The Round Football Column - 12.01.08: 169th Edition - Messi magic, Van Persie class and More
Posted by Tim O'Sullivan on 12.01.2008
Robin van Persie shocks Chelsea at the bridge, Lionel Messi rips Sevilla apart, Cristiano Ronaldo proves why he's going to win the Ballon d'Or, plus more. One Click Away.
Histon are great. There's no getting around that fact. They are a glorious football team and everyone hearts them deeply.
Something that isn't great, however, is the FA Cup Third Round draw. Surely the worst in memory. Seriously, what will the TV games be? There's nothing to choose from.
Anyway, let's start with the joy of Barcelona.
They are a weird team, clouded by annoying presidents, in-house egos that forget that they've only won two European Cups, and a lack of defensive discipline that often taints the finest array of attacking talent in Europe. However, it is that aforementioned attacking talent that seems to get purring all around the world at the mere mention of their name.
Victor Valdes is a terrible keeper who needs to be replaced with far more haste than displayed so far, Carles Puyol continues to let his hair disturb his defensive intelligence, Daniel "what does right-back mean?" Alves can't defend, Gerard Pique is a joke-shop and Eric Abidal is a puddle, who has relied on blackmailing Raymond Domenech about his dirty secrets for years. There are five big reasons why they shouldn't work, yet they do.
Against Sevilla on Saturday night, most of the abovementioned defenders (especially Pique) showed their inadequacies and then some. The home side dominated the first half and wasted a bag of good chances, created mainly by the brilliant Adriano (the slim one) and Fredi Kanoute. Still, Barcelona didn't concede. They kept a clean sheet and baffled the defensive naysayers once again. Those who don't watch the games only care about what they see in black and white, and the facts are that they don't actually seem to concede many. Man. United looked like a devastating attacking force at times last season, but even they could only convert one pot-shot against them over two legs last season.
So, if their opposition keep shaving the wrong sides of posts and they attack like the way they did on Saturday (see below) they could well be a good bet for a spot in Rome's showpiece next May.
The finish from Eto'o was instinctive and devastating, but the real story is Messi. Last week's views were widely discouraged, but seeing Messi on Saturday compared to Ronaldo on Sunday made it obvious who the world's best is. It's hard to find believers, but that's life. Enjoy your Ballon d'Or, Ron.....you'll be giving it up next December.
Cristiano Ronaldo will be named European Footballer of the Year today, but he was awful as the indispensable Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic helped Man. United win at Eastlands in the Manchester derby. Arsenal never tested City's defence last week, but the champions proved that a bit of disciplined attacking confidence will unlock their neighbours quite comfortably. Some poor finishing cost them a bigger win, but with a quite ridiculous set of fixtures already in the 2008-09 history books, things are looking good for them.
Football's a scary game sometimes, and viewers of Chelsea v Arsenal will surely concur that the twists and turns can still baffle after all these years. Scolari's lot certainly miss a certain something without Drogba and well, someone else, but there's no denying the fact that they dominated the first 60 minutes on Sunday. However, a goal that shouldn't have stood levelled things up for Arsenal out of nothing, and three minutes later a quite brilliant piece of football from Van Persie put The Gunners 2-1 up. As RVP scarily recalled after the game, he had a goal wrongly disallowed against Chelsea three years ago, so it could be argued that things even themselves out. His second was genius, though, and a sign that maybe he still has the potential to be a genuine world star. On the other side of the coin, Emmanuel Adebayor was shocking and his arrogant surprise at being substituted sums up his personality since being signed up by Adidas and EA Sports, and being touted by Barcelona and AC Milan. He needs to bring his enthusiasm back with haste. As for Chelsea, well they're still in good shape, but there's definitely something missing. Nicolas Anelka has been huge for them this season, but he's been poor in the big games and long-term it still seems as if he's not the right man for them.
Niall Quinn has always said that Roy Keane's job is safe, but in today's ruthless climate the former Man. United legend has to be on the brink. Bolton are underrated and were always going to be more dangerous when Johan Elmander found some form, but for The Black Cats to lose 4-1 at home to them is shocking. What Keane did for them in 2006/07 was unbelievable – seriously, one of the most impressive seasons from any manager in recent history. However, his Prem form has been extremely inconsistent and some of his signings have been inadequate.
