Czech Republic vs. Portugal

So here we are, the quarter finals, the best eight teams in Europe go head to head; two mouth watering clashes and two which seem, on the face of it, fairly straightforward. Of course, this is football, so no guarantees exist.

Day by day I’ll preview the upcoming match, be sure to check back.

without further ado...

Czech Republic vs. Portugal.

Even though I was in the minority of people backing the Czechs to get through the group stages. ( I even put some money to that effect) I didn’t imagine they would be group winners, I doubt even the most blind Czech fans did. Their reward: facing Portugal, I must say I’ve received better presents.

Story so far:
Everyone will be labelling this as Cristiano versus the Czech Republic, I feel that is a little unfair and I’ll try to stay away from doing that. Portugal have looked a decent side, despite a sluggish start against the Germans. They very much finished that game in the ascendency and were unlucky not to equalise, follow this with a dogged yet wasteful display against Denmark, then against the Netherlands, the closest a 2-1 has ever been to a whitewash, they were very good.

As for the Czech’s journey, they went down 4-1 to a wasteful Russia, despite having some periods of threatening possession, that result should a have been a lot worse if not for the dire finishing of Kerzhakov. They bounced back though, within six minutes against Greece they we’re 2 goals up and essentially had the points. Cech didn’t little to enhance his reputation by gifting a goal to the Greeks but they looked solid. They then played the third game very intelligently. Initially only needing a draw they started by trying to give away as little terriority as possible and upon learning of a Greek goal they didn’t go in all guns blazing, but waited and took their chance well when it came to them.

Key clash:
Ronaldo is a very good footballer, certainly the best European footballer currently in the game. As such it seems Bento has just said, “I’ll start you on the left, but just go out and win the game for me.” Although I agree with giving Ronaldo a “free role” doing this at the expense of a left sided midfielder is risky, especially when the left-back is Coentrao, a man no stranger to bombing on. Every goal Portugal have conceded has come from down their left. The German and two Danish crosses and the Robben dart which lead to their goal. Ronaldo’s shirking of defensive responsibilities allows them to double up. This I see as the key area, as for me one of the Czech’s best players has been the adventurous right-back, Gebre Selassie. If Coentrao is able to cope with him and Jiracek then I see Portugal having enough to win.

Key men:
Portugal, of course Ronaldo is a given, if he shows up this could get embarrassing for Czech Republic, it wouldn’t be very interesting to say him so i’ll give a number two (also ruling out Coentrao who I’ve already mentioned). So, my deputy key man will be Luis Nani, there are fewer player who blow hot and cold as often as Nani.  However, as much as Ronaldo can pick up the ball deep and hit if from 30 yards, the majority of his chances come from being played in behind the defence, the man with the best final ball in this side is probably Nani or Meireles, I’m giving the nod to Nani as he can also provide a bit of magic himself or provide crosses for Postiga up-front.

Czech Republic, no apologies for going for the obvious here: Tomas Rosicky. The Arsenal man missed the Poland clash but has returned to training today. He is their most talented individual and helps to control the play and is deployed  as a number 10 style playmaker, a position he thrives in (rather than the slightly more water-carrier role he is usually given at Arsenal.) If he is allowed time on the ball, he will create chances. Brief mention must go to Petr Cech, he has to have a big game if his nation are to progress, the Chelsea number one must cut out the mistakes and soft goals he has been prone to concede in this tournament.

Final Thoughts:
It would take a brave man to bet against Portugal here, and I’m not that man. I don’t think there will be much in it, but the combined factors of a solid Portuguese defence, hard-working midfield in addition to two very talented wide men in Nani and Ronaldo should carry them over the line. Postiga looks out of place at times but the option of super-sub Nelson Oliveira should mean even if this game is tight Portugal have the options to mix-it up.
As for The Czechs, the creative midfield three of Rosicky, Pilar and Jiracek certainly have goals in them, unfortunately they are servicing a rather lacklustre Baros, who looks devoid of ideas and hasn’t been making any intelligent runs thus far. Hubschmann provides a solid anchor in midfield, he really has made a difference since coming into the side after the Russia game, additionally they look safer with Kadlec in the centre of defence.
Portugal like to play reactively, hitting teams on the counter attack, so expect the Czech midfield to see much of the ball but ultimately not quite having enough to break down the defence and Portugal’s game plan paying off.

Euro 2012: Television Cover-rage

To lighten the mood around here, decided to post a list of my top three pet peeves whilst I’ve been watching the championships, these are from Her Majesty’s BBC and Simon Cowell’s ITV1 in the United Kingdom.

Before that, I’ll give out a few honourable mentions. This article was very nearly called “Euro 2012: Tannoy-ances” the tannoy systems have provided two of the worst aspects of this tournament, the infuriating countdown to kick-off before every game. Just stop it. Then after each and every goal, music is played. Seven Nation Army to be precise. After. Every. Goal. What makes it worse is that “fans” appear to be dancing to the beat and shouting along. Don’t they realise the unified roar of a crowd is joy and can’t be manufactured. I didn’t include these though as it’s not really the BBC’s or ITV’s fault, but still needed to get it off my chest.

Along with this we have the BBC’s bizarre habit of cutting straight to the studio on the blow of the final whistle for the majority of the early games, something which someone clearly complained about as they have stopped doing it. I would much rather see Shevchenko run about and whip up the crowd then Alan Hansen being a bit miserable. If it was really that import to get his instant reaction, let him talk over the images.

