Heroes : Chapter 4 - Lev Yashin (The Black Spider)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=srFxMqEQ_ek&feature=related

Probably the greatest goalkeeper of all-time, Yashin spent his entire playing career with Moscow Dynamo and after retirement was a coach there. He helped Dynamo win five league championships and three cups.  Yashin’s playing was a vital  element in the Soviet national team’s gold medal win at the 1956 Olympics, and he was the Soviet keeper in three World Cups. He became the only goalkeeper to be named European footballer of the year, and was awarded the title of world goalkeeper of the 20th century.

In the words of the man himself :

"What kind of a goalkeeper is the one who is not tormented by the goal he has allowed? He must be tormented! And if he is calm, that means the end. No matter what he had in the past, he has no future."

Anzhi Makhachkala v Spartak Moscow (Sunday 17th April 2011)

Anzhi Makhachkala v Spartak Moscow 2-1

Russian Premier League

Sunday 17^th April 2011

Anzhi Makhachkala maintained their good start to the season and increased the pressure on Spartak boss Valery Karpin.  Spartak have only one win in five in the league and although Karpin has the support of the fans the boardroom’s patience is beginning to wear thin.

After crashing out of the Europa League to FC Porto (10-3 on aggregate) in the week,  Spartak badly needed to get a good result to get their season going.  An early goal from midfielder Dmitri Kombarov appeared to have settled any nerves but the frailties exposed against FC Porto appeared again as goals from Czech forward Jan Holenda and Cameroon defender Benoit Angbwa won the game for the in-form Anzhi.

Having an owner who Forbes magazine listed as the world’s 136^th richest person is proving to be very beneficial for Anzhi who are now attempting to compete with the traditional Russian powerhouses from Moscow and, in recent years, Kazan.  15 new players brought in over the winter has sent out a statement of intent from billionaire Suleyman Kerimov.  His federation  has donated over £60 million to charitable causes but Anzhi is not considered one of those.  He wants a return on his investment and the sooner the better.

Spartak made three changes from the side comprehensively outplayed by the new Portuguese champions and the change in personnel had an almost immediate impact as the Narodnaya Komanda (People’s Team) struck first after six minutes when Brazilian forward Welliton found himself in acres of space and his ball was picked up by a run from winger Dimitri Kombarov whose hard hit shot ricochet off Anzhi’s Georgian keeper Nukri Revishvili hands and into the top corner.

The keeper should have done better but Spartak were not complaining.  If that start was supposed to spark them into some form of renewed confidence then somebody forgot to tell the players.  Karpin could have no complaints about the way his side worked off the ball as they were very quick to close down.  However, in possession it was a different matter.

Spartak shot-stopper Dican’s first piece of the action was to save a well struck shot from 25 yards from Uzibek midfielder Odil Ahmedov after 18 minutes.  Anzhi continued the pressure and 38 year old Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos was always at heart of the action.

Anzhi’s hardwork paid off in the 28^th minute when Holenda equalised, for his second goal of the season, with a sweetly taken header, from a Shamil Lakhiyalov cross that gave Dican no chance.  For the rest of the half Anzhi continued to have the better of it but failed to create any further meaningful attempts on goal.

Four minutes into the second half  Spartak suffered a blow when Dican was forced off and replaced by Russian under-21 keeper Nikolai Zabolotny.

The first chance after the break came on 50 minutes when a trademark Roberto Carlos free-kick was deflected by Zabolotny into the path of the oncoming midfielder Kamil Agalarov whose effort was parried wide by the replacement keeper.

Anzhi continued to dominate possession and took the lead on the 74^th minute as Angbwa rose above the static Spartak defence to head home from nothing more than a hopeful punt into the box.

Spartak predictably threw everything into the remaining minutes to try and get a leveller but they couldn’t muster any opportunities.

This result now leaves Spartak propping up the rest of the teams and unless something happens quickly then Moscow’s biggest club could well find themselves in the relegation zone for a while longer.  Anzhi, by contrast, celebrated their first ever win over Spartak like it was a title deciding victory.  Come the end of the season, on this form, Anzhi may well be in that position.

Heroes : Chapter 3 - Roberto Baggio's Top 20 Goals

Check out the link below for 20 of the best goals from Il Divin Codino (The Divine Ponytail).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3klDnEJx5MQ

The 1993 World & European Footballer Of The Year was simply outstanding in everything he did.  Great player, great professional and a great man.  The only Italian to score in three World Cups and scored 218 goals in Serie A and also 27 international goals.  If you don't know about Roberto Baggio.....you don't know about football.

