QPR 1 v Wigan 1

Premier League Soccer
QPR 1 - 1 Wigan 7 April 2013
Ref: Phil Dowd

How will moneybags QPR deal with Wigan in this important relegation battle? The R's only have managed four wins in the last 15 BPL games.

8' Remy hits the post. He looks like a dangerous and capable forward - if he can get the service. But a few minutes later, he squanders a chance at the far post, making the classic error of expecting the defender in front of him not to miss the ball.

18' Wigan's outside mids are finding space to make their crosses.

20' Zamora sees red in the form of a card flashed at him by referee Dowd. High foot into the face of Gomez.

25' QPR's Townsend makes a nice escape with an inside pullback turn, advances down the right, but Remy wastes the chance. And it's Townsend again, so far the home team's best player, who breaks through the centre, but Remy spoils the move by being offside.

Moments later Gomez, now being booed by the home fans as they reckon that he has manufactured Zamora's sending off, takes a rare shot at QPR's goal. Cesar saves comfortably.

It's a reminder to the Wigan players that given they have 11 players on the field they should attempt to win this match. McManaman shoots over Cesar's bar, and a minute later shoots past the post with a laces drive when a shot with the outside of his right foot – if he possesses the ability – would have tested the keeper better.

Wigan's standout player of late, Mahoney, is seeing a lot of the ball. However, he isn't making the killer pass necessary to break down QPR's 4-4-1. Wigan are dominating possession, QPR are slow to close the ball and are marking very loosely, but we don't get the impression that Wigan are going to score. Yes, the Wigan players have been trained to switch positions, so that if a back surges forwards with the ball, another player covers for him; and yes Wigan are only one of two Premier League team that play with three at the back. Tactical awareness on the part of Wigan boss Martinez, but there's little in the way of drive, let alone aggression, on the part of his players. Perhaps that's why he always seems to spend his time shouting from the coaches' technical area.

The second half continues with QPR being mindful that they are playing with ten men. Supporting their forward player is secondary to preventing a Wigan counterattack. Wigan, for their part, continue to pass the ball across the pitch with QPR's back eight between them and the goal.

56' At last something happens. Redknapp takes off Hoilett, and puts on Taarabt. It takes the latter three minutes to send in a beautiful inswinging cross from the right with the outside of his right foot, which Remy meets with a header that drifts just wide of Wigan keeper Joel Robles.

61' In response, Martinez takes of the ineffectual Beausejour and puts on James McArthur, perhaps to clog up the centre of the pitch a little. It makes no difference though; when the Wigan midfield have the ball there is no movement at all from the front two, so there's nobody to hit with a pass. So the midfielders continue to pass the ball back and forth across the pitch.

84' Wigan free kick outside QPR's box. A worked move. But the shot is blocked, Mbia breaks forwards at speed, spots and then feeds Remy on the right, whose first time shot flies inside Robles' far post. A spectacular goal, hit with the inside of his foot and imparting no spin on the ball. It's the first moment of real quality in the game and QPR have just five minutes plus stoppage time to hold out. 1 – 0.

91' Mackie, on for Remy, breaks forwards, but instead of taking the ball into the corner or recycling the ball to a teammate goes for goal. Wigan gain possession, go down the pitch to within 23 yards of QPR's goal, Mbia fouls, Maloney gets the ball up and over the wall into QPR's postage stamp. Great technique. 1 – 1.

Wigan didn't really deserve this draw, but then QPR, given the millions they have spent on assembling this team, aren't even average themselves. If both clubs are relegated to the Championship it'll come as no surprise.

QPR v Everton, October, 2012

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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QPR Wigan

Reading 1 - 2 Aston Villa

Premier League Soccer
Reading v Aston Villa. Saturday March 9, 2013.

Though Reading and Villa fans may disagree, it is games like this that proves the strength of the relegation system. In leagues such as the United States' Major League Soccer (MLS), which feature no relegation, matches between teams at the lower end of the league table are meaningless.

Today's match could well decide who stays up in the Premier League and who drops to the treacle of the ridiculously named Championship. A win for either team will take it out of the bottom three.

Villa have the worst goal differential in the Premiership at minus 27.

Reading have been in the bottom four since September 2012.

Villa have dropped 18 points from winning positions this season, but Reading have dropped 20.

One of the players in the spotlight today at Reading's Madjeski Stadium will be Brad Guzan in the Villa goal, as US men's national team goalie Tim Howard may be kept out of upcoming World Cup qualifying games due to a back injury. Guzan has been playing well this season, despite his team's lowly position.

The game starts and it appears Villa are going with a 4-3-3 formation against Reading's 4-4-2 and straight away Guzan has to make a smart save from Le Fondre's header. Worryingly for Villa supporters Le Fondre was completely unmarked at the far post. The poor defending continues as Villa seem unwilling or unable to defend crosses. Yet suddenly at the other end of the field Benteke hits the bar with a header as he outjumps Reading's ex-Leeds United star Ian Harte.

Within seconds of that, there's a very good save by Guzan on the half volley in what promises to be an end-to-end encounter.

14' Guzan comes a long way off his line to make an effective punch; he is a very proactive keeper and he shows this once more as he comes out and makes a clean catch from a Reading corner.

15' Reading are caught offside for the first time in the game, indicating that the Villa defence is getting bolder. Have the players worked this out by themselves, or has the coaching staff given instructions?

Though it is Benteke who looks to be the class act here it is Robson-Kanu who shoots just wide of Guzan's left post with the keeper slightly out of position 'cheating' into the middle instead of fully protecting the near post, seemingly one of this season's fashions. See Manchester City 3 - 2 Southampton.

With a quarter of the game gone, the impression one gets is of a Championship match: passes are made in hope that the defenders won't cut them out, incorrect technique on the ball, and unintelligent runs.

In goal for Reading, Stuart Taylor (who apparently has appeared just seven times in sixteen years as a pro) punches clear as his defence retreats to cover a high diagonal. Good solid keeping.

The pressure comes back on Reading in the form of Andreas Weimann, but the Austrian disappointingly fires wide.

After Guzan gets down smartly again to make a save, suddenly it's 1 – 0. An own goal by Baker after Hope Akpan plays a clever flick in front of goal with his trailing leg.

1 - 1. Just a minute elapses before Weimann dribbles forward in the inside right channel, classically cuts the ball back to the waiting Benteke on the penalty spot. A deflection helps the ball past Taylor. Guzan makes yet another save. This time from Ian Harte's cross-shot that almost beats the Chicagoan at the top corner of the near post.

44' Suddenly, without warning, possession football breaks out. Villa string together numerous passes, Bannan clips the ball against the post, it bounces out and Agbonlahor rockets an unstoppable ball with his left foot into Taylor's top right hand corner. It's the former England player's fourth goal in 42 Premiership matches. 1 – 2.

48' Weimann is again disappointing in not taking a shot. How different he is from Christian Benteke, whose shot on the turn is deflected out for a corner; little wonder he has scored nearly 50% of Villa's goals this season. Most pundits seem to be predicting a bigger and brighter future for the big Belgian, if such a thing exists.

