Moltocalcio

Roma have breakout day against Cesena and Totti surpases

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 06:21:34 PST

AS Roma captain Francesco Totti cemented his name in the Serie A record books by becoming the leading goal scorer for a single club with 211 goals. The Roma Captain surpassed the great Swedish and AC Milan forward Gunner Nordhals 210 goals.

Luis Enrique's side ran rampant yesterday in a much needed romp.Showing the potency of his system which for months has shown the possibility of scoring greatness creating tons of chances per game.But rarely having the quality to finally breakthrough. Yesterday Roma finally broke through. Not to nit pick.But i will....Francesco record setting 211th goal was clearly offside. I am sure he's had a few legitimate goals called back so i will look away on this one.

Luis Enrique's dogmatic approach is a revolutionary act in the Pragmatic Serie A

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 07:20:20 PST

From making public Pablo Osvaldo's thrown punch against Erik Lamela, to the benching of Osvaldo,to Luis Enrique's strict rotation policy or to what many are deeming his Autocratic rule, is Luis Enrique's approach counter intuitive to a style of play that demand's an artists flare. The mirror brings to light Luis Enrique's many challenges.

click here

"For one, the man’s infatuation with constant rotation has baffled his many followers. Gazzetta dello Sport's Mario Pagliara put it best when he wrote in his review of the Udinese vs Roma game last week: “It was 8pm when we found ourselves blinking at another of Luis Enrique's team sheets.”

Embattled Enrique feels the heat

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 08:12:21 PST

I love watching Roma, and i hope Luis Enrique is given something most are not given in this society.The time to implement a vision and a standard.But in a world where results trump process the embattled Spaniard may find his vision is a bridge too far.In the city that gave the world the addage"Rome wasn't built in a day" The Guardian's Paolo Baldini gives us a perspective of what it must be like for the troubled Spaniard this Morning.click here

The desire to do football . " We want to entertain , " the manifesto of Luis Enrique few days ago.

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 06:21:26 PDT

I have to admit for the first time in years i am giddy at the prospects of a Roma season.And admittedly it has more to do with manager then the owner. Despite understanding it all starts at the top. I am so intrigued to see how Roma play stylistically,how they adjust to stress tactically and then how the players react and respond. Will Thomas Di Benedetto be a patient man. Looking at his Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona has been their forever. That may be an insight into Di Benedetto's personality.

I was also wondering how Francesco Totti would react to Enrique.My imagination pictured Enrique and Totti battling each other philosophically.The Legend and the new guy.Who reaches out? And what will the response be? I have to admit to worry about allot of friction their.If Totti doesn't fit tactically or philosophically will that be the thread that pulls the whole fabric apart? I hope not.I haven't been this excited in recent memory about a Roman Campaign.

Fortunately early reviews are in from Totti and teammates alike.And they are positive.

Enrique is keen to implement a new style of football at the club, focusing on possession, something that had pleased Perrotta.

"The squad working here in pre-season is pretty much the same as in previous years, but everyone likes this new style of football," Perrotta said.

And from Totti

"The system and methods proposed by the coach are new, interesting and above all very stimulating," Totti told the club's official website. "The sessions began in earnest today at Riscone di Brunico. We are only at the start: day by day we will discover new things and settle into this different reality." "Everything depends on us and it'll be our duty to put in the maximum effort right from now."

Mourinho gets one year extension

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Thu, 05 May 2011 07:45:50 PDT

Jose Mourinho extended his stay at Madrid for another year which raises the question, is Real Madrid a good fit philosophically for a resolute pragmatist like Jose Mourinho? How does a man with a laser focus for victory work at a club that values process also? How does Mou reconcile the fact that the club he manages demands fantastic results along with matching performances.Stylistic wins that make the Romantics salivate while giving the non partisans wonder and awe as Barcelona have for years now.

Mou may me oblivious to the fact that he is beholden at Madrid to a massive budget that is conjoined with a philosophy for spectacle. He must recognize that the two are inseparable. What is certain is both Mourinho and Madrid will be true to their natures but only one will win.Beauty must be part of the process and that breeze against Mouriho's back is not a friendly wind but the pushing hands of past generations who demand their clubs ego and great play cannot be blindly abandoned for a day to day adjustment of a master chess player.

Real Madrid fans will bury their desire for spectacle only so long.Once they feel they have sold their soul or identity just for the result, then the lingering taste of being seen as just another side that wins will wear thin with fans and club and exhaust the manager implementing the program. Remember context matters and as long as Barcelona keeps winning with grace and style beloved by partisans then Madrid as the other big club in Spain will be the constant comparison.

Mourinho will win next year.A satiated Barcelona who i think will be too much for Man United may set the table for a great second year at Madrid for Jose.But will he constantly be pushed to make his club into an image that does not exist in his own mind?

With all Real Madrid's talent and dollars spent can Mourinho's unapologetic results based view of life and football seem be compatible? Like a man who over eats the food not suited for his body but only eats to fulfill a personal desire will Jose Mourinho eventually conclude that he is not good for Real Madrid and Madrid for him.

Surely he must understand that Madrid hired him in a panicked moment of fear and jealousy because they are no longer as successful and as beautiful as Spain's other big club? Mou has his place in the game with clubs that love him for his philosophy and his incredible ability to get results.He must understand this quickly and see this season not as an aberration but instead as the canary in the mine shaft and the Canary has just breathed in the toxins of ill fitting expectation.