Serie A Round-up - Sunday 17th April 2011

   

Napoli 1 Udinese 2

A goal a-piece from Gokhan Inler and German Denis appears to have ended Napoli's title hopes as this defeat at home leaves them six points adrift of AC Milan with five games left to play.  Udinese were unfancied going into this game as they were without hitman Antonio Di Natale and Chilean revelation Alexis Sanchez but they produced an excellent counter attacking display.  Mascara nicked a goal at the end for Napoli but it was too little too late.

 

Catania 1 Lazio 4

The Biancocelesti returned to fourth place in the table with a convincing victory, their first in Sicily for 50 years. 
Goals from Hernanes,Mauri, Floccari and Zarate did the damage.  Catania managed to pull level just after half-time with a strike from Schelotto but Lazio were always the better side.

  

Leece 3 Cagliari 3

Roberto Donadoni's Cagliari side earned a decent away point in Leece although they will be kicking themselves that they didn't take all three points as the home side battled back from three - one down to level in the 90th minute. 

The Salentini's form going into this game was impressive as they had beaten high flying Udinese and lowly Sampdoria in their previous two games but made a bad start conceding on 20 minutes to a volley from the on-loan Robert Acquafresca.  Mesbah's tap-in brought them level but then the Rossoblu got two goals in the space of five minutes from the captain Daniele Conti and a second for Acquafresca.  Two late goals on 88 & 90 minutes from Fabiano & Corvia respectively salvaged a deserved point.

  

Genoa 3 Brescia 0

Good win for a recently lacklustre Genoa side with second half goals from Brazilian right-back Rafinha, a comedy own goal from Brescia's Berardi and defender Luca Antonelli.  The victory keeps Genoa in mid-table obscurity but keeps Brescia deep in relegation trouble.

  

Chievo 2 Bologna 0

One goal in each half settled this game for Chievo despite spending the entire second half with ten men as midfielder Luca Rigoni was red carded for a taking out Gaston Ramirez from behind with a scissor style tackle.  Bologna never managed to take advantage of the extra man and Chievo ran out worthy winners thanks to Kevin Constant's first half open goal strike and brilliant effort from Michele Marcolini.

  

Cesena 1 Bari 0

Cesena won the battle of the relegation contenders thanks to an early second half strike from Albanian striker Erjon Bogdani with the outside of his right foot.  Injuries have taken their toll on the Bari squad and any slight hope they may have had to survive in Serie A has now gone.

Donnie Kemp

Fiorentina v Juventus (Serie A - Week 33)

Sunday 17^th April 2011

Fiorentina v Juventus 0-0

Juventus missed the opportunity to close the gap on Roma and Udinese as they stumbled to a scoreless draw at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Fiorentina bossed the game from the first minute and could, and should, have won the game were it not for a host of missed opportunities.  The Viola were sitting tenth in the table with only a Europa League spot to play for whereas The Old Lady were chasing the final Champions League spot and trying to extended their three game winning streak.

Juventus boasted a proud record in Florence as they have not lost at Fiorentina since 1998 when a goal from former Serie A legend Gabriel Batistuta seperated the two sides.

A shot from winger Alessio Cerci on 13 minutes produced the first bit of excitement of the game.  His effort from the edge of the area though was deflected over for a corner.  Nothing came of the corner, a pattern that would emerge throughout the course of the match.

Half chances and speculative efforts came and went from the Viola during a fairly drab first 45 minutes.  Peruvian midfielder Juan Manuel Vargas, formerly of Catania fame, had the best of the opportunities but his shot went straight into the grateful arms of keeper Gigi Buffon.  Top scorer Alberto Gilardino also had his chance to break the deadlock on 24 minutes after Adrian Mutu, back after a three game suspension, thread a lovely ball through to him but Gilardino’s first touch let him down and the chance disappeared.

Fiorentina’s recent home record of only two defeats, to both Milan teams, in the last six months never really looked in danger although Juve tried to up the tempo in the second half.

Artur Boruc was first called into action on 59 minutes when substitute Del Piero had a clever shot and turn in the box which brought out a good save from Polish shot-stopper.

Sensing the need for some additional firepower Juve coach Luigi Delneri brought on every Italian club’s favourite striker for hire Luca Toni.  His only meaningful contribution was to take the ball off teammate Claudio Marchisio’s toes inside the Fiorentina box when Italian midfielder looked set to lash the ball goal wards.

Sinisa Mihajlovic’s team again had the better of the chances as the game wore on but a combination of poor finishing and poor control continued to keep the score line neutral.

A second successive season away from Champions League football is now facing Juve and on performances like this they can have no complaints.

