Lampard shines in Chelsea success

By Kevin Palmer, Stamford Bridge, May 9, 2010

It was fitting that Chelsea captain John Terry shared the glorious task of lifting the Premier League trophy aloft with the man who has done the most to ensure the sparkling crown returned to Stamford Bridge.

PA Photos Frank Lampard scores from the penalty spot

As Carlo Ancelotti's euphoric Chelsea revelled in a title party to remember, one man stood head and shoulders above the rest as the true hero of this Premier League season, with Frank Lampard's unblemished reputation enhanced as he remained the constant heartbeat of the champions in their oft troubled campaign.

Following a ten-month effort that saw scandal flow in Chelsea's direction with as much regularity as goals and victories, the one constant source of decency and brilliance has been the midfielder whose contribution is often dismissed with a little too much abandon.

Lampard may not have the speed, heading ability, star quality or glamour of some who tend to dominate the headlines for the right or wrong reasons, but he deserves to be recognised as a modern day footballer who offers the complete package. To top it all, his class is covered by his desire to blend into the crowd rather than stand out as the superstar. It is a quality some of his shamed team-mates could learn plenty from.

In truth, the destiny of this season's title was never in doubt as Wigan were no match for a Chelsea side that showed few signs of nerves on a day when they needed to add the finishing touch to their complex Premier League tale and the Blues duly completed their task with savage efficiency.

Goals from Nicolas Anelka (2), a Lampard penalty, Salomon Kalou and a Drogba hat-trick were complimented by Ashley Cole's final flourish in injury time, with Lampard's determination to assist his team-mate in his pursuit for the Premier League's top scorer title seeing him hand the second penalty to the moody Drogba, after he had looked rather angry to have missed out on the first.

"A lot of people questioned whether this team was too old at the start of the season, but we have provided them with the perfect answer today," was Lampard's verdict. "To win the title after three years is a fantastic feeling and we have proved we are a great team. No-one can say we don't deserve the title."

I was in attendance as Terry's world caved in around him and Manchester City secured a 4-2 victory on an afternoon of bitter recriminations at Stamford Bridge in the last week of February and at that moment, it seemed as if the reckless actions of the man charged with leading Chelsea were set to terminally derail his team's title challenge.

It's easy to forget that the Terry/Wayne Bridge scandal that dominated the headlines at a crucial point in this season came close to destroying the ambitions of Ancelotti's trophy hunt on a variety of fronts not so long ago and, in those dark moments, the true leader of this side emerged from the embarrassing mess, with Lampard's refusal to offer vocal support for his beleaguered colleague in his hour of need proof that he had little sympathy for his antics.

When Ashley Cole got in on the act with his high profile separation after more high-profile infidelities, Ancelotti could have been forgiven for wondering whether his biggest battle at Chelsea was trying to keep his own dressing room in order, so he must appreciate more than most the persistent brilliance of Lampard and the Blues No.8 continued to deliver as this decisive chapter of this thrilling season was played out. He finishes with 22 league goals to his credit and hero status assured for eternity.

Not even the most blinkered of Manchester United or Arsenal fans would argue that the side who broke the record for most goals scored in a Premier League season and who won the games that mattered in this unpredictable campaign are the cream of increasingly unconvincing crop in a league, but whose status as the best in Europe may well be slipping.

We haven't seen too many Premier League champions who have lost to Wigan and dropped points against a woeful Hull side and yet thus has been the fascination of this captivating ten-month story. The occasional incompetence of the previously flawless 'top four' has added to our excitement, yet it is has become impossible to disguise the reality that the standard has dipped in the English top flight this season.

It took just six minutes of this game for Chelsea to strike the goal that all-but confirmed the title would be theirs, with woeful Wigan defending allowing Nicolas Anelka to smash home from close range and the muted nature of his celebrations suggested the nerves that can exist on days such as this were never an issue for Ancelotti's men.

"Only ask me easy questions please because my levels of wine are high," said a suitably giddy Ancelotti as he met the press, bedecked in a Chelsea scarf and giggling to confirm he had consumed a little too much alcohol during the on pitch celebrations.

