Carlos Valderrama: Colombian king

World Cup Legend

May 5, 2010

By Jon Carter

With his frizzy mop of hair, sparkling jewellery and colourful personality, Carlos Alberto Valderrama Palacio is unquestionably one of the most recognisable footballers to have graced the World Cup.

GettyImagesCarlos Valderrama and his trademark hair.

The Colombian No.10 was instantly taken into the hearts of millions of football fans for his huge blonde perm, but Valderrama also had the skills to ensure that his contribution to the sport would not be overshadowed by his hairstyle as he went on to become one of the few stars of the game who captained their country to three World Cups.

Despite never realistically managing to mount an assault on the biggest prize in the game, his 111 caps for his country coupled with the grace and poise he demonstrated on the ball mark him out as a one of the best South Americans to have played the game.

Given his debut for Colombia in October 1985, he was certainly not a Wunderkind even though he carried the nickname "El Pibe" [The Kid], but instead made his bow in the 3-0 defeat to Paraguay aged 24. That said, Valderrama did not need a lot of time to make his mark on the national team setup and was not made to wait long before he was given the honour of wearing the captain's armband at the Copa America tournament in 1987 when he led his side to third place.

A gifted passer of the ball with an artistic nature that lends itself to the position, he was employed in the centre of the pitch as the team's playmaker for the 1990 World Cup in Italy and impressed on his first step on the world stage. A team that consisted of the likes of Rene Higuita and Freddy Rincon were given little chance as the country had not qualified for a World Cup since 1962 - when they had gone out in the first round - although the addition of the United Arab Emirates in a group that also contained West Germany and Yugoslavia gave them a chance of making it through.

Indeed, with Valderrama in commanding form as captain, Colombia claimed a place in the knockout stages as they finished third in their group. Beginning with a 2-0 win over the UAE, with goals from Redin and a 20-yard drive from Valderrama himself, Colombia lost to Yugoslavia but then claimed a creditable (and surprising) 1-1 draw against the eventual winners West Germany to seal their place in the next stage.

The South Americans had looked likely to miss out once Pierre Littbarski had netted in the 89th minute, but Valderrama produced a moment of magic when he turned well, waltzed past several players with a few delicate touches and delivered a pinpoint pass to team-mate Rincon who equalised through the legs of Bodo Illgner three minutes into injury time.

It was emblematic of his style: languid occasionally, but incisive when it mattered.

Against Cameroon in the second round, Valderrama's class in the centre of the pitch shone through again but, in a goalless game forced into extra-time, his input (albeit a year earlier) would see his side knocked out when Roger Milla dispossessed erractic goalkeeper Rene Higuita in one of the most memorable goals in World Cup history.

Of course Higuita remains culpable for his actions, but Valderrama had been the one to alert Milla [a former Montpellier team-mate of his] to the goalkeeper's eccentricities by giving him a videotape to study a year before the World Cup.

Colombia paid the price for Higuita's tomfoolery but Valderrama's reputation was buoyed by his performances in Italy. By the time the 1994 edition in America rolled around, the colourful midfielder was viewed as one of the best playmakers in the game and Colombia were surprisingly tipped by many to go far in the competition.

An injury suffered in one of the warm-up games before the tournament began de-railed his preparations and there were concerns that Valderrama would not be fit in time. He was, but defeats to Romania and the USA heralded a disappointing early exit, although worse was to follow.

GettyImagesValderrama impressed against West Germany in 1990.

Upon their return to Colombia, Valderrama's friend and team-mate Andres Escobar was murdered for the own goal he scored against the USA - the goal that sealed their exit from the tournament. It raised questions over the future of the squad and was a huge blow for a national side who were beginning to forge real ambitions on the world stage, while for Valderrama, the tragedy was marked as the lowest point of his career.

"It's very difficult for me to talk about him,'' he told the St. Petersburg Times in 2001. ''It's very painful. He was very close to me. We were very good friends, very good friends. That has been my worst experience playing the sport."

In France four years later, at the age of 37, Valderrama once again led his country to a World Cup. However, the mental scars of 1994 were still fresh for Colombia, while age had caught up with the midfielder and he was unable to have the same kind of impact as he had done in the past. A dismal campaign saw them exit early, and despite beating Tunisia it ended with a 2-0 defeat to England - Valderrama's last appearance in the famous shirt.

Valderrama will forever be remembered for his wild, untamable hairstyle, however his footballing style was almost the antithesis. A smooth, graceful and natural performer, his impact on Colombian football in the 90s saw him voted "Player of the Century" in his homeland with more than 70% of the votes and his sublime natural ability and awareness mark him out as one of the greats of the game.

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The two-man bicycle kick

@ Yahoo! Video

La educación también juega en Nacional

ATLÉTICO NACIONAL AVANZA en un proyecto piloto que busca un modelo de desarrollo integrado de gestión humana con todos los empleados del club. Así mismo, realizará un convenio con la Universidad Ceipa para que los jugadores hagan una carrera profesional.

José Fernando Serna Osorio | Medellín | Publicado el 22 de abril de 2010

Nacional quiere ser más que un equipo de fútbol. La materia prima más importante de la institución verdolaga, sus empleados, son el fundamento del proyecto piloto que emprende la Corporación Deportiva en busca de un ser humano íntegro.

En afán de contribuir a la transformación de la sociedad y una preparación personal física y mental íntegra, se avanza en la realización de un proyecto encaminado a un modelo completo de gestión humana.

"La idea es no pensar como equipo, sino como una empresa deportiva que se interesa porque sus empleados -administrativos, directores técnicos y jugadores- sean personas integrales", afirmó Juan Carlos de la Cuesta, presidente del Atlético Nacional.

Este proyecto piloto, ambicioso por demás, se iniciará con varios grupos de las categoría menores. A los jóvenes se les darán cursos que tiene que ver con proyectos de vida, valores, manejo de la fama, finanzas personales, prevención en sexualidad y alcoholismo, y aporte social, luego el trabajo se extenderá a los demás entes que conforman la institución.

Así mismo, temas como el desarrollo humano, el emprendimiento, cultura general e inglés harán parte de ese gran ramillete de temas que van a recibir todos los empleados.

