Para Santa, a Nacional le faltó personalidad y criterio en la semifinal

Tomado de: http://www.futbolred.com/liga-postobon/noticias/cuadrangulares310ii/para-santa-a-nacional-le-falto-personalidad-y-criterio-en-la-semifinal/8470600
Autor: Juan Diego Ortiz Jiménez
El verde se colgó la lápida con la derrota frente a Once Caldas. Jugadores desalojaron el camerino por el efecto de gases lacrimógenos tras protestas de los hinchas. El DT habló con Futbolred.

Las protestas de algunos hinchas de Nacional al término del 1-3 con Once Caldas, que rayaron con el vandalismo, fueron el acápite final de una noche lúgubre para el verde: caos y desesperación.

Los gases lacrimógenos que utilizó la Fuerza Pública a las afueras de la tribuna sur para disolver la masa, ingresaron por acción del aire al Atanasio que en un dos por tres quedó como un alma en pena. Hasta los propios jugadores de Nacional tuvieron que desalojar el camerino para refugiarse en el palco del equipo.

Nadie habló. El silencio y amargura acompañaron la caravana verdolaga desde el camerino sur hasta el segundo piso de la tribuna de occidental. Nadie dijo nada excepto José Fernando Santa que aceptó la invitación de este portal y esto dijo:

Futbolred: ¿Por qué se dificultó tanto jugar en el Atanasio?

J.F.S.: Realmente nos costó proponer, controlar los partidos por más entrega que existió por parte de los jugadores que se pueden ir tranquilos por lo que dejaron dentro de la cancha. Dimos todo en estos partidos pero no nos alcanzó.

Futbolred: Usted dijo luego de la caída frente a Quindío que a Nacional le había pesado la responsabilidad, ¿piensa lo mismo luego de la derrota frente a Caldas?

J.F.S.: No. Con Quindío nos equivocamos demasiado y cuando uno se equivoca teniendo la obligación de hacer mucho mejor las cosas, sí pienso que nos pesó la responsabilidad. Hoy (domingo) nos enfrentamos a un buen rival mano a mano. Ellos fueron más precisos y oportunos en determinados momentos del partido y por eso el marcador adverso.

Futbolred: ¿Por qué el buen juego mostrado en Cúcuta fue flor de un día?

J.F.S.: Esto del fútbol es presentando exámenes cada tres, cuatro días. Hay que mantener una propuesta cada partido y nos ha costado demasiado proponer, pensar y tomar mejores decisiones dentro del terreno de juego. Creo que Nacional tiene buenos jugadores pero le falta afinar en ese toque de personalidad y de criterio para aspirar a mejores resultados y a un mejor fútbol que es por lo que la gente está indignada.

Futbolred: Ahora que la clasificación es casi un imposible, ¿sólo lucharán por el cupo a Copa Suramericana?

J.F.S.: Todo ha sido complicado de principio a fin y más en esta instancia donde nos habíamos ilusionado con conseguir mejores resultados. Antes, durante y después de llegar a esta instancia y como siempre le digo a los muchachos, hay que vivir el día a día y lo único que tenemos fijo es el partido en Manizales. Ya más adelante miraremos y haremos un balance de todo lo bueno y todo lo malo que hicimos.

Futbolred: ¿Cómo se sintió con el trato de la tribuna?

J.F.S.: Es normal. Totalmente normal. Todo lo que se diga uno lo toma depende de quien venga. Con eso no tengo ningún problema. Cuando uno pierde, como perdimos hoy, lo más seguro es que la gente se comporte así. Para mí es normal y más en un equipo como Nacional.

Juan Diego Ortiz Jiménez
Corresponsal Futbolred.com
Medellín 

COPYRIGHT © 2010 CEET

No contest in clasico

Tomado de: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=847482
Autor: Phil Ball
No contest. Those are the only two words that can sum up the clasico, a disappointing occasion if you'd been expecting an evenly-fought slug-out, a euphoric one if you'd been hoping that Barcelona could re-stamp their authority on the Spanish scene, after their rivals' previously unbeaten start to the season. Whatever, the least one expected was a manita (little hand), the phrase reserved for games that end in a 5-0 scoreline. In some ways, they're worse than a 6-0 result, because the latter has no nickname, no bruising synonym created to humiliate.

