Brazil in the 2018 World Cup: a lesson for the future

Despite the failure, things look promising for Brazil (Photo: FIFA)

Malcolm X once said: “There is no better than adversity. Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance next time”. Brazil’s exit in the quarter-finals of the 2018 World Cup may have left pain to the fans and to the players, who were hopeful about their chances to lift the country’s 6th title. As it is normal when you suffer a loss, sometimes you feel empty and heartbroken, but for Brazil, this World Cup can be seen as a progress and a turning point on the national team project.

After the disgrace of 2014 and the impact the 7-1 had on the whole national team, having a good campaign in Russia was a must for Brazil in every perspective. This is why Tite was brought into the managerial seat and revived the hope that was only a small ember in the hearts of the Brazilians. Tite is an interesting character; he is a very likeable man and together with his talent as a manager, he is the perfect candidate to lead Brazil forward in many years to come.

When you look at the team and how the youth setup is in Brazil, the team always had talent, and this will happen through the generations to come. We should always expect a lot from Brazil and in this World Cup was no different. Not every team has players of the calibre of Neymar, Philippe Coutinho, Marcelo, Roberto Firmino and many others. Maybe this is the main reason why Brazil were so upset about their World Cup campaign: they have the talent and a sense of underachievement is a frequent thought.

Brazil’s group in the World Cup wasn’t the hardest, with the Canarinho joined by Switzerland, Costa Rica and Serbia. The debut against Switzerland left a bad taste in the mouth, especially after Philippe Coutinho’s stunning opener, a trademark goal of his. As a powerful footballing nation, avoiding complacency is a difficult task to do and against Switzerland, the team were very poor in that matter.

In the following two group stage matches, Brazil left that issue behind and showed great progress. Against Costa Rica, despite only getting a late winner, the team showed excellent commitment and energy that was rewarded at the end, with Coutinho scoring in the first minute of added time and Neymar adding another one late on. In the last match, another great performance by the Brazilians in every sense, being clinical upfront and resilient in the back.

Mexico was another interesting game and arguably Brazil’s best performance throughout the tournament. When under-pressure, Brazil showed incredible strength. When given a chance, their runners attacked like killers, with the right energy and speed. People usually like to compare, so here we go: in 2014, Brazil were very weak emotionally and mentally, often getting exposed due to those weaknesses, with the 7-1 as the biggest example. In 2018, as a team, were very strong in every sense most of the time, was it emotional or mental.

Then came the fatal game against Belgium. Nobody thought it would be easy, the “Belgian Generation” — as it’s called in Brazil — is talented, organized and has winners in every area of the pitch. This was the first real challenge for the Canarinho since the 2014 semi-finals and it was a challenge everyone needed, against an extremely capable opponent and would be a statement to make, show to the world that Brazil are back and stronger as you’d expect.

In football, however, sometimes you’re not meant to win. Even though Brazilians felt this year would the year of the Hexa, maybe this defeat will come as a great lesson and help the national team improve. Differently from 2014, this time Brazil lost more because of the opponent’s strength, than to our own mistakes. Fernandinho’s own goal could’ve been avoided and De Bruyne’s strike as well, but in general, Belgium were by far more superior than Brazil for most of the game. Brazil in the second-half improved their pace and the entrances of Douglas Costa and Roberto Firmino increased Brazil’s attacking intent and added more pace and creativity to the side. Unfortunately, Belgium managed to get it over the line in the end and progressed to the semi-finals.

There isn’t much criticism to make about Tite and the Seleção. Tite’s stubbornness to keep Gabriel Jesus in the side with Firmino playing well when given a chance, his overprotection to Neymar and also the lack of options on the bench were the main mistakes. Tite preferred to maintain an injured Fred in the side instead of calling a midfielder like Arthur, a player that could offer a change on the tactical approach.

But seeing the World Cup as a whole, one thing is sure: Brazil progressed and improved. They finally showed a consistent style of football that was great to watch at times, differently from the last World Cup, where Brazil had too many ups and downs in a short space of time.

Keeping Tite is vital to the progress, on and off the pitch. The next Brazilian generation looks really promising with the likes of Arthur, Malcom, Richarlison, Lucas Paquetá, Rodrygo and Vinicius Júnior. Keeping Tite would not only allow a process of continuation in the national team, but would also allow these young players to come and play a bigger part in the national team.

I’m pretty sure that when Brazilians fans and players look back to this World Cup they’ll see it as a part of the process. Brazil could’ve achieved more, for sure. But the improvement in this World Cup is visible in every perspective and the future looks bright for the Canarinho.

Another World Cup, yet another memorable one

World Cup in a picture (Photo: Yuri Cortez/AFP)

As the ball approached Mario Mandzukic’s foot, nobody knew the euphoria that would follow to the Croat’s strike. Ivan Perisic had just won a header inside of England’s box and Mandzukic started his run in the direction of the falling ball. The striker anticipated the move perfectly and put the ball into the back of the net, giving Croatia a 2-1 lead against The Three Lions on extra-time of the 2018 World Cup semi-finals.

With the excitement and adrenaline burning through the veins of all Croatians, Mandzukic went on to celebrate with his fans and teammates. It was jumping around, screams and hands waving in the air, a simple gesture that has its own meaning in the football culture, it epitomizes how important that moment was for the whole nation.

In the middle of the celebrations, Yuri Cortez, a photographer for AFP, was doing his job, taking pictures of the ecstatic players celebrating. At a certain point, where all the TV cameras were pointing, you could see a little man going down to the ground in the middle of the jumping and euphoria — the man was Yuri. As he went tumbling, Yuri kept pressing the button of his camera.

Yuri’s action led to incredible pictures compiling the happiness, the euphoria, the passion, the drama and emotion of a moment so meaningful for a nation. The feelings that are embedded on Yuri’s pictures encapsulate what the World Cup means to all of us.

We finally got to the journey’s end when France beat Croatia in what was a thrilling final in the Luzhniki Stadium. With goals from Antoine Griezmann, Paul Pogba, Kylian Mbappé and an own goal by Mandzukic, the French defeated an exciting Croatia team, who scored two goals coming from Ivan Perisic and Mario Mandzukic. At the moment Hugo Lloris lifted the famous gold trophy, France added the second World Cup title to their cabinet, ending an almost perfect campaign with the ultimate prize.

Despite the visible delight of lifting a World Cup, people in the Luzhniki’s stands and also behind their TV screens knew that this moment marked the end of one the greatest World Cup ever.

As the players left the pitch, it is inevitable not to miss the World Cup, even if it had just ended. It is the only time in every four years where the whole world talks and lives football, no matter where you’re from. It is the ultimate celebration of football, a moment everyone is brought together by 22 men kicking a ball on a stadium full of people.

This time Russia had the privilege to host the tournament and doesn’t matter what you think about the country’s government, Vladimir Putin and their whole politic side, I doubt there’s one football fan who didn’t enjoy this year’s World Cup. 11 cities entertained the 64 matches on their newly built stadiums; the football went all around the immense country and united everyone, not only the six time zones of Russia but every continent of the world.

We saw the drama when Belgium knocked-out a tired Japan team who had a 2-0 lead inside the second-half, but were denied a historic victory when Nacer Chadli scored the winner with 30 seconds on the clock and booked Belgium’s place in the quarter-finals. The drama featured in Brazil’s win against Costa Rica in the group stage, a match that had everything, from a denied penalty to Tite falling to the ground and injuring himself while celebrating the Canarinho scoring on added time.

Nacer Chadli after completing the most dramatic comeback in the 2018 World Cup (Photo: Getty)

We had the pleasure to see England reconnecting to its fans with a memorable campaign, an unexpected achievement for a young team in the middle of a rebuilding process. The Three Lions left the “Penalty Shootout Curse” behind when Jordan Pickford saved Carlos Bacca’s penalty.  Football didn’t come home this time, but Gareth Southgate and his team made the fans dream again, leaving all the pessimism surrounding the National Team behind.

The passion when the Croatian players celebrated Mario Mandzukic’s winner against England in the semi-final, a scene that was the icing on the cake to a marvellous campaign where the midfield duo of Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic flourished, explaining my obsession with classy and talented midfielders. Dejan Lovren in tears after each game, Domagoj Vida celebrating his goal against Russia, the win against Denmark on the last 16 are moments that Croatians will never forget.

The passion and euphoria when Marcos Rojo scored Argentina’s winner against Nigeria in the last match of Group E. Not only Argentinian players were left in ecstasy, but Diego Maradona nearly had a heart attack in the stands, creating one of the most passionate scenes in this World Cup.

The passion on Felipe Baloy’s eyes as he scored Panamá’s first ever goal in the World Cup, a moment that made the fans celebrate like they’ve just won a trophy. Note: Panamá were 6-0 down to England. The passion for the shirt, the passion for the country made this moment enter into history.

