Euro 2008.

Read the rest of this entry »

Mastering the art of commentary and punditry is a rare feat these days. Too often the man behind the microphone is pigeonholed as a caricature. Since the days of Barry Davies and Brian Moore, the quality has diminished. The voice of a great commentator encapsulates the crowning moment of a football match perfectly. These days, many stunning goals, immaculate tackles and finely-threaded passes are not appreciated for what they are by the summariser on television.

Read the rest of this entry »

Enter the top ten defeats of all time. Naturally many matches are remembered for incidents occurring of and on the pitch, perhaps with violent clashes, technical master-classes and shifts in power concerning who rules the footballing world.

No.10 France (4) 3-3 (5) West Germany 1982 World Cup Semi- Final

An epic football match marred by Harold Schumacher’s tendency to rush out to take out man or ball, in a mindset where the end justifies the means, as it did for the Germans. The match was level between the two sides with Littbarski rifling in a shot and a Platini penalty to equalise. Then Schumacher took out substitute Battiston (whose attempted shot went just wide), knocking him unconscious and leaving him with two less teeth. Later when Platini went for a header, when Schumacher came to claim the ball; Platini was left clutching his shoulder. Tresor scored with a hooked finish for France, followed by a thunderbolt from Giresse, Rummenigge pulled one back, before Fischer sent the match to penalties – a first in the World Cup. Schumacher made the headlines, by moving early off his line (a ploy not noticed by the officials) and saving twice from Six and then Bossis. The great French team of Platini and Tigana could not progress ‘because the officials did not do their job’ as the BBC commentator put it.

No.9 Real 0 -5 Barcelona 1973 Primera Division

After being voted out of the captaincy at Ajax, Cruyff left for a club that too was valued on playing beautiful football. In this match he crossed superbly twice to result in goals, and scored a gorgeous goal. Receiving the ball in the edge of the area from the left he burst forward to the left past the despairing lunge of a  Real defender, running towards another defender, he quickly shifted the ball onto his right then again onto his left, always shielding the ball from the defender. To top off a superb performance, he finished with aplomb, blasting the ball through the keeper’s legs. To this day Cruyff and his Barcelona team-mates hold the record for Real’s heaviest defeat in the Bernabeu in an El Clasico, an astonishing achievement.

No.8 Arsenal 4-5 Man Utd 1958 Old Division One

The Busby babes came to North London, with a brand of exciting attacking, youthful football. They raced up a 0-3 lead in the first half, and the match seemed to be as good as over. Yet in the space of three minutes The Gunners came racing back and clawed back to a 3-3 score-line. The reputation of the Manchester United side came through, showing mental strength to score twice through the devastating Denis Viollet and Tommy Taylor to an unreachable 3-5 lead. Yet in the dying minutes The Gunners pulled a goal back, leaving a tense finish in which Vic Groves almost equalised. A few days later, the Red Devils flew out to Belgrade to meet Red Star in the European Cup. After a victory, their plane stopped to refuel in Munich. Therefore the game at Arsenal’s historical Highbury was to be the last arena where the famous ‘Busby Babes’ strutted their stuff in England.

No.7 England 3-6 Hungary 1953 International Friendly

The first defeat at Wembley by a team outside of the British Isles broke an undefeated streak since 1901 against such teams. Finally showed how different styles had evolved in contrast to the stereotypical gung-ho British football and it was no fluke. The Hungarians played a pass and move style, with a strike-force of ‘that fat little chap’ (The England player who referred to the Hungarian legend would later live to regret his words) Ferenc Puskas and Nandor Hidegkuti, who played in a revolutionary half-striker role, ghosting between the lines of midfield and attack, impossible to pick up. ‘The Mighty Magyars’ were seen to many as the influence to Rinus Michel’s ‘Total Football’ concept with their fluid formation and interchange of positions. The return game in 1954 was even more one-sided with Hungary annihilating England 7-1.

