Like him or loathe him you have to give Jose Mourinho and his Internazionale player’s maximum credit for upsetting the odds and humbling the mighty Barcelona last night.
The fact that this was Pep Guardiola’s heaviest defeat since being at the helm of the Catalan club is a testament to the strength of Inter’s performance, and does justice to the superiority they evoked over their Spanish counterparts, especially as the margin of victory was attained after going a goal down.
Throughout the match the Nerazzurri midfield muscle stifled Barca’s pretty patterns, suffocating the supply line to Leo Messi. The side that obliterated Arsenal were never likely to be given the freedom the Gunners granted them, but what was only part of the story. Three goals were scored, in truth, more could have been added as Mourinho’s men executed a perfect game plan, breaking-up then breaking, seizing upon the wilderness behind Barca’s backline to frequently raid and trouble Victor Valdes’s goal. The reigning European champions may have been drained of playing resource and energy after a gruelling cross-continent coach dash, but they were second best here. Their freedom to move more restricted by Mourinho’s tactics, than any Icelandic volcano.
However, as the tectonic plate of Inter collided and submerged that of Barcelona, eulogies towards the Special One have erupted more than Eyjafjallajokull itself. As per, the hyperbole reaches overdrive whenever Mourinho is concerned. Ignoring his sides stumblings in Serie A, the Portuguese coach is once again being lauded as the finest tactical mind of the generation, his part in potentially dethroning the Catalan giants has been referenced to lunar travel in the Italian media, whilst back in blighty, all of his previous failings have been ignored as the patron saint of tactical geniuses prepares for another shot at European glory. So, let us put this into perspective.
It’s difficult to take gloss off his 2004 Champions League win with Porto, but lest we forget if it wasn’t for the stray flag of a linesman and the Teflon coated gloves of Tim Howard, things may have been different. Mourinho’s slide down the Old Trafford touchline would have been a slump towards the dressing room. Porto then went on to beat Lyon, Deportivo la Coruna and Monaco on their way to lifting the pot, with the heavy hitters of Juventus, Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea all imploding en route. You can only beat what is put in front of you, and it wasn’t Mourinho’s fault the more established sides succumbed, but this wasn’t exactly the tactical masterplan it is so often perceived.
Changing scene, and on the back of this success, Mr Abramovich came calling and equipped Mourinho with the most powerful side around, splashing out over £100m to bolster a side who had just finished second in the Premier League and gotten to the Champions league semi’s under the much maligned Claudio Ranieri. The 2004/05 season was an unprecedented success for the West Londoners, Mourinho guiding them to their first league title in fifty years - doing so with a record points haul – and adding a league cup and another European semi as well.
Again, what we tend to ignore is the strength of the league back then, just six years ago. Arsenal had gone the previous term unbeaten but had essentially peaked, Manchester United were the weakest they’d been for years, at the infancy of another Ferguson creation, and alongside the raw Rooney and Ronaldo, their squad contained the likes of Kleberson, Alan Smith, Liam Miller, Eric Djemba-Djemba and Quinton Fortune. Beyond the front-runners the quality was debateable, Liverpool finished fifth, similar to United, hindered by an ordinary roster and the likes of Tottenham, Aston Villa and Manchester City – all strengthen of late – were not on the scene. Mourinho could not have timed his arrival any better, yet, the most elusive prize eluded him. Luis Garcia’s ghost goal knocking the Blues out on a ground where they would also fall short on penalties two seasons later. Unfortunate? No. In almost four hours of football over two legs at Anfield, one goal would have probably put Chelsea through to a final, yet for all the misfortune Chelsea had no inspiration to hit the back of the net just once. Add to that the notion of Robert Huth lumbering around up-front at the Camp Nou the year before as Chelsea were well outclassed by Barcelona, and over three campaigns and three exits, there were three very un-special exits. In seven away games in the Champions League latter stages, Mourinho mustered victory in just one – away to Valencia.
Soon to be off and away to Italy, and a familiar remit was put to Mourinho. The European Cup, Inter had been without one since 1965. Arriving in the aftermath of the Calciopoli scandal which decimated their main rivals, the Nerazzurri had already claimed three successive Scudetto, so when another was added and Inter rolled over meekly to Manchester United, few were impressed. This was his season to deliver and in fairness, in putting out Chelsea and being in such a strong position to do the same to Barcelona, Mourinho has given a typically two-fingered salute to his detractors, this writer being one such. But does he really deserve the accolades and adulation he has been garnished with on the back of these two wins? His domestic triumphs at Porto, Chelsea and Inter have been at clubs where he has been afforded the best playing stock at fortunate times, yet his record in Europe has been more miss than hit for a Coach of such perceived brilliance.
Good, yes. Special?
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Racy Roma outrunning Inter
Last weekend was the Grand National in Britain, and to steal a racing metaphor to link the famous horse race to the Serie A title battle, Inter are in serious danger of doing a Devon Loch. Well clear of the chasing pack at one point during the 1956 national, the Queen Mother’s horse inexplicably collapsed down the home straight letting in another mount to pass and steal the glory. From that day on, the moniker of the stricken equine has been used to summarise self inflicted failure so close to the winning post.
The Nerazzurri have rarely been at full throttle throughout the whole of this campaign, but thanks to a ruthless efficiency to grind out results, combined with the inability of their competitors to do likewise, the Scudetto for large parts appeared a one horse race. After falling out of the traps, Milan and Roma stabilised themselves to catch up, Mourinho’s men occasionally easing up for air, but as the chase continued, these lapses became more frequent, panicky, and as the Giallorossi galloped up alongside, last week’s fall at Fiorentina could well prove terminal for il Biscione.
That of course would be doing an enormous disservice to Roma, and Claudio Ranieri in particular who has lifted the team from its haunches to deliver a brilliantly timed ride that even Tony McCoy would have been proud of. A fifth win on the spin against Atalanta last week saw il Lupi get their noses in front for the first time, and with the finishing line in sight, momentum is with the Romans. For large parts Jose Mourinho’s side held a seemingly unassailable lead over the chasing pack, yet Inter’s weak haul of just 14 points from their last possible 30 – Roma have collected ten more points over that time - means a fifth successive crown is slipping from their clutches. It is also easy to forget that when the Tinkerman arrived at the Olimpico, they had lost their opening two matches, therefore, after overtaking Mourinho; Ranieri has effectively overseen a five point shift over the Special One, in just 31 outings. With only five games left, round 34 represents the most dangerous hurdle for both clubs to fall short. Two games, two derbies, two sides intent on the same prize, this is a pivotal weekend for the destination of the Serie A title.
First up, the Derby d’Italia with Juventus travelling to the San Siro. Hardly wishing success on their bitterest rivals at the best of times, the Bianconeri come into the fixture amidst the ongoing Calciopoli trial in Naples, where Luciano Moggi and co are frantically trying to implicate a host of other clubs – namely Inter – into the mire, suggesting that the Nerazzurri were in fact as guilty in the whole affair as those previously charged. Such allegations could have massive ramifications for la Benemeata, who could not only see their 2005/06 Scudetto stripped away, but more substantially, could have huge retrospective punishments handed down which would vastly undermine the domestic dynasty they have garnered since the original Calciopoli scandal. Juventus would love nothing more than to savagely wound the side that have assumed their superiority, on Friday night, and over the coming weeks, their on and off-field actions could bring Inter to its knees.
It takes something to put the Derby della Capitale into the shade, but that is not to say that the meeting of the Eternal City’s two clubs will be a mundane affair.
After enduring a horrible season, Lazio are almost safe from the drop, one more win should do it, and the incentive is there for them to achieve that and wreck Roma’s title dreams in the process. Both clubs are enjoying strong form coming into the fixture, with Roma on this long unbeaten 23 game run which has seen them catch and pass Inter, whilst Lazio have been rejuvenated by Edy Reja – unbeaten in the last five to all but end any lingering relegation doubts. The unofficial motto of il Lupi’s unlikely burst up the table has been, “It’ll never happen, but if it happens...” another win at the Olimpico on Sunday, and it might just happen.
How different may the top of the table look after two very different, but equally dramatic derbies?
The Nerazzurri have rarely been at full throttle throughout the whole of this campaign, but thanks to a ruthless efficiency to grind out results, combined with the inability of their competitors to do likewise, the Scudetto for large parts appeared a one horse race. After falling out of the traps, Milan and Roma stabilised themselves to catch up, Mourinho’s men occasionally easing up for air, but as the chase continued, these lapses became more frequent, panicky, and as the Giallorossi galloped up alongside, last week’s fall at Fiorentina could well prove terminal for il Biscione.
