The Final Lap: English Premier League Version

 'The only thing that is constant is change.'- Heraclitus

This is and has been a contentious quote due to the relatively ambiguous nature. Contentious for everyone but the underdogs in England! At the beginning of the current season, the favorites for the trophy were the regulars and the recently made regulars; The Gunners felt this was their year, The Blues were ready to mount a successful title defense, United, a title charge under the 'Dutch Master' and City's attempt to return to the top. The relegation battle seemed fixed with the new entrants being touted for an immediate return while the regular underachievers were expected to scrap for the other European spots as well as against relegation.

Fast forward some 34 weeks and its a whole different story. Different at the top and everywhere else on the table. The magic and beauty of football on these months has confused and amazed all fans alike and the end is almost at hand. Not the Armageddon, but this amazing display of determination, inspiration the comical and at times unamusing antics of some individuals has made this one of the memorable seasons till date.

With less than two months to go, its far from complete with only one certainty; the relegation of Aston Villa for the first time in their history. The title is close to being decided. The battle for European places are is still ongoing and the last two relegation spots still up for grabs. Leicester's inspirational and magical run for the trophy is still intact but they face potential banana skins in the form of opponents fighting against relegation (Swansea (H)) and Manchester United (away) who still have slim chances of making it into the Champions League via the play off round. Tottenham's refusal to give up on winning the title may face setbacks with relatively tough games against Stoke, West Brom, Chelsea, Southampton and Newcastle. Games against teams fighting for European places and another fighting against relegation. A significantly difficult run in for the challengers but certainly possible if Leicester slip up.

Manchester City on the other hand have more games than their title rivals and an outside chance of winning the league with their Champions League duties, it will be safe to say that they will switch focus towards that. Games will be relatively easier for the opposition. Arsenal on the other hand or on hand to receive the Flops Of The Season as they moved from title challengers to their traditional fourth place position (One Of the few constants left in the world) and this being their only chance to win the league might lead to Wenger being given the boot out of the Emirates. With tough games against fellow top four strugglers and those against the relegation battlers should have them looking over their shoulders as United edge ever closer.

Moving to the bottom of the league, there are two relegation slots but three contenders. Newcastle are the closest to Aston Villa but three points from safety with a game in hand over Norwich. Games against City, Liverpool and Tottenham are not where you would expect them to get their points from but Crystal Palace and West Brom should give the Magpies some hope of lining up next season in the Premiership. Sunderland's topsy-turvy season at the base of the table shows no signs of abating as they face the toughest run in during the relegation dogfight albeit with a game in hand. They have to face Arsenal (H), Stoke (A), Chelsea and Everton (both H) and Watford (A). Norwich may be out of the relegation zone but still stand a risk of  being relegated with a tricky four game against Arsenal(A), United(H), Watford (H) and Everton (A). With Villa already relegated, games against them are a must win for all sides that play them to boost their chances of survival. 

The race may be far from over and the next three to six weeks should provide us with some of the most dramatic and exciting match-ups in recent times and the impending drama and excitement will serve all football fans and lovers a notice on why the Premiership is the most competitive and exciting league in the world.

REINVENTING MOURINHO: WHAT JOSE MUST WORK ON BEFORE HIS NEXT JOB.

It is almost a week into the new year and Jose Mourinho is still jobless. Jose Mourinho as proud as ever made an assertion after he was relieved off his duties before Christmas last year, that he was angling towards a return to the managerial hot seat more preferably that of Louis Van Gaal at Old Trafford. This was the plan but the seeming reluctance from the camp of United and the reported refusal to take the Real Madrid job midway through the season has left The self proclaimed Special One in a bit of limbo and jobless for the foreseeable future.

The apparent lack of big jobs is a sign from above to Jose to sit back and reinvent himself as a coach and a person overall. The old adage goes, 'you cannot teach an old dog new tricks' but Mourinho is not so much of an old dog at the age of 52. During his enforced break, it would be beneficial for him to work on a few aspects of himself.

1. ATTITUDE
The former Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Madrid manager has had some issues in relation to his attitude. This has set him back with some of the biggest clubs in the world as seen with his eye gouging poke of former Barcelona coach Tito Vilanova during his stint in Spain. Also, his constant attacks albeit verbally on rivals does him a lot of harm than good. This not only makes him look bad but also does his clubs no good in the media. His mentality is more often than not transferred to his players which makes his teams appear violent with reference being made to Pepe at Madrid and Diego Costa at Chelsea. His media antics though entertaining, sometimes crosses the line. He is often seen to be criticizing the footballing associations where he has coached. It is for such reason he has often been overlooked for jobs such as that of Bayern Munich and most recently, Manchester United.
He is an entertaining character no doubt but should refine his attitude to make him endearing to fans, players and bosses alike. Maintaining a healthy rivalry with managers as well as letting his players know when they cross the line on the pitch. A bad attitude is like a flat tire. Failure to change it will get you nowhere. But just as flat tires can be changed, an attitude can be changed for the better.

2. TACTICS
A football manager is as good as his tactics. Also, an adaptable coach is one who can switch tactics to suit the opposition at hand. This is something Mourinho seems to be lacking. A fixation on 4-2-3-1 formation has led to his downfall. When he lacks the kind of players suited to this style, his teams are outplayed and out thought on the pitch. Before his return to the dugout, Mourinho must not only reinvent himself from an attitudinal perspective but also, a tactical point of view. Also his defensive mentality should be switched to a more balanced style to his teams to satisfy the attacking and defensive needs of his teams. All in all a general adaptability should be infused into his tactical approach just as Guardiola to make his teams multidimensional


A few other things to work on is his long term abilities as a manager. He should formulate long term goals for himself as a coach for his teams. He should use maintain an eye on the youth teams and be a fatherly figure rather than an authority figure with the younger ones.
Also learning to hold his tongue should prove to be a good weapon for him.


The Special One may be down but it would be a mistake to count him out. During his time out work on rebranding himself should be paramount to ensure success in the short term as well as long term.
Watch Out World! A New and Improved Jose is coming.

PEREZ Y BENITEZ : Los cánceres REALES

Watching Real Madrid over this season produce often defensive and insipid displays got me wondering, was the decision made on May 25, 2015 to relieve Carlo Ancelotti of his job the right one? The man who brought La Decima as well as an unmatched brand of attacking football which saw Real come close to breaking the longest winning streak in professional football. The man who made Madrid a joy to watch and football in whichever stadium Madrid played worth the money. The follow up on the decision to appoint a Defensive minded coach in the form of Rafa Benitez shocked not only myself and Madridistas but football aficionados worldwide

Its only been a matter of months and the ever demanding Madridista following is displeased at the style of the team in recent games. Such is the nature of the Bernabeu hotseat. A seat on which Rafa Benitez has been on for close to six months and is beginning to feel the heat. Often criticized for his defensive approach, he has not done himself any favors with the brand of football he is churning out with the amount of quality he has at his disposal. The insipid displays exhibited in games this season has made watching Real a real bore. The Clasico Debacle at the Bernabeu was the height of what Benitez has brought to Madridistas. The defeats suffered at the hands of Villareal and Sevilla as well as the draws at Atletico and Valencia do not do him any favors. His decisions to keep players like Isco and James out of a side that lacks creativity as well as criticisms of senior players and the refusal to acknowledge his best player does him no favors with the playing body. The Bernabeu faithful have had it with him and want his head which they will get after about 1900 GMT.