Everton made everyone realise that Harry Redknapp could only polish the turd for a couple of weeks before giving up and letting it stink the Prem out once again.
Portsmouth recovered from their pain of relinquishing a 2-0 lead against Milan by, erm, relinquishing another 2-0 lead at home to Blackburn. Luckily for them, they scored a winning third this time.
Villa proved why they're still not ready for the top four......has he spoken too soon?
Dean Windass disturbed Rory Delap, but he couldn't stop a Stoke penalty cancelling out the Lion King's classy opener.
The weather looked awful at The Riverside.
Real Madrid are in huge trouble. Iker Casillas is in the worst form of his career, Sergio Ramos has been shocking for months now, and they are missing Ruud van Nistelrooy more than they probably envisaged. A 3-1 defeat at Getafe was another bump in a turbulent few weeks, and no one is scared of playing them anymore.
Sporting Gijon continue to be the Hull of Spain, with yet another sneaky win – this time at Espanyol. Their story is certainly an endearing one, especially considering the poundings they received at the hands of Real Madrid and Barcelona at the start of the season.
Villarreal may be painfully negative in the Champions League, but their domestic flair still shines bright, and they showed that again with a 2-1 win at Recreativo.
Valencia surrendered a 2-0 lead, then scored again to tease the masses and eventually beat Real Betis 3-2.
The usual suspects tickled the net as Atletico Madrid kept their wafer-thin title hopes alive with a 4-1 win at home to Speed Racing.
Milan continued their ridiculous inconsistency with a 3-1 defeat to Palermo. There are a lot of reasons why Serie A is struggling, and the lack of genuine threat to Inter at the top is one of them. Milan really are an average side nowadays.
Juventus had one of their good days, as they beat Reggina 4-0.
Napoli lost 2-1 at Inter, but the lad Lavezzi showed again why he's rapidly becoming one of the world's most prominent attacking talents:
A goalkeeping error gave Roma a 1-0 win at home to Fiorentina. Their start to the season was excruciatingly bad, but the run of form since the Chelsea win is turning some heads. They could be dangerous in the Champions League knockout stages.
THE WEEK AHEAD...
Fixtures and pointless predictions. What more could you want?
Premier League
Monday December 1st
Liverpool v West Ham 1-1
Saturday 29th
Arsenal v Wigan 2-1
Blackburn v Liverpool 0-2
Bolton v Chelsea 1-1
Fulham v Man. City 1-1
Hull v Middlesbrough 1-1
Man. United v Sunderland 2-0
Newcastle v Stoke 2-1
Sunday 30th
Everton v Aston Villa 0-1
West Brom v Portsmouth 1-1
The Carling Cup quarters could also be interesting. Turf Moor on a chilly December night could be too much for Arsenal's youngsters.
Barcelona v Valencia could be epic, too. That's on Saturday.
C'mon Liverpool don't screw up.... Beat scummy hammers and go 3 points clear at the top of the PREMIER league.
As for Ronaldo.. sure he isn't on 'Messi' form but to write him off because he had a bad game is ridiculous. He has been overall without a doubt the best player in the world this year and warrants the world and euro footie of the year.
Messi though is very very special, but I am completely biased I'd still NEVER swoop him or anyone for Steven Gerrard.
Stevie G remember is joint top scorer with him in the Champs Lge!
Posted By: Andrew Barbarash (Guest) on December 01, 2008 at 02:27 AM
And to think I stopped watching Sevilla vs Barca at half time! Messi didn't do anything in the first half, but those two goals were class.
Ronaldo had a poor game at Villa the other week as well, combined with his bratty outburst at the end. Just goes to show that he probably will win European Player of the Year, but not many will like him for it. You would never see Messi or Gerrard react like that to a crowd.
Also, Liverpool West Ham... 1-1? Has to be a home win for the mighty Reds!
Posted By: Mojotheclown (Guest) on December 01, 2008 at 03:59 AM