La presencia de las familias de los jugadores en dichos cursos, es igualmente una prelación de las directivas verdes, ya que son acompañantes vitales en las carreras deportivas de los futbolistas.

"Es el fortalecimiento de personas más competitivas con un alto desempeño académico y deportivo. Se busca que cada uno de los integrantes de esta familia que es Nacional se esfuerce cada día por mejorar en los aspectos personales y profesionales", agregó de la Cuesta.

Vínculos efectivos
"Si el fútbol se acaba, la vida continúa", esta es la enseñanza que quiere trasmitir la Universidad Ceipa, socia directa del proyecto que tiene Nacional.

La institución educativa estableció un canje con la dirigencia verde para permutar educación por publicidad.

Ellos serán los encargados de dictar los cursos a todos los vinculados en este ideal.

La formación profesional, escasa en la mayoría de los futbolistas, será el punto más alto al que quieren llegar con la alianza entre el ente deportivo y el educativo.

José Praolini, facilitador de la alianza, comentó que "lo que se busca es que culminada la carrera futbolística de los jugadores ellos tengan definidos sus horizontes profesionales".

Pregrados en administración de empresas, financiera, humana y mercadeo se pondrán a disposición de los deportistas y empleados de Nacional para que opten por estudiar y pensar en el futuro.

Los estudios se realizarán semipresenciales (virtuales) para no tener impedimento con viajes y compromisos. Con esto Nacional se suma tres puntos en formación educativa y deportiva.

Copyright © EL COLOMBIANO S.A. & CIA. S.C.A.

Arsenal finally exit the title race

By Richard Jolly, DW Stadium

Cruelly and conclusively, dramatically and decisively, weirdly and, for Wigan, wonderfully, Arsenal exited the title race. The improbable has become the impossible. There will be no silverware at the Emirates Stadium this year.

GettyImages. Emmanuel Eboue rues Wigan's late goal at the DW Stadium

They departed in a manner that may appear familiar: having been propelled back into contention by a flurry of late goals, they conceded three. After spending a decade and a half importing players who are young, quick and French, they saw a man who answers that description, in Charles N'Zogbia, score a superlative winner. Criticised for their idealistic style of play, they were overcome by a Wigan team with a similar ethos.

Not that a hint of imitation renders it any easier. For Arsenal, too much was recognisable. Accusations that have been levelled, with varying degrees of justification, for several years were relevant at the DW Stadium: there was a lack of ruthlessness, evidence of a soft underbelly and, above all, questionable goalkeeping.

Lukasz Fabianski's 25th birthday amounted to a memorable one. Sadly for the Pole, so culpable in Arsenal's elimination from the FA Cup, he erred disastrously in another competition. He dropped N'Zogbia's 89th-minute corner almost straight on to the head of Bramble. His header crossed the line before Gael Clichy managed to boot it back out again. "I keep my opinion for myself," Arsene Wenger said. "I believe you cannot say today we lost the game because of the goalkeeper."

Minus Manuel Almunia, absent with a wrist injury, Arsenal again provided fuel for the argument that a great, or at least a very good, goalkeeper is required to win the Premier League. A superior standard of second-string centre back is, too: while Sol Campbell's was another valiant effort in a losing cause, Mikael Silvestre illustrated why Sir Alex Ferguson was willing to sell him. In added time, he was dispossessed by Hugo Rodallega. The Colombian found N'Zogbia, whose shot was whipped into the far corner with force.

It was fitting, though, that Ben Watson began the comeback. Brought back after a loan spell at West Brom, the midfielder's first league start of the season came against the club he supported. He could have won a penalty, when Samir Nasri tugged him back. He could earlier scored, too, with a low shot after Victor Moses found him, and then again, with a header that was cleared off the line.

"The first goal was very important and we were not in the right position," Wenger added. "I never thought the game was over because I saw we were in difficulties to keep the ball, to create other chances. When you do not create chances, you are in trouble. I always felt we could be punished. We were not focused and not disciplined and were caught."

It amounted to an uncomfortable afternoon for Wenger. As is his wont, he removed his jacket in frustration, flinging it to the turf. As tends to be the case at the DW Stadium, he was mocked by the Wigan fans, spreading their arms wide open as they imitated the Frenchman's repeated appeals to the referee.

GettyImages. Things had looked positive when Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead

The five minutes either side of the interval should have brought satisfaction. First Theo Walcott accepted Nicklas Bendtner's pass to evade Bramble and Maynor Figueroa before prodding a shot past Chris Kirkland. Then the otherwise errant Silvestre headed in Nasri's corner.

At which point, as Wenger himself admitted, they were back in contention at the summit of the division, only to promptly remove themselves from it. Theirs has been a strange challenge. Arsenal have displayed a capacity to veer in and out of the title race, sometimes due to their own powers of recovery and sometimes because of others' failings. On this occasion, their own shortcomings accounted for their eventual exit.

A shortage of players contributed, too. Wenger's selection may have only included four of his first-choice side; apart from the sidelined, their returning hope arrived too late. With the benefit of hindsight, delaying the Robin van Persie's introduction behind those of Fran Merida and Emmanuel Eboue backfired.

Arsenal joined Chelsea and Liverpool on Wigan's list of scalps. "Without a doubt, that was the best of the lot," Roberto Martinez said. "We have beaten our weakness, which is accepting disappointment and reacting in the right manner. We have folded many times and we have been through very painful lessons this season. Today, to be able to come back from 2-0 down, it just shows you we learned from our experiences."

Next season will provide the test for Arsenal: have they learned from theirs?

MAN OF THE MATCH: Ben Watson Martinez has rarely given the impression he rated Watson, one of Steve Bruce's final signings, but that could change. His was a determined display as he exerted an influence in each department.

WIGAN VERDICT: It was a remarkable response in the final 15 minutes. While Martinez insisted they need another win, this should keep them in the top-flight for another year. With players of the calibre of N'Zogbia and Rodallega, they ought to be there. But their ability to beat three of the Big Four also highlights the inconsistency that has blighted their season.

