Asia Cup 2011: Japan is the best of them all

The Asian Cup final between Australia and Japan was tied 0-0 after 90 minutes of regulation play and the first 15 minutes of extra time at Khalifa Stadium in Doha. Then Tadanari Lee came on as a substitute for the Blue Samurai, and within three minutes drove an airborne volley from Yuto Nagatomo past Mark Schwarzer into the back of the Socceroos’ net. The Aussies had a final chance to tie the game in the 119th minute when David Carney had a free kick on goal deflected, securing the 1-0 victory for Japan. Keisuke Honda was named the tournament’s most valuable player.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVsi57HjpY4&feature=player_embedded

The goal that keeps the Asian Cup in Asia for at least one more cycle of the event was an absolutely fitting way to end the tournament in Doha, Qatar. It combined the speed and cross from the left wing by Yuto Nagatomo and the near perfection of Tadanari Lee, who volleyed the ball from just below hip height with his left foot. Such sweet timing, such coordination of minds and skills, and such promise for Japan’s future.

Nagatomo is 24, already a player with 40 caps, and already earning his fortune in Italy with Cesena. Lee is 25 but a relative unknown even in Asia. He had been on the field for little more than 10 minutes when he struck that fine shot Saturday, and maybe the fans of Sanfrecce Hiroshima were the only ones who knew of his striking qualities.

Lee, as his name implies, has family that originally hailed from what is now South Korea. He was born in west Tokyo, but his family members are among the 900,000 “Zainichi,” ethnic Koreans whose forebears were taken to Japan as wartime laborers in the coal mines and factories.

Lee played, once, for South Korea at the under-20 level. But he received his Japanese passport in 2007, joined Hiroshima in 2009 and is as clear about his status as he was when his chance came during extra time in the final in Doha. “When the ball came, I just thought I needed to smash it,” he said in the Khalifa Stadium. “I am proud of this game. I’m not Korean, I’m not Japanese, I’m a footballer.”

Lee is a player who has youth on his side, and he’s hardly alone on this team in that regard. This squad won the final without the injured playmaker Shinji Kagawa, who has had a fantastic first season with Borussia Dortmund in Germany, and it looks like the best is yet to come.

The impressive goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima, Kagawa, Keisuke Honda and others are a full decade younger than most of the Australians beaten in this tournament.

Australia, a convert to Asia for the convenience of soccer, will stage the next Asian Cup in 2015 — but first it must find successors to Harry Kewell, Tim Cahill, Lucas Neill and Mark Schwarzer.

Those battle-hardened, European-domiciled veterans had a far easier passage to the match Saturday than the Japanese, who went to extra time and penalties against South Korea in the semifinals. Their fatigue was evident from the kickoff. Their passing fluency was missing. As Japan’s coach, the Italian Alberto Zaccheroni, observed, it needed reserves of spirit, strength and ultimately the fresh mind and legs of substitute Lee.

Japan, the winner of four of the last six Asian Cups, endured one downside from the final: Some supporters who journeyed to Qatar were locked outside the stadium. They had tickets but were denied entry when the gates were closed five minutes after the match started. Organizers said Sunday that tight security was in place because members of the emirate’s royal family attended the match.

The issue of Qatar’s ability to host a major international tournament was a desert wind whipped up by the FIFA president Sepp Blatter, who stole some of the event’s early thunder when he suggested Qatar was too hot in the summer to play soccer. All this after Blatter and FIFA energetically boosted Qatar as the host of the 2022 World Cup.

Empty stands caused speculation that local interest in soccer may not be a great as in other recent (South Africa and Germany) and future (Brazil and Russia) World Cup locales. Then again, the Asian Cup does not draw visiting fans with the number and intensity of the World Cup.

Technology became a factor in driving up interest and viewership: all the games were available live and in high-definition on television, as well as on broadband and mobile devices. Last summer’s World Cup established a model for delivering big-game soccer to fans anywhere anytime on any device, and the Asian Cup extended and refined those technologies.

The two most interesting Asian leagues to track post-Doha will be the Japanese J-League and the Chinese Super League, because the former emulates European league organization and depth, while the latter may soon give a hint of a future Asian soccer giant.

Doha has changed a lot in the last few years and it will certainly continue an evolution fueled by petrodollars and a desire cast a shadow greater than one might expect from an desert nation with 1.7 million people. Qataris are gracious hosts and won the hearts of virtually everyone who attended the tournament.

With the Asian Cup, did Qatar show it is capable of hosting a World Cup? Is 11 years enough time for the country to prepare for 2022?

No date change for FIFA World Cup 2022

Asian football chief Mohamed Bin Hammam on Friday 14th of January 2011 ruled out shifting the 2022 Soccer World Cup in Qatar to winter or staging tournament matches around the Gulf region.

Bin Hammam told Sky News in an interview that he was "unimpressed" by suggestions from FIFA president Sepp Blatter that the tournament could be moved to a winter time slot to avoid sweltering summer temperatures in Qatar.

He also took aim at remarks by UEFA President Michel Platini earlier this week that the 2022 tournament could be a "Gulf World Cup", with matches taking place in several countries surrounding Qatar.

Bin Hammam's stinging rebuttal of recent comments from Blatter are certain to fuel speculation that the Qatari is planning to challenge the FIFA chief at elections later this year.

"I believe Qatar can stand alone and organise the competition by itself," Asian Football Confederation President Bin Hammam told Sky.

"And I'm really not very impressed by these opinions to distribute the game over the Gulf or change the time from July to January - it's actually premature, you know, it's people's opinions and they're just discussing it on no basis or no ground," the Qatari official added.

English football clubs have said switching the World Cup to January or February would be a logistical nightmare that would need at least a two-month mid-season break to the Premier League.

Bin Hammam appeared to sympathise with European leagues likely to be affected by a date change as he continued his criticism of Blatter's remarks.

"It's not up to one, two or three members of Fifa to talk about changing the time without getting the real stakeholders' opinions," Bin Hammam added, without mentioning Blatter or Platini directly.

"I know that football in Europe has quite a history, it is quite a business involving a lot of financial, media, marketing - a lot of things," he said

"It is unfair to these people that we talk about changing the calendar or the time without their full consultation and their full approval and their full agreement - I'm actually not happy to see that happening without the real stakeholders' part of this discussion."

FIFA has said world football's governing body would need to receive an official request from the Qatar FA before any change of the 2022 tournament dates could be formally discussed.

Bin Hammam, a member of FIFA's executive committee, said no request would be forthcoming.

"We are not interested - we are very happy and we are promising the world that we are going to organise an amazing world cup in June and July," he said.

Bin Hammam's comments are the latest in a series of criticisms of Blatter, who will run for re-election as FIFA President in May.

Asked by Sky if he was planning to run against Blatter, Bin Hammam replied simply: "No comment."

Bin Hammam's reluctance to confirm his intentions are in stark contrast to comments he made in August last year, when he categorically ruled out a bid to topple Blatter.

FIFA's decision to award the World Cup to Qatar in Zurich last month has attracted a firestorm of criticism after a bidding campaign dogged by allegations of corruption.