Another big example of passion when Uruguay denied Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream in the last 16. Oscar Tabarez masterminded a brilliant tactical performance from the Celeste, a special moment for the man who fought against health issues to make his country proud in the World Cup.

The euphoria when Russia defeat Spain in the penalty shootout at the Luzhniki. Nobody expected the hosts to go that far, and to beat one of the favourites was a big feat. Russia had the dream cut short in the quarter-finals, but made the country proud achieving the highest finish since the end of the USSR. Russia’s campaign shows important playing at home soil can be.

The happiness when France defeated Croatia to add a second star to their crest. It was the moment Didier Deschamps joined Zagallo and Franz Beckenbauer as the only men to win the World Cup as a player and as a manager, showing how special this France team is in terms of talent and tactical discipline. How Kylian Mbappé, Paul Pogba, Antoine Griezmann and N’Golo Kanté were fundamental in bringing the trophy back to Paris, showing their talent and skill throughout the tournament.

France as they were deservedly crowned the World Champions (Photo: Getty)

The desolation in the player’s faces when Germany were knocked out in the group stages, keeping the curse of the reigning champion, that once again was unable to progress further than the group stage. The desolation on Neymar’s face as Brazil were defeated against Belgium, ending the dream of the Hexa.

What do this moments have in common? They created emotions that we’ll carry through our lives, created stories that we’ll tell our children and young kids when they ask about Russia 2018. These moments created frames of drama, passion, euphoria, happiness and also sadness that we’ll see whenever Russia 2018 pops into our minds, just like the frames of Yuri’s pictures.

Russia 2018 may have been the best tournament in the modern era. It brought us emotions that we didn’t see so often in the other World Cups, together with some memorable thrilling matches.

This year’s tournament leaves a big legacy behind for Qatar 2022. From modernity in the tournament’s structure to the football played, matching what we felt in this World Cup is a big and difficult task to do.

Qatar 2022 is looming large in the future, but we’ll surely miss Russia 2018.

Thanks for the memories, Russia.

Johan Neeskens: the engine of Total Football

Part of the Brilliant Minds

WEST GERMANY, 1974 – The Olympiastadion in Munich was hosting the 1974 World Cup finals. It is the Netherlands against the hosts West Germany. Two minutes in, a penalty for the Netherlands. Johan Neeskens steps up and converts, 1-0 Netherlands. Minutes later, it’s a penalty on the other end. Breitner steps up and converts, 1-1. With two minutes still to play in the first-half, Gerd Muller gets the ball inside of the Dutch area, turns and scores, 2-1 West Germany.

The Netherlands eventually lost the game, despite their continuous efforts to break the German deadlock. Some say only the winners are remembered, which is not true. The Netherlands team of 74 may have lost the final but the impact they had on the game is something that they would never expect.

Guided by Johan Cruyff and Rinus Michels, the Dutch created what was known as Total Football. An avant-garde style of play that is arguably the biggest revolution in football’s history. The player associated with Total Football is usually Johan Cruyff, but there was another guy who carried the same essence of it: Johan Neeskens.

Often remembered as “Johan The Second”, Neeskens was as valuable as Cruyff in one of the most revolutionary teams ever. Total Football changed the concepts and the way of how football is played, breaking lines that existed for so many years.

The way that Netherlands side pressed the opponents, controlled possession, using it in the best way possible together with the position game — A philosophy that is still hugely important in today’s game — were some of the things Total Football provided to us. Cruyff had the flair and the skill. Neeskens had the vitality, the bravery, the willingness to give everything for the team. He was the engine of Total Football. He was one of the main men to make Total Football happen.

Players that had the honour to share the pitch with Neeskens often said that he was worth two midfielders. If it wasn’t for Cruyff’s brilliance around the pitch, Neeskens would have gotten more recognition for his tireless work. Cruyff had the stage to perform his brilliant football, but the stage was set by Neeskens.

Born in the city of Heemstede, located in the northern part of Holland, Neeskens started playing as a right-back for his local club Racing Club Heemstede. In 1970, Neeskens joined Ajax and started to work with Rinus Michels.

During his time at Ajax, Neeskens formed a brilliant partnership with Johan Cruyff, winning two Eredivisie titles, three European Cups in a row – Only the second team to do so –, two KNVB Cups and three European Super Cups.

Neeskens also followed Cruyff to Barcelona after the 1974 World Cup. Despite not being as successful in Catalonia as he was at Ajax, Neeskens was still able to be influential together with Cruyff. The duo won the 1978 Copa Del Rey and became fan heroes at Barcelona.

Despite his impressive club honours, it was international football that eternalized Neeskens and the Netherlands to the world.

The World Cup is a magical competition. It is an opportunity to get marked in history forever, be remembered by your wins, but also by your losses. Be remembered for your strengths, but also for your weaknesses. Be remembered for playing beautifully or be remembered by playing negatively. There is a lot of ways you can be remembered by a World Cup.

Rinus Michels took charge of the Netherlands ahead of the World Cup, a move which brought the old Ajax gang together. Michels, Cruyff, Neeskens, Keizer, Krol and Rep, together with the likes of van Hanegem and Wim Jansen from Feyenoord, and Rob Resenbrink from Anderlecht. This was a formidable team and they changed football forever.

Totaalvoetbal was a philosophy that was known by the majority of the players in Netherlands’ 1974 squad. Feyenoord played a similar style under Ernst Happel and Wiel Coerver, Cruyff and Michels were playing like that at Barcelona and Michels’ work at Ajax had seen continuity under Stefan Kovacs.

In Europe, this style of play was widely known, considering the success Total Football achieved in continental football. However, the rest of the world had never seen something like that before, it was so revolutionary and new for the lovers of the beautiful game. That was a time where information arrived much slower to other parts of the globe and the efficacy is totally different from what we see in today’s digital era.

The Netherlands in 74 were set in a traditional 4-3-3, but it didn’t matter really much. The thing that made Total Football so catchy to the eye was that every player on the team would commit to attack and to defend. With that said, there was no fix position on the pitch, as every player would commit to different roles.

Defensively, the position game was key. When a player went on the press the opposition, another player would take his position, like a carousel, and it went like that until the Netherlands got the ball back.

That’s when Neeskens became a huge figure: the position game needed stamina, tireless runs, it needed fitness in general. Not only Neeskens was vital due to his athletic ability, but his cleverness to know where he should be on the pitch in order to make the position game work fluidly was just as key. Neeskens summarised all that Total Football was about: hard work and skill.

In the offensive end, Johan Cruyff is regarded as the most important player in the Dutch team of 1974. The way he floated around the pitch, using his brilliant brain to find the spaces to run, together with his skill to make things happen are more than enough to highlight his brilliance and why he was the most important player on that team.

Yet, despite how good Cruyff was, football is a team game. Cruyff wouldn’t make Total Football work by himself, even more because it was a style of football that needs collectiveness at its best. That’s when Neeskens comes again: the versatility, the way he could run up and down the field, the ability to attack the spaces and a goalscoring sense for a midfielder made him important in both ends of the pitch.

Neeskens’s tenacity and hard work let Cruyff perform his brilliance around the pitch. One was supportive of the other.

In the Dutch debut against Uruguay in the 1974 World Cup, Rinus Michels’ men won comfortably, creating loads of chances in a game that ended 2-0. Neeskens had a quiet game but still created some chances. One for Rep, where Neeskens got the ball in the box and crossed to Rep, but the Uruguayan defenders were quick to act.

On the other opportunity, Neeskens showed his brilliance, moving quickly, creating options for his teammates and nearly scored a great goal. He made a run into the middle and played a nice one-two with Wim Jansen before getting the opening for a shot that went just over the bar.

It was just one match but the way that the Dutch played and the contribution Neeskens had on the game by just making little runs, getting the ball back and little feints was incredible. It was a blitzkrieg from the Netherlands, they could’ve scored six or seven.

The group stage continued, with Holland playing Sweden and Bulgaria next. Against “The Blue and Yellow”, the Dutch were not able to keep the same pressure from the first match against Uruguay, giving more chances to the opposition and not taking the chances they created. Against Bulgaria, the Netherlands ran riot, with Neeskens scoring twice from the penalty spot in a 4-1 victory and the Dutch progressing to the second round.

In the second round, Netherlands’ group had reigning champions Brazil, followed by Argentina and East Germany.

The first game against Argentina was Holland’s best performance during the tournament. That was Total Football and they managed to destroy their opponents by winning 4-0 but, again, they could’ve scored six or seven.

In the second game against East Germany, Neeskens had a big performance once again. Neeskens always seemed to be at the right place at the right time. His sense of where to be was sensational and his goal against East Germany summarises that. After a corner, Neeskens saw a dead ball in the area and went for it, scoring a beautiful volley and opening the scoring.

