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Monday Football
26 November 2007
by Jerrad Peters

THE Romanian derby errupted in chaos, Saturday, as Bucharest rivals Steaua and Dinamo clashed at Stadionul Ghencea. And while host Steaua claimed all three points by virtue of a narrow 1-0 win, the match was marred by violence before kick-off and various disturbances during the ninety minutes. Within the first quarter-hour of play, supporters from both sides distrupted the proceedings by hurtling missles and projectiles onto the pitch. At one point, the official was forced to escort the players to their dressing rooms for eight minutes while the smoke cleared in the stadium. In the run-up to the match between Romania's most successful clubs, police clashed with gangs of fans after their car windows were smashed near the grounds. The hostilities continued as ticket-holders entered the grounds. Riot police used tear-gass to settle the crowd -- delaying the pre-match warmups. Tensions were particularly high as both clubs continue to struggle in Liga I. After having split the past four league championships between them, Steaua are fifth in the standings and Dinamo a disappointing seventh. Leaders CFJ Cluj have a 12-point lead over Steaua who, in turn, are 2-points ahead of Dinamo. Second-place Urziceni, holders of the final Champions' League qualification seed, remain four points in front of Steaua.

Kaka will win the 2007 Ballon D'or when the award is presented on Sunday, 02 December. For the first time, this year's award will recognize the premiere player in world football. Until now, the prize has been known as the European Footballer of the Year and was awarded anually by France Football magazine to the top player in UEFA's juristiction. As a matter of fact, the winner was required to have European citizenship from 1956 until 1995. The first non-European winner was Ronaldo in 1997. He was followed by fellow Brazilians Rivaldo in 1999 and Ronaldinho in 2005. Ronaldo won it for a second time after Brazil's fifth World Cup title in 2002. The Italian sports publication Corriere della Sera claims that the Ballon D'or committee has already notified Kaka of his victory and instructed the 25-year-old to make the necessary preparations.

Despite an impressive 3-0 win over Newcastle at St. James' Park, Saturday, Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has further alienated himself from the club's ownership tandem. Texas businessman Tom Hicks and Colorado-based co-owner George Gillett issued a verbal warning to Benitez last week, insisting that the Spaniard's January transfer targets will not be discussed until mid-December. Benitez, meanwhile, used the platform of the weekend's good result to speculate that Hicks and Gillett do not understand the European transfer market. His comments are unlikely to be easily digested in the United States. Saturday's win, and Benitez' subsequent comments, brought to an end a rather tumultuous week at Anfield. Aside from Hicks' tirade, Benitez bizarrely touted himself for England manager on Thursday. Additionally, several press outlets had the 47-year-old linked with the head coaching job at Bayern Munich. Whatever the case, Benitez will meet with Hicks and Gillett after Liverpool host Manchester United on 16 December. At that time, the co-owners will address the winter transfer budget. In total, around 45M-pounds was spent on player acquisitions during the summer.

Derby County has sacked manager Billy Davies. With just one win, six points, and a goal-differential of -28 through 14-matches, the club agreed a "mutual split" with the Scot on Monday morning. The final straw was a respectable 2-0 loss at home to Chelsea which extended the Rams' winless skid to eight games. A 1-0 win over Newcastle on 17 September remains the club's lone win of the Premier League season to date; and a loss to Blackpool in August already has them eliminated from the Carling Cup. Chairman Adam Pearson made the following statement on the official Derby website, "I have met with Billy Davies this morning and we have decided mutually, in the interest of both parties, that to go our separate ways is the best decision at this time." Davies, meanwhile, stated his pride at a 17-month association with the club. "I'm very proud of what has been achieved," commented the 43-year-old. "I'm walking through these gates with my head very much held high." He continued, "What's quite ironic, on the morning of me parting ways with Derby, is that I'm going to the East Midland Awards this evening to pick up the Coach-of-the-Year award."

Still on the coaching front, Alex McLeish is the frontrunner to succeed Steve Bruce as manager at Birmingham City. The 48-year-old Scotland boss led the Tartan Army to within touching distance of a berth in EURO 2008, despite being grouped with World Cup finalists Italy and France. Despite that success, McLeish has hinted that a return to club football could very well been in the cards. "I've got a lot of thinking to do, if indeed Birmingham approach the SFA and say that they're interested," said the former Rangers manager. "Who knows, I could be away in two or three weeks or I could be here for the next five years."

Villarreal have agreed to sell Juan Roman Riquelme to Boca Juniors. The 29-year-old Argentinean midfielder had a gradual falling-out with manager Manuel Pellegrini over the course of his four year stay at El Madrigal and was loaned-out to Boca Juniors in January. While in Buenos Aires, Riquelme led his childhood club to the Copa Libertadores and a second-place finish in the Clausura. And, until Brazil derailed Argentina at the Copa America, he was the stand-out player of the summer tournament. In order to complete the deal, Villarreal directors Jose Manuel Llaneza and Miguel Perez will meet their Boca counterparts on Wednesday.