Brazil: Defence Is The New Attack

For perhaps the first time in Brazilian footballing history a case can be made that the national side's defensive talents are overshadowing those of their attack. Most within Brazil will take little joy from this; a nation demands and expects flourishing forward play come 2014.

But Phil Scolari's confidence in Brazil's back four, which have been questioned numerous times during previous World Cup failures, must be high, having seen some stirring displays from Dante and Thiago Silva in the Champions League this calender year.

29-years-old, Dante is at the peak of his career. A towering presence in Bayern's romp to the Bundesliga title and imminent place in the Champions League final, he has all the quality's of his Brazilian predecessor Lucio and more. There is little in terms of weaknesses; he reads the game well, is an expert tackler of the ball and has enough pace to keep the best strikers within his reach. Thiago Silva continues to discredit Joey Barton's accusations that he is an 'overweight ladyboy'. A certainty for 2014, his leadership and talent will be crucial if Brazil are to win in front of their own fans.

The highly rated Dede.

Lesser known to European fans is Dede. Having recently become Cruzeiro's record signing he's held in high acclaim; a cult idol for former employees Vasco De Gama, Dede was recently voted as one of the 100 greatest Brazilians of all time on a television network. Scolari could pair Dede with Silva and leave Dante in reserve if Dede's irresistible form continues.

Dani Alves and Marcelo are the likely candidates at full back and with balls like the one Alves played to Messi against PSG they'll be expected to exert an influence on games. The pressure to mirror the successes of Cafu and Roberto Carlos is ever present 

David Luiz has thrown his name into the hat too; an ideal candidate to serve as Scolari's new enforcer in front of the defence, just as Edmilson did for Scolari so efficiently in 2002. To restrict Luiz to central defence takes too much away from his game. Pairing him with Ramires as one of two holding midfielders, Luiz can roam forward as well as defend. Both need to add more discipline to their game, with the habit to neglect defensive duties a common trend in both their games. The pair can improve their chemistry at Chelsea next season.

Neymar - Brazil's golden hope.

It's higher up the pitch where things aren't so rosy. Brazil are yet to work out their best form of attack, though it will most definitely by built around Santos's Neymar. Lucas looks a player and showed strength and vision well beyond his years against Barcelona. Oscar continues to develop at Chelsea and next season he will be accustomed to the Premier League's physicality. His technical ability is beyond question; lost among a disappointing defence of their Champions League trophy his goal for Chelsea against Juventus was sublime. Himself and Lucas are the likely candidates to accompany Neymar, in what could be a three man attack, with another flair player in behind.

The rest of Brazil's elite are fighting for the remaining places. Kaka and Ronaldinho would both relish one final swansong, which in itself is a sad thought considering the way their careers in Europe have stagnated. If it is to be one or the other Ronaldinho looks like the likely option, having captained the side in their latest friendly against Chile on April 24th. Scolari still has a soft spot for the man who helped take Brazil all the way in 2002.

Alexander Pato has returned home to catch Scolari's eye, but he has never quite done the business for Brazil. Luis Fabiano wasted his big chance at the 2010 World Cup and at 32-years-of-age may well be considered old news by 2014, likewise Fred. Robinho, who was one of the stand out performers in South Africa, has struggled for consistency since, falling well out of favour with the national side.
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Dunga's boys - Robinho and Luis Fabiano, currently out in the cold. 

Hulk has a taste for the spectacular  but is missing the goal threat of the legendary Ronaldo and his ambition has to be questioned; testing himself against Russian defences is not the most difficult of challenges.  Long term Tottenham target Leandro Damiao is another option Scolari will consider.

In short Brazil's attacking positions are up for grabs and whichever striker can find form next season is the one most likely to pair up with Neymar on home soil. It's a case of stick or twist; will players move abroad to impress Scolari at a major European side or stay at home where a prolific season is more likely.

It remains to be seen whether having their players scattered around the globe benefits Brazil's overall game. One thing is certain, the jigsaw is far from completion and Scolari is running out of time to find the missing pieces.