Fiorentina’s quest to secure a Europa League spot is still alive but in truth this result did neither team a favour.

Donnie Kemp

Serie A Round-up - Saturday 16th April 2011

   

AS Roma 2 Palermo 3


Roma lost at home to Palermo to put a huge dent in their hopes of qualifying for next season's Champions League.  Two in the last six minutes from Uruguayan hitman Abel Hernandez turned the game on it's head.

A 20th minute penalty from captain Francesco Totti was converted after a foul on Jeremy Menez.  A penalty also brought Palermo back into the game as Mauricio Panilla scored just before half-time.

A late goal from Mirko Vucinic was not enough to rescue the badly needed points for the Giallorossi and condemned new president Thomas Di Benedetto to his first defeat in charge in his first game.

   

AC Milan 3 Sampdoria 0

Elsewhere AC Milan took a step closer to winning the Scudetto with a dominant 3-0 victory at home to relegation strugglers Sampdoria. Goals from Clarence Seedorf, Antonio Casano & Robinho sealed the points,  I Rossoneri are now 6 points clear of 2nd place Napoli who face a tricky game at home to Udinese on Sunday.

   

Parma 2 Internazionale 0

Inter suffered a shock defeat away to 15th place Parma.  Two Juventus loanees Sebastian Giovinco and the Brazilian Amauri inflicted the damage as the Parmigiani ran out 2-0 winners.  This result leaves Inter in 3rd place and 8 points adrift of leaders AC Milan with 5 games left to play.

Donnie Kemp

Heroes : Chapter 2 - Johan Cruyff

Another hero of football for you.  This time it's former Dutch and Ajax legend Johan Cryuff.  See link below for a small sample of his genius.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yr1VWSntqRg

Cryuff is one of the men, alongside former Ajax coach Rinus Michels, that invented Total Football, a style of play in which any outfield player can take over the role of any other player in a team.  His skills are legendary and his goals sublime.  Bow down to the man.

Donnie Kemp

AS Roma: Di Benedetto confirmed as new owner

US private equity investor, Thomas Di Benedetto yesterday became the offical owner of  AS Roma and in doing so has become the first foreign owner of a Serie A side.

It has cost Di Benedetto 70 million euros and marks the end of the Sensi reign which has lasted 18 years with oil tycoon Franco Sensi and then his daughter, Rosella controlling the club.

Financial difficulties were the reason behind the Sensi's decision to sell.  It is also interesting to note that Di Benedetto is also a partner in Fenway Sports Group who own Liverpool FC.  Perhaps Anfield owners, John W Henry & Tom Werner, could persuade the Roma president to loan out De Rossi to the Reds.  Then again, perhaps not!

Exciting times lie ahead for Roma, who have had a disappointing season by their standards, and if the investment can be made then maybe that elusive fourth Scudetto could come sooner than they thought.

Donnie Kemp

King Kenny to be crowned?

Rumours abound this morning that Liverpool legend, and current temporary boss, Kenny Dalglish, has been offered the job on a permanent basis.  A 3 year contract is apparently on the table for Kenny and his No.2 Steve Clarke.

At last it looks like Liverpool could have some stability and begin the process of turning the Merseyside giants back into title contenders.  The deal to bring in Suarez and Carroll for not far off the money they got for Torres has proved inspired business and whilst Fernando struggles to tie up his boot laces never mind grab a goal, Luis & Andy have hit the ground running. 

Liverpool had a world class striker in Torres and he will more than likely than not come good for Chelsea but now it seems the Reds might have ended up with two.  Suarez is undoubtedly a world class footballer and Carroll still has a long way to go but he has all the necessary attributes to get there.

The future is bright, the future is Red.

Donnie Kemp

Heroes : Chapter 1 - Le Tissier's Top 10

See below link for youtube footage of the greatest scorer of great goals to have played in the UK.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSsdfe4Z69g



Matt Le Tissier, a player whose traits I chose to adopt in my own un-distinguished career.  I had a tenth of Le Tissier's talent and a tenth of his work-rate.  Like "Le God" I found tracking back for an attacking player insulting!!!  Forget Gazza, Le Tiss was the most naturally gifted player to have played for England.

Enjoy the master at his best.

Donnie Kemp

PSV v Benfica Europa League Q-F 2nd Leg 14th April 2011

PSV 2 Benfica 2 (3-6 on aggregate)

Europa League Quarter-Final Second Leg

Philips Stadion, Eindhoven

  

It was always going to be a tough ask, four – one down after the first leg, but for forty-six minutes last night it seemed possible.  Benfica coach Jorge Jesus’ pre-match prediction that PSV would “attack whenever possible” didn’t require any Nostradamus-like prophecy, but confirmed the task that PSV faced and the only way they could salvage this tie and progress to the semi-finals.

