Thursday, May 22, 2008

All English Final: Man U is the lucky one!



There has been so many coverage on "The Special One" tag ever since Jose Mourinho made it famous! So when Avram Grant said he would like the tag if he won the Champions League, something that not even "The Special One" can do, I think he fully deserved it.

And I thought he was within minutes of getting the tag when Cristiano Ronaldo missed his penalty, while every other Chelsea players converted their penalty kick.

But lady luck is just not Chelsea's side when skipper John Terry slipped and missed his penalty. It was the turning moment, and when Nicolas Anelka stepped up to take his, his expression certainly does not looked good, and it reminds me of the expression of Geremi when he missed his penalty during the shoot-out with Liverpool in last season's Champions League semi-final.

Though Chelsea failed to win anything this season, and this certainly wouldn't pleased their Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, overall, I have to say it has been a good season for Chelsea, but unfortunately luck is not on their side.

But I believe Champions League is a very fair competition. When there are surprised defeat happened, the loser will eventually win the cup in the later edition, for example Bayern's 2001 win after the shock defeat to Man U in 1999, or AC Milan's 2007 win after the ghost of Istanbul in 2005!

What Chelsea need now is to keep Peter Cech and the core of the team, and with a few addition, they are certainly capable of upstaging Man U next time around. But for now, let us hail the new European Champions - Man Utd!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

The Win-Everything Brazillians Leave Clubs

So here comes the "end of the season" period, where league football take a 2-3 months break. Though there is still the Champions League and some other Cups to play for, many teams are already announcing the new signings and departure from their respective team.

Among the most sensational way to announce departure is Barcelona's Ronaldinho. Not that he himself announced he wants to leave, but instead it's Barca's president who said "he needs to leave"! Joan Laporta reckoned that Ronaldinho must leave to be the player he once was again.

"He (Ronaldinho) needs a new challenge. When a cycle finishes it is normal that the most emblematic pieces also come to an end. I would like Ronaldinho to be given a great send-off so that he is remembered for all he has given us and that if he didn't do any more it was because the circumstances wouldn't allow it".

Barcelona won the La Liga and Champions League with Ronaldinho in top form, while Ronaldinho himself also won the World Player of the Year Award! Ronaldinho is linked to a move to AC Milan.

In Milan, 2 more Brazilians will leave AC Milan. World Cup winner Cafu, at the age of 37, will return to Brazil. In his 5 seasons with Milan, he win every trophy possible at club level. Prior to joining Milan, he play for AS Roma and won the Scudetto with them.

Mean while, Serginho who joined the club back in 1999, has also decided to return home. Though not a regular at Milan, he is one influential player. His contribution to Milan's 2003 Champions League win is enormous, combining superbly with Superpippo to drive Milan to the final, and eventual win.

So let's wish both Cafu and Serginho all the best in life after football, and let's hope we can still see the best of Ronaldinho, hopefully in a Rossoneri shirt!

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Milan playing UEFA Cup next season?! Inter champions again!



Just now when I check out soccernet for the football result, the headlines is "Gerrard: We must spend big". But if you ask me, this "We must spend big" word is more suited to AC Milan, who despite winning 4-1 against Udinese in the last game, fail to clinch 4th place, and will play in the UEFA Cup next season.

Milan in the UEFA Cup?! That's disappointing by Milan's standard! And the last time they don't play Champions League football is 6 years ago! But surely, we have seen this coming, and so is the coach. It's just that the board think that by being AC Milan, they will have a long run in the Champions League, and finish 4th to qualify for the next one! But that does not always happened, not everyday is a Sunday!

By looking at their activity in transfer market, you really questioned their ambition! They certainly don't look capable of challenging Inter for the Scudetto this season with this squad. Though the evergreen Inzaghi keep scoring, he is 34 now and is susceptible to injury, not to mentioned the ever injured Ronaldo. Gilardino's form has been bad, but then Milan's failure can only be blamed on the board! By having Alexander Pato as the only player they are buying, and that also came at after winter break is frustrating!

Milan board owe the fans a big star striker! Milan had failed to replace Shevchenko, and had put Kaka with so much burden that affect his performance. So going forward, "Milan must spend Big!". Buy someone who can score to replace the ageing Inzaghi, and keep the squad. The squad is definitely not weak, just the attacking department, particularly the forward department is weak and do not have enough capable cover! Pato is very talented, but yet he is still a young lad and is one for the future.

On Inter winning the championship again, and Alessandro Del Piero winning the Golden Boot, I can only say "Congrats and well done! You guys deserved it! And so is Milan's participation in UEFA Cup next season!"

Wednesday, May 14, 2008

FC Zenit St Petersburg



Frankly speaking, I never heard of this name before they beat Bayern Munich. But when this team won the UEFA Cup final tie against Glasgow Rangers last night, it just put itself into map of the illustrious list of winners of UEFA Cup, though these days it play second fiddle to the UEFA Champions League.

Juventus, Liverpool, Inter and last year's champion Seville are some of the most notable names in Europe's club football competition, and with this win in City of Manchester Stadium, FC Zenit Saint Petersburg deserved some coverage the 2007/2008 UEFA Cup Champion.

Zenit St Petersburg is a Russian football club from Saint Petersburg founded in 1925. The club plays in the Russian Premier League and currently is the richest in the country, with Gazprom (the largest Russian company according to Wiki) as their sponsor. Zenit are the champions of the 2007 Russian Premier League, 2008 Russian Super Cup and now the 2007/2008 UEFA Cup.

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Flamini move to Milan!

When I first heard of Mathieu Flamini, I thought he is an Italian player because of the "Flamini", which is quite Italian to me. And how ironic, today he is leaving for Italy, though he is French.