52' A thriller by Sylla of Villa. He hammers a shot just over Reading's bar. He was anonymous in the game before that shot, and, apart from a hugely wayward second shot, slips back into anonymity once more.

The spotlight on Brad Guzan continues and he confidently clears the ball left footed from a backpass. A US national team call-up is looking increasingly likely.

54' Reading think they're back in it as Hunt nets at the far post from McAnuff's great cross, but he's marginally offside.

68' Guzan makes yet another solid save, this time at the near post. Without this skillful goalkeeper, it's clear that Aston Villa would have lost this game already.

A strange substitution is made by Villa coach Paul Lambert. Bannan is taken off, and Charles N'Zogbia is on. With the increasing Reading pressure, one might have thought adding another defender, rather than an attacker, would have been the best thing to do. Nevertheless, N'Zogbia, so good for Newcastle United before his move to Villa Park, immediately announces his presence by shooting. Perhaps attack really is the best form of defence.

77' In perhaps his best moment of the game, Brad Guzan comes out of his goal as far as the penalty spot to make a clean catch and immediately launches a swift counterattack.

This exciting game finishes Reading 1 - 2 Aston Villa. Perhaps this is the beginning of the end of Reading's stay in the Premier League, and though we must remember they have performed incredible escape acts in the past, their next two daunting matches are away to Manchester United and Arsenal. Bookmakers are making Reading the favourites for relegation.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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Reading Aston Villa

Tottenham Hotspur 2 v Arsenal 1

Premier League Soccer
Tottenham Hotspur v Arsenal. Sunday 3 March 2013.

The north London derby at White Hart Lane is an important one this year: both teams are vying for a spot in next term's Champions League, for which the top four teams in the Premier League will qualify.

Currently Tottenham lie in fourth place and Arsenal in fifth. Spurs will be confident here at home as they currently have one of Europe's best players in the form of Welshman Gareth Bale; he is competing with Barcelona's Lionel Messi in terms of the number of Euro goals he has scored this season. They have finished below Arsenal in the league for the past 17 seasons.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is under pressure because of his stated aim at the beginning of the season of finishing in the top four by the end of it. His critics say that a big club like Arsenal should be aiming to win the Premier League. However, his club have a new stadium to pay for, and Champions League qualification is paramount.

It looks like Tottenham are planning to go with a 4-4-2 formation, with Arsenal having just the one forward in a 4-5-1.

Spurs kick off and work the ball to the right to make use of the speedy Lennon.

6' An exciting length-of-the-field run by Kyle Walker with the ball has the crowd on its feet, but it comes to naught and he has to run all the way back to his defensive position. 10' Spurs French goalkeeper Lloris, who has recently replaced U.S. fan-favorite Brad Friedel, makes a fine stop by rushing off his goal line.

16' Superstar Bale is finding little space between the Arsenal defensive back line and midfield. Just as AC Milan recently snuffed out the threat posed by Barcelona's Lionel Messi, by 'collapsing' 2 or 3 defenders on him as soon as he received the ball, Arsenal are doing to Bale.

20' Sigurdsson, on the left, plays an inswinging curling ball over the top of the Arsenal defense and Bale, untracked, just fails to make contact with it: a dangerous moment for the Arsenal defense.

26' A moment of rarity when we see Kyle Walker, Spurs' right-back appear in attack on the left wing! This is reminiscent of the 'total football' style of the Dutch national team of the 1970s.

36' The midfield stalemate is suddenly broken as, again from the left, Sigurdsson again feeds Bale, whose run has beaten the offside trap. He clips the ball expertly with the outside of his left foot past Arsenal keeper Szczesny. Good pass, great finish. 1 - 0. This is the fifth consecutive game in which he has scored, and a good example why teams like Real Madrid are interested in buying him.

38' Spurs' Parker, yet again from the left side of midfield, plays a similar ball in for the speedy Lennon. He takes a couple of touches to round Szczesny and finishes with aplomb. 2 - 0.

Two-nil at half-time looks a bit flattering to Tottenham, but the Arsenal defenders have neglected to track the Tottenham runners.

50' After good work by Arsenal's Welshman Ramsey, Arsenal win a free kick on the left. It is swung in and Arsenal's German giant Per Mertesacker leaps to head the ball, which comes off Bale's head and ends up in the Tottenham net. 2 – 1.

59' Bale's mixed game continues as he misses a cross from the left and he balloons the ball over the Arsenal goal from close in.

62' Arsenal bring on Czech player Rosicky, and his quick feet and first-time passing leads to one the prettiest passing sequences seen in the Premiership this season. 69' Despite having the lead, Spurs keep pressing and Sigurdsson surely must score, but he squares the ball instead of shooting.

88' Arsenal's Walcott - desperate to become the England national team's center-forward - takes a free kick that just misses the Tottenham goal.

93' Arsenal go close in a frenetic finish, but this exciting match ends.

Tottenham Hotspur 2 – 1 Arsenal.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile 2013

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Tottenham Hotspur Arsenal football

Futsal World Cup Final Brazil 3 - 2 Spain

Futsal World Cup Final

Brazil 3 - 2 Spain 18 November 2012

Ref Hector Rojas (Peru)

Huamark Indoor Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand.

If Barack Obama had timed his visit to Thailand to coincide with this world cup final he must have been too busy to attend. Either that or he couldn't get a ticket. In any case the POTUS missed an interesting and exciting contest between the world's two top teams.

Early on in the game, Spain controlled possession somewhat easily and looked worthy of the title of number one team in the world. Yet it was Neto (Bra) who looked to be the most inventive player. Brazil came close to conceding a goal in these early stages, but Vinicius (Bra) blocked the ball on his own goal line. Vinicius is proving to be an important yet aggressive player as Aicardo's (Spa) very quick outside pullback turn leads to a foul by the Brazilian.

A vicious foul by Je (Bra) on Lozano (Spa) amazingly does not result in a card for the Brazilian as the Spaniard in tears of pain is helped from the court. A shot on the turn by Fernandao (Spa) at an acute angle is the first of many by him in a flurry of shots as Brazil's 1-3-1 formation is put to the test.

It's not surprising that it is Brazil who take the first time out with about 6:55 remaining in the first period. It seems to have paid dividends as Brazil come more into the game and Ari at last manages to get an off-target shot on Spain's goal.

Brazil are getting more possession now, and in an exciting moment Rafael shoots the ball from under teammate Je's foot. The ball is too high to worry Spain's keeper Juanjo however, which is just as well as he was moving the wrong way. With 1:26 left in the first half, it's Spain's turn to have their time out. This one also seems to work, as, on the resumption of play, Fernandao's flick is just wide of the Brazilian goal.

At the end of the first half it is 0 - 0, though Spain should easily be ahead given the number of shots they've had.

It's a bright start for the Brazilians in the second half as they look as though the half-time repose has rejuvenated them more than their Iberian opponents. But there is an extra element that has come into play in Brazils' favour, their "nuclear option": the introduction onto the court of Falcao, for years now the world's best player.