In many ways, I cannot recall a more hyped clasico than this one. The main message, and it was an accurate one, was that the game was unusual in featuring both sides at the height of their powers. The bipolar relationship that frames these two teams, whereby one dances in the light whilst the other, almost by default, lurks wounded in the shadows, was wholly absent this time around.

Real Madrid had recovered their self-esteem to such an extent that they fancied their chances in the Camp Nou, and the media battle that ensued - each camp attempting to win some small psychological advantage, was fascinating throughout the week. However, Mourinho maybe overdid the 'If we lose, tomorrow is still Tuesday' line, and in so doing revealed a secret fear, a get-out clause that would relieve him from pressure in the event of a defeat. What he didn't expect was a thrashing.

The game had just about everything, apart from tension as to the result. At 2-0 Madrid played some decent stuff for a 15-minute spell, but failed to pull back the psychological goal before the interval. The alleged foul by Victor Valdes on Ronaldo looked innocent enough to me, but the Madrid-based media are already rolling out their murmured complaints. Madrid would have been back in the game, blah blah. I don't think so. In general terms, Barcelona murdered them with an imperious display of electric one-touch football, where the player receiving the ball always had at least two options - the basic lore of tiki-taka. Madrid lost their shape for much of the game, because they were reduced to chasing shadows and because their own passing was relatively poor. Xabi Alonso was never in the game, Ronaldo was back to his unilateral self - the poorer player who often turns up in adverse circumstances, and who then tries to do it all alone, and Karim Benzema simply disappeared after a reasonably bright start.

Sergio Ramos had a nightmare, and finished off the evening's work by racking up a tetchy and testosterone-filled hacking of Messi, plus a shove on his Spain team-mate Carles Puyol that wouldn't have disgraced wrestling in Pressing Catch. Like a good cricketer who knows he's on his way to the pavilion, Ramos was walking before referee Iturralde Gonzales even brought out the red card. You got the impression that Ramos just wanted to get off the pitch.

And there was even a shove by Ronaldo on Pep Guardiola, in an amusing incident where Barcelona's manager appeared not to give the Portuguese pouter the ball back. Cue strutting and semi-fisticuffs, as Pep's soldiers came to the aid of their General, perhaps forgetting that he had spent several years looking after himself perfectly well on the football pitch. Nevertheless, it's a picture that will be in all the papers.

Xavi's early goal, brilliantly executed, caused Madrid an unexpected problem. Given that Mourinho would have wanted to get to the interval at 0-0, to then try to go for the game in the second half, the 'Inter' tactic that Guardiola had referred to in the press conference before the game was already in ruins. Madrid came out of their shell and tried to redress the balance immediately, only to fall to a sloppy goal eight minutes later, at the hands of Pedro. Both Ramos and Casillas will prefer not to watch the replays.

In the second half, some of the hosts' football was astonishing. Madrid simply couldn't cope. Pepe was all over the place, Ramos was leaving huge spaces on the right flank - although to be fair to him, Di Maria was not helping - and Khedira seemed to undergo some sort of paralysis, like a startled rabbit in the headlights of a speeding car. After 56 minutes it was all over bar the home fans' shouting, some of which included the chant Mourinho dimisión! (Mourinho resign!) which was quite witty in the circumstances. The Special One sat motionless on the bench, his poker face revealing no emotion. He was probably beginning to plot the revenge at the Bernabeu. This was, in fact, the heaviest defeat of his managerial career.

The game will deal a temporary psychological blow to Madrid, but the consequences of the game are far from clear. They may motivate Madrid even more. They were played off the park, but they have not become a poor side overnight. They lost their shape and their discipline, unusual for a Mourinho side, and everything went wrong for them.

