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AfricaCommentary

Players of African Origin: Chelsea v Arsenal

October 3, 2010 — by Suman — 2

African power: Drogba spreads his wings

We here at CultFootball have been kicking around the idea of doing a series of post focusing on African football: its players, its nations, its history, its future.

For a quick start, note that today’s highly anticipated Premier League clash between Arsenal and Chelsea will prominently feature a number of African players:

Chelsea

Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) and Michael Essien (Ghana) are among Chelsea’s stars, and keys to their success; John Miel Obi (Nigeria) is also starting today, while Salomon Kalou (also Ivory Coast) may come off the bench.

Arsenal

Arsenal’s Bacary Song and Abou Diaby are both of French nationality, but are of Senegalese and Ivorian descent, respectively. Emmanuel Eboué is also Ivorian, while Alex Song is Cameroonian. Both Samir Nasri and Marouane Chamakh were born in France but of North African descent (Algerian and Moroccan, respectively)–Nasri has chosen to play the French national team, while Chamakh opted for Morocco.

CommentaryNewsSchedule

What to Watch This Weekend (Oct 2-3)

October 2, 2010 — by Suman

We’re back with our weekly guide to Sat/Sun footy TV action (here in the US).  Here’s what catches our collective eye–again culled from SoccerInsider’s full TV listing, with some notes from various members of the CultFootball team:

Saturday Oct 2

England, Sunderland-Manchester United 10 a.m. ESPN2: Another former Man U player now managing and probably hoping to replace Sir Alex one day.  Plus Ghanaian striker Asamoah “Baby Jet” Gyan partnering with Darren Bent up front for Sunderland, and a good northeast crowd

England, Spurs-Aston Villa 10 a.m. FSC: Uncle ‘Arry brings flair to White Hart Lane–most recently with the big win Wednesday in Champions League action–while Gerard Houllier tries to keep last season’s thriller team in it. Gareth Bale really turning it on this season for Spurs–and Dutch import Rafael van der Vaart playing all over the field, and doing it well

England, Birmingham-Everton noon FSC: Everton still looking for their first win (with USMNT stalwart Tim Howard in goal), and Birm looking to win another against Merseyside

Brazil, Botafogo-Flamengo 6 p.m. GolTV: Just for a look at some Brazilian club ball

Sunday Oct 3

But really Saturday is just prelude to Sunday, when we get the first really big match of the season:

England, Chelsea-Arsenal 11 a.m. FSC: Both teams coming off disappointing losses in their previous Premier League games last weekend (see here), but both bounced back with wins mid-week in the Champions League.  This London rivaly will have an impact on the table, and it’s one that a long and storied history–see the Guardian’s “Joy of Six” feature, this week about six classic Chelsea-Arsenal matches.

For good measure, we’ll throw in a handful of add’l  Sunday matches–from Spain, Italy, Mexico and the MLS:

Spain, Real Madrid-Coruna 3 p.m. ESPN2, ESPN Deportes: Will Madrid–and in particular Cristiano Ronaldo–break out of the funk?

Italy, Inter Milan-Juventus 2:30 p.m. FSC: Even if Juve have struggled since the match-fixing (they have) this is still a first-class, traditional Serie A fixture

Italy, Napoli-Roma 9 a.m. FSC: Another big meeting of the Derby del Sol (though a bigger meeting in the 70s and 80s), with Roma is trying to get out of the bottom of the table while Napoli challenges for a champions league spot

Mexico, Cruz Azul-America 6 p.m. ESPN Deportes: A longtime rivalry between two Mexico City clubs–a derby known as Clásico Joven

MLS, Chivas USA-Los Angeles 8 p.m. ESPN2: a clash of local rivals, probably the biggest rivalry in the MLS

CommentaryNews

Weekend wrapup: The big dogs of Europe disappoint

September 28, 2010 — by Suman — 2

Un buen delantero...y un buen hijo tambien!

It was an interesting weekend in Europe, filled with unexpected results–the big dogs all across the continent came up short. Chelsea, Arsenal, Inter Milan, and Bayern Munich all suffered ignominious defeats, while Manchester United and Real Madrid could only manage disappointing draws. The only power that didn’t disappoint their supporters was Barcelona, which won convincingly. (Question: Are there other European club sides that rank with these six?)

In England, previously perfect Chelsea lost to Manchester City 1-0, the lone goal coming off a tremendous individual effort by Man City’s dogged and talented Argentine captain, Carlos Tevez. (Keep scrolling down for video of Tevez’s goal, among others.)

But the two sides chasing Chelsea in the standings failed to capitalize: Man U had to come from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw against Bolton. That was far better than Arsenal, who were shockingly down 3-0 against unheralded West Brom late in the 2nd half. Two late strikes by the young Frenchman Samir Nasri (a replay of one of which is included below) made the score a more respectable-looking 3-2, but Arsenal came off their home pitch with many more questions than points.

Meanwhile, on the Continent, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich, last season’s Champions League finalists, and the clear favorites to win their respective domestic leagues, both lost as well. Bayern lost 2-1 to minnows Mainz, while Inter went down 1-0 to AS Roma–a club with a rich history, but this year’s edition had struggled at the start of this season.

But last year’s Champions League finalists and their respective pursuits of finishing atop Serie A or the Bundes Liga are secondary compared to the annual epic struggle between Barcelona and Real Madrid for the La Liga title.  The drama d’Espana is especially intense this year, as Real Madrid have of course brought in The Special One, whose tasks are to win the Champions League and La Liga–any less will be considered a failure by the demanding Madridistas–and by Mourinho himself.  But Mourinho’s Madrid failed to bring the flair, being held to a very surprising scoreless draw against Levante.  Meanwhile, Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 3-1, slipping ahead of Real Madrid in the table, though still second to surprising Valencia.