No.6 Real 11-4 Barcelona 1943 Kings Cup Semi Final

The words Generalissimo or Franco will crop up in remembrance of this semi-final. 3-0 up from the first leg, the Catalans were favourites to meet Bilbao in the final. Yet before the start of the second leg, they were paid a visit by the director of state security, who emphasized the unpatriotic Catalans were only living in Spain on behalf of the generous Franco. Therefore they were forced to throw the match, and even with ten men at half time, it is believed that only such a reason would cause such a loss. The conspiracy theorists continue to look to this dressing room visit. Real still managed to lose the final to Bilbao, after all of their favourite dictator’s help against their arch-rivals.

Brazil could take lessons from Russia. The national side, have world stars splattered all over the Selecao set-up. But a defensive approach, with two ‘volantes’, and a lack of cohesion in the side has led to media criticism and pressure for the panache to return.

In comparison, Russian football is at an all time high. The sides are bankrolled by rich oligarchs (well, have you ever heard of a poor one?) and despite the recent economic crisis – Roman Abramovich is £11.9 billion pounds poorer – things are looking up. In Brazil, the fans are disillusioned by these huge names that represent their nation, and escape to Europe as soon as possible predominantly for money.

Russia’s national team and Premier league has undergone a renaissance over the last few years. Zenit St. Petersburg and CSKA Moscow have won the UEFA Cup in 2008 and 2006 respectively. The national side, under the stewardship of miracle worker and occasional manager Gus Hiddink, reached the semi-final of Euro 2008. They were hugely attacking, with that defensive frailty which was often Brazil’s Achilles’ heel.

The adventure of the full-backs Zhirkov and Anyukov often but opposition wingers on the back foot, while the clever movement of the forwards created a fluid attack, which many were quick to call the second coming of ‘totaalvoetbal’. This was the obvious headline for many media outlets after the stunning win over Holland. Yet the former USSR were playing with such creativity and élan with this current side finally overcoming that inferiority complex and returning to Russia’s football heritage.

This country first saw Dinamo Moscow on their “passovotchka” tour of 1945. Or rather they didn’t. A match full of goals against Arsenal at White Hart Lane was played in thick fog. The Russians had beaten an Arsenal side, reinforced by the presence of the great Stanley Matthews, by four goals to three. Yet the interchanging of positions and ease of movement was barely witnessed under the blanket of fog - until the game against Cardiff. The Eastern Europeans walked in 10 goals against the Welsh side. The imprint Dinamo forged on English minds faded until another side from the Soviet bloc arrived under the nickname the Magical Magyars. Eight years later, England endured their first defeat at Wembley, a 6-3 thrashing, whilst being humiliated 7-1 in Hungary a year later.

It was this tradition which club side Zenit and the Russian national team have returned to. Is it a coincidence that the two men in charge of both teams are Dutch? Probably not, as Russian football has similar purist ideals to that of the wonderful Holland side of 1974. Unfortunately, there is that profligacy and defensive fragility which has seen these sides fall to defeat having dominated for most of the game. On Saturday night, while Wembley was enduring one of the least one-sided thrashings in football history, in Germany fans actually saw a game of two halves. In the first half, Podolski and Ballack gave a strong Germany a deserved lead. But they woke up a sleeping giant.

Russia ripped the Germans to shreds, the intensity of the movement, pace and precision of every pass led to the German box being flooded with red shirts every few minutes. Arshavin pulled a goal back, with Hiddink’s side hitting the post and forcing Rene Adler into making some stunning saves. But in the end, the inability to take their chances told. It would have been worse if Roman Pavlyuchenko was in the side. A similar sequence of events occurred in the Champions League, with Zenit humiliating real Madrid’s defence but never able to make the killing blow. One commentator compared them to Arsenal, with the appreciation of style present, along with the many telling weaknesses.

What is brilliant is how both sides continue to stick to their principles rather than bow to the stoic, defensive football of many other international sides. You could spend 10 minutes listing these teams: England, Greece, Sweden, but Brazil? Under Dunga’s reign, the complacency has gone but the flair has vanished. Yes, Brazil won 4-0 away against Venezuela on Sunday, but it was more to do with facing a side who seemed to make it their mission to show budding footballers how not to defend. It wasn’t really to do with the fluent ‘Brazilian’ style, although there were some fine individual efforts from Kaka and Robinho. Dunga’s 1994 side were known for their efficiency and work rate but this new mentality has seen the ‘Brazilian’ football trademark vanish and is being left to other nations. Russia is one of these countries.