Mou must learn to be happy working in a place that appreciates him for who he is.One of the parties involved will have to reconcile that they cannot escape their true natures and this one year extension signed yesterday ensures the lesson hasn't been learned guaranteeing someone will get hurt.

MLS passion is the best is North American Sports

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 08:28:41 PDT

This isn't a fad.Soccer fans are the best fans in Sports.Here's another sample of three games.All from Major League Soccer.

Just the best on our side of the pond....No pumped in music,no frills no artificially created environments.Just organic energy fueled by a ton of passion.

As a Roma fan James Richardson's European Paper Review is worth a watch and laugh

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 08:32:25 PDT

Big fan of James Richardson.He's a master of Punning. As Punnery goes Jimbo makes it digestible. Despite his abuse of it i find James to be brilliant and more often then not quite hilarious.His Paper round up is well worth the watch.If your a Roma fan click the link for a few shits and giggles.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/video/2011/apr/01/james-richardson-european-papers-video?CMP=twt_gu

Carlo needs to stay at Chelsea

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 07:18:45 PDT

In the ever impulsive world we live in where patience is the court jester,taking the long view is almost a revolutionary act. Super Billionaire Roman Abramovich Chelsea owner must in an act of pure defiance against his own personality and character hold on to Carlo Ancelotti and remind himself that Carlo did not forget how to manage.If he is unsure of this fact he need only ask any of his employees to dig up proof of life of Carlo's quality and Romans own decision to hire the two time Champions league winner in the first place.(2003-2007) and Double winner just last year.The clubs first ever double.

In an age with incredible salaries and thus great expectation a manger must win always.The physics of such thinking cannot sustain itself.Its a math formula that cant have a solution with repeatable results. Here in lies the rub.How does any rational owner expect success at the highest level consistently when his competition is as good and led by leaders of equal ability? After all their is only one trophy.Not one standard that if executed gives everyone victory.That's the hardest part for owners and fans. Great jobs can be done in the same year but only one winner.(See David Moyes)

If the Champions league is Abromovich's real prize he must reconcile these facts. Real Madrid, Barcelona , Manchester United,Inter,Milan, Arsenal and soon Man City to a lesser extent have Chelsea's spending power and talent but also have managers as good as his man. Six super clubs with men who know how to win (Inter is the exception this season but their money keeps them in this conversation)

In math to problem solve their are four stages.First Understanding the problem? Its not Carlo.I think its safe to say Chelsea are an aging club who in desperation overspent on a attacker (Fernando Torres) who has lost his belief in his abilities.At 28 he still has time.But his salary forced him onto the pitch and ever compounded his his pressure to perform. If aging is the issue to be addressed then the next step is Chelsea must Formulate a plan for a solution.

Organize the given given facts and estimate an answer.If Age is Chelsea's biggest issue then can Carlo Ancelotti work and improve a younger squad on a somewhat limited budget? Step three is Solve the problem: This is where most organizations fail.If they have asked the wrong question it'll be impossible to come up with the right solution.

Finally Roman Abramovich must Check the solution. Here is where Roman must be self aware enough to look back at his own decisions in 2006,2007,2008 and ask has he recognized those past problems and learned from them? If not will being impulsive now as he has in the past get him the desired result he desperately wants. Roman must Check his calculations. Take responsibility for any errors he made? And finally have enough wisdom to ask does his own answer make sense when lifted to the light of reality? Has the question been answered properly?

Romans reputation for impulsive reactionary thinking could win out.But like Claudio Ranieri,Jose Mourinho,Avram Grant,Gus Hiddink,Felipe Scolari and now Carlo Ancelotti the constant is Abromovich and not the great names just mentioned. So a bit of consistency could be the cure Chelsea need most of all now.That is of course unless you feel a double winning manager and two time European Champion has forgotten how to manage,lead and win.

Roma fail to brave choppy seas,or put simply Roma fart away big lead again.......

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 04:53:09 PST

I am very grateful for ESPN3. With great consistency i can follow Roma. But this year has been brutally cruel in its teasing nature of gaining big leads only to loose them. Parma repeated the act today down 2-0. Amuari's brilliant back heal flick made it 2-1.He followed that up flicking home a Hernan Crespo created rebound to tie the game at 2-2. So again in back to back weeks Roma squander a 3-0 lead last week followed by a 2 goal lead this week.

On a puzzling note..
Vincenzo Montella's anti pragmatic decision to replace Francesco Totti's creativity with Marco Borriello upfront defending a 2-1 lead had me puzzled. A bird in hand is better then two in the bushes meant little to Montella who felt no one off the bench could solidify the defense and instead must have thought the best defense is by going forward in attack.

Roma dodge 1 bullet...
Amauri's goal was brilliant and Roma were spared their blushes when Seba Giovinco had a 3 on 2 with 1 minute remaining in the contest but very fortunately for Roma chipped wide catching Doni off his line.

Footytube will have all the Serie A highlightes. Despite my disapointment Amuari's first goal is beautiful and desrves recognition.