That of course would be doing an enormous disservice to Roma, and Claudio Ranieri in particular who has lifted the team from its haunches to deliver a brilliantly timed ride that even Tony McCoy would have been proud of. A fifth win on the spin against Atalanta last week saw il Lupi get their noses in front for the first time, and with the finishing line in sight, momentum is with the Romans. For large parts Jose Mourinho’s side held a seemingly unassailable lead over the chasing pack, yet Inter’s weak haul of just 14 points from their last possible 30 – Roma have collected ten more points over that time - means a fifth successive crown is slipping from their clutches. It is also easy to forget that when the Tinkerman arrived at the Olimpico, they had lost their opening two matches, therefore, after overtaking Mourinho; Ranieri has effectively overseen a five point shift over the Special One, in just 31 outings. With only five games left, round 34 represents the most dangerous hurdle for both clubs to fall short. Two games, two derbies, two sides intent on the same prize, this is a pivotal weekend for the destination of the Serie A title.
First up, the Derby d’Italia with Juventus travelling to the San Siro. Hardly wishing success on their bitterest rivals at the best of times, the Bianconeri come into the fixture amidst the ongoing Calciopoli trial in Naples, where Luciano Moggi and co are frantically trying to implicate a host of other clubs – namely Inter – into the mire, suggesting that the Nerazzurri were in fact as guilty in the whole affair as those previously charged. Such allegations could have massive ramifications for la Benemeata, who could not only see their 2005/06 Scudetto stripped away, but more substantially, could have huge retrospective punishments handed down which would vastly undermine the domestic dynasty they have garnered since the original Calciopoli scandal. Juventus would love nothing more than to savagely wound the side that have assumed their superiority, on Friday night, and over the coming weeks, their on and off-field actions could bring Inter to its knees.
It takes something to put the Derby della Capitale into the shade, but that is not to say that the meeting of the Eternal City’s two clubs will be a mundane affair.
After enduring a horrible season, Lazio are almost safe from the drop, one more win should do it, and the incentive is there for them to achieve that and wreck Roma’s title dreams in the process. Both clubs are enjoying strong form coming into the fixture, with Roma on this long unbeaten 23 game run which has seen them catch and pass Inter, whilst Lazio have been rejuvenated by Edy Reja – unbeaten in the last five to all but end any lingering relegation doubts. The unofficial motto of il Lupi’s unlikely burst up the table has been, “It’ll never happen, but if it happens...” another win at the Olimpico on Sunday, and it might just happen.
How different may the top of the table look after two very different, but equally dramatic derbies?
The curse of Dynamo Moscow
One of Russian footballs most recognisable names is that of Dynamo Moscow, the country’s oldest football club.
The side was initially set up in 1897 as OKS Moscow for Muscovite factory workers but following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 were renamed Dynamo and placed under the authority of the Interior Ministry and the Soviet secret police force.
In the immediate years before and after the Second World War, Dynamo were the Soviet’s outstanding team, winning the first two Soviet Championships in 1936 and 1937 and earning scores more throughout the forties and fifties. The quality of that side was exploited as a propaganda tool of Soviet revival following the war, and they were dispatched on a trip to Britain in 1945 to play Glasgow Rangers, Cardiff City, Chelsea and Arsenal. With the Cold War just getting warm, the tour was internationally scrutinised and attracted a combined attendance of over a quarter of a million spectators. Dynamo returned home unbeaten, to a hero’s reception.
Since those halcyon days the ‘Policemen’ have enjoyed far fewer successes, the 1976 title was their eleventh and last, and although they have never been relegated from the top flight, the club have endured decades of bad form and worse luck, regularly spectacularly underachieving against high expectation. The prolonged absence of a title only fuels this desperation to end that drought, that desperation invariably turning to humiliation, and amongst the Russian footballing fraternity, the cub are a parodied figure, a source of amusement and mockery.
In an attempt to end the post-perestroika dominance of city rivals CSKA and Spartak, Dynamo were bought in 2005 by billionaire oligarch Alexei Fedorychev, who promptly pumped in over £100m to elevate Dynamo to the top of the domestic game. The side were repeatedly referred to as the ‘Russian Chelsea’ as Fedorychev’s generous funding lured a host of top players to the capital. In 2005 no fewer than nine Portuguese players arrived in Moscow, including Costinha, Maniche and Derlei – fresh from winning the Champions League with Porto. A Brazilian coach, Ivo Wortman, was also hired to break the language barrier, but unsurprisingly this masterplan backfired, the team finished eighth and the Portuguese contingent jumped ship. The season later, Russian internationals Alexei Smertin and Sergei Ovchinnikov were purchased along with former national coach Yuri Syomin, but things got worse as they crawled home a couple of spots above relegation. Syomin was sacked and departed the club with an ominous warning, “an evil fate hangs over this club.”
Far from being a bitter parting shot, it is a widespread belief in this superstitious land that the club are actually cursed, and their poor fortunes are a repayment from the dark side for past sins, or more accurately, those of the clubs former overlord, Laverenty Beria – head of the notorious Cheka, forerunner to the KGB. During Dynamo’s glory days, Beria regularly abused his power to rig games, ordering players and referees to succumb to Dynamo, even imprisoning those audacious enough not to obey his commands. Beria was known to have a penchant for rape and murder, local legend has it that Dynamo’s executive boxes were used as torture chambers and that many anti-soviet dissidents were killed at the Dynamo Stadium. When Beria’s former home in Moscow was being renovated recently, body parts were found under the floors, in walls, chambers and gardens. Following Joseph Stalin’s death, Beria launched a campaign to become head of the state but was defeated by Nikita Khrushchev, who then executed him for a host of misdemeanours.
Cynical observers may suggest that Dynamo’s failings have more to do with serial mismanagement and a haphazard transfer approach than a spiritual comeuppance for the actions of Beria, but nonetheless, once again this term the team are already way off the title pacesetters, languishing in fourteenth. Indeed, all had started promisingly. For once, the club took an astute recruitment policy, raiding the now defunct FC Moscow to sign four of their best players and added ex-Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin and national midfielder Igor Semshov to their ranks. An opening day win at Spartak and a credible draw away at CSKA in the first two matches once again harboured hope this could be ‘their year’, but things have gone familiarly awry since, picking up just one point in the last three rounds – that, a bore draw last week at home to Siberian outfit Tom Tomsk.
Surprise package Spartak Nalchik still head the table after earning a point at Champions Rubin, whilst CSKA and Zenit are climbing ominously up the table, sitting in second and third respectively, having played a game less than everyone else when their cash was called off in the wake of the Moscow bombings. Crisis club Krylya Sovetov - playing despite huge unpaid debts which have decimated their squad – recorded their first win over Saturn, who are yet to pick up three points. Stranded at the bottom of the pile are Sibir Novosibirsk who were hammered once again, this time by Anzhi Makhachkala. This weekend’s key fixture is yet another Moscow derby, CSKA versus Lokomotiv.
The side was initially set up in 1897 as OKS Moscow for Muscovite factory workers but following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 were renamed Dynamo and placed under the authority of the Interior Ministry and the Soviet secret police force.
In the immediate years before and after the Second World War, Dynamo were the Soviet’s outstanding team, winning the first two Soviet Championships in 1936 and 1937 and earning scores more throughout the forties and fifties. The quality of that side was exploited as a propaganda tool of Soviet revival following the war, and they were dispatched on a trip to Britain in 1945 to play Glasgow Rangers, Cardiff City, Chelsea and Arsenal. With the Cold War just getting warm, the tour was internationally scrutinised and attracted a combined attendance of over a quarter of a million spectators. Dynamo returned home unbeaten, to a hero’s reception.
Since those halcyon days the ‘Policemen’ have enjoyed far fewer successes, the 1976 title was their eleventh and last, and although they have never been relegated from the top flight, the club have endured decades of bad form and worse luck, regularly spectacularly underachieving against high expectation. The prolonged absence of a title only fuels this desperation to end that drought, that desperation invariably turning to humiliation, and amongst the Russian footballing fraternity, the cub are a parodied figure, a source of amusement and mockery.