Bin Hammam said FIFA needed to be "more transparent" if it wanted to avoid a reputation for corruption in future.

"It's (FIFA) an organisation which is more than 104 years old," he said.

"We should modernise ourselves in such a way as to reflect the real stakeholders - member associations, leagues, clubs, players, coaches," he said.

"A lot of things could be done. Maybe the actual administration can do that, they have to commit themselves to doing that.

"The structure is not helpful or useful for our world," Bin Hammam added.

Laurent Blanc n'est plus le sauveur??

2 matchs et 2 défaites pour l'Equipe de France de Laurent Blanc.
De plus contre des équipes Européennes de seconde catégorie qui n'étaient même pas qualifiées en Coupe du Monde. Quel résultat lamentable !

Laurent Blanc ne pourra pas se passer des "grévistes" de la Coupe du Monde s'il veut se qualifier pour l'Euro 2012.

Barclays PL: Robinho is back

Manchester City have grabbed the spotlight on the eve of the Premier League season, with Robinho named in their 25-man squad list on Friday and Mario Balotelli flying in for a medical.

Coach Roberto Mancini, who also looks like selling striker Craig Bellamy and midfielder Stephen Ireland in the next few days and buying James Milner from Aston Villa, was his usual calm self at a news conference despite all the comings and goings.

He said Robinho was in his 25-man squad and added he would sit down with the unsettled Brazil striker next week to thrash out his future.

Robinho has made no secret of the fact he wants to stay with Brazilian club Santos, where he has been on loan since January, after an unhappy spell at Eastlands.

This season the Premier League has imposed a 25-man limit on squads, with eight "home-grown" players included in that number. That is putting extra pressure on coaches who are being forced to let some players leave.

Even though Robinho favours a return to Santos, the Brazilians do not have the money for a permanent transfer and he could be used as a bargaining tool in the deal to bring Balotelli from Inter Milan.

Mancini said the Italian striker, who was 20 on Thursday, was heading to Manchester to undergo a medical while England midfielder Milner could also follow over the weekend.

Balotelli, who made his international debut against Ivory Coast in London on Tuesday, will cost City around 24 million pounds and Mancini said he expected the deal to be concluded within 24 hours.

"We are close," said the coach. "I think he could be a big success at this club."

One player heading out is Bellamy who said last week he had not spoken to Mancini for six months and knew he was not part of the Italian's plans.

The Wales striker will not play for City again, according to Mancini, and is free to find a new club with Celtic, Sunderland and Fulham heading the queue to sign him.

Eagerly looking forward to the beginning of this championship :-)

Italy renewal

This new Italy team needs to grow into itself. We knew that before the friendly against the Ivory Coast, and the match itself in London brought this fact home loud and clear. They need to mature in attack, and the long-awaited Amauri-Balotelli-Cassano trio needs a little tweaking. And they need to do it quickly , because Prandelli seems keen on pinning the team's hopes on them, especially on the talent of the Inter ace and Sampdoria star. They'll get a chance to improve after their first technical tests in Coverciano and Upton Park, when they'll have more fuel in their legs and more of a feeling for each other. But there's room for improvement in other departments as well, in this new Italy team. They struggled to take control on the wings at the top of the field and further back midfield, the kind of skill that the new coach has been asking for.

Full backs —
Zambrotta and Grosso are not part of this new Azzurro team on account of their age. They've given a lot to the Azzurro cause over the years. It's now time for some new blood that will do the same. But finding it is not easy, although Prandelli is trying. He played two new new entries: Motta on the right and Molinaro on the left. The Juventus player struggled in defence, but proved a serious threat when he moved forward: he made it closest to goal, hitting the post while Molinaro did his job. You couldn't really ask anymore from them on their first game as Azzurri. As for future games, there's not really many other alternatives: there's Criscito, currently injured, who played on the first team at the World Cup. He did himself proud but still needs to learn to assert himself: but he's got age on his side. Milan player Antonini, an alternative in this department, was included in the national squad for the first time, but ended up on the bench. De Ceglie may also be another option if he makes the most of his full-time post with Juventus. Just like Balzaretti. On the right there's Cassani, a reliable playmaker, and Maggio, who in some respects is similar to Motta: he's better at offending than defending. Not forgetting Santon too, who needs to get back to his best. To sum up, on the wings in defence, we're missing Maicon and Lahm, but in their place there are a couple of young players who could, or rather, must develop.

PIRLO'S Deputy — With no Pirlo the team is just not the same. The World Cup was clear proof of this where Montolivo was one of the few positive notes in the team. But the Milan playmaker is a one in a million: when he came on against Slovakia the team immediately gained in personality and in vertical passes towards the goal. Pirlo didn't play last night in London, he's still not in perfect shape, but he'll be back for September in Tallin, for the euro 2012 qualifier. But he won't be around for ever, and without him, Italy is really struggling in it's playmaking: De Rossi is the superstar centre back with a talent for playmaking too, just like Palombo, but the duo who quite capably putt up such a strong barrier in defence that Prandelli was able to field 4 players in attack - (Pepe, Cassano, Balotelli and Amauri) obviously don't have the same wizardry as a classic playmaker, which would be just what the strikers need. Prandelli knows Montolivo well, and he'll give him the space he deserves, although he doesn't really have that many other alternatives with the same kind of abilities. D’Agostino is a possible option, along with Marchisio who is a natural inside wing but is currently being fielded as midfielder in the the preseason matches, but could also act as playmaker while still providing some defensive cover. Or else there's the nationalized Ledesma. Prandelli - who could get round the problem by fielding a playmaker that has enough finishing skills as well if he keeps going with the 4-2-3-1 (Cassano at the moment and who know's in the future, maybe Giovinco?) - hopes that the season will offer him some new options. Because you can never have too many good players midfield: Spain showed us that at the World Cup.

FWC2010: L'Afrique du Sud a réussi !

La FIFA WC 2010 South Africa s’est terminé par la victoire de l’Espagne sur les Pays-Bas. J’ai passé un séjour magnifique au pays de Mandela. L’organisation a été excellente. L’ambiance dans et en dehors des stades a été magnifique et coloré.
C’est la meilleure coupe du monde de tous les temps. Seul bémol, la prestation des deux équipes en finale : lamentable. En tout cas, on ne se rappellera pas de cette finale, si ce n’est l’apparition de Nelson Mandela à la fin de la cérémonie de clôture du mondial.
Mes meilleurs matchs :
1. À Rustenburg - Royal Bafokeng: Ghana - USA
2. À Soweto – Soccer City : Argentine – Mexique
3. À Johannesburg – Ellis Park : Brésil – Chili
L’Europe passe devant l’Amérique du Sud en termes de victoire en Coupe du Monde :
Europe : 10 coupes du monde
- Italie (4)
- Allemagne (3)
- Angleterre, France et Espagne (1)
Amérique du Sud : 9 coupes du monde
- Brésil (5)
- Argentine et Uruguay (2)
L’Amérique du Sud aura une chance d’égaliser lors de la Coupe du monde 2014 au Brésil… sauf si le Ghana devient champion du monde :-)

FWC2010: Le Ghana passe !