Flamini's move is also a good sign for the Serie A. Admit it or not, in recent years players prefer the Barclays Premier League over the Serie A, due to the "Calciopoli" and violence of the fans in Serie A.

And Flamini is one of the few players who choose Italy over England. Arsenal reportedly offer a lucrative new five-year deal to him, understood to be worth around £55,000 per week, while Juventus were also reported to be tracking him. But he choose to come to Milan, playing alongside World Player Of the Year, Kaka and fighting for a place with the best Italian midfielders, namely Gattuso, Ambrosini and Pirlo.

Flamini expressed his joy at the move after finalising terms with Milan

'I am extremely happy. Thanks a million,' he said.

Hopefully with the reputation of the Serie A improve, there will be more Stars at his peak heading to the Serie A, and not go there to look at retirement.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Milan into 4th place; Title race reopen!


Milan put in a dominant performance in one of the most important game of the season, beating Inter 2-1 in the Milan derby Sunday to blow open the title race with second-placed AS Roma winning 3-0 at Sampdoria. Inter's lead is now down to three points with two games remaining, but nonetheless, everything is still in Inter's hand, with a victory at next weekend's home match against Siena enough to seal the title for the 2nd straight years.

As Inter's coach said, 'In the first half they were better. Then there were two goals and we started to play. I have always thought that the (scudetto) celebrations would come against Siena and not Milan'

Roma coach Luca Spalletti shared the sentiment, said 'We must be realistic. Inter have had a good season and have all the cards for winning.'

Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka scored early in the second half for Milan,while rivals Fiorentina lost 2-1 at Cagliari.

Milan are now fourth with 61 points and Fiorentina 60, with Udinese moving up to sixth on 57 and Samp dropping to seventh on 56.

Barry leaving Villa?


Every Villa fans know that Gareth Barry has always been a great player, whether playing at left back or left midfield. So recently when he came to prominence in the England squad, many fans are not surprise, but instead feel that justice has finally been done.

Until now, he has been overlooked by the National team. The reasons for that, many wouldn't disagree are that, he is not playing for the top 4 club in England, and his position wouldn't allow him the to create the sensation and publicity a striker would have by scoring goals.

Now he finally come into the limelight, and created interests among the bigger clubs. The reason is that, left-footed central midfielders are a rarity, especially those with his passing range. Players of his consistency can exert a quiet influence over the vast majority of their games. Leadership and set-piece expertise both help account for Villa's progress this season.

Barry's friendship with Steven Gerrard is cited as a reason to exchange Aston Villa for Anfield. And there is no doubt that the Rafa admires gifted technicians with a sense of tactical discipline, and this is proven when Rafa made an offer for Barry. The offer involve only player exchange, with Peter Crouch (one of Villa's target), John Arne Riise and Scott Carson going to the other side.

Martin O'Neill certainly are not happy with the offer, and stressed that Villa want to challenge, not "feed" bigger club with their best stars. But Barry's will is certainly the main factor here. Barry would like to play in the prestigious Champions League and challenging for the Barclays Premier League title, which Villa don't seem able to offer in the near future.

But a move to Liverpool is not without risk. There are so many options available for Rafa that, Barry might not be able to play as much as he would like. Besides, they still don't seem to have the material to be BPL champions, lagging so far behind Man Utd, Chelsea and Arsenal. So a move to Liverpool doesn't guarantee success in the league. The only certainty is that Barry will be able to play some Champions League game, provided Rafa choose to play him.

Friday, May 2, 2008

Shevchenko On Chelsea and Milan Derby


Chelsea made it to the final, breaking the jinx of Liverpool after beating them 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night. Though not playing a big part as in Milan, Shevchenko made it to the final for the 3rd time in 5 years. His penalty brought Milan their 6th European Champions title in 2003

Today, he is no longer the talisman, but remain a model professional for Chelsea, playing as well as he can when called upon. He remains coy about a return to Milan after this season, but admits he still holds the Rossoneri dear to his heart. Milan president & Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has frequently said he would welcome Shevchenko back.

But he, as professional as ever, remain committed to his current team.

``There is a lot of talk about my return,'' Shevchenko said in a television interview published in Corriere dello Sport. ``But I am not authorised to say anything more than this: that my links to Milan have always been great."

``Milan gave me a lot, they helped me grow as a player and they helped me win the European Footballer of the Year award and the Champions League.

``I have great memories. Relationships with my team-mates are very important and many of them have remained."

``The president has always been very kind to me, he suggested to me to take a house in Antigua, I listened to him and I made a great investment."

``I thank him for everything he has done for me, he is very close to my heart. He helped me a lot, in many things."

``I miss my friends in Italy, the true ones, and the food, a lot.''

Though considered a flop by many, his record of 20 goals in 68 appearances for Chelsea is still respectable.

``I haven't managed to play much this year,'' continued Shevchenko. ``Whether for physical problems or technical reasons.

``But in the game I have played in I managed to make a small contribution with seven goals.

``The language? I manage to communicate, I manage to speak to my team-mates, but I am very far from perfection.''

When asked about the Milan derby, Shevchenko has this to say.

``The derby has always been a special game, a great one,'' continued Shevchenko. ``I think this derby will mean more to Milan because they are fighting for fourth place, to play in the Champions League and, above all, it's their home game.

``I have told all my friends in England that, to understand Italian football, you have to go to the Milan derby because it's a spectacular game.

``I give my best wishes to my former team-mates. I know how important it is to win the derby, especially in the race for fourth place.

``I think that the more important games give me a larger rush: the more the game is important the more I manage to give.

``The most important goal I scored in a derby was that in the Champions League semi-final.''