He shoots from distance, the ball whistling just wide of Juanjo's right post. Then, from a corner, Je, shedding his thug persona for a moment, hits the ball on the full, but the impressive Spaniard Kike blocks.

Je shoots again, Kike blocks again. Brazil look the better team now - and it's all down to the skill, vision and movement of one man: Falcao. It's his flick behind the standing leg that leads to a corner. The ball is played back up the line and Neto rockets the shot inside the far post. Brazil 1 - 0 Spain.

Vinicius reminds us that all that propaganda about the marvellous, skillful, Brazilians often ignores the violent and cheating side to their game; he dives for the second time in this match to get Kike booked. This is serious in futsal as the sixth booking and subsequent bookings mean a penalty against your team. 11:13 left in the game and Spain have had 27 shots.

More shenanigans from Brazil as Ari is booked for an off-the-ball incident. Brazil rightly pay for this - from the resulting free kick Miguelin's shot is blocked but Spain's number 4 Torras follows up and finishes near post.

Brazil 1 - 1 Spain.

Back come Brazil with Gabriel shooting across the face. From a corner the excellent Aicardo shoots and Brazil keeper Tiago attempts a kick save but it goes in. Brazil 1 - 2 Spain.

Falcao is back on court for Brazil .. and they need him as Spain press forward with Torras' half-volley on the turn saved, then Torras hits the bar after a free kick.

Falcao!! The ageing maestro receives the ball about 15 metres out and hammers into the top left-hand corner. Great goal: precision and power. Brazil 2 - 2 Spain.

A sweeping move, Ari to Je to Rafael whose shot is blocked. So it's 2 - 2 at full time, just as it was four years ago in Rio.

Extra time. This game has heated up, as have the players given the failure of the air-conditioning system in the stadium; pretty poor for a World Cup Final.

Brazil are favourites now that Spain have committed 5 card fouls, so one more and Brazil go to the penalty mark. A pullback L by Falcao brings a cheer from the crowd. Though Brazil are pressing high up the court, there is more cheating from the Latin Americans as Neto is "fouled" by Fernandao. Penalty. But the Spanish keeper Juanjo makes the save! Justice is done.

With just nineteen seconds remaining on the clock before the game goes to penalties, Neto, getting ball on the left touchline, lifts the ball over his defender, the ball landing on the line. He unleashes a tremendous shot that hits the inside of the far post and it's in. Brazil 3 - 2 Spain.

Sepp Blatter is almost beside himself with joy as he hands the trophy to the winners. There is the suspicion the 11-a-side game World Cup Finals Brazil in 2014 will follow a similar pattern to this tournament with FIFA engineering for Brazil a very easy group so that they have an easy route to the final.

So why did Spain lose, apart from their having to work harder than their opponents to get to the final? One reason lies in their shape; their 2 - 2 formation in the attacking phase meant the highest forward found it difficult to impossible to square the ball for shots.

Too many times, for example, Fernandao simply hit the ball on the half turn only to be blocked by a defender. In short, not enough combination play. And they don't have Falcao. Or Neto, who won the adidas Golden Ball with seven goals in the competition and two in the final.

Peter Rodd

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World Soccer futsal

Chelsea 1 - 1 Liverpool

Chelsea 1 - 1 Liverpool
11 November 2012
Ref Howard Webb

This game came after a week in which teams from the east caused problems for these two English sides.

Worryingly for Blues fans, Shakhtar Donetsk outplayed Chelsea for long stretches even though Victor Moses gave the European Champions a last minute winner; Shakhtar's Willian was the best player on show and surely must be on the radar to be included in Brazil's national team for 2014.

Away at Anji Makhachkala, Liverpool looked bereft of attacking ideas in a 3-7-0 formation, the lack of a forward up on the Anji offside line allowing for no outlet ball, especially in the absence of a player with real aerial power – the loan of Andy Carroll to West Ham United, particularly when Liverpool are in a rebuilding phase, looks increasingly like a poor decision.

We know Brendan Rogers likes his players to be relaxed before kick off, and the smiling Raheem Sterling seems to be following orders in the pre-match warm up. Will Joe Cole, on the bench for Liverpool, come on to torment his previous employers? Likewise, how will Torres do against Liverpool? He was poor against the Ukrainians midweek with Chelsea moves breaking down on his receiving the ball.

The whole stadium stands in silence for Remembrance Day, Chelsea Pensioners included.

Liverpool once more are playing with three at the back, against Chelsea's 4-2-3-1.

3' Agger, despite being one of the back three, finds himself in the Chelsea penalty area. Total football from the get-go.
When the Liverpool back three are switching the ball between themselves, it is Joe Allen and/or Gerrard checking back to allow for the vertical pass. Torres, coming back beyond the halfway line to get the ball, looks the most exciting player in these early stages, flicking the ball over a defender's head, and a half moon round another before surging toward goal. This is reminiscent of his attacks from deep for Atletico Madrid; he looks a much better player doing this than as a stationary figure up against a centre half.

18' Carragher pushes the mobile Torres in the back, but Ivanovic's free kick is blasted over.

19' Goal. Torres wins a corner, Terry makes a near-post run, and, unmarked, plants his header in the postage stamp position. 1 – 0. Poor defending.

26' Torres shoots after Hazard unsurprisingly outmuscles Allen in midfield.

28' Gerrard continues to make forward runs, but the Chelsea defensive mids are tracking well.

30' A third of the game gone and Liverpool have their second shot.

31' Is it Suarez' first touch of the ball? It's a good one though: a nice ball played into space.

Most of the work being done by Liverpool is down the left flank with Jose Enrique very busy as the wingback.

34' Suarez is pushed by Ramires and collides with John Terry, who us back from his four-match suspension for racially abusing QPR's Anton Ferdinand. Terry, in his 558th game for the Blues, is stretchered off with suspected knee ligament damage. Things are not going well for the former England captain as there have been rumours about a January departure from Stamford Bridge, with Valencia as a possible destination. 40' Sahin takes a corner that is so low that not only does it not beat the first defender in the air, it is half volleyed away by Oscar.

43' An interesting moment where Cech's kicked pass to Cahill, whose body position is only a quarter of a turn wrong, leads to an overly hurried clearance and a Liverpool surge forward. From such apparently minor things do matches turn.

48' The three-man defence is exposed for the first time in open play as Carragher is inexplicably attracted to a ball down the left which should have been dealt with by Agger. Brendan Rogers pre-match assertion that the Liverpool team is comfortable in a 3-5-2 is put to the test. Apart from one small slip, Wisdom looks solid on the left.

At half time Chelsea can take heart from the fact that they have restricted Liverpool to exactly zero chances. It's only a single goal lead though.

57' Great save by Jones from Torres' header. Torres has been Chelsea's most effective player. Given he is the lone striker, one of the hardest working, too.

66' Gerrard's petulance gives Chelsea a free kick, but Mata's ball is in inch too high for Torres.

