Transfer Season

With the news that Barcelona have agreed to terms with Valencia for David Villa, I think its time to talk transfers. Being a Barca fan I am gonna talk about the Barcelona summer transfers and spend some time on other rumors.

The big news is that yesterday Barcelona agreed to terms for David Villa, the Valencia striker. Barca spent last summer trying to wrangle Villa away unsuccessfully. It seems that this time Barca has found a way to bring him in. First off, I like David Villa and think he is a great goal scorer and is a good fit at Barcelona. However, he is 28 and turns 29 in December. He is getting older and his production wont continue to be as high as long. He will spend maybe 3 years in a Barca jersey before he loses his spot. I personally would prefer Barca to go after Fernando Torres of Liverpool as he has said he thinks continuing to play in the EPL will "ruin him". Barca could offer 35 million euros for him and I think Liverpool would sell. Torres is only 26 and could spend the next 5 years at Barca with great results. Also, I think Barca are giving up too much for Villa. The rumor is 40 million euros plus Alexander Hleb and Bojan Krkic. While I don't mind the fee, giving up 2 players both rated around 10 million euros is excessive. Especially when you are giving up Krkic. Krkic is only 19 and will turn 20 this summer. He is rumored to have scored 1000 goals while in the Barcelona youth system and he has also scored important goals for the senior team. He just missed a header against Inter and actually scored the goal that should have sent Barca to the final if it had not been incorrectly waved off. I think signing Torres and sending Bojan on loan for a year is the smarter move as you can then bring him back and let him develop a little more. Also, spending 60 million on Villa when Barca were only willing to spend 45-50 million on him last season is wrong.

The other problem this brings about is Zlatan Ibrahimavic. Does this spell the end for the Swede? I would say yes as he has failed to impress in his first season at Barca. Man City are reportedly interested in him and would be willing to spend 50 million for him. Or Barca could try to swap him for Torres. Either way this gives Barca some money to spend. Reportedly this money will be spend on Gael Clichy of Arsenal. He is a talented young (22) left back would would fit in well at Barcelona. It would allow Barca to sell off Maxwell who has also failed to impress, and move Abidal into center back, where he plays for France. With Puyol getting older, and possibly being sold as well, Abidal will fit in well in the middle with Pique. Abidal would spilt time with Milito, who has shown good form after coming back from injury. I wouldn't mind seeing Barca spend money on a center back as well but that doesn't seem likely. Hopefully Chigrinksy will improve next season.

There is also rumor that Barca will spend 20 million euros on Juan Mata, the Valencia winger. he would fit in on the left side for Barca, though with Pedro playing well I don't see the need for this move.

In other news, it looks like Real Madrid have given up on Wayne Rooney and will instead spend their money on David Silva, the Valencia winger (yes it does seem Valencia are selling everyone). There is also rumor that Real is interested in selling Lassana Diarra to Man United and trying to pick up another defensive midfielder for cheap. It is also rumored that if Man City fails to make the Champion's League that Tevez will ask for a transfer out. Man United is also interested in Aston Villa's winger Ashley Young and so is Barcelona. Karim Benzema may also be on the outs at Real Madrid as he wants more playing time.

South Africa 2010!!!!

It has been a while since I posted because I've been busy. I have decided it is time to take this blog in the direction of the World Cup. The biggest sporting event in the world (yes, statistically more people watch the world cup than any other event) takes place this summer in South Africa and once again 32 nations will compete for the chance to become World Cup champions. I have decided that I will do a group by group analysis with my predictions for each group and then after going through each group, give my predictions for the subsequent knock out rounds.

So lets start with group A:

France (FIFA rank 10, 13th appearance, 1 time winner (98))

France is the highest rated team in this group and most people seem to think that they will easily advance but I have to disagree. France did very poorly in qualification, finishing second to Serbia and forced to play in a playoff to make the world cup. And in that playoff against Ireland, Thierry Henry's handball has become famous. If not for that handball France might not have made it to South Africa.
Yes France made it to the final last world cup but they are not nearly as good as they were. This is not the same team with Zidane in the line up. Zidane had said he wouldn't play in the 2006 World Cup and wasn't playing qualifying either until France made an emergency call to him as they were doing poorly in qualification.
Henry and Benezema, their two best scorers, are in poor form and rarely finding playing time at the moment. Ribery has had an on and off year so no one knows how he will play. France do have a solid back line however which may save them.