In an attempt to end the post-perestroika dominance of city rivals CSKA and Spartak, Dynamo were bought in 2005 by billionaire oligarch Alexei Fedorychev, who promptly pumped in over £100m to elevate Dynamo to the top of the domestic game. The side were repeatedly referred to as the ‘Russian Chelsea’ as Fedorychev’s generous funding lured a host of top players to the capital. In 2005 no fewer than nine Portuguese players arrived in Moscow, including Costinha, Maniche and Derlei – fresh from winning the Champions League with Porto. A Brazilian coach, Ivo Wortman, was also hired to break the language barrier, but unsurprisingly this masterplan backfired, the team finished eighth and the Portuguese contingent jumped ship. The season later, Russian internationals Alexei Smertin and Sergei Ovchinnikov were purchased along with former national coach Yuri Syomin, but things got worse as they crawled home a couple of spots above relegation. Syomin was sacked and departed the club with an ominous warning, “an evil fate hangs over this club.”
Far from being a bitter parting shot, it is a widespread belief in this superstitious land that the club are actually cursed, and their poor fortunes are a repayment from the dark side for past sins, or more accurately, those of the clubs former overlord, Laverenty Beria – head of the notorious Cheka, forerunner to the KGB. During Dynamo’s glory days, Beria regularly abused his power to rig games, ordering players and referees to succumb to Dynamo, even imprisoning those audacious enough not to obey his commands. Beria was known to have a penchant for rape and murder, local legend has it that Dynamo’s executive boxes were used as torture chambers and that many anti-soviet dissidents were killed at the Dynamo Stadium. When Beria’s former home in Moscow was being renovated recently, body parts were found under the floors, in walls, chambers and gardens. Following Joseph Stalin’s death, Beria launched a campaign to become head of the state but was defeated by Nikita Khrushchev, who then executed him for a host of misdemeanours.
Cynical observers may suggest that Dynamo’s failings have more to do with serial mismanagement and a haphazard transfer approach than a spiritual comeuppance for the actions of Beria, but nonetheless, once again this term the team are already way off the title pacesetters, languishing in fourteenth. Indeed, all had started promisingly. For once, the club took an astute recruitment policy, raiding the now defunct FC Moscow to sign four of their best players and added ex-Liverpool striker Andriy Voronin and national midfielder Igor Semshov to their ranks. An opening day win at Spartak and a credible draw away at CSKA in the first two matches once again harboured hope this could be ‘their year’, but things have gone familiarly awry since, picking up just one point in the last three rounds – that, a bore draw last week at home to Siberian outfit Tom Tomsk.
Surprise package Spartak Nalchik still head the table after earning a point at Champions Rubin, whilst CSKA and Zenit are climbing ominously up the table, sitting in second and third respectively, having played a game less than everyone else when their cash was called off in the wake of the Moscow bombings. Crisis club Krylya Sovetov - playing despite huge unpaid debts which have decimated their squad – recorded their first win over Saturn, who are yet to pick up three points. Stranded at the bottom of the pile are Sibir Novosibirsk who were hammered once again, this time by Anzhi Makhachkala. This weekend’s key fixture is yet another Moscow derby, CSKA versus Lokomotiv.
Saturday, 10 April 2010
Calciopoli; the end or the beginning?
It has been over four years since the calciopoli scandal rocked worked football, yet the allegations and implications show no signs of abeiting. The on-going tribunal in Naples has this week thrown up yet more new claims of foul-play, with the overall picture becoming murkier as more evidence comes to light.
Former Juventus Director Luciano Moggi – one of the most implicated figures in the scandal – has been back up in front of the commission this week, with his legal team trying furtively to lift the lid on a host of other suspected wrongdoers. The headline was apparent phone conversations between Inter President Massimo Moratti and the then referee’s designator Paolo Bergamo. Former Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti, Cagliari President Massimo Cellino, Reggina President Pasquale Foti and Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani have also been name dropped, with Moggi’s motif being, ‘either everyone is innocent, or everyone is guilty.’
It is a stance Juventus are obliged to standby, after all it was they who were most immediately and subsequently affected by the affair, after having two Scudetti stripped away and being relegated to Serie B, with this seasons travails in part being attributed to the consequences of calciopoli. In theory, the nature of the offences mean you are either innocent or guilty, there are no half measures. The prevalence of these accusations will invariably lead to stronger suggestions, led by the Bianconeri, of retrospective sanctions to be imposed on other clubs to be punished for their misdermeanours. A statement released on Wednesday from the Turin giants hierarchy read; “With the utmost respect for the legal proceedings currently in progress, Juventus will carefully evaluate with its lawyers the relevance of new evidence. We wish to guarantee, both in the sporting and non-sporting jurisdictions, the most accurate protection of its history and its fans. Juventus trust that the institutions and justice system will know how to ensure equal treatment for all, which is what the club and its defence lawyers asked for during the trial of 2006.”
The call for equality from Juventus is a double edged sword. Moggi and another Director, Antonio Giraudo, were said to have an ‘exclusive’ relationship with the refereeing designators, hence the severity of their sentence, yet if more clubs are proven to have been able to contact the designators, it renders Juve’s relationship very unexclusive, and not only will their punishments be questioned, arguements will be voiced for similarly harsh penalties for any clubs that are found to break the rules.
The latest revelations will also draw scrutiny to the original calciopoli trial, and the grounds on which clubs were found guilty. The complexities of proving bribery and match-rigging meant a lot of the rumoured offences to doctor results were thrown out during the trial. The 2006 case never managed to prove such accusations and actually took measures in the summing up to declare that no matches were fixed or even attempted to be fixed. The perpetrators were effectively convicted on the grounds of breaking Article 1 of the sporting code of Italy, unsportsmanlike conduct, by maintaining exclusive relationships with refereeing officials in order to create an unfair and advantageous position, an offence punishable by duty of a fine according to the Italian Football Federations (FIGC) disciplinary guidelines. Due to the intensity of public pressure at the time, that punative punishment was accelerated to include the withdrawl of titles, points docking and relegation, and as Moggi raised during this week’s proceedings, “why hasn't the same thing happened to Moratti who also spoke to the designator?"
In the aftermath of Calciopoli, a new rule was introduced by the FIGC which effectively made contacting a referee’s designator and indictable offence akin to attempting to match fix. In regards, details of the new batch of phone conversations throw up some interesting incriminations. Moratti can be heard trying to arrange a meeting with Bergamo, and the pair also decide the official for an Inter Coppa Italia tie, elements under the new ruling which could see the Nerazzurri found guilty of match fixing. It is now expected that Moratti will be hauled up in front of the commission to give an explanation of events. As the trial continues, the authorities will also transcribe and investigate almost 200,000 recorded phone calls. The 2006 Calciopoli looks increasingly like the tip of a large iceberg.
After seeing a certain Mr L. Messi destroy Arsenal for Barcelona in midweek, all attention for the upcoming Champions League semi-final encounter with Inter has been focussed on fathoming out how to stop the Argentinian genius, however, according to Genoa President Enrico Preziosi, he had the opportunity to sign the world’s best player for little Como – but decided not to.
Preziosi told SkySports, “When I was Como's President, we had Messi over for a trial. He was 15 and we rejected him. As often happens, sometimes you make mistakes. But there isn't any regret.” Regret is possibly not a view shared by Como’s fans who suffered three successive relegations from when they were last in serie A in 2002/03, were at one point declared bankrupt, and now ply their trade in the third rung of Italian football. Your loss Lionel...
Former Juventus Director Luciano Moggi – one of the most implicated figures in the scandal – has been back up in front of the commission this week, with his legal team trying furtively to lift the lid on a host of other suspected wrongdoers. The headline was apparent phone conversations between Inter President Massimo Moratti and the then referee’s designator Paolo Bergamo. Former Roma Coach Luciano Spalletti, Cagliari President Massimo Cellino, Reggina President Pasquale Foti and Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani have also been name dropped, with Moggi’s motif being, ‘either everyone is innocent, or everyone is guilty.’
It is a stance Juventus are obliged to standby, after all it was they who were most immediately and subsequently affected by the affair, after having two Scudetti stripped away and being relegated to Serie B, with this seasons travails in part being attributed to the consequences of calciopoli. In theory, the nature of the offences mean you are either innocent or guilty, there are no half measures. The prevalence of these accusations will invariably lead to stronger suggestions, led by the Bianconeri, of retrospective sanctions to be imposed on other clubs to be punished for their misdermeanours. A statement released on Wednesday from the Turin giants hierarchy read; “With the utmost respect for the legal proceedings currently in progress, Juventus will carefully evaluate with its lawyers the relevance of new evidence. We wish to guarantee, both in the sporting and non-sporting jurisdictions, the most accurate protection of its history and its fans. Juventus trust that the institutions and justice system will know how to ensure equal treatment for all, which is what the club and its defence lawyers asked for during the trial of 2006.”