While Dunga may have won the 2007 Copa America, it was through a powerful and physical performance rather than the flicks and short passing game for which the samba nation are renowned for. We are present during a period of stylistic change and identity for many nations. Stereotypes are fast being discarded in the modern game but some things always stay the same. MOTD presenter Gary Lineker once said:

‘Football is a simple game: 22 men chase a ball for 90 minutes – and at the end, the Germans win’

 

Unfortunately for Russia, the ex-footballer, who is quite fond of fake-tan, once more proved to be right.

Continuing on from yesterday, here is the next five, which were influenced by pieces of magic, the event and social and moral talking points.

No.15 Real Madrid 0-1 Ajax 1973 European Cup Semi-final second leg

According to David Winner, author of ‘Brilliant Orange’ the greatest moment of Ajax’s ‘Golden Age’ was not a goal or a great save. It was a simple piece of juggling by a player who had idolised the legends which had graced the turf of the Bernabeu before him. Gerrie Muhren had the 110,000 fans applauding, rather than the customary white handkerchiefs away teams were used to. It was said to be the moment Ajax took over from Real Madrid as the true Kings of Europe. Having already won the two previous European cups, Ajax strolled to their third successive European Cup victory, having raised the Bernabeu to applaud the brilliance of totaalvoetbal.  

No.14 Italy 3-2 Brazil 1982 World Cup Second Round

This was truly an occasion was for a phoenix to rise from the flames. His name blackened from a betting scandal and his critics rounding on the poor performances of his and the national’s teams poor ‘aimless’ play. They reached the second round on the back of three draws to meet a Brazilian side that truly brought back beautiful football. Falcao, Zico and Socrates, formed a midfield of vision technique and unlimited flair. Yet it was Rossi who struck first blood, ghosting in to score a free header.  John Motson said the Brazilian school of footballing philosophy shows ‘how to play when you’re behind’. He was proved right when an awesome turn by Zico allowed him to release Socrates with a threaded pass. Yet Rossi replied with a brace, and even with a Falcao thunderbolt, Italy prevailed with Dino Zoff making crucial saves. ‘Thankfully skill will still prevail even though teams try to destroy it’. In hindsight, Motson’s words truly marked the ‘death of joga bonito’ as one internet forum member put it. Brazil’s light, glowing football did not prevail and it was loss for football in the long run.

No.13 Arsenal 2-1 Sheffield United 1999 Premier League

The unwritten rule can have a strong influence and it did until the English FA decided to ignore it from this previous season and onwards. Kelly was putting a ball out, so that his team-mate could receive treatment, or rather so that Bergkamp didn’t score. The resulting throw-in, was taken by Parlour to the Sheffield United players, but was intercepted by Kanu, who crossed for Overmars to slot home. The fact that giving the ball back is seen as an unwritten rule, no-one cannot be sure if all 22 players are playing to the same rule! The match was followed by a generous offer by Arsenal to replay the match, which Steve Bruce ‘expected’, yet in truth he had no right to. Arsenal won the return match 2-1, with no controversy.

No.12 Peru 0-6 Argentina – 1978 World Cup Second Round

The situation: Argentina needed to win by more than four goals to reach the final. Why? Brazil’s superior goal difference was blocking their path to World Cup glory. The conspiracy theory: The game was fixed. The Peruvian keeper had only let in 6 goals in his previous five games; He had Argentinean nationality too. Argentina had only scored 6 in their previous games; the exact margin they won this game by. Argentina progressed to the final where they used stalling tactics to unnerve the Dutch team in Estadio Buenos Aires, a cauldron of blue and white. The greatest mystery of all: they were winners of the FIFA Fair Play Award.