Pundits and Presenters: Getting The Right Chemisty

ITV's football coverage has really started to grate on me of late - not least because of its presenter, the undesirable Adrian Chiles. Ever since switching allegiances to ITV Chiles has become an insufferable, slightly chubbier irritant on our screens. Chiles appears desperate to make 'folks' a fashionable way to address the viewers and puts most of us in a coma of boredom with his brummie drool. The dreadful puns are never too far around the corner and his confused 'why can't England beat their main rivals in a competitive game' act is growing tiresome.

The recent acquisition of Lee Dixon has done little to improve the atmosphere; he's got less character than Roy Keane's dog Triggs. Though having spend most of the 90s playing with a back four that included Tony Adams, Steve Bould and Nigel Winterburn, you'd expect Dixon to have a bit of backbone. He doesn't. Instead he looks on, says something completely unoriginal and that's your lot. On rolls the Heineken advert - the 'modern man' making it to Wembley in dramatic fashion. At least someone had a good time.

The steely glare of Roy Keane.

Half-time discussions are completely dominated by the overly hostile Roy Keane, whose views it appears override all others. Keane makes it patently clear that he has no time for Dixon, disagreeing on anything the ex-Arsenal defender says. Though this isn't such a bad thing, it is the way Keane conducts himself that makes for uncomfortable viewing. He's still got the bully in the playground attitude which he should have left on the pitch, an attitude which contributed to his failure as a manager.

On the other spectrum you have Gareth Southgate. Admittedly Southgate lacks charisma, but unlike Dixon he actually contributes a number of informative observations. He's an intelligent individual and it shows in his analysis. Like all good pundits Southgate actually talks tactics and playing style, rather then simply focusing on players performances. It is no surprise he was offered  the FA Technical Director role and in due time he'll take it.

But Southgate allows himself to be intimidated by Keane too. The former Man United captain ensures he has the last say on every matter addressed and takes a confrontational stance when he hears something he doesn't like. Meanwhile Andy Townsend must have made at least three idiotic comments during the Chelsea Basle game last Thursday. Comments which would make their way into the latest addition of Colmanballs, if his gaffes were not so tediously frequent.

No description necessary.

Still, Colin Murray is doing his best to make MOTD2 a painful experience. It's enough to watch your side lose to a dubious penalty in the 90th minute. But when Murray, in a less than fashionable cardigan,  kicks off some irrelevant banter with Robbie Savage, your reaching straight for the remote, reminding yourself why you steer clear of MOTD2 most weekends. As for Steve Claridge, lets just say it's a shame he hung up his boots.

Having Sky Sports is not the be and end all. But then Jeff Stelling's presenting of Gillette Soccer Saturday is a treat not to be missed. For passion and knowledge he's up their with the best and he handles his guests, including the clueless yet brilliant Paul Merson and easily aggravated Phil Thomson, brilliantly. And the extra subscription money seems well spend when your no longer listening to Garth Crooks explain a goal in 100 words plus.

The new boys -  Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp with Graeme Souness.

It's now safe to say that Monday Night Football is better off without Richard Keys and Andy Gray too. After a tentative start Ed Chamberlain is now the choice leading anchor and his genuine relationship with Gary Neville helps the two bounce off each other well. Neville could yet go into management; his punditry is insightful and you can tell he really does his homework before going on air. His ability to stay unbiased and tell it like it is has won many sceptical viewers over. Sadly bitter sourpuss Graeme Souness still manages to make it onto the Champions League punditry team every year.

If you want to hear some superb lesser known opinions, visit James Richardson's page on The Guardian website. The king of good puns, he gets the right mix of seriousness and playfulness with his guests and covers a lot of European football's larger issues.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/profile/jamesrichardson

The One That Got Away: Adriano

The production line of has been Brazilian superstars is a long and illustrious one; Ronaldinho, Nilmar, Kerlon, Denilson and Kleberson to name a few.

Added to which is Adriano, the man who briefly threatened to become one of Europe's most prolific strikers during his time at Inter Milan before settling for a few too many taco's. A free agent after the termination of his contract at Flamengo, Adriano is yet to surface with a new club and indeed attitude in 2013.

