Josep Guardiola - End of an Era part 1

Josep Guardiola ended his trophy laden 4 year reign as king of Barcelona and Europe last night and was able to celebrate his 14th trophy in 4 years: the Spanish Kings Cup. A virtual unknown when appointed as Barca boss in 2008 succeeding Frank Rijkaard a Dutch legend in the managerial world. A former Barca great pep was winner of the champions league in 92 and a key member of Cruyff`s dream team so was known amongst Catalans in Catalonia. His first move as Barcelona manager was to sell Barca legends Ronaldinho and Deco and was on the verge of selling Cameroonian Samuel Etoo but decides against it. Using the money from the sales he buys future Barcelona greats in the form of Dani Alves and Gerard Pique.

The first season turns to be Guardiola`s greatest and most successful. Tiki-taka football taken to the next level. He emphatically dethrone Spanish champions Real Madrid by hammering them at the Bernabeu 6-2. His team go on a 20 match unbeaten run during this season and never losing their deserved place at the pinnacle of La Liga.The story does not end there as Barcelona and Guardiola marched their way towards an emphatic 4-1 victory of Athletic Bilbao their opponents last night in the same final of the same competition. Yes the Copa Del Rey or the King`s Cup Guardiola`s first trophy as Barca boss as it was at the Mestalla that Barcelona laid there foundations on building their destiny however the greatest prize was yet to come.

Barcelona began their champions league adventure at the third qualifying round emphatically beating Wisla Krakow 4-0 with Etoo scoring the first goal. Barcelona are drawn alongside Sporting CP, Shakhtar Donetsk and Basel. Their first game against Sporting CP ends with a comfortable win (3-1).Their second was very different. 1-0 down against Donetsk with 4 minutes and stoppage time Guardiola needed someone to step up as they were frustrated badly, but step up Barca`s number 10 yes Lionel Messi. Two goals at the death saves Barca from embarrassment and earn a vital win. A comprehensive win against lowly Basel followed and a draw followed. A win at the Jose Avalvde against Sporting assured Barca of qualification and in their final game at the Nou Camp Shakhtar silence the noisy crowd with a sensational win against Guardiola`s troops but it did not matter. Masterclass stuff from the most entertaining team in the world as they breeze past Lyon and Bayern Munich to set up a semi final clash against Guus Hiddink`s overachieving Chelsea. A sturdy performance from Chelsea gives them a 0-0 draw at the Nou Camp. The return leg officiated by Tom Henning Ovrebo at Stamford Bridge was worthy of an Oscar. Barca favourites for the tie do not start well as Chelsea take the lead through a stunning strike from 20 yards from none other than warrior Michael Essien. Despite Barcelona dominating possession it was Chelsea who looked more dangerous especially after Eric Abidal`s sending off with Chelsea claiming at least 4 penalties none being given by Ovrebo. Barcelona looked perplexed and anxiety filled the Barca section of the crowd. Chelsea were edging closer to a rematch against Manchester United in the final yet again but just as Guardiola looked to the skies in the 93rd minute Barcelona finally broke through and it was the "heart breaker" who struck again yes Andres Iniesta. Ovrebo blew his whistle and Guardiola could not believe what he`d just done; taken Barcelona to the UEFA champions league final against the reigning European Champions Manchester United. Chelsea were furious and that cued for Drogba infamous rant " it`s a disgrace it`s a disgrace it`s a f***ing disgrace". The match was dubbed by journalists as the "BATTLE OF STAMFORD BRIDGE". The final approached Messi vs Ronaldo, Xavi vs Scholes and Etoo vs Rooney and more importantly Guardiola vs Sir Alex Ferguson. We thought it would close and tense and that was the case for the first seven minutes but from then on it was all Barca and Messi as Barcelona stormed to their first European crown in 3 years. Guardiola etched his name in the history books by becoming the youngest even Champions league winning manger at the tender age of 38 and secures the treble in emphatic fashion to become the first Spaniard to win the treble in La Liga history.

Future stars

This report is all about those glittering youths looking to make it to stardom many managers around the world as well  as fans search to find the hottest talent the next messi the next ronaldo etc.(The list is in no specific order)   

1. ZAKARIA LABYAD: Dubbed the new afellay a  19 year old  Moroccan national playing his trade in the Dutch league for PSV edinhoven (one of the big guns in Holland). labyad played for the  Dutch  under 17 youth team before switching to the Moroccan national team he is the latest in a long line of  legendary Dutch midfielder s Now he needs to further his development a move to ac Milan to re create the Dutch midfield with urby emalusan that won 2 champions league under sachi.But such a move looks far off in turn he should go to a top 7 club in a big league my first choice would be Newcastle who were  linked with zakaria s  Dutch/Moroccan counterpart Adam Maher,labyad would be better suited to Alan pardews European charge.
2. EDUARDO VARGAS:The little known player of  napolis famous attack , the Chilean was signed by napoli in the  January transfer window for 12 million euro s from universal de Chile. Dubbed the new Alexis Sanchez he posses a rare ability to rip into opposition defences only possessed by the very best in the game accounting for 42 goals and a numerous number of assists but he has rarely  started for napoli since his move to southern Italy accounting for no more then 5 apps.The reason is Ahead of him is the trinity of Europe Cavani, hamshik and lavezzi.But at the same time it is a bonus having such gifted players around him it will help him grow to accomplish is potential. If napoli is to reach its former glory of marodonna then Vargas will be pivotal to its accomplishment this point is reiterated by the fact that napolis all-star  attack could be brought out by the bigger & richer teams in Europe. 
3.  MUHAMMAD DIMIRICI:Perhaps the best talent that will come from turkey (I believe even better then the great mesut ozil) this boy is only 17 years of age and already has signed a professional contract for bekitas know as the next messi he is gifted with unplayable dribbling abilities married with excellent skill and technique dimirici will make it to the big time already wanted by man utd & trialed   by none other than Barcelona this boy is on his way to the top next year should be his breakthrough season and expect big things from the Turk his flair and attacking ability is unmatched with 5 goals in 8 match for the Turkish youth team. Muhammad will grow into a fine player but if he is to reach is optimum level of performance then he will have to learn from the best a move to the nou camp will help his talent excel  as he will be surrounded by the best and be trained and coached by the best ,He will also be under the guidance of non other than messi  In 3 years time we could have another barca phenomenal.http://www.itusozluk.com/image/muhammed-demirci_190789.jpg 