Francesco Totti also made his 600th apearance today and capped it with a well taken penalty.

click here for highlightes from the Serie A

Mancini correct about insanity of Premiership demands

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 05:59:48 PST

I like many people have been agonizing about the murderous nature of the Premiership and its demands on its athletes.In January of 2008 i wrote...

We had some great boxing day games in England over the holidays and a full slate this weekend of premiership action. There was some great stuff. But does this continuation of football serve to undermine the Premiership? Do clubs like Liverpool and Man Utd suffer in the Spring against Clubs like AC Milan and Real Madrid who have had at least two weeks off? I cant believe it helps in the long run. to cont reading click here

ESPNsoccernet staff...
As a relative newcomer to these shores, Mancini has reacted with increasing amazement to the demands placed upon England's senior teams. But the Manchester City boss has been left stunned by the scenario which has now unfolded.

"In my life I have never seen that a team arrives in February and March and has to play every two days,'' he said. "This is a big problem, not only for us but for all the teams. Something should change because this is impossible for all English players. At every World Cup and European Championships, there is a problem for England because all their players are tired. We should have more respect for them. They are not machines.''

To continue reading right click here

Merry Christmas

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sat, 25 Dec 2010 10:14:18 PST

Defending the low driven pass and other defensive perils

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 06:48:30 PST

I was thrilled with Roma's result this week a 1-0 win over table leading Milan.The victory put Schizophrenic AS Roma within 7 points of first place and only 4 points out second. But lets talk about Marco Borriello's goal. It's success has allot to do with his ability to finish but really its all about the pass and the decision to make the pass while Milans defenders were running toward their own goal.

When a defender is running toward his own goal at full pace and blind to attackers running over their shoulders he is impaired and vulnerable to recognize where his threat is coming from and even less capable of handling the threat when finally recognized.It is at this point when all defenders are most vulnerable.Defenders love to have their feet set in front of the target area and they love to know where possible threats are coming from.

This transition phase is when you can wreak havoc on a defense before it sets up.It's the cue for the attacking winger to execute a low driven cross.The pass of the ball combined with the full forward pace of the recovering defenders make it nearly impossible to defend this scenario for all defenders regardless of pedigree and ability. As a coach my fist clenches and my dread intensifies when my sides are put in such peril.

Even when defenders do make contact it raises the real specter of an own goal situation.Its just almost always bad for defenses. Wide movement down a touchline at full pace while a defense is retreating at full pace facing their own goal puts the horror in most coaches and defenses in such scenarios. For Milan Saturday it proved their death.

Conversely you need to teach your wide attacking player to recognize two things.Run fast,deliver your pass with speed and make it a low pass. And it's equally important do it to a defence that's retreating and you've got them.If you delay and allow the defense a chance to set their feet facing outward the chances of success decreases exponentially.

In the case of the video clip Milans defense were transitioning from getting into position and setting their feet when Adriano served the pass in.The example can be seen at the 1:13 mark of the video.

Picking your poison as a defender

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 06:15:15 PST

Two weeks ago i saw a great college soccer game between Louisville and North Carolina in the NCAA men's national semi final. Louisville edged out the Tar heels 2-1 in a last second finish with a clinical dribble and pass to open up North Carolina's defence.

I want to write about how hard it is for defenders to handle an attacker who can dribble at the center of a defense at pace.The video example below starts at the 4:35 mark of the YouTube video. And it highlights how well two attackers can take on 4 defenders if the first attacker can dribble at pace through the heart of a defense. In turn the 2nd attacker must widen his run and attack the space behind the second defender.By doing so the dribbler remains in a 1vs 1 verse the central defender.

The second attackers clearing run wide of his defender isolates the first defender against the dribbler.If in the case of this video you see the 2nd defender help aid his defensive partner who is pressuring while he is covering for him it becomes very evident how potent a second man run wide into space behind a defense pulls a defense apart.

If your teaching your attacker to attack a defense with a dribble teach your 2nd attacker to force the 2nd defender to choose between covering his 1st defender who is pressuring or to drop further and defend the possibility of a through ball. The best defenders can cover and intercept.In the case of the second Tar Heel defender who steps to cover just a bit too late we see how the 2nd Louisville attacker who widens and attacks the space behind him does two things.Creates more space for the dribbler while creating though ball possibilities for him if the pass is eventually made to him.In this case it was executed sublimely.

For the unitiated it looks like the dribbler and passer deserve all the credit.They deserve allot.But the 2nd attacker creating space for himself by attacking space behind the defense is the real genius that must be taught and practiced to defeat well organised pressure cover balance defenses. Full credit to Louisville. As an aside.It helps if your central midfielders who are in a defending position dont stab at the ball. Instead delay until support is in position to aid his play.

Goal is at 4:35 mark of video

What a year...

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 18:37:41 PST

I have fallen off the blogging planet. For good reasons.Blessed to coach a High School team and a club team i was also hired in early August as the Head Coach of a Junior College team. Its been hectic,fun,exhilarating and exhausting. It has also been very difficult to follow Roma,Champions league play and a decision by Fifa to award a nation of a million and a half people and one major city a World cup in 12 years from now. I am of course referring to Qatar.

If you believe the world is going to end in a year and a half that decision by Fifa seems more humorous and sarcastic then it does cynical. But believing the world will be here even if i may not be then that may be that greatest exercise in sporting cynicism passed by a governing body. EVER!