Despite the braveness from the World Cup debutants, the Netherlands had more experience and were stronger than their opponents, eventually killing the game through a Resenbrink goal, in which Neeskens helped to create. After a long-ball from Suurbier, Neeskens made a brilliant touch to run away from the defender, creating space for Rep, who crossed and left Resenbrink clear on goal.

After the triumph against East Germany, Rinus Michels and his boys had a harder task to complete: eliminate reigning champions Brazil in the semi-finals. It was a much different Brazil team from the one that triumphed in Mexico four years earlier. Pele had retired from the national team and the “Jogo Bonito” wasn’t so “Bonito” anymore.

After a boring first-half that featured harsh challenges, Neeskens came to the rescue for the Netherlands. After a quick free-kick was taken by van Hanegem, Neeskens picked the ball in the middle of the park, passed to Cruyff and started his run into the Brazilian area. Cruyff, aware of the movement from his teammate, played a timely cross to Neeskens, who was able to direct his body and score over Brazilian goalkeeper Emerson Leão with a sliding shot.

Neeskens brilliance to make timely runs and attack the spaces with efficiency are shown in this brilliant goal. The play starts in the defence and Neeskens follow it from the start, ending the move with a deadly yet beautiful finish.

After a goal from Johan Cruyff, the Netherlands were able to take the world champions out of their throne. It was a rough match — Four yellow cards and a red — but in the end, what was the best generation of Dutch players, reached the pinnacle of the world football: the World Cup finals. Waiting for them was the hosts West Germany.

Recalling to the game quoted at the start of the piece. It was the Olympiastadion in Munich, in front of 75000 people, that the Netherlands had the chance of being eternalized in football folklore by winning the World Cup. They were eternalized, but not for winning: they were eternalized by being the best ever team not to win it.

On their way was West Germany, playing at home, after eliminating Poland in the semi-finals. It was a great team, boasting the talents of Berti Vogts, Gerd Muller, Paul Breitner and Franz Beckenbauer. However, nobody expected the Netherlands to lose, football wanted them to win. The way they played was so beautiful to go home with empty hands.

The game started the best way possible for the Netherlands. After exchanging 14 passes since the game kicked off, Johan Cruyff picked the ball in the midfield and tried to take-on Berti Vogts. Cruyff did it successfully with a beautiful dribble and went on to run into the German area, where he was taken down for a penalty.

There was only one man to take it: Neeskens. Just like with his penalties in the group stage against Bulgaria, Neeskens demonstrated impressive coolness in the build-up for the penalty. Just like he always did, Neeskens shot was strong and accurate, placing the ball strongly in the middle of the goal and giving the lead the Netherlands.

Embed from Getty Images

The way the match started looked like there would be one outcome, with the Netherlands winning and capping off their football revolution with the biggest glory in the game. However, on their way was West Germany.

After 24 minutes followed by lethargy and aggressiveness, the Netherlands couldn’t find a break to increase the scoring and it turned out to be costly for them. After 25 minutes played, Bernd Hölzenbein was brought down by Wim Jansen into the Dutch, with the referee giving a penalty. The spot-kick was successfully converted by Paul Breitner, equalising the match.

1-1, game on. The Netherlands were having trouble creating chances, with Johan Cruyff being successfully marked by West Germany’s Berti Vogts. Neeskens couldn’t have an influence on the game, with West Germany’s manager Helmut Schön setting up a team to occupy the midfield and limit Netherlands’ power to create space and opportunities.

West Germany began to up their tempo and push forward, an approach that eventually worked. After Franz Beckenbauer picked the ball in West Germany’s half, his long ball went perfectly balanced to Rainer Bonhof, who ran to the byline and played a pass to Gerd Muller, that with his back to goal, managed to turn and put West Germany in front.

After being down, the Dutch started to increase the pace and play to their own style. They started attacking and searching for a goal, with Neeskens being one of the most dangerous players for the Netherlands in the second-half. Despite their efforts to find a goal and to the sadness of football lovers, West Germany managed to hold on to a lead and win the World Cup, thanks to a brilliant job by Berti Vogts, who denied Cruyff and congested the space where Neeskens could work.

Despite losing the World Cup, Neeskens was selected for the team of the tournament and finished 2nd for the golden boot with five goals.

It was a painful way to end the tournament after playing brilliant football. But this World Cup presented us to this great team and great players, with Johan Cruyff and Neeskens being the most important among them.

During the tournament, Neeskens showed what the was about. He was the type of player that would do anything the manager asked with precise excellence. Neeskens is surely one of the most important midfielders in his generation and his influence in the modern game is big, seen by many as one of the first box-to-box midfielders.

The energy he brought to the team, together with his though tackling, excellent pass and vision, powerful shot and tenacity make him one of the best midfielders in an era of so many talented players. Neeskens is someone who left a big legacy after retiring, a legacy of playing energetically while showing exuberant class and excellence throughout the process.

Neeskens played another World Cup in 1978, this time without Johan Cruyff, who had retired from the national team, and Rinus Michels, who was replaced by Ernst Happel. Despite not having the same flair from 1974, the Netherlands still managed to reach the finals, once again against the hosts as they faced Argentina.

Four years after the Total Football heartbreak, Neeskens was one of the most influential names in the Netherlands squad. Despite getting injured in the middle of the tournament, Neeskens executed his supporting role really well, bringing the energy and cleverness necessary for a very different style of play from Total Football.

In the final, Netherlands were drawing 1-1, with Dick Nanninga scoring for the Dutch. In normal time, the Netherlands missed on winning their first World Cup by an inch, after Resenbrink shot hit the post. Once again, the Netherlands failed to win, eventually losing 3-1 at extra-time as Mario Kempes decided the game.

Despite having the chance of winning it in 1978, it was at 1974 that Neeskens should’ve won. Yet, Neeskens and his team entered the football folklore by creating the most influential style of play in the modern era of football.

The legacy of the engine of the Total Football will stand forever. The number 13 “Oranje” shirt will always carry the energy, the toughness and the brilliance from the man who once wore it.

By: Gabriel Coelho

For better, for worse, we are Liverpool

It is pretty hard to find the words and talk about what happened today. I’ve never done anything like this on the blog and for those who don’t like my partiality, I am sorry. But I feel that talking about this team and these players will make me feel better. I hope it will.

It was a great journey to get to this point and I will forever cherish the memories that these fans, these players, this manager and this club me. I will tell the story of this season to my future children, a story of how a team surrounded by unbelief, managed to exceed all the expectations and remind everybody that we are one of the biggest teams in the world. The end of the story isn’t happy, it’s one that ends with tears and emotional pain. But it happened and things always happen for a reason.

Today, the story might be about defeat. But surely, somewhere in the future, the story will be about glory.

I will always remember the atmosphere our fans brought to every game we played. From Anfield to Moscow, from Manchester to Kiev, we were there and made our presence count. It was magnificent, a lesson on how to support your team with all your heart and love. I will always remember this and with love and gratitude.

I will always remember the goal Trent Alexander-Arnold scored on his Champions League debut against Hoffenheim, a goal that announced one of the most promising players to the world. I will always remember that great goal Emre Can scored after one of the best counter-attacks I’ve seen in the return leg against the Germans.

The demolition against Maribor that broke records. How we managed to qualify in first place in our group with a 7-0 win against Spartak Moscow, who were Russian champions. How we were unbelievable attacking, it was like a blitzkrieg, we were just running riot.

The win against Porto away from home in the round of 16. It wasn’t any win, it was another destruction, with the game ending 5-0, Sadio Mane scoring a hat-trick and booking our place in the quarter-finals on our return to Europe.

A big one against Manchester City in the last eight. We were facing one of the best teams in Europe and we beat them convincingly. Three goals in the first-half, with Mo being decisive once again, Ox scoring a scream and Sadio Mane heading home from a Mo cross and giving us an incredible lead to take to the Etihad.

How brave we were when visiting Manchester City. We were under immense pressure, it was a very tense game for the players, for the manager and for the fans. Once again, we defied the odds and won at their home, with Bobby and Mo scoring.

The first-leg against Roma was unbelievable. Yes, I’ve watched from Brazil and of course I wasn’t at Anfield, but even so many miles away, I felt the atmosphere and it was rocking, it still gives goosebumps. It was an almost perfect performance, playing attacking football once again, breathtaking and untouchable football. We scored five goals past an opposition that were decent defending, we destroyed them.

The game at Stadio Olimpico was so special. We visited a place where we raised the trophy once and our chances of getting to the final were so big. Just like every place we went this season, you could see a sea of red. Allez Allez Allez rocking around the stadium, the excitement on the face of the fans. We lost the game but we were back, Liverpool were back in the Champions League final and the whole world knew it.