No.11 Germany 2-1 Holland 1990 World Cup Round of 16

After the second World War, the Dutch had moved away from it and had rebuilt. A few generations later, books were released about concentration camps, and trials were held for war crimes. Thus the new youth, which included the footballers, coached by Cruyff, in van Basten, Gullit and Rikjaard saw Germany as the enemy. This boiled over onto the pitch, with Rikjaard spitting at Rudi Voller, and this settled the match. Another aspect to the rivalry was the setting. Stadio Giuseppe Meazza. The AC Milan team of the nineties had a Dutch spine, and in contrast the Inter team, contained a number of Germans. Thus the match reflected a rivalry that was on a number of planes; club and international. The defeat also caused violent clashes on the Dutch-German border.

Following on from exploring more unusual reasons of defeat, indulge yourself in an ‘epic’ list of defeats, which have caused a great impact in the course of footballing history. Here is the first five…of which most have been chosen of the circumstances and the drama involved.

No.20 Inter Milan  0 – 5 AC Milan 2005 Champions League Quarter Final

One of the most infamous Milan derbies in recent history, with a 2-0 lead from the first leg, AC were set to win, with a 1-0 lead from Shevchenko when the unruly Inter Ultras struck in protest to a goal from Argentine Cambiasso ruled out by referee Markus Merk. The objection consisted of bottles and debris being thrown onto the pitch and soon escalated to lit flares, one of which hit Milan keeper Dida on the shoulder, suffering first-degree burns. Therefore, the game was abandoned and Milan were awarded a 3-0 win, and the Nerazzurri fined €200,000, a UEFA record.

No.19 Bayern Munich  v Manchester United 1999 Champions League Final

Three minutes of injury time had changed the outcome of this game. Man United had played poorly in Barcelona and it seemed to be Bayern’s trophy. The Bavarian club’s ribbons had been attached onto the cup, and it was only till after Munich substituted Basler and Matthaus that United came back into the game. A scuffed Giggs shot reached Sheringham, who scored from six yards. Then came another Beckham corner as ITV commentator asked: ‘is this their moment?’ Sheringham headed the ball down and Solskjaer instinctively swung his boot at the ball and lashed it into the roof of the net with virtually the final kick of the game. Having played an effective counter-attacking game-plan and hit the woodwork a number of times, against all the odds, the Mancunians completed the infamous treble and rival fans would never hear the end of it.

No.18 AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool 2005 Champions League Final

An impossible defeat. A Milan side, who scored inside a minute, and tore Liverpool to shreds through the clever running of Kaka, the smart passing of Pirlo and the killer instinct of Crespo and Shevchenko. It should have been four, if not for a poor decision by the linesman to deny Milan a fourth before the half time whistle. Then inside a six minute period, doubts crept into Milanese minds, when Gerard scored with a looping header. Reminders of previous matches against Deportivo La Coruna and close scares against Lyon and PSV Eindhoven cropped up. Even after the score was level, now cult hero Jerzy Dudek made to awesome saves from Shevchenko in the dying moments of extra-time at point-blank range. The penalty shoot-out brought out a Grobbelaar-esque instinct in Dudek who won the cup for the Merseyside club. Milan took revenge two years later.

No.17 USA 1-0 England 1950 World Cup First Round

Dubbed ‘Miracle on Grass’, it also has a film made after it released in 2005. This defeat finally took away the English belief of superiority in the game of football, and it displayed an urgent need to change the outlook upon the English game. New styles were being developed; most were tactically and aesthetically superior. Having refused to play against countries against whom they had fought in the war previously, and arguments on bonuses amongst other things, they finally arrived in Brazil, ready to prove their dominance. Or so they hope. Gaetjens scored against in defiance to the English dominance. It was beautifully summed by victorious American footballer Harry Keough in the aftermath through, ‘Boy, I feel sorry for these bastards. How are they ever going to live down the fact we beat them?’

No.16 Liverpool 0-2 Arsenal 1989 Division One

It was the final game of the season. The situation to George Graham’s Gunners was clear. They had to win by two clear goals. For Liverpool defeat was unthinkable and not a possibility against an Arsenal side with a defeat and a draw in their previous two home games. Enter Michael Thomas. Arsenal was leading by a goal through Alan Smith. Appeals of offside were waved away, and the final seconds are remembered by Brian Moore’s commentary: ‘Thomas, charging through the midfield… it’s up for grabs now… Thomas, right at the end!’ Liverpool had lost in unbelievable circumstances.