Shut Up Already

In the wake of ‘Grand Slam Sunday’ in the EPL, the one thing that weighed above all else in my mind was what was Mascherano’s problem?

Was his initial yellow card unfair? In my opinion, yes. I did not see the malicious intent. It was early in the game and he had not produced any fouls prior to that. And replays showed that once he realized he was not going to retrieve the ball, he pulled out of the tackle. Was it a foul? Absolutely. There was no contact with the ball. But the man in charge deemed it worthy of a yellow card.

So why was it a yellow card? Beats me. Possible reasons are: referee, Steve Bennett didn’t have the instant replays and it looked worse than it was from his point of view. Maybe he felt that tackle was one that would have started a trend and he wanted to stamp it out before things got out of hand. Or, maybe he just doesn’t like Mascherano’s face. Whatever the reason; it’s clear that calls are not up for debate.

After the first yellow, Mascherano’s reaction was sufficient enough for a red card right there and then. Verbally abusing the referee, getting right in his face, and being overly aggressive. It was a big game, so he let it slide fearing the backlash. I wouldn’t be surprised if he began to question the original yellow card. The game continues. Mascherano, seemingly unfazed by his yellow card as he continually made reckless challenges and question referee Steve Bennett calls. Of course, a few tackles latter and more attitude from Mascherano left Liverpool with 10 men. What a complete waste. The end result was completely disastrous as Manchester United went on to thump the Reds 3 – 0. Effectively stamping out the league championship and further jeopardizing the fourth and final Champions League spot.

So what is Benitez to do? He literally had to grab a hold of Mascherano and talk some sense into him before he left the pitch. A club fine would be ok. Further match game suspensions handed down by the league is better. But what else can be done? This came not even a week after Ashley Cole’s fall out with a referee during the match at White Hart Lane. Cole went in studs first on Alan Hutton of Tottenham and proceeded to turn his back on referee Mike Riley when being shown the yellow card. Cole turned his back on the referee and that was enough to spark intense media debate over respect for officials in the EPL. It was talked about all week. Apologies were made. Vows renewed by clubs to enforce good behaviour from their players. Not even a week passed by and cameras were zoomed in on Mascherano’s mouth as he repeatedly told the referee to ‘Fuck off’ after the first yellow card. Mascherano then seemed to lose his mind after being shown the red card.

The recent quoted response from Mascherano was: “I do not know why I was sent off”; followed by, “All I did was ask him what was happening, nothing else”. I must admit, I do admire his attempt to plead ignorance. But it’s hard to do when you’re playing an important game with cameras watching your every move. We know why you got a red card and we can tell you exactly what you did wrong: You didn’t keep your mouth shut.

Juventus at Inter Milan, Saturday, March 22, 2008

The first half had a good highlight reel, despite the lack of goals. By my count, the Serie A TV commentators used the phrase “being played at a high tempo” 256 times. At one point, Pavel Nedved yelled at Giorgio Chiellini. At another, Pavel Nedved had a bleeding nose. Lots of killer saves, too, but we’ll get to those in a bit.

The second half was set to start. Inter were on the field. So was Gianluigi Buffon, jumping, stretching, sporting that outstanding black wool thing he keeps around his head to keep warm. His teammates were still in the dressing room. I only caught one shot of the Inter players on TV. Marco Materazzi was talking to a teammate. I don’t remember who. (One of of Inter’s biggest problems right now: the players are faceless). He looked nervous, scared even. Yes, I am judging him with hindsight: Materazzi went on to play what was probably the worst second half of his professional soccer career.

Eventually, Juve arrived. They looked pumped. Did Juve gain a psychological edge by delaying the game? I’ll leave that for the pundits. All I know is this: Juventus destroyed Inter in the second half.

First goal, less than five minutes in: Juve takes a quick free kick from the halfway line, out right to Camoranesi on the wing. His stupid and amazing ponytail flies in the air as he sprints toward the goal. The Inter defenders stand like their feet have been nailed to the cross. Then Julio Cesar makes a really stupid mistake: As he comes out to play Camoranesi, he raises his hand. He even turns his head to the left to see if the hand had any effect. The linesman keeps his flag down. No offside, according to him. Camoranesi slots the ball between Cesar’s falling legs. Goal.