And we get to today. As I said before, it is pretty hard for me to find to words to talk about this game. It just hurts so much that we’ve come so far and for a series of unlucky events, we lost. Our start was brilliant, we were attacking Madrid and annoying them, they were so annoyed.

Then the turning point came. I really, really hope that Ramos didn’t have the intention to take Mo off the game and I understand how everybody feels. The challenge was dirty, unresponsible and incautious and Ramos should’ve at least received a yellow card. Mo is our best player and the impact on the team after he went off was visible.

The way Mo went off is sad. He gave everything for this team the whole season, he is our king, our idol, he means a lot to every one of us. Seeing him crying was just too heartbreaking for me and I expect the other fans to feel the same way. It is a scene that I don’t even like to remember, it makes me sad immediately.

I need to talk about Mo now. I always had faith in him, since day one from his arrival. It might have looked too much money for a player that had difficult time when he played in the Premier League, but I’ve always had faith in him.

He is not just a player that scored 44 goals this season. Yes, he is an idol for me by doing that, it is still unbelievable to think. But Mo united every one of us, not just Liverpool fans, but football fans around the world. In days with so much intolerance, Mo united people from different religions, beliefs and races. We should be thankful for his goals, but we should NEVER forget the impact he had on the world as a person.

Coming back to the game. Karius was the main figure on the night, nobody can deny. His mistakes gave Madrid the win. But we should not forget that Loris is human and humans make mistakes. The hate I’ve seen towards him is completely unnecessary and the people who say these things towards him should be ashamed. It is humanly impossible to not feel sorry for Loris, we should remember that he didn’t do that on purpose, it was a mistake and mistakes happen. What the fans should do is stand behind him in this difficult moment.

I am pretty sure that the players feel the same that we are feeling. It might be even worse for them. They ran to the limit, they gave everything and those who didn’t see it are possibly blind. We got there as a team, football is about collectiveness. And when we lose, it should also be as a team, this is how it works.

These players and this manager are unbelievable, they are my heroes. I feel so proud of this team, we reached a point that nobody expected us to reach. We played the best football I’ve seen Liverpool play and this will continue until Klopp is our manager. We lost this final but we keep our heads up high with proud.

We were unlucky to lose our best player in the first-half. We were unlucky that our goalkeeper made mistakes that costed the result. We were so unlucky.

Today is about the tears, the pain, the sadness and disappointment. But I’m pretty sure that when the pain goes away, every time we think about this team and this season, it will bring a smile to our faces. Our guys gave everything for the red shirt, they did their best, I’m pretty sure of that. They did their best, but this time it wasn’t good enough.

We should be thankful to every one of these players. Karius, Trent, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robbo, Hendo, Gini, Millie, Mo, Sadio, Bobby, Lallana, Can, Clyne, Moreno, Migs, Matip, everyone. The moment they stepped on the pitch and represented us, they gave their best and gave us memories that will stay with us forever.

I don’t know if the piece is good and I don’t really care. This one is different from everything I’ve written before. I just wrote everything that popped into my mind and this reflects how I am feeling right now. I don’t know if I chose the correct words, because it is difficult when you’re sad or disappointed. I am hurt, obviously, but I am sure that once Liverpool is playing again, everything will get back to normal.

In the meantime, all we should do is feel proud, be thankful to this team and rejoice on the memories they created throughout this season. We will be back and we will be back stronger.

We should keep our heads up high because, at the end of the storm, there’s a golden sky.

 

Why Spain should not be underestimated in Russia

Spain should come in strong at the World Cup (Photo: Juan Flor/AS)

Spain’s 6-1 win over Argentina in the last international break before the World Cup remembered people of how strong they could be. After a miserable campaign in Brazil last time out and a round of 16 elimination in the UEFA Euro in 2016, Julen Lopetegui’s mission was to rebuild and keep the national team progressing.

Having worked with the U19, U20 and U21’s of the Spanish national team, Lopetegui already had in mind what was expected from him and the whole philosophy that he should apply into his side. During his time as the youth level’s manager, Lopetegui won the U19 and U20 Euros in 2012 and 2013 respectively.

After eight years with Vicente Del Bosque, the man responsible for taking Spain back to highest level, what they needed was a young manager with fresh ideas. Lopetegui seems the perfect fit, as he already have experience in the national side, interesting coaching methods and mostly important, an eye on the future.

Why an eye on the future is so important? Spain’s generation that won three major titles in four years is already coming to an end. Xabi Alonso has retired, Iker Casillas is on his way too and Andres Iniesta is not the same. Replacing a generation of so many talented players, in what was one of the best national teams ever, is not an easy job. Lopetegui’s mission with Spain is by far more than just winning games. He needs to replace players that were so important and whose legacies are big.

The current generation of young Spanish players is promissing, but not so much comparing to the one they are replacing. Marco Asensio is showing potential to be one of the best midfielders in the world, Saul Niguez is another one on his way to become special and Suso is finally turning into the player we expected him to be. Thiago Alcantara is one of the Spanish players entering into his prime, something could really take benefit of. Isco, Dani Carvajal and Rodrigo are other examples too.

Lopetegui is an already experienced manager in dealing with young players. His time with the youth teams was extremely successful and his time at Porto was also known for that. During his time at the Estádio do Dragão he gave debuts Rúben Neves, a player that has also become the youngest captain in Champions League history, and helped devoleping André Silva and Oliver Torres.

It wouldn’t be surprising if we see Lopetegui doing something similar from what Gareth Southgate has been trying with England. During his tenure, Southgate has given debuts to Joe Gomez, Jordan Pickford, Tammy Abraham, Dominic Solanke, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Lewis Cook, players that were familiar faces in England’s youth teams. With promising players in Spain’s U21 such as Dani Ceballos and Carlos Soler playing constantly, we should see some young and fresh faces in Spain’s team soon.

Mixing experienced faces that have been playing with the national team for years, together with young players that are on the transition from the youth teams, may be Lopetegui biggest challenge while managing Spain.

What should we expect from Spain in the World Cup?

An identity is a big part of any football team. In international level, we don’t see this very often, with the biggest reason being the lack of a consistent run of games. It takes time to build an identity with a national team. Germany started their process years ago and it brought them results, England are trying to do the same, but Spain already have an established identity for years.

With the Tiki-Taka really popular in Spain thanks to Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona back in the day, the core of players of Spain’s national team was made from Barcelona players. It made sense to play in a similar way and it worked effectively, with Spain winning two Euros and a World Cup in a space of four years.

However, any style of play needs to change and improve. As I said many times in this blog, the philosophy can remain the same but that are a few things in football that need constant change and modernisation.

While watching Spain’s win over Argentina, it became clear that Julen Lopetegui’s side has been trying to modernize. The quick passing works effectively and the high line makes the pitch smaller for the opposition, making the team’s chances of creating a scoring opportunity much easier. There were moments that Spain pressed really high and intensively.

If you have a chance, just take a look at the build-up for Isco’s second goal. Spain got the ball back after pressing Argentina really high and exchanging quick passes shortly after. It was a perfect team goal and just highlights how Lopetegui is improving Spain’s style of play with modern football while keeping the same philosophy of moving the ball and keeping possession.

Refreshing a style of play that has been in use for so many years is a risky move, especially considering that international football doesn’t come very often. However, Lopetegui is doing it incredibly well and it’s paying off. We should see a renovated Spain come the World Cup and a brand of football that will be extremely entertaining.

A mix of experience and youth will be valuable if Lopetegui’s side wants to be successful. With the likes of Sérgio Ramos and Sergio Busquets, who were in South Africa in 2010, Spain have quality, experience and talent all mixed together.

There is still doubt if they will be able to perform at the big stage again, especially after miserable performances in the last World Cup and in the Euros in 2016. However, the signs they’ve shown through Lopetegui’s reign so far are encouraging and something to build on for the future years.

When thinking about the big favourites to win in the summer, Spain is a national team that is often forgotten. However, the talent and pedigree available to them, together with a manager that has done really well so far and a style of play that has been working effectively, make Spain a strong contender for the World Cup.

By: Gabriel Coelho

 

 

Xabi Alonso: The class of a quiet genius

According to the dictionary, the adjective class means showing stylish excellence. Whenever I think of Xabi Alonso, the only adjective I have for him is class. There is a brazilian term to define that: “Joga de terno“, which translates to “plays in a suit”. Of course, his incredible looks when not in a football uniform are a class act, but the way he played on the pitch is just as classy.

In a generation of so many talented midfielders, the basque man is certainly one that stands out for his mastermind. A Spanish generation of possession based football, in the middle of the tiki-taka revolution, Xabi Alonso did not just stand out for his passing ability, but also for his understanding of the game and his incredible ability to see things that nobody else could.

