The International scene took over the midweek games as 3 big games went down. Italy vs Brazil, Spain vs England and France vs Argentina. Records were broken on the weekend, The Brazilian player year of the year was chosen, The biggest derby in Italy took place. Lots of Excitement, but hell loads of disappoint.
International Results
England hosted the derby of the world Italy vs Brazil, where italian fans could not have wept more. Brazil literally annihilated the World Champions 2-0. A game that was completely dominated by Brazil. Brazil proved it to Italy why they are 5 times world champions and Italy are only 4 times world champions. The game started at a tremendous pace, Brazil tore the Italian defense apart by their constant attack mindset. Manchester City midfielder Elano opened the scoring by a lovely passing play with fellow Manchester City team mate Robinho, who brillianty picked out Elano who slotted the ball past Goalkeeper of the Year Buffon. This was only 13 minutes into the game. Italy were missing key figures in attack which showed as they werent able to trouble the Brazilian defense at all. Robinho sent the brazilian fans crazy at the stadium when he showed some awesome peice of skills to score a solo goal to double Brazil's lead. Italy had a couple of chances but they could not get as close as Brazil. Italian coach Marcello Lippi may have won the world cup with italy in 2006, but as they say you can not use the same tacitcs over and over again. Brazil commanded and they conquered.
Spain hosted England in a International friendly where Spain proved to the world that why they are one of the best teams now. Winning the Euro 2008 has made Spain into a completely different team. Ex- England Captain David Bekhams entered the history books for England has he his not the most capped player for the national team. Unfortunately for him this record wont bring him good memories England were defeated by Spain 2-0. England started the game brightly, the match was well evened out, it wasnt like the Brazil Italy game in which one team dominated. England started the game better than Spain , but it was Spain who were decisive and they opened the scoring at the 36 minute mark. In - form striker David Villa was sent through with a wonderful pass from Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso, and no one other than Villa could have slid a lovely ball past veteran goalkeeper David James. England kept pressing for the equalizer but it never happend as substitute Fernando Llorente doubled the scoring for Spain. Xavi hernandez who was the most influential player for Spain because of his passing game, sent in a lovely free kick into the penalty area only for Llorente to rise up the highest and headed it past substitute goal keeper Robert Green. It was for Spain to tame Fabio Capello(England Coach) Lions.
France hosted Argentina in another International Friendly. Argentinian legend Deigo Maradona's second game in charge for his native country, proved to be great as he continued his 100% win record. The result could have gone anyway, as France had a decent amount of chances, but it was the Argentinian team that showed the better quality up front and in defense. Goals from Jonas Gutierrez and Lionel Messi sealed the win for Argentina. The first goal by Jonas came from nowhere as Argentina caught France on the counter-attack and scored a goal on a general play. Lionel Messi's trickery with his feet kept on troubling the experienced French Defense. He was a menace to them. He scored the second goal by beautifully dribbling the ball past veteran defender William Gallas to volley the ball past goalkeeper Steve Mananda. Its 2 wins out of 2 for Deigo Maradona. Is this form going to continue for the Argentinian team ? They have underachieved for so many years, maybe now its their time.
Spanish La Liga
This weeks focus was on the Real Madrid game as the Real Madrid fans wanted Gonzalo Raul to score against Sporting Gijon, because if he did he would become the clubs all time top scorer, beating real madrid legend Alfredo Di Stefano's record. And the player did not disappoint the fans as he scored a brace against Sporting. Influential defender for Spain and Real Madrid Sergio Ramos's beautiful cross and rauls first time volley opened the scoring for Real Madrid. Real Madrid went onto defeat Sporting 4-0 , goals by Raul (2), Huntelaar (1) who scored his first goal for the club and Marcelo who also scored the first goal for Madrid. The fans had nothing else to cheer for as Real Madrid closest the gap between arch rivals Barcelona who drew against Real Betis 2-2. Valencia failed to secure a win against Malaga as Raul Albiols late own goal downed Valencia. It wasn't a goal fest in spain but it was certainly a week to be remembered by the Real Madrid fan's as their home based striker broke all records. On top of that, legends like Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Del Peiro also hailed the Spanish born Striker. Raul has definitly made a name for himself by becoming the top scorer for scoring 309 goals for real madrid in the past 14 years at the club.
Italian Calcio
One of the biggest Matches in the Italian League took place this week. The Milan derby. Internazionale vs AC Milan. The two Milan based teams faced each other in a epic 3 goal thriller. This was the last derby to be played by Milan legend Paolo Maldini. But it would be a derby he did not want to remember as Inter Milan defeated Milan 2-1. Out of favour striker Adriano was given a rare start for Inter Milan. And he did not fail to please as he scored the first goal for Inter Milan. Inter defender Maicon crossed in a lovely ball and Adriano apparently scored the goal using his head. Now this is what the whole Inter Milan team and the fans claim. But after watching video replays it has been proved that Adriano had actually scored the goal with his hand which is apparently illegal. He was very smart in tricking the refree at the sideline who did not seem to have noticed the handball and he allowed the goal. Dejan Stankovic doubled the lead for Inter with a wonderful first time volley he scored after it got deflected of a AC Milan player. Alexandro Pato pulled one back for Milan, but it wasn't enough to stop the Inter team. Juventus's hope to win the title were crushed by Sampodria as they held Juventus for a 1-1 boring draw. The biggest upset of the week was the loss of Roma to the hands of struggling team Atlanta F.C.
Watch the video and decide for yourself whether Inter deserved the first goal or not. Their maybe be controversies this week. But on the brighter side Rrecords were broken. International powerhouses played against each other for thrilling games. Football Fans cannot ask for more.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
i am not the biggest fan of international sports teams but in the Italian Calico i can empathize with the Palo Maldini because his last game which happened to the biggest game of the season was the he lost by only one point just like the world famous Micheal Jordan who struggled to be put on the All-Star team in the first place had made his signature fade-away jumpshot over another great player only to have the game lost to kobe by Jermaine 0'neal.
ReplyDelete