71' Suddenly Suarez surges forward, Wisdom bombs up the right. Corner. Suso – on for the ineffectual Sahin – takes. Carragher's near-post flick and there is Suarez unmarked to head into the empty net. And if Suarez hadn't finished it, Agger, also unmarked, would have. Schoolboy defending.

81' Torres is taken off; Sturridge on.

85' Suarez shoots from the sideline near the halfway line, but Cech gets back to save.

86' Ivanovic heads just over from Mata's corner.

87' Suarez is played in by the hardworking Jose Enrique, but Cech comes out of his area to clear with his legs.

89' Good feet by Hazard on the left, he then shoots wide in the second phase.

93' A sweeping Liverpool move leads to man of the match Jose Enrique shooting at the near post, but it is saved by Peter Cech.

An improved Liverpool have done the Manchester clubs a favour. Chelsea may need to dip into the market in January for shooting power. Both teams have to work on defending set pieces.

1 – 1.

Peter Rodd

Tags

Liverpool Chelsea

QPR 1 - 1 Everton

QPR 1 - 1 Everton 21 October 2012

When we think of the history of Queen's Park Rangers, we might remember Rodney Marsh, Gerry Francis, Ray Wilkins, even Luigi Di Canio. We may think of the hooped shirts, of Formula 1 motor racing magnate Bernie Ecclestone's financial involvement with the club.

We may not know the name Lakshmi Mittal, reputedly the world's fifth richest person, or that in the 2005-2006 season chairman Gianni Paladini was allegedly "held at gunpoint during a match at Loftus Road by hired thugs at the instigation of rival directors" (BBC) and was "wearing a bullet-proof vest" for a period of time (Sunday Mirror).

We almost certainly will not think of the club's huge successes on the field given that they have been far and few between.

Big guns Everton are the visitors today. It is their best start to a Premier League campaign for eight years, and a win today will make it their best start ever. QPR look like they might be favourites for the drop as they have garnered only two points so far. Manager Mark Hughes has been given a vote of confidence by the owner ahead of this game, but a win for QPR against a robust though (today) Fellaini-less Everton looks unlikely.

Coleman is up in support of the Everton attack early after kick-off, but soon Hoilett picks the ball up the ball 30-odd yards from his own goal, dribbles to the Everton goal, ignores Taraabt's clever diagonal run, shoots and scores via a deflection. 1 - 0. A dream start for Hughes after only two minutes; it is QPR's second home goal of the season.

QPR are emboldened by the goal and after seven minutes, Taraabt's clever reverse pass and Traore fizzes the ball across the face with Baines doing good work to come in off the left flank to protect the ball. This incident seems important: where is the real pressure to score, perhaps indicative of QPR's scoring problem?

However the score is still one-nil and eleven-nationality QPR look lively. But then it's Everton's turn with Jelavic's free kick palmed away by Cesar and Anichebe's shot on the half turn. But Everton cannot build on their good work in midfield as they are playing with just one up front. Mirallas is more or less invisible.

1 - 1. An Everton free kick is met by a totally unmarked Distin whose header hits the post and comes back to hit Cesar's body and end up in the net. In QPR's best move of the first half, involving Taraabt and Bosingwa, the latter's cross is cleared away by Jagielka. The first half ends 1 - 1 and this scoreline reflects the play with 2 shots on target each.

46' Everton free kick, and the QPR defence must have eaten turkey sandwiches at half time as Baines runs into a huge space down the left. Mirallas seems to have a freer role in this second half, but it looks as though Fellaini is even more important to this Everton team than we first thought.

Diakite slaloms up the field, crosses to the Ji-sung Park (hardly noticed he was playing in this match up to now), but Jagielka blocks. In an underwhelming move, Anichebe is taken off by Moyes and is replaced by Naismith, who arrived from Rangers of the Glasgow variety on a free in the summer. But then the improving Mirallas plays a ball out to Pienaar who cuts off to the left, but because he has no left foot cuts back inside and the ball is taken from him by a collapsing QPR defence. [Tip for managers of Premier League teams: buy two-footed players and you will probably win the league.]

60' Pienaar picks up a second yellow for persistent fouling. Off. A third of the game to play - can we expect QPR to go on to win the game now they have one player more than their opponents? Not on the current evidence.

69' Everton are playing as well as at any time in the match, even with a man down. Mirallas is exploiting the space on the left, now vacated by the forward running Diakite.

70' In another underwhelming move, QPR boss Hughes (who played 18 times for Everton) takes off Zamora and puts Cisse on. Hoilett is QPR's best player and uses quick feet to get into a shooting position, but Howard saves low to his right. A good week for Howard who this week overtook Brad Friedel as the US men's national team's most capped keeper.

80' Hoilett's curling shot saved by Howard.

It ends 1 - 1. A dour game spoilt by the two managers, both of whom could have made more attacking choices to win the encounter. We can see why: Hughes doesn't want to lose a valuable point; Moyes is looking forward to next week's Merseyside derby. Most valuable player: Jagielka.

Peter Rodd

Tags

Everton QPR

Liverpool 2 – 3 Udinese Calcio

Liverpool 2 - 3 Udinese Calcio 4 October 2012

Before Udinese's trip to the Emirates in 2011, the team took a stroll around Marylebone and Regents Park. The north-east Italian team's coaches obviously wanted a relaxed squad going into the big game. Arsenal won one nil, but Di Natale caused them all sorts of problems and Gunners' goalkeeper Szczesny had to be on his game to keep them at bay; the loss of Sanchez to Barcelona didn't faze the Italians as much as was anticipated.

I imagine the Liverpool coaching staff will have studied that match closely, for this was the first meeting ever between the two sides.

The teams lined up with Liverpool in a 4-3-3 and Udinese with 3-5-2. Which would dominate?

Downing is put out on the right flank; Shelvey is given yet another start, making one believe that Brendan Rodgers is putting faith in him as a permanent fixture in midfield; and Borini is also on again, perhaps so he can listen in on the Italians' banter. Assaidi, the Moroccan, whose first year this is with the Reds is out on the left.

It is he who looks lively early on, but he shows the defenders too much of the ball on more than a couple of occasions. Nevertheless, this is an indication that Rodgers is throwing his young players (19 year-old Robinson is on at right back too) in at the deep end, or giving them their chance to shine. Take your pick. In any case there's no Suarez and no Gerrard in the starting line up.

Early on it's difficult to tell who is on top. Shelvey shoots from distance, Udinese's Serbian keeper Zeljko Brkic makes a save, Udinese counterattack very quickly and Di Natale takes a shot. The Italians are not here for a draw by the look of it. Liverpool take the lead due to Shelvey's long pass out to the right to Downing who walls it over the the back stick where the unmarked Shelvey heads downwards inside the far post. Nice goal. 1 – 0.

The lead seems a little undeserved as the teams seem fairly even. Then Di Natale, from the right hits the ball with the outside of his right foot and the ball curves just over the angle of the bar and the far post. End-to-end with Downing's shot blocked, but then it would be.