Now onto the real ones, in no particular order

-There seems to be a bizarre pride or obsession over British officials and referees. This goes far beyond a simple name check at the start of the game. Seems like a desperate attempt to include ourselves in a party we’re not invited; talk about the footballers please. I mean if Howard Webb makes a terrible decision by all means make a quip about how he’s must be confused and think the team in red is from Manchester, but both he and his Scottish counterpart have had quiet games. Can’t help but remember the world cup final in 2010 which was officiated by Brits, Darren Cann the linesman got a mention each correct offside called, this is a trend which needs to stop.

-If I could of thought of a pun about referee’s I most certainly would have went with that, as they are the subject matter of bad commentary once again. The 5^th and 6^th official. Otherwise known as “those guys who stand behind the goal and make no decisions.” My response, which I tend to shout to my television every time this accusation is brought to them, they are wearing a headset and have an electronic “wand” to communicate with the Referee. Just because they don’t storm onto the pitch, point in someone’s face or wave their arms like mad men doesn’t mean they aren’t helping. Use some common sense and intelligence please.

-First of all, the premier league is a very good league and perhaps the best in the world, and we as a nation have every right to be proud of it. However, it does seem the commentators seem to forget that it isn’t the pinnacle of everyone’s ambition to play here and other leagues exist with a equal and possibly better standard (that’s an argument for another day however.) It seems to me that most players who have played in and left the premiership are being labelled as “having a point to prove.” Sorry to whom? You?
On the subject of ignorant clichés my all time favourite which has got a few outings with Messrs Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, “ he has the hopes of a nation resting upon his shoulders.”  Only heard of one or two of the players in the team? Bring out this little guy and sound like you know what you’re talking about. Job Done.

That’s that. I’m also not as angry as reading this back made me seem. I’ll write something positive next time. Besides, the football thus far has been of a very high standard and made for a most enjoyable group stage despite the best efforts of the commentators.

Birth of the False Nine.

It is a little known fact that on the 8^th day God, already bored of the heavens and the Earth, decided to create the ideal number 9; the archetypal centre forward. His ingredients? Pace. Power. Height. Immaculate first touch. Superb eye for goal. Exotic sounding surname. Pretentious pony-tail. Extraordinarily high opinion of himself. If you haven’t guessed it yet, God created Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I am not as deluded as this opening paragraph may lead you to believe. Zlatan was indeed blessed with all the hardware and software to be one of the all time greats, but you get the feeling he’ll be remembered as a nearly man, which seems harsh.

He has scored goals wherever he has been, he has won titles and personal accolades wherever he has been. 8 titles in a row at various clubs, but the best centre forward on the market, who went for a hefty 69m €, didn’t work out at the best club in the world; Barcelona. This is a team which it would be no flattery to say has played high tempo, high pressure passing football better than any team in my life time, and probably ever. The one criticism thrown their way? No plan B. Although Barcelona’s plan A is so marvellous many purists would say lumping it up to the big man is simply not needed. But in Zlatan you get so much more than the 6 foot 5 inches, you get a technically gifted player, able to be involved in the approach play, happy and content with plan A. But, crucially, able to out-muscle and out-jump and put away that desperate injury time cross. It made perfect sense.

However, You are all perfectly aware that by Barcelona being stopped by Mourinho’s Inter that year (okay, Ibra was injured) and his subsequent move away after just one season they didn’t gel and weren’t the complete team many predicted. The reason’s it didn’t are grey and largely unknown, widely put down to a deteriorating relationship between Pep Guardiola and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Barcelona’s response was to buy David Villa, an excellent footballer, certainly a different species to Ibra. Villa never seems comfortable at the top of a formation, seen more as a supporting striker. Rather fortunately Barcelona have this player called Messi (slight understatement granted.) So our journey brings us to the popularisation of the false nine. Messi would to all intents and purposes be the front man, would he play there? Of course not. Given free license to drop deep, dragging centre-halves and allowing runners from midfield to exploit the space in behind. It can work a treat. When Barcelona lost Villa for the best part of the last season they lost their exploiter-in-chief. The man that barely needed one chance to score two goals, his finishing and conversion rate made the system work. Unfortunately, it seems teams have figured out a way to stop it; sit so deep that there isn’t any space to run in behind to, without someone as clinical as David Villa they could look blunt and subsequently lost out on both the title and champions league.

Wherever Barcelona go tactically, Spain are not too far tiki-tak-ing in their footsteps. Spain initially resisted due to having quality centre-forwards, however in Euro 2012, with Villa out, Torres rubbish (cue backlash) and Llorente tired Spain where short of world class options. So they opted for Fabregas, with the hope of Silva and Iniesta to provide the overlapping runs. This largely didn’t work, mainly because Cesc is no Messi. (but who is?) However, when David Silva was switched with Fabregas they created the cliche false 9 goal; which, should this false 9 thing catch on, will probably have a film written about it. Silva dropping deep, drawing the Italian defence with him before dastardly switching it to Fabregas running through to finish acutely.

The big question is, will this catch on? Is god’s own number nine a position of the past, too predictable in this modern game? Short answer: No. Barcelona and Spain are not the first team to experiment without a forward, David Moyes’ Everton would often play a variation of this theme with Tim Cahill attacking from midfield as the furthest man forward and Scotland have their infamous 6-4-0 formation. Though that was more anti-football than false nines. You need excellent movement and passing of pin-point accuracy to pull the false 9 off well, talents which few teams possess sufficiently, not having a focal point for crosses or to stretch the defence for through balls in behind also adds limitations to the system.

The other factor is we all love a number nine, let me tell you the tale of another pony-tailed centre forward, who once scored more than 10  premiership goals in one season. Imagine that? The country went mad. £35 m and 30 minutes of a decent performance in a F.A. cup final later the country has pretty much gotten over Andy Carroll. But mark my words, much like Michael Ricketts and Didier Drogba before him, he will not be the last classic centre forward to excite, score and lead a team to success.