But since this is my first post in months and my fingers are stretched for more writing i will save that thought for a later date.For now its just great to be back.

The illusion of security shattered in Genoa

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 06:54:27 PDT

His name is Ivan. He was caught hiding under the Pullman baggage compartment. He was a star last night. Allowed like a preening peacock to show his colors and cancel a European cup qualifier almost single handidly. Why people are allowed to enter a stadium and feel like its their playpen without regard for others high lites how weak the mechanisms in place are in Italian stadiums. Ivan was allowed all the time and freedom to kidnap the game.

His arrogance was only muted by his arrest. Ivan put a spotlight to the serious failings in Italian football. The inabilty to create a safe environment for fans to watch live football. Yesterday painted perfectly why TV ratings in Italy for football are high but attendance to live games struggles. Ironically this all happened in front of two thousand school children on a field trip.

The retaking of its own stadiums is the next great frontier for Italian football. How a few can have such power at the expense of so many astounds me. This imbalance must be corrected. Ivan got what he wanted.He's a star.A new face for everyone of his ilk.

His effect if not handled properly by society will have two bad outcomes for all of us who love the beautiful game. One Ivan proved in Italy at least a few can terrorize many.That they are the real power otherwise they should have been arrested pronto! The fact that he couldnt be gotten to until after the event is shocking.

And secondly and to me more importantly to the long term growth of the game in Italy. Ivans behavior and the impotence to control him immediately isolated a population into their own homes making everyone feel that the institutions designed to protect its citizens cant. The illusion of safety was destroyed last night. Further isolating fathers who would want to take their sons or daughters to a game.

Cementing the notion that as a father guarded with the responsibility of protecting their children going to a football game is anti safety. Possibly Killing off a whole generation of football fans.You don't want to create a Pavlovian response in sports fans that going to live football in your country elicits a fear response instead of a joy response. It will be the cancer that kills football.An emotional trigger that is so corrosive to society and the sports in that society. At least in beautiful Italy.

From Gazzetta.it

The two Escobar's

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 09:52:28 PDT

Last night while in World Cup withdrawal my mind went to how happy the Spaniards must still be feeling. Just four years ago as an Italian it took me a solid three months before my stupid grin faded.

"Grosso,Grosso,Grosso.Gol di Grosso.Andiamo a Berlino Bippo anddiamo a Berlino!" Fabio Carressa's call still ringing through my hollow but very happy head.

Congrats to Spain and my Spanish friends. Despite all my problems with this past World Cup their was never any doubt that Spain are the best and deserve their title. Anywho while in Withdrawal the image of Andres Escobar popped to mind. (The mind is an amazing thing.How i took Spanish joy and then thought of Andres Escobar it's a leap i don't even understand) and i immediately thought of the World Cup and its significance and how it changes life for the better for all involved. And for some like Andres Escobar the dream of a World Cup ensured his death.

ESPN's 30 for 30 series had produced a documentary by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist. The documentary is about Colombia and its troubles.But the film and the countries story hinges on the Escobars.Pablo the drug boss and Andres Escobar the Colombian Sweeper of the then 4th ranked team in the World.

I was in my twenties during USA 94 and i was not blindsided by how good Colombian soccer was during the early 90's quite the contrary.During Italia 90 i became keenly aware of Colombia's quality. See below World Cup winners Germany 1 Colombia 1. Watch Carlos Valderamma's sublime passing but watch the movement of his teammates to create space running off each other. Clinical give and go movement and third man runs. (Remember students Space created,ball delivered and then the run) Just magical.Watching that video makes me miss man marking football.We live in a zonal concept football world now. Anyway i am digressing.

Well this documentary trys to reveal a side to Colombian football that i was not aware of. The unknown facet to me that Rich men even Drug lords have passions on the side and what some of them did was indulge their passion and dollars and put it into Football. The documentary highlights two reasons for such indulgences. First its easier to launder money through your football team as everything was done in cash.But secondly what guy who builds a drug empire isn't ambitious too win in football also?

And so during the rise of the Coacines kings soccer fields were being built around Colombia to give the poor a healthy outlet for their suffering.And Pablo Escobar did just that. The story is an interwoven tale of greed,love,suffering and football and it absolutely knocked me on my ass.

Through the whole documentary the Zimbalist brothers frame Andres Escobar as the best a society can offer despite all the turmoil.But they also framed their story making me feel no other outcome was possible.That this is going to end tragically don't get any other ideas. I loved this film. And i never realised how close Andres was to possibly signing with Milan during its peak.Which really gives one the idea of how good Andres Escobar really was.

Like some say they can remember where they were when Kennedy was murdered i can remember exactly where i was the moment i heard Andres Escobar was killed. And so as a Soccer fanatic and human being first the Andres Escobar tale is the story of the everyman. The Zimbalist brothers did an amazing job of giving us a fantastic football story and life one also. And i kid you not i am still as haunted as ever by Andres Escobar's forlorn image as he is sitting on the ground in the rose bowl. Knowing that a clock was above his head ticking down the day's and hours down till his unforgivable death. I will also watch international games with the idea that when a team walks onto a pitch are they carrying with them just pregame nerves or in the case of that 94 Colombian team much much more.

My thanks to the Zimbalists.They gave honor to a tragic sports figure that deserved much much better then he got.