Then Johnson finds himself in a position similar to Di Natale's a minute before: out on the right; but the Liverpool man hits the ball instead with the inside of his right foot, thus giving himself little to no chance of scoring. And there's the difference: Di Natale - top scorer in Serie A in 2009-10 with 29 goals – is easily the best player on show, and he is surrounded with generally competent teammates .. though of course Shelvey's run should have been tracked by at least one of Udinese's five midfielders.

Pinzi is driving the Italians forward from midfield. Suddenly Liverpool have a good couple of minutes of uninterrupted possession - so this is the new Swansea after all! Until we are reminded that Swanselona's possession play happened largely in the first two thirds of the pitch. Anyway, at least the dangerous Italiani can't score without a ball.

What will Francesco Guidolin tell his players before they duck their heads under the "This is Anfield" sign to emerge from the tunnel for the second time?

Whatever the manager said, the words must have been magic ones as only 30 seconds from the restart a mirror image of the Shelvey goal happens with Di Natale's great strike under pressure flying past Reina. 1 - 1.

The game trundles along for a while. Rodgers has decided that he now wants to win the match, so he puts on Gerrard and Suarez for the increasingly anonymous Assaidi and the constantly anonymous Henderson. The Liverpool energy gauge shoots up to a high level - into the red you might say. The Brazilian Willians is brought on to stiffen up the Italian midfield, and immediately an inswinging free kick is met by Reds' centre back Coates who deftly places the ball inside the far post. Own goal. 1 - 2.

Two minutes later Di Natale, in the box, back to goal, plays keepy uppy, then takes a preparation touch and passes into the path of Pasquale whose driven low shot inside the far post gives Reina no chance. Great goal. 1 - 3.

Three minutes after that Suarez cracks in a great free kick over a tall jumping wall. 2 – 3. Really is end-to-end. What an exciting match!

Suarez almost equalizes, Gerrard shoots against a defender's back, Brkic saves from Suarez, Allen doesn't get called for a penalty, Sterling who's on for the lumbering Borini, fires just over the bar. Result: 2 - 3

There is some talk about why Gerrard wasn't playing from the beginning – or Suarez come to that. Famous last words and all, but it doesn't look like Liverpool will win the BPL this time, so here's a big chunk of silverware in the form of the Europa League that you might think would be worth winning .. but you don't play your best players.

Hmm. I notice Udinese played their best player from the start. Rodgers must be weening the babies – that's it. But hang on a minute, Liverpool and England right back Glen Johnson was playing from the start; the problem is he made poor decisions when in promising positions. Case in point - in the 27th minute he finds himself behind the Udinese defence, but panics and wastefully gives away the ball. So what does experience count for? Pros and cons, but Brendan Rodgers must be given all the time he needs to craft his team.

Next up for Liverpool: Anzhi.

Peter Rodd

Tags

Europa League World Soccerfootball

Man Utd v Liverpool Enemies in Love Fest

Liverpool v Manchester United 22 September 2012

Given the attention given to off-field concerns: the Hillsborough verdict that exonerated the Liverpool fans from engineering their own deaths, Fergie's urging the fans to be respectful of each other, and the question of whether players should shake hands with racists, we might expect this game to be a little different from usual.

Ferdinand helped 96 inflated balloons (representing, of course, the victims at Sheffield) escape from plastic bags, the balloon industry informing us that 100% latex balloons are biodegradable and are not harmful to animals or sea creatures.

New Liverpool supremo Brendan Rogers is looking for his first league win. Will tactics and style-of-play form a big part in such an emotionally-charged game? Or will it be a Steven Gerrard inspired up-and-at-'em with Scholes picking up a card?

In the first 20 minutes: corner count: Liverpool 3 Man U 0; Liverpool have dominated possession and territory; most of Liverpool's attacks have been down the right flank though their traditional go-to guy seventeen-year-old Sterling; United cannot retain possession, but then England's best player is not on the pitch.

Then on 38 minutes, Shelvey and Evans both leave their feet going for a loose ball. Result: ref Mark Halsey issues a red for Shelvey, no card for Evans. This is interesting as we know from the documentary 'Being: Liverpool' that Rogers specifically told Shelvey to "stay on your feet". The odds on a United win shorten instantaneously.

Even on ten men, though, Liverpool continue to have the more meaningful possession. The Fergie hairdryer will be out at halftime.

The first half ends 0 – 0. Shots: Liverpool 8 Man Utd 3. The best players: Liverpool: Gerrard and Sterling; Manchester United: Ferdinand and Rafael.

At last Scholes is on. So is Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáez de la Torre (who had made his first full 90-minute debut in the Europa League match against Young Boys a couple of days ago 20 Sept 2012, but who was signed by Rafael Benitez - remember him?) for the ineffectual Borini.

Gerrard scores immediately after half-time. 1 – 0. Not marked closely enough, and his chest and volley is perfect.

Da Silva, from an assist by Kagawa, equalizes with a delightful curling shot that goes in off the inside of the far post. 1 – 1.

Scholes does pick up his yellow for fouling Sterling. Nevertheless, his presence means United now have a midfield.

Back come Liverpool with shots from Suarez and Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáez de la Torre.

Rogers has decided to play for a draw. He takes off the lively Sterling, and brings on the unlively Henderson.

Jesús Joaquín Fernández Sáez de la Torre a.k.a. Suso is combining well with Suarez. Valencia, who has been quiet so far, decides to take matters into his own feet by intercepting a square ball in midfield, surging into the United box and then going down under a challenge by Johnson. Penalty: Van Persie hits is hand-height to Reina's left, the Spaniard almost keeping it out.

Kagawa is off, replaced by Chicharito, resulting in no fireworks.

Liverpool huffed and puffed, and Rogers - aware perhaps that his hold on the job is looking increasingly tenuous given that this is the team's worst start in more than a hundred years – complained that Liverpool should have had a penalty themselves. Before the knives are drawn though, we must recognize that the problems at Liverpool are inherited.

United, even without Vidic, looked OK at the back, and the forward line has enough goals in it. But when Scholes is not playing there seems to be little drive or movement in midfield. Could Rooney play there? Will the January transfer window open United's coffers?

In truth, neither of these two teams looked anything special, but Liverpool will feel a little aggrieved at the result.

1-2.

Peter Rodd

Tags

Liverpool Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson at 1000

Saturday's 3 Sept 2012 Barclays Premier League fixture between Southampton and Manchester United at St. Mary's was the thousandth league game in charge for Alex Ferguson.

Now 70 years old - he was born in 1941 in Govan - he scored on his debut at the age of 16 for Scottish team Queen's Park. 20 goals in 31 matches was his tally for that team, but in 1960 he went to St Johnstone where, apparently, he considered emigrating to Canada.

In the FIFA World Rankings, as of 3 September 2012, the Canada men's national team is ranked 79th in the world, just below Cape Verde Islands. Canadians might be wondering "what if?" today. After scoring a hat trick v Rangers he moved to Dunfermline, where he was dropped for the Scottish FA Cup Final after a bad league game v St Johnstone. There is no sentimentality in football, and this experience must have helped shape his future attitudes toward team selection.

