EPL Talk » Nani

AC Milan 2-3 Manchester United: 8 Key Observations

Coachie Ballgames — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 03:25:27 +0000

Classic European nights. When we complain about the stifling dominance of the Big Four; when we curse every transfer that sends a promising young player from a lesser club to the Big Four; when we ponder proposals such as debt-to-revenue restrictions, foreign player quotas, and playoffs for European places; when we talk about all these things, we are talking about the promise of classic European nights like Tuesday night at a raucous and roaring San Siro. Some observations:

For those, like me, who have not followed Serie A this season, rumors of Ronaldinho’s reemergence proved true as his side-steps, dummys and darting runs gave Man United no end of trouble in the first half. Nineteen-year old Rafael will have much to ponder before the second leg should he get the chance to start again.
Not a news flash, but the match gave further proof that Manchester United’s defense is in shambles. Poor communication, poor tackling, poor clearances, poor marking, poor closing, Man United was guilty of it all. Nemanja Vidic’s absence was glaring. Patrice Evra looked like he had been shot in the back as he attempted to clear Goldenballs’ free kick; which produced Ronaldinho’s goal. Last season, defense was Man United’s greatest strength during their dominating run to the Champions League final. In the first half last night, Milan played like a young Colin Farrell, penetrating at will. Man United were quite lucky to only be down by one before Paul Scholes’ fluky equalizer in the 36th.
Man United’s defence may have been awful, but Rio Ferdinand showed he may be on the road to recovery with his stoppage of a rampaging Ronaldinho in the 19th minute. Caught one-on-one, Rio got all of the ball as Ronaldinho tripped to the ground a moment later. Ronaldinho knew he was beat fairly as he only gave a half-hearted shout for a foul.
Nani, Nani, Nani. No, no, no. It got so bad that his own mates were chewing him out, most notably a visibly disgusted Wayne Rooney. Nani’s “crosses” don’t deserve the term. They were more like releasing hummingbirds into the wind. Or balloons let go by giddy children on a breezy spring day. His “crosses” are perhaps easier understood as tributes to Norman Foster’s Wembley arch.
Rooney had so much space as he headed his second goal, even Nani could have bagged it. Daniele Bonera and Alessandro Nesta played that sequence like they were statues better suited for display in Milan’s Castello Sforzesco museum.
Man United’s change kit of a plain white shirt accented by random stripes paired with blue shorts and white socks is a bore. The chevron that goes across the chest of both their red and blue shirts is striking and oddly absent from this white shirt. I’m of the belief that Manchester United’s change shirt for European games should be blue whenever possible, in honor of 1968.
The tale of the tape for the managers entering the game favored Sir Alex Ferguson’s 36 years of experience against Leonardo’s nine months. Man United weathered the early storm well. Substitutions had real impact. Antonio Valencia came on for an inept Nani in the 64th. Within 2 minutes he lofted a perfect cross for Rooney to head home. Big bossman Clarence Seedorf came on in the 72nd for a largely invisible David Beckham. Seedorf’s audacious and stupendous back-heeled goal in the 85th gave a new intensity to the game’s final minutes and gives Milan hope for the second leg at Old Trafford.
The second leg at Old Trafford is not until March 10th. This new gap between legs, implemented this season for the first time, allows us to watch more of the games in this first knockout round. Man United won the first leg, but Milan definitely have the firepower to answer the challenge. With both Milan and Manchester United displaying such ineptitude on defence, it should be another scorcher.

Arsenal and Man United Match Revealed a Big Difference Between Both Sides

The Gaffer — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:02:07 +0000

It sounds too simple, but the difference between Arsenal and Manchester United on Sunday was finishing. Both teams had several chances in front of goal. Manchester United scored most of them. Arsenal missed all of them except for one deflection.

There were several shots from Arsenal that skimmed past the post or straight at Edwin van der Sar. Andrei Arshavin and Alexandre Song had plenty of chances. So too did Cesc Fabregas and others wearing red and white.

But when Manchester United pushed forward and had a chance in front of goal, you had the feeling that something was going to happen, that they would make Almunia work hard, and that they did.

The other differentiating factor in today’s game was the combination of Nani and Wayne Rooney both of whom were on fire in the first half.

Finally, finally, finally Nani showed a little bit of magic. After two years of horrible performances, pathetic even, he finally showed one flash of brilliance and deservedly got a goal after beating three players and forcing Almunia to reach back to prevent the ball going to Park, only for the Spanish goalkeeper to knock the ball into the back of the net.

Then a few minutes later with Arsenal on the attack, Manchester United cleared the ball and went on the counter. Nani linked up with Rooney in their own half and then both went sprinted forward. Nani planted a sublime pass to Rooney who had gone on a blistering run and scored a delightful goal. You won’t see many goals better than that.

The Gunners pulled back a late goal after a deflected show from Thomas Vermaelen found the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough and was quite a depressing day overall for Arsenal players and supporters alike.

One more point: I was a bit alarmed to see Manchester United away supporters holding up a banner that proclaimed “Die Die Glazer.” It’s one thing to be angry at the Americans for the debt situation that Manchester United is in, but to go to an extreme like that is uncalled for.

Photo credit: Paolo Camera.

