There Is Only One Sinnacle

I’m still annoyed at football but one thing that has cheered me up was Porto. What a team! To give up a late goal in the first half against Villarreal only to then pop five against them in the second half. What a player Falcao is. He is like the Colombian Ruud van Nistelrooy. He finds space in the box and knows how to score from all angles.

I can watch this Porto team play all day long.

Tottenham are weighing up a shock summer move for Sunderland striker Asamoah Gyan.
Full story: the Sun

Not the type of news Steve Bruce wants to wake up too.

Liverpool are plotting a bid for Napoli striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, the Argentina international who has scored 35 goals in 122 Serie A appearances. Daily Mirror

This doesn’t excite me. Fine player but think Lavezzi is an attitude problem waiting to happen.

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini says there are no guarantees Carlos Tevez will stay at Eastlands, even if the club fulfil their dream of competing in the Champions League. Daily Mirror

Mancini is planning clear-the-air talks with Tevez at the end of the season to sort out the uncertainty over his future. Daily Express

Speaking of players with an attitude problem. Deep down you have to believe Mancini would love to get rid of the headache that is Carlos Tevez despite how hard he plays on the pitch.

Inter Milan are planning to sell Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto’o and Julio Cesar to fund a bid for Arsenal playmaker Cesc Fabregas. TalkSport

Cesc Fabregas would kill it in Serie A but really why would Inter sell the backbone of their team for Fabregas?

Football fan Andy Carpenter is in a Champions League of his own – after sleeping alongside the European Cup. The 32-year-old courier could not believe it when he was asked to pick up the trophy from one exhibition and take it to another the next day. He was so scared of losing it overnight that he made his missus stay in the spare room while he shared his bed with the cup. He said: “I was told not to leave it unattended for a second.” the Sun

Great little story to end the day.

Arsenal are ready to reluctantly sell captain Cesc Fabregas for £35m – with boyhood club Barcelona his likely destination – despite having four years of his £120,000-a-week contract to run.
Full story: the Sun

Aside from his goal against A.C Milan in the Champions League many moons ago, unless Fabregas is playing Tottenham rarely do I see him step up in a big game.

Another player who could be on his way out of Arsenal is Andrey Arshavin, with Zenit St Petersburg confirming they would happily take the striker if the Gunners decide to sell.: Daily Mirror

Arsenal should be happy to sell Arshavin.

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho is weighing up a move for Chelsea captain John Terry as he looks to strengthen his defence. Daily Mail

You know how I feel about John Terry. The theme of the day i Chelsea should also be happy to get rid of John Terry and go forward with David Luiz and Branislav Ivanović.

Inter Milan’s Dutch star Wesley Sneijder has called Manchester United a “beautiful club” in an interview which will give United manager Sir Alex Ferguson encouragement to attempt a £25m summer swoop for the 26-year-old. Daily Mail

Forgot that Sneijder was still only 26. Too bad his hamstrings are 36 but I’d still sign him up if I was Fergie.

West Brom striker Peter Odemwingie is likely to be a Tottenham target this summer after admitting his desire to play European football. Metro

Javier Hernandez has been the buy of the season but Peter Odemwingie is right up there on that list. He is even scoring with Roy Hodgson in charge.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson claims “powerful” TV companies are preventing the introduction of a winter break in British football.: Metro

Pretty much nails it right on the head. I’d except to see a regulation format in MLS before the EPL has a winter break.

I’ve been meaning to write this for a while now but since I got the question if I think Rafa Benitez is a good coach I figure now is the perfect time to stop being lazy. I think Rafa Benitez is a great coach and one of the best at x’s and o’s in the world. Anyone who can tear apart Real Madrid 4-0 in the Champions League isn’t a fool. I don’t rate him as one of the elite mangers in football but he is right below them.

My issue with Rafa to go along with the likes of former Bayern Munich and Schalke coaches Louis van Gaal and Felix Magath is why in the world do you need to be a miserable prick for? These coaches were in charge of some of the world’s best teams and rarely cracked a smile. I realize Benitez didn’t have it easy with all the issues from ownership and on some level it must of bugged him seeing the press fawn all over Mourinho and Ferguson but on a player level you rarely seen players go to bat for Benitez. What you did see is players like Albert Riera and Jermaine Pennant hit out at Rafa the same way Bayern and Schalke players hit out on van Gaal and Magath once they were shown the door.