The following season (1965-6) he was Scotland's joint top goal scorer with 31 goals. He joined Rangers – the club he supported as a boy – for a record (between two Scottish teams) £65k. Here there was another important moment where he seemingly threw away his 1969 Scottish FA Cup loser's medal after being criticised for allowing his mark to score, though Rangers were well beaten by Celtic 4 – 0.

His wife didn't like the idea of their moving to the English wilderness of Nottingham Forest, so he played for Falkirk and Ayr Utd instead.

Like Andre Villas Boas he was a young manager: only 32 at East Stirlingshire. Then came St Mirren, and in 1978 Aberdeen. Aberdeen had only won the Scottish League once: in 1955. There must have been something strange in the water that year as south of the border Chelsea won Division 1 for the first time in their history, and even Newcastle United managed a trophy: a 3 – 1 win over Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.

Aberdeen's record under Ferguson: League title: 1980, 1984, 1985, Scottish FA Cup: 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986 Scottish League Cup: 1986 European Cup Winners' Cup: 1983 (Aberdeen 2 – 1 Real Madrid) European Super Cup: 1983

After interest from a number of clubs, such as Arsenal and Liverpool, Alex Ferguson became the manager of Manchester United on 6 November 1986.

Manchester United's record under Ferguson: Premier League Winners: 12 FA Cup Winners: 5 League Cup Winners: 4 Cup Winners' Cup: 1 UEFA Champions' League: 2 European Super Cup: 1 Intercontinental Cup: 1 Club World Cup: 1

Saints Against Devils

Southampton 2 – 3 Manchester United

1 September 2012

Ferguson's 1000th league game resulted in a win, but it was a struggle for United against a quick and technical Southampton side newly promoted to the Premier League. All seemed well as United kicked off in their changed black and white "Derby County" strip (although I'm guessing United fans might prefer "Germany" strip).

Southampton could not take possession of the football and it looked as if a thrashing might be on the cards with Valencia threatening on the right flank. Robin Van Persie, who makes it difficult to watch United without thinking one is watching Arsenal, pulls off a delightful half-volley trap-pass behind the standing leg – and a minute later the Dutchman's chest and volley just goes wide of Soton's post. Southampton's contribution in the first eight minutes is a long vertical pass that Lindegaard (preferred in United's goal to De Gea due to the latter's gaffe against Fulham) rushes out to clear. The Saints did not play route one football against Manchester City; are they more afraid of Manchester United?

In the twelfth minute the home team wins a corner – an interesting outswinging ground ball is delivered to the edge of the penalty box. The United defence seemed a fraction slow to any danger. Suddenly, without warning, United seemed very fearful. Carrick, who started the game high up the field supporting the attack is now playing deeper and is thus allowing space in the middle of the park. Schneiderlin shoots high and wide. A minute later, the same player intercepts a United pass in midfield, the ball is worked by Soton through the centre, then played out to the right of the penalty area, a diagonal cross finds star forward Rickie Lambert who outjumps Rafael and powers the ball down past Lindegaard's left hand with a textbook header. England coach Roy Hodgson, watching from the stands, must have been impressed. 1 – 0. There does seem some weakness in United's set up with the two small fullbacks vulnerable to diagonals to the head of tall far post forwards.

Welbeck, working harder than many of his teammates, works the ball to Valencia on the right. His delicate cross to the far post to RVP's chest leads to goal for the ex-Arsenal man, helped by Clyne's slip on the over-watered pitch. Southampton's lead lasted a mere 5 minutes. 1 – 1, but they are not disheartened: two minutes later good movement by Matt Le Tissier's favourite son (and team captain) Lallana leads to Lambert's shot; 17 year-old James Ward-Prowse shoots just wide; Lallana's shot just wide; Southampton are outplaying Man U in midfield where Carrick and Cleverley have done nothing but pass the ball on, and Kagawa with a free role behind RVP has a high pass completion rate but does not look threatening.

But then Clyne slips again, and there are questions concerning his footwear, which appears to consist perhaps of Adidas F50's, which do have those flat front studs, though I'm sticking with the overwatering hypothesis. United are playing without a recognizable left attacking player, perhaps to draw Clyne out thus allowing room for Van Persie's left foot? As the first half draws to a close. There is an unusual long ball down the middle that Van Persie just fails to bring down: we don't think of him being a target player in the Lambert/Carroll mould. Was this pass a sign of desperation by United?

The second half turned out to be even livelier – and a great advert for the Premier League. If Southampton do get relegated, will the FA allow them to stay up for their entertainment value?

Kagawa is still learning his trade at this level, but one suspects his apprenticeship may be a short one as he shoots just wide of the near post. RVP misses a good chance from 15 yards. A diagonal from Lambert, Evra slips in a carbon copy of United's goal, and the impressive Schneiderlin scores. 2 – 1. Now I am sure I would be instructing my players to send in high diagonals to the far post of United's defence if I were an opposing manager. Tony Pulis and Sam Allardyce are you reading this?

Puncheon beats Evra easily in the box and shoots. Yet another diagonal to Lambert in the box, though this one comes to naught. Puncheon is increasingly lively, showing his fitness, and indeed Soton often seem quicker than their opponents. Something needs to be done to counteract that. No sooner have I thought that when .. Ferguson has seen enough and Scholes and Nani are on for Kagawa and Cleverley. Scholes has immediate influence on the game – he passes to RVP whose shot is saved by Davis. Penalty! Seems harsh. Southampton's appeals for clemency fall on deaf ears. RVP steps up, attempts to chip the keeper, but Davis saves brilliantly. This fellow Scholes continues to impress: looks the best player on the field.

Southampton manager Nigel Adkins, a former goalkeeper, takes off Puncheon, and adds Zambian striker Emmanuel Mayuka; Lambert is also off, replaced by Guly Do Prado. The 78th minute sees Saints captain Adam Lallana off, with Rodriguez coming on. On 87 minutes, Robin Van Persie scores after Rafael's cross is met by Ferdinand, who hits the post; RVP is the first to react as the ball comes back. 2 – 2. A minute later Rodriguez' shot hits Ferdinand, which leads to a corner. Desperate defending by United. What an exciting game!

The ball goes down to the other end of the pitch. A tired looking Fonte slices the ball. Corner to United. The ball is sent in along the six-yard line, a short near-post run by Van Persie and he heads in for his hat trick. 2 – 3, and RVP's 100th Premier League goal.

We can see why Adkins made them in terms of fitness, but one may look at the three Southampton substitutions and make the assumption that Ferdinand would not have come forward had Lambert still been on the field. So would the second goal have come about? The absence on the left of the creative Lallana, surely an England national team prospect, and Puncheon out on the right, meant the dangerous aforementioned diagonals were now absent. If anything, it was the Southampton defence that had run out of legs toward the end of the game, and it looks like, at least under the current tactical set-up, Southampton are going to have to outscore their opponents to win matches.