Xabier Alonso Olando was born in the Basque city of Tolosa. Xabi already had the football genes, as his father played for Real Sociedad  in the late 70’s and early 80’s, having a big impact in Sociedad’s title winning seasons in 1981 and 1982.

He started playing at the academy of Basque club Antiguoko, together with his brother Mikel and his childhood friend Mikel Arteta. After nine years at the Antiguoko academy, Xabi joined Real Sociedad and was followed by his brother, while Arteta decided to join the giants of La Masia, Barcelona.

Despite being just 18 years-old when he made his debut for the Erreala, Xabi demonstrated the maturity we’ve seen all through his career. He was appointed team captain by John Toshack, Sociedad’s manager at the time, and led the team to a 2nd place finish in La Liga and a Round of 16 Champions League run before making his dream move to Anfield.

We all know his history at Merseyside. Alonso won the Champions League at his first season in England and scored the vital goal to complete the comeback at Istanbul in the most iconic Champions League final ever. After just a year at Anfield, Alonso had already become a cult-hero and a big personality in a Liverpool midfield that was regarded as one of the best in the world.

“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa, we’ve got the best midfield in the world. We’ve got Xabi Alonso, Momo Sissoko, Gerrard and Mascherano”.

His years at Liverpool explain why Xabi Alonso is one of my favourite players of all-time. He showed his genius all through his career, but Liverpool was the place that he really flourished.

Alonso’s partnership with Steven Gerrard will always be regarded as one of the best the Premier League has ever seen. Gerrard was the engine, the man responsible for making things happen. Alonso was the quiet genius whose presence was able to keep the midfield as a well-oiled machine.

His playmaking ability stood out from the lot, his ability of picking passes was his main trait. However, to add to the special player he was, the ability of reading the game was as special as his ability with the ball on his feet. His tactical and positional awareness are the reasons why we rarely saw Xabi making an extraordinary defensive play. He didn’t need to, he was always in the right place.

The eternal bromance of Liverpool’s midfield (Photo: Liverpool FC)

When Steven Gerrard announced his Liverpool departure in 2015, Alonso tweeted saying that Gerrard was his hero and his mate. And when Alonso announced his retirement, Gerrard spoke to Bayern TV saying that Xabi was his best partner in midfield. It’s a bromance that will always be remembered by Liverpool fans all around the globe.

Xabi Alonso is quite possibly, one of the best passers in the game’s history. That was his main ability, the ability of setting the tempo. José Mourinho labelled Alonso as the metronome, the team plays at his rhythm. These days, midfielders have to be explosive, be able to drive the ball forward with power. The ability to be the master of the orchestra is slowly being forgotten.

That goal against Newcastle compiles all that Xabi was able to do with the ball on his feet. The vision to see Steve Harper and where he was and the ability to hit the ball with such power and accuracy just shows how good he was. As we use to say here in Brazil, scoring from the centre circle is being able to score the goal that Pelé wasn’t able to.

Not only Xabi scored this incredible goal, but he did it twice, having scored in a similar way against Luton in an incredible FA Cup tie, months earlier.

Alonso gave plenty of memories to the Liverpool fans. His both goals from Liverpool’s own half, the equaliser in the Champions League final, the goal at Stamford Bridge that ended Chelsea’s 86 games unbeaten home run and that incredible free-kick against Fulham. He was a part of the “best midfield in the world”, and a really vital player.

It was a strange decision when Liverpool let Xabi join Real Madrid in 2009, and certainly one that still gives pain to Liverpool fans. He was a hero and inspiration to a big part of Liverpool fans and his departure left a void in Liverpool’s midfield. A player that was in his prime and a presence that was able to pull things together was surely going to be missed.

Similarly to his time at Liverpool, Alonso was successful at Real Madrid. The La Liga title in 2012 had a bigger meaning than just winning. Real Madrid were finally able to end Barcelona’s disnaty at the top of the table, the mission José Mourinho was given. And not only Alonso was a part of the team, but he played a huge role with his consistency and leadership.

Through all his five years at the Spanish capital, Alonso was seen as the maestro. He played a huge role in every season and was seen as a irreplacable piece of Real Madrid’s starting 11. The consistency, ability on the ball, leadership and calmness are qualities that any team needs.

In his last season at Real Madrid, Alonso ended his spell in the most worthy way possible. Despite being suspended in the 2013/14 Champions League final, Alonso’s influence all through the tournament was key.

With Real Madrid trailling in added time against Atlético, Xabi kept encouraging his teammates in the stands, being a big inffluence not just on the pitch. We all know how this game ended up, with Real Madrid claiming their 10th Champions League trophy and Xabi getting his second winners medal.

Xabi’s final move was to Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich. Having joined for an undisclosed fee and in a two-year deal, Xabi made his debut for the Bavarian giants on the following day. This sums up pretty much how genius he was. Alonso had one training session with the team and was playing in a completely different league. Alonso had already mastered the midfield game.

Despite not being able to win the Champions League, Guardiola was able to make Bayern one of the most dominating and imposing teams in the history of the game. When Pep joined Bayern, people expected to see something similar from the tiki-taka and positional game of his Barcelona reign.

The philosophy remained the same, taking care of the ball has always been Guardiola’s main guideline. However, Pep’s ability of adapting into a different culture and mixing the style of play from Germany, together with his philosophy of the position game, is what makes Pep Guardiola the best manager in activity. His eclecticism to adapt to wherever he goes and still be so effective is the reason why Martin Perarnau calls him the “Chameleon of Football”.

What does Alonso have to do with all this? Through his three years at Bayern Munich, most of the times Alonso played a big part into Bayern’s adaptation to a different scenario. When Pep Guardiola got his man, he knew how brilliant he was and how big of a contribution he could have into Pep’s football revolution in Germany.

Many people will only remember that Pep wasn’t able to deliever the Champions League. Well, this is true. However, the way he was able to revolutionise the German football, with a style of play that they had never seen, being so dominant, attacking-minded and effective, is a lot more bigger than winning the Champions League. Bayern won the league title in the three seasons they were guided by Guardiola. And Alonso was a big part for it all.

Let’s not forget Xabi’s international career. As I mentioned before, Xabi was born in Spain’s golden generation. Casillas, Sérgio Ramos, Sérgio Busquets, Fernando Torres, David Villa, Iniesta and Xavi are a few names to mention.

With the national team, Xabi was a part of the team that won the Euros in 2008, Spain’s first international glory. He was also a regular in Spain’s World Cup triumph in 2010 and will always be remembered in the final against Netherlands. Then followed the win at the Euros in 2012. His illustrious international career makes him even more special.

The picture that eternalized the 2010 World Cup final.

Having retired in the end of last season, Xabi Alonso left a big legacy for the fans of the beautiful game. We were able to see the genius inside of him all through his career, and it was really a pleasure to watch.

Being coached by Rafa Benitez, José Mourinho, Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, Xabi has some big managerial influences. The way he behave on the pitch and his reading of the game, together with the big name influences he had throughout his career, there’s no doubt that Xabi Alonso will be a great manager.

The class of his suits and stylish looks, together with his brilliance on the pitch, makes Xabi one of the best midfielders the world has ever seen. Alonso was a pleasure to watch all through his 18-year playing career. He may not be remembered for his goals and attacking power. However, the way he quietly orchestrated things just highlights how genius he was.

By: Gabriel Coelho

Arsene Wenger giving a lesson on how to destroy a legacy

The desolation in Arsene’s face has become an ever present expression in recent times (Photo: Getty Images)

Three Premier League titles, one of them unbeaten. Seven FA Cup, the most won by a single manager. Three times Premier League manager of the season, a Champions League final appearance and one of the man responsible for bringing the English football to another level. It’s a high profile CV, no doubt about that. What Arsene Wenger has done for both Arsenal and football is remarkable, and he will be forever marked for this.

However, if you want to destroy a legacy you’ve taken 22 years to build, just ask Arsene Wenger on how to do it.

It may be a bold statement to make but, in my view, this is totally the case. The ending for Arsene’s history at Arsenal is inevitable: He is going to leave with a bad atmosphere. Since the unbeaten season, Arsenal was never able to compete with the big guns for the title. Yes, they came close in some ocasions, but they were never able to get over the finishing line.

There are a couple of reasons for this. Of course, as everybody knows, the board at the Emirates are often criticised and are under pressure most of the time. The decisions made by Ivan Gazidis and owner Stan Kroenke are usually not taken well by the fans and they are absolutely right.

Since the likes of Patrick Viera and Thierry Henry left Arsenal, the story was always repeated. When you lose important players, it takes time to rebuild, not just in football, but in any team sports. Of course, selling a big player gives the club funds to move forward. And this is the biggest story for Arsenal’s recent fortunes: Every time they had taken a step forward, at some point, they would take two steps back.