ARSENAL VERDICT: There has been character in abundance over the last couple of months, but this was a capitulation. The squad was stretched too thinly, which underlined the need for reinforcements, with a central defender and a striker of particular use, although there is certainly a case for giving Campbell an extended deal. For Fabianski, the birthday is also a milestone: at 25, can he really be regarded as a young player anymore? While knee-jerk reactions should often be avoided, Arsenal fans hankering for Hugo Lloris or Joe Hart have a point.

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No diga fútbol, diga Messi

Leo Messi se hizo dueño en el Camp Nou del fútbol mundial. Una auténtica exhibición, un poker de goles y una maravilla futbolística que le sitúa como el mejor jugador del mundo. Y sin discusión

Messi dio toda una exhibición ante el Arsenal

Josep Capdevila

¿Y ahora cómo lo explico eso? Esa es la pregunta que se hace el periodista cuando tiene que narrar otro, el enésimo recital, la enésima exhibición, el no va más, el... de un jovencito de 22 años que está dispuesto a hacer sufrir a los rivales que tiene por delante y a los periodistas que tenemos que explicarlo. El resto del mundo, eso si, se lo pasa pipa con él.

Supongo que no es necesario explicar que estamos hablando de Leo Messi. El hombre, el joven capaz de empequeñecer todo lo que hacen lo que están a su lado, se llamen Xavi, Iniesta, Ibrahimovic... Da igual. Messi es la solución a todo. Cualquier problema que puedas tener, él te lo soluciona.

Al Barça, ante el Arsenal, se le presentó un problema cuando en el minuto 18, los ingleses se adelantaron en el marcador, con un gol de Bendtner, tras un rechace de Valdés a otro disparo suyo. Pero Messi no quería que nadie tuviera ni tiempo para preocuparse. Él solito se inventó una jugada, aprovechó un rechace de Silvestre que pareció una asistencia y gol con un disparo desde el borde del área.

Y no se piensen que esto era lo primero bueno que hacía Leo. No. En el minuto 4 ya había hecho lucirse a Almunia con un fuerte disparo que el portero desvió a córner. Y en el 11', otro disparo suyo se fue fuera por muy poco, llegando a tocar la red superior.

Tras el 1-1, no se acabó la exhibición de Messi. Que va. Al contrario. Parece claro que el gol de Bendtner le había picado de mala manera. Y su venganza fue terrible. Dio otro aviso mandando al lateral de la red un disparo en el 31' tras jugada individual. Y en el 36', llegó el segundo gol. Fue una combinación de lujo con la participación de jugadores como Abidal, Xavi o Pedro, entre otros y rematada como sólo sabe hacer él del delantero argentino. Otra 'barraca'.

¿Era suficiente para irse tranquilos al descanso? Pues no. Faltaba otra genialidad. Keita le pasó un balón con la cabeza y ala, a correr. Leo se fue como una bala hacia la portería y a la salida de Almunia le batió con una espectacular vaselina. Era el 3-1 y, ahora si, al descanso para poder repasar mentalmente todo lo que había mostrado Leo Messi.

LESION DE ABIDAL

Aún con el "shock" por lo visto en el primer tiempo, los dos equipos saltaron al terreno de juego en la segunda parte. Y el partido enloqueció un poco. El Arsenal tenía que ir a por todas para marcar dos goles y ello le obligó a abrir líneas, lo que favorecía las contras de los hombres de Pep Guardiola.

Los minutos fueron pasando sin noticias, lo cual ya era bueno para el Barça. Bueno, sí que hubo una noticia, y mala. En el minuto 7, Abidal tuvo una nueva lesión muscular y tuvo que ser sustituido por Maxwell.

El Arsenal siguió buscando el gol que les metiera de nuevo en el partido y el Barça esperaba que pasaran los minutos y a ver si encontraban una contra letal para acabar la exhibición. Pudo ser letal una contra montada por Messi con inteligencia sacando rápidamente una falta para Pedro, que se fue solo hacia portería, pero su disparo a la salida de Almunia salió fuera (25').

Los ingleses dieron un susto poco después con un remate de Bendtner que se estrelló en el poste (26') pero la jugada estaba anulada por fuera de juego. Y los minutos siguieron pasando, con el Barça que quería el balón, que iba confeccionando sus rondos cada vez más largos y con el Arsenal corriendo mucho detrás del balón.

Iniesta entró por Pedro (40') para tener unos minutos tras su lesión y Maxwell tuvo el 4-1 en sus botas (86') pero Almunia le detuvo su lanzamiento. Pero el portero español nada pudo hacer un minuto después, cuando Messi chutó, despejó con los pies, pero nada pudo hacer ante el segundo remate del argentino. Al fondo de la red. Y por debajo de las piernas del portero.

Era la guinda. El punto y final a una noche inolvidable para Messi y para todos los que amen el fútbol con letras mayúsculas. El Barça ya está en semifinales. El Inter espera. Y en Madrid empiezan a saber lo que es el canguelo que nos vendían el año pasado pensando en lo que puede pasar el sábado...

LO MEJOR DE LA EXHIBICIÓN DE MESSI Y EL BARÇA, EN IMÁGENES

Ficha técnica

FC Barcelona: Valdés; Alves, Milito, Márquez, Abidal (Maxwell, 52'); Xavi, Busquets, Keita, Messi, Bojan (Touré, 54') y Pedro (Iniesta, 85').

Arsenal: Almunia; Sagna, Vermaelen, Silvestre (Eboué (63'), Clichy; Denilson, Diaby, Walcott, Nasri, Rosicky (Eduardo, 71') y Bendtner.

Arbitro: Wolfgang Stark (Alemania). Tarjetas amarillas a Denilson (30'); Rosicky (43'); Eboue (66')

Goles:
0-1, Bendtner (18')
1-1, Messi (20')
2-1, Messi (36')
3-1, Messi (41')
4-1, Messi (86')

© Ediciones Deportivas Catalanas S.A. 2007 GRUPO ZETA

The legacy of Rene Higuita

Tim Vickery | 11:09 UK time, Monday, 1 February 2010

Rene has walked away. And like the empty sidewalks in the old Four Tops hit, football is not the same. The game will miss Rene Higuita.