Mea culpa.
J'étais le 1er à affirmer que toutes les équipes Africaines seraient ejectés de la FWC2010 dès le 1er tour. Je me suis trompé ! Le Ghana est parvenu à se qualifier avec une seule 1 victoire en 3 matchs. C'était suffisant !

Mais ils doivent maintenant apprendre à marquer des buts. Les deux seuls buts marqués par les Ghanéens en trois matchs ont été sur penalty. Gyan, Asamoah et Ayew doivent absolument travailler sur la finition.

FWC2010 : Toutes les équipes Africaines OUT !

Depuis 1990, au moins une équipe africaine arrivait en 8e de finale d’une coupe du monde. La 1ère coupe du monde africaine connaîtra plusieurs nouveautés :
1. Le pays organisateur (RSA) éliminé au 1er tour
2. Aucun pays Africain qualifié pour le 2e tour
3. 1ère victoire historique des Suisses face aux Espagnols
4. 1ère victoire historique des Mexicains face aux Français
5. 1er but Africain en coupe du monde contre le Brésil (But de Drogba)

Mais comment expliquer le fiasco des équipes africaines dans ce mondial ? L’Afrique connait une régression permanente dans la qualité du jeu offert. Les meilleurs joueurs évoluent en Europe, mais manquent toujours le mental nécessaire pour passer l’épaule dans des matchs couperet. C’est une faillite complète qui inclut bien évidement la direction générale des fédérations africaines.
Les dirigeants de ces fédérations ont tous le profil de l’hériter gâté qui dilapide son patrimoine et ne sait pas comment le faire fructifier. A l’exception du Ghana et de l’Egypte, aucune fédération africaine n’a de stratégie à long terme pour mettre en place une ligue nationale compétitive et une équipe nationale victorieuse. Ces dirigeants reçoivent les millions de la CAF et de la FIFA, se construisent des palais, voyagent au tour du monde, et engagent des mercenaires étrangers pour diriger l’équipe nationale sur des projets à très court terme.
Pour quel résultat ?
1. Afrique du Sud : Les Bafanas ont perdu le match qu’il devait gagner à tout prix (Mexique). Ils seront éliminés car leur sort n’est plus entre leurs mains. Par ailleurs, même une victoire contre des Français démotivés, démobilisés et gangrenés par des guerres internes, reste hautement utopique, tellement les Bafana Bafana n’ont pas la qualité requise pour gagner un match.
2. Algérie : Les Fennecs ont perdu le match qu’il devait gagner à tout prix (Slovénie). Ils peuvent encore se qualifier si les Slovènes ne perdent pas contre les Anglais et s’ils battent les Américains. Je ne vois pas les Américains perdre contre les Algériens.
3. Cameroun : la plus grande faillite du continent. 2 défaites contre des équipes à leur portée (Japon et Danemark). Mais que dire de la défaite contre le Danemark ? Lorsqu’on mène 1 à 0 et qu’on domine totalement un match crucial, on ne peut pas laisser filer la victoire. Cette équipe doit rendre des comptes.
4. Côte d’Ivoire : La meilleure équipe du continent a perdu 2 points cruciaux contre le Portugal. Une victoire contre les Brésiliens était illusoire. De plus avec des comportements antisportifs lamentables (expulsion de Kakà sur une faute inexistante contre Keïta), ces Ivoiriens rentreront à Abidjan après leur match contre les Coréens. Même si l'arbitre français a été très mauvais en acceptant le 2e but de Fabiano (il a utilisé la main à 2 reprises pour marquer).
5. Ghana : Les Black Stars ont perdu 2 points cruciaux contre les Australiens. Avec une défaite contre les Serbes, les Allemands sont obligés de battre les Ghanéens lors de leur dernier match. Les Black Stars n’ont pas les moyens physiques, stratégiques et tactiques pour resister à la national mannschaft.
6. Nigeria : cette équipe ne méritait de toute façon pas sa place dans ce mondial. Elle y est parvenue par un coup du sort horrible pour les Tunisiens (qui devaient se contenter d’un nul contre le Mozambique, -> défaite à la 92e minute). Les Nigérians avaient, au même moment, battu des Kenyans déjà éliminés et démobilisés. Dans ce mondial, déjà 2 défaites contre l’Argentine et la Grèce. Les Nigérians ont donné aux Grecs leurs 2 premiers buts dans un mondial. Quelle générosité !

Pour finir, espérons que les Argentins et les Brésiliens se retrouveront en finale pour un match énorme.

FIFAWC2010 : Les Bafana OUT

C’est triste à dire mais on ne peut pas faire des miracles avec des joueurs extrêmement limités. Cette équipe sudafricaine sera la première équipe organisatrice d’un mondial à être éliminé au premier tour. Ceci n’est pas mathématiquement sûr. Un match nul entre la France et le Mexique, une victoire sudafricaine contre la France, une victoire mexicaine contre l’Uruguay, et l’Afrique du Sud passerait en 8e de finale. Mais c’est une conjonction des circonstances favorables qui n’est pas prêt de se produire.

Mais que signifie vraiment être éliminé au 1er tour d’un tournoi de football majeur ? Pas grand-chose. La Suisse et l’Autriche ont tous deux été éliminées au 1er tour de l’EURO 2008. La Belgique a été éliminée au 1er tour de l’EURO 2000. Ce qui importe vraiment est l’aptitude du pays à organiser correctement un tournoi de football majeur, avec des beaux stades impeccables, des infrastructures de haut niveau, des stades pleins de fans heureux, et une sécurité garantie. A ce jour, l’Afrique du Sud a réussi !

Revenons à l’aspect sportif. Les Bafana Bafana n’ont visiblement pas le niveau pour un mondial. Ces joueurs sud-africains n’ont participé à aucun tournoi majeur continental (CAN2010 ou CAF Champions League) ou intercontinental (FIFAWC2006). Ils ont été qualifiés d’office pour la Coupe des Confédérations 2009 et la FIFA WC2010. Ils ne sont pas parmi les 32 meilleures nations du monde, mais cela n’explique pas tout. Les Nord-Coréens et les Néo-Zélandais (tous deux moins bien classés que la RSA) ont livré des matchs pleins qui ont masqué leurs lacunes techniques. Les Bafana, eux, se sont effondrés mentalement et physiquement lors de leur 2e sortie (défaite 3 à 0 contre l’Uruguay). Ils ont manqué de réalisme et de punch lors de leur 1ère sortie (match nul 1 partout avec le Mexique). Je ne pense pas qu’ils seront présents pour le dernier match contre le vice-champion du monde (France).

