Tuesday Football
18 December2007
by Jerrad Peters
Most compelling viewing
Apologies to Caley fans and Scottish football supporters in general, but Manchester United's 1-0 win away to Liverpool trumps Thistle's 3-2 come-from-behind thriller against Celtic in this category. There are two reasons for my verdict.
One: even with the three points, inconceivable as they were beforehand and incredibly as they came, Inverness remain in the bottom half of the Scottish Premier League table. It was a great result to be sure. But at the end of the day, Sunday's surprise will mean little in the grand scheme of things.
Two – and here's where practicality comes into it: logistics. I'm a North American football correspondent. And while the modern wonders of digital cable, satellite, and specialty channels mean that I can watch matches from Uruguay to Germany at any given time, the contest at Caledonian Stadium was not present among my Sunday viewing options. Not that I would have watched it anyway. Inverness CT vs. Celtic hardly topped the bill.
The same cannot be said for Liverpool vs. Manchester United. Separated by six points near the peak of the ledger, a win for the hosts would have pulled them to within a whisper of their arch-rivals and announced their candidacy as legitimate title contenders. Additionally, both were in superb form as the encounter approached. Liverpool, the previous weekend's dud at Reading notwithstanding, had been on a tear – dispatching Marseille at Stade Veledrome to claim a place in the last-16 of the Champions' League while scoring goals for fun. And United, not to be outdone, came into Sunday on the heels of a 4-1 win over Derby and an impressive 1-1 draw at AS Roma, fielding a largely reserve squad against the likes of Totti, Mancini, and De Rossi.
The 90-minutes which transpired, albeit short on flash and style, lacked nothing in tension and emotion. Liverpool maintained the lions' share of the possession throughout – as the home side should – but were unable to create quality chances in front of Edwin Van Der Sar. The United goalkeeper, for his part, all but gift-wrapped a goal for the opposition on at least two occasions. Anderson, the 19-year-old Brazilian phenom, cleared the second of the towering Dutchman's gaffes from the goal-line in the knick of time.
The ex-Porto midfielder was impressive throughout. Playing alongside the steely Owen Hargreaves in the centre of Sir Alex Ferguson's midfield setup, he was accurate and cultured with his playmaking and seemed not the slightest bit perturbed by the Anfield atmosphere.
Indeed, Anderson's play overshadowed that of both Ronaldo and Ryan Giggs. The United wingers had little to say on the night. Giggs' primary contribution was the corner-kick which resulted in Carlos Tevez' match-winner just before the interval.
Honorable mention to the defensive tandem of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic as well. The two were unbreachable, as Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres can attest. Kuyt, in particular, was a non-factor. The Holland international was mostly prevented from dangerously scampering about the attacking third by United's twin towers. And Harry Kewell, it must be said, was simply awful. That Rafael Benitez selected the Aussie to his starting-XI for a match of such magnitude must be appalling to Liverpool supporters. Kewell is out of contract at season's end; and one can only hope that Benitez will either sell him in January or let him walk on a Bosman free in the summertime.
Notable results
Boca Juniors 2-4 AC Milan
That the first six matches of the FIFA Club World Cup were positively dreadful goes without saying. I have time for almost any football match; but these contests were more a prescription for insomnia than anything else.
Notable results
Boca Juniors 2-4 AC Milan
That the first six matches of the FIFA Club World Cup were positively dreadful goes without saying. I have time for almost any football match; but these contests were more a prescription for insomnia than anything else.
Having said that, the grand finale exceeded every expectation. Kaka was every bit the dominating presence we expect; and Ever Banega only enhanced his status as one of South America's top, young talents. The scoreline somewhat flattered Milan in the end. But it was good viewing. FIFA can breathe a sigh of relief.
Werder Bremen 5-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Since racing to an early lead in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich's fall back to earth has left something of an exciting title race in store for the New Year. Both Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen will have more to say before the end of the season; but Saturday belonged solely to Bremen.