The eccentric Colombian keeper bid farewell with an exhibition match last week.

Of course, he had to produce the famous 'scorpion' save one last time. But for all its novelty value, the 'scorpion' is not the reason for Higuita's importance. Nor, in the final analysis, are the goals he scored. His free-kicks and penalties were no circus act, and they inspired a line of goalscoring South American goalkeepers.

No, there is a better reason for Higuita to be remembered. He was years ahead of his time.

Higuita performs his 'scorpion' save for the final time

He was a pioneer when it came to his skill with the ball at his feet and in his willingness to take responsibility for situations 40 metres from goal. Before the change in the back pass rule obliged keepers to develop these abilities, he was already showing that a team is made up of 11 footballers, not of 10 players and a goalkeeper.

This had important tactical ramifications, helping forge the style of the Colombia team of the late '80s and early '90s.

With Higuita behind them, the defensive line could push higher up the field, pressing the opposition to win the ball back. Then, when in possession, they were a more compact unit, with lots of options for their trademark short passing.

It was a South American twist on some of the ideas of the great Holland side of 1974.

Colombia coach Francisco Maturana acknowledged the debt and stressed the importance of his goalkeeper to the system.

Higuita, he wrote shortly before the 1990 World Cup, "gives us something no one else has, and we take full advantage. With Rene as sweeper, we have 11 outfield players.... Jan Jongbloed, the Holland keeper in the 1974 World Cup, also operated as a sweeper. With a difference. The Dutchman came out just to boot the ball into the stands. Higuita can do much more."

In the event, Maturana probably wished Higuita had blasted the ball into Row Y.

In the second-round game against Cameroon, just as the Colombian TV commentator was describing Higuita as "an exceptional sweeper", wily Roger Milla robbed him outside his area and raced away to score what proved to be the decisive goal.

This, though, was the price Colombia paid for their style of play. Higuita made no effort to hide his error, seemed strong enough to live with it, and the whole thing could be written off as experience on the way to USA 94.

For me, it is one of the big 'what ifs' of football history. What might have happened had Rene Higuita been able to play in that World Cup 16 years ago?

Placed among the pre-tournament favourites, Colombia's campaign quickly blew up in tears and tragedy - real tragedy, with centre back Andres Escobar murdered in Medellin a few days after their first-round elimination.

It's easy to forget what a good side Colombia were.

They went into USA 94 on a run of one defeat in 34 games, including a 5-0 win in Buenos Aires, the first time Argentina had ever lost a World Cup qualifier at home.

The Colombia team that went to USA 94 had lots of merits - but did not have its goalkeeper. Higuita was in jail - harshly, as the authorities now admit.

He had been called in to act as an intermediary in a kidnapping case. Receiving money for his actions was against the rules.

Colombia were not the same side without him. Young replacement Oscar Cordoba was a competent shot stopper. He had done well in Buenos Aires. But on that occasion, Argentina were doing the pressing.

The World Cup debut against Romania was very different. Hagi and co were the counter-attacking specialists. Colombia played some beautiful football, but this was a game where they needed the keeper to play his sweeper's role. Cordoba couldn't. His decision making was exposed, and Romania won 3-1.

And if Colombia had missed Higuita from a technical point of view, now they really needed him from a psychological perspective.

Andres Escobar scores the own goal which went on to cost him his life

All the pressure was on the second game against the USA. The Colombia team had been receiving death threats since before Italia 90. But now, with the spotlight on them, the stakes were so much higher.

Colombia had become 'Locombia' - the crazy country.

Drug cartels were running amok, politicians, judges and journalists were routinely assassinated. The death threats reaching the national team were taken very seriously. The dressing room was in panic. The team were a nervous wreck.

Faustino Asprilla later confessed that during the national anthems he was glancing round the stadium wondering where the shot was going to come from. In no state to play a World Cup match, they lost again.

Higuita might have made a difference. He seemed nerveless. His antics had traditionally filled his team-mates with confidence.

Against England at Wembley in 1988, he dribbled round Gary Lineker, "as if it was a park game back home," recalled Maturana. "And if Higuita could play his normal, natural game, then the others had to follow his example. And we started playing our football."

His team were well worth their 1-1 draw. This, for them, was a huge occasion, their first big trip to Europe. Holding England at Wembley was seen in Colombia as the day their football came of age.

Their equaliser that night was scored by Andres Escobar. Six years later, his own goal against the USA ended up costing him his life. It's a mark of the importance of Higuita that it is conceivable that events would have take a different turn had he been around.

Comments on the piece in the space provided. Questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.
From last week's postbag:

These transfers in Brazilian football - I'm really interested to find out how they are being funded. It's something that's been on my mind for a while, and even more so now Robinho is at Santos.

Apparently they are paying all his wages and bonuses? How is this possible? Are they relying on improved gates from when he plays or have sponsors/investors stepped in to fund the loan?

I've been told this is how it happened when Corinthians signed Ronaldo. With Vagner Love, Roberto Carlos and Adriano all now playing in Brazil, as well as Botafogo signing Abreu it seems like there must be a lot more money in the league. Is that the case?

Russell Slater

I believe almost all of the money will come from sponsors, as is the case with Adriano, Fred and a few others. Ronaldo is not so much an employee of Corinthians, more a partner who gets a cut of merchandise sales in addition to his basic wage, funded by sponsors.

The big trend here, I think, is the professionalisation of marketing departments, which, together with the size of the internal market and the strength of the Brazilian currency, is making these deals viable.

There are some players earning big money here now, although the drift to Europe shows no sign of stopping. So it would be unwise to go overboard.

As Sao Paulo director Marco Aurelio Cunha says, the return moves are "a short term strategy [ie to gain visibility in the run up to the World Cup], or an option at the end of a career."

As regards the signing by Botafogo of the Uruguayan Abreu, this highlights another growing trend.

In general, first division wages in Brazil are considerably higher than elsewhere in the continent. As Brazil starts to open up to its neighbours, we're seeing more players from the rest of South America come in.