Mais que dire de l’arbitrage suisse ? Il a carrément offert la victoire aux Uruguayens. Alors que le score était de 1 à 0 pour l’Uruguay, l’arbitre de touche oublie de signaler un hors-jeu sur l’action de Suarez (N°9 uruguayen). Ensuite, le pied de ce dernier touche légèrement le pied du gardien sud-africain Khune. Suarez effectue alors une chute hautement spectaculaire au sol et se tord de douleur. A vitesse normale, l’arbitre central Massimo Busacca pense que le gardien a taclé volontairement l’attaquant. Conséquence -> penalty logique. Mais l’arbitre va plus loin. Au lieu d’avertir le gardien avec un carton jaune, il lui sort le carton rouge qui, dans ce cas, est totalement abusif et injustifié. A 2 à 0, les sud-africains ont simplement baissé les bras au lieu de lever la tête. Les supporteurs ont même fait pire : au lieu de soutenir leur équipe malgré tout, ils ont quitté le stade en masse … Voyant leurs supporteurs les déserter, les Bafana Bafana ont multiplié les fautes d’énervement et de maladresse. Score final et sans appel : 3 à 0 pour l’Uruguay. Soirée cauchemardesque pour l’Afrique. Ce trio arbitral ne devrait plus officier pour cette coupe du monde.

Finalement.
Le coach Parreira doit faire tourner son équipe pour permettre à tous les joueurs sud-africains de participer à la 1ère coupe du monde sur sol africain. La fête fût courte, mais elle doit être belle et sans regret.

FIFA WC: Mercenaire du football - Eriksson

La Côte d’Ivoire representait jusqu’à peu l’une des seules chances africaines de remporter la Coupe du Monde le 11 juillet 2010. Aujourd’hui, la RCI sera probablement éliminée au 1er tour. Pourquoi ?

Parce que leur meilleur atout (Didier Drogba) est blessé et risque de rater les 2 premiers matchs. Mais il reste malgré tout dans le groupe de 23.
Ensuite parce que la fédération ivoirienne n’a aucun sens stratégique à long terme. Vahid Halilhodzic avait fait du bon travail avec cette équipe remplie d’égo. En 2 ans, il n’a perdu qu’un seul match : le quart-de-finale de la CAN 2010. Cette fédération ivoirienne l’a tout de suite limogé pour recruter un parfait mercenaire : Sven-Göran Eriksson un Suédois qui ne parle pas un mot de Français.

Mais que dire de ce mercenaire?
Eriksson a failli à plusieurs reprises avec des équipes bourrées de talents :
1. Il a échoué avec l’équipe nationale d’Angleterre -> raté la qualification pour l’EURO 2008. Aujourd’hui l’Angleterre, avec Fabio Capello, n’a pas perdu le moindre match et, est un des favoris pour gagner la coupe
2. Il a échoué avec l’équipe nationale du Mexique -> Aujourd’hui le Mexique, avec son nouvel entraineur, a été le 1er qualifié de sa zone CONCACAF pour la coupe. Le Mexique sera vraisemblablement au 2e tour.
3. Il a échoué avec Manchester City, une autre équipe bourrée de talent.

Sven-Göran Eriksson est fidèle à sa réputation. Loquace comme un Scandinave, l’homme, 62 ans, répond aux questions par des phrases courtes du type objet-verbe-complément. Parfois, il n’y a même que le verbe. La Côte d’Ivoire ira-t-elle loin, en Afrique du Sud? «On verra.» Etes-vous confiant? «Il faut.»

Après avoir mené l’équipe d’Angleterre à deux faillites retentissantes lors des deux précédentes éditions de la Coupe du monde, ce Suédois, qui fut l’entraîneur le mieux payé au monde, avait fini par être viré par la Football Association anglaise. Moins à cause des résultats que pour avoir fricoté d’un peu trop près avec la secrétaire du président, et assuré de belles «unes» aux tabloïds.

Une pige royale à 200  000 euros par mois, peut-être davantage malgré les dénégations de l’intéressé. Une pige de trois mois, peut-être même moins, parce qu’Eriksson reluque déjà le poste d’entraîneur de Liverpool, vacant depuis le départ en fin de semaine dernière de Rafael Benitez.
Une pige royale, vraiment, parce qu’emmener les Eléphants en Coupe du monde sera sans conséquences: un beau tournoi et il capitalisera; un mauvais et il fera porter le chapeau aux joueurs, ces Africains indisciplinés.
Eriksson, sélectionneur de l’équipe nationale de Côte d’Ivoire, n’a passé qu’une seule journée de sa vie en Afrique. C’était en mars à Abidjan, pour signer son contrat. «Les joueurs, dit-il, on peut très bien les analyser et les sélectionner par vidéo. De toute manière ils jouent tous en Europe.» La morale de cette histoire: cinquante ans après la fin des colonies, l’Afrique du football continue à remettre son destin dans les mains d’hommes blancs. Et cyniques.

Bref Eriksson est la pire des choses qui pouvaient arriver à la RCI. Il ne connait même pas les joueurs (à l’exception de Drogba), il ne parle pas leur langue, ne connait pas leur culture, ne saura donc pas trouver les mots pour les motiver. Eriksson a été un excellent entraineur dans les années 1990. Mais dans ce nouveau millénaire, il est simplement un mercenaire qui court après les dollars.

En résumé, sans coach et sans meneur sur le terrain, la RCI sera éliminé au 1er tour de son groupe très difficile (qui comprend le Brésil et le Portugal).

FWC2010: Les sélectionnés Africains

1. les 23 joueurs Ivoiriens (RCI)

Gardiens: Boubacar Barry (Lokeren/BEL), Aristide Zogbo (Maccabi Netanya/ISR), Daniel Yeboah (ASEC Mimosas/CIV)

Défenseurs: Kolo Toure (Manchester City/ENG), Emmanuel Eboue (Arsenal/ENG), Guy Demel (SV Hamburg/GER), Souleman Bamba (Hibernian/SCO), Benjamin Angoua Brou (Valenciennes/FRA), Arthur Boka (VfB Stuttgart/GER), Siaka Tiene (Valenciennes/FRA), Steve Gohouri (Wigan Athletic/ENG)

Milieux: Yaya Toure (Barcelona/ESP), Didier Zokora (Sevilla/ESP), Emmanuel Kone (Curtea Arges/ROM), Cheik Ismael Tiote (FC Twente/NED), Jean-Jacques Gosso Gosso (Monaco/FRA), Romaric N'dri Koffi (Sevilla/ESP)

Attaquants: Didier Drogba (Chelsea/ENG), Salomon Kalou (Chelsea/ENG), Kader Keita (Galatasaray/TUR), Aruna Dindane (Portsmouth/ENG), Gervinho (Lille/FRA), Seydou Doumbia (Young Boys/SUI)

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2. les 23 joueurs Sudafricains (RSA)

Gardiens: Itumeleng Khune (Kaizer Chiefs), Moeneeb Josephs (Orlando Pirates), Shu-Aib Walters (Maritzburg United)

Défenseurs: Matthew Booth (Mamelodi Sundowns), Lance Davids (Ajax Cape Town), Siboniso Gaxa (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bongani Khumalo (SuperSport United), Tsepo Masilela (Maccabi Haifa, Israel), Aaron Mokoena (Portsmouth, England), Anele Ngcongca (Genk, Belgium) Siyabonga Sangweni (Golden Arrows), Lucas Thwala (Orlando Pirates)

Milieux: Kagisho Dikgacoi (Fulham, England), Thanduyise Khuboni (Golden Arrows), Reneilwe Letsholonyane (Kaizer Chiefs), Teko Modise (Orlando Pirates), Steven Pienaar (Everton, England) MacBeth Sibaya (Rubin Kazan, Russia) Siphiwe Tshabalala (Kaizer Chiefs)

Attaquants: Surprise Moriri (Mamelodi Sundowns), Katlego Mphela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Siyabonga Nomvethe (Moroka Swallows), Bernard Parker (FC Twente, Netherlands).