At times in the second half Barcelona were playing football from some other space-time continuum. Brutal in its apparent simplicity but based on infallible technique, they hardly played a long ball all match. Madrid had not expected to be playing a five-a-side game, and simply fell into the trap of ball-watching. Both of David Villa's goals came from Madrid's tendency to watch the man with the ball (Messi) and not the diagonal runs into space.

Barcelona also decided on a higher line than usual, and pushed Xavi up to almost man-mark Xabi Alonso. It was a curious sight, but every time Alonso received the ball, he found himself surrounded by a hostile bunch of Blaugranas, each one snapping at his heels and clouding his horizon. The home side's pressure, when off the ball, was such that Madrid's players seemed isolated from one another, their rhythms broken by the absence of the normally metronomic Alonso. There was no connection between the midfield and the forward line. Ozil seemed fragile and stranded, and Di Maria seemed unsure of what to do. Without the speed of Higuain to threaten Barcelona's high-line policy (Benzema prefers the ball into feet), the home midfield was spared the problem of shielding its own defence, and occupied itself by suffocating Alonso's crucial influence.

Even Iker Casillas looked human. The last few games against Barcelona have left him looking desperate, as if his life were almost perfect (beautiful girlfriend, international acclaim, World Cup win, etc) but for the two occasions on which he has to be humiliated per season. But it would be wrong to get carried away with this result. There is a long way to go yet, and Madrid are a more resilient outfit this time around. Barcelona were astonishingly good - even young Jeffren joined the party late on, and scored - but the win was too easy. It's not a real reflection of the difference between the two sides. Don't expect La Liga to suddenly become a one-horse race.

At the top of the 'other league', Villarreal destroyed poor Zaragoza 3-0 at the latter's home, and condemned them to another week at the bottom. Valencia ruined Jose Luis Oltra's first game as manager of Almeria (2-1) and kept the Mestalla side in the Europa spots, a point behind the surprising Espanyol, whose bad-tempered 3-2 win at Atletico Madrid lifts them into fourth place, nine points behind their illustrious Catalan neighbours. Sevilla, once again, flattered to deceive, and went down at home to an inspired Getafe, 1-3.

Madrid will be looking to pick up the pieces with a tricky-looking game at home to Valencia on Saturday night, and Barcelona travel up to Osasuna, as yet undefeated at home. All to play for still, despite appearances to the contrary.

Copyright ©2010 ESPN Internet Ventures

Quindío dio una lección de humildad y fútbol tras derrotar 1-2 a Nacional

Tomado de: http://www.futbolred.com/liga-postobon/noticias/cuadrangulares110ii/quindio-dio-una-leccion-de-humildad-y-futbol-tras-derrotar-1-2-a-nacional/8411441

Autor: Juan Diego Ortiz

Los de 'Pecoso' dieron un batacazo en el inicio de la semifinal luego de vencer con suficiencia a Nacional con goles de Hilton Murillo (29') y Preciado (83'). Descontó David Córdoba (90+2').

Deportes Quindío dicto cátedra en el Atanasio. Murillo, Rodas y Preciado, con un centenario encima, amasaron el balón y pusieron en aprietos en más de una ocasión a un Nacional que padeció el primer juego de la semifinal y terminó perdiendo con justicia.

Fiel al estilo 'Pecoso' Castro, el cuadro cafetero fue ordenado y práctico. Con tres toques pasó de polo a polo e hirió la resistencia local. Así fue como promediando la primera parte, se juntaron los veteranos y llegó el gol. Preciado la filtró Murillo que en posición viciada, tiró el esférico al centro del área donde apareció Hilton Murillo que la mandó a guardar de cabeza (29').

Nacional volvió a naufragar en el desespero por no llegar con claridad al arco de Otero. De nuevo fue errático a la hora de pasar de defensa a ataque y las sociedades brillaron pero por su ausencia.

El equipo de Santa increpó el pórtico de Otero pero más empujado por el aliento de los 25.964 fieles que nunca desfallecieron a pesar del rigor de la lluvia, que por su fútbol. Iglesias intentó de media distancia (10'), Torijano se la sacó de la raya a Ibarbo (16') y después llegaron dos remates al palo, primero de Ibarbo (64') y luego de Maggiolo (82'). Fue eso y solo lamentos de los cuatro costados del Atanasio.