There are a few high profile Argentines in Brazil - but no high profile Brazilians in Argentina.

© MMX

Is the Copa Libertadores better than the Champions League?

Tim Vickery | 09:42 UK time, Monday, 22 February 2010

There are people who argue that South America's Copa Libertadores is better than the Uefa Champions League. It's a perverse view, often motivated by bitterness - a bit like those who like to claim that The Beatles were over-rated.

The Champions League congregates the best players from all over the world - it's where they want to be, and where they need to shine these days in order to be considered truly great. But if Europe's leading club competition is Lennon and McCartney, it doesn't necessarily follow that the Libertadores is Herman's Hermits, as last week made abundantly and gloriously clear.

The reigning champions can be beaten in the Champions League - Barcelona can be spoiled and marked and frustrated, as they were by Rubin Kazan of Russia last October. But it's hard to imagine them being ripped apart in the group phase by rank outsiders, as happened to their South American counterparts in the Libertadores last Thursday.

Alianza Lima caused an upset by beating Estudiantes

It is only two months since Estudiantes of Argentina came within two minutes of causing a major upset by beating Barcelona and being crowned world club champions.

Then they got the defence of the Libertadores title they won last year off to a sound start, turning the screws on Juan Aurich of Peru in the second half to win 5-1. With Juan Sebastian Veron backed by Brana to win the ball, Perez to scurry down the right and Benitez with his elegant left foot on the other flank, there is probably not a better midfield in the continent - especially since the elegant Jose Sosa has been loaned back from Bayern Munich.

Last Thursday in Peru, Alianza Lima kicked off - and it took Sosa just seven seconds to charge down a forward punt and race away to score. Business as usual.

Alianza had surprisingly won 3-1 away to Bolivar of Bolivia in their first match, but surely they would be out of their depth now. Nothing much was expected of them going into the campaign.

The club had competed in the competition six times since the expansion in 2000 without reaching the knock out stages, and this year they had not qualified as champions of Peru. Giving away an early goal in such inept fashion would surely be an insurmountable blow to their morale.

Instead they hit back to win 4-1. Striker Wilmer Aguirre was impossible to mark. The Estudiantes defenders could not catch him to throw sand at his backside as he scored a hat-trick. And this is a player who spent two utterly unremarkable seasons in France with Metz, and spent most of last year on the Alianza bench.

The remaining goal was scored by big centre forward Jose Carlo Fernandez, who put in another impressive display to follow up a superb one the previous week against Bolivar.

Fernandez also spent two seasons in Europe - and came back from Russia and Belgium without a single league goal. In 2009 for Alianza he only managed three in 33 appearances, the last in July. And now in two Libertadores matches he already has three to his name.

Suddenly these two players - both of them three months short of 27 - have shot up a level or 10. Theirs is an extreme example, but it is wonderfully illustrative of the capacity the Libertadores has to surprise.

Teams can emerge from nowhere, players can find the key to unlock their natural ability. It all makes the Libertadores a much less predictable competition than the Champions League.

The other great virtue of the South American competition is the space it gives to youngsters on the way up - another aspect that was strongly highlighted last week.

Libertad have become a force in Paraguayan football over recent years, but have a very small support base. Their strategy is based on producing players and selling them on, and this year's crop looks very promising.

Last Tuesday's 4-0 win over Blooming of Bolivia as not a great night for their lanky left-footed striker Pablo Velasquez, so impressive in the three previous games as they fought their way through the qualifying round and then won away to Lanus of Argentina.

But gnat-like little Rodolfo Gamarra, 21, on the right flank was in fine form, greedy but excellent in one-against-one situations. And 22-year-old right wing back Victor Hugo Ayala looks an interesting prospect, curling in crosses like ex-national team right back Arce, and scoring with a ferocious free-kick.

With victory assured, Libertad gave a few minutes to a 16-year-old, Rodrigo Alborno, tall, strong and left footed, who produced a couple moments of breathtaking promise.

Banfield's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez (right) is one to watch

And talking of strong, well-built players with an excellent left foot, Banfield of Argentina have a magnificent prospect in 18-year-old Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez.

He scored with a nice, clipped finish last Wednesday away to Deportivo Cuenca of Ecuador, after opening his account the week before against Morelia of Mexico.

Rodriguez looks tailor-made for European football, and may well be joining Udinese of Italy in the next transfer window. He is unlikely to be gracing the Libertadores for long.

The last three teams in the competition will make their debut this week - three Brazilian heavyweights, Internacional with an impressive squad, and the big two, Flamengo, with Adriano and Vagner Love, and Corinthians with Ronaldo and Roberto Carlos.

With some big names to enjoy, along with the surprise factor and the sneak preview of the up and comers, then perhaps a connection can be made between the Copa Libertadores and Herman's Hermits. As I settle down to follow the action, 'something tells me I'm into something good!'

Comments on the piece in the space provided. Questions on South American football to vickerycolumn@hotmail.com, and I'll pick out a couple for next week.
From last week's postbag;

In one of your previous articles you briefly mentioned the high influx of Paraguayan players going to Mexican clubs.

As a Mexican, I grew up watching Jose Saturnino Cardozo shine in Toluca but as for other big name Paraguayan internationals, that was it. Now nearly every club in Mexico has a Paraguayan star in their team.

Even today my favourite club in Mexico, Pumas UNAM, has two Paraguayan players in Dario Veron and Dante Lopez who were vital in winning the league title recently.

Cristian Riveros is one of many Paraguayan players who have moved to Mexico

Why is it that so many players from Paraguay are coming to play in Mexico, and do you think the recent incident with Salvador Cabañas, who to me has been the closest to emulating what Cardozo did in Mexico, discourage Paraguayan players from coming to Mexico?
Rafael Diaz

I doubt that the shooting of Cabanas - who I believe has now moved out of the intensive care unit - will have much effect on the trade. Paraguayan clubs need to sell, Mexican clubs have money to buy and the long move north has been good for lots of Paraguayan careers.

The main reason that so many have moved is that Mexican clubs have discovered what a good investment Paraguayan players can be. Some go to Europe, but not that many - perhaps they're frequently not the biggest players around and they can also be a bit shy. But so often they are excellent team players, battlers with increasingly, a good technical level as youth development work has improved in the country.