Premier League Footballer of the Week, Gameweek 24

Jesse Chula — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 16:02:18 +0000

It was a weekend that was at times as smooth as a Guti backheel, as bleak as a cold stare from the lugubrious one and as heroic as a late winner off the head of a man who looks to save face for club and country. There was a relegation 6-pointer and a massive title implication match between old foes, all offering the best of the Barclays Premier League. There were of course quality performances all across England, Jozy Altidore energetically for Hull City setting up a goal and winning a penalty, Dirk Kuyt’s workmanlike performance at Anfield and Steven Fletcher’s fine piece of skill to slot home and equalize for Burnley against Chelsea. Before the second ever Premier League Footballer of the Week is awarded, here are a few more than worthy performances that shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Honorable Mention -

Jamie O’Hara, Portsmouth – His side came out on the short end of a 2-0 scoreline at Eastlands to Manchester City, but the on-loan midfielder from Spurs was beyond solid for Pompey. Portsmouth set up with a 4-3-3 with O’Hara starting on the left side of midfield. What impressed me about O’Hara was his ability to be defensive minded when he needed to be coupled with his ability to think forward when the opportunity presented itself. Pompey were unlucky not to take the lead in the first half as O’Hara’s low, well-struck shot took a deflection and should have found it’s way into Given’s goal. City cleared their line with O’Hara left to rue his luck. O’Hara rarely misplaced a pass the entire day, I counted one failed attempt in the second half to twenty plus successful forward passes. His 54th minute attempt on goal trickled just past the post, but was another low, well struck shot after some nifty 1, 2 passing that could have resulted in a goal.

O’Hara is calm on the ball and takes passes comfortably and with poise. His low shots, whether on target or not are a welcome relief from watching strikers continuously blast delusional shot after shot into row zed. Despite their luck, Portsmouth and specifically O’Hara saw out their shifts in a game that very well could have ended 2-2. O’Hara, the Pompey players and supporters deserve better than their current state of affairs.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Aston Villa – The England striker scored both of his teams goals in a business as usual performance as Martin O’Neill’s men look to stay in reach of that coveted fourth spot. Villa are now 2 points off Tottenham who have multiple teams breathing down their back, but Villa stay close having played one less match. Agbonlahor was partnered up front with fellow Englishman Emile Heskey as both forward players looked to benefit from some quality service from Villa’s talented midfield. Agbonlahor did just that. In a first half four minute span, Gabby beat out Chris Smalling in the air to head home Villa’s opener. The Manchester United-bound Smalling failed to recognize Agbonlahor’s aerial prowess and was left rooted to the ground as Mark Schwarzer picked the ball out of the Fulham goal. Minutes later, in one of the weekend’s finest moments of individual skill, Agbonlahor spun circles around Brede Hangeland and curled an impressive shot around Schwarzer to claim all three points for Villa.

Premier League Footballer of the Week -

Wayne Rooney, Manchester United – Sharing the plaudits with a certain mysterious number 17 named Nani who played like a man possessed for United against Arsenal, Wayne Rooney was brilliant yet again for the Champions, leaving United fans chuffed at the outcome and wondering where these performances from Nani have been throughout the ‘09-’10 season. Rooney’s pace, fitness levels, striking ability, passing ability and all around desire to play football and win make Rooney a manager’s dream and he certainly carries the hopes and dreams of an entire nation on his shoulders for this summer’s World Cup.

In one of the best examples of effective counter-attacking football since Manchester United sliced Arsenal up in last season’s Champions League semi-final 2nd leg, United (Park to Rooney to Nani back to Rooney) produced a stunning, 13 second (36:10 to 36:23) gem of a goal to go up 2-0 on Arsenal. The quality of the goal itself was Rooney’s ability to burst forward to receive Nani’s ball into the box after passing to Nani in the first place.

After Rooney found Nani out wide on United’s right flank to start the counter attack, he then made up the 10-15 yards he was behind Nani. Nani then carried the ball over half the length of the pitch to find a bursting Rooney who was now 5 yards in front of Nani and two steps into Arsenal’s box where he met the ball with a hard, right footed shot into the back of the net. Simply stunning, breathtaking and if you blinked or looked down to sip your coffee, you’d have missed it.

Manchester United will consider a message sent to Chelsea as this season’s title race continues to gain steam. If Wayne Rooney can continue his current form, United will certainly have a say in this year’s race. Anxious eyes now look to the 3rd of April visit of Chelsea to Old Trafford for what could be a title decider as both clubs stay in top form.

Euro 2008 Group A Final Match Predictions

Paul Bestall — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 16:29:14 +0000

Tonight sees the first dual clash with Czech Republic playing Turkey whilst Switzerland host Portugal. With Portugal through as Group Winners, all eyes will be on Geneva. We could potentially have a first in Group qualification with the fact that should tonight’s game end in a draw, we will go straight into a penalty shoot out to decide who finishes runners up in the group. I hope we don’t come to that and the game is completely decided before the final whistle is blown.

It’s looking more and more likely that the Czechs will revert to playing Koller and Baros together up front. This tournament has really shown just how much quality they’ve lost from midfield with the retirements of Nedved, Berger, Smicer, Poborsky and the injury to Rosicky. They’ve played a game that is based on midfielders bursting forward to link up with the front man, but the quality simply hasn’t been there.

Turkey also may look to starting the game with the team that finished the 2-1 victory that eliminated the Swiss as coach Fatih Terim looks to guide the Turks through. He made a tactically brilliant change at half time to swing the game in their favour and Terim has often been underrated as a coach, the disappointing spell as coach of AC Milan perhaps diluting his achievements at Fiorentina and Galatasaray and his first stint as national coach.

Turkey certainly looked back to their best in the second half against the Swiss and this game is make or break for both coaches. I’m going to go for a 1-0 win for the Czech Republic tonight, which will then lead them to a potential clash with Germany in the Quarter Finals.

Tonight’s other game will probably gives us a chance to see the players on the fringes of the Portuguese squad, with Queresma, Almeida and Nani expected to start. Switzerland will be playing for pride tonight but know that their opponents will have several players trying to prove to Phil Scolari that they deserve a chance of being in his first choice XI. Whilst it would be nice for the Swiss to get anything out of this, I can’t see them beating Portugal and think it could be a 3-0 defeat for the Swiss.