The man to present them with the head of Benitez, Florentino Perez has the Bernabeu on his back to resign since his dismissal of Ancelotti and appoint Benitez took him a step back. The circumstances leading to the disgraceful exit of club captain and icon Iker Casillas did not cover him in glory. The botched attempt to sign David De Gea and the expulsion of the club due to the failure of the club to deal with administrative issues. Perez unlike Benitez has a bit more time on his hands as the general elections are in sight and can right his wrongs with the club and its fans. Replacing Benitez with a more tactically balanced manager should pose no problems as the playing body appears united against the 'common foe' and may yet experience a renaissance.

The die is cast for both men as they have little or no time at the club but these cancers that Los Blancos face are proving to be dangerous and must be eliminated immediately and the decision that the Surgeon Perez (today) and the eventual cancer (during the elections) will be the best for Madrid as 2016 progresses

TRANSFER DEALINGS! WHAT DO THEY MAKE YOU?

A SCALAR OR VECTOR

LIVERPOOL

In the second edition of this series I take a look at Liverpool in the transfer and whether these transfers will take Brendan Rodgers and his men ( and new men) forward or backwards. The Reds have been by far, the most active English side on the market. A direction Brendan Rodgers and the Liverpool board must take after a topsy-turvy season. Brendan Rodgers has seemingly gotten his men for the positions the team was lacking in last season. 

Brendan Rodgers started his summer dealings early allowing him to avoid bidding wars with rivals and give most of his signings a sufficient bedding in period to get used to the team. Players who took part in post season tournaments for their nations were were given the opportunity to know their futures as early as possible and gives them the chance to prepare themselves mentally while recharging physically after their exploits. Also Rodger's preference for young and upcoming players as seen in the signing of Joe Gomez shows his plans for the team's future. Liverpool's dealings this summer are full fledged internationals for their various nations. The signings also have a mix of experience in the Premier League  as well as youthfulness, a perfect mix for the long and tough season ahead.

The Red's activity this summer not only includes arrivals but much needed exits. It would come as a relief to various fans that the Raheem Sterling saga was not allowed to drag on which could have been a potential source of unrest in the dressing room. Also, the timing would be beneficial to the club as it gives them sufficient time to find a suitable replacement. Also the departure of club legend, Steven Gerrard allows the other players a chance to step up in his stead and show how they can be better versions of him. The potential exits of Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini would be beneficial to the team as it will free some much needed space in an otherwise bloated attack not forgetting the space that will be freed on the wage bill. Youngsters who will have little or no chances in the team should be sent on loan but Mr. Rodgers should keep in mind the longevity of the season and prevent leaving himself understaffed at the business end of the season.

These arrivals and returnees added to his already existing squad give Brendan Rodgers a flexible squad to allow for tinkering before the season starts. The staff at Anfield should look at keeping key players fit as well as high general fitness standards. Team psychologists need to assess the psyche of various players and maintain a high level of motivation all season to allow Liverpool challenge on all fronts. With a seemingly all round and versatile squad at his disposal, anything worse than being more successful than last season could cost Rodgers his job come the end of the season.

The summer activities might slow down but an experienced defender or two should be on the cards to help maintain an assault on all fronts for the Reds next season. With all this activity, Liverpool seems to be making "vector" signings rather than "scalar" ones which bodes well for the Red Army but we are quite a long way from the season so let's wait and see.

TRANSFER DEALINGS! WHAT DO THEY MAKE YOU?

 A SCALAR OR A VECTOR?

MANCHESTER UNITED 

At the end of last season, most Louis Van Gaal and most United fans all over the world breathed a sigh of relief. That sound represented the end of a grueling, and challenging season. A sound that gave them the chance to regroup and improve their side. To assess the results £153 million gave them. To add quality and weed out those in the side to make up the numbers.

Van Gaal was ahead of us in this aspect as he made an astute signing before the season's end in the Dutch Eredivisie top scorer Memphis Depay. Just when we thought the spending would subside, Ed Woodward sanctioned the deals for German and Bayern Munich legend Bastian Schweinsteiger and French midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin for a combined £39.4 million. The double signing looks to solve the glaring central midfield problem even the great Sir Alex Ferguson sufficiently failed to fix since the departure of Roy Keane. The signing of Italian utility man Matteo Darmian allows Van Gaal to go about his frequent tinkering with more belief now as Darmian is a proven quantity. Also the signing of Depay gives Van Gaal an added dimension to his often blunt attack last season. The added bonus of keeping Spanish shot stopper David De Gea for another season in spite of the fact they could lose him for nothing next season to Real Madrid. 

During every transfer season, there are arrivals and departures and United's departures this summer include Robin Van Persie and Luis Nani. Though often surplus to requirements last season, their presence might have been beneficial to the team as the season promises to be long starting from August. The potential exit of Argentine winger will be a big loss to the team as with these signings he would be free to display the form that compelled Ed Woodward to shell out £ 59.7 million. Also the potential exits of Javier Hernandez and Johnny Evans could leave the team short staffed at the business end of a long season.

The team is far from finished as  Van Gaal said earlier, the team should make a few more deals before the end of the summer. A striker or two as well as defenders are needed to make United competitive again and the pursuit of Sergio Ramos, Nicolas Otamendi, Edinson Cavani and other players shows that United are serious about regaining their status as England's top club. 

Some quarters within the United fanbase are worried about some of the summer dealings so far with respect to their experience on the big stage with the exception of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Also, the issue of adapting to pace and quality of the Premier League as seen with Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

The summer business so far seems good and the potential deals are also looking good but suitable replacements are needed for the exits and potential departures are needed to make United the juggernaut they once were in the Ferguson Era.

Just as the old saying goes, "You are what you eat" but this summer I say, "You are who you buy" and I'd like to know if you think Manchester United's business dealings will make them a "vector team" with direction and quality or another  "scalar team" with a bloated squad of summer disappointments in the comments section.