Werder Bremen 5-2 Bayer Leverkusen
Since racing to an early lead in the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich's fall back to earth has left something of an exciting title race in store for the New Year. Both Werder Bremen and Bayer Leverkusen will have more to say before the end of the season; but Saturday belonged solely to Bremen.
But for the bookends, the hosts stole the show. The fans inside the Weserstadion roared their approval for five consecutive Bremen goals and wept in joy at the emotional brace of Ivan Klasnic. It was a terrific advertisement for German football. End-to-end, up-tempo and attack-minded, both sides came into the match with an eye on all three points. Having claimed them, Bremen are level with Bayern atop the table through 17-rounds of the Bundesliga campaign.
Lazio 2-3 Juventus
It's hard to like Juventus. Come to think of it, it's equally difficult to look at Lazio with any considerable amount of respect or appreciation. One's a gang of cheaters; the other's a mob of thugs. But we all have our guilty pleasures. At the moment, one of mine is watching the Bianconeri at every opportunity.
New manager Claudio Ranieri has transformed the once-staid and notoriously dull Old Lady into one of the most entertaining outfits in the Serie-A. This is not Fabio Capello's Juventus. This is a Juve which lives up to its name. Somewhat ironic – given that top-scorers David Trezeguet and Alessandro Del Piero are on the wrong side of thirty.
Saturday's victory over Lazio at Stadio Olimpico leaves Juventus a single point adrift of 2nd-place Roma in the table. Inter Milan may be running away with a second successive Scudetto; but that Juventus are on pace to qualify for the Champions' League just two years after relegation to the Serie-B is reason enough for admiration.
Valencia 0-3 Barcelona
The bottom has fallen out from under Los Che. Just four days after crashing out of Europe and losing striker David Villa to injury, Valencia rolled over and lost 3-0 at home to Barcelona. Granted, the Catalans are hitting their stride; but Valencia's demise has all and sundry scratching heads.
Valencia 0-3 Barcelona
The bottom has fallen out from under Los Che. Just four days after crashing out of Europe and losing striker David Villa to injury, Valencia rolled over and lost 3-0 at home to Barcelona. Granted, the Catalans are hitting their stride; but Valencia's demise has all and sundry scratching heads.
With the loss, the hosts dropped to seventh in La Liga – 6-points adrift of Villarreal, Atletico Madrid, and a Champions' League berth. Most unbelievable, however, has been their form at the Mestalla. Through eight matches, Valencia have claimed just nine of a possible 24-points. They have scored just nine goals at home and have conceded 18.
Key contributors
Patrice Evra
The Manchester United left-back was box-to-box on Sunday. In defense, he completely smothered Yossi Benayoun. That both the Israel captain and Harry Kewell were suffocated on the flanks had as much to do with Liverpool's inability to create scoring opportunities as anything else. Moving forward, Evra's battles with Emmanuel Arbeloa were epic. The 26-year-old Frenchman has already eclipsed the departed Gabriel Heinze's influence at the position.
Clarence Seedorf
Kaka's name may have appeared on the scoresheet, but the Dutchman, as he so often is, was AC Milan's engine-room against Boca Juniors. He floated from the centre of the park to the right and left – his pace and mobility rather deceiving for a 31-year-old. In all honesty, I'm always surprised whenever I remember Seedorf's age. And I mean that as a compliment. It seems as though the Suriname-born midfielder has been around, menacing opponents, forever. Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka took much of the credit for Milan's triumph in the Champions' League last season, as they did in Japan on Sunday. But in my mind, Seedorf's contributions in both competitions were as invaluable as any.
Alessandro Del Piero
Two years Seedorf's senior, the talismanic Juventus forward scored twice against Lazio at the weekend. Manager Claudio Ranieri awarded the Bianconeri skipper a rare start; and he was rewarded. A return to Serie-A and Ranieri's positive tactics seem to have regenerated Del Piero. Like Seedorf and Real Madrid's Raul, the 33-year-old is too often shoved toward the scrap heap. All three are very much among the foremost talents in Europe, regardless of age. That manager after manager endeavors to pass them by, year after year, is merely a testament to the longevity of their abilities and contributions.