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3. Les 23 joueurs Algériens (ALG)

Gardiens: Fawzi Chouachi (ES Sétif)? Lounes Gaouaoui (ASO Chlef)? M'bohi Rais Ouheb (Slavia Sofia/BUL)

Défenseurs: Laifaoui Abdelkader (ES Sétif), Madjid Bougherra (Glasgow Rangers/ECO), Carl Medjani (Ajaccio), Rafik Halliche (Nacional Madeira/POR), Anthar Yahia (Bochum/ALL), Habib Bellaïd (Eintracht Francfort/ALL), Nadir Belhadj (Portsmouth/ANG), Djamel Mesbah (Lecce/ITA)

Milieux: Hassan Yebda (Benfica/POR), Mehdi Lacen (Santander/ESP), Yazid Mansouri (libre), Adlane Guedioura (Wolverhampton/ANG), Riad Boudebouz (Sochaux), Djamel Abdoun (Nantes), Foued Kadir (Valenciennes), Karim Ziani (Wolfsburg/ALL), Karim Matmour (Mönchengladbach/ALL)

Attaquants: Abdelkader Ghezzal (Sienne/ITA), Rafik Djebbour (AEK Athènes/GRE), Rafik Saïfi (Al-Khor/QAT)

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4. Les 23 joueurs Nigérians (NIG)

Gardiens: Vincent Enyeama (Hapoel Tel Aviv), Dele Ayenugba (Beni Yehuda FC), Austine Ejide (Hapoel Petah Tikva)

Défenseurs: Taye Taiwo (Marseille), Elderson Echiejile (Rennes), Chidi Odiah (CSKA Moscow), Joseph Yobo (Everton), Daniel Shittu (Bolton), Ayodele Adeleye (Sparta Rotterdam), Rabiu Afolabi (Salzburg)

Milieux: Dickson Etuhu (Fulham), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Sani Kaita (Alaniya), Lukman Haruna (Monaco), Ayila Yussuf (Dynamo Kiev), Peter Osaze (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Attaquants: Yakubu Ayegbeni (Everton), Chinedu Obasi (Hoffenheim), Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsburg), Ikechukwu Uche (Zaragoza), John Utaka (Portsmouth), Victor Obinna (Malaga).

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5. Les 23 joueurs Camérounais (CAM)

Gardiens: Guy Roland Ndy Assembe (Valenciennes/FRA), Carlos Kameni (Espanyol/ESP), Hamidou Souleymanou (Kayserispor/TUR)

Défenseurs: Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sebastien Bassong (Tottenham/ANG), Gaetan Bong (Valenciennes/FRA), Aurelien Chedjou (Lille/FRA), Geremi (Ankaragucu/TUR), Stephane Mbia (Marseille/FRA), Nicolas Nkoulou (Monaco/FRA), Rigobert Song (Trabzonspor/TUR)

Milieux: Achille Emana (Real Betis/ESP), Eyong Enoh (Ajax/HOL), Jean Makoun (Lyon/FRA), Georges Mandjeck (en fin de contrat avec Kaiserslautern/ALL), Joel Matip (Schalke/ALL), Landry Nguemo (Celtic/ECO), Alex Song (Arsenal/ANG)

Attaquants: Vincent Aboubakar (Coton Sport), Eric Choupo-Moting (Nuremberg/ALL), Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan/ITA), Mohamadou Idrissou (Fribourg/ALL), Achille Webo (Real Majorque/ESP).

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6. Les 23 joueurs Ghanéens (GHA)

Gardiens: Richard Kingson (Wigan/ANG), Daniel Agyei (Liberty Professionals), Stephen Ahorlu (Hearts of Lions)

Défenseurs: Samuel Inkoom (Bâle/SUI), Jonathan Mensah (Grenade/ESP), Lee Addy (Bechem Chelsea), Rahim Ayew (Zamalek/EGY), Hans Sarpei (Bayer Leverkusen/ALL), John Mensah (prêté à Sunderland/ANG par Lyon/FRA), Isaac Vorsah (Hoffenheim/ALL), John Paintsil (Fulham/ANG)

Milieux: Sulley Ali Muntari (Inter/ITA), Derek Boateng (Getafe/ESP), Anthony Annan (Rosenborg/NOR), Kwadwo Asamoah (Udinese/ITA), André Ayew (Arles-Avignon/FRA), Stephen Appiah (Bologne/ITA), Quincy Owusu Abeyie (Al Sadd/QAT), Kevin-Prince Boateng (Portsmouth/ANG)

Attaquants: Matthew Amoah (NAC Breda/HOL) Asamoah Gyan (Rennes/FRA), Prince Tagoe (Hoffenheim/ALL), Dominic Adiyiah (AC Milan/ITA)

And Three.... for INTER

European champions. The sky is black and blue over Madrid. Inter fans, hug each other and celebrate. The dream has come true, the 45-year wait is over. Captain Zanetti, after 15 years, much hardship, and 700 matches, could lift the cup up high. Massimo Moratti's photo with the cup will hang alongside the one of his father Angelo. The 5th of May no longer matters - from now on only the 22nd matters. May 2010: Inter is back at the top in Europe, and with them Italy, three years after Milan's victory in 2007.

It was Inter's night, with their historic hat-trick, but it was also their fans' night - they made the North stand shake when the final whistle sounded. It was "the Prince" Milito's night, with his magnificent match-winning double. At age 30 this is his first great team and his first final: if this is just the debut... It was José Mourinho's night - he wept as he celebrated winning his second Champions League title with two different clubs. Now he can leave if he wants to. He may be arrogant, he may only think about results, but he has done more for Inter in two years than all his predecessors did in 44. If there is a "special" coach in football, he is the one.

The match began slowly, as often happens in finals. Open, flowing finals? Only for teams who don't know what they are doing. Bayern and Inter however knew exactly what they were doing, and initially they played it very tight. The Germans slowed play down with passes among the back four, and when they moved forward they were met with a brick wall. The result was a series of wayward shots from outside the area, a few protests about a possible hand ball in the area by Maicon (16'), and little else. At the other end, Sneijder tried from a free-kick. Then came the goal, and everything changed.

For the whole first half it was Julio Cesar who launched Inter, with long restarts aimed at the strikers. It seemed a self-destructive option, given that it is not one they ever use, but it was not. On 35' his long left-footed clearance was met by Milito's header: his nod on was perfect for Sneijder, as was the return through ball. Demichelis only saw the Prince's heels: he waited for Butt to come out and slotted the ball past him for his 29th goal of the season.