"I am so happy to win this title. I want to thank my owner Roman Abramovich, everyone who support me every day and most of all I want to thank my players. They work so hard every day, have maintained a good atmosphere as a team and we have deserved to win this title. Everyone did a fantastic job and this is a great moment for me. We are champions of the best league in the world. It could not be better.

PA Photos Chelsea crack the champagne out to celebrate their title win

"Maybe I am a magician, but I don't think so. I owe this success to my team as despite all the problems, I didn't have a lot of difficulty with this team. Sure, John Terry had some difficult moments this season, but I had the support of everyone at the club and that helped me. We will celebrate with more wine now. It never happens that I get drunk so this is a special day! Hopefully it is the first of many titles for me at Chelsea."

Ancelotti has every right to delight in keeping his ship afloat while some of the crew did their best to rock it and the Chelsea fans were cheering his name with more gusto than ever before as he achieved his first major triumph as the club's manager. Equalling Jose Mourinho's achievement in winning the title in his first season, this was a great day for the Italian coach.

Yet when you try to identify the shining star amid his team of champions, one conductor rises to the front. Terry may want to believe his imminent entry into the exclusive club of English Double winning skippers should earn him iconic status forever more, but Lampard is far more worthy of a sacred spot among the modern game's greats.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Frank Lampard

Didier Drogba's hat-trick earned him the Premier League's Golden Boot for this season, but a bulk of the assists in this game came from the brilliant Lampard. Few give him the credit he deserves, so we will offer him the plaudits on this occasion.

PAYING THE PENALTY: Drogba was furious as Lampard stepped up to take the penalty that gave Chelsea their second goal. He wanted to take the spot kick in his pursuit of the Premier League's golden boot and was not interested in the consoling efforts of team-mate Nicolas Anelka. The Drogba sulk continued for some time as he suggested self interest is his ambition and not team glory.

COLE FAREWELL: The Chelsea fans did their best to cheer out-of contract Joe Cole's name at every opportunity as they left the player and club in little doubt that they want him to stay at Chelsea. Time will tell whether this was his Stamford Bridge farewell.

CHELSEA VERDICT: Worthy champions and the only surprise is that they didn't wrap it up long before the final day of the season. This ageing team is not without its flaws, but they confirmed themselves as Premier League kings in the grandest manner.

Copyright ©2010 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.

"Quiero devolverle el buen fútbol a Nacional", afirmó José Fernando Santa

José Fernando Santa se quedaría al frente de Nacional para el segundo semestre cuando se dispute el torneo Finalización.

DANIEL BUSTAMANTE/CEET

Esta semana que termina no será una más para José Fernando Santa, quien fue ratificado como técnico en propiedad de uno de los equipos más populares del fútbol nacional.

El ex jugador siempre estuvo con la escuadra verde, defendió sus colores en múltiples campeonatos locales, diversas Copas Libertadores, algunas Supercopas y, por supuesto, en muchísimos campeonatos en los que el Atlético Nacional floreó su gran estampa futbolística en la década del 90.

Ahora, con diversos cursos como entrenador, José Fernando Santa tiene la gran oportunidad de ser el técnico del club de sus amores. De la escuadra que le dio todo y en la que ahora quiere retribuirle desde el banco técnico lo que tanto disfrutó y ganó en distintos campos de juego.

FUTBOLRED: ¿Con qué esquema de juego usted se identifica?
José Fernando Santa: "Los esquemas son variables siempre y cuando uno tenga los jugadores y estos lo desarrollen bien. El esquema no es lo más importante, lo importante son los conceptos tácticos, las funciones que pueda desarrollar dentro de la cancha los jugadores y que, obviamente, puedan desarrollar bien".