The call for equality from Juventus is a double edged sword. Moggi and another Director, Antonio Giraudo, were said to have an ‘exclusive’ relationship with the refereeing designators, hence the severity of their sentence, yet if more clubs are proven to have been able to contact the designators, it renders Juve’s relationship very unexclusive, and not only will their punishments be questioned, arguements will be voiced for similarly harsh penalties for any clubs that are found to break the rules.
The latest revelations will also draw scrutiny to the original calciopoli trial, and the grounds on which clubs were found guilty. The complexities of proving bribery and match-rigging meant a lot of the rumoured offences to doctor results were thrown out during the trial. The 2006 case never managed to prove such accusations and actually took measures in the summing up to declare that no matches were fixed or even attempted to be fixed. The perpetrators were effectively convicted on the grounds of breaking Article 1 of the sporting code of Italy, unsportsmanlike conduct, by maintaining exclusive relationships with refereeing officials in order to create an unfair and advantageous position, an offence punishable by duty of a fine according to the Italian Football Federations (FIGC) disciplinary guidelines. Due to the intensity of public pressure at the time, that punative punishment was accelerated to include the withdrawl of titles, points docking and relegation, and as Moggi raised during this week’s proceedings, “why hasn't the same thing happened to Moratti who also spoke to the designator?"
In the aftermath of Calciopoli, a new rule was introduced by the FIGC which effectively made contacting a referee’s designator and indictable offence akin to attempting to match fix. In regards, details of the new batch of phone conversations throw up some interesting incriminations. Moratti can be heard trying to arrange a meeting with Bergamo, and the pair also decide the official for an Inter Coppa Italia tie, elements under the new ruling which could see the Nerazzurri found guilty of match fixing. It is now expected that Moratti will be hauled up in front of the commission to give an explanation of events. As the trial continues, the authorities will also transcribe and investigate almost 200,000 recorded phone calls. The 2006 Calciopoli looks increasingly like the tip of a large iceberg.
After seeing a certain Mr L. Messi destroy Arsenal for Barcelona in midweek, all attention for the upcoming Champions League semi-final encounter with Inter has been focussed on fathoming out how to stop the Argentinian genius, however, according to Genoa President Enrico Preziosi, he had the opportunity to sign the world’s best player for little Como – but decided not to.
Preziosi told SkySports, “When I was Como's President, we had Messi over for a trial. He was 15 and we rejected him. As often happens, sometimes you make mistakes. But there isn't any regret.” Regret is possibly not a view shared by Como’s fans who suffered three successive relegations from when they were last in serie A in 2002/03, were at one point declared bankrupt, and now ply their trade in the third rung of Italian football. Your loss Lionel...
CSKA cannot mask Russia's shortfalls
CSKA’s timid exit from the Champions League at the hands of Inter pretty much summed up the position Russian football finds itself in at the moment. Despite all of the roubles and the aspirations of the oligarch’s, there is a big gulf in class between the Russians and the best of the rest, a divide that will be hard to bridge.
One goal victories in either leg saw Inter ease past the Muscovites with the minimum of fuss. Whilst there was no disgrace in coming away from the San Siro a goal down, it was back in the potential lair of the Luzhniki where the Army Men fell short of steam, ideas and class to ruffle the feathers of one of the continents top dogs.
Wesley Sneijder’s early strike was not what the doctor ordered for CSKA, but even still, all was not lost. A brief riposte followed with the Army Men mustering a bit of verve to unsettle the Italian champions, but Leonid Slutsky’s side were largely restricted to hopeful long range shy’s. The efforts waned as quickly as they were rebuffed, and long before the protracted finish of this tie, it was apparent the Russians did not possess the necessary bite to sting Jose Mourinho’s men. True, the Nerazzurri are an articulate and well drilled outfit who shut out Chelsea, but the overriding feeling was that CSKA were slinging mud at the castle walls.
In reality CSKA did well to get this far, advancing from a tricky group and humbling a decent Sevilla side, but that sums up the limitations of Russian sides and their domestic league. In order to be the best, you need the best. Just look at the impact Sneijder has had for Inter since his move from Real Madrid. Last term Inter looked very mundane in getting knocked-out against Manchester United, yet that small introduction of an elite player has been crucial in getting them further in this competition than they have for seven years.
However, unfortunately for CSKA and the rest of Russia’s illuminati, the prospect of the cream of world footballers playing talent going east is at the moment, just a dream. Whilst the capital may be available to support moves financially, the reality is that the Russian game lags way behind the major institutions of European football. For example, the money is effectively the final part of the jigsaw, the fundamentals such as the infrastructure of clubs, the training facilities, the attendances, the stadia, the global audience, the strength of the league all fall short of England, Spain, Italy and Germany. These are elements to which there is no quick fix, no price that can be put on these commodities, they are bred and ingrained, and currently, this huge, unorthodox and mysterious country is just a decade into what other countries have been developing throughout their culture for over a century. Again, this is yet another link to Russia’s geo-political ties with the sport, ones which will only grow stronger with the influence of capitalism, but ones which are very much in their infancy.
Also in its early stages is the league campaign and the current table toppers are a side who, frankly, few people will have heard of. Based in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains are Spartak Nalchik, a regional side whose first venture into Russia’s top flight only came four years ago. Before then Nalchik were doing nothing in particular and have since recorded four unspectacular mid-table finishes. This season they’ve flown out of the blocks, unbeaten and winning three of their first four, the latest, a 5-2 rout of FK Rostov. A look at Nalchik’s squad will draw more blank glances but they appear to have done what many of the other side’s so infrequently do, by combining organisation and application to maximum effect. Seeing their game versus Rostov last weekend will highlight the deficiencies of what most of the Premier League’s sides fail to do, defend. As well as Nalchik played, Rostov were guilty of some kamikaze defending, a contagious fete instilled in Russian football, so much so that its current best team, Rubin, are there on the basis of being by far the best defensively.
‘The Ruby’ have registered four consecutive clean sheets, scoring only three times and drawing their last two 0-0. Their football is akin to watching dust settle, but it makes for a highly effective strategy, and achieves more results than the schoolboy stuff favoured elsewhere, such as the Moscow derby (yes, another) between Lokomotiv and Dinamo – a duo with vague aspirations of a title tilt. Loko won by the odd goal in five, but once again the fixture was punctuated by the type of defensive play rarely associated with champions. A stronger show of unity in this game though, was the minutes remembrance for the victims of the Moscow metro bombing the week before, as the ground fell silent, the poignant and emotive sound of Barbers Adagio for Strings rang hauntingly around the Lokomotiv Stadium. In that moment, the game, the money, the result and the sport, all paled into insignificance when compared to the cost of human life.
R.I.P.
One goal victories in either leg saw Inter ease past the Muscovites with the minimum of fuss. Whilst there was no disgrace in coming away from the San Siro a goal down, it was back in the potential lair of the Luzhniki where the Army Men fell short of steam, ideas and class to ruffle the feathers of one of the continents top dogs.
Wesley Sneijder’s early strike was not what the doctor ordered for CSKA, but even still, all was not lost. A brief riposte followed with the Army Men mustering a bit of verve to unsettle the Italian champions, but Leonid Slutsky’s side were largely restricted to hopeful long range shy’s. The efforts waned as quickly as they were rebuffed, and long before the protracted finish of this tie, it was apparent the Russians did not possess the necessary bite to sting Jose Mourinho’s men. True, the Nerazzurri are an articulate and well drilled outfit who shut out Chelsea, but the overriding feeling was that CSKA were slinging mud at the castle walls.
In reality CSKA did well to get this far, advancing from a tricky group and humbling a decent Sevilla side, but that sums up the limitations of Russian sides and their domestic league. In order to be the best, you need the best. Just look at the impact Sneijder has had for Inter since his move from Real Madrid. Last term Inter looked very mundane in getting knocked-out against Manchester United, yet that small introduction of an elite player has been crucial in getting them further in this competition than they have for seven years.
