Soccer Europe |
- Inter Milan set to lose two Brazilian internationals before transfer deadline
- Javi Martinez joins Bayern Munich in German history’s biggest transfer deal
- Borussia Monchengladbach Falls To Dynamo Kiev in Champions League qualifiers
- The Evolution of the Game
- The Steve Bould effect is kicking in at Arsenal
| Inter Milan set to lose two Brazilian internationals before transfer deadline Posted: 30 Aug 2012 03:08 AM PDT
Cesar spoke candidly to media outlet Sportv News, telling them that the Inter brass told him that in order to stay at the club, his salary must be cut. He said:
Previously considered as one of the top keepers in world football, the Brazilian is getting on in age, but still attracted many suitors before deciding to join QPR. He should be able to step in and replace the oft-calamitous Robert Green, who already made an error. It was very similar to the one against the United States in the 2010 World Cup, when a shot that should have been easily saved wound up in the back of the net. The other Brazilian linked with a move elsewhere is Maicon. Despite being 31 years old, he is still one of the best plying their trade at the right back position. Maicon has drawn interest from Real Madrid, Chelsea, and Manchester City for what seems to be the past two seasons, yet he’s stayed with Inter. However, at his age, he may be looking for a challenge elsewhere while he is still capable of playing top-flight football, and any one of those aforementioned clubs could provide him a new platform to showcase his talent. With Chelsea signing Spanish right back-Cesar Azpilicueta, the English giants seem to have taken themselves out of the race, leaving Manchester City and Real Madrid to duke it out for the Brazilian’s signature. Reports out of Italy are suggesting that Premier League champions Manchester City seem to be favorites to acquire the player. Maicon’s contract is set to expire after this season and since he has not extended it, Inter would do well to get some monetary compensation for the player before he leaves on a Bosman. Inter have set a valuation of around 8 million euros; Manchester City are rumored to have bid 4.5 million euros. Inter have depth at right back, including Inter idol Javier Zanetti and Jonathan, so losing their star wouldn’t be hugely detrimental. With the transfer deadline set for this Friday, Inter are set to lose some of their seasoned veterans as they try to insert youth into the first team squad. Youth that the Inter brass hope will guide them to a top 3 finish, like they’ve become accustomed to. |
| Javi Martinez joins Bayern Munich in German history’s biggest transfer deal Posted: 29 Aug 2012 06:25 PM PDT  (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) After nearly a month of negotiations between FC Bayern Munich of the German Bundesliga and Athletic Bilbao of Spanish La Liga BBVA, the terms and completion of Javi Martinez's transfer to the capital of Bavaria has been completed. According to the Telegraph the deal is worth a German transfer record fee of £31.6 million which will not make English Premier League champions Manchester City happy after having been beaten to the Spanish youngster. The 23-year-old is anticipated to make his league debut this weekend when the club faces off against Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena. He was part of Spain's 2010 World Cup side as well as the 2012 UEFA European Championship winning squad. Having risen through the ranks at Bilbao, it looked only a matter of time before a major club came calling for his services. The youngster’s versatility is sure to aid Bayern Munich not only in their defensive midfield, but Martinez also has the ability to be a makeshift central defender if necessary. Although he is young, the club seems convinced of his quality and he is thought to be the next up and coming great holding midfielder in the game. With so much pressure on his shoulders it will truly be a make or break season for the young man's career. You can also follow me on Twitter @thedailyatz, Facebook and Pinterest.
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| Borussia Monchengladbach Falls To Dynamo Kiev in Champions League qualifiers Posted: 29 Aug 2012 05:13 PM PDT  (Photo by Pete Norton/Getty Images) Borussia Monchengladbach were the club that surprised everyone in the German Bundesliga last season. Their final position in the league table saw then earn a place in the UEFA Champions League qualification round this late summer, and it was anticipated by many of their fans for it to be a season to remember. However, after a miserable showing in their European return to action last week, the club came into the second leg of the last qualifying round with a 3-1 deficit to Dynamo Kiev and is desperate need of a miracle to go through. The Foals were able to draw the aggregate level numerically at 3-3 before Ideye Brown put the game away for Dynamo Kiev with a cheeky chipped goal in the 88th minute. The German side would have needed another goal to again tie the aggregate scoreline and go through on away goals (what would have been three for Gladbach versus only two for Kiev), but alas, that never happened. Again we find a disturbing trend in European play for most Bundesliga teams – that of oddly shaky defenses. What is it about playing teams from other countries that rocks the nerves of German defensive lines? This game was perhaps a ‘rare’ case in which the above did not occur, although that can assuredly be argued. What I’m referring to is the first leg, which was at home for Gladbach and where they conceded three crucial away goals. Granted, Gladbach is coming off a busy transfer season but with 110 days off you would think the defense would already be set. Dante is a huge loss yes, but what’s really astounding is in the last fixture Kiev had only four shots on frame in which two of them were goals. Today’s match was not much different. Kiev’s shots were limited, but the chances that came were good chances. The UEFA Europe League is not a just reward, but perhaps it’s best. If Gladbach play like they did today, with ample chances and great creativity from the wings, then they stand a good chance of going far in the competition. The first 45 minutes can be written off in this match, with the only major highlight coming right in the beginning for Gladbach as Patrick Herrmann had a great chance to get on the scoreboard early. He did not convert it. Gladbach would make a furious comeback late in the second half. The Foals had been pressuring all game long and it finally paid off in the 70th minute when Yevhen Khacheridi put one past his own keeper. Eight minutes later Alexander Ring placed a beautiful corner kick right at the head of Juan Arango, who didn’t miss. All that was left for Gladbach to complete the comeback was another goal, but it was the other team who got it. Ideye scored and the Foals could not muster up another. The aggregate scored ended at 4-3 in favor of Kiev. There’s lots for Gladbach to be proud of. A furious comeback for one. Kiev is a disciplined team, a good side that will give opponents fits. They have lots of European experience. The fight Gladbach showed was courageous. De Jong looked like he was in the game for once, and not a lost little lamb. Herrmann was brilliant all night, by far the Foals most dangerous man. The wing play was excellent. All vast improvements over what we had been seeing the last few weeks. So now it’s left up to Schalke, Dortmund, and Bayern to do the talking for the Bundesliga as we brace ourselves for the UEFA Champions League draw in the remainder of this week. |
| Posted: 29 Aug 2012 05:05 PM PDT Many may recognize the game football, or soccer, but few know the origin, history and meaning behind the game. Many cultures have played some form of the sport for over 3000 years, though the initial birth of the game remains uncertain. One of the earliest known appearances has been dated back to around 1004 B.C. in Japan. The Chinese, Japanese, Greeks and Romans all played earlier versions of the sport. The game has evolved immensely over many decades. Historical reference has documented that the first type of soccer balls ranged from human heads, bond cloth, to animal skulls or bladders. The ball is not the only important aspect of the game, however; early controversy and prohibition, diverse reasons for playing along with the colossal player and fan dedication are what have made soccer the most viewed and played sport in the world. Starting in a small field in Japan, a fun little pastime began some 3000 years ago. This game spread across to China and soon was picked up by more and more people in these two countries. Competition between Japan and China soon began which eventually led to the spread of this pastime to the Greeks and Romans. The early Roman Olympic Games featured a game similar to that played by the Japanese and Chinese. The picture of a marble carving below depicts a Roman man playing the ancient Roman version of soccer. Though it may appear to be a merry leisure the Roman games featured some twenty-seven men playing vigorously against another team of the same amount. The Romans referred to their version as 'Pheninda', which was a combination of Japanese soccer and a rougher game, much like rugby. The Roman version of soccer was so brutal that about two-thirds of a team would have to see a medic after fifty minute duration of play. Historians kept detailed records of war and religious movements, yet cared little about the recording of sports and leisurely pastimes. Such little record and former knowledge of the beginning of the game has raised lots of questions of how soccer spread from Asia to Europe. Despite early records, the game spread; and with its migration across the land it aroused disapproval throughout England and other parts. Because the game was violent, the church highly disapproved its existence. The Medieval English 'mob soccer' games would involve entire villages and create ruckus and disturbance. The game was considered dangerous and sinful. The picture above shows how entire villages would participate in the game. What the scene does not depict is increasing condemnation from major authority figures such as King Edward, King Henry IV, Henry VIII and the Mayor of London, Nicolas de Farndone. Soccer was banned from play and the consequence of playing was imprisonment. The prohibition of soccer did not stop its reign or cease its play. Football was spread to every continent, as players would play secretively and in other countries. English schools picked up the idea of the game, it was used as a fun pastime and a way to keep boys fit. Once English schools started incorporating football, the game became more organized. Actual football teams formed with defined player positions, game referees and 'training masters'.