Note to Julio Cesar: You’re a great keeper. You single-handedly kept the score respectable today. I even like when you grow that perverted mustache. But here’s the thing: YOU’RE NOT THE FUCKING LINESMAN. Play the ball, not the call. (And yes, I know Camoranesi was offside. Doesn’t matter.)

See Buffon would never have done that. In the first half, Chivu took a great free kick, but Buffon stretched left and knocked it out for a corner, one of those Buffon stops that no one else makes. He also made some excellent saves after the whistle had gone. On several occasions, he did that amazing thing where he’s holding the ball between his bicep and his armpit and presses down on the air, the universal sign for “calm the fuck down.” I love Gigi Buffon.



Del Piero spun around Materazzi, like what, four, five times? One of the Serie A TV commentators suggested this was the best game Del Piero had played in years. (When the game was over, the commentator called it “another great advert for the Serie A.” He says that pretty much every week. If there’s any truth what he’s saying, then when I’m watching Serie A TV, I’m watching advertising for 90 minutes straight.)

Del Piero created a lot of excitement, for sure. But his free kicks were awful (which, to be fair, the commentators did point out). And he missed two easy ones. I mean, all credit to him for getting into those positions. But if you don’t score, it counts for nothing. Nothing. Got that?

Del Piero’s assist on Trezeguet’s second goal, that counted for something. Edge of the Inter box, he plays a lovely backheel past Burdisso’s useless head. A charging Trezeguet bombs it past Cesar with his left. Then he jogs the long way around the Inter net toward the Bianconeri supporters with a giant, golden smile on his face. Del Piero leaps onto the Frenchman’s back with the joy of an eight-year-old and eventually the whole team is doing the Huddle-and-Pat.

Inter got a late one from Maniche, who also rung one off the post. Don’t be fooled, though: Maniche still sucks very much.

So what’s wrong with Inter? Poor managing (why play Burdisso in central defense and Chivu in midfield)? A little bit of of bad luck. Morale. And of, course, injuries.

Which injuries are hurting them most? Easy: Samuel and Cordoba. When Cordoba went down, Inter began to unravel. The World Cup fire has gone out in Materazzi. Burdisso is NOT a central defender. Maxwell and Maicon play well on the flanks in attack, but they need strong, solid men in the middle to back them up.

See, Ibra, Cruz and Suazo are not injured. Sure, Cambiasso was out today and yes, Inter missed him dearly. But Cambiasso played against Liverpool. He played against Genoa. He played against Roma. Samuel and Cordoba did not. No Viera, no Figo, no Crespo; no matter. Inter’s problem is in the middle of the back.

Your thoughts?

Match highlights (Italian commentary):

Mancini's Feint

After Inter was knocked out of the Champions League in the first knock-out round—again—coach Roberto Mancini announced this would be his final season with the Milan club. The club and players were confused, especially since, earlier this season, Mancini signed a four year contract extension.

Within 24 hours of Mancini's declaration, he reneged. He claimed his earlier comments were the result of being too upset and emotional from being dumped out of the prestigious competition yet again. He would not be leaving. But this raises the question: is it his decision anymore?

Inter and its fans have been anxiously awaiting European victory since 1965. President Massimo Morratti has been trying to assemble a world class team to repeat the feat of 1965.

In the wake of Calpocioli scandal, Inter have become Serie A's giants. They were awarded the 2005/06 Scudetto when Juventus were found guilty of match-fixing shenanigans. They captured the 06/07 Scudetto in a Juventus-less Serie A and with an A.C. Milan suffering from a points penalty. This season, they are in first place, a slim six points ahead of A.S. Roma. But despite their success in Italy, they do not seem to have the right frame of mind for UEFA's top club tournament. Strong on paper, this team has consistently failed to come through in big games

With regards to the latest tie with Liverpool, I felt the two red cards, in each leg respectively, were unfair. I would have perferred an 11 v 11 battle in both legs. But I have no say on the matter (unfortunately). I do feel for Inter. but I can't help but view their accomplishments over the last three years as circumstantial. Their repeated exit from the Champions League may prove that they are not as strong many of us had believed.

Mancini's recent actions have no doubt affected the Inter locker room, where mutiny has already been brewing. Lucky for Mancini, captain Javier Zannetti backs his coach unconditionally. He has presumably kept the locker room in check. But even a great guy like Zannetti was no doubt shaken up by the fact his coach was ready to jump ship so quickly.