Real Madrid Comment: Discard Carlo And Madrid Is Doomed

The beginning of 2015 was supposed to be a period that mark fresh starts into new endeavors as well as renewed strength, passion and emotion for already existing projects. Real Madrid were matching toward La Liga with a comfortable lead over Barcelona as well as heading toward a record winning streak. It all looked rosy till Valencia showed up and handed them their first defeat in 22 competitive games. Blame started to be thrown around and a certain Welshman bore the brunt of it. The trip to Atletico did not help matters as the Madrid ship started to sink. The blame game became a regular feature since the turn of the year as Real's patchy form dragged on. Florentino Perez became a worried man and sought to find out what was happening to his beloved Madrid and who was to blame. Press reports seemed to have pointed Carlo Ancelotti as the cause and rumors swiftly started to circulate in the media. The media conveniently forgot to hit on the injuries that it the team. It is undoubtedly known that Madrid is a team that seeks beauty and efficiency, something that Ancelotti has been able to achieve. Also, he has delivered all but two trophies he has competed in his two years at Madrid. His ability to manage egos and maintain an air of calm while maintaining player happiness and satisfaction is an attribute that is desperately needed at Madrid and which he has been able to adequately provide. 

It is therefore baffling to logical Real Madrid fans as well as football purists to hear of the rumors in relation to his managerial position. He like any other human has his failings but overall, he is the kind of manager needed in the Real Madrid dugout. Florentino Perez's and the Madrid board's inability to publicly back him is not helping matters hence making the instability of the position one of the worst kept secrets in recent footballing history.
His proposed replacements are either partially suited for the job or totally unsuited. Taking a candidate like Andre Villas Boas will be a step backward for Madrid rather than a step forward as his inability to withstand pressure at big clubs was a feature in his tenure at Chelsea and Tottenham. He is more suited to calmer conditions and low pressure conditions as witnessed in his Porto and Zenit St. Petersburg jobs. The conditions and ability needed to succeed at a side like Madrid are absent and it will take a few more years of experience to be ready for the job. Reports circulating in Spain and Portugal indicate that Porto tactician Julen Lopetegui is also a candidate for the position. He has an upper hand over his Portuguese counterpart as he has a relatively better working knowledge of the workings of the club as he played there from 1988 to 199. Also, he was the manager for Real Madrid's B team. His little history makes him a suitable candidate as does his nationality and relative knowledge of the Spanish game, but his relative youth and inexperience at a higher level makes him unsuited to take charge at Madrid. Also, the word in Italy suggests Napoli boss Rafael Benitez is the leading candidate to take over as Carlo's replacement. He is a perennial candidate for the Madrid hot seat whenever it becomes available. This may be as a result of being Spanish as well as his relative successes in England with Liverpool and Chelsea. Also, his knowledge of the Spanish terrain puts him above his rivals but his failure to bring the best out of most of the big names he has managed as well as his inability to maintain a sustained period of success makes his chances of getting the job faint. Finally, Jurgen Klopp has also been slated for the job at hand. His ability to break the Bayern monopoly between 2010 and 2013 could do him a great deal of good as Barcelona seem to be on the path to a period of dominance in Spain again  . Also, his ability to get the best out of his players is a plus for him but his style of play does not suit Madrid all too well as his is similar to Jose Mourinho's counterattacking style employed while at Madrid. Madrid's demand for beauty and results will conflict with his style. Also his inability to maintain a sustained period of success rules him out of the job.

It is evident that Ancelotti and Madrid are a match made in heaven as he embodies what all these managers lack. His only failing lies in his haul of league championships. But with the materials at his disposal and his demeanor, he can undoubtedly raise Madrid from the ashes of this season's failure as seen by the team's resurgence after a poor start to the season. PAY HEED FLORENTINO! KEEP CARLO AND YOUR SHIP SAILS SMOOTHLY, LET HIM GO AND YOU DOOM YOUR SHIP AND IT'S CREW!

FIFPro World XI 2014: A Flawed Selection

With the naming of the FIFA Balon D'Or winners and the FIFPro XI, a major flaw in FIFA's criteria for nomination and voting was exposed. The FIFPro XI was more contentious than the Balon D'Or (which was won by a more than deserving Cristiano Ronaldo) with the inclusion of some undeserving players while excluding some more deserving candidates. The inability of FIFPro to provide criteria for player nominations as well as act as a guide for voting makes the selection process flawed which leads to voting based on personal preferences rather than voting for deserving players.

When the FIFPro XI was announced, public reaction was one of general shock, disbelief, anger, disappointment among many other reactions. The presence and absence of some players from the final list was just too hard to swallow for some football fans. One shock was the inclusion of Brazilian defender David Luiz. It was very shocking as David Luiz had a relatively poor year than last year. A trophyless campaign with Chelsea in which he wasn't a consistent performer. A horror showing at the World Cup didn't do him any favours though he was able to secure a move to PSG where he hasn't been able to replicate the form that he's usually known for. A more suitable replacement would have been Bayern Munich and Germany defender Jerome Boateng. His performances over the past year helped him break records with Bayern and also win the domestic double. Also more assured performances in Brazil helped Germany return to Berlin. Achievements which are surely worthy of a FIFPro XI selection.

Another shocking exclusion was Uruguayan and Atletico Madrid captain and defender, Diego Godin. His imposing presence was evident in defensive and attacking contributions in Atletico's fairytale year . His goal on the final day Of the season against Barcelona helped Atletico to a first La Liga trophy since 1995 and his leadership qualities over the season was testament that he deserved a place in the FIFPro World XI over Brazil captain Thiago Silva. Thiago Silva by his usually high standards was poor over the year . His poor form can be attributed to injuries and inconsistent form. A poor World Cup didn't do him any favors as his form in Europe didn't deserve any honours in Zurich in all honesty.

Finally an inclusion that will shock obviously shock the player himself is that of Barcelona and Spanish midfield maestro Andres Iniesta. His inclusion into the final team was not justified as Iniesta didn't perform as we've come to expect over the year. A disappointing season by his and Barcelona's lofty standards which ended trophyless and a poor World Cup which ended at the group stages makes his inclusion all the more contentious. A more acceptable and suitable replacement would be another midfield maestro in the person of Luka Modric. Modric was highly instrumental in Real Madrid's La Decima and Copa Del Rey triumphs by maintaining balance in an attack minded side while chipping in with some important goals and assists in the course of the season helped his team and his cause. Some might say he had a poor World Cup in Brazil which is why he was omitted. A closer look at the World Cup performances and you'd see that he was influential in Croatia's play. The only reason his team was absent in the knockout stages was as a result of some questionable refereeing decisions and the inspired form of Guillermo Ochoa at the global showpiece but his general performances warranted a place in the final team.

A more suitable and befitting selection of the world's best eleven footballers should be as follows
GK: Neuer
DEF: Lahm- Godin- Boateng- Ramos
MID: Di Maria- Kroos- Modric
FOR: Robben- Messi- Ronaldo

FIFA, FIFPro and all other affiliated institutions and organisations should sufficiently outline the criteria and processes used in player nomination and also act as a guide for voters in making objective selections which will ensure that deserving players are duly acknowledged.

Long Live Football

WHAT ARSENAL MUST DO IN 2015

When the New Year hit, various resolutions and plans were made to change and move us all into the realms of positivity and general well being. Football teams havent been left out with the exception of Arsene Wenger and Arsenal. The French coach may or may not change anything but he's more likely not to change anything. In the event of change, here are a few things some Gooners would like Arsene and the team to consider changing to make 2015 a happier and memorable one.