The players in the newly formed teams, like Stoke City and Notts County in the pictures above, had found a hobby that was intriguing and different. Soccer was a leisure pursuit that invited players to have fun and de-stress through exercise, all while giving spectators an entertaining pastime. Through all of the new excitement, however; a problem arose with the development of teams. Each school team or institution of players had their own unique set of rules. Without a set list of rules and regulations, competition games were difficult to set up. Finding another school team or league that had the same, or even similar, set of laws was not easy. Cobb Morley, founder of a semi-professional soccer league, saw that the game needed organization if teams were to compete orderly with one another. His idea was put to work in 1863 with the formation of the Football Association. Cobb Morley is justly credited as being "the father of soccer". Not only did his ideas structure the Football Association, he also created the Laws of the Game. Morley's proposed laws are one of the most important documents in the history of football. His laws held every official rule of the game and how it should properly be played. The Football Association formally accepted Cobb Morley's guidelines of soccer and permanently made part them part of soccer's constitution. As soccer teams and rules were evolving, equipment also improved. Soccer balls were actually manufactured with rubber and leather as opposed to the earlier pig or cow bladder. Charles Goodyear, who invented vulcanized rubber, was the first to design and craft soccer balls with his rubber. One of Charles Goodyear's balls is depicted below. Since Goodyear's first model soccer balls have come a long way. Despite all of the changes some specs stuck. The Encyclopedia of Association Football states the following regarding the regulation and design of soccer balls: "According to the Laws of Football, the ball must be spherical with an outer casing of leather or other approved materials. The circumference shall not be more than 28 in., nor less than 27 in, while the weight at the start of the game must not be more that 16 oz., nor less than 14 oz.” Advances in ball designs are ongoing, but specifications and measurements are permanent fixtures. As soccer became more and more popular with even more new teams being formed Mitre and Thomlinson's started to mass produce soccer balls; these two companies were the first to produce high quantities of balls. Soccer was taking on a whole new face; from the advancements of equipment to new rules and regulations. Football was growing rapidly and becoming a popular sport. Players had newly improved and more reliable balls to play with along with equipment designed to help protect players from injuries. The picture below shows the updated leather ball with a type of cleats and an early variety of shin guards. The first national teams and larger football leagues began to emerge at the brink of the twentieth century. The Federation of International Football Associations was founded and growing in numbers by the 1930s. More nations worldwide recognized the benefits of FIFA and began to join. Globally soccer has evolved to new heights and surpassed all other sports. Football is the most played and watched sport in the world. The fan base and support is immense, while player dedication grows more intense with each match. Many league players no longer participate in soccer as a pastime, but have pursued a career as a footballer. Soccer has grown to become the largest, most popular sport played by over 250 million players in just over 200 countries. With the international interest spike through the years, soccer has become a hot topic in the sports reporting world. As the fan base continues to grow and the popularization of the game develops, it is important to remember the ultimate beginnings and influences of the game. The initial stages of soccer were shaped by interests of the Japanese and prohibition allowed football to wander into other countries. Players and fans have allowed the game to thrive for decades.
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| The Steve Bould effect is kicking in at Arsenal Posted: 29 Aug 2012 11:07 AM PDT  When Steve Bould was confirmed as Arsenal's new assistant manager, replacing the long-serving Pat Rice, the fans were optimistic. While everyone was grateful for Rice's contribution to the club, there was a sense that a fresh approach was needed, and the perceived wisdom was that Bould would bring that.After pre-season, few were convinced. That same old fragility in defence, the infuriating trait of Arsenal for the last few seasons – which was the main thing people were hoping Bould would solve – was still very much there. Still, it was only pre-season, so people weren't panicking much. It was concerning against Sunderland, when the Black Cats were able to stroll through a couple of times fairly unchallenged to directly threaten Arsenal. It all seemed very familiar – leaks at the back being a potential down-fall in every game. Luckily Wojciech Szczesny was equal to the efforts that came his way. In the run-up to the Stoke game, many were pessimistic. In recent history the Gunners have struggled to handle the physicality of the Potters – not just in general but in attack, with aerial balls the main Achilles heel of Wenger's side. When the news broke that not only would number one goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny miss out, but that he would be replaced by dodgy number three Vito Mannone, the negativity increased. What a surprise, then, that it was the defence that came out with the most credit. In the full-back positions, Carl Jenkinson and Kieran Gibbs had impressive games, and between them the partnership of Per Mertesacker and new skipper Thomas Vermaelen functioned well. In front of the defence Mikel Arteta and Abou Diaby tidied up well, and in the end, Mannone was barely tested. The adjective of the day for Arsenal was solid. The cohesion wasn't quite there in attack, but the huge positive was the firmness with which they repelled each Stoke advance. Throw-ins were dealt with in a no-nonsense fashion (although the usual bullet launcher Rory Delap didn't feature), attacks were fended off with no hints of leaks in the defence, and not a single corner was given away. It's generally agreed that title-winning sides need to be built on solid foundations, and while Arsenal has often had good personnel at the back, there have regularly been organisation problems. That hasn't just been the defense, but the entire team – at times it's just been the back four as the only line of defence, rather than the midfield offering a protective shield. While Wenger is undoubtedly a fantastic manager, he isn't perfect. Defensive organisation, as well as concentration, has been an area neglected by Arsenal sides in the recent past. Bould, a no-nonsense center-back in his playing years, will be looking to rectify that first and foremost, and from the evidence against Stoke, it seems as if he has. Wenger's tactical strength lies in maximising his side's potential with the ball, and is excellent at forging strategies to score goals, but doesn't seem to be as adept at making his side as efficient as they could be off the ball. This is where Bould comes in, with his academy side he was quoted as noting his team's drawbacks off the ball, and he managed to solve that with great success. Bould has clearly put this expertise into use as Arsène's right-hand man. Arsenal dealt well with everything Stoke threw at them, with several tactics – such as placing Abou Diaby on Peter Crouch from goal kicks – designed, and succeeding, to help the Gunners win the ball back and cancel out the threat, as well as being able to start attacks from the back as Wenger loves them to do. With Wenger knowing what it takes for a side to be free-flowing and high-scoring in attack, and Bould having the defensive know-how to shore up a team, it seems to be a match made in heaven. While Rice was a loyal servant, Bould brings more modern ideas and a fresh take on the game. This should help the Gunners in their search for a trophy. |
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