Having scored 29, why not make it 30? 25 minutes into the second half, Milito provided a lesson in technique and ball control on the run: launched on the counter-attack, he headed for Van Buyten, and with a feint he practically sent him sprawling, giving himself room for yet another perfect shot: 2-0, thank you very much.

But there was more to Inter than just Diego. Defensively, Inter were almost perfect. Having taken the lead, they played with the assuredness of a unit that knows how not to concede goals. There was one chink in their armour however, and that was Chivu, who was contstantly troubled by Robben until he went off. But when the Dutch hacker tried to penetrate he found himself facing the three most effective antivirus systems around: Cambiasso, Lucio and Samuel. Access denied. And then there was always the last line of defence, Julio Cesar: he made a great save of Mueller's shot early in the second half, then again on 65' when Robben shot on the turn.

But Inter was not just defence, despite Van Gaal's claims. They knew how to attack at pace, they controlled difficult balls with Sneijder's class, they not only had the overlapping Maicon but their strikers did their job, even though Eto'o was often back with Maicon. And the team was tactically precise, with men always the right distance apart and always ready to help each other. Teamwork, that's what it takes to make dreams come true. Football is a team sport, and today Inter was, and is, the best team in Europe.

Villa for BARCA

The Spain international has signed a four-year deal and is the first summer capture for the Catalan club, with Cesc Fabregas also said to be a target.

Villa, 28, is due in Barcelona on Thursday and is booked for a medical.

The top scorer at Euro 2008 despite missing the final through injury, he had reportedly attracted interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

The man from Asturias, in the north of Spain, is a regular in his country's first team and will be highly fancied to make a big impact at the World Cup.

His arrival at Barcelona is likely to lead to increased speculation over the futures of strikers Thierry Henry and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

After a board meeting at Valencia in the morning, Manuel Llorente, the president of the club known as "Los Che", said they had accepted Barca's offer.

"We have sold David Villa to Barcelona for 40 million euros," he told a news conference at the Mestalla.

"As everyone knows we could have done this deal last year but we thought at that moment it was best to keep our squad together to try and get into the Champions League.

"We have achieved that aim and finished third in the league, and he has contributed a lot towards this. We think it is a good sale and necessary for the economic situation of the club."

And two... for Inter !

Inter Milan players vowed to celebrate their fifth straight Serie A crown following Sunday's 1-0 win at Siena but their thoughts turned quickly to the Champions League final.

Inter will play Bayern Munich in Madrid on May 22, when both teams will be bidding to make history respectively by securing a league, Cup and Champions League treble.

Inter completed the second leg of their quest as they finished two points clear of AS Roma, thanks to a winning goal from top scorer Diego Milito.

While Inter's players suggested they would be celebrating on Sunday night, no-one forgot that their biggest match is still to come.

"This is an incredible joy, a reward for all the hard work we've put in over the year," said Milito.

"From tomorrow we will think about that great Champions League final."

Inter captain Javier Zanetti insisted his team were worthy winners, but his attentions had also turned to Bayern.

"At the end the strongest team won but congratulations to Roma for a fine season," he said.

"Now we need to think about another final, but for the moment we'll celebrate this fifth (straight) title, which we deserve."

Troubled teenage forward Mario Balotelli expressed his desire for the victory to help mend the bridges he had burnt over the season in the eyes of many fans.

Balotelli angered supporters after Inter's 3-1 victory at home to Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal first leg when he threw his jersey to the ground.

He has since been forgiven and although he was previously jeered, he was cheered when substituted on Sunday.

"I'm very happy about winning this title, it's a fantastic experience," he said.

"Right now I'm at Inter and next there's a Champions League final, which we have to win because it's the pinnacle.

"As for the fans, some ugly things happen but if there's mutual affection those can be resolved."

Inter president Massimo Moratti suggested he was never worried that the team could lose the title.

"It was a great game, even the Siena goalkeeper was running to not lose time," he said.

"We deserve this title. Was I ever afraid? Roma only led for two Sundays, that's it."

Roma coach Claudio Ranieri was gracious in defeat and pointed to his team's 24-match unbeaten run during the season and the fact that they fought back from a 14-point deficit to Inter in November.

He stopped short of congratulating Mourinho, with whom he has had a running feud.

"Congratulations to president Moratti because he's built a great team and I wish them luck in the Champions League final," he said.

"We were the true protagonists in the league this season for what we did.

"I can't tell you if I believed we would win it or not, I wanted us to fight to the last second.

"I could have believed it if Inter had been drawing or losing at the end."

There was no bitterness about losing the lead they had at the end of April before a 2-1 home defeat to Sampdoria handed the initiative back to Inter.

FWC2010: Les sélectionnés

Les 23 Brésiliens

Gardiens : Julio César (Inter/ITA), Gomes (Tottenham/ANG), Doni (Roma/ITA)
Défenseurs : Maicon (Inter/ITA), Daniel Alves (Barcelone/ESP), Gilberto (Cruzeiro), Bastos (Lyon/FRA), Juan (Roma/ITA), Lucio (Inter/ITA), Luisao (Benfica/POR), Thiago Silva (Milan/ITA)
Milieux : Gilberto Silva (Panathinaïkos/GRE), Felipe Melo (Juventus/ITA), Josué (Wolfsburg/ALL), Kleberson (Flamengo), Elano (Galatasaray/TUR), Ramires (Benfica/POR), Kaka (Real Madrid/ESP), Julio Baptista (Roma/ITA)
Attaquants : Luis Fabiano (Séville/ESP), Nilmar (Villarreal/ESP), Robinho (Santos), Grafite (Wolfsburg/ALL)

Les 23 joueurs argentins

Gardiens de but : Sergio Romero (AZ Alkmaar), Mariano Andujar (Catane), Diego Pozo (Colon).

Défenseurs : Nicolas Otamendi (Velez Sarsfield), Martin Demichelis (Bayern Munich), Walter Samuel (Inter Milan), Gabriel Heinze (Olympique Marseille), Nicolas Burdisso (AS Rome), Clemente Rodriguez (Estudiantes), Ariel Garcé (Colon).

Milieux de terrain : Jonas Gutierrez (Newcastle), Maximiliano Rodriguez (Liverpool/ENG), Javier Mascherano (Liverpool/ENG), Juan Sebastian Veron (Estudiantes), Angel Di Maria (Benfica/POR), Javier Pastore (Palerme/ITA), Mario Bolatti (Fiorentina).

Attaquants : Lionel Messi (FC Barcelone), Gonzalo Higuain (Real Madrid), Martin Palermo (Boca Juniors), Sergio Agüero (Atletico Madrid), Diego Milito (Inter Milan), Carlos Tevez (Manchester City).