First-half goals from winger Balazs Dzsudzsak, PSV’s best player in the first leg, and striker Jeremain Lens, given goal scoring responsibility after the misfiring on-loan Swede Marcus Berg was dropped, gave PSV hope that a dramatic comeback was possible.

Unfortunately for the Red White Army Benfica’s charitable mood was over in added time of the first half when a goal from defender and captain Luisao, followed by a converted penalty after 63 minutes from forward Oscar Cardozo sealed the tie for the Eagles.

PSV were forced into making four changes from the first leg with midfielder Ola Toivonen and defender Wilfred Bouma injured and left-back Erik Pieters and captain Orlando Engelaar suspended due to yellow cards picked up the previous week. In came midfielders Stijn Wuytens and Atiba Hutchinson, whilst Abel Tamata and Francisco Rodriguez covered defensive duties.  With Marcus Berg also benched in favour of attacking midfielder Zakaira Labyad the line-up was dramatically different.

Benfica, however, made only one change to the side that outclassed and outplayed PSV only seven days before.  Portugese defensive midfielder and one-cap wonder Caesar Peixoto coming in for the attacking Pablo Aimar as Jesus’ one display of caution.

The match started in a similar vein to the first leg with Benfica dictating play and providing the early excitement.  Argentine midfielder Nicolas Gaitan could, and probably should, have given Benfica the best possible start after 5 mins but his scissor-kick volley from four yards out blazed over the bar.

Last week’s two goal hero Eduardo Salvio tormented young Tamata in the opening 15 minutes on the right flank.  Javier Saviola, another one of last week’s goal heroes, could have opened the scoring after nine minutes for the away side but his poor touch after a being gifted a shot on goal from Brazilian defender Marcelo gave the chance for Andreas Isaksson to come out and thwart any threat to his goal.

This near miss sprung PSV into life and in the 14^th minute Dutch international striker, Jeremain Lens, made a great run and crossed the ball into the penalty area but there was no PSV player following up to take advantage. 

However, just two minutes later, they would not be repeating the same mistake as Lens once again made a good break and crossed the ball into the danger area.  This time his perfectly flighted ball was met by Dzsudzsak and he duly hammered the ball into the roof of the net at the far post.

Benfica suffered another blow straight after the goal as Salvio was substituted for midfielder Carlos Martin.  Salvio never recovered from a nasty seventh minute challenge by Tamata that earned him a yellow card.

Sensing that there might be the opportunity to increase the pressure on Benfica the Red Whites continued to attack and found another breakthrough on the 24^th minute mark.  Lens scored at the second time of asking after Eagles keeper Roberto saved his initial right footed poke but fortune favoured the brave and the ball rebounded straight to him and he made no mistake with the second attempt which curled into the low right corner…game on!!

The hope and expectation in the Philips Stadion rose with the noise of the boisterous crowd and the impossible suddenly became, not only possible but also very likely.  Dzsudzsak nearly had an opportunity to increase their lead after an uncharacteristic error from defender Maxi Pereira but Roberto ensured no further damage to the score line was done.

If Benfica were waiting for the referees half-time whistle to save them it certainly didn’t look like it as they controlled the majority of possession  for the remaining minutes or so of the half, taking the sting out of a buzzing PSVside.

In the last minute of added time the stingers got stung as Brazilian centre-back Luisao grabbed a spectacular goal.  Keeper Isaksson failed to deal with Javi Garcia’s in swinging corner clear and Luisao neatly controlled a high ball, before striking a superb volley that arrowed into the top corner and with it killed any hope for PSV.

With nothing to lose PSV tried valiantly to force there way back into the tie that was fast tightening around their necks. 
However, it was Benfica who still posed the most threat.  A left-footed Gaitan strike from the edge of the area brought out the best in Isaksson and from the resulting corner Luisao nearly claimed another goal as his glancing header just went over the bar.
On the 63^rd minute the tie was unofficially declared over as a clumsy sliding tackle in the box from Marcelo brought down Piexoto.  Cardozo converted the penalty and the travelling away support could start thinking about the semi-final.
Benfica continued to keep any PSV attacks to a minimum with keep ball that Barcelona would be proud of. 



Cardozo celebrates his penalty

A raft of substitutions took place from seventy minutes onwards without any real impact.