Now let's assess the Jose Mourinho factor. He is arguably the most important Portuguese figure in soccer today. He's also out of work and big team coaches are certainly feeling his breath down their necks. Mourinho has stated he will only sign with a big team with a president who will give him full support in his vision. Italy or Spain are his primary objective, he has said. Media reports of Inter President Morratti and Mourinho exchanging terms of affection to each other undoubtedly made Mancini sweat even more. After the Champions League failure, perhaps he thought it better to quit and keep his dignity. Unfortunately, that only works if you actually quit. Now it looks like he pulled the 'I Quit' stunt simply to hear some reassuring words from the president, team, fans, and media and to squash the Mourinho rumors. I feel that will not be the case. Mancini has effectively shot himself in the foot.

If he didn't want to quit Inter, he might have inadvertently gotten himself fired.

As one

Sport is the foundation of my relationship with my dad, so it’s only natural that he has tainted my view of soccer.

Dad grew up in Guyana on the coast of South America – they consider themselves part of the West Indies, are far from a superpower, but they enjoy the game. I learnt at a young age that I should be cheering for the South Americans over Europeans in World Cups. By the same turn, I came to relish an Italy loss as much as a Brazil win, simply because Dad didn't want the Italians to win. I like to think his dislike had something to do with their great, but boring (I might call it negative) defensive style.

The first World Cup final I remember vividly took place in 1994, and Dad and I celebrated wildly when after a boring 120 minutes, Roberto Baggio drove his spot kick over the goal.

I didn't realize it at the time, but I was forming a way of watching the World's game that can only be described as negative. Soon other great nations like Germany, Spain and (yes, even) England were added to my list of nations to root against.

It was natural, I think.

For one, I'm a grab-bag mix of four nationalities, none of which are particularly great footballing nations – save for Portugal, but we've had a falling out – so I don't have any strong blood ties to a country. The closest thing I have now to a national team is Liverpool, after a drunk and happy group of fans adopted me there when I showed up to watch, in the First National pub, the Reds defeat Chelsea in the 2007 Champions League semi-final. It's a great feeling having a connection, but now Liverpool matches are the only ones I don't enjoy watching, unless the Reds are winning 4-0, of course.

For two, growing up near Toronto, a hockey-mad city, in a time just before sports channels started picking up weekend Premier League fixtures and weekday Champions League (my favourite club competition, by far), all I learnt about football as a kid was taught to me during those month-long international tournaments when passions were high and Italian/Romanian/Argentinean/Nigerian-Canadians hung flags in their windows and danced in the streets after wins.

With nothing invested in these soccer matches carrying on around the world, save for a desire to see many goals and nail-biting finishes, watching soccer has always been about being entertained and soaking up the passions floating through the stadia.

I will never forget the sound of red-clad South Korean fans beating the drums during that host nations improbable and controversial run to the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup. How can any of us who witnessed it, whether live or on television, ever forget? Watching Korea v Italy (ah, them again) play in the sticky heat, it seemed as though all 22 men on the pitch were united in a passion play, that the fans in the stand were also connected, to this thing that was happening, this moment, and that I, yes even I, watching from miles away when I should be in class, was part of it. I felt it again, and finally had to admit to my dad that the Italians deserved to win, when in 2006 they beat Germany.

That idea, that through a game, people all over the world in all different time zones, can be united, is… utopian, I know, but I believe on those rare occassions it does happen.
So if at times I seem more interested in what the fans reaction was to an incident on the pitch, or what my own feelings were when watching a match, you'll know why. If I whine about a match that had no rhythm to it, you'll know why.

I moved to the United Arab Emirates recently, where I feel spoiled by the amount of soccer they show on TV. We also have two local soccer clubs based about a 20 minutes walk from each other, a first for me. I plan to take advantage of it, so if I write a lot about local fans and the club behind the shopping mall versus the talented guys down the road, you'll know why.

Peter Pan will never grow up

Further to my earlier post on Antonio Cassano, Chris at The Offside has this hilarious and spot-on review of Peter Pan's genius/idiotic performance on the weekend.

Talentino started the meltdown off in splendid fashion by scoring his 3,147th goal in the last month (or so it seems). Then he kicked out at the corner flag, as he’s been known to do, and the corner flag hit back, cutting him in the lip - proving that the corner flags of Serie A aren’t going to take his shit anymore.

If I may paraphrase a famous fictional soup chef: No Euro for you!