Modify Training Methods To Improve Fitness Of Players
It appears the training methods employed by Arsene Wenger and his  technical team is taking a negative toll on the players. The persistent injuries to first team players and their replacements is reducing the performance levels of the individual players and the team too in general.

Adopt An Effective Squad Rotation Regime
Arsene Wenger should make use of the fringe players in his squad regularly. Players such as Podolski, Rosicky, Joel Campbell, Zelalem and others should be allowed to play more . In doing so, he will be able to maintain a level of freshness in his squad , take pressure of some first team players while maintaining a level of match fitness of these players. After all Mr Wenger, What's the use of a Plan B if you won't utilise it ?

Reduce The Burden On Alexis Sanchez
At the beginning of this season, Alexis Sanchez was signed to take the team to another level. A job the Chilean is doing with aplomb. So well the team looks lost when he has an off day. His efforts this so far has yielded 10 goals in the league which represents 29.4% of the team's goals in the league and 6 assists; 25% of the total assists made by any Arsenal player. With this contribution, it seems Alexis in doing so well but his teammates are not. Their overdependance and over reliance on him is not healthy as no one seems to step up when he has a bad day. Arsene Wenger must instill confidence and self belief throughout the team to complement the efforts of the brilliant Chilean. After all, the it is Arsenal FC not Alexis FC.

Make Signings To Solve Correct The Team's Deficiencies.
Arsene Wenger has shown in recent years that he's not afraid to break the bank to land his transfer targets which is good news for Gooners all over but there lies one problem. Are the signings appropriate ? The team needs specific players to solve the deficiencies in the team. Positions such as defensive midfield need bolstering as in their most recent game, had to play two defenders in that position. Also, a prolific forward must be signed to convert the chances made by a highly creative midfield.

Players Must Be Played In Their Suited Positions
Arsene Wenger and his technical team must allow the players to play in their natural positions as this allows them to display their maximum potential and ability. In doing so, the team benefits as everyone is playing at maximum ability. Players like Wilshere have come out to publicly to express their preference of position on the field of play. In the game against Southampton, Calum Chambers and Francis Coquelin, who are orthodox defenders were deployed as holding midfielders. Wenger must sign and deploy the players in suitable positions to enable the team go forward in a positive direction.

If Arsene Wenger and the Arsenal management take these factors into consideration as well as other factors, this year will prove to one of resurgence and probably, the famed 4th place  trophy might become a 3rd place finish their highest in a long time.

WHAT NEXT FOR INTER MILAN

Looking back almost four years ago on the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu pitch, a bunch of elated young and not so young men celebrated winning the top prize in European club football. Covered in Blue and Black, the joy and ecstasy that covered the city of Milan was back again, but not for long. The mastermind behind this great achievement left along with his magic .
Fast fowarding to four years after this and the magic has still not been found. Jose Mourinho's departure and Massimo Moratti's insistence on keeping players are were way past it coupled with the signings of even poorer and older players did the side no good. The quest to find that stability both on and off the field has led to the signing and sacking of six managers in that period. Massimo Moratti, the Petroleum tycoon oversaw the rise and fall of Inter and decided to let go off 70% of his share in the club to Indonesian Business man Erick Thohir.
Mr Thohir's reign has already seen the departure of Walter Mazzarri for the return of Roberto Mancini to the Appiano Gentile to take over the helm of affairs from the dugout. His return has brought smiles to the faces of some Inter fans but for how long can they last ? The domestic trophy laden period that marked his first stint as well as his successes in England barring a repeat of his seemingly dreadful spell in Turkey with Galatasaray, this is a match made in heaven for Inter Milan.
It is worth noting that during his all his stints, there was a lot of money to splash which could afford him the players needed to win it all. On his second coming, everything has changed; there's no more Moratti funded transfers, a totally new look team. This could be the beginning of the end even before he begins as Erick Thohir has proven to be quite frugal in his dealings.
Mancini must quickly find a way to integrate his side to suit the team and the league in general. Dealing with talented but volatile characters such as Pablo Osvaldo while keeping Mauro Icardi and the others happy shouldnt be a problem as he proved that with Mario Balotelli at Milan and at Manchester City.
The main aim will be to impress in the league and Europa League while working hard to make a return to the Champions League. This seems quite impossible given the task they face in Juventus and AS Roma, Napoli and a resurgent but inconsistent AC Milan.
Mancini has proven before that he can get the best out of a side but without the needed funds and preferred personnel, taking into consideration the considerable quality of Juventus, Roma, Napoli, Milan and the others, his second stint might be more difficult than the first .
Mr. Mancini, though this may be the toughest job since you got into the managerial spotlight, the Inter faithful believe in your inherent ability to bring back the joy and trophies but for we the neutrals, we sit back and watch with keen eyes to assess your second stint.
Buona Fortuna Roberto.

FIFA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING ABOUT THESE??

The FIFA World Cup in Brazil is in full flow . It has been by far the most exciting one for a lot of fans and neutrals alike. It has been filled with lots of goal, cards, surprises just to name a few but this does not hide the fact that the World Cup is not of World Standard as we have to come to expect. It has been dogged with certain issues that threaten to take the joy out the World Cup as we know it. 

Top of the list has to be the protests that are taking place in Brazil. A poll taken shortly before the World Cup started showed about 60% of the population would pass up the opportunity to host the global showpiece in favor of using the funds to beef up Brazil's deteriorating infrastructure and public services. This need was made evident after heavy rains hit Natal this week. These protests seem to be affecting the World Cup as attendances have not been impressive. The various arenas have not been filled to capacity. It's up to FIFA and other stakeholders to take measures needed to fill the stadia while giving the people what they want.

Also threatening to unmake this World Cup is the role of the referees. The referees are supposed to be the custodians of the game. They are supposed to ensure this through the use of their decisions on the field of play. This has sadly not been the case in the tournament so far. The beautiful game has been dogged with debatable and dubious refereeing decisions, some of which have totally disrupted the flow of the games in terms of momentum among many others. The blame does not lie entirely on the referees themselves but on FIFA! I do not doubt that these are the best in the business as we speak but with these decisions, the business is about to go bad. I would suggest a major beefing up in the criteria used to select referees for major tournaments. Also a major training and retraining workshop must be organised to effectively equip referees with the skills needed to handle games on the big stage.

The isolated issue of the PA systems failing to play the national anthems during the France-Honduras game is a minor issue. National Anthems are a  big thing during major tournaments. These go a long way to inspire players before a game. Its absence may deprive the game off the passion among many other ingredients. Though minor, must be rectified in order not to reoccur in future games.

FIFA must move quickly to address this issue now to prevent re occurrences in future and make the beautiful game even more enticing and exciting. Also with the FIFA presidential elections fast gaining on us, it will be expedient if the candidates address this issue among the many others that dog FIFA in order to allow the beautiful game, remain a beautiful game.