On the United side of the fence, the overall positioning in a 4-2-3-1 seemed fine. But any formation in the world is dependent on the quality of the individual players contained within it. I see a gulf in class between Cleverley and Scholes. As mentioned above, with the excellent Van Persie up front, I had the impression I was watching Arsenal but (until Scholes came on) with a worse midfield. I don't know if now's the time, but the Ferdinand-Vidic axis seemed not to be as impregnable as it once was, though it's perhaps too early to bet against Man U winning the Premier League again .. especially with Ferguson still at the helm. Is this his last season?

Peter Rodd

Tags

Manchester United football

Manchester City 3 - 2 Southampton

What a start to the season by Southampton as for the first five minutes they laid siege to Joe Hart's goal. This was achieved by up to seven(!) players from the away team pressing the City back line very high up the pitch. Is this Chievo Verona we're watching?

The first significant foray by City into Southampton's half led to an injury sustained by Kun Aguero from ex-Crystal Palace Nathaniel Clyne's (clean) tackle. It seems like the City striker will be all right if the latest reports are to be believed.

Dzeko came on for Aguero and had the type of match one has come to expect from him: good movement but with a seeming inability to do simple things like score into an empty net .. until he did score in the second half. He changes City's shape when he plays: he is reliably up front as a focal point, unlike when Aguero and Tevez are the "front" pair, then the team seems to have a forwardless Spain look about them.

One can imagine being a midfielder or a back for City, under pressure from opponents, having Dzeko there gives the option of direct play – not that there's much of that from the ball-playing Manchester City these days. It's easy to think that those half chances that might have been converted by a better finisher, Robin Van Persie say, and that these misses might in the end come back to bite City if goal difference is going to be important to the outcome of the 2012-13 Premier League. We may come to the conclusion that Manchester United's purchase of RVP, an atypical purchase of such an old player by Ferguson, was negative in purpose: keep him out of City's squad. Great movement by Tevez led to the opening goal by the Argentinian: fired in low near post past goalkeeper Kelvin Davis. 1 – 0.

There has been a spate of near post goals lately: the striker dribbles in towards the near post, the keeper dives early towards the far post hoping to save with his feet shots that may come in at the near post. This technique leads to the keepers diving out of the path of the ball coming in at the near post. Among other examples, Butland did this for team GB in the Olympics, and Chelsea's opening goal against Wigan was similar. Goalkeeping coaches need to correct this to make keepers stay in the ready position at the near post even as the shot comes in to force the shot far post; the current trend for keepers to 'cheat' into the centre just isn't working.

The second half started with Dzeko, Clichy, and a creaky Da Silva all missing great chances in front of goal. Those who had made bets that Southampton would go straight back down to the Championship by the end of the season were licking their chops. But then coach Nigel Adkins brought on Championship Golden Boot winner (31 goals last season) Rickie Lambert in place of Rodriguez. Four minutes later he scored after a tight and pretty one-two with Guly do Prado in the City box. 1 – 1.

That sure-bet-for-the-drop didn't look so certain all of a sudden, and Lambert's excellent movement and great touch gave the Saints such a fillip that they scored a second. After City pressure, the ball broke to new boy Rodwell in a high sweeper position, and, although he had crossed himself on entering the pitch, made a sloppy diagonal that was easily cut out and a three-on-three break became five-on-three as the lively and fit-looking Soton players outsprinted their counterparts. Sub Steven Davis finished expertly inside the far post past a marginally slow Joe Hart. 1 – 2. Adam Lallana and Morgan Schneiderlin are both catching the eye in this game, but it was City who scored the equalizer in the 71st minute as the ball broke for Dzeko at the far post and he thrashed it in. 2 – 2.

Southampton not only look like but actually are a team that is used to winning, and a minute after the Dzeko goal Puncheon's shot is blocked, and a minute after that Balotelli refused to acknowledge that he has a left foot and missed a chance at the far post. Open and end-to-end skillful football. 76th minute: Dzeko's header just wide. Nasri's influence on the game, considerable throughout the encounter, is increasing at this point and when Clichy's too-big ball from the left is headed inexplicably by Daniel Fox back onto the penalty spot, there is Nasri to smash it home. 3 – 2.

Southampton continue to appear to be puzzled at the meaning of the word 'defeat' and striker Billy Sharp comes on for Puncheon. City hang on for the win, but which manager is the happier?

Peter Rodd

Tags

Manchester City football

Serie A Calcio 2011-2012 Season Preview

Italian Football

With the threat of industrial action on the part of the playing staff in Italy now averted, Serie A returns with AC Milan v Lazio at Molino Dorino. What's the betting Milan can repeat?

Let's look at the teams one by one.

Atalanta look like they will come out in a 4-4-2 with a strengthened defence. Andrea Masiello has exchanged the sunny climes of Bari for the chilly foothills of the Alps.

Bologna are likely to utilize the Christmas tree with Di Vaio the angel at its peak. But will the formation lead to the lack of width that Milan discovered that they had two seasons ago? While Milan brought in Beckham to solve the problem, in my view it's rather unlikely he will be rushing over from LA to help the Bolognesi.

Cagliari, under Donadoni's watchful eye, may use Nene and newly-acquired El Kabir as two wide front men with Cossu breaking through the centre. With the dangerous David Suazo brought in from Inter they should be able to avoid relegation.

Catania have Montella as coach now, but have strangely unloaded Schelotto to Atalanta. The formation seems unclear – a lop-sided 4-4-2, perhaps. They might be heading even farther south - to the reaches of Serie B.

Cesena will place new boy Mutu in front of goal hoping € 5m Eder can help him in the scoring department.

Chievo have bought Perparim Hetemaj from Brescia hoping the Finn can finish like he did with his controlled volley against Roma. Does Jokic have what it takes on the left of midfield to help Pellissier?

Fiorentina's 12-goal hero Gilardino will be fed by Kharja, 26 year-old Andrea Lazzari (from Cagliari) and Montolivo, who stays in Florence (it's amazing that, despite years of his being often the best player on the park, it's only recently that bigger clubs have been taking serious interest in him).

Genoa have made an effort to improve their "goals against" column by bringing in the experienced Sebastian Frey, 31, from Fiorentina. The addition of Birsa (Auxerre), Pratto and Seymour (U. Catolica) provides evidence that Genoa plan to do more than merely survive this time.

Internazionale di Milano have managed to retain Wesley Schneijder (to Manchester United's detriment). So allenatore Gasperini has kept his defence and midfield intact. Up front, the decision to unload Samuel Eto'o seems odd indeed: the mobility of the attack may well be impaired. How long will it take Ricky Alvarez to adapt to the tiny spaces afforded by Italian defences, compared with the wide grasslands found in Argentina? But then they've now got Diego Forlan .. South American Champion as well as the best player in the 2010 World Cup.

Juventus, the creaky Old Lady, is going to be the most interesting team to watch this season, I predict. The fans (perhaps forgetting that he can land a ball on a one euro coin from fifty metres)
are already moaning about the acquisition of the elderly Pirlo from Milan. But the dangerous Vucinic will probably play in the middle of a front four (yes, you read that right: I understand it's a return to the 1960s with a 4-2-4!!). So expect goals, goals, goals ... at both ends of the field.