Pero el equipo de Armenia, que se divirtió tocando el esférico y viendo a su oponente correr detrás del balón, tenía preparada otra sorpresa. Con un Nacional jugado y con un hombre menos -Palomino vio la roja (70')-, llegó la sentencia de muerte para el local. Rodas y Vela la tejieron y Preciado, gordo y pesado, se llevó la marca de Mosquera y como en sus mejores tiempos, soltó una bomba que solo pudo frenar las redes del arco de Pezzuti.

Solo por decorar, Buitrago sancionó una falta en el área sobre Mondaini que David Córdoba cambió por gol en el segundo minuto de reposición. Pero la derrota fue justa para el cuadro antioqueño que volvió a ser una sombra y su fútbol un témpano de hielo. Quindío lo superó con creces y le dio una lección de fútbol y de humildad.

Ficha técnica

Atlético Nacional 1

Gastón Pezzuti

Víctor Giraldo

Juan Carlos Mosquera

Humberto Mosquera

Jair Iglesias

Daniel Arango

Jairo Palomino

Víctor Ibarbo

Dorlan Pabón

Marcos Mondaini

Ezequiel Maggiolo

DT: José Fernando Santa.

Deportes Quindío 2

Alejandro Otero

Fabio Castillo

Fáiner Torijano

Óscar Murillo

Fabio Rodríguez

Elkin Murillo

Alex Mejía

Luis Paz

Hilton Murillo

Carlos Rodas

Léider Preciado

DT: Fernando Castro

Partido: Bueno

Cambios en Nacional: David Córdoba por Daniel Arango (57') y Marlon Piedrahita por Jair Iglesias (67').

Cambios en Quindío: Juan Vela por Hilton Murillo (75'), John Valoy por Carlos Rodas (86') y William Tesillo por Luis Paz (90').

Goles: Hilton Murillo (29') y Léider Preciado (83'); David Córdoba (90+2').

Expulsados: Jairo Palomino (70').

Amarillas en Nacional: Jairo Palomino (32').

Amarillas en Quindìo: Luis Paz (26'), Elkin Murillo (45+2'), Fabio Rodríguez (52'), Óscar Murillo (78'), Léider Preciado (83') y John Valoy (90').

Figura: Elkin Murillo.

Estadio: Atanasio Girardot

Asistencia: 25.964 espectadores.

Taquilla: $ 364.218.000

Árbitro: Hernando Buitrago 6

COPYRIGHT © 2010 CEET Prohibida su reproducción parcial, así como su traducción a cualquier idioma sin autorización escrita de su titular.

Historic Spurs win a sign of the future?

Tomado de: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=844494

Autor: Kevin Palmer

It would be easy for Tottenham fans to get carried away by their side's first triumph at Arsenal in 17 long years, but this stunning victory may go down in history as a defining moment in the short term future of both clubs.

While Manchester City have been handed the somewhat patronising tag of being the "noisy neighbours" of their local rivals United, the tightening of the gap between Manchester's big two is still wide enough to ensure Sir Alex Ferguson's men do not need to quake in their boots just yet.

However, Tottenham's claims to have draw level with their neighbours Arsenal after many years in their shadow had more credence, with their elevation to Champions League status and the success they have enjoyed in Europe's elite competition this season suggesting Harry Redknapp's men were priming themselves to claim the high ground in North London football at long last.

A victory in their most recent clash with Arsenal added further weight to that growing belief that the old foes of London football were now playing on a more even playing field, but seismic events of the magnitude that took place at the Emirates Stadium on this Saturday afternoon may well leave a lasting imprint.

Arsenal fans will rightly point out that one victory counts for little in the grand scheme of things and yet with each and every brick that Tottenham place in their increasingly complete wall, they are starting to look like the team with real momentum in North London football.

Their thrilling victory against Inter Milan last month could have been dismissed as a one-off glory night if Spurs had followed it up with their familiar mix of inconsistent failures, but their first victory at a "top four" club in 69 attempts was significant in so many ways.