At the height of his fame Adriano graced the cover of Pro Evolution Soccer 6 as he terrorised all defenders in his path; his record for Brazil is astonishing - 27 goals in 48 appearances. Strong, technically astute and hungry for goals he was once hailed as Ronaldo's long term successor. Such hopes have not come to fruition and it serves as a depressing tale of riches to rags that one of Brazil's brightest stars appears to have called it a day at just 31 years-of-age. 

Football can be a particularly precarious sport for those with fluctuating body weight. The off-field distractions can see certain players gain weight at an alarming speed and whilst most run this off pre-season others struggle or show little desire to. Adriano has ballooned in recent years, just as Ronaldo allowed himself to. The difference is that Ronaldo gave much more to football before his knees and his weight pushed him towards retirement. 

It' rumored that Roberto Mancini used the example of Adriano to warn Mario Balotelli of the pitfalls within the game and he could not have picked a better case study. Balotelli is unlikely to ever suffer the weight problems Adriano has had. But he has the potential to become a frequent club hopper, incapable of settling until no manager will want to go near him. 

For Adriano it looks all but over. As Brazil continue to uncover unrecognised gems like Bayern Munich's Dante perhaps they should be monitoring more carefully the players who have the limelight placed upon their shoulders at ludicrously young ages. Neymar's arrogance needs to be quelled considerably if he hopes to emulate Brazil's finest. Though you can't blame him for sticking with Santos, having seen the vast majority of his childhood heroes return from Europe somewhat bloated. 

QPR 1 - 1 Wigan

Loic Remy's stunning breakaway strike looked to have secured a precious three points for 10 - man QPR but for a last gasp Shaun Maloney free-kick which ensured a subdued Wigan came away from Loftus Road with an unlikely point.

A closely matched first half turned in Wigan's favour when Bobby Zamora was dismissed for a needlessly reckless challenge on Jordi Gomez. Yet the 11 men of Wigan struggled to break down a disciplined QPR side whose defence was much improved from the one which capitulated away to Fulham a week ago.

Remy's outstanding effort breathed life into an uneventful second half and looked like being the winner until Stephane Mbia's foul gave Maloney the invitation he needed to score a magnificent equaliser with almost the last kick of the game.

The draw deepens QPR's relegation worries, with Harry Redknapp's side now seven points adrift of safety with just six games left to play. Wigan stay in the bottom three after an unconvincing display against a side who played the majority of the game with ten men, lacking in invention and a cutting edge. Roberto Martinez will take comfort in the knowledge that his side still have a game in hand on their fellow relegation rivals as Wigan stretched their unbeaten run to four games.

QPR started brightly, Andros Townsend's penetrating runs down the right flank getting in behind  Wigan back four and Remy's clever movement in the box nearly resulted in an early goal, peeling away from his marker only to scuff his effort having got on the end of the Tottenham loanee's delivery.

Both sides showed clear intent to the opening exchanges, QPR edging a back and forth period as they pressed high up the pitch and came forward at pace.The closest to an opening goal came after some neat play between the excellent Townsend and Junior Hoilett, whose knockdown fell to Remy on the edge of the box, his long range shot hitting the outside of the post. Wigan gradually grew into the game, the composed passing of James McCarthy bringing Maloney and Aruna Kone into the game whilst the Irishman made a number of well timed interceptions in front of his defence.

The task ahead of QPR was made none the easier in the 18th minute when Zamora's dangerously high boot caught the side of Gomez's face. After consulting with his linesman Scott Ledger referee Phil Dowd was left with little alternative but to brandish a red card, much to the disbelief of Zamora and the home crowd. Fuelled by their numerical advantage Wigan dominated possession for the remainder of the half and should have taken the lead, Callum McManaman twice firing wide from good positions.

Redknapp reshuffled his side at half time, Nedum Onuoha replacing Armand Traore in defence and QPR matched Wigan throughout the second half, posing a greater threat from set pieces. Wigan endeavoured to find an opening but were left frustrated by a well marshaled back four, Clint Hill making a number of important blocks as Franco Di Santo and Kone were forced out wide in their search for a goal.