Spain Vs Netherlands . A Review And Interview Of Salvador Massacre

After what the world witnessed a few hours ago in Salvador, I could not comprehend the events hence I sought the help of my friend and fellow football lover and objective minded analyst Nii Dodoo to help answer a few questions

Nii Aponsah (N.A):  Good evening Nii. How are you doing tonight . Hope you enjoyed the game.

Nii Dodoo (N.D): Good Evening Nii . I'm good and yes I did enjoy the game

N.A: How'd you see the game on a whole ?

N.D: It was a good game by all standards.

N.A : And The Results too ?

N.D: From A Dutch perspective, it was a really really good result which will serve as a confidence boost in their quest for the title but from a Spanish Perspective, this has to be one of their worst performances in recent memory .

N.A: Moving into an absolutely Spanish perspective, what happened and what did not happen ?

N.D: Well, the Spanish side seemed to take their foot off the pedal after the penalty. They allowed complacency to creep into their game and this allowed the Dutch to exploit them fully .

N.A: Did Vicente Del Bosque's changes contribute to the final result in anyway?

N.D: Not really as those changes were needed. Rather, the failure of the players to respond tactically contributed to their defeat.

N.A: Don't you think that the withdrawal of Xabi Alonso rather than Busquets was rather unwise ?

N.D: Not at all. Their presence would have had the same effect .

N.A : Now does this defeat signal the disappearance of the famed "Tiki Taka" and the eventual end of Spanish Dominance on the international stage or do we need a new generation to continue this trend ?

N.D : Tiki Taka is not dead as you presume. It only needs to be modified to effectively incorporate attacking and defensive passages of play.

N.A: Do you think Spain can defend their World Title or would we have a new champion ?

N.D: We would have to wait till after the second round of games in the group stages to determine who but based on tonight's showing from Spain, it'll be safe to say yes .

N.A: Finally Nii, who was your man of the match and your flop of the match ?

N.D: My Man Of the Match has to Be Arjen Robben.
My Flop of the Match was Diego Costa !

N.A: Thank You Nii Dodoo for your time and I hope I can call on you to help me analyse games .

N.D : You're welcome and anytime.


So that's it people, Nii Dodoo and myself (Nii Aponsah)  discussing the Spain Netherlands game. Thank You and join us another time.
Feel free to drop your thoughts, comments and suggestions .

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING THE WORLD CUP (OR NOT)

The FIFA World Cup is here with us again after four years of waiting . It comes with huge expectations for the drama lovers, the analysts among many others. Here though are a few things that could go wrong and right during this football festival in Brazil. 

[ Please note that the below is satirical, and just a bit of fun...]

Neymar dives and Playacts replacing Rivaldo As Brazil's greatest ever actor. 

Neymar Da Silva Santos Junior, the 22 year old Brazilian wonder kid is expected to light up this World Cup with his skills, flicks and "tricks". He is also expected to lead the host nation to the title with all he's got and boy are we going to see him at his best. He is also expected to replace Rivaldo as Brazil's best World Cup Actor.

Boring

This World Cup may be one of the most boring ones in recent memory. There's no Zlatan Ibrahimovic with his antics and explosive goals, Diego Maradona (Veronica, His Translator etc) with his interesting press conferences. Also the injuries that hit Ribery, Reus, Falcao, and those threatening to keep Suarez, Ronaldo, Arturo Vidal, Diego Costa among many others are threatening to make this world cup a dour spectacle. But there's the ever vibrant Balotelli to entertain us if things get extremely boring.

The "Duelelà Distance" between Ronaldo vs Messi

One of the greatest individual rivalries in modern day football is continued in Brazil. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo slug it out albeit in different games (That is if Ronaldo recovers in time. Curse You Kwaku Bonsam).

Should our wishes be granted, two things could happen 

They both score and reach the final but get injured in the process. 

Then again, they both don't score at all no matter how hard they try or cause others to be sent off and become an international disgrace. 

England

The Three Lions or The Circus Of World Cup Football. Anything and everything seems to happen to them. 

Let's hope there's no revolt this time round during which there's no actual revolution. Or Should We?

In the case of an early exit, please at least be good during the entire duration of the tournament. PLEASE! Or, They would be knocked out on penalties. Or Suarez would recover in time and score the goal that knocks England out ?!!! Drama and Confusion all around.

A New Champion ? 

By the Semi final, it is safe to say that a host of the big names would be participating in the world cup behind their screens. A surprise winner? (Honduras, Russia, Ghana, Japan ??? A neutral's Dream.

Another French Revolution Or Viva La France 

The French! Always on hand to provide us with some entertaining football or Would Patrice Evra and Co. put up some utterly gut wrenching performances while fighting their coaches. Also, who gets and early ticket home to wait for the others return from another disgrace in Latin America? #IntercontinentalDisgrace

Samuel Eto'o  and Taunts Jose Mourinho some more "Old man - Fool Banter" whenever He Scores

The mini war of words going on between Samuel Eto'o and Jose Mourinho could go on into Brazil! Expect to see Eto'o score, run to the corner flag, bend over and celebrate like the old man his former boss calls him allowing him to continue the feud with Mr. Mourinho during a press conference.

Let It Go Samuel.

Wayne Rooney finally scores a World Cup Goal but is credited to the Goalkeeper as an Own goal.

Wayne Rooney comes to Brazil on the back of a horrible world cup scoring record expecting to break his scoring duck . he will eventually score against Costa Rica but the goal would be given to Keylor Navas as an own goal leading to Wazza's retirement from international football.

A Graham “Poll” is taken

A player is booked four times before being sent off by the referee. A Poll taken to evaluate the event agrees that was the right call ... (everyone deserves a second chance, a third and a fourth).

With all these and so much more happening or not happening, Brazil 2014 promises to be unlike no other or just like the others.

MID SEASON REPORT CARD. (BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE) Part 2

Yesterday was for the top 4 this season... On to the assessment of the next 4 clubs on the table..

LIVERPOOL

Coach: Brendan Rogers

Current League Position: 5th (36 pts)

Position at This stage last season: 10th (25 pts)

Best Player So Far: Luis Suarez

Worst Player So Far: Iago Aspas

Liverpool have been one of the most delightful sides to watch in Europe this season. Clouds of doubts hung over the club at the beginning of the season with pundits predicting a Europa League spot as the best come May 2014. All these doubts have been seemingly dispelled with the early season form of Daniel Sturridge and the current form of Uruguayan hit man Luis Suarez. Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva's form in the middle of the park have maintained balance in the team. Also, Mahmadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel's defensive awareness (and sometimes attacking ventures) have aided the side at certain times in the season and kept the in the title race. Their push for the title will be further enhanced if Sturridge rediscovers his early season form and Suarez is kept out of trouble. Also Brendan Rogers and the fitness team must aim at maintaining the fitness of stalwarts such as Gerrard, Lucas, Sakho and Coutinho.