However, unfortunately for CSKA and the rest of Russia’s illuminati, the prospect of the cream of world footballers playing talent going east is at the moment, just a dream. Whilst the capital may be available to support moves financially, the reality is that the Russian game lags way behind the major institutions of European football. For example, the money is effectively the final part of the jigsaw, the fundamentals such as the infrastructure of clubs, the training facilities, the attendances, the stadia, the global audience, the strength of the league all fall short of England, Spain, Italy and Germany. These are elements to which there is no quick fix, no price that can be put on these commodities, they are bred and ingrained, and currently, this huge, unorthodox and mysterious country is just a decade into what other countries have been developing throughout their culture for over a century. Again, this is yet another link to Russia’s geo-political ties with the sport, ones which will only grow stronger with the influence of capitalism, but ones which are very much in their infancy.
Also in its early stages is the league campaign and the current table toppers are a side who, frankly, few people will have heard of. Based in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains are Spartak Nalchik, a regional side whose first venture into Russia’s top flight only came four years ago. Before then Nalchik were doing nothing in particular and have since recorded four unspectacular mid-table finishes. This season they’ve flown out of the blocks, unbeaten and winning three of their first four, the latest, a 5-2 rout of FK Rostov. A look at Nalchik’s squad will draw more blank glances but they appear to have done what many of the other side’s so infrequently do, by combining organisation and application to maximum effect. Seeing their game versus Rostov last weekend will highlight the deficiencies of what most of the Premier League’s sides fail to do, defend. As well as Nalchik played, Rostov were guilty of some kamikaze defending, a contagious fete instilled in Russian football, so much so that its current best team, Rubin, are there on the basis of being by far the best defensively.
‘The Ruby’ have registered four consecutive clean sheets, scoring only three times and drawing their last two 0-0. Their football is akin to watching dust settle, but it makes for a highly effective strategy, and achieves more results than the schoolboy stuff favoured elsewhere, such as the Moscow derby (yes, another) between Lokomotiv and Dinamo – a duo with vague aspirations of a title tilt. Loko won by the odd goal in five, but once again the fixture was punctuated by the type of defensive play rarely associated with champions. A stronger show of unity in this game though, was the minutes remembrance for the victims of the Moscow metro bombing the week before, as the ground fell silent, the poignant and emotive sound of Barbers Adagio for Strings rang hauntingly around the Lokomotiv Stadium. In that moment, the game, the money, the result and the sport, all paled into insignificance when compared to the cost of human life.
R.I.P.
Messi, no comparisons
Soon enough it’ll be time to pour over Arsenal’s deficiencies, of which there plenty, but now is not that time. It will go down as little more than a footnote but at one point Arsenal led in the game and the tie. In the end, it wasn’t even close. It was the sword versus the knife.
During the first half and following on from the final quarter at the Emirates, Arsenal showed Barcelona do have a soft centre, unfortunately, they also have a razor sharp tip with that absolute diamond Lionel Messi at its sharpest point. Messi is unbelievable. By his standards he was fairly quiet during the first leg, he more than made up for it at the Camp Nou with a display of absolutely unparalleled quality. Arsenal, like so many before them were powerless to stop him as the eleven Gunners on the pitch became just as transfixed by the mercurial magician as the 94,000 in the stands and the millions watching worldwide.
In this sort of form Messi is out in front on his own as the best player in the world and it is difficult not to suggest he is playing the best individual football of all time. Cross-generation comparisons are a dangerous game, but there are very few players that have operated at the level that Messi has over the past few years. Although, when analysing Messi, we cannot simply talk about the goals, or the volume of them, but it is the quality and individual brilliance of them which sets him apart, the ability to score goals no other player can, at times and on occasions when they are needed, excelling himself when you thought his previous achievements could not be furthered. Time and time again Messi is the scorer of these unique, freakish goals which should cherished for years, the fact he scores them week in, week out, almost ruins their brilliance. The simple matter of the fact is, the boy is so good, we often take for granted just how good he is, until, like last night, a performance of unbound superlatives provokes us into song once again. Simply, nobody else does this, or is even remotely close to being able to. That’s the difference.
If you look at goals as the bottom line figure, Cristiano Ronaldo has a virtually identical goalscoring record as Messi over the last three years. Messi has netted 93 goals in 133 games in all competitions since the start of 2007/08. Ronaldo also has 93 goals, in fewer games, 129, yet there are few observers now, on the back of Messi’s antics, who would suggest the world’s most expensive player is indeed the best. Since shifting from Manchester to Madrid, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 27 games, again comparable to Messi, and a good enough return for him to be commanding a greater portion of this ‘world’s best’ debate, yet his efforts pale into insignificance when Messi is in such utterly devastating form. What sets Messi so far apart from his peers, is that his goals, his skills and his danger cannot be replicated, or, more to the point, stopped. There is absolutely no argument that he is by far the best about, and at 22, barring injury, that status will be safe for some years to come.
During the first half and following on from the final quarter at the Emirates, Arsenal showed Barcelona do have a soft centre, unfortunately, they also have a razor sharp tip with that absolute diamond Lionel Messi at its sharpest point. Messi is unbelievable. By his standards he was fairly quiet during the first leg, he more than made up for it at the Camp Nou with a display of absolutely unparalleled quality. Arsenal, like so many before them were powerless to stop him as the eleven Gunners on the pitch became just as transfixed by the mercurial magician as the 94,000 in the stands and the millions watching worldwide.
In this sort of form Messi is out in front on his own as the best player in the world and it is difficult not to suggest he is playing the best individual football of all time. Cross-generation comparisons are a dangerous game, but there are very few players that have operated at the level that Messi has over the past few years. Although, when analysing Messi, we cannot simply talk about the goals, or the volume of them, but it is the quality and individual brilliance of them which sets him apart, the ability to score goals no other player can, at times and on occasions when they are needed, excelling himself when you thought his previous achievements could not be furthered. Time and time again Messi is the scorer of these unique, freakish goals which should cherished for years, the fact he scores them week in, week out, almost ruins their brilliance. The simple matter of the fact is, the boy is so good, we often take for granted just how good he is, until, like last night, a performance of unbound superlatives provokes us into song once again. Simply, nobody else does this, or is even remotely close to being able to. That’s the difference.
If you look at goals as the bottom line figure, Cristiano Ronaldo has a virtually identical goalscoring record as Messi over the last three years. Messi has netted 93 goals in 133 games in all competitions since the start of 2007/08. Ronaldo also has 93 goals, in fewer games, 129, yet there are few observers now, on the back of Messi’s antics, who would suggest the world’s most expensive player is indeed the best. Since shifting from Manchester to Madrid, Ronaldo has scored 25 goals in 27 games, again comparable to Messi, and a good enough return for him to be commanding a greater portion of this ‘world’s best’ debate, yet his efforts pale into insignificance when Messi is in such utterly devastating form. What sets Messi so far apart from his peers, is that his goals, his skills and his danger cannot be replicated, or, more to the point, stopped. There is absolutely no argument that he is by far the best about, and at 22, barring injury, that status will be safe for some years to come.
Cockney mafia and Cockney manager
Their departure may have been painful, but at least it wasn’t for long. Newcastle have climbed back into the Premier League at the first attempt, and over the Easter weekend, there was no messiah in sight.
At the lowest ebb of their desperate struggles last season, the welcoming St James’s Park and the usually amiable Toon Army hordes gradually turned more vindictive and bitter. As the descent down the table became terminal, the scepticism towards anyone born outside of a Newcastle postcode became worryingly neurotic.
The infamous ‘Cockney Mafia’ banner became a symbol of the disharmony on and off the field. Whilst the team performances were below par, the greatest focus of anger from the terraces centred on the ownership of the club, and the perceived intentions of Mike Ashley and his various associates. In truth, Ashley’s faults were more naivety than negligence, taking over the ownership without doing due diligence on the state of the clubs crippling debts. As a result, he assumed the role of pantomime villain, this beer bellied-baddie, infiltrating the ranks of the natives with his tight-fitting black and white disguise. Ashley himself described his role in Newcastle’s relegation as ‘catastrophic’, which was probably the very least he could do considering his very public attempts to sell the club led to the melee of four managers across a season, none of whom were ever certain of their own position.