Mexico (17, 15)

Mexico is another conundrum. They have qualified for the World Cup every year since 1950 but this time it was much harder. they barely made it to the final round of CONCACAF qualification, passing only on goal differential. Sven Goran Errikson was the coach and Mexico player terribly, starting of the final round very poorly and out of contention. However, Javier Aguirre came in and turned things around leading Mexico to 5 wins and 1 draw in their last 6 games and into second in the CONCACAF region.
This team was saved by a new coach and bring Blanco back into the squad. He helped create in the middle and this team is back on the rise. This team could very easily win this group and cause problems for other teams. Dos Santos and Torrado and midfield dynamos who can control and create. Carlos Vela is the man expected to score the goals

Uruguay (18, 11, 2 time winners (30, 50))

Uruguay finished 5th in their qualification group and had to play Costa Rica in a playoff to make the world cup final. CONEMBOL is one of the toughest qualification groups and South American teams always prove difficult opponents in the world cup. Uruguay finished qualifying on a high note by beating Argentina and then eliminating Costa Rica.
Diego Forlan, the former Man U player, is the big name in this side. He is a big time scoring threat against any of these teams and will cause problems for teams. He will be partnered by Luis Suarez, another goal scorer. These two together can reek havoc on their opponents, if they get enough supply of the ball from their midfield. The midfield is the big question for this team and will make or break them

South Africa (90, 3)

South Africa qualified as hosts of this world cup. Many believe that they would not otherwise have made it to the final and I tend to agree. However, no host has ever not made it to the knock out stages. There is something about playing for your home fans and in your home stadiums that cause these teams to over achieve (ie, France 98, Japan and South Korea 02).
Steven Pienaar is their best player and plays for Everton in England. He is a quality winger with good speed and touch on the ball. Gaxa is a solid left back who likes to get forward and will have his opportunities. Matt Booth is one of the most well known players and is very solid at center half. However, the question is where will the goals come from.
South Africa will try to build on its 4th place finish at the Confederations Cup last summer.


PREDICTIONS:

I honestly think France is going to crash out early this World Cup as they are lost without Zidane. The way the fixtures are set up lead me to think that Uruguay has a very good chance to finish top of the group with Mexico just behind them. I think Mexico are unlucky to have to play South Africa in the first game as South Africa will be hyped up and ready to go. The fans will be in full force and South Africa could win this though I see it ending as a tie. I see Mexico taking top spot with 5 points and winning on goal differential. Uruguay in second also on 5 points. France takes third on 3 points and South Africa finishes with 2 points.

Champion's League Semifinal Preview

This week marks the start of the Champion's League semi finals. 3 of 4 of the teams I predicted to be here have made it with the only exception being Manchester United (not complaining at all). On Wednesday, Bayern Munich play host to Lyon and on Tuesday Barcelona will play Inter Milan at the San Siro.

Barcelona have been forced to travel by bus to Italy due to the volcanic ash from Iceland. I don't really see this as being a problem and I know Barca will not use it as an excuse. That being said it does give Inter a slight advantage. That aside, Barca will be with out Iniesta through injury and Abidal has not been given the all clear to play though he is traveling with the team. I expect the Barca line up to be Valdes in goal; Maxwell, Puyol or Milito, Pique, and Alves on the back line; Xavi, Busquests, and either Toure for a more defensive approach or Kieta in the mid; and Messi, Ibra, and Pedro up top. Expect Barca to try to maintain possession and limit opportunities for Inter. Inter would love a 0-0 draw or a 1-0 win but Barca will push for that precious away goal and would not be upset with any scoring draw or a one goal loss (2-1, 3-2, etc). Obviously a win would be very welcomed but seems unlikely. Inter will play with Diego Milito up top (yes, brother to Gabi Milito of Barcelona) with Eto'o, Sniejder, and Pandev in an attacking mid role to try to counter. I think Barca will push the whole game like they always do and Inter will try to counter attack. I see this one very tight and would not be surprised with a low scoring draw or Inter win.