There are some Paraguayans in Mexico - Cristian Riveros of Cruz Azul is an obvious example, perhaps Edgar Benitez of Pachuca - who could do a good job in Europe. Credit goes to the Mexican clubs for snapping them up.


For Argentina at the Fifa World Cup 2010, who are the options at right back besides Marcos Angeleri?
Chris Leonard

Angeleri of Estudiantes is only just starting his comeback from long-term injury - and we'll have to see if this has affected his pace, which was his outstanding asset. For next week's friendly against Germany his club-mate Clemente Rodriguez has been called up but I really don't see him as a viable option.

Is there anyone better than Zanetti out there? I still wonder, bearing in mind the lack of full-back options on both flanks, whether Maradona will end up going with a back three.

© MMX

A Five-Star Performance Against Porto

A Five-Star Performance Against Porto

Posted by David Young 6 hours, 28 minutes ago

In the absence of Cesc Fabregas, Arsenal swept aside Porto with a five-goal victory to advance to the quarter-finals of the Champions League. It was a wonderfully determined performance by the Gunners, the highlight of which was a hat-trick from Nicklas Bendtner who made amends for his striking horror show against Burnley at the weekend.

Samir Nasri scored the goal of the night, finishing a mazy run in the box that left Porto defenders in his wake with a rifling shot into the far corner of the net. Emmanuel Eboue also got on the scoresheet by rounding the keeper at the end of a thrilling breakaway.

You have to admire the way Bendtner bounced back. Some of the criticism he received from the media after the Burnley match was completely over the top to the extent that by yesterday morning BBC Radio Five Live reported that Arsene Wenger was keeping faith with his young striker after he had missed "six open goals" on Saturday.

I don’t know about you but my definition of an open goal is quite literal - there is no opposition player between the striker and the goal and all he has to do is place the ball into the empty net. As bad as the Dane’s misses were on Saturday to report he squandered half a dozen open-goal opportunities was a scandalous and grossly exaggerated distortion of the truth that does the player no favours at all.

Hat-trick Man Bendtner ©Getty Images

As I reported in my last post, he received a rousing ovation from the Ashburton Grove fans when he was subbed off on Saturday and he repaid their faith with interest. The first goal saw him react quicker than the Porto defence to a loose ball. The second was a tap-in and the third was a late penalty. Some might argue they were “easy chances” but, being under such scrutiny and pressure, I don’t think anything was going to be completely straight-forward for him last night.

Any psychological hangover he might have had from the weekend was not in evidence though as he did the job that Arsenal needed him to do in what was a hugely important match - he got into the right positions and converted his chances as they came along. His contribution to the overall team effort was also worthy of note. He won countless headers during the evening and involved himself in plenty of link-up play.

The challenge for him now is to go on and produce performances like this time after time. He will not score hat-tricks in every match but neither will he be as profligate as he was against Burnley. His response to his weekend nightmare was swift and convincing. He now needs to move on, get his head down and concentrate on producing consistent displays.

With the captain injured, Samir Nasri also stepped up to the plate in the way that we hoped he would. He showed plenty of industry in the heart of midfield and his passing was efficient and effective. For too long Cesc has had to take the sole responsibility for making the midfield tick so it is good news that Nasri is now starting to show signs of being a more-than-able deputy. Elsewhere, the full return of Andrey Arshavin added to Arsenal’s offensive threat. Although not a scorer, he was involved in the creation of the three of the goals and troubled the Porto defence all evening.

It has to be said that the overall attacking performance was excellent last night. The team seemed to be patient, focussed and concentrated. If there had to be one criticism of the display it was that the defence did look ragged at times. Though Porto were only able to mount sporadic periods of pressure and rarely got as far as forcing a save out of Manuel Almunia, there were still a few heart-attack moments at the back and the home support could only rest easy once the fourth goal had gone in at the other end. Despite this, history will show that the team kept a clean sheet and they should be applauded for that. However, they will have to tighten things up defensively in the next round when they will inevitably be paired with stronger opposition than the Portuguese side.

Still, last night was not a night for picking holes in the performance. If you can’t sit back and enjoy a 5-0 home victory in the Champions League then you might as well give up being a football fan. The players cannot spend too long basking in their victory though as they have to prepare for a trip to Hull City on Saturday in the Premier League. It is always tricky going away to teams who are battling relegation and the Gunners’ attitude will have to be absolutely spot-on. Add to this the previous history between the two clubs concerning various incidents that have taken place both on and off the pitch and it is match where Arsene Wenger is going to have to make sure the players carry out their task with cold-blooded professionalism.

Whilst we wait and hope for Chelsea and Manchester United to drop further points, the Arsenal players have to uphold their end of the deal by continuing win games and maintain pressure at the top. The trip to Hull could be an awkward one but it is exactly the sort of match the team need to be taking the full three points from if they are going to have a realistic chance of being involved in the shake-up come May.

© ESPN Soccernet 2009

The future's bright: 2015 Premier League line-ups

2015 PREMIER LEAGUE LINE-UPS

The future's bright

By Norman Hubbard

As the Noughties draw to a close, there is little doubt that the decade in English football has belonged to four clubs: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United. But how well prepared are they for the 2010s?

What will the future hold for the Premier League's top teams?

Assuming that each of their immediate rivals emulated Chelsea and picked up a transfer ban, how would the major contenders (plus the club with the resources to join them) look halfway through the next decade?

It is, of course, a hypothetical exercise and presumes each player will stay at his current club, but it can indicate which departments managers will target in their recruitment drives.

All teams are for January 1, 2015, with ages correct for then.

ARSENAL

(4-3-3): Vito Mannone (27); Bacary Sagna (31), Alex Song (27), Thomas Vermaelen (29), Kieran Gibbs (25); Cesc Fabregas (27), Abou Diaby (28), Aaron Ramsey (24); Theo Walcott (25), Robin van Persie (31), Jack Wilshere (23).