Cesare Prandelli: The Purple Prince of Fiorentina

Depending on your fashion tastes, Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli is either the best or worst dressed man currently bossing a bench in Serie A. The Viola’s “Mister” seems to prefer purple tracksuits to the business suits his peers opt for, though he’s seemingly not opposed to donning a leather jacket over top to classy up the look.


Recently, he attempted to inspire his young players by wearing what appears to be a purple gortex jacket. Check it out:


Whatever you may think of the garb, you cannot deny the managerial skills. In 2006, the sexcellently-dressed Prandelli won the Golden Bench award for taking a team which had struggled to avoid relegation the previous season to a fourth-place Champions League spot. Calciopoli stripped the side of the opportunity to play in Europe and strapped it with a 15-point deduction at home for the 2006/2007 season. The Purple Prince, however, guided his boys to a fifth-place finish despite the deficit. They’re currently alive and well in the UEFA Cup this season and posing a serious threat to win the whole thing.

Prandelli has a knack for the timely substitution, an intuitive coaching ability that’s part genius and part dumb luck. His sideline manner is calm for the most part, and he seems to have a strong command of his troops.

Fiorentina are once again challenging hard for Champions League spot this season, and today’s win over Juventus took them a step closer. The fact that the team won without star striker Adrian Mutu makes the victory all the more impressive. While the side is undeniably inexperienced, it is also full of raw talent and enthusiasm. Is Prandelli the man who will lead these youngsters and the Fiorentina fans back to the glories of the early 1960s? If his loud outfits are anything to go by, the answer is a resounding, purple yes.

Fiorentina break 30 year winless draught

That's right. Fiorentina has just sunk Juventus away in Turin for the first time in 30 years. The three points are a massive boost for Fiorentina's hopes to secure the fourth and final Champions League spot ahead of A.C. Milan.

With the injury of Adrian Mutu that will sideline him for the next four months, Fiorentina's hopes for maintaining the fourth-place spot in Serie A slipped significantly. Much of Fiorentina's success has been directly attributed to the in-form Mutu, who's scored 14 impressive goals, third overall in Serie. Aside from hisscoring proficiency, Fiorentina 's team play has greatly been influenced by the Romanian. Mutu's injury could end their Champions League hopes.

Cesare Prandelli, Fiorentina's head coach, will now have to depend on his young and inexperienced players. But before we get to them, there are high calibre players and stars within the roster. Riccardo Montolivo, for one, has been regaining steam after a lacklustre start to 2008. The playmaker is again displaying the form that has gained him national team call-ups under Italy's Roberto Donadoni. Sebastien Frey, Fiorentina's French goalkeeper, has gained recognition as the second best goalkeeper in Serie A, second to Juventus' Gianluigi Buffon. Furthermore, Cristian Vieri is also on the payroll, providing a wealth of experience, though his overall form has been consistently criticized by the fans and media. Also not to be forgotten, Tomas Ujfalusi, Martin Jorgenson, Fabio Liverani, and Franco Semioli.

Although the team has its strengths, Adrian Mutu has been an irreplaceable figure for the team. His injury will now force the youngsters within the ranks to prove their worth to the team and fans. The three primary youth players for Fiorentina that all eyes will be fixed on are Papa Waigo, Pablo Osvaldo, and Giampaolo Pazzini. Of the three mentioned, Pazzini has been the only player to get national recognition. Pazzini has displayed his abilities on numerous occasions and has worked nicely in Prandelli's three attacker formation. Prandelli showed his faith in the youngster giving him the start against Juventus. Pazzini played well and worked hard for his side. Yet the equalizer was scored by the substitute Waigo, while the game winner was netted in injury time by the also substituted Osvaldo.

Prandelli's substitutes proved to be crucial in deciding the outcome of the match and boosted the confidence of the team and supporters, proving there still can be success without Mutu as long as the team can rely upon themselves to rise the occasion. It will be important for Prandelli to find consistent goal scorers from within his ranks to finish off the season with fourth place secured ahead of A.C. Milan. It will not be easy as A.C. Milan will be working in overdrive to challenge for that spot. With both A.C. Milan and Fiorentina in important secondary competitions, the Champions League and UEFA Cup respectively. Will Fiorentina prove that they have the drive and depth to hold A.C. Milan at bay? Or will they succumb to fatigue near the final stretch?

We will have to wait and see. In the meantime, we can still be entertained by a surprisingly resilient Fiorentina.