Lyon take on Bayern in the other semi. Bayern will probably be slight favorites in this tie though my prediction is for Lyon to get through. With Ribery and Robben on the wings, Bayern will be hard to stop but they also showed they can have give up a fair few goals themselves. This game should also be very tight and I expect Bayern to win but not by much. Lyon with the help of Hugo Lloris in goal will stay close. Lisandro Lopez has served his suspension and will be back ready to go. I think this one could end up 2-1 Bayern.

Hope you enjoy the games tomorrow and wednesday!

Weekend Thoughts

Well this weekend saw el Classico and my second favorite event, The Master's. In el Classico, Barca went to the Bernabeau and won 2-0 to give them the pole position for their second straight la Liga title. There are 7 games left and Barca has a 3 point lead and the tie breaker should they tie on points. Barca now need to match Madrid the rest of the way to retain their title and must also focus on Inter in a week in a half for their Champion's League campaign.

As for The Master's, it was exciting. I will start off saying that no matter what, I am still a Tiger Woods fan, as his golfing ability is utterly amazing. Say what you want about him as a person, he is still an amazing golfer. Also, I don't really like Phil Mickelson, and I have been trying to figure out why. He did go to ASU and me being a U of A grad might have something to do with it, it might also be that he is kind of the "anti-Tiger". Either way I don't really like when he wins but I must say he played great this weekend and deserved the Green Jacket. That shot on 13 through the trees was quite amazing. I was pulling for Tiger the whole time but he just had too many mistakes. Though given a 5 month layoff and him still finishing fourth is pretty damn amazing. And it is also scary to think that as bad as he played this weekend he still shot under par every round and was only 4 shots back. If he hit the driver a littler better and made a couple more putts he wins this tournament. What does that mean going forward? Who knows. I still think he has a great shot at the US Open at Pebble Beach and the British Open at St. Andrews but who knows.

Anyway, great weekend for sports. El Classico was a great game and even if you're a Real Madrid supporter you can take away positives from the game and know that you can still fight for the title. El Classico has also put Messi far above everyone else to retain his world player of the year all he needs to do now is do something in the World Cup and it is his. The Master's was as beautiful as ever. There is not a more beautiful or tranquil setting than Augusta National and there is no better golf tournament than The Master's. The set up to create opportunities, the course itself and all its subtleties, and of course the amazing players.

El Classico

El Classico is today. The game between Real Madrid and Barcelona, the two biggest sports teams (thats right, not just the two biggest teams in Spain or in soccer but in all of sport) in the world. The Bernabeau plays host tonight as Barcelona take on Real Madrid, with both teams equal on points and tied for first in la Liga.

There is not a bigger regular season game or rivalry in the world and these two teams wont disappoint. Madrid are looking to erase last year's game as Barca came to the Bernabeau and won 6-2. This game is even more important than last years and will be much closer. The game at the Nou Camp in November was won 1-0 by Barca so this game will not only give someone the lead but a clear path to the title. Right now the teams are separated by goal differential, with Madrid leading by 1 goal. After today, however, the teams will be separated by head to head should they be tied on points. A win by Madrid equals things and means it will go back to goal differential while a win or draw by Barca gives them the advantage.

The big talk is Messi vs. Ronaldo but that is not true. Yes these are the two best players in the world but they will not see much of each other. The game will be decided who finishes better as a team in my opinion. Each team will create chances but whoever take advantage of those chances will win. Real will be without Kaka which does hurt them but Barca will be without Ibrahimavic and Abidal which will hurt them. All in all it will be very balanced.

I expect Barca to control most of the possession like they do in every game and try to control the pace. I expect Real to come out fast to try to get an early goal and protect their back line (which is suseptible). Barca will try to let Xavi and Iniesta and Messi create while Madrid will let Ronaldo and Higuain create. Should be a very tight, very exciting game.

Being a Barca fan obviously I think Barcelona will win but I am not about to make a 6-2 prediction. I could see a 2-1, 2-0, 1-0 win but I would also not be unhappy with a draw. Can't wait!!!!!

When is it bad to Win???