Les 23 joueurs italiens

Gardiens : Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Morgan De Sanctis (Naples),
Federico Marchetti (Cagliari)
Défenseurs : Salvatore Bocchetti (Genoa), Leonardo Bonucci (Bari), Fabio Cannavaro (Juventus), Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus), Domenico Criscito (Genoa), Christian Maggio (Naples), Gianluca Zambrotta (AC Milan)
Milieux : Mauro Camoranesi (Juventus), Daniele De Rossi (AS Rome), Gennaro Gattuso (AC Milan), Claudio Marchisio (Juventus), Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina), Angelo Palombo (Sampdoria), Simone Pepe (Udinese), Andrea Pirlo (AC Milan)
Attaquants : Antonio Di Natale (Udinese), Alberto Gilardino (Fiorentina), Vincenzo Iaquinta (Juventus), Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria), Fabio Quagliarella (Naples)

Les 23 joueurs Anglais

Gardiens : Joe Hart (Birmingham), David James (Portsmouth), Robert Green (West Ham)
Défenseurs : Jamie Carragher (Liverpool), Ashley Cole (Chelsea), Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United), Glen Johnson (Liverpool), Ledley King (Tottenham), John Terry (Chelsea), Matthew Upson (West Ham), Stephen Warnock (Blackburn)
Milieux : Gareth Barry (Manchester City), Michael Carrick (Manchester United), Joe Cole (Chelsea), Steven Gerrard (Liverpool), Frank Lampard (Chelsea), Aaron Lennon (Tottenham), James Milner (Aston Villa), Shaun Wright-Phillips (Manchester City)
Attaquants : Peter Crouch (Tottenham), Jermain Defoe (Tottenham), Emile Heskey (Aston Villa), Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)

Les 23 joueurs Français

Gardiens : Hugo Lloris (Lyon), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Cédric Carrasso (Bordeaux).
Défenseurs : Bacary Sagna (Arsenal/ANG), Eric Abidal (Barcelone/ESP), William Gallas (Arsenal/ANG), Patrice Evra (Manchester United/ANG), Sébastien Squillaci (Séville/ESP), Gaël Clichy (Arsenal/ANG), Anthony Reveillère (Lyon).
Milieux de terrain : Jérémy Toulalan (Lyon), Lassana Diarra (Real Madrid/ESP), Alou Diarra (Bordeaux), Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux), Abou Diaby (Arsenal/ANG), Florent Malouda (Chelsea/ANG).
Attaquants : Sidney Govou (Lyon), Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich/ALL), Thierry Henry (Barcelone/ESP), Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea/ANG), Djibril Cissé (Panathinaïkos/GRE), André-Pierre Gignac (Toulouse), Mathieu Valbuena (Marseille).

Zlatan Ibrahimovic : le plantage de la décennie

Le Barca pensait avoir fait une belle affaire. Il avait acheté Zlatan pour 70 millions d’euros avec Samuel Eto’o dans le lot.
Il avait été présenté comme la meilleure recrue barcelonaise de tous les temps en début de saison. Il a tout de suite été efficace en championnat. Il avait embrassé son maillot dès son 1er but pour afficher son attachement au club. Les Catalans se moquaient même d'Eto’o qui n’avait pas encore marqué en Italie.

Mais Zlatan était un conte de fée de pacotille. Si son efficacité initiale plaidait en sa faveur, son passage à vide a vite réveillé les critiques. Pas assez mobile, il est loin d’effectuer les mêmes efforts de replacement que Samuel Eto’o. Il a vite été relégué sur le banc.
À court de rythme, il n’a pas abordé les deux matches de demi-finale de Ligue des Champions face à l’Inter, son ancien club, au meilleur de sa forme. Et cela s’est vu. Sorti à l’aller comme au retour à l’heure du jeu, il a subi un véritable camouflet de la part de son entraîneur Pep Guardiola. Sa sortie du terrain est principalement due à des prestations insipides: aucune occasion à mettre à son crédit et une quantité hallucinante de ballons perdus. À tel point qu’aujourd’hui, les journaux catalans n’hésitent pas à solliciter leurs lecteurs sur cette question : le Barça doit-il vendre Ibra cet été ? Sur les 6 titres gagnés en 2009 avec Eto’o, le Barca en a déjà perdu 5. Il ne lui reste plus que la Liga (avec 1 seul petit point d’avance sur le Real Madrid, en ayant encore 4 matchs à jouer).
Eto’o de son côté joue encore sur 3 tableaux : la coupe d’Italie, le championnat d’Italie et la Ligue des Champions. Avec les 70 millions versés par le Barca, l’Inter a acquis trois joueurs d’exception (Eto’o, Sneijder et Milito). Ces trois joueurs font la différence.

Comment est-on arrivé à un plantage (un ratage) aussi monumental de la part du Barca ?
1. L’obsession de Guardiola qui tenait à tout pris à se débarrasser de Samuel Eto’o,
2. On ne refuse rien à un entraîneur qui a tout gagné,
3. Le Real Madrid les avait devancé pour l’acquisition de Cristiano Ronaldo,
4. Le refus du Zénith de vendre Arshavin au Barca,
alors le Barca s’est tourné vers Zlatan.

Pour répondre à la question. OUI il faut vendre Zlatan et essayer d’avoir Arshavin pour la saison prochaine.

PS : Les catalans sont des mauvais perdants. Ils ont tout de suite lancé l’arrosage de la pelouse pour empêcher les Interistes de célébrer leur victoire sur le terrain. Selon les dires de Mourinho sur la RAI, la veille du match, ils ont empêché les joueurs de dormir toute la nuit dans leur hôtel et devant l’hôtel. L’Inter a appelé la police à 23h, cette dernière est arrivée à 3h du matin !

UEFA CL: Inter ahead

The Nerazzurri responded to Pedro's opening goal with goals by Sneijder, Maicon and Milito. A marvellous second half: the Catalan side attacked relentlessly and Mourinho's team struck back on the counter-attack.

MILAN, 20 April 2010 - Inter have rid themselves of the Barcelona syndrome. This is not so much the Champions League as an extended session of psychoanalysis, in which Inter have dealt with all their fears. Including the fear of Barça, who humiliated then at the Camp Nou in November. The European champions can be beaten, they can be put under real pressure. With this come from behind 3-1 victory, revisiting the site of their last trauma will not be so difficult for Inter. It's too soon to book their place in Madrid, as the Catalan ghost could yet return to haunt them, but their legs won't be shaking. Six wins in a row in the Champions League, an all-time record, gives them some stability. A moment from the great night at San Siro: Messi took off on the counter-attack, one-on-one with Zanetti - the captain stopped him in his tracks. And another: Ibrahimovic went off to a chorus of whistles, with the score at 3-1, to make way for Abidal, a defender, because the champions were looking shaky. And another: Milito got cramp, and not without good reason - not only did he provide two assists and score a goal, but he pressured the opposition and ran all night long. San Siro shook with applause when the Prince went off. It was neither the first nor the last time that happened on a memorable evening for the 80,000 in attendance.

And to think that it started badly. The two goals in the first half were the result of defensive errors, of the kind that coaches like Mourinho and Guardiola will not fail to mention. In the case of Barça's goal (19') Maxwell made a run on the left, Cambiasso waited for help from Maicon that never came, then he let him go, hoping that Lucio would pick him up. Nobody did, and the former Inter player got to the by-line, pulled back his cross and an unmarked Pedro struck with a low shot. For Inter's goal, Maicon sent in a low cross for Milito, who got the ball in the middle of the area with his back to the goal: three defenders, including Dani Alves, went for the Prince. A gap opened up for Sneijder, and Diego did well to "offload": the finish was clinical.