I realize fans think football players are million dollar robots but for coaches not to try and connect with players on a human level annoys me. I do think players run through a wall for Mourinho because he cares about them. He takes an interest in their lives and realizes what is going on at home is as import as what is going on at the pitch. I remember a story Wesley Sneijder telling a story during his first days at Inter Mourinho goes up to him out of the blue and sends him and his family on vacation to Dubai saying he looked tired and needed rest. Sneijder said from there I would of ran through a wall for Mourinho.

Being likeable should be easy for most people, drawing up top tactics like Benitez, van Gaal and Magath should be the hard part which is why I never get when a coach alienates his players who are the direct cause of his success.

I have more issues with Rafa cause I do think he is a politician who was always quick to pull out the ownership sucks card to deflect any heat, plus I think it was a dumb move the way he tried to run over Inter under a bus saving give me money or sack me to the press when he was coaching the same team who won the Champions League…..the same team he then took to 6th in the standings the next season but he is a very smart coach.

Inter Milan are poised to offer Tottenham playmaker Luka Modric Champions League football next season with a move to the San Siro should the north Londoners fail to finish in the top four of the Premier League. Daily Mirror

I like Modric who is a fine player but what is he going to give Inter Milan that Wesley Sneijder doesn’t? Unless of course they plan on selling him.

Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov is wanted by Spanish side Sevilla who are willing to pay £12m for the 30-year-old Bulgarian. the Sun

It’s not the transfer fee it’s Berbatov’s wages that I think will back the likes of Sevilla making a move.

Bayern Munich club president Uli Hoeness is confident of beating Manchester United in the battle to sign Schalke goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. “If he doesn’t come this year, he’ll come next year,” said Hoeness.
Full story: the Sun

I love how this works with Bayern Munich. I remember the same thing with Miroslav Klose where he was signed a year before his Werder Bremen contract was due, basically telling Bremen either selling Klose now on the ceahp or lose him for nothing next season.

Chelsea’s pursuit of Santos forward Neymar is being driven by the Blues owner Roman Abramovich, behind the back of manager Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea representatives have held talks over a summer deal for the 18-year-old. Metro

The end of an era for Chelsea is near. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea sign to replace the likes of Drgoba, Lampard and Terry.

Tottenham striker Roman Pavlyuchenko and Everton midfielder Diniyar Bilyaledinov are being targeted by Rubin Kazan, who hope to convince the pair to return to their native Russia. Daily Mail

Which is good cause both clubs would consider selling.

Juventus are hopeful of convincing Liverpool to lower the £13m fee stipulated in Alberto Aquilani’s loan agreement to make the midfielder’s switch to the Bianconeri permanent.: Daily Mail

I liked how King Kenny told the press today that he thinks Aquilani is a good player who can add value to Liverpool next season. It’s clear Juventus want to buy him on the cheap but it makes little sense for Liverpool to give him away.

Lyon left-back Aly Cissokho may have attracted the interest of Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool after he admitted that it would be “a dream” to join a top English side.: Metro

Let’s just say Porto sold Cissokho at the right time.

Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos dropped the Copa del Rey from the top of the team bus during celebrations after their 1-0 victory over Barcelona on Wednesday. The bus then ran over the trophy leaving emergency services to gather up the broken pieces and return them to the bus. The trophy did not reappear at the club’s traditional celebration spot of the Plaza de Cibeles in central Madrid. (Associated Press)

Oh you just knew I as going to crow about this. I also love this video with Rafa as a pundit. Who is the mouse and who is the lion now? Real Madrid played with a steel, belief and a brilliant game plan. Make no mistake Barcelona is the standard bearer in world football but this win gives Real Madrid the belief that they can beat Barcelona anytime anyplace.

The reason why? Mourinho…..Mourinho!!! Give these players credit too but after losing 5-0 one of two things are bound to happen. One is the players will see Barcelona as a measuring stick that can’t catch or two these players will raise their game to the challenge Barcelona gives them. You can see Real Madrid wanted this more than Barcelona who are use to winning with ease and flare.

Back to my tactis post, Barcelona is a one trick pony…..again it’s the best trick in world football but what is Pep Guardiola going to do? What adjutments is he going to make? “Hey Messi instead of playing on the left, move to the right? You know Barcelona can’t change from their style. Johan Cruyff would go running to the press screaming “anti football anti football.” Funny I haven’t heard anything from Cruyff today. Give me a team like Real Madrid who can play any style depending on the challenge.

To end this off I’ll leave with a couple of quotes from the Special One.

“My opinion is that it was a great football match. Some people believe great football has to be great passing and lots of possession but for me the defensive work and covering space zonally is very important, which is what we did.