When you don't win by enough, thats the answer. Both Man U and Bordeaux won yesterday in the second leg of their quarterfinals ties but didn't do enough to advance. Bordeaux scored late in the first half through Chamakh but couldn't find the net again and won the game 1-0 but lost the tie 3-2 on aggregate which sees Lyon move on. Man U, down 2-1 on aggregate after the first leg, scored 2 early goals and then scored a third late in the first half and seemed to be cruising and in complete control. Up 4-2 on aggregate, Man U would have to allow 2 goals for Bayern to get back in the match. Well 2 minutes after Nani's second goal and Man U being up 3-0 and me thinking it was all over, Olic scored from a seemingly innocent play. However, United, thinking they had this in the bag, let down and Olic out muscled a defender and then beat Van der Sar to give the Germans hope. Early in the second half the Germans got another bit of hope and Rafael was sent off for his second yellow. Both fouls were definite cardable offenses and were both stupid fouls. Up a man, Bayern got more adventurous and pushed forward getting more pressure on the United goal. Finally in the 74th minute Ribery hit a floated corner perfectly to the back edge of the box where Arjen Robben was waiting. Robben hit the ball on the full volley into the lower corner and Van der Sar had no chance. Bayern held on and lost the game 3-2 but the aggregate was now 4-4 and due to the away goals rule Bayern move on and Man U lose out meaning there will be no English sides in the semis.

I waited to write this because I wanted to hear what the United people would say first and then respond to it. Well I was right and the United people, like always, complained about the loss and the ref and the Bayern players. Sir Alex Ferguson called the Bayern players "typically German" saying that they persuaded the ref to give the second yellow and that they deliberately fouled Rooney. Well Fergie, you are being your "typical" self and blaming everyone but yourself, you Scottish prick. Your tactics and your teams inability to hold a lead is the problem. Yes the Bayern players did surround the ref after Rafael's second foul but he deserved the yellow as he pulled Ribery back after he had be beaten. This foul wouldn't have been so bad had Rafael not retaliated STUPIDLY in the first half and got a stupid first yellow. Blame your own player or the fact that you didn't take him out Fergie, not the ref. Next he said that the Bayern players deliberately fouled Rooney. Well first off Rooney should not have been on the field a week after a bad ankle sprain. Secondly, yes the Bayern players kicked his ankle a few times... WHEN HE HAD THE FUCKING BALL. It just so happens that the other team will try to tackle the ball away from your team Fergie, and Rooney's ankle is near the ball so yes it will get hit. And finally, of course you test his ankle if you are a Bayern player and we all know your tactics and you would have done the exact same thing if the positions were reversed Fergie. The people to blame are yourself, for not having the right tactics and not make the right substitutions, and your players, for not holding onto a lead IN EITHER GAME. So mister Sir Alex Ferguson, step up and be a man and take the loss like a man and take the blame you deserve... oh and GO FUCK YOURSELF you hypocritical prick

Messi Master Class sees Barca meet Inter in the semi's

Leo Messi scored 3 goals in 21 minutes in the first half to end Arsenal's Champion's League dream this year. To be honest, Barca were poor in the first half and Arsenal rightly took the lead in the 18th minute. Barca seemed uninterested and lazy at first but Messi saved them. To be fair, Arsenal were unlucky on Messi's first two goals as the ball didn't bounce their way but the class with which Messi finished was second to none. The first bounced around the top of the box, landed on his left foot and then was rocketed into the back of the net. The second came a few minutes later as Messi played Abidal in on the left who then crossed, poorly, into the box. The ball was deflected then nudged back by Pedro to Messi who took one touch around a defender then finished cooly with his right. Arsenal continued to press and, though having less possession they looked the more controlled side. However, Vermaelen went for a header he shouldn't have as there was no cover behind him. The ball fell to Keita who headed Messi into space. Messi then performed his best finish as he cheekily chipped Almunia for his third and for a 3-1 Barcelona lead. The second half showed a more controlled Barca as they held the lead and kept Arsenal from having any real threat on goal. Then with 2 minutes left Xavi played Messi through again, and then he beat 2 defenders before having his first shot saved right back to him and then put it between Almunia's legs for his fourth. I would have preferred to see him play Keita through on this play but it is the strikers perogative to go to goal as he did. Barcelona will face Inter in the next round as Jose Mourinho's men won 1-0 in Moscow through a Wesley Sneijder goal (I believe Real Madrid are wishing they had not sold him).