Samuel Eto'o
The best striker in the world is back at it. The 26-year-old Cameroon international scored twice in the opening half-hour at Valencia on Saturday. If there remained any doubts as to his aptitude in front of goal, they were quickly put to rest. Eto'o's return to form could not have come at a better time for Barcelona. The Catalans are just four points off the pace in La Liga and will surely be calling on the Madrid and Mallorca cast-off in the Champions' League as well.
Man of the weekend
Ivan Klasnic
The fascinating journey of Ivan Klasnic continued, Saturday, as the Werder Bremen striker effectively overcame his latest obstacle. Nearly a full year after suffering kidney failure, the Croatia international returned to the Bundesliga scoring charts – scoring twice for his club en route to a convincing 5-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The result vaulted Bremen to a share of the league lead and Klasnic to the fore of the home fans’ respect and adulation. Upon notching Bremen’s first goal on the half-hour, the 27-year-old fell to his knees in emotion. Thousands of observers in the Weserstadion and throughout the world knelt with him. It was a passionate moment. A fitting return for a world-class goalscorer who, just months before, had been told that he would never play football again.
Key contributors
Patrice Evra
The Manchester United left-back was box-to-box on Sunday. In defense, he completely smothered Yossi Benayoun. That both the Israel captain and Harry Kewell were suffocated on the flanks had as much to do with Liverpool's inability to create scoring opportunities as anything else. Moving forward, Evra's battles with Emmanuel Arbeloa were epic. The 26-year-old Frenchman has already eclipsed the departed Gabriel Heinze's influence at the position.
Clarence Seedorf
Kaka's name may have appeared on the scoresheet, but the Dutchman, as he so often is, was AC Milan's engine-room against Boca Juniors. He floated from the centre of the park to the right and left – his pace and mobility rather deceiving for a 31-year-old. In all honesty, I'm always surprised whenever I remember Seedorf's age. And I mean that as a compliment. It seems as though the Suriname-born midfielder has been around, menacing opponents, forever. Filippo Inzaghi and Kaka took much of the credit for Milan's triumph in the Champions' League last season, as they did in Japan on Sunday. But in my mind, Seedorf's contributions in both competitions were as invaluable as any.
Alessandro Del Piero
Two years Seedorf's senior, the talismanic Juventus forward scored twice against Lazio at the weekend. Manager Claudio Ranieri awarded the Bianconeri skipper a rare start; and he was rewarded. A return to Serie-A and Ranieri's positive tactics seem to have regenerated Del Piero. Like Seedorf and Real Madrid's Raul, the 33-year-old is too often shoved toward the scrap heap. All three are very much among the foremost talents in Europe, regardless of age. That manager after manager endeavors to pass them by, year after year, is merely a testament to the longevity of their abilities and contributions.
Samuel Eto'o
The best striker in the world is back at it. The 26-year-old Cameroon international scored twice in the opening half-hour at Valencia on Saturday. If there remained any doubts as to his aptitude in front of goal, they were quickly put to rest. Eto'o's return to form could not have come at a better time for Barcelona. The Catalans are just four points off the pace in La Liga and will surely be calling on the Madrid and Mallorca cast-off in the Champions' League as well.
Man of the weekend
Ivan Klasnic
The fascinating journey of Ivan Klasnic continued, Saturday, as the Werder Bremen striker effectively overcame his latest obstacle. Nearly a full year after suffering kidney failure, the Croatia international returned to the Bundesliga scoring charts – scoring twice for his club en route to a convincing 5-2 win over Bayer Leverkusen. The result vaulted Bremen to a share of the league lead and Klasnic to the fore of the home fans’ respect and adulation. Upon notching Bremen’s first goal on the half-hour, the 27-year-old fell to his knees in emotion. Thousands of observers in the Weserstadion and throughout the world knelt with him. It was a passionate moment. A fitting return for a world-class goalscorer who, just months before, had been told that he would never play football again.
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