It's England v Italy - the Premiership v Serie A in the last 16 of the Champions League. Intriguing fixtures with the tinker man, Claudio Ranieri returning to Chelsea, the scene of some disgusting football conduct. Arsenal and Roma do battle once more; two excellent footballing sides lock horns in a tie that has all the right ingredients to be one to remember. But the tie of the round has to be Premiership, European and World champions Manchester United versus Scudetto winners Internazionale.
Its Fergie v Jose - let the battle commence. Looking at Roma against Arsenal, I think this will be an extremely entertaining tie, with Arsenal coming through a tough Roman test. Although Roma can play some breathtaking football and even taking into account their 3-1 demolition of Chelsea, they have been extremely inconsistent this season. Coupled with the attacking threat posed by Adebayor and Van Persie alike, the gunners will be too strong for the Giallorossi. Arsenal have had their problems as well, but in Arsene Wenger they have a manager who can reassure young inexperienced players and steady the ship. Destiny, it can be said plays a part in the Champions League and with the final being held in Rome, there will be plenty of Romans who feel their side have enough quality to achieve this goal and give The Eternal City's favourite son a night to remember.
An altogether more interesting tie waits in the shape of Juventus against Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri returns to the club that shamelessly sacked him four and a half years back with a Juventus side in sparkling form. Only 2 months ago, Ranieri was on his last legs and dismissal was only one game away, but he masterminded two victories over Real Madrid and embarked on a magnificent winning run, only losing to Inter (courtesy of a dubious Muntari goal). Chelsea on the other hand has been slipping up at home recently and are not performing as many thought or expected they would. Luis Felipe Scolari is under increasing pressure to galvanise a stuttering side, and with an apparent lack of funds to strengthen in January, his attacking options seem a bit light.
Scolari, in my opinion is tactically naive and Chelsea only have one way to play, with the wing backs an irreplaceable cog in the Brazilian's machine. If Juventus realise this, just as the rest of the premiership have, they will most certainly take control of the tie. Juve though, do seem to lack a bit of quality and seem to grind out results through sheer hard work, but with Buffon and the other injured players back they will have enough to see the Chelsea threat. I do believe some will call that ‘Karma.'
Jose Mourinho has started the mind games already, apparently, "Zlatan Ibrahimovic is better than Cristiano Ronaldo." A statement sure to fire up the Portuguese Ballon d'Or winner and one which I do not agree with, despite my admiration of Ibra-cadabra's unquestionable talents. Images of Jose rampaging down the touchline in 2004 will surely be in the forefront of Sir Alex's mind in the lead up to this clash and with only one victory over a Jose Mourinho managed team in 12 attempts, Sir Alex will no doubt be going all out for a convincing victory.
The key will be in my opinion Zlatan Ibrahimovic, when he plays, Inter play. Mourinho will prepare thoroughly as he always does, but Zlatan is a special player who can change games and win matches single-handed. Inter's back line may be a point of weakness United can exploit, but having only conceded 11 goals in Serie A this season, it is not a handicap they will be worried about. Manchester United should have enough attacking options and creativity to overhaul a sturdy Inter defence. Coupled with a defence of their own, that is more than capable of repelling Inter's attacking menace, I cannot see past United.
Putting my neck on the line and making such predictions the final score stands at 2-1 to the premiership... Just. All the games have their own story and are equally intriguing. Only time will tell if I am a new-age soothsayer.
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
Monday, 22 December 2008
Can Beckham prove the catalyst that AC Milan so desperately need?
With David Beckham the new AC Milan number 32 officially unveiled to the AC Milan fans on 21st December before the Milan, Udinese fixture. I ask- what effect the veteran England midfielder will have on an ailing Milan side?Arriving with Senor Beckham is a new level of media attention not seen in Milanello for a number of years. His talents are unquestioned and with a glittering career behind him, playing for two of the games giants, he returns to Europe, from the USA to join a third.