On a side note. Another character who emerges that i loved was Francisco Maturana Colombias head coach and the Club manager of Nacional at the time of the stories telling. What a job he had and did.My hats of too you Francisco. You really never know what a man is going though while he is going through it.

Prandelli you are the man

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 07:05:04 PDT

Cesare Prandelli was unveiled yesterday in Rome to a nation still reeling from its shocking performance in this summers world cup. The introduction of an Italian manager during a tournament that Italian sides have mostly competed and thrived into is abstracted by the new Italian reality, that their are things wrong with our game and things must be done to make good.For the next four years this will be Prandelli's cause.

For Giancarlo Abete and others of like mind the hiring of Cesare Prandelli addresses two things. Prandelli's desire to play the game with an attacking flair. As his Fiorentina sides have exhibited exquisitely and Prandelli's ability to work with younger players and make them better.See his days at Parma when under his guidance Prandelli's sides punched way above their weight finishing fifth in 02-03.

I feel great about this hire. Prandelli will bring a style back that was missing since 2006. But he is also used to working with less and still performing at high levels.He is a two time Panchina winner.(Bench boss title) But of all things that astounded me was Fiorentina's 15 point calciopoli deduction penalty in 2007 and Fiorentina still finished 5th.It reveals a character strength about Prandelli that his sides are always focused concentrating and performing regardless.And his hiring may be exactly what Italy need.

In essence Prandelli strikes me as a man who doesn't count the hours in his day but makes every hour in the day count.Put it more crudely he is very good at taking lemons and making lemonade.

"I will call up players who are playing well with their respective clubs. Meritocracy is the key. Every player must understand they represent a whole country when they wear the Azzurri shirt. Every coach has a favourite playing system but at the moment I only wish to give players the chance to express themselves in the best possible way."

I am thrilled by this hire.He is a good man but more importantly a good man at the right time for what Italy need.

A German perspective from a class trip to England

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 08:30:55 PDT

I coach a women's High Scool soccer team in Michigan.One of my favorite and talented players was Julia W a German girl who has since graduated and returned home.Julia was a smart and giftted player who played in our midfield. I encouraged her to offer a German perspective of this summers events. She is back home in Germany and here is the first of her excerpts of Germany's run for a fourth World Cup Championship from a fans point of view.

After the great victory over Australia everybody was euphoric and so was the team. And in my opinion this is our big problem. Once we won a game we think we are invincible. But we are not. We had to figure this out when we played against Serbia. Already during the game fans started worrying. For a good reason we had to learn: yellow cards and even a red card and finally 1:0 for Serbia.

No question, terrible game and the good mood decreased immensly. First reports were published called:

"Have a nice trip home, Germany", "Byebye Germany" etc.

The next game we watched in England, where we spent a week for a classtrip. The exaltation of our teachers was low:

"Please guys, PLEASE! No waving flags, no painted faces, we dont need anybody in the hospital"

At some point they were right. When it comes to soccer English and German people can be equally aggressive.

We waved our flags anyways because England won and they were peaceful. And so were we. But not only our teachers were worried: For the game England-Germany there were policemen set up everywhere to prevent fights and chaos.

Thank goodness we left England already. Germany did great. 4:1! Klose, Poldi (my hero) and Müller twice. I think we deserved it but to be perfectly honest the English team would have deserved the second goal as well. Everybody who saw the game saw that they scored except the officals. I mean I am the last one who will complain and it wouldnt have changed the end of the game but they must be so mad about this.

Now Germany is partying and i hope we will have time to party till the world cup is over.

Julia W

Luck and Fifa

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 09:17:15 PDT

From Wikipedia: The term "luck" is pervasive in common speech.^[4] There are at least two senses people usually mean

when they use the term, the proscriptive sense and the descriptive sense. In a proscriptive sense, luck is the deterministic

concept that there is a force which proscribes that certain events occur very much the way the laws of physics will proscribe that certain events occur. In a descriptive sense, luck is only a descriptive name we give to events after they occur which we find to be fortuitous.

I have heard that Luck happens when preparation meets opportunity.(Seneca) The two combine to make all things conquerable. Bad luck as defined for England this summer is the unlucky gift by Robert Green in game one against the US that set the table for a second place finish. Then against the Germans Frank Lampard's goal that had crossed the line changed a 2-2 into a 4-1 loss. The game would have played out differently as both sides would have had to use guile to discover a third goal. By virtue of having to press for the equalizer England exposed themselves to a brilliant German counter attack.

Let me address the top two points by admitting that the best teams find a way to overcome Robert Green's mistake and not allow two crippling counter attacking goals by Germany with such ease. But it does speak to the nature of winning Championships. That even the best teams have only to overcome the opponent. Not the opponent and the cosmic forces of a creepily eerie 1966 repeat in reverse between the same countries.That to win means not only being good.But not to be hurt by misfortune.

England have discovered like many this summer that they are not good enough to overcome bad breaks. Maybe that should be a standard by which all teams measure themselves by in the future.If we prepare and work hard. Will we still be good enough to survive and thrive if luck doesn't break our way? For England this summer the answer was no.

In case your wonder

ing if on this day what Fifa's reaction was the day after.Well it was met with silence.To limit luck or unlucky results by adding technology to the equation Fifa for today have decided ignoring the issue for the moment seems to the their best policy.