The final whistle brought and end to a thrilling quarter-final tie that will live long in the memory of all who watched.  PSV will be comforted in the knowledge that they are challenging for the Eredivisie championship and a place in next years Champions League.  For Benfica, with the league lost, the Europa League is all they have and on their performance over both legs they are going to give it everything they’ve got.   FC Braga awaits in the semi-final and I know who my money is on.

Donnie Kemp

Benfica v PSV Europa League Q-F 1st Leg 7th April 2011

Europa League - Quarter Final First Leg

Estadio Da Luz, Lisbon

7^th April 2011

Benfica 4  PSV 1

  

Benfica turned back the clock with a classy and dominant European performance that brought back memories of the great Eusebio inspired 1960’s teams that contested five European Finals, winning two of them.

The days of European and domestic domination have thinned out somewhat but Benfica still remain a force and no team felt that more than PSV tonight.  PSV had every reason to be optimistic this evening as their current form, only one defeat in the past 4 months, will testify.

Fears of a replay of the European Cup Final in 1988, which a Guss Hiddink led PSV won six-five on penalties after a dire goalless 120 minutes, evaporated as Benfica made a blistering start to the game and controlled the early passages of play.  The first opening fell to Argentine forward Javier Saviola who hit the post after six minutes with a shot on the turn from 12 yards out.  Saviola was again the centre of attention when his delicate chip had the Swedish No.1 Andreas Isaksson scrambling across his goal only for the ball to fall wide of his left-hand post.

If PSV believed they had weathered the early storm they were wrong as the pace and dominant possession of Benfica’s play continued. Fabio Coentrao and Pablo Aimar were lively and only a lack of composure from Oscar Cordozo and a glaring miss from three yards from the head of Saviola prevented Benfica from reward to show for their efforts at the half hour mark.  PSV managed to cause a mild panic in the home defence as a whipped cross from the Dzsudzsak was nearly converted by a stooping Berg but his header flew agonisingly wide from four yards out.

The breakthrough that the near-capacity crowd at the Estadio Da Luz craved was provided by Aimar after 36 minutes after great work on the left side from Coentrao who played in Gaitan with a wonderful through ball and his cross was deflected into the path of the oncoming Aimar who side-footed the ball between the legs of Isaksson.

More pressure on the PSV goal followed with the puppet-master Aimar pulling the strings.  His clever backheel in the middle of the park came to nothing in the end but displayed the confidence that this Benfica team had flowing through their veins.  Eduardo Salvio soon doubled the Eagles lead after Coentrao again produced excellent work on the left sliding the ball across to diminutive Argentine whose deft backheel flick flew over the head of a horizontal Isaksson.



Salvio & Coentrao celebrate

It took only 6 minutes of the second half for Benfica to put this game to rest.  Salvio broke the hearts of the travelling PSV fans again, this time with a superb solo effort.  Weaving his way into the box and evading two challenges before rifling the ball beyond Isaksson’s reach into the corner of the goal.

Three nil down and with 40 minutes still to play the frustration in PSV started to show as captain Orlando Engelaar picked up a booking that rules him out of the return leg.  Other PSV players must have felt like joining him as Benfica continued to pile on the pressure.  When the Dutch side did manage to get out of their own half it was only to place the ball gently into Spanish keeper Roberto’s grateful hands. 

Isaksson continued to be the busier of the keepers and was forced into good save from Cardozo whose edge-of-the-box shot was tipped around the post.

Defender Erik Pieters eventually joined Engelaar in the Italian referee’s book for a crude foul on the returning Maxi Pereira, whose long throws had added further pressure on the PSV defence all game.  PSV coach had seen enough and made the first of two changes after 71 minutes when he pulled out Pieters and replaced him with the young central midfielder Belgian Stijn Wuytens, nephew of FC Utrecht defender Jan Wuytens.  Benfica responded with interest after 77 minutes and took off the quietly effective Nicolas Gaitan and the brilliant Pablo Aimar and brought on Argentine international striker Franco Jara and the left-sided wingback Cesar Peixoto.

Desperate for a something to take back to the Philips Stadion coach Rutten removed the on-loan Marcus Berg and replaced him with 18 year old Moroccan midfield prospect Zakaria Labyad.  His impact was immediate as Roberto failed to hold onto a cross which Labyad gratefully tapped into an unguarded net.

Any flame of hope of a remarkable comeback for the Red White Army was extinguished with the final kick of the game as Saviola got the reward for his display and netted following a cross from the ever attacking Pereira.  His cross was met by the Argentine who, reminiscent of his sixth minute chance, turned in the box and let a powerful drive crash into the roof of the net.

The only way PSV are to have any chance in the return leg is if they stop Benfica from having any possession because on this form the Eagles are soaring into the Semi-finals.

Donnie Kemp