Previewing the Second Leg of the Quarters

This week gives us the return legs of the quarter finals of this years Champion's League. We will see who the top 4 teams in Europe are this year and who will meet in the semi's.

Inter Milan @ CSKA Moscow... Inter held serve at home with a 1-0 winner through Diego Milito's second half goal. A 1-0 lead means this tie is very much in doubt, but it should be noted that Italian sides are famous for winning 1-0 at home and holding on to a nil-nil draw on the road to advance. These teams usually "park the bus" and have 10 men behind the ball at all times, but I do not see Inter or Jose Mourinho taking this tactic. I expect to see Inter play just like they did on the road against Chelsea and push forward in attack and defend strongly when needed. CSKA will be able to play at home in the second leg and many European teams have trouble traveling to Russia in the Champion's League. CSKA also didn't "park the bus" at the San Siro and looked dangerous at times in the attack. They had a few chances and could have scored that important away goal but just didn't manage it. With Necid, Honda, Krasic, and Mamaev in attack, this team can score goals. They also move the ball very well and pass and keep the ball well in very tight quarters. Their one touch passing can open up quick spacing for them and give them opportunities to score. In the end I see this game ending 1-1 with CSKA opening the scoring, Inter leveling early in the second half and then fighting furiously at the end to get the other goals necessary to move on but only getting 1.

Arsenal @ Barcelona... Barca saw a late come back from Arsenal mean they only got a draw at the Emirates stadium in London. The big news in this return leg are the players who will miss out. Barcelona saw Pique and Puyol, their two first choice center backs, get suspended for this game which means Gabi Milito will pair along side either Rafa Marquez, most likely, or Dmytro Chigrynskiy. Eric Abidal is back healthy and may play but Andres Iniesta is still out thru injury and goal scorer, Zlatan Ibrahmiavic, will also miss out with a calf problem. Arsenal will be without captain Cesc Fabregas through suspension and injury while Gallas, Arshavin, and Song will all miss thru injury. Arsenal, who were already having problems in defense against Barca, will be without 2 center backs and will most likely have to start Sol Campbell who isn't preferred because of his age and speed. In the game, Arsenal must score at the Camp Nou and they must win. A draw of 3-3 or more will send Arsenal through as well. A 1-0 victory is what Arsenal will be playing for but that means they must keep Barca from scoring which does not seem likely. I expect Arsenal to look for a goal on the counter attack in the first half and if they don't get then they will start to push forward later. In the end I see Barca taking this game and this tie. and 2-1 victory or more seems likely as Barca looked great at the weekend while playing a lot of younger non-starters and Arsenal need a late goal to win over a 10 man side.

Bayern Munich @ Manchester United.. The big news in this game is that Wayne Rooney may not make a surprise return to the lineup, though I don't see that happening. With Wayne Rooney out, Man U lost at the weekend to Chelsea and may have lost the Premier league title as well. Man U lost 2-1 at Bayern which means they must score at least once and with Rooney out this could be difficult. Berbatov just hasn't seemed like scoring in any game I have seen but hopefully for Man U he can. Bayern will get Arjen Robben and Bastian Schweinstiger back for the game which will make them even more potent in attack. I honestly think that Bayern will be able to get a 1-1 draw at Man U and move on to the semi's. The only real reason for this is because of Rooney being out and I see Man U having a hard time scoring.

Lyon @ Bordeaux... This was the second most exciting game last week and saw Lyon take a 3-1 advantage at home. Bordeaux could easily have scored more but didn't manage to and now need a minimum of 2-0 victory to move on. Give the poor play in defense for both sides this outcome could easily happen but I see more goals than this. A possible 4-2 game is likely which would see Lyon move on but I personally see it ending 3-2 and Lyon moving on. No major players will be missing out in this game and it should be fun to watch again.

If these results do happen then we would see a Lyon-Bayern Munich and an Inter-Barcelona semi finals.