“People can criticise me all they want but all I try to do is create the best situation for my players at all times. At times when the opponent are playing better and you’re suffering, it’s important to remain collectively strong because that is what football is about,”

When I use to update TV listing Goltv was nice enough to send them to me. Always felt bad since I stopped updating them. Basically long story short there PR people sent me this and I’m more than happy to post it.

1.) Were you surprised by the outcome of the Clásico? Why or why not?

RH: Given the implications of this first of 4 Clásicos, I wasn’t surprised at the final scoreline. Real Madrid simply had to play a more conservative game than they did in the corresponding fixture where they tried to beat Barca at their own game and failed miserably, while Barca seemed to be playing at a less frenetic place knowing that their league championship quest has the security of an 8 point lead. A lot of people had predicted a draw or a one goal difference and the game played out that way, a very close, well-contested game with both sides weary of each others strengths and both coaches did a good job nullifying the others potency in front of goal.

PS: I actually thought that was going to be the score, but the way the game developed it still came as a bit of a surprise. I knew Jose Mourinho would try to prove to everybody, including his team, that they could play with Barcelona after getting blown at the Camp Nou earlier this season.

2.) What were some of the highlights for you from this match?

RH: Pepe’s outstanding defensive midfield performance was a revelation and the amount of outstanding defensive work he got through to stifle Barcas broad and deep attack was quite amazing given that he has always been a central defender. Think of the world’s best central defenders and then imagine them in a central midfield holding position against Barcelona; I imagine most of them would get thoroughly embarrassed and look utterly lost. Pepe looked magnificent, covering the entire field with energy and desire the whole game and he was extremely comfortable in possession as well as being a constant threat in attack from set pieces. For all the hugely gifted attacking footballers littering the field of play, Pepe’s performance was the real show stealer for me. Also, the very debatable penalty claim for a Barcelona penalty when Casillas seemed to bring down Villa as he dived at the strikers onrushing goal attempt in the first half. It was an extremely close call for the ref to make but replay showed Casillas making contact with the player a split second before the ball but nothing was given by the ref.

PS: The way that Pepe stepped up to the challenge after Mourinho threw him into the midfield was impressive. Real Madrid missed Mesut Özil on the offensive end, as you could see when he came into the game in the second half, but if it wasn’t for Pepe Barcelona could have taken control of the game early.

3.) How do you think the teams will adjust their strategies going into the Copa del Rey final?

RH: I imagine both teams will ratchet their overall attacking games up a notch for sure. A one game final means that goals matter more than ever so both teams will be desperate to go ahead. Barca only knows one way to play and that is all out attack anyway but I imagine them being more sharp, hungry and eager in the Copa Del Rey Final-Guardiola may include Macherano for the injured Puyol but inherently, it will be the same old, vibrant Barcelona attacking system. For Mourinhos Real Madrid, this is their greatest opportunity for a trophy this season and while it is far less significant than the La Liga crown, it will still be treasured. Real Madrid may look to add another creative midfielder, Ozil I would imagine, and perhaps even push Marcello into a more attack minded position.

PS: I doubt we’ll see the same in the midfield, especially since Albiol will be suspended for his red card on Saturday. It’s a different mentality in a one-off game like a cup final. The injury to Carles Puyol is going to stretch Barcelona’s back line a bit thin, especially with Eric Abidal still out after his liver surgery. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gabi Milito come in – or perhaps with Mascherano available they could drop Busquets to the back line again. It is a Copa del Rey final though, so I expect all of the stars that can walk to be out there at the start.

4.) Which of the two matches matters more to each team?

RH: I think for Barca both of these games were vital but for Real Madrid I think the Copa Final is crucial. It’s their clearest shot at beating their eternal rival and putting one over on them, hoisting the cup. Barca knows this and will be more than ready. A monumentally big game for Mourinho, with one bullet in his rifle. He’ll know that in the Champions League over two games, it’s an entirely different proposition. He’s failed to beat Barca this year, even in front of the tremendous Madrid fans in this last Clásico and in the Mestalla, where Barca were brilliant this season against Valencia, it will be even harder.

PS: I think they are all important but for different reasons. Obviously on Wednesday, the Copa del Rey crown is at stake. Barcelona wants it back, but for Real Madrid it’s their easiest route to win some silverware this season. The second leg of the Champions League semifinal at the Camp Nou will be the decider on who advances to the final at Wembley. However, the first leg of that tie is Real Madrid’s best chance to throw down the gauntlet. We saw it in three of the four quarterfinals that one team pretty much knocked out their opponents by dominating that first leg. And the first match, even though it ended in a tie could be said to be the most important because if Barcelona would have run away with that, the other three dominoes could have fallen a lot more easily.