Substitutes: Lukasz Fabianski (29), Gael Clichy (29), Johan Djourou (27), Craig Eastmond (24), Samir Nasri (27), Nicklas Bendtner (26), Carlos Vela (25).

GettyImages

Jack Wilshere is already beginning to knock on the first-team door at Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger's futuristic approach means Arsenal should fare well in such predictions; long-term planning is a forte at the Emirates Stadium. Even without signing a midfielder, the team of 2015 contains enough talent to leave Samir Nasri on the bench. Given Wenger's ageism, Bacary Sagna and Robin van Persie may have to be careful that they are not pensioned off beforehand, though neither should be in decline then.

There are plenty of examples of players adopting deeper positions as they age and this suspicion is that the future of Abou Diaby, who has long been compared to Patrick Vieira, lies as the midfield anchorman while Alex Song could revert to defence. The battle between Gael Clichy and Kieran Gibbs for the left-back position seems a particular indication of strength, while Aaron Ramsey and Jack Wilshere should not peak until the second half of the decade. But, as ever with Arsenal, the areas of concern may include the goalkeeper.

CHELSEA

(4-3-3): Petr Cech (32); Branislav Ivanovic (30), Slobodan Rajkovic (25), John Terry (34), Yuri Zhirkov (31); Michael Essien (32), John Obi Mikel (27), Nemanja Matic (26); Gael Kakuta (23), Franco di Santo (25), Fabio Borini (23).

Subs: Ross Turnbull (29), Ashley Cole (34), Michael Mancienne (26), Jeffrey Bruma (23), Miroslav Stoch (25), Salomon Kalou (29), Daniel Sturridge (25).

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Gael Kakuta: An exciting prospect.

This is a Chelsea team with a difference. It is hard to foresee even a player as fit as Frank Lampard lasting another five years, while Didier Drogba, Nicolas Anelka, Michael Ballack, Ricardo Carvalho and Florent Malouda are still more unlikely to figure. John Terry and the two Coles, Ashley and Joe, may be in their final season.

So the next few years provides the real test of Frank Arnesen's recruitment policy. Two Serbs, Nemanja Matic and Slobodan Rajkovic, are thus far untried but could have pivotal roles, along with the controversially recruited Gael Kakuta. Fabio Borini and Franco di Santo have potential but it is easy to envisage Chelsea spending heavily on a striker in the meantime - possibly, of course, in January - and on a midfielder in the subsequent seasons.

LIVERPOOL

(4-3-3): Jose Reina (32); Glen Johnson (30), Martin Skrtel (30), Daniel Agger (30), Emiliano Insua (25); Alberto Aquilani (30), Javier Mascherano (30), Damien Plessis (26); Steven Gerrard (34), Fernando Torres (30), Daniel Pacheco (23).

Subs: Peter Gulacsi (24), Mikel San Jose (25), Daniel Sanchez Ayala (24), Martin Kelly (24), Lucas Leiva (27), David Ngog (25), Krisztian Nemeth (25).

GettyImages

Will Liverpool have an all-Spanish front line with Daniel Pacheco partnering Fernando Torres?

If the majority of Rafa Benitez's current charges should have several seasons left in them, the ages of the side above indicate that Liverpool will need to rebuild around the middle of the decade, when eight of this 11 will be in their thirties. If there are reasons to doubt that such an unfortunately injury-prone player as Daniel Agger will last that long, there should be younger alternatives in defence.

A lack of options is particularly pronounced on the flanks, however, while the immediate future should determine if Benitez's enthusiastic recruitment of young talents such as David Ngog, Daniel Pacheco, Andras Simon and Krisztian Nemeth has actually yielded one of sufficient stature to be an automatic choice at Anfield. If not, then the next few years could provide a repeat of the last: a search for world-class performers being accompanied by a need to gamble on unproven players.

MANCHESTER UNITED

(4-4-2): Ben Foster (31); Rafael da Silva (24), Nemanja Vidic (33), Jonny Evans (26), Fabio da Silva (24); Ravel Morrison (21), Darren Fletcher (30), Anderson (26), Danny Welbeck (24); Wayne Rooney (29), Federico Macheda (23).

Subs: Ron-Robert Zieler (25), John O'Shea (33), Darron Gibson (27), Gabriel Obertan (25), Antonio Valencia (29), Zoran Tosic (27), Joshua King (22).

GettyImages

Federico Macheda could be a regular starter but will Ryan Giggs still be playing at 41?

Together with Arsenal, United should emerge from this exercise with most optimism. While there are reasons to believe that Nemanja Vidic, like Liverpool's Javier Mascherano, may be employed elsewhere long before then, he is one of only two outfield players in their 30s and some of the squad should be stronger in the second half of the decade.

One of them, Ravel Morrison is an unknown quantity, but has been tipped for greatness. There may be a need more reinforcements in goal and, perhaps, centre midfield, but there is a surfeit of alternatives for the attacking positions. That said, there was a (slightly facetious) case for arguing that a 41-year-old Ryan Giggs will still be the best option on the left wing in 2015. While Sir Alex Ferguson has stockpiled wingers, several are yet to provide definitive proof they are United players.

MANCHESTER CITY

(4-4-2): Shay Given (38); Pablo Zabaleta (29), Micah Richards (26), Vincent Kompany (28), Gareth Barry (33); Stephen Ireland (28), Michael Johnson (26), Nigel de Jong (30), Robinho (30); Carlos Tevez (30), Emmanuel Adebayor (30).

Subs: Joe Hart (27), Javan Vidal (25), Nedum Onuoha (28), Joleon Lescott (32), Vladimir Weiss (25), Felipe Caicedo (26), Valeri Bojinov (28).

LaurenceGriffiths/GettyImages

Michael Johnson could be the key man in a 2015 Manchester City midfield.

The advantages of being the world's richest club should include an ability to look outside Eastlands for players yet if City don't, one element that is immediately apparent is how many of their recent recruits may not be around in five years' time. By his own admission, Craig Bellamy falls into that category; so might Kolo Toure, Roque Santa Cruz, Wayne Bridge and, for other reasons, Robinho.