No one can delete what Arsene has done to Arsenal. He brought the club back to the top level. However, what he has done in recent times can also not be deleted and in football, what really matters is what the club is doing at the moment. It has been 14 years since Arsenal won the title. Since then, the club left for a new home, a new generation of players came in and Arsenal are still stuck in the same place.

Sure that all this is not entirely Wenger’s fault. If anything, the job he has done considering the funds and players available to him in the past is remarkable. He managed to keep the club playing Champions League football every season. However, the Premier League became the richest league in the world and Arsenal had the funds to get players, so they could move forward.

This was the intention when they bought Mesut Ozil for a record fee in 2013, and Alexis Sanchez in 2014. With both, that are arguably world-class players, Arsene had a core to move forward and build his team around. And, despite the investment, Arsenal were still not able to compete.

Every time Arsenal came close of mounting a serious title challenge, they collapsed. Every year they had an excuse: Injuries, playing multiple times a week, bad refereeing. However, the main problem was the manager who run out of ideas to keep the team going. It happened in 2013/14, when Manchester City won the league, and in 2015/16 when Arsenal were the only team competing with Leicester at the top.

A playing style that was once effective and capable of destroying teams is now old-fashioned and retrograde. In football, refreshement in terms of tactical system is totally required. You can’t win with the same tactical system played 15 years ago. It’s true that the philosophy can be the same, but that are certain areas that needs innovation and improvement.

We are now in an era that fast-paced football is what win things. Think about Chelsea last season and how they were able to catch teams off guard with a quick counter-attack, pressuring the opponent to give the ball back. This season is Manchester City, a team that keeps the ball most of the time, but are still effective due to the quick exchanging of passes between the players and their ability to recognize where the teammates are.

We can use examples of a quick paced attacking football in other leagues too. In Italy, Napoli are the team of the moment, playing a high pressing, offensive minded football that at the same time is solid and effective. In Germany, Bayern are a side that has an extraordinary controlling ability, most of that due to their ability of winning the ball and playing fast in the right moments.

Wenger’s stubbornness is the main answer on why Arsenal can’t move on. He keeps playing the same style of football that got him nowhere in 14 years. The comfort zone holds him back, as well as the men in control at Arsenal. However, the argument of playing regular Champions League football cannot be used anymore.

If we compare to the other Top 5 sides in the Premier League, the gap between them and Arsenal is enourmous. They have seen other teams progressing and getting to a point where they can compete for silverware, while they are unable to grow themselves.

Three years ago, if we said that Liverpool could be able to win the Premier League, we would probably sound ridiculous. However, they made a remarkable progress under Jurgen Klopp and they are moving towards the right direction. All of this because they came out of the comfort zone and made themselves open for a challenge.

In a short space of time, Arsene Wenger was able to destroy a legacy that he took years to build. He should have left years ago and leave the club in a good situation for his successor to continue building around his legacy. While Wenger brought back the winning mentality to Arsenal, he was also able to destroy it after a long period without big trophies.

The fans have turned against him, protests are now frequent and don’t matter how well the team play, if Wenger’s still the manager, the fans will be unhappy. Everyone has realised that Wenger’s time to leave has arrived long ago, the only person who doesn’t see this is Arsene.

His stubbornness is dragging the club down, going from a big force in England, to a mediocre side that can fight for European qualification. It’s crazy to think that two years ago, the Champions League was something that Arsenal took for granted, we all knew that they would be in it. Right now, it would be a miracle if they could get into it.

If Arsenal are to change, despite being late, it’s totally necessary. The days of stability under Wenger are long over. It’s downfall from here.

A few names are being mentioned, with the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Thierry Henry, Paulo Fonseca and Brendan Rodgers linked with Arsenal. They need a young mentality and fresh ideas to take the club forward after years of going back. Right now, they can’t attract the big names of the managerial scenario, something that would be completely different some years ago.

As I said before, no one can erase what Wenger has done to Arsenal. Whatever way this saga ends, Wenger will still be regarded as one the greatest characters in English football’s history. However, he could have left as a hero. But, at this moment, he will leave as a villain.

 

Gabriel Coelho

Follow me on Twitter: @gabrielcoelhof_

 

Ronald Koeman: Another chance to prove himself

After leaving Everton at the start of the season, Ronald Koeman gets another chance at the big stage (Photo: KNVB)

Ronald Koeman’s spell at the Premier League had two different sides. The first one is about overachieving, building good sides in difficult situations. It was like this at Southampton, where the club saw star players leaving every season and were still able to perform at a high level, more that was demanded from them.

At Koeman’s first season at the South Coast, Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Rickie Lambert, Luke Shaw and Callum Chambers all left the club, players that played a huge part in the previous season under Mauricio Pochettino. Koeman found himself in a rebuilding proccess, both in the squad and in the managerial front. Despite all the changes made, Southampton recruited smartly and were able to finish in the Top 7, something that was arguably above the expectations.

In his second season it wasn’t so different. Morgan Schneiderlin left for Manchester United, Nathaniel Clyne left for Liverpool and Toby Alderweireld ended his loan spell and joined Tottenham. Again, the three players were hugely important for the team and Southampton managed to replace them all with the likes of Cedric, Oriol Romeu and Virgil Van Dijk. That year Southampton defied the odds once again, finishing 6th, qualifying for Europa League in two consecutive seasons.

After two really successful seasons, Koeman had an opportunity he could not let go at Everton. A big club with a rich history, and a quality that if he was able to lapidate, could have turned into something really special. Similarly to when took over at Southampton, Everton have seen big players go, in the likes of Tim Howard and John Stones. Once again, smart recruitment was the key for Koeman and Everton, as he saw his side finish 7th in the Premier League, managing to qualify to Europa League and bring optimism back to the club.

Now it comes the other side of Koeman’s Premier League career: Inability to perform.

He did a great job in turning Everton’s fortunes around after two mediocre seasons under Roberto Martinez. He also did great job in developing the likes of Mason Holgate, Calvert-Lewin and Idrissa Gueye. The most important thing he did at Everton was bringing hope back and it was the turning point. If he wasn’t able to deliever anymore, he would end up getting dismissed.

Another big money transfer window came, which saw the likes of Davy Klaasen, Michael Keane, Jordan Pickford, Wayne Rooney and Gilfy Sigurdsson joining the club. The loss of Romelu Lukaku to Manchester United turned out to be huge in Koeman’s final days at Everton, as well as a lack of an explosive winger, something that Everton hugely missed after the injury to Yanick Bolassie.

Everton were playing ugly, lethargically and with no confidence, despite all the expectation built around them at the start of the season. The biggest parcel in this is from Koeman, but he was really unfortunate to not being able to deliever the expectations that were demanded. He proved previously what a good manager he is and his brilliant work at Southampton, and his first season at Everton, are proofs of that.

Of course, he was sacked by Everton after just season in charge. Maybe the club made the decision in a hurry to turn their fortunes around. It’s pretty clear that with the quality available at Everton, Koeman would eventually turn it around. Instead, the club made the decision thinking in the short-term, putting stability aside, something that has been lacking at the club since David Moyes left.

Today it was announced that Ronald Koeman would take over as the Netherlands National Team boss. If we compare the situations in which he took over at his two previous jobs, this one is not totally different.

A rebuilding process is really necessary for Holland in the international stage. Since Louis Van Gaal left to manage Manchester United, just after he guided the national team to a 3rd place finish in the World Cup, it has been downfall for one of the biggest nations in football.

Since Van Gaal left, Holland had three different managers in Guus Hiddink, Danny Blind and, most recently, Dick Advocaat. That number of managers in such a small period of time would be huge in club football, but it’s even bigger at international stage.Bringing stability is a part of the game that Koeman was recognised for, something lacking at Holland since 2014.

Failing to qualify to the Euros 2016 was just the start of a big decline. In group formed by Czech Republic, Iceland, Turkey, Kazakhistan and Latvia, Holland was the uncontested favourites to win the group. However, they were unable to deliever and eventually ended up not qualifying to Europe’s biggest international tournament.

More recently, they were also unable to qualify to World Cup in Russia, a big crying for help for a national team with big expectations and ambitions. This shouldn’t be happening with a side like Holland and their move to appoint Koeman is trying to prevent something worse.

We all know that Holland is country known for creating the best football talent. There are numerous example of that. Holland’s actual football generation is really talented and have to be developed carefully, a part of the game Koeman does really well. With the likes of Virgil Van Dijk, Stefan De Vrij, Memphis Depay and Quincy Promes all entering in their prime, expectations should be high for Holland and Koeman hopes to make that come true.