The introduction of Adel Taarabt gave QPR a refreshed attacking impetus but the inconsistent winger was typically aggravating, wasting a number of set pieces and failing to put the ball into the box after a tenacious run down the left.

The breakthrough came from a poorly taken Wigan free-kick inside the QPR half, deflected into the path of M'bia who bombarded forward at pace. With a sea of Wigan players closing in around him M'bia delicately laid the ball off to the on running Remy who got his just rewards for a determined display, powerfully side footing a stunning strike well beyond the reach of Joel Blazquez.

Looking to close the game out Redknapp replaced Remy with the industrious Jamie Mackie and the points looked secure until M'bia's poorly timed foul on the edge of the box gave Wigan a final opportunity to find an equaliser. Having seen Gomez waste a free-kick moments earlier Maloney stepped up and hit a sublime, swerving freekick over the QPR wall. Replays show that Taarabt's decision to turn his back on the ball was costly and will no doubt incense Redknapp, who now knows that his side are all but down.

The Eagle Has Landed

“I had half-an-hour to make a decision, and it felt like being run over by a lorry.”

 

Attilio Lombardo’s brief stint with Crystal Palace had its difficult moments; holding no previous managerial experience Lombardo was abruptly appointed player-coach in 1998, prised with the task of keeping Palace in the Premiership.  To make matters worse the Palace board chose to appoint the plump and ineffective Swedish has been Thomas Brolin as Lombardo’s translator.

Limited to only 48 appearances in a Palace shirt, a result of injuries and Palace’s administrative demands to cut their losses on a player earning 15,000-a-week, Lombardo moved on to Sven Goran Eriksson’s Lazio in January 1999. Yet the Italian is still regarded amongst Palace fans as a club legend for his willingness to fight the cause and technical ability which was often lost on a squad destined for relegation.

With Gianfranco Zola and Gianluca Vialli, a fellow teammate during his time at Sampdoria, already part of the Italian insurgency at Chelsea Lombardo opted for South London in August 1997. He had been released by a strong Juventus side that was reluctant to gamble on an ageing and injury prone player with the likes of Antonio Conte and Zinedine Zidane at their disposal.

Lombardo’s arrival sparked mass excitement at the newly promoted club who were desperate to secure a star signing; the red Ferrari lighting up Selhurst Park’s not so attractive car park, an instant, convenient nickname in the ‘Bald Eagle’ and the No. 7 shirt ready to boost shop sales.  With Lombardo’s arrival pre-season hopes of survival gathered momentum.

Pace was not Lombardo’s forte but the finesse and vision which he offered Palace was on show throughout his short stay. Lombardo’s league debut against Everton sufficed the hype surrounding his arrival, his goal setting Palace on their way to an opening day victory away to Everton. A second away win followed, with Lombardo’s goal wrapping up an impressive 2 – 0 victory against Leeds.

A calm head, it wasn’t long before he started dictating matches in the Premier League and another vital goal came in a 1-0 win against Wimbledon. His presence installed a confidence in the side and everybody wanted to come and watch him play. Palace’s record attendance at home that season came against Chelsea with the Eagles flying high in September, a sell out crowd of 26,186. Had Lombardo stayed fit, Palace’s season could have taken a very different path.

An injury sustained whilst on international duty with Italy in November sidelined Lombardo for a substantial period of time. Palace never recovered from the loss of their influential playmaker; the likes of Sasa Curcic and Simon Rodgers were defensively astute but lacked the creativity going forward at the highest level. Palace dropped from 10^th at the time of his injury into the relegation zone after a dire January.

Ron Noades’s sale of the club to make Mark Goldberg was finalised in the New Year and Steve Coppell was removed from his position as manager. Despite his lack of English Lombardo was offered the player-manager role by Goldberg at short notice, famously declaring that it was like being hit by a lorry. Lombardo still took the role and worked hard but to no avail to change Palace’s fortunes.

In an interview with the Palace Echo in 2001 Lombardo said ‘for two months I was manager and we were already certain of relegation. However in England they’re not stressed, Sacchi would’ve had no problems’; a far cry from the cut throat managerial world of now. Indeed not much was ever expected of Lombardo and as Palace’s worrying form continued Ron Noades was placed as caretaker-manager until the end of the season. Able to focus on his football Lombardo scored a couple more goals during the campaign, including a unusual burst of pace and naturally composed finish to put Palace 3-1 up against West Ham, a game they still went on to draw.