Quite understandably the fury of the Toon Army needed to be vented somewhere and Ashley was right in the cross-hairs, but surely this had more to do with his gross mismanagement of the club, rather than his place of birth. This city may have produced a string of fine footballers over the decades, but the list of successful football businessmen are less easy to recall, yet the Newcastle fans continued to tell the rest that they needed Geordie’s to run the club. The ‘Cockneys’ wouldn’t do. They needed someone who understood the club, the people, the city and what it was like to be a Geordie, Wor Jackie, Blaydon Races and all that. What they needed was Alan Shearer. He took them down. All against the background noise of how big the club were, how good their attendances have been for 15 years and how they nearly won the league under Kevin Keegan. The rest of the footballing nation were confused by this regional concept which only seemed to exist at one club. After all, in an era of foreign owners, managers and captains, entirely overseas X1’s, global marketing and television deals and worldwide voyeurism to our clubs, did anyone buy into this theory that Newcastle needed to be run by Geordie’s?
However, now thanks to a Cockney (Chris Hughton born in Stratford ) a couple of Argentines, a Dane, a Spaniard, four Scousers and a sprinkling of Geordies (two of whom had an alleged fist fight at the training ground) the Magpies will at least be competing with the country’s elite next year having served a detention in the Championship. But, as even the most passionate, Shearer loving, Cockney hating, Brown Ale drinking Toon will tell you, the hard yards start here. The hardest aspect will be for their overly optimistic supporters to accept just what Newcastle are at the moment. Essentially, they will start the new season as a promoted side, with a squad heavily fitted with players straddling the Championship-Premier League divide, being led by an astute but under experienced manager who will have limited funds to create a decent enough team to match the pressure and aspirations of a thoroughly demanding set of fans, and that patience is likely to be tested again.
Since Newcastle started winning again and destination Premier League was on the radar, the ‘Cockney Mafia’ banner seems to have gone missing. Of the London Cartel, only Dennis Wise has been uprooted. Ashley and Derek Llambias are still in charge and have largely overseen a frugal reshaping of finances, mainly by reducing their ridiculous wage bill. The clubs bank balance is the healthiest it has been for some years, and the team are back competing where they belong. Where Newcastle go from here though is an interesting conundrum. If they weren’t what they thought they were twelve months ago then they certainly aren’t that now. The club have already confirmed that their recruitment process will involve signing young players for small fees with a high re-sale value.
That news could be worrying. For a start, why aren’t the board prepared to sign quality to try to improve the clubs chances of at least staying up? The money men are wise not to go cheque-crazy but a certain degree of replenishment will be needed to keep them afloat. The underlying issue is Ashley’s continued desire to sell the club. He could not expect his money back for a championship club, that is no longer the case. If a buyer can be sought, a sale is likely. There are no shortage of takers for any Premier League club, let alone one with this fan base and infrastructure. What will be interesting is to see who the fanbase would like to see takeover, and whether the scepticism will dissipate in correlation with the amount of millions spent as opposed to the distance born from St James’s Park.
At the lowest ebb of their desperate struggles last season, the welcoming St James’s Park and the usually amiable Toon Army hordes gradually turned more vindictive and bitter. As the descent down the table became terminal, the scepticism towards anyone born outside of a Newcastle postcode became worryingly neurotic.
The infamous ‘Cockney Mafia’ banner became a symbol of the disharmony on and off the field. Whilst the team performances were below par, the greatest focus of anger from the terraces centred on the ownership of the club, and the perceived intentions of Mike Ashley and his various associates. In truth, Ashley’s faults were more naivety than negligence, taking over the ownership without doing due diligence on the state of the clubs crippling debts. As a result, he assumed the role of pantomime villain, this beer bellied-baddie, infiltrating the ranks of the natives with his tight-fitting black and white disguise. Ashley himself described his role in Newcastle’s relegation as ‘catastrophic’, which was probably the very least he could do considering his very public attempts to sell the club led to the melee of four managers across a season, none of whom were ever certain of their own position.
Quite understandably the fury of the Toon Army needed to be vented somewhere and Ashley was right in the cross-hairs, but surely this had more to do with his gross mismanagement of the club, rather than his place of birth. This city may have produced a string of fine footballers over the decades, but the list of successful football businessmen are less easy to recall, yet the Newcastle fans continued to tell the rest that they needed Geordie’s to run the club. The ‘Cockneys’ wouldn’t do. They needed someone who understood the club, the people, the city and what it was like to be a Geordie, Wor Jackie, Blaydon Races and all that. What they needed was Alan Shearer. He took them down. All against the background noise of how big the club were, how good their attendances have been for 15 years and how they nearly won the league under Kevin Keegan. The rest of the footballing nation were confused by this regional concept which only seemed to exist at one club. After all, in an era of foreign owners, managers and captains, entirely overseas X1’s, global marketing and television deals and worldwide voyeurism to our clubs, did anyone buy into this theory that Newcastle needed to be run by Geordie’s?
However, now thanks to a Cockney (Chris Hughton born in Stratford ) a couple of Argentines, a Dane, a Spaniard, four Scousers and a sprinkling of Geordies (two of whom had an alleged fist fight at the training ground) the Magpies will at least be competing with the country’s elite next year having served a detention in the Championship. But, as even the most passionate, Shearer loving, Cockney hating, Brown Ale drinking Toon will tell you, the hard yards start here. The hardest aspect will be for their overly optimistic supporters to accept just what Newcastle are at the moment. Essentially, they will start the new season as a promoted side, with a squad heavily fitted with players straddling the Championship-Premier League divide, being led by an astute but under experienced manager who will have limited funds to create a decent enough team to match the pressure and aspirations of a thoroughly demanding set of fans, and that patience is likely to be tested again.
Since Newcastle started winning again and destination Premier League was on the radar, the ‘Cockney Mafia’ banner seems to have gone missing. Of the London Cartel, only Dennis Wise has been uprooted. Ashley and Derek Llambias are still in charge and have largely overseen a frugal reshaping of finances, mainly by reducing their ridiculous wage bill. The clubs bank balance is the healthiest it has been for some years, and the team are back competing where they belong. Where Newcastle go from here though is an interesting conundrum. If they weren’t what they thought they were twelve months ago then they certainly aren’t that now. The club have already confirmed that their recruitment process will involve signing young players for small fees with a high re-sale value.
That news could be worrying. For a start, why aren’t the board prepared to sign quality to try to improve the clubs chances of at least staying up? The money men are wise not to go cheque-crazy but a certain degree of replenishment will be needed to keep them afloat. The underlying issue is Ashley’s continued desire to sell the club. He could not expect his money back for a championship club, that is no longer the case. If a buyer can be sought, a sale is likely. There are no shortage of takers for any Premier League club, let alone one with this fan base and infrastructure. What will be interesting is to see who the fanbase would like to see takeover, and whether the scepticism will dissipate in correlation with the amount of millions spent as opposed to the distance born from St James’s Park.
Palermo pining for Champions League
Arguably the biggest game this weekend is the Derby della Sicilia, a matter of local and nationalistic pride as Champions League chasing Palermo visit recently invigorated island rivals Catania.
In his pre-match words of wisdom, Elefanti coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has compared the encounter to the ferocious derbies he played as a player in Rome and Belgrade, a testament indeed to the ferocity of the occasion, and despite the absence of visiting Rossanero fans due to fears of crowd violence, the atmosphere should be red-hot in sun drenched Sicily.
Palermo come into the match in fourth spot, with a neat three point lead over their Champions League chasing contenders, and another win here would maintain that gap with just six games remaining. However, the visitors have failed to beat their hosts in the last three match-ups, and have yet to live down the 4-0 humbling the Rossazzuri dished out at the Renzo Barbera last season.
The rise of la Aquile is one that has been relatively surprising, but really shouldn’t have been. In the past four seasons the club have posted two fifth place finishes and enjoyed a couple of jollies into the UEFA Cup, that form tailed off with slightly off par finishes of eleventh and eighth in the last two campaigns, but the astute appointment of Delio Rossi in the summer, aligned with some sharp investments and the progression of a well constructed squad has seen Palermo cement themselves as favourites to qualify for the continents top competition next year.
For the club, that qualification means huge strides in the immediate short and long term evolution of the club. Having tailored an exciting batch of players, a season’s hard work can be unravelled just as quickly if things go pear shaped from here. The likes of Simon Kjaer, Javier Pastore and Edison Cavani have all been attracting glances from clubs elsewhere, and although departures from an outfit the size of Palermo’s are regrettably inevitable, not only can the nucleus of this resource be kept together, but the invitation to players to compete in the Champions League can only further bolster the appeal of joining the Sicilians. Reaching the holy grail of that fourth spot really cannot be underestimated.