Koeman proved himself at Southampton, being outstanding in two seasons in which he defied the odds all over again. His first season at Everton showed again his talent and the impact he can have over a team.

At Holland, Koeman gets another chance to prove himself. And this is not the only thing about this job. He needs to rebuild a great footballing country and guide them into the stability and success they have been in need for four years. This job may be the biggest in Koeman’s career and his biggest chance to prove himself.

FA Cup 4th round: Four games to take a look

The FA Cup has always been a magical competition. Yes, I know this is a cliché but it’s completely true. Every season we have a different magical and motivational story that makes the FA Cup magic. The FA Cup without magic is not the same, but don’t worry, this season won’t be different and surely we’ll see a FA Cup story.

Last season was remarkable in this matter as we’ve seen two non-league teams reaching the round of 16. Sutton United, a club based in South London and playing in the National League, were knocked out by Arsenal after losing 2-0 in their own ground, but their journey before playing the Premier League giants is quite impressive. In the third round they knocked out AFC Wimbledon in the replay, winning 3-1 away. In the fourth round they won against another high division club after beating Leeds.

This match was and will be forever marked by a rather unusual incident. Sutton goalkeeper Wayne Shaw was caught by a camera while eating a pie in Sutton’s bench. Of course, Shaw was sacked by the club after breaching FA’s betting rules but it doesn’t make the incident less excepcional.

The biggest story of the FA Cup was indeed Lincoln City. The now League Two was fighting for promotion to the Football League and made an impressive and unforgettable journey to the quarter-finals. On their way to making the 6th round, they beat two Championship teams in Ipswich and Brighton, before winning away at Premier League Burnley. These three wins got them a trip to the Emirates but once again, they weren’t able to cope with the talent in Arsenal’s disposal.

Anyway, this season will surely not be different and we’ll see some surprises here and there. Despite this season’s fourth round not having any non-league clubs, it’s also clear that there are underdogs playing against pretty big opposition looking to cause some upset. Now we take a look at four games that might end up having a surprising ending.

Yeovil Town v Manchester United

Darren Way’s Yeovil looking to cause an upset against Manchester United (Photo: Getty)

This is probably the most interesting game of this whole round. This has everything to be a special tie. A League Two club with an inspirational story against one of the biggest clubs in the world. It sounds like something else.

Yeovil’s manager Darren Way had his playing career ended after a terrible car accident nearly 10 years ago and since then, he has been involved with the managerial scenario. Way was part of Yeovil’s coaching team that won promotion to the Championship in 2013 and was appointed as manager in 2015.

Since Way’s appointment, Yeovil hasn’t been able to fight for promotion but the club sees this tie as the perfect opportunity to put them back in the picture, remind people they are still here. Way has put images of Wembley and Wayne Rooney all over the club’s training ground and also hired a football pyschologist to help the players mentally in the build-up for this game.

Way also have a soft place for Manchester United in his heart. After the car accident he suffered, Yeovil gave Way a testimonial match against an United XI with Sir Alex Ferguson on the stands, a man that has been helping Way since his career ended. Sir Alex along with John Terry helped the club prepare for this game with conference calls, trying to give Yeovil an insight of what Manchester United will do.

On the other hand, Manchester United can see this opportunity as the right time to give a debut to new signing Alexis Sanchez, after his swap move from Arsenal. Mourinho isn’t usually the type of guy who’s victim of an upset and he will do everything he can to win this game. I expect Manchester United to put a strong team to play at Huish Park, something that can be really special for Yeovil’s players and fans.

Notts County v Swansea City

Kevin Nolan hoping to show his managerial skills against a Premier League side (Photo: Getty)

This tie will not look appealling to many people but somehow it caught my eye. Again, a League Two club against a Premier League one. Notts County are flying high in the fourth tier, sitting in 2nd at the table. Swansea, however, are bottom of the Premier League despite winning against Liverpool on Monday. Two teams in opposite ends of the table in their respective leagues. Sounds good.

Notts County have a really nice history, being the oldest professional club in existence and also playing the opening match of the Juventus Stadium. The reason for playing Juventus is because the Italian’s shirts are based on the white and black stripes of Notts County.

The Nottingham club are now managed by former West Ham and Bolton midfielder Kevin Nolan. He was appointed as player/manager in January 2017 and guided the club to a safe that season and is hoping to get promoted in this one.

This is the perfect opportunity for Nolan to show his managerial talent. When a League Two club play against Premier League opposition, they always have something to prove, show that football is game that everything can happen and Nolan is hoping to take this opportunity to prove himself in the dugout.

The Magpies have a few well known names in their squad and this can help them cause a big upset in this fixture. The most notable name is former Manchester United and England international Alan Smith, who has been playing at the club since 2014. Other names include former Newcastle and Crystal Palace striker Shola Ameobi, who was Nolan’s teammate at Tyneside and Jorge Grant, who’s on loan from rival Nottingham Forest and is having a terrific season, scoring 14 goals in 24 appearances.

This game is surely one to look for.

Peterborough United v Leicester City

Claude Puel hoping for a good cup run and end Leicester’s winless FA Cup history (Photo: Getty)

A tie between a League One and Premier League clubs, and both have a nice FA Cup history. Leicester never won the competition, being runners-up four times and Claude Puel is hoping to change that as soon as possible.

A good cup would do a whole lot of good to Leicester, a club that since winning the Premier League in 2016 has been inconsistent, having three managers during this period. Leicester stand a chance of winning the FA Cup and they should do everything to avoid a possible surprise in this tie.

Peterborough, on the other hand, reached the quarter-finals once in the 1963/64 season, their furthest run in the FA Cup. In that year, they knocked out Arsenal and Swansea City before falling against Chelsea.

To reach the fourth round of this year’s competition, The Posh knocked out Aston Villa at Villa Park, scoring two goals in the dying embers of the match. Talking about the opposition, Leicester managed to knock out Jamie Vardy’s former club Fleetwood Town after a replay at King Power Stadium.

Something that really stands out at Peterborough is the youth talent available at the club. The most notable one is the Portuguese midfielder Leonardo da Silva Lopes, who has drawn comparisions to George Best by Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry. Other quality players include striker Jack Mariott, who has scored 23 goals this season, and former Newcastle attacker Marcus Maddison, who has scored nine goals and contributed to 20 assists this season.

Cardiff City v Manchester City

Neil Warnock’s Cardiff won’t make it easy for Manchester City (Photo: Getty)

Lastly, it’s Cardiff taking Premier League leaders Manchester City. City has been the victim of the FA Cup magic in several ocasions, most notably against Wigan in 2013 final. At that time, Wigan were fighting against relegation in the Premier League and won their first FA Cup with a stoppage time goal from Ben Watson.

This time, however, City will be likely to avoid another disappointment, having lost just one game in their domestic season.

As for Cardiff, they are on a terrific rise under Neil Warnock. Since his appointment in October 2016, Cardiff managed to survive comfortably in the Championship and are fighting for promotion this season, sitting 3rd in the table, two points behind 2nd placed Derby County.

Cardiff has a nice record in the FA Cup, being winners in 1928 and reaching the finals in 1925 and 2008, in the last occasion losing 1-0 against Portsmouth.

Manchester City are hungry for success and they will go after every chance to get it. Yes, this can be a tricky fixture for them, especially against an experienced manager like Neil Warnock, but they will do everything they can to get more and more success.

As for Cardiff, they will take this fixture seriously enough to make it hard for Manchester City. They have to show they are good enough for the Premier League, especially with a promotion on the cards for the Bluebirds.

Eagles flying high: The remarkable rise of Crystal Palace under Roy Hodgson

Roy Hodgson and Crystal Palace is the perfect match (Photo: Crystal Palace FC)

Stability is a word that is commonly used all around the world, in all jobs and in the life of all people. In football is no different, and Crystal Palace have been in the search for this in many years. It may sound boring to be stuck in the same mid-table place, but it’s also not pleasant to see your team fighting against relegation every season. Stability is something that the majority of Crystal Palace fans are crying for.

Since the club got promoted back to the Premier League in 2012/13, Palace have had six permanent managers, including the likes of Sam Allardyce, Alan Pardew and most recently, Frank De Boer. We all know that changes of managers can help players, but this is not a guarantee. Changing managers most of the times means changing ideas and players usually take time to adapt to a different style of play.

The closest Palace came from the so-wanted consistency was under Alan Pardew. Before the former Newcastle man took over in 2014/15, Palace only managed to win three league games in 20. At the end of the season, Pardew guided Palace to a 10th placed finish, their best in the Premier League era. After a disastrous 2016, Pardew left the club after almost two years.

This season, Frank De Boer was sent packing from Selhurst Park after just five games, four of them in the Premier League. Crystal Palace at that point were not able to win a single point and also unable to score a goal, but it was understandable. For a team used to play a direct, physical and counter-attacking football, the transition to a complete different style can take time but, at some point, pays off.