Milito was again the provider early in the second half: Pandev took off on the counter-attack, passed to Milito who in turn got the ball to Maicon, who had made a run into the penalty area: Piqué got a touch, but Maicon stabbed it home to give Inter the lead. Were the two assists enough? Not for Milito - he wanted a goal as well, and he got it on 61': Motta expertly won the ball back, Eto'o supplied the cross, Sneijder got a touch on it but it was Diego's header that made it 3-1.

INTER: VASTLY IMPROVED —
They have made huge strides, it has to be said. The Catalans' clean sheet in the group matches was not to be repeated here. Their greater share of possession was small consolation for the European champions - this time Mourinho's team, lined up in a mirror image 4-2-3-1 formation, found space and the means to attack, and did some damage. The first shot on goal came from Eto'o; Milito's first chance, from a parry by Valdes (17'), was wide, but it was not an easy one. He missed a much better opportunity on 27', when Pandev had put him into space, but he sent his shot wide off the outside of his right foot when it seemed that it was "his" goal. Pandev was a different player from the one we have seen recently, but it was the usual double-sided Eto'o - both defending and attacking. On defence Inter began by applying pressure well up, beginning with Milito himself; Sneijder tried to deny Xavi any time to think; Cambiasso, Motta (he twice won the ball back in key situations) and in the third line Samuel all tried to stop Messi from turning to face the goal. Lucio took care of Ibra in his own way: not elegant, but effective. Everyone played as a unit and was watchful, even in the difficult final stages. The one sour note - along with the injury to Maicon who was forced to leave the pitch with a broken tooth - was Balotelli's belligerence: he threw his jersey on the ground at the end of the match, perhaps in protest over the crowd.

UEFA CL: Messi, le messie

Barca 4 – Arsenal 1 (Messi 4 – Bendtner 1)

Incroyable match de Lionel Messi. Il a qualifié Barca à lui tout seul. Il est en effet sur une autre planète par rapport aux autres joueurs. Marquer quatre buts dans un quart-de-finale de la Ligue des Champions, c’est simplement magnifique et du jamais vu! Pour mémoire en Ligue des Champions, Chevtchenko avait marqué 4 buts pour Milan AC contre Fenerbahce en phase de poule en 2005. Si Barca conserve son titre, Messi est le ballon d’Or tout désigné. Mais pour cela, il a intérêt à faire un très bon parcours en Coupe du Monde 2010 avec l’Argentine.

Arsenal n’a pourtant pas démérité. Il leur manquait des cadres importants : Fabregas, Arshavin, Gallas, Campbell… Mais le Barca avait aussi modifié sa défense, sans les titulaires Pujol et Piqué. Cette équipe de Barcelone a apparemment 22 joueurs de très haut niveau. Le Barca pourrait aligner deux équipes compétitives en Ligue des Champions.
L’Inter de Milan, ayant éliminé le CSKA Moscou, retournera au Camp Nou comme lors de la phase de poule pour une place en finale. Ca sera de nouveau le retour de Samuel Eto’o. Messi et Eto’o étaient les buteurs du Barca en finale 2009. Léger avantage au Barca pour une place en finale. Il ne faut malgré tout pas sous-estimer José Mourinho qui sait très bien faire déjouer les grandes équipes.

UEFA Champions League : Nivellement vers le haut

Les matchs « Aller » des quarts de finale de la ligue des champions ont montré un certain nivellement du niveau des équipes. Les pseudo petites équipes ont augmenté leurs niveaux pour atteindre celui des géants. Même si on ne peut pas dire qu’il y ait une petite équipe parmi ces 8 meilleures équipes européennes. Sur les 8, on peut identifier les quatre géants : Manchester United, FC Barcelone, Inter Milan et Bayern Munich.


1. ManU vs Munich
Le Bayern de Munich a battu l’ogre d’Old Trafford par 2 à 1. Les Mancuniens menaient pourtant 1 à 0 dès la 1ère minute de jeu par un but de l’inévitable Wayne Rooney. Les Allemands ont prouvé qu’ils avaient de la ressource. Edwin van der Saar avait juste retardé l’inévitable : une égalisation. Le but de la victoire est venu à la 92e minute. Avantage ManU pour la demi-finale grâce au but marqué à l’extérieur.
NB: Sur ce match, Wayne Rooney s'est blessé à la cheville. Il va rater le match crucial de la Premiere League anglaise ce weekend contre Chelsea et risque même d'être indisponible pour le début de la coupe du monde en Juin en Afrique du Sud.
2. Inter Milan vs CSKA Moscou
Moscou était venu au San Siro pour ne pas prendre de but. Ils ont joué à 10 devant leur gardien de but. Impossible de passer la muraille. Cette stratégie aurait été payante, si Milito n’avait pas finalement trouvé l’ouverture pour l’unique but du match. Avantage Milan pour une place en demi-finale.
3. Lyon vs Bordeaux
La lutte fratricide entre les deux équipes françaises a tourné à l’avantage des Rhodaniens qui sont plus expérimentés en ligue des champions. Les Bordelais ont semblé complètement dépassés, alors qu’ils sont champions de France en titre et leader actuel du championnat. L’OL prend l’avantage avec un score de 3 à 1. Cela devrait suffire pour garantir une place en demi-finale.
4. Arsenal vs FC Barcelone
Les gamins d’Arsène Wenger ont réussi à remonter un déficit de 2 buts pour finir le match sur un 2 à 2 bien mérité. Cependant, Arsenal doit une fière chandelle à son gardien Almunia qui, à mes yeux, est le meilleur gardien espagnol (bien meilleur que Casillas et Valdes, pourtant 1er et 2e gardien de l’équipe nationale espagnole). Ibrahimovic a marqué un doublé. Theo Walcott a réduit le score à 2 à 1. Cesc Fabregas, qui a reçu un carton jaune le privant du match retour au Camp Nou, a égalisé grâce à un penalty extrêmement généreux donné par l’arbitre suisse Massimo Busacca. Celui-ci a, sur ce coup, expulsé le capitaine catalan Pujol pour une faute non évidente. Pujol ratera le match retour. Avantage Barca pour une place en demi-finale, car je ne vois pas les catalans perdre à domicile dans leur citadelle imprenable.
NB: Sur ce match Fabregas s'est blessé à la jambe. Il pense qu'il loupera aussi la coupe du monde en Afrique du Sud.

UEFA CL: tirage au sort 1/4

Voici les quarts de finale de la ligue des champions:

Q1: Lyon - Bordeaux
Q2: Bayern Munich - Manchester United
Q3: Arsenal - Barcelone
Q4: Inter Milan - CSKA Moscou

Demi finales
Q1 - Q2
Q3 - Q4

Finale probable: Manchester United - FC Barcelone (pour un remake)

:-)