Were the funds from Abu Dhabi to disappear, much would depend on those whose development has stalled: Micah Richards and Michael Johnson could form the spine of the England side then, or be dismissed as unfulfilled potential. Presuming City retain their wealth, their side of 2015, like Chelsea's, may bear little resemblance to their current counterparts.

ARSENAL 4-1 STOKE CITY

Keeping the faith

Only a very brave reporter could have predicted that the final month of this Premier League season would see a revolt against Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger from his own disciples.

RyanPierse/GettyImages

Arsenal fans get behind their manager

Back in November, any scribe who even asked the question whether Wenger was the right man to lead Arsenal for the foreseeable future was shouted down as a deluded fool who was worthy of hate mail, yet the last week has seen a scenario that not even the most loyal devotee of the club's greatest manager could have foreseen.

Even though the internet message boards and radio phone-in shows may have been sprinkled with irate Arsenal fans bemoaning another season of near misses for some time, the notion that Wenger could be confronted head on with disgruntled fans questioning his judgement was not on any agenda.

Wenger admitted he was stunned by the forceful criticism of a handful of bitter souls who dismantled his philosophy at a shareholders meeting a few days ago. The Frenchman then went on record to admit his policy of promoting youth from within the club rather than signing superstar players will have failed unless success arrives quickly.

When this humble reporter made similar suggestions to those of Wenger mid-way through this season, he received angry responses from Arsenal fans who had clearly decided that dismissing the messenger was the only way of successfully defending their messiah from such 'radical' views.

The flaws in Wenger's masterplan this season have been confirmed with Arsenal finishing up a massive 18 points behind champions Manchester United, yet those who believe this football revolutionary has already been given enough time to find solutions to his teams problems are, in fact, the real fools in this story.

After 13 generally glorious years at Arsenal, Wenger has earned the right to attempt the improbable and turn his latest dream into reality. After achieving it with the brilliant Double winning season of 1998 and the majestic unbeaten league campaign of 2004, the man who has plotted these glories should be given some time to try and produce another.

Giving up on Wenger right now would be a tragic waste and his doubters may only appreciate how fortunate we have been to have him in the Premier League if he gives in to the lure of Real Madrid or any of the other major clubs take him away.

Premier League titles and cup triumphs may be fading memories right now, but the football Arsenal have produced in the last four, trophyless seasons has still been a joy to behold. Luck has been against them at times in their barren run without glory and only this term has it been clear that they have fallen a long way behind the best.

Suggesting that the philosophy of a manager who fantasises about beautiful football is flawed riles Wenger's admirers more than any other, yet this season has done little to dispel the notion that a single plan of all out attack can work so long as average teams like Stoke, Bolton and Fulham continue with their proven method of halting Arsenal in their tracks.

Clearly Wenger needs to find some adaptability in his team and solve the problem of breaking down negative opponents, but he may only need to tinker with his ideals rather than rip them to shreds and the signing of Andrei Arshavin in January was a perfect example of how he can do it.

RyanPierse/GettyImages

Abou Diaby heads home his goal against Stoke

His determination to promote exclusively from within is not working and the instant success of the Russian may well persuade him to dip his toe in the transfer market for a few more proven stars this summer.

Wenger used his programme notes for this game to reaffirm his commitment to Arsenal and offer a stout defence of their recent efforts by stating: "We are very sorry that we have not won a trophy this season, but many clubs would be proud of our record over the last four years."

The bulk of Arsenal fans at this game appeared to agree as cries of 'One Arsene Wenger' rang around the magnificent Emirates Stadium bowl before the man in the spotlight took up his familiar seat on the touchline. They were to be given additional gusto by a first half display from Arsenal that was a blast from their glorious past.

To be honest, Stoke looked as if their summer holidays started a week or so ago, but Arsenal were good enough to take a 4-1 first half lead as they ran rings around their hapless opponents from the off.

The artisans battered the assassins as a low drilled cross from Cesc Fabregas was diverted in his own net by James Beattie. Robin van Persie scored twice more before the break, with Abou Diaby also notching a rare goal as he rose highest in the box to head home Arsenal's third.

This was not an occasion when brawn would outsmart brains, but Stoke responded momentarily when Ricardo Fuller earned himself a penalty and converted from the spot. It was merely a temporary blip in the one-sided flow of a game that lost its momentum in a non-event of a second half.

Wenger's media briefing was something of a reflective event, as he gave a broad hint that his squad needed to be revamped. "The time has now come for me to analyse things and assess whether this team is good enough to win the Premier League title next season," he said.

"If I decided were are not good enough, we have to make sure we add the right type of player to the squad. The quality is here and the players are young enough, but we have to analyse everything now. We have a few weeks to do this."

Wenger then thanked the supporters who gave him their whole hearted backing in this final game of the season. "I felt appreciated today and the supporters were very warm to me," he added. "This makes me all the more determined to give them what they want next season."

Wenger would accept the offer from Real Madrid and beat a hasty retreat from his Arsenal kingdom if and when he fears he is ruining his legacy at this club, but he is a long way from having to worry about that after the passionate reception he received at the end of this game.

It would be good for the Premier League if a manager who believes in a policy of youth development and working within the natural resources of his club overcomes the cash-laced goliaths around him.

Wenger may be forced to look elsewhere to realise his dream if we are writing about more near misses in 12 months time, yet this reporter, for one, hopes those intent on undermining the Arsenal manager don't succeed in chasing him away from our shores just yet.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Robin van Persie - Wenger needs to hope he can keep this Dutchman fit for a full campaign as he has the class to light up the Premier League. However, the fear must be that he seems too delicate to survive at this level for an extended period.

FOOD WATCH: A very tasty sausage and mash was complimented by the compulsory dive into the ice cream fridge.

STOKE PRIDE: The travelling Stoke fans had a joyous day in the sun as they celebrated their side's extended stay in the top flight. The riotous celebrations after Fuller's first half penalty that made the score 3-1 against their side summed up their euphoric mood. For the record, Stoke turned in a pathetic performance in this game.

WENGER VERDICT: This did not feel like Arsene Wenger's Arsenal swansong. The show of support from his Emirates Stadium worshipers should have given him incentive to stay and finish his job, for better or worse.