TEAM RATING: 7.16/10

GRADE: B+

MANCHESTER UNITED

Coach: David Moyes

Current League Position: 6th (34 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 1st (49 pts)

Best Player So Far: Wayne Rooney

Worst Player So Far: Wilfried Zaha

Manchester United have not had the best seasons so far. David Moyes in the early stages of the season seemed to have no ideas as to what he was doing but in the last few games, he seems to have found the formula Sir Alex used to get the best out his side. The form of Wayne Rooney has been very impressive playing out of position but playing there well. Also Patrice Evra, Van Persie and Phil Jones have impressed in a seemingly ordinary United side. Talk of mounting a challenge for the title seems far fetched but United may just have a say in the final outcome in May. Moyes must get the best out of the entire side and also get the best out of Marouane Fellaini who hasn't as bad as thought. The defense must close up shop as they have conceded 22 goals so far. 

TEAM RATING: 6,95/10

GRADE: C+

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

Coach: Tim Sherwood

Current League Position: 7th(34 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 3rd (36 pts)

Best Player So Far: Andros Townsend

Worst Player So Far: Erik Lamela

Spurs have been by far one of the poorest top sides in Europe this season. With the amount of money spent in the off season and the kinds of performances displayed on the pitch, it can be said that yes they have been horrible. This stems from Andre Villas Boas's inability to replace Gareth Bale adequately. Also the inability of the forwards to bang in the goals regularly and the porous nature of the defense. AVB's dismissal seems to have improved the output of the side so far (no disrespect to Tim Sherwood's abilities as a manager). The best Tottenham can hope for now is a Europa league spot for now.

TEAM RATING: 6.85/10

GRADE: C

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Coach: Alan Pardew

Current League Position: 8th (33 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 15th (20 pts)

Best Player So Far: Mathieu Debuchy

Worst Player So Far: Gabriel Obertan

Good times seem to have returned to the Magpies camp this season but on a stop-start basis. They had a good month in November with a 100% record. Alan Pardew seems to have improved the attacking aspect  of the team to the detriment of the defense. The record of conceding 24 goals in 19 games is more than enough evidence . Yohan Cabaye and Yoan Gouffran have been outstanding for the Magpies in their various positions this season. Loic Remy seems to be enjoying himself upfront with 10 goals in 16 appearances. Mr. Pardew must improve on his defense and keep his forwards sharp and a Spot in Europe will be guaranteed.

TEAM RATING: 6.92/10

GRADE: C+

MID SEASON REPORT CARD. (BARCLAY'S PREMIER LEAGUE)

The English Premiership. The greatest league with some of the best teams, exceptional players, great goals, crunching tackles, wonderful saves, colorful managers, passionate fans, filthy rich owners, epic moments and the inability to predict seemingly predictable matches. Yes, that's what the Premiership is about and we've been through half of it. At the halfway point, clubs are getting ready to assess themselves in order to make plans for the penultimate part of the season and I'm here with my Report Card of each club (Plan on assessing 4 clubs daily). 

ARSENAL

Coach: Arsene Wenger

Current League Position: 1st (42 pts)

Position at This stage last season: 5th (33 pts)

Best Player So Far: Aaron Ramsey

Worst Player So Far: Yaya Sanogo

The Gunners so far this season have certainly overachieved by their standards and find themselves at the top of the pile at the halfway point of the season. A horrendous start to the season with a 3-1 home defeat to Aston Villa threatened to be like other seasons if not worse, but the deadline day signing of Mesut Ozil, the early season form of Olivier Giroud, defensive stability and the current form of Aaron Ramsey have led to their current standing in the league. Ability to grind out results and resort to the not so nice side of football to get the results also count for that. In order to maintain this position and grab the ultimate in May, they've got to keep their players fresh and free of all injuries and the signing of a clinical striker to help in their charge for the title.

TEAM RATING: 7.07/10

GRADE: B-

MANCHESTER CITY

Coach: Manuel Pelligrini

Current League Position: 2nd  (41 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 2nd (42 pts)

Best Player So Far: David Silva

Worst Player So Far: Stefan Jovetic

Manchester City have been having a sort of season no one can as yet describe. A perfect record at home and a very horrible away record by their standards (3 wins 2 draws 4 losses). The ability to maintain the  form of forward Sergio Aguero and keep him fit is essential in their charge for the title. Also, an improvement in away form and the ability to keep key players happy and fit will guarantee consistent performances. Manuel Pellegrini should help Joe Hart regain his form and confidence and City may be crowned Champions come May 2014.

TEAM RATING: 7.11/10

GRADE: B+

CHELSEA

Coach: Jose Mourinho

Current League Position: 3rd (40 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 3rd (38 pts)

Best Player So Far: Eden Hazard

Worst Player So Far: Demba Ba

The return of the Special One to Stamford Bridge was supposed to work wonders for Chelsea but so far they look and ordinary side based on performances and results. Toothless performances from Forward line makes their hardworking midfield look redundant. Also Jose Mourinho's refusal to play Juan Mata on a regular basis is a bane to Chelsea's progress this season. Eden Hazard and the entire Defense of Chelsea has been the bright spots in an otherwise underwhelming campaign. To improve performances , Juan Mata MUST play and Jose must get the best out of his forwards.

TEAM RATING: 6.96/10

GRADE: C+

EVERTON

Coach: Roberto Martinez

Current League Position: 4th (37 pts)

Position at this stage last season: 6th (33 pts)

Best Player So Far: Seamus Coleman

Worst Player So Far: Nikica Jelavic

The Toffees so far this season have performed beyond expectations going as far as venturing into uncharted territories of the top four. The form of Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman have been a factor in their rise coupled with Roberto Martinez's tactical ability. Their defense is one of the meanest this season (joint first with Arsenal) conceding 18 goals in 19 matches . The performance of Gareth Barry in front of the back line ensures this statistic. Their ability to keep fit and maintain these performances will go a long way in the push for a return to Europe .

TEAM RATING: 7.03/10

GRADE: B-

A Fury Of Red Blazing Across The Globe Today and Tomorrow

"Its a bird! It's a plane! It's La Furia Roja"

As I watch the U20 World Cup match between Spain and Ghana, I ask myself 'when will the domination of Spain in football come to an end?' I realized it was a rhetorical question as I was watching a junior team of the best team on the planet play. It's quite scary to think of a continued Spanish dominance because this doesn't exist only on the international scene but on the club scene as well . With the performances of their clubs on the European scene Spain's dominance doesn't seem to be waning anytime soon. Let me not deviate as this is about Spanish national teams not the clubs.