From the AP:

FIFA spokesman Nicolas Maingot faced hostile questioning but said he was not competent to discuss decisions by referees or soccer's rules-making panel, which has rejected introducing video technology that would help match officials.

"We obviously will not open any debate," Maingot said. "This is obviously not the place for this."

Yesterdays loss may be what Italy needed

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 16:25:14 PDT

One of the things that scared me most about Italy's horrific showing this summer in South Africa was the even more horrifying thought of an Italian FA making alibi's for the national team.One of the excuses i am so glad i didn't hear was. "It was an aberration. Not the real Italy. Were fine and we'll be back." Or "The Vuvuzelas, jabulani ball and cold weather were too much at the end of the long season."

Crap like that. Instead were getting mature responses the day after.

"We all know the importance of football in our country and we've disappointed tens of millions of fans," Abete said Friday. "We have to be realists. These are the facts. We need to reflect on the structural crisis of Italian football."

Giancarlo Abete. Italian FA Chief

"We've got to develop a strategy to start over. This problem didn't begin yesterday," Abete said. "It's been going on for a while. We have the duty to start over."

Giancarlo Abete

Whew, a grown up response. Structural deficiencies in the Italian game hopefully means a full assessment of Talent evaluation, it's development and its implementation at the highest levels.I hope the European union will embrace Uefa's 6+5 rule.Admittedly their will be the hucksters who know how to bend that rule also. Stadium violence,stadium renovation and and other blind issues that reveal themselves with time.

"These problems don't involve just Italian football, it's a Europe-wide problem," Abete said. "We don't have enough players with international experience."

Giancarlo Abete

Though the sting of this tournament has nearly brought me to rage and nausea, good things do arise from humiliation. Its only the day after.But much like 1966 when Italy crashed out of the World cup in England, that team was met by tomatoes and disgrace upon arrival in Rome.Following the humiliation (Which is odd knowing that Italy played a man down most of the match due to injury.Substitutions were not allowed back then) The Italians went on to win the European cup in 1968. See a young Dino Zoffo in goal and Giacinto Facchetti looking similarly like Javier Zanetti in the video below.(Both Inter players) And then Italy went onto Mexcio 1970 and made it to the final loosing to arguably the greatest soccer team ever.Pele's great Brazilian side.

"Prandelli was chosen for his skills at working with younger players," Abete said. "And it is noteworthy that we're signing him to a four-year deal. We're looking

ahead long-term."

Giancarlo Abete

The disaster we all saw arrived

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 11:20:59 PDT

Gazzetta dello sport trumpets :It's all Black. Worst Italian team ever

Italy looked satiated.A team without a fire. "Grinta" (Gritty) a word synonymous with Italian football was impossible to find. Marcello Lippi fell on his sword today and bravely and responsibly accepted fault for this disgraceful campaign.

Audio of Lippi taking responsibility for this campaign.

Carlo Garganese of Goal.com eloquently but with the appropriate rage addreses who was left out.

"Lippi pre

vented this with his selfish and stubborn squad selection - omitting Antonio Cassano due to a personal feud, excluding Fabrizio Miccoli because he testified against Luciano Moggi, keeping washed-up veterans in the squad such as Rino Gattuso because of friendship, and the political grievances go on and on."

From injuries to Buffon and Pirlo that were detrimental, to tactics that didn't fit the talent or psychology of the group assembled Italy have crashed out. Cesare Prandelli will now take over. His problems were Lippi's problems.Players of real pedigree absent or unready. Is the Serie A creating enough Italians to reconquer? Questions that will need raising.Conclusions yet to be determined. From players left home to too many goals conceded.Horrifically un-Italian defending. A malaise.

Marcello Lippi is a brilliant manager and he delivered the goods in 2006, he conquered the Serie A and Europe.

He will forever be one of my favorites.But like all men we are flawed and capable of great hubris. Lippi has given so many the right to ask about his squad selection and his tactics. I do tip my hat to a great manager but unfortunately Lippi got it terribly wrong this summer.

Corriere dello Sport decries : Disgrace!

This is the nadir of the Italian footballing experience. The five stages of grief will set in (Denial,Anger,Bargaining,Depression and Acceptance) and important questions will have to be asked and then answered properly. With every continent improving nothing will ever be given again.It will all have to be taken. Just ask New Zealand. Shameful if nothing is learned. Or a positive to be taken and funneled into Euro 2012 and Brazil 2014.

The Cesare Prandelli era starts now.

It's pins and needles time for the Azzurri

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 19:17:01 PDT

If i had to say this world cup could be defined by one word i would say uncertainty. For most nations aside from Argentina and Brazil this world cup has not followed the Super power script. Ask Spain,England,France,Germany and Italy if it would be this hard. Aside from Spain who can turn their fortunes around with a second game win England,Germany and Italy will need game three wins to stay alive.

I knew Italy would struggle but i have to admit to believing its struggles would come in the later rounds. Which in many ways is dumb for an Italian to think anything would be easy in our round robin games. See 1982,86,1994,1998,2002. But i was fooled into believing New Zealand was an easy three points. My fault no one else's . With one shot on goal New Zealand scored and secured a valuable point. For Italy this first round tie feels like a loss. The kind of loss Italians will equate to North Korea's defeat of Italy in 1966 or The Republic of Ireland's first round win in 1994.