Lazio now have great experience in attack with Miroslav Klose (from Bayern Munchen) and Cisse (Panathinaikos) brought in as front men in a probable 4-3-1-2 with Hernanes and Ledesma behind as the spine of the team.

Lecce have brought in on loan Roma's goalkeeper Julio Sergio. Nearly all of their summer transfers are loan deals or frees, and the fact that they have spent only € 1.6m must reflect the state of their finances. One fears for their safety this season.

Milan (and/or the Italian press) have been keeping everyone on tenterhooks this summer by talking about a mysterious possible signing called "Mister X" (commonly presumed to be either Montolivo or Hamsik). In the end, former Liverpool player Acquilani has been brought in to cover for the loss of Pirlo to Juve. How long can Milan continue with the ageing Gattuso and Ambrosini in midfield? Perhaps it doesn't matter when you have such a stellar forward line.

Napoli, drawn in the same fascinating Champions League "group of death" (Group A) as Manchester City, with Villareal and Bayern, will provide serious opposition to any opponent this season. Confidence is high. Gokhan Inler and power-shooter Marco Donadel have been brought into midfield, and the team will continue with Cavani, Lavezzi, and Hamsik up front.

Novara might be favourites for the drop, but they have an all-new front three "attacco M": Morimoto, Mazzarani, and Meggiorini.

Palermo now have Eran Zahavi from Hapoel, who will possibly appear on the right of midfield in front of Cassani to support forwards Hernandez and the excellent Fabrizio Miccoli (what is it about the Italian national team selectors that they don't pick Miccoli automatically?)

Parma will hope Graziano Pelle (bought from AZ Alkmaar for a million) will help Crespo and Giovinco score more goals than the team lets in at the other end.

Roma have spent big this summer, and new coach Luis Enrique has managed to lure the sought after Dutch keeper Maarten Stekelenburg to the Italian capital. Bojan Krkic (Barca) and Lamela (River) could be the wide men at the front of a 4-3-3. As yet we don't know whether this will be a true 4-3-3 or a 4-5-1 (or even a 4-6). Where will Argentinian Pablo Osvaldo (Espanol) fit in? Roma will be interesting to watch.

Siena are expected to employ a traditional 4-4-2 with Zeljko Brkic in goal, D'Agostino in midfield, and Destro brought in from Genoa. Siena have been (on occasion) exciting to watch when at home. Can they survive this time?

Udinese's strengths and weaknesses were plain for all to see in their recent matches against Arsenal. Prior to the match in London the team looked relaxed as they were spotted strolling the gardens of Regents Park and were unlucky to lose to Walcott's solitary goal. In Udine, though, their over-reliance on the brilliant Di Natale was evidenced, despite Pinzi's great range of passing. Coach Francesco Guidolin is going to have to quickly stifle the psychological blow of losing Sanchez to Barcelona if Udinese are to emulate last term's excellent showing.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile.com

View from the US: Women's World Cup Semi-Final France v USA

13 July 2011. Mooenchengladbach, Germany. Steady drizzle. Pitch: very good.

Three perfect touches: Lloyd's backheel down the line to Heather O'Reilly, whose cross behind the French back line and the goalkeeper allowed Cheney to come in and deftly steer the ball inside the far post. The finish was particularly high-quality as Cheney was nearside of the near post when she made contact with the ball.
So a great start for the US then, but the French dominated possession after that for the whole of the first half, with centre back Sauerbrunn's inclusion at the expense of the suspended Rachel Buehler has looked a wise decision. Buehler's red card against Brazil in the quarters was considered unjust in the view of many Americans, but she did pull Marta's shirt. By half time France had outshot the US 13 to 5.

Coach Bruno Bini brought Le Sommer on and took the ineffective Delie off at the start of the second half. The impressive Thiney, now with her kit on (she had posed naked to stir up interest in the women's game in France, apparently successfully), is put through by the skillful Necid. Instead of hitting the ball first time with her left foot, Thiney cuts inside and Krieger defends well once more. It is not unsurprising that the Americans have not taken control of the midfield given that their opponents are playing a more modern crowd-the-midfield game. Penetrating runs by either team are at a premium however. The American front pair of Abby Wambach and Amy Rodriguez cannot keep the ball, so the French attack of three in a line, very narrow, in the seam behind the defensive mids, keeps getting the ball back. Notable before Frances' equalizer were Sandrine Soubeyrand's long-range shot, and Abily's header saved by US keeper Hope Solo.
In the end a long diagonal by French left back Bompastor went untouched inside the far post. 1 – 1.

After an hour of play France are still dominating possession. The US has not strung four passes in a row since their ninth minute goal. The Finnish referee (Kirsi Heikinnen: would she prefer the US over France to reach the final in order to defeat the Swedes, should they make it?) decides not to award a penalty for handball against the Americans in the 63rd minute, and then everything changes in the 66th.

Megan Rapinoe (she of the last gasp cross which led to Wambachs' 122nd minute equalizer against Brazil in the quarter-finals) is brought on and Lauren Cheney moves into midfield. Playing on the left flank, every time Rapinoe gets the ball there's danger for the French. Her introduction to the game should be a lesson to all coaches and players. It isn't just a matter of "fresh legs". On a technical level it shows that if you can receive the ball with a great first touch so that you can set yourself for an easy second touch, your defender will drop off you a metre or two. Tactically, if you get yourself in an inside forward's position, diagonal outside runs away from the defender mean you will stretch the defence laterally, thus allowing fellow forwards more space to run into across the whole attack line. The US suddenly, with this substitution, have plenty of possession. They force a corner and Abby Wambach's 79th minute huge leap at the far post means she sends the header crashing into the French goal. 2 – 1.

It is Rapinoe's influence again which allows her to flick the ball under pressure to youngster Alex Morgan. Morgan cleverly takes two forward touches to draw French keeper Sapowicz, and then chips in from an acute angle. Nice finish. 3 – 1.

The question for Team USA coach Pia Sundahge is this: given Rapinoe's superior reading, touch and movement, why is she only being brought on at the end of games to rescue her team from the jaws of defeat? Perhaps the answer lies in the comment by the elder stateswoman of the team Abby Wambach, who when asked after the game how the US managed to come back from French domination replied: "Lauren Cheney moving into midfield helped a lot."
It may have done, but only a blind person would be unable to tell that it is Rapinoe who is the game changer on this team.

Next up for the US: the final against Japan, who play something like Barcelona, and in a strangely unfair piece of organizing by FIFA have just played on the Frankfurt pitch where the final will be held. Also, unlike the US team, they don't have the hassle of travelling to get to the venue. Sundhage better be on her game for that game.

Today was the tenth anniversary of FIFA's Anti-Discrimination Day. Two days ago Fox Soccer Channel's Fox Soccer Report, the TV program most closely followed by American and Canadian members of the "soccer family" had Carlos Tevez's possible transfer to Corinthians as its headline segment. This is more important than the World Cup?! It will be interesting to see if Fox will headline transfer rumours in the women's game during the next men's World Cup in Brazil in 2014.

© Peter Rodd & Soccerphile.com