Milan at this point are in a somewhat disaffected state, ravaged by injuries to key players, losing ground in the title race, struggling in Europe and a with string of unconvincing performances, there have been calls of crisis. Can Beckham drag this fallen giant from the depths just as he did during his final season with Real Madrid?
It can be argued Milan need a right-sided midfielder, Rino Gatusso had been deployed on the right side of a three man midfield, though he is not an attacking threat. The marauding wing back Zambrotta, provides the threat down the right. Ronaldinho drifts, Kaka is best played in the centre and Seedorf likes to cut in from the left, thus Beckham has a real opportunity to establish himself in the Milan side.
What can he offer Milan? Most people want players playing on the wing to take people on or to coin a phrase ‘beat a man.' Beckham is not this man, but he can deliver a ball into the penalty area like no one else, he doesn't need to beat his man. As a dead ball specialist, I don't think he will get an opportunity especially when arguably the worlds greatest dead-ball expert in Andrea Pirlo an automatic first choice in the same team.
He is apparently only there to keep his fitness up and remain in contention for an England call up, I am of the opinion he still wants to prove he can perform at the highest level, rising to this challenge is something I envisage he will most definitely do. His first experience in the San Siro was a fantastic one as Milan crushed Udinese 5-1 with Beckham and family in the stands. The Brand Beckham effect may be far reaching indeed.
The likelihood of him staying for the remainder of the season may be a point of debate with his loan contract ending on 30th June, but there is a gentlemen's agreement to release Beckham for the start of the MLS season, on March 9. He ‘quashed' this speculation when questioned on the topic, saying, "I'll enjoy myself and all, but I will then return to Los Angeles," said the midfielder. "Victoria has always liked Milan as a city and comes here for the fashion week. We're staying here for three months. That's it."
So his impact will be short, 10 games at most (if he leaves in March) but he could be the catalyst Milan are searching for and his work rate my rub off on a few of his new Milan teammates.
Milan at this point are in a somewhat disaffected state, ravaged by injuries to key players, losing ground in the title race, struggling in Europe and a with string of unconvincing performances, there have been calls of crisis. Can Beckham drag this fallen giant from the depths just as he did during his final season with Real Madrid?
It can be argued Milan need a right-sided midfielder, Rino Gatusso had been deployed on the right side of a three man midfield, though he is not an attacking threat. The marauding wing back Zambrotta, provides the threat down the right. Ronaldinho drifts, Kaka is best played in the centre and Seedorf likes to cut in from the left, thus Beckham has a real opportunity to establish himself in the Milan side.
What can he offer Milan? Most people want players playing on the wing to take people on or to coin a phrase ‘beat a man.' Beckham is not this man, but he can deliver a ball into the penalty area like no one else, he doesn't need to beat his man. As a dead ball specialist, I don't think he will get an opportunity especially when arguably the worlds greatest dead-ball expert in Andrea Pirlo an automatic first choice in the same team.
He is apparently only there to keep his fitness up and remain in contention for an England call up, I am of the opinion he still wants to prove he can perform at the highest level, rising to this challenge is something I envisage he will most definitely do. His first experience in the San Siro was a fantastic one as Milan crushed Udinese 5-1 with Beckham and family in the stands. The Brand Beckham effect may be far reaching indeed.
The likelihood of him staying for the remainder of the season may be a point of debate with his loan contract ending on 30th June, but there is a gentlemen's agreement to release Beckham for the start of the MLS season, on March 9. He ‘quashed' this speculation when questioned on the topic, saying, "I'll enjoy myself and all, but I will then return to Los Angeles," said the midfielder. "Victoria has always liked Milan as a city and comes here for the fashion week. We're staying here for three months. That's it."
So his impact will be short, 10 games at most (if he leaves in March) but he could be the catalyst Milan are searching for and his work rate my rub off on a few of his new Milan teammates.
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