Falling 2-0 behind inside the first half an hour and lacking in belief as they faced up to the latest big test of their credentials, Spurs fell into all their old traps as their misplaced optimism appeared set to be undermined for the umpteenth time.

However, this Tottenham are different from their less confident predecessors and after a thrilling second half fight back say them draw level thanks to the input of their main men Gareth Bale and Rafael van der Vaart, the stage was set for them to secure the victory that could have transformed their image for good.

A sign that Redknapp and his team believed victory could be theirs was confirmed as they refused to settle for a point as they drew level with Van der Vaart's 67th minute penalty and you could sense the mood around this sold out Emirates Stadium turn decisively in Tottenham's favour.

With Arsenal boss Arsenal Wenger looking increasingly animated on the touchline and his team wasting a couple of late chances to snatch a lead themselves, Tottenham's moment of destiny arrived five minutes from time as they were awarded a free-kick some 35 yards from goal.

Wenger's arm-waving fury at the decision to give Spurs a set-play confirmed that he was fearing the worst as Van der Vaart stepped up to deliver the sort of set-play Arsenal have failed to defend with any certainty for years and as Younes Kaboul glanced a header towards goal, the Tottenham celebrations began in earnest.

You could hardly blame the visiting fans for celebrating as if their team had who so much more than three points because this match will always means more than any other in a season and Spurs boss Redknapp returned to his pre-season script as he reflected on his side's heroics.

"I've said we can achieve anything with this team and we are aiming for the very top, which means the title is a possibility for us," stated the Spurs boss. "Tottenham have a team now that should challenge for the championship within two years, that is my honest belief.

"I gave my lads a rollicking at half-time because they didn't believe in themselves in the first half, but to come from 2-0 down and beat Arsenal at this stadium is a fantastic achievement. The fans won't forget this win for a long time."

A third home defeat of the season was impossible for Wenger to accept and he could barely contain his annoyance as he met a media pack ready to bombard him with difficult questions.

"I'm speechless that we lost this match because if you look at the statistics, it is hard to see how Spurs finish on top," said the crestfallen Arsenal boss. "They shouldn't have been given the free-kick that they scored the winning goal from and luck was against us in other occasions in this game. Tottenham did not create too much over 90 minutes, but clearly we have a problem with concentration at key moments.

"This is a difficult result to accept, but we lost focus and that was crucial in the second half. Why we allowed them to catch us on the counter attack when we were 2-0 ahead is something we have to look at."

Arsenal's inability to deal with set-plays and their failure to finish off opponents they have at their mercy are not being addressed by Wenger and for that reason, it is hard to see how the Gunners can possibly end this season as champions.

Whether Tottenham are the genuine title contenders Redknapp believes them to be remains to be seen, but in a season when no team seems capable of grasping the nettle and take hold of the title race, an improbable contender may just have announced themselves.

MAN OF THE MATCH: William Gallas

The former Arsenal captain was handed the Tottenham armband as he returned to the Emirates Stadium and he turned in an impressive display to repel his former team mates. "He was immense from start to finished," was Redknapp's verdict of his Frenchman.

NASRI MAKES HIS POINT: Arsenal midfielder Nasri refused to shake the hand of Tottenham skipper Gallas before kick off as the long running feud between the two was made public. Nasri has Gallas have been at loggerheads since the later criticised the former in a recent book.

FACE IN THE CROWD: Thierry Henry was back at Arsenal, bedecked in his red and white scarf. He will not have enjoyed a horror story of a second half for his old team.

ARSENAL VERDICT: It seems somewhat repetitive to suggest Arsenal's weakness defending set-plays and their mental fragility will cost them again as their critics have been saying suggesting as much time and again over the last five trophyless years. In a season when the title is up for grabs, Wenger's men appear to be capable of taking advantage.

TOTTENHAM VERDICT: One win does not make a season, but this particular victory suggested Spurs are finally ready to step up to the plate and challenge the big guns consistently. It would be refreshing for the league if they live up to their manager's boasts and push for top spot in the months ahead.

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