De Boer showed in his first few games in the dugout what he had in mind for Palace. Some people say he tried to turn Palace into the Dutch Total Football team. At Ajax, De Boer played a fluid and possession based style that clearly worked out, winning four league titles in row in six seasons.

Frank De Boer became the manager with shortest managerial spell in the Premier League (Photo: Sky Sports)

Something to keep in mind when speaking of De Boer’s tenure at Crystal Palace is that the squad was basically built by former managers, players that on paper, are suited to a different footballing approach. One transfer window isn’t enough to build a squad with players of choice, although Palace already had good technicians in Yohan Cabaye and Luka Milivojevic.

I spoke to Jim Daly, formerly of football.london and ESPN, and host of the Five Year Plan, a Palace podcast which is one of the biggest club podcasts in England. Jim told:

I think Frank De Boer needed to learn about the Premier League, needed to learn how to manage games in the Premier League, needed to become tactically a bit more aware. I think that would’ve come, he would’ve learn those things through more games.

Obviously four league games and one cup game is not a lot of time at all and actually, at his last game at Burnley when we lost 1-0, we really should’ve won, we were all over them. I remember coming away from that game thinking: “Okay, I think he is starting to learn now”. We played much better, a lot more organised and I thought he might have been turning the corner at that point. Of course, the next day, he was fired.

When the dutchman got the sack, Palace made it clear they wanted one man and one man only. Born in Croydon, a Palace fan and experienced manager who did the trick of saving a club from relegation previously. A perfect match isn’t it? One day after De Boer’s departure, the club announced Roy Hodgson.

Being involved with the managerial scenario since 1976, Roy is often remembered for his rather unsuccessful spell as England manager, which lasted four years. With The Three Lions, Roy’s side got knocked out on the group stage in Brazil and later followed a disappointing elimination to Iceland in the Euros.

He is way to long in the tooth, he is too experienced, he has been through all this too many times to care about what happened with England, Jim said.

If anything, everytime he talks about England, he is very proud about the fact he got to manage his country.

I think that in football, managers and players, mostly, they look forward. They never look back. Because they can get bogged down in nostalgia and it can stop you from pushing forward.

This was the main thing for Roy: Look forward. Palace came knocking on his door knowing that he was unsuccessful with England, but that was Crystal Palace not England. Jim said that Roy felt Palace was the place for him to be, and this is exactly the case.

I’ve said it before, it’s the perfect match. Roy Hodgson started his lackluster playing career at Palace, before going down the leagues. If anything, Roy sees this jobs as an opportunity to getting back to the roots, helping a club that have always had a meaning to him. Palace was the right place to him move forward and this is proving to be right.

Since his arrival at South London, Palace are 8th in the Premier League by recent form, including a run of just one defeat in 13 games, with a great game against Manchester City that ended in a 0-0 draw. Making Roy’s impact even more clearer, since he took over, Palace’s defence is the 5th best in the league. Since his appointment, Palace have conceded 16 goals in as many games, a huge improvement compared to the 17 conceded under Frank De Boer.

Certainly that improvement on the defensive side has a touch of Roy’s player management. Talking with Jim, he said that one of the main changes made by Roy was getting players believing in themselves again, being more organised on the pitch and working hard on the training ground. Danny Murphy told on Match of the Day how Roy demands in the training. He pushes the players to their limits and as for Palace, it’s definitely playing off.

Players improving

Bakary Sako is arguably the player who took the most of Roy’s taking over. Signed from Wolves on a free transfer in 2015, the former Saint-Etienne man had a prolific season in the Championship and appeared to be a player that would improve Palace with pace and strength.

Despite dealing with injuries in his time at Croydon, missing 20 games in total, Sako wasn’t given a chance to prove himself under previous managers. Last season, the Mali international played only seven times in the Premier League, a tally he has doubled this season.

Another number that stands out are his goals. In the seven games he’s played in the Premier League under Roy Hodgson, Bakary Sako matched his goal total for Palace in the whole of the two previous seasons. Despite starting just five games, Sako is Palace’s top scorer this season in all competitions.

This recent and big improvement by Sako is not an accident. Here is what Jim had to say about him:

Sako is the perfect example of a Roy player getting confidence. He kinda believes he is better than he is, he is a sort of decent Championship winger/striker, but he plays like he thinks he is Ronaldinho and it works. He has scored in the last few games, was brilliant against Burnley in the weekend and it all comes from this big self-confidence and clearly Roy helped getting it into him.

Yes, Sako may not be the best winger in the Premier League and not even in the Championship but, as Jim said, this is what Roy does with players. He gets them believing in themselves and as an attacking player, if he gets a bit confidence, he can get going and have a big impact.

On Palace’s last game against Burnley, which ended in a 1-0 for Roy’s side, Sako gave Palace the winner, taking the ball on the left and making a great run inside before putting it away. Despite from scoring the goal, Sako helped Palace pressure Burnley from the front and pay back the trust given by Roy.

Embed from Getty Images

Another thing that stands out for Palace in this recent run is their defence. I’ve already said it, they are the 5th best defence in the Premier League since Roy came in. Maybe the biggest answer for this is that Roy got his players ready, do the job whenever they are called upon. That’s been the case with Crystal Palace’s defenders.

Palace have the second most injuries in the Premier League, with eight. From these eight, four of them are defenders, most notably Scott Dann and Mamadou Sakho, probably Palace’s best centre-back duo. With Dann out indefinetely and Sakho only scheduled to return in February, the injuries left Roy with James Tomkins, Martin Kelly and Damien Delaney as centre-back options.

Despite not being starters by any means, these players are doing a great job. Tomkins and Kelly started together in the last two games and Palace ended up winning both, games that considering the league table, Palace were underdogs.

Wilfried Zaha didn’t get to see much of De Boer, being injured in the whole tenure of the dutchman. However, Zaha has been one of the most influential players under Roy Hodgson.

So far this season, Zaha have scored four goals, including an important one against Chelsea at Selhurst Park, Palace’s first Premier League win of the season back in October. With his goals this season, Zaha bettered all of his Palace seasons since rejoining the club from Manchester United, apart from the last, where he scored seven times.

With pretty much half of the season left, Zaha can have is best goalscoring season in his career at Palace, being the main attacking threat in the team. With pace, skill and physicality, Zaha can lead Palace to their best times in recent history. Also, Zaha is adored by the fans, another reason why he’s always been brilliant in South London.

What Palace expect moving forward?

January will have a big impact in the rest of Palace’s season (Photo: Press Association)

After turning Palace’s fortunes around, all Roy needs to do is keep going. Keep growing the confidence of the players and working hard, then all will come.

Injuries have been a thorn in the side for Palace this season and it won’t be surprising to see Palace active in the rest of the transfer window. Recently, Roy Hodgson said the club would be ideally looking at signing four players and according to reports, a striker and goalkeepers are the priority.

Steve Parish was in the last episode of Jim’s podcast and told what was the plan for the club in the transfer window:

The striker thing is well documented, but the striker market is unbelievably difficult. Everybody is out there looking for one. It isn’t the force of your will that gets these things done, and we have to bring the right characters as well.

Everyone is looking for first-teamers in January. If we’re sitting in our boardroom then Swansea and Southampton will be talking about the same players in many respects.

People know about the odd player we’re linked to, and you pretty much get offered every player.

Jim also told me that Palace planned to do a major shake-up in the squad, but the club changed their stance due to Roy’s incredible turnaround. But we still can expect the club to make some bussiness due to high number of injuries to important players, with Scott Dann, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Jeffrey Schlupp as examples.

The main name linked with Crystal Palace is West Ham forward Diafra Sakho, who saw game time limited recently. Other forward names that are being discussed by the media are Kouma Babacar, playing his trade in Fiorentina, and there is rumoured interest in Liverpool’s Danny Ings.

The goalkeeper is another position that Palace may be looking to strength, with only Wayne Hennessey and Julian Speroni as first-teamers. According to swedish paper Expressen, Palace are interest in Copenhagen’s goalkeeper and Sweden international Robin Olsen.

As for the expectations from the fans, Jim told me that all Palace supporters want is stability.

As Roy not being a long-term prospect, all he can do is put Palace in confortable situation to his successor. With Palace now in 12th, keep the good run going is vital to stay up in a season that they looked to be destined for the Championship. Stability is the key word for Palace fans and what Roy has been able to do so far gives them big hopes of that.

Gabriel Coelho

 

PS: Huge shout-out to Jim Daly for helping me with this piece. His insight on Crystal Palace and Roy Hodgson was vital to give life into this. I’ll leave his links down below:

Youtube

Twitter

Five Year Plan podcast