5.) What are your predictions for the outcome of this final? What should viewers expect to see?

RH: Barcelona wins IF Real Madrid don’t capitalize on any early chances. Especially in a one game, all or nothing Final, the greatest demand will be in taking your opportunities. By their imperious standards of late Barca have been missing the back of the net, or all of their spellbinding possession attack. Villa and Messi are in a bit of a goal scoring drought from open play so the onus will be on Marid to score and if they do,the balance will swing their way. Still, it’s difficult to imagine Barcas top goal scorers not hitting pay dirt soon. A helter skelter football match is surely in the offing and I see Madrid being even more desperate for a victory than they were even on Saturday. Strap yourselves in, good and tight.

PS: I think we’ll see more tactics from Real, and while I think we’ll see them push forward in the first half when the opportunity is there, it’s more likely that Mourinho will have them try to frustrate Barcelona for as long as possible. It could be a duplicate of Saturday’s game, but with an even greater push late from both teams if they can avoid any more red cards. With so many huge games on the schedule this month I don’t think they want this to go to extra time! If it wasn’t for the injuries to Barcelona’s central defense, I think they’d have the edge, especially with all the running Real Madrid had to do on Saturday. However, it’s a cup final. Özil, Higuain and Adebayor should be fit so I think it could tip either way.

Barcelona are poised to make a move for Tottenham midfielder Sandro following his superb displays for the north London club this season. talkSPORT

I don’t see it. It’s not that Sandro isn’t a good player but he just reminds me of a quicker Tom Huddlestone.

Tottenham legend Glenn Hoddle believes Gareth Bale would fit in well at Barcelona, who have been linked to the Spurs winger. However, the former England boss hopes the new Professional Footballers’ Association player of the year stays at White Hart Lane. Daily Mirror

I don’t think he will but it will be interesting to see if Gareth Bale pulls a Dimitar Berbatov to froce a move away from Tottenham.

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboue appears to have sealed his exit from the club this summer following his error in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool. The Ivory Coast full-back bundled into Lucas to give Liverpool a 112th-minute penalty from which they equalised in the match at the Emirates. Daily Mail

Two years too late.

Former Arsenal midfielder Perry Groves says the Gunners should cash in on captain Cesc Fabregas this summer. The Spanish midfielder is a long-time target of Barcelona. talkSPORT

Glad I’m not the only one.

Ashley Young admits his Aston Villa future will be sorted out in just over a month, with Manchester United leading the chase for the England midfielder. He will hold talks with Villa manager Gerard Houllier when the season ends. Daily Mirror

In other words Ashley Young is going to tell Gerard Houllier he plans to leave.

Manchester United are poised to make a move for Sporting Lisbon goalkeeper Rui Patricio – if a move for Atletico Madrid keeper David de Gea falls through. talkSPORT

Patricio is alright but he is a big step down from David de Gea.

The pressure on Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has increased after Bernabeu legend Alfredo Di Stefano slammed his tactics in last Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Barcelona. “Madrid was a team without personality. The decision to play on the counter-attack was not the right one. Barcelona were a lion, Madrid a mouse,” said di Stefano. Daily Mirror

Shut up Jose Mourinho.

While watching the Real Madrid vs Barcelona game on Saturday I came across a tweet that basically said Real Madrid have turned into Stoke. I don’t know why this bugged me but it sightly did. I guess enough to write this post.

You know what matters in football? As Charlie Sheen would say Winning duh. That is all. At the highest level football really is a game of rock paper scissors. What separates a team like Real Madrid from a one trick pony like Arsenal is the fact they can adapt their tactics depending on who they are playing. I have a strong dislike for this snobbish point of view where the Barcelona beautiful game is the only style of play to be played. Barcelona is also a one trick pony to be fair but boy what a trick. It’s also something that has been preached to some of these Barcelona players since they were kids. It would be simply foolish to try and match it. If Real Madrid can control Barcelona by kicking long balls over the midfield and making Ronaldo and Di Maria chase them down so be it. It actually means Dani Alves and Adriano actually have to play defence. I loved Pepe bullying Barcelona players off the ball time and time again. What a shift he put in, just too bad Raul Albiol had to try and ruin that with his silly foul on former team mate David Villa. It will now be interesting to see how Pep Guardiola tries to respond tactis wise in the Copa del Ray on Wednesday.