However, quite willing to shatter those dreams are a resurgent Catania who have eased themselves away from the relegation zone since the arrival of Mihajlovic. The Serbian has not only tightened up a porous backline, but the side have flourished and deliver some excellent football in an expansive 4-3-3 formation. They narrowly lost at Napoli last time out, but recent wins over Inter and Fiorentina were no flukes, the elefanti know the damage they can do to their dear neighbour’s season.
Unfortunately we cannot leave the game without recalling the incidents of this game three years ago, when a 40-year-old Policeman was killed following riots between the rival groups of supporters after the game. These clashes, not to mention a host of other hooligan related behaviour on the Peninsula, led to the shut-down of Italian football for a couple of weeks, with all football matches, professional, amateur or otherwise, cancelled in the aftermath of the death. Let’s hope it is only the football which gets a mention this weekend.
Quite happy not to just let football get a mention is once again Jose Mourinho he pre-empted Inter’s quarter-final match with CSKA Moscow with an ill-timed blast at Italian football. Mourinho spoke openly when saying, “I am happy at Inter, I am not happy in Italian football. I don’t like it and they don’t like me.” And he wonders why?
It’s difficult to gauge the mindset of the Portuguese tactician. What was his aim? Was it a subterfuge ploy to deflect attention away from his stuttering side? Or was it really a dissenting voice towards Calcio? If it was, the chances of seeing the Special One acting all special up and down Serie A touchlines again next season are rapidly disappearing.
These words came out directly before a crucial game, and you must wonder what psychological effect on the morale and togetherness his stance had on the squad. During a vital run-in in three competitions the Nerazzurri have aspirations of winning, the main dissenting voice is coming from their perceived leader. Certainly, Mourinho would have short tolerance if a player came forward to so publically and blatantly express his displeasure at the club. When unity is needed, where is the beacon? When calm is needed, why is Mourinho causing waves? His actions seem to have few positives for anyone other than for himself and his agent. If he doesn’t like Italian football, he knows what he can do. Mourinho’s problem is that it isn’t just Italian football doesn’t like him; he may just find that out sooner or later.
If those problems are a little further down the line the more immediate ones are in his side’s sluggish start down the home straight. One league win in five has seen Roma tear up down the blindside, and following last weekend’s 2-1 win for il Lupi over la Benemeata, all momentum is with the Romans. Inter need three points at home to Bologna this weekend to keep those dissenting voices to a minimum.
In his pre-match words of wisdom, Elefanti coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has compared the encounter to the ferocious derbies he played as a player in Rome and Belgrade, a testament indeed to the ferocity of the occasion, and despite the absence of visiting Rossanero fans due to fears of crowd violence, the atmosphere should be red-hot in sun drenched Sicily.
Palermo come into the match in fourth spot, with a neat three point lead over their Champions League chasing contenders, and another win here would maintain that gap with just six games remaining. However, the visitors have failed to beat their hosts in the last three match-ups, and have yet to live down the 4-0 humbling the Rossazzuri dished out at the Renzo Barbera last season.
The rise of la Aquile is one that has been relatively surprising, but really shouldn’t have been. In the past four seasons the club have posted two fifth place finishes and enjoyed a couple of jollies into the UEFA Cup, that form tailed off with slightly off par finishes of eleventh and eighth in the last two campaigns, but the astute appointment of Delio Rossi in the summer, aligned with some sharp investments and the progression of a well constructed squad has seen Palermo cement themselves as favourites to qualify for the continents top competition next year.
For the club, that qualification means huge strides in the immediate short and long term evolution of the club. Having tailored an exciting batch of players, a season’s hard work can be unravelled just as quickly if things go pear shaped from here. The likes of Simon Kjaer, Javier Pastore and Edison Cavani have all been attracting glances from clubs elsewhere, and although departures from an outfit the size of Palermo’s are regrettably inevitable, not only can the nucleus of this resource be kept together, but the invitation to players to compete in the Champions League can only further bolster the appeal of joining the Sicilians. Reaching the holy grail of that fourth spot really cannot be underestimated.
However, quite willing to shatter those dreams are a resurgent Catania who have eased themselves away from the relegation zone since the arrival of Mihajlovic. The Serbian has not only tightened up a porous backline, but the side have flourished and deliver some excellent football in an expansive 4-3-3 formation. They narrowly lost at Napoli last time out, but recent wins over Inter and Fiorentina were no flukes, the elefanti know the damage they can do to their dear neighbour’s season.
Unfortunately we cannot leave the game without recalling the incidents of this game three years ago, when a 40-year-old Policeman was killed following riots between the rival groups of supporters after the game. These clashes, not to mention a host of other hooligan related behaviour on the Peninsula, led to the shut-down of Italian football for a couple of weeks, with all football matches, professional, amateur or otherwise, cancelled in the aftermath of the death. Let’s hope it is only the football which gets a mention this weekend.
Quite happy not to just let football get a mention is once again Jose Mourinho he pre-empted Inter’s quarter-final match with CSKA Moscow with an ill-timed blast at Italian football. Mourinho spoke openly when saying, “I am happy at Inter, I am not happy in Italian football. I don’t like it and they don’t like me.” And he wonders why?
It’s difficult to gauge the mindset of the Portuguese tactician. What was his aim? Was it a subterfuge ploy to deflect attention away from his stuttering side? Or was it really a dissenting voice towards Calcio? If it was, the chances of seeing the Special One acting all special up and down Serie A touchlines again next season are rapidly disappearing.
These words came out directly before a crucial game, and you must wonder what psychological effect on the morale and togetherness his stance had on the squad. During a vital run-in in three competitions the Nerazzurri have aspirations of winning, the main dissenting voice is coming from their perceived leader. Certainly, Mourinho would have short tolerance if a player came forward to so publically and blatantly express his displeasure at the club. When unity is needed, where is the beacon? When calm is needed, why is Mourinho causing waves? His actions seem to have few positives for anyone other than for himself and his agent. If he doesn’t like Italian football, he knows what he can do. Mourinho’s problem is that it isn’t just Italian football doesn’t like him; he may just find that out sooner or later.
If those problems are a little further down the line the more immediate ones are in his side’s sluggish start down the home straight. One league win in five has seen Roma tear up down the blindside, and following last weekend’s 2-1 win for il Lupi over la Benemeata, all momentum is with the Romans. Inter need three points at home to Bologna this weekend to keep those dissenting voices to a minimum.
Independence, war and football.
On Monday morning the Moscow underground metro system was struck by suicide bombers, killing 39 people and injuring scores more. The co-ordinated attacks were attributed to a North Caucasus militant group, one of the many rebel cells waging an independence war from Russian rule.
The complex background to the grievances of states such as the Caucasians, the Ossetians and Chechens can be traced back over hundreds of years, and the growth of the Russian Empire when large swathes of territories were seized as the Empire expanded from Eastern Europe and across Northern Asia. The acquirement of land saw the Empire take onboard wide ranging religions, cultures and ethnicities, making Russia one of the most diverse populations in the world. The break-up of the Soviet Union saw independence granted to a number of former Soviet states, yet others were never granted freedom, and as such, bitter and bloody feuds are continuing to be waged.
The Russian Government are quick to label incidents such as Mondays as ‘terrorist attacks’. The metro bombs were the latest in a line of atrocities in the political heartland of Moscow, and follow on from the not too distant disasters of the Moscow Theatre siege of 2002 and the Beslan tragedy of 2004. The-pre-empted strikes were launched at the Central Lubyanka Railway station, which runs beneath the headquarters of the Federal security Service (FSB), and of course, the geo-political connotations can also be linked to the countries national sport.
Just 24 hours previous, the station was being used as a commuter point for fans travelling to see the Moscow derby between Spartak and Lokomotiv, later on Sunday evening a clash was taking place 800km east of the capital featuring two sides from areas who scarcely consider themselves Russian, under the masthead of the Russian Premier League. Domestic champions Rubin Kazan from the largely Muslim republic of Tatarstan hosted Terek Grozny, aside from Chechnya, a region with a long and fierce history of conflict with the motherland. The Chechens have been battling with the Russians since the seventeenth century, revolting against their imposed colonial rule. The Chechens also see themselves as being heavily persecuted by the Russians. After the Second World War, Joseph Stalin accused the Chechen people of collaborating with the Nazi’s and ordered the uprooting of the whole population to the harsh lands of central Asia. Thousands of Chechens died during the relocation and their treatment bred great resentment of their rulers, and independence from Moscow was demanded, resulting in two brutal wars in the region, from 1994-1996 and again in 1999 to 2000.