This dominance wasn't always so as Spain were regarded as perennial underachievers. Always qualifying for international tournaments but failing to live up to the hype that followed. It was mainly as a result of the lack of stability on the bench and in the dressing room . A certain calmness was lacking and the presence of large egos made it uneasy for Spain to progress despite all its talents. Fast forward to 2004, Luis Aragones was signed on to steady the ship. He had a false start in his first year at the Euro's in Portugal. He was maintained and this proved to be a masterstroke. He qualified them to the world cup in Germany where they put up a good show only to be stopped by the great Zidane. He led them to victory in Austria and Switzerland. There he introduced the famed tiki-taka football which mesmerized the world and all opponents. He also put the mentality of teamwork over individual talent which helped curtail the egos. Aragones passed the baton to Vicente del Bosque. He did the best thing for the team by not fixing what wasn't broken. Rather , he found ways to compliment this Spanish team by drafting in younger players. This was made possible through the good work of La Masia, Real Madrid B and the teams all over Spain.

The emphasis placed on youth in the Iberian region has helped the national team as the philosophy of Luis Aragones was maintained. The culture of passing the ball all over the pitch and starving your opponent off possession and making him tired as he chases the ball. This has transferred the winning mentality from the national team to the youth teams. This is can be seen as the Spanish u21 side successfully defended their European Trophy in Israel using a typically similar tactic.

This success though doesn't all go to the coach as his playing personnel make his ideas seen on the pitch . The likes of Casillas, Iniesta, Xavi, Xabi Alonso, David Villa etc .. have made this sort of play a joy to watch . The upcoming bunch of Isco, Delofeu, Bartra, Thiago,Jese Rodriguez and others are going to ensure that this style of play doesn't fade away anytime soon.

A little tip for the punters . Place your bets on Spain in any tournament as they are a good value for money in the Confederations Cup, U20 Youth Championship, World Cup and many other tournaments to come. La Furia Roja doenst seem like slowing down anytime soon and this doesnt bode well for the others. For us the neutrals, we just sit back and enjoy the Spanish dominance

REPORT CARD OF THE CONFEDERATIONS CUP PARTICIPANTS

TEAM: Japan (The Blue Samurai)

HOW THEY QUALIFIED: Winners Of 2011 AFC Asian Cup

SUMMARY OF THEIR TOURNAMENT

Placed on Group A alongside  Brazil, Italy and Mexico, they started off with a 3-0 defeat against the host nation but played some of the most delightful attacking football in the tournament as they served a classic game against the Azzurri which was only won by a Sebastian Giovinco tap-in. They served a similar thing in the game against Mexico but a double from Javier Hernandez consigned them to a campaign of successive defeats.

STANDOUT PERFORMERS

Due to the attacking nature of their play, their standout performers have been Shinji Kagawa and  Shinji Okazaki They have had a good tournament scoring three goals between them and Kagawa setting up one more . Though they conceded quite a lot, Eiji Kawashima was also a top performer for the Blue Samurai in between the posts making crucial saves at times.

COMMENT

Having already qualified to the 2014 showpiece in Brazil, Coach Alberto Zaccheroni has minor problems as he has to find a strong center forward to compliment the efforts of Honda, Kagawa and Okazaki. Also he needs to find good defenders as most of their work up front was undone by some shoddy defensive work at the back. If attended to, they will go beyond their best of an appearance at the round of 16.

Position: 7th

Neymar To Barcelona: A Legend in the making or A Monumental Flop in the Making

Life is a sum of all the choices we make. Some smart, others not so smart. Sometimes we make these choices as a result of what we feel, others too based on what we think and some based on what those around us say or think. Whatever it is that lead us to making those choices may come back to haunt us or make us happy. We may or may not regret them but its all in the future so we might as well enjoy the best parts of it.

 Now to my main topic, Neymar Da Silva Santos, the 21 year old Brazilian magician. This young lad currently has the world at his feet (literally). Gifted with magical feet and the skill of Ronaldinho(my view).

His ability to make magic happen in perilous times for his club and country making him a prized asset for club and country.

His skill did not go unnoticed as some of the giants in football came knocking at his door for his signature. Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, noveau-riche PSG just to name a few chased this genius. He was spoilt for choice. At 21, he's a  three time Campeonato Paulista winner, a Copa Libertadores to his name, an Olympic Silver Medalist not forgetting his numerous individual awards won all over the continent.

At a tender age of 21 and such talent, he had shown the South American continent what they had to see hence the need to move to better himself . He eventually chose La Liga and Catalonia as his preferred  home with Barcelona being his new team snubbing Real Madrid who made an offer twice as much as Barcelona made and a higher wage packet. This could be seen as a love for the game rather than love for personal gain. The Big Question here is WHY? This unfortunately can be answered  he alone but will this bode well for him in the end? As seen in times past, a footballer's success is attributed to himself, likewise his failure so take heed Neymar.

His Barcelona move could be a success by dint of certain reasons and also a failure as a result of other factors but first lets see why this move could be a success.


1. The South American Flavor

Most football players have been able or unable to perform to the highest levels due to their inability to adapt to new surroundings but in Neymar's case, this shouldn't be a problem. The presence of Dani Alves( who Neymar regards as his big brother), Adriano and  Alexis Sanchez . This set up should help him adapt quickly in Catalonia.


2. The Barcelona Stability

Barcelona is a club noted for its stability in the dugout . Also the stability in the dressing room. this all acts as a tonic to help him succeed in Barcelona. The presence of calming presences of  Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta might help Neymar succeed in his new environment.


3. His Individual Brilliance

Neymar has ability to create magic out of nothing, a weapon that Neymar will (or can ) use as a lot of Barcelona's opponents who will sit back and try to catch Barcelona on the counter. With this asset, the burden of unlocking tight defenses will be lifted off the usual suspects .


Now like all humans,the probability of success stands at  1/2 whereas the other 1/2 stands for failure.

Neymar has all the qualities to be a success and legend at Barcelona but then again, the possibility of failure

stands . Here in my opinion are some reasons why Neymar wont make it in Barcelona.


1. Messidependecia

Barcelona's Independence on Lionel Messi cannot be denied. A Barcelona without Messi is unimaginable. Without him, they seem toothless and beatable. PSG almost seized on it whereas Bayern Munich exploited it relentlessly. Some fans will say this is the reason why Neymar was signed but I say wasnt it for this same reason Villa and Alexis Sanchez were signed? Is it not for this same reason, Tello, Bojan, Pedro and other La Masia products were promoted?



2. His Position in the Team

His style of play has been likened to that of Barca great Ronaldinho. This comparison might tempt Villanova (or whoever coaches Barca) to play Neymar in the hole behind the main striker. this will be a failed attempt as proven in Brazil's game against England . Not to say he was a flop but he wasnt as effective as we have to know him to be.