FUTBOLRED: ¿De qué le sirvió haber sido jugador para ser ahora entrenador?
J.S.: "Fue una ventaja haber jugado al fútbol y sobretodo en equipos tan importantes. Fue una experiencia muy valiosa para este rol de entrenador porque sabe uno lo que siente el jugador, cómo puede resolver las dificultades y demás. El haber sido jugador es una ventaja sobre el que no la tuvo para ser entrenador".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Cuál cree usted que deben ser las virtudes para ser un técnico ideal?
J.S.: "Capacitarse, el haber sido futbolista me parece muy importante. Ser muy entregado y apasionado por la profesión porque todos los días se aprende. El fútbol es muy sencillo, simplemente es un juego de ataque y defensa donde hay que tratar de superar al rival por una oposición que te ponen dentro del terreno de juego. Cada vez que uno está más actualizado y más capacitado para desarrollar su profesión, obviamente, esa será una virtud muy importante, fundamental".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Con qué técnico se identifica mundialmente?
J.S.: "Vengo de una gran escuela con la que arranqué como jugador en la que tuve grandes técnicos como jugador activo y me identifico mucho con el estilo, con la forma, la manera de jugar de Hernán Darío Gómez, Francisco Maturana y Juan José Peláez. Obviamente hay técnicos a nivel mundial que son exitosos y han mostrado una gran capacidad en los cuales destaco el trabajo de José Mourinho, los trabajos de Bielsa en donde realmente uno no se cansa de observar esa capacidad para sacar resultados".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Usted cree que el fútbol tiene misterios?
J.S.: "La verdad no. El fútbol es un juego bastante sencillo, de ataque y defensa. En el que uno trata de superar al rival con argumentos tácticos, técnicos, con argumentos mentales y generalmente uno se dedica a trabajar para poder sacar ventaja de ciertas situaciones que el rival te puede brinda, y así fortalecer tus virtudes como equipo de manera individual y colectiva. Normalmente dentro del fútbol no hay mucho misterio".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Usted cree que el futbolista colombiano es complicado?
J.S.: "No, simplemente nos falta mucho caminpo por recorrer en ese aspecto. En Colombia siempre han existido y van a existir muy buenos jugadores de fútbol y en l medida que todos estos jugadores tomen mayor concienca de su profesión, se preparen mejor, obviamente los resultados van a mejorar y se van a obtener cosas más importantes. En eso estamos quedados respecto a otros países, pero afortunadamente tenemos la matería prima. Nos hace falta muchas cosas sobretodo la parte mental y que sean más profesionales".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Usted cree que se menosprecia por parte de la prensa y de los aficionados a los ex jugadores que ahora son entrenadores?
J.S.: "No, para nada, me parece que al contrario entienden que ellos tienen esa experiencia, tienen esa experiencia. Si ese ex jugador entra con capacitación va a ser más respetado , más admirado. En ningún momento he percibido por parte de la prensa ni de los aficionados algún tipo de prejuicio hacia los ex futbolístas".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Qué clase de fútbol vamos a observar en el Mundial de Sudáfrica?
J.S.: "Vamos a ver equipos muy replegados, tratando pasar la línea del balón no dando ventajas en defensa y aprovechando el espacio que le de el rival en campo contrario. En una competencia corta , sobretodo pasanado la primera ronda, se ven muy pocos espacios, mucho contragolpe y exigencia física".

FUTBOLRED: ¿Qué tan difícil es manejar un equipo tan grande como Nacional?
J.S.: "Yo me siento bastante cómodo, será porque ya llevo 20 años en la institución y me siento muy tranquilo para desarrollar esta oportunidad. Conociéndo el club por tantos años, lo que se maneja y lo que la gente quiere que sea Nacional estoy muy ilusionado en poder desarrollar un buen trabajo y lograr objetivos muy importantes como devolverle el buen fútbol a Nacional acompañado de buenos resultados".

Leonardo Duque Soto
Redactor Futbolred.com
Bogotá ledouq@eltiempo.com.co

COPYRIGHT © 2010 CEET Prohibida su reproducción parcial, así como su traducción a cualquier idioma sin autorización escrita de su titula. Ver Términos y Condiciones

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.

Copyright ©2010 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.

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.

Copyright ©2010 ESPN Internet Ventures. Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and Safety Information/Your California Privacy Rights are applicable to you. All rights reserved.

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