For more on these matches, check the links below–and the videos.

News

Santos Want to Keep Ganso & Neymar

August 17, 2010 — by Sean

Even more great stuff from Mark Gannon on the ground in Brazil. Following quickly from the Neymar news comes this next piece that also includes fretting over Ganso. Santos is bleeding offensive weapons, and are looking to staunch the flow. Follow the link for the original from Globo Esporte.

Mano and Zagallo advise Neymar and Ganso to stay in Brazil
 Current and former coaches of the Seleção ran a sort of “Stay, Neymar and Ganso” campaign during an event on Monday
By Leandro Canônico and Marcelo Prado, São Paulo

Is Neymar going off to Europe?  Is Ganso following the same path?  If it depended on the opinions of Mano Menezes, coach of the Seleção, and Zagallo, four-time world champ with Brazil, the answers would be the same: no.  On Monday afternoon, in an event held by a CBF sponsor (translator says: from the pics, it looks like it was Gillette), both defended the idea of the two Santos stars staying longer in “the football country.”

“I think it’s really early for a 17, 18, 19 year old player to leave Brazil.  The base has to be built here.  Obviously, the players always want to go for financial reasons, but in Neymar’s case, he would be going to an environment that isn’t good for his body type.  He needs to gain more weight.  So it’s better to wait and leave when he’s 21 or 22,” declared Zagallo, talking about Chelsea’s proposal to the player.On the same stage with Zagallo, the “Boys of the Vila” (young Santos stars) and world champs Cafu and Bebeto, coach Mano Menezes also spoke about the subject.

NewsVideo

FA Community Shield: Man Utd defeats Chelsea 3-1

August 9, 2010 — by Suman

"Javier Hernández puts United two up – but there is a hint of fortune about the goal, the ball skewing off Hernández's boot before striking him in the face and flying into the net" (via The Guardian)

Yesterday was the traditional pre-opener to the English season–the FA Community Shield. We watched bits and pieces off the DVR later in the day.  Personally, I was impressed by Antonio Valencia, Man U’s newly acquired Ecuadorian winger, as well as (like last season) Nani.

Some additional commentary by our man (and Chelsea supporter) Sumit:

Saw it on replay. Chelsea looked the better team in terms of ball control and movement for very long periods of time. The attack is just not there; Malouda looks his old lazy French self and Salomon still hasn’t got a f’in Kalou while the defensive communication is poor. Terry’s not fast so they need to work cover schemes with the midfielders or the wingbacks right quick before they get torn to shreds in a game that actually matters. Chelsea need some organization quickly. Glad to see the Bison back and playing, big boost there. Chelsea desperately need a quick flank player, o/w the 4-3-3 scheme is going to look a little ponderous and get caught out in a midfield tussle.

ManU didn’t impress me enough to be scared of them (famous last words). Aside from Rooney’s work rate and, oddly enough, Berbatov’s movement and touches there wasn’t much in the way of an attacking threat and the midfield was poor. I stopped really watching at the 75 minute mark.

In case you missed it, here are video highlights of Sunday’s match, via footytube:

CommentaryHistory

A Premier League Preview

August 5, 2010 — by John Lally

The 19th Premier League season begins on August 14th with an exciting round of opening fixtures, including last season’s 4th and 5th placed teams, Tottenham vs. Manchester City, and two of the “traditional” big 4 squaring off when Liverpool play Arsenal on Sunday 15th. I say “traditional” because it’s good to remember that things weren’t always like this.

Nowadays, the Premier League is the biggest league in the world with huge television revenues and very little turnover in terms of who competes for the title or finishes in the top 4 spots, which bring with them Champions’ League qualification and more money to boot.  But this oligarchic nature of the top flight of English football is a product of the Premier League structure rather than something that has always been in existence.  In its first season, the Premiership looked much different, and was a lot less predictable.

News

Santos Star Neymar Still with Club…for Now

July 20, 2010 — by Sean — 2

So slight he needs to hold up his shorts.

So everybody wants a piece of the goal-scoring phenom Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, more easily: Neymar. He’s a speedy, quick footed attacker who is of course a whiney brash little thing seeing that he’s all of 18 yrs-old. Playing alongside Robinho and Ganso has certainly helped him this year, but he is the type of player who would surely excel in any system that could feed him the ball 35 yrds out, as he’s quite capable of dribbling through the remainder of the defense from that point.

Clubs have lined up to get him, with Real, Chelsea, West Ham, Man City, and Barça among the suitors (yes, the Hammers don’t exactly fit with the level, but they do (try) and play possession football and are generally easy on the eye, though they lost often last season). Chelsea have felt the first sting of rejection, as their €20M offer was dismissed.

News

Cole to ‘Pool, Mascherano to Inter?

July 20, 2010 — by Sean — 7

Joe Cole is headed north to Anfield in a deal that sees him making £90,000 a week for the next four years. Not a bad haul, and he’ll probably get to play some too after falling out of favor down in London town. A nice signing for Hodgson, who is currently fretting over attempts at his holding midfielder, Javier Mascherano. Seems the old gaffer wants to bring the Argentine down to Milan. Hodgson is clearly anxious, even if he says he’s keeping cool:

Hodgson has placed a call to Mascherano, but has not heard anything back.

“He doesn’t need to make contact with me,” said Hodgson. “I’ve made contact with him telling him I’m looking forward to seeing him in training when he returns from his holiday but I did make the point in the voicemail that I didn’t expect him to contact me.

“I just wanted him to know that I had been in touch and that I was thinking of him. I didn’t ask him to call me back. I don’t have a lot to say to him, to be honest, other than ‘welcome back’.”

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