3. Not Being the Star Man

Another reason why Neymar might not make is because he is not going to be the star man here . Neymar is used to being the man around which the play revolves in Brazil and at Santos. Messi is firmly the man here and hence Neymar must play to put him in the spotlight. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is evidence of this fact. Going from the poster boy of Brazil and Santos to a member of a team will be a tough step for Neymar and his ability to handle this transition is going to quite interesting

MY VIEW

Neymar's talent and ability cannot be questioned his status a global superstar has being cemented but all this hype could cause his downfall. Being named in the same breath as Ronaldo and Messi and being compared to legends such as Ronaldinho and Pele wont help his cause. Besides signing for Barcelona puts him in an environment where in the minds of many he is already a better player than he is ever likely to become. These all indicate the makings of a failure at Barcelona.

Aftermath of Champions League final

All these are just satirical and just for laughs

1.Robben Declares He's the best player to have played in a UCL final

After heartbreak in 2010 and 2012, Arjen Robben declares "I was made to headline finals and I'm the best to play in a final ever!" he goes on to call out Iker Casillas who is somewhere in Spain celebrating the impending departure of Jose Mourinho with Sergio Ramos, Iniesta and Xavi and also Petr Cech with the aim of redeeming his image against them.

2. Mario Götze and Robert Lewandowski claim their winners' medals in the tunnel from Jupp Heynckes and a smiling Götze is heard muttering , " this is why I signed up for them" and Lewandowski also claiming, I had to miss to gain a place in next season's squad.

3. Pep Guardiola is seen in Barcelona telling Messi, " I don't need you anymore .. I've got Robben" but is forced to eat his words when Robben misses great chances against Chelsea in the Super Cup and Bayern Lose the game .

4. Jurgen Klopp is attacked by Two men in Red and loses his arse only for FC Bayern supremos Uli Hoeness and Karl Heinze Rummenigge to unveil a new exhibit in the FC Bayern Munich Museum on Monday.

5. Dortmund supremo Watzke backtracks on his words and starts poaching stars such as Julian Draxler  and Luuk De Jong both from rivals Schalke and Moenchengladbach respectively and declares during their unveiling that 'Bayern did it , so can we' to the dismay of Schalke and Moenchengladbach fans

MY TAKE ON THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FINAL 2012/2013 FC BAYERN MUNICH VS BORUSSIA DORTMUND (A FAIRYTALE ENDING OR A BANISHING OF FINAL DEMONS)

The 21^st Uefa Champions League Final taking place in the historical Wembly Arena hosts the first ever all German final which features two of the most exciting teams in Europe this season , Borussia Dortmund and FC Bayern Munich. This all German final represents a power shift in European football but let me not bore you with this and move straight to the point!

Introducing tonight’s finalists:

FC Bayern Munich

Die Roten coached by the highly experienced Jupp Heynckes have had a remarkable season, steamrolling most opponents in all competitions. They have been highly effective and relentless in dispatching opponents including Borussia Dortmund in the DFB Pokal this season.

The German Bundesliga was secured with a 25 point gap over Dortmund with a number of games to spare going ahead to set a new record of 91 points in a season. They cemented their dominance by setting up a final in the DFB Pokal with VFB Stuttgart.

PATH TO FINAL

They were placed in Group F along with Valencia, LOSC Lille and BATE Borisov. They topped the group level on points with Valencia but ended up as group winners by dint of the goal difference ruling.

They were paired with Arsenal in the Round of 16. They won the first leg 3-1 at the Emirates and lost 2-0 in the return leg at home (their only home loss this season) but went on to the quarter final stage as a result of the away goals rule.

Here the resurgent Juventus were their opponents but they dispatched them with unnerving ease by defeating them 2-0 both home and away (4-0 on aggregate)

The semi final bought on the mighty Barcelona but Bayern thought them a lesson in football by thrashing them 4-0 in Germany and finishing the job  by defeating them 3-0 in the return leg in Spain ,completing a 7-0 aggregate victory, a record for this stage of the competition

PLAYERS TO WATCH

DANTE:  A stalwart for Die Roten at the back this season. Signed from Borussia Moenchengladbach last summer, raising a few eyebrows has lowered all these eyebrows with his assured performances helping FCB set a record for the fewest number of goals conceded in a season in Germany

JAVI MARTINEZ: The talented midfielder signed from Athletic Bilbao  for a record fee justified this fee with  impressive performances alongside Bastian Schweinsteiger at the heart of the Bayern midfield. His pressing ability and passes from deep midfield may be a weapon in helping FCB emerge Champions.

THOMAS MULLER: A stellar season for the German international has seen him score 21 goals and chip in with 13 assists in 36 games this season with 8 goals and 2 assists in the Champions League. His work rate, ability to pick out passes and finishing are essential in ensuring a Bayern victory. A bet on him scoring at anytime is likely to yield dividends for the punters around.

BORUSSIA DORTMUND

A less impressive season for last season’s Bundesliga Champions as they were runners up to Bayern Munich this season. This can be accounted to an inconsistent start to the season and injuries to key players. The highlight of their season has been an amazing Champions League campaign chalking results at the death and classy performances.

PATH TO FINAL

 They began their journey to Wembly in the group of Death . A group filled with Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax. They ended up as Group Winners with 14 points, 3 ahead of the mighty Real Madrid.

They went on to the knockout stages and had a tough pairing in the form of Shakhtar Donetsk. A draw in Ukraine and a victory in Germany confirmed their place in the quarter finals .

The quarter final came with Malaga. A stalemate in Spain tipped the scales slightly in Malaga’s favor. The odds went against them as Malaga scored twice in Germany but a goal at the death by Joel Santana sent them into the semi finals.

A rematch with Real Madrid was set up but a peerless performance by Robert Lewandowski in which he scored 4 goals all but booked their place in the semi final. This dream was almost shattered as a late rally by Real Madrid saw them concede two goals but held on to ensure their place in the final was confirmed.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

MATS HUMMELS: The former Bayern Munich youth star who defected to Dortmund a few years ago has been marvelous all season. He’s a ball playing central defender with an eye for goal. His strengths include his aerial prowess and his ability to pick a out a team mate from deep.

MARCO REUS: The left footed signing from Borrusia Moenchengladbach has had an impressive debut season scoring 18 goals and 11 assists in 39 appearances. His direct running and speed are essential to Dortmund’s style of play. Also his ability to shoot from distance and dribbling ability act as a danger to Bayern.

ROBERT LEWANDOWSKI: Described by some as the best striker in Europe this season, the Polish international has been nothing but phenomenal this season. Topping the goal scoring charts in Germany with 24 goals in 29 appearances and 10 in 11 appearances in Europe taking him to 34 in 40 appearances in all competitions. His season highlights include the quadruple he scored against the mighty Real Madrid in the semi final at The Signal Iduna Park. His eye for goal might be a determining factor in the destination of the Trophy tonight.

MATCH FACTS (whoscored.com)

·         Bayern Munich have kept a clean sheet in their last four matches in Europe

·         Bayern have scored in each of their last 7 matches in Europe

·         Dortmund have not lost to Bayern in 9 of their last 10 meetings in all competitions

MY PREDICTION

A tight game with minor details settling but Bayern’s strength in depth might just do the trick and nick it for them.

Bayern 2-1 Dortmund