A tie is still enough on Thursday if Paraguay defeat New Zealand and Italy tie Slovakia. It would be 1982 again where Italy tied its first three games in Spain before it woke up and went on an amazing run defeating Argentina, the greatest Brazilian side to never win,Poland (Who were a power at the time) And finally West Germany.

But i am kidding myself if i believe this team has the pedigree of that amazing 1982 side. In 1982 that side was made up of Six Juventus players like Dino Zoff, Gaetano Scirea and Paolo Rossi,5 Inter Milan players like Alessandro Altobelli an 18 year old Giuseppe Bergomi who looked older then he was dubbe

d (Zio) The uncle and Gabrielle,Orialli, Roma's Brilliant Bruno Conti and Ac Milan's Fulvio Collovati and a young Franco Baresi.

Do you see the thread in my logic. Six from Juventus,Five from Inter,two from Milan and 1 from AS Roma. The only common thing between 1982 and 2010 is one Roma player.

I wrote a month ago that this version of the Azzurri lacks front line players with Championship pedigree to unlock the worlds best and carry us when we are sloppy .

From May 17th Moltocalcio.com

With Inter winning the last five titles where are the Italians who know how to win? The last Inter side sparingly played Marco Materazzi and troubled super talent Mario Balotelli. The super cauldron of Serie A football has been sharpening the steel of its foreigners more and often in this cycle then its own citizens.

and this

Unfortunately in this cycle at least most of the Italians earning experience at the highest level play for club sides with shallow pockets and thus small ambition. It's not Domenico Criscito's fault that he plays for Genoa. Its just how many of our younger players under pinning the side will be able to know how to win when it matters most? When the biggest game they have ever played will be the one they are currently in?

So here we are.Relying on a game three win over Slovakia on Thursday.Is it possible? Of course.But where do we go from their? Will the pressure of that game serve to unite the squad and breath some much valued experience into Simone Pepe,Ricardo Montolivo and Antonio Di Natale? Andrea Pirlo resumes his training tomorrow morning but he will not be ready for another week.

Claudio Marchisio said today of Marcello Lippi's tactics that their have been too many changes and players out of position. HIs frustration reminded me of the criticism Arrigo Sacchi endured in 1994. I am sure Lippi will not approve of the young Marchisio's editorialising.Expect Marchisio to disappear from our TV screens on Thursday after those comments.

Corriere dello sport runs with Lippi's rage and che Pena (What pain,or suffering)

So now like Italians do during World Cups we wait out the usual pain and fear of the first round and see what happens. Will this side disappoint or find another gear?

Now we wait........

Italy are not too old. Death to that meme!!

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:47:30 PDT

The meme that Italy are too old was from the start some what of a ruse by the worlds major media.When Italy are mentioned the automatic response mechanism triggered in the media's mind is "Italy are too old."Eliciting in me a cringing response. I started to buy into it also, why? Because i too can be fat and lazy in the brain. So almost robotically i would start associating images of decaying fruit anytime the Azzurri were mentioned. Like that rotting apple i found behind my ottoman last week. I have a great dog and i am convinced Jack is storing fruit for the upcoming apocalypse.

But of the 23 players Lippi has taken to South Africa only 9 players remained from the 2006 squad two of which DeRossi and Gilardino are still under 28. That means 70 percent of the squad was under 28 years of age when the talk of Italy being to decrepit started. Twenty eight having been targeted by the eggheads who figure these things out to be the perfect age for a team to be at its best and most effective to win the world cup.In 2006 Italy's average age was 27.

On Monday against a very tough Paraguay Italy were forced to become even younger when Gigi Buffon was replaced at half time by Federico Marchetti the 27 year old Cagliari goal keeper. (Buffon is effectively done for this world cup.Sad because GK is the one position where being 32 is considered to be a good thing.A goal keeper in his 20's has not mastered his craft.GK like wine get better with age.)

With that unfortunate change Italy only had Fabio Cannavaro,GianLuca Zambrotta and Vincenzo Iaquinta on the field.The three of them at or over thirty. Danielle DeRossi and Alberto Gilardino also of the 2006 team are now only 26 and 27 respectively.

So on the pitch Monday night at Left Back was Domenico Criscito 23 years old,Center back Giorgio Chiellini 25. Midfielder Ricardo Montolivo 25,Midfielder Claudio Marchisio 24, Midfielder Danielle Derossi 26, Forward Alberto Gilardino 27, And Simon Pepe 26. Italy are not old! Death to that meme.

But it will continue because the research departments for the major media will not put the leg work in to dig for that nugget of truth.Instead before Italy plays New Zealand we will hear that New Zealand after its gutsy last minute tie may have enough to compete with the old and tiring Azzurri.At that point i am going to mail that rotting apple i found behind my ottoman to ESPN's studios. Or maybe the CBC's. On it i am going to put a yellow sticky note from 3m. It will say

"Your insights are as fresh as this rotting, decaying ,putrid fruit." I can make it fit.You watch. Will it seem hostile bordering on creepy. You bet!

What Italy really are is inexperienced.In the most important category.Pedigree under tournament pressure. In the four seasons Inter Milan were winning all the Scudetto's not a single Italian under 30 was on the pitch Monday night. No one under thirty in an Azzurri uniform has won a major trophy in four years.