Enthused by his first season in English football Lombardo stayed on with the administration stricken Eagles for a second season, a testament of his affection for the club. But Mark Goldberg’s decision to bring Terry Venables back to the Palace helm didn’t pay off and Lombardo was reluctantly forced to leave for financial reasons.

Lombardo’s presence during a dark period in the club's history was a small but welcome relief and his brilliance had a great enough impact on the fans for them to vote him into the Palace Centenary XI.  Now reserve team coach at Manchester City, Lombardo’s expertise is being put to good use.    

Just One More Pack: Remembering the Sticker Album

The sticker album is a bygone trend, replaced by those flashy cardboard numbers which don't quite compare. But at a certain age they were the next best thing to Pokemon and Sunny Delight.

Flicking through the 02/03 edition which I managed to complete, the 'kits section' and all, never gets tiring. From Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's beaming smile to wondering what an earth happened to the likes of Liverpool's Igor Biscan.

Tough decisions had to be made. You'd reach the newsagents still undecided on whether to spend £2 on jawbreakers or as many packs of stickers as you could afford. Usually it was the stickers and there was always that initial disappointment when you got a 'spare'.

But this would always be undone if you were to acquire a new 'shiny'. Whilst most of the players made into a 'shiny' for the 02/03 album warrant their place, Gerrard at Liverpool, Beckham at Man United, one has to wonder how soon it was before Lee Hendrie went so spectacularly off the rails having being given such acclaimed 'shiny' status - http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21790728

The album's were informative - goalscoring charts, all-time F.A Premier League records in the middle section of the album and even the contact number for each club. It was money well spent and an extremely addictive habit once you found yourself needing just Tugay to complete the Blackburn squad.

So who was where in the 02/03 season? Kevin Keegan looks rather frustrated to be in charge of Man City - if only he'd hung around. Man United are yet to realise that Luke Chadwick won't cut the mustard and in his picture portrait West Ham's Tomas Repka looks as if he just served a five year prison sentence. Francis Jeffers looks as awkward as he should be, considering he is sandwiched between Bergkamp, Henry and Wiltord.

At the back are the advertisements for the 'Swap Shop', also known as the 'Cheat Shop' for those who couldn't complete their album through sheer persistence. But it just goes to show how popular the albums were - shops ran in Belfast, Manchester, Leeds and even at Stamford Bridge in London. For that particular year Ian Rush even decided to make some easy money and appear at every 'Swap Shop' for a 'penalty shoot-out competition'.

I'm as proud as you can be of a sticker album that I didn't need the assistance of a 'Swap Shop'. Though it's alarming to think how much one has to spent to complete an entire album. It was in the primary school playground that I got my final elusive sticker. The Birmingham home kit, sponsored by Phones 4u for those interested.

The best part is looking back a decade later. Hindsight is a wonderful thing but one has to wonder how then Villa manager Graham Taylor was anywhere near a job just ten years ago. Remembering the forgotten gems - the successful ones and the dismal failures. Bolton's Jay-Jay Okocha, Middlesbrough's Juninho and Newcastle's Nobby Solano. Then there was Southampton's Agustin Delgado, Fulham's Junichi Inamoto and the forgettable Li Tie of Everton...

And what has happened to all the strange and amusing names? Middlesbrough had them in abundance - Joseph-Desire Job, Ugo Ehiogu, Massimo Maccarone, Szilard Nemeth; Colin Cooper added some normality.

There were always a number of entertaining 'couples' in the sticker albums too. As if the makers knew what they were doing when they had Thomas Gravesen and Duncan Ferguson opposite each other, both looking ready to kill. Stephane Henchoz and Sami Hypia look like twins and Richard Dunne can't seem to contain his excitement at how strongly his partner Steve Howey resembles Ray Winestone.

Sticker albums ruled our football childhoods once upon a time, but they are still enjoyable to flick through even now. Go dig yours out from under the bed.