Given the hostile relations between the two facets, Terek’s participation in the competition harbours great nationalistic pride. The team are extremely well supported in Chechnya, and are heavily funded by the republics budget. Grozny is the capital of Chechnya and the club was formed in 1946, however, they were forced to disband in the mid 1990’s due to the escalating violence in the area. Terek reformed in 2000, and just four years later, from the bowels of the lower leagues, went on to win the Russian cup. However, this being Russia, the story of Terek’s success was not as cut and dry as simply a team from a war-ravaged city come good, the full story is another entailing politics, propaganda and death.
Just a month before Terek’s cup final appearance, the countries Kremlin-backed President and Terek owner Akhmad Kadyrov was assassinated in a bomb during celebrations being held at the club’s Dynamo Stadium. Chechen rebels triumphantly claimed responsibility for the blast, angered at the perceived communication between President Kadyrov and the Russian government. The perpetrator of the bombing eventually turned out to be Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev, who was bizarrely head of the Chechen Football Association just a few years earlier. Indeed, Terek’s victorious cup run was unfortunately the source of much scepticism from both sides of the divide, with detractors suggesting that it came as no coincidence that the triumph was littered with instances of generous refereeing in their favour, and even allegations that Krylya Sovetov – their opponents in the final - were paid off to ensure a Terek win, and as a result, give off the perception that all was well in the previously troubled province. At the time, relations between the Kremlin and the Chechen authorities were at a sensitive stage, and football success was seen as being a convenient pacifier at a crucial stage in discussions between the governments. In reality, the truth will never be known and whilst it is disrespectful to discredit the team’s achievements, the wider political picture invariably leaves the door open to outside influence, and makes a mockery of the theory that football is simply a game played by working class men with a ball.
Whatever the full picture it has not stopped Terek flourishing in the years prevailing the wars. After winning the cup, Terek were also promoted to the Premier League in 2004 after storming the First Division, they swiftly got relegated and arrived back in the Premier in 2008, recording comfortable mid-table finishes in that year, and 2009. Now, in the infant 2010 table, Terek find themselves sixth, unbeaten after three games, having emerged unscathed from the perilous trip to champions Rubin. Such a lofty position may prove untenable through the whole season once the Moscow powerhouses grind through the gears, but this promising start reflects the Chechen region as a whole, prospering after adversity.
Given all of the fuss over the identity of Terek, a look at their squad shows few players with birth ties to the region. Amongst their roster are an Israeli, two Ukrainians, an Argentinean, a Bulgarian, a Bolivian, three Brazilians and numerous Russian nationals. A sprinkling of fringe and youth players are of Chechen descent, but largely the playing staff are a multi-national gathering of footballers, career professionals, largely devoid of the nationalistic connotations the Chechen republic represents for its people.
And there, in summary, is a notion of just how binding the game of football is. Terek as a team are the beacon of hope, of honour, of representation for a nation and its people who have suffered centuries of abuse and persecution, yet, their heroes who sport the shirt and play for their name, are simply pawns in the game. Individuals with wages to earn, with families to feed, with jobs to do, unattached to the broader political arena in which they are taking part. It is too easy not to refer to the late, great Bill Shankly’s words about football, life and death.
The complex background to the grievances of states such as the Caucasians, the Ossetians and Chechens can be traced back over hundreds of years, and the growth of the Russian Empire when large swathes of territories were seized as the Empire expanded from Eastern Europe and across Northern Asia. The acquirement of land saw the Empire take onboard wide ranging religions, cultures and ethnicities, making Russia one of the most diverse populations in the world. The break-up of the Soviet Union saw independence granted to a number of former Soviet states, yet others were never granted freedom, and as such, bitter and bloody feuds are continuing to be waged.
The Russian Government are quick to label incidents such as Mondays as ‘terrorist attacks’. The metro bombs were the latest in a line of atrocities in the political heartland of Moscow, and follow on from the not too distant disasters of the Moscow Theatre siege of 2002 and the Beslan tragedy of 2004. The-pre-empted strikes were launched at the Central Lubyanka Railway station, which runs beneath the headquarters of the Federal security Service (FSB), and of course, the geo-political connotations can also be linked to the countries national sport.
Just 24 hours previous, the station was being used as a commuter point for fans travelling to see the Moscow derby between Spartak and Lokomotiv, later on Sunday evening a clash was taking place 800km east of the capital featuring two sides from areas who scarcely consider themselves Russian, under the masthead of the Russian Premier League. Domestic champions Rubin Kazan from the largely Muslim republic of Tatarstan hosted Terek Grozny, aside from Chechnya, a region with a long and fierce history of conflict with the motherland. The Chechens have been battling with the Russians since the seventeenth century, revolting against their imposed colonial rule. The Chechens also see themselves as being heavily persecuted by the Russians. After the Second World War, Joseph Stalin accused the Chechen people of collaborating with the Nazi’s and ordered the uprooting of the whole population to the harsh lands of central Asia. Thousands of Chechens died during the relocation and their treatment bred great resentment of their rulers, and independence from Moscow was demanded, resulting in two brutal wars in the region, from 1994-1996 and again in 1999 to 2000.
Given the hostile relations between the two facets, Terek’s participation in the competition harbours great nationalistic pride. The team are extremely well supported in Chechnya, and are heavily funded by the republics budget. Grozny is the capital of Chechnya and the club was formed in 1946, however, they were forced to disband in the mid 1990’s due to the escalating violence in the area. Terek reformed in 2000, and just four years later, from the bowels of the lower leagues, went on to win the Russian cup. However, this being Russia, the story of Terek’s success was not as cut and dry as simply a team from a war-ravaged city come good, the full story is another entailing politics, propaganda and death.
Just a month before Terek’s cup final appearance, the countries Kremlin-backed President and Terek owner Akhmad Kadyrov was assassinated in a bomb during celebrations being held at the club’s Dynamo Stadium. Chechen rebels triumphantly claimed responsibility for the blast, angered at the perceived communication between President Kadyrov and the Russian government. The perpetrator of the bombing eventually turned out to be Chechen rebel leader Shamil Basayev, who was bizarrely head of the Chechen Football Association just a few years earlier. Indeed, Terek’s victorious cup run was unfortunately the source of much scepticism from both sides of the divide, with detractors suggesting that it came as no coincidence that the triumph was littered with instances of generous refereeing in their favour, and even allegations that Krylya Sovetov – their opponents in the final - were paid off to ensure a Terek win, and as a result, give off the perception that all was well in the previously troubled province. At the time, relations between the Kremlin and the Chechen authorities were at a sensitive stage, and football success was seen as being a convenient pacifier at a crucial stage in discussions between the governments. In reality, the truth will never be known and whilst it is disrespectful to discredit the team’s achievements, the wider political picture invariably leaves the door open to outside influence, and makes a mockery of the theory that football is simply a game played by working class men with a ball.
Whatever the full picture it has not stopped Terek flourishing in the years prevailing the wars. After winning the cup, Terek were also promoted to the Premier League in 2004 after storming the First Division, they swiftly got relegated and arrived back in the Premier in 2008, recording comfortable mid-table finishes in that year, and 2009. Now, in the infant 2010 table, Terek find themselves sixth, unbeaten after three games, having emerged unscathed from the perilous trip to champions Rubin. Such a lofty position may prove untenable through the whole season once the Moscow powerhouses grind through the gears, but this promising start reflects the Chechen region as a whole, prospering after adversity.
Given all of the fuss over the identity of Terek, a look at their squad shows few players with birth ties to the region. Amongst their roster are an Israeli, two Ukrainians, an Argentinean, a Bulgarian, a Bolivian, three Brazilians and numerous Russian nationals. A sprinkling of fringe and youth players are of Chechen descent, but largely the playing staff are a multi-national gathering of footballers, career professionals, largely devoid of the nationalistic connotations the Chechen republic represents for its people.
And there, in summary, is a notion of just how binding the game of football is. Terek as a team are the beacon of hope, of honour, of representation for a nation and its people who have suffered centuries of abuse and persecution, yet, their heroes who sport the shirt and play for their name, are simply pawns in the game. Individuals with wages to earn, with families to feed, with jobs to do, unattached to the broader political arena in which they are taking part. It is too easy not to refer to the late, great Bill Shankly’s words about football, life and death.
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