From Moltocalcio May 17 2010

With Inter winning the last five titles where are the Italians who know how to win? The last Inter side sparingly played Marco Materazzi and troubled super talent Mario Balotelli. The super cauldron of Serie A football has been sharpening the steel of its foreigners more and often in this cycle then its own citizens.

also

Put another way we lack pedigree by the younger players under pinning the national side. Going into every World cup in the last 25 years most of the squads that made up the national side were girded by players with Championship pedigree coming from clubs like Juve, Milan,Inter and Roma who were at least a big club.Players who were European Champions and Club champions.

Unfortunately in this cycle at least most of the Italians earning experience at the highest level play for club sides with shallow pockets and thus small ambition. It's not Domenico Criscito's fault that he plays for Genoa. Its just how many of our younger players under pinning the side will be able to know how to win when it matters most? When the biggest game they have ever played will be the one they are currently in?

So that's where Italy is. In my opinion too inexperienced to unlock sides with better pedigree.I want to be wrong on this point. So when you hear the talking point drooling of the lips of the media that Italy are too old just remind yourself that their youngest players are not old enough in the experience department when it comes to fighting for Silverware under the hot lamps of European football.

Italy's performance seen through cultural perspectives

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 07:27:00 PDT

I have been making the rounds and the media have ruled on Italy's first game.The reactions diverge the further one gets from Italy. La Gazzetta dello sport was generally positive in its assessment of the Azzurri claiming that pride and grit saved the day. The Spanish dailies and English dailies felt Italy lacked true quality and looked at Italy's performance more as perfunctory then as something that needed to be spectacular.

Lippi was quoted in Tuttosport saying Italy can be better that no squad is perfect but also added we will grow into the tournament. Providing some perspective to the notion that Italy are slow starters but peak when necessary.

Personally i was very pleased under the circumstances.The weather was ugly.Heavy rain and 15 mph wind gusts can make providing a pleasing performance for the viewer difficult.Regarding Paraguay they deserve credit.They were supremely organized,gritty and are a very physical side that are not afraid to bang bodies. Paraguay defeated both Brazil and Argentina in qualifying so we are not dealing with a group of wall flowers. I was impressed and not surprised by their pedigree. Ask France in 1998 and Laurent Blanc's OT winning goal how tough the Paraguyans are mentally and physically. They are very solid.

Buffon's sciatica injury is expected to heal and concerns me.He should be back by Sunday's game.But do you want to waste a substitution per game holding your breath wondering if your keeper can survive the encounter?

Regarding Italy's ability to finish in the final third.Its true A Mario Balotelli,ChristianVieri,Del Pirero,Totto Schillachi,Alesandro Altobelli or Paolo Rossi type finisher seems lacking. But to give you some perspective. Paolo Rossi's incredible performance didn't happen till Italy escaped round robin play.Will that be true of Gilardino,DiNatale or Simone Pepe who was tireless last night. I think their will be suprises yet to come. And besides Lippi builds teams with the ethos that scoring is designed to come from every where. Luca Toni in 2006 only scored twice and that was enough to win a world championship. When looking at this Italy and Marcello Lippi expect goals to come from every where. (See 2006 where Zambrotta,Grosso,Materazzi twice all scored,and they are defenders!)Which can be comfort when thinking of this side.

New Zealands unbelievable late minute finish to tie Slovakia reveals how this is a top heavy group.Italy and Paraguay will go through. If spectacle is your thing then this lunch pale group full of dust and grit may not be for you. But Italy always seems to plant the seeds of great effort early in tournaments that often grows into a beautiful bounty as the tournament ages.

For the US Giuseppe Rossi being dropped is the deepest cut of all

pephackett@hotmail.com (Pephackett) — Wed, 02 Jun 2010 06:04:18 PDT

I am dumbfounded by Marcello Lippi's cutting of American born Giuseppe Rossi.Rossi's flexibility of talent not only made him a striker but also a fantasista who could sit behind two attacking forwards in the role of Francesco Totti and provide Italy with a real a space maker.A player who could draw players forward creating space behind defenses. Making the forwards that much more effective. But Marcello Lippi is a World Champion and i am not. I struggle with that point often. Personally i would love a mansion and a yacht.But what i think only matters in very small circles. This was my vision for the small but talented Villareal player.

What has become sad about this cut by Lippi is that the US could have used Rossi to much more effect. Like Amontino Mancini who left AS Roma two years ago for Inter, Roma were weekend by his absence and Inter hardly ever used him.Both side were not strengthened.Like that Serie A example Italy i feel will also be weekended but so will the US who could have employed his exceptional abilities. Its a shame and a thread i will follow this world cup. Especially if the US suffer an injury up front or are anemic on attack.

If Giuseppe's Rossi's dream was to play in the World cup i am sure he would have chosen his birthplace over his culture and heritage. For the US like Canada who have lost players like Owen Hargreaves and Johnathon De Guzman to England and Holland the North American nations are creating the talent but finding it much harder to fight the pedigree of thier players footballing heritages. That's a catch 22 that would make Joseph Heller's Yosarian cringe in frustration. If i cant be right on this point i'll settle for the mansion and the yacht.