Preview : CSKA Moskva vs Real Madrid

Real Madrid look to keep their 100% record in this season`s UEFA Champions League against Russian opponents CSKA Moscow in their first leg of their round of 16 tie. CSKA Moscow who haven't played in over two months due to the Russian league winter break will be looking to spring a surprise against their Spanish counterparts whilst Madrid will be looking to continue their blistering form so far this season which has propelled them to dominating La liga this season 10 points ahead of arch-rivals FC Barcelona and Jose Mourinho will be looking to his talismen Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema who have scored an incredible 66 goals between them in all competitions this season, however leading assist man Angel Di Maria is out with a recurring leg injury after his 30 minute cameo against Racing Santander at the weekend. Also out are Lassana Diarra and Hamit Altintop. CSKA Moscow face even more injury problems as keeper Igor Akinfeev is out with torn knee ligaments and Keisuke Honda is out too with knee problems. The freezing weather conditions and artificial pitch could prove a difficult obstacle for Madrid but Jose Mourinho who acknowledged this fact in his press conference would expect only a win to take back to the Bernabeu. Also coach Leonid Slutsky who very ambitious in his press conference aimed to knock Real Madrid out then Barcelona this season but looking very unlikely yet possible.

Cristiano Ronaldo
Madrid`s answer to Barca`s Leo Messi
their is a lot riding on this man 40 goals
already this season the portugese ace is
almost impossible to stop at his best and
he will be as usual Madrid`s main attacking
threat in Moscow and after watching
his rival Messi grab four at the weekend
he`ll  be looking to produce his own
masterclass display against Moscow

Seydou Doumbia
The Ivorian has been in sensational form
all season for Moscow and has filled in
the large boots of departing Vagner Love
scoring an incredible 33 goals in 41 appearances
and returning from a disappointing Africa cup
of nations he will be looking to shock Madrid
in the sub-zero temperatures tomorrow night
 

Preview:Chelsea v Napoli

Tomorrow chelsea perhaps face one of the most meanest  front line in Europe,  Napoli have one of the most sought after attacker in Europe in the prolific Edison cavani getting 20 goals this year round, 2 of which where against Manchester city. Napoli are not a one man team with another 2 world class forwards.spiky and skilful lavezzi  combines telepathically well with cavani , while hamsik passing is cutting edge.On the bench the napoliteans still have a quality attacker in Eduardo Vargas a January signing from universal de Chile (11 million euro).Vargas is dubbed the new Alexis Sanchez a player scouted and almost brought by the blues.Gokhan Inler  and Walter Gargano form a solid midfield partnership which would allow the Italians to dominate the middle of the park,the Londoners can also expect darting runs from the right of the pitch by the energetic Christian Maggio.on paper napoli seem a formidable force but looking at their back-line a problem may seem prevalent due to the age of this defence despite this the kings of southern Italy haven't conceded in four league games(which includes to arsenals assailants in last weeks champions league fixture involving the other English side-AC Milan ).

Can Hamsik & Lavezzi bring back the good times to the south of Italy!

 Enough about napoli there opponents Chelsea have failed to impress under AVB,they have also to fail to adapt to his high defensive line that villas boas wishes to play leaking 31 goals the second highest in the top 5 five of which were conceded at home Stamford bridge is no longer the fortress it once was .Chelsea are boosted by the return of dedier drogba from the African cup of nations.

Its showtime for AVB.

The question is Fernando Torres going to score Its been almost a year since Chelsea have won on there travels in Europe having beaten Copenhagen 2:0 anelka getting both goals.chelsea currently sit outside of the top four behind arsenal.This is a must win game for  villas boas as he could be axed by abramovich for the failing to Chelsea back into a European super power.napoli look set to cut into Chelsea second rate defence. Chelsea can still cause problems.but it likes Romans march on Europe may have to wait another year.

             


         

Arsenal v AC Milan first half analysis

Arsenal are down by 2 goals to nil. Kevin-prince-boateng volleyed in a screamer in the 15th minute game.a cross from niciranto opened up the gunners , boateng chested the ball beautifully and exquisitely volleyed  it past scezcheny hitting the crossbar on the way.Then on the 38th minute zlatan ran past sagna advancing then crossing it for robhino to head it with the side of the head.Arsenals defence was terrible and there attack not threatening to the Milan defence.Arsenal replace Walcott with Henry and go three down through robhino shot in the 49th minute    
              

                          

post match report:barca fc v leverkusen

Barcelona fc returned to there best last night as they cruised past Bayern leverkusen by 3 goals to 1, Alexis Sanchez scored 2 while messi got one in the 88 minute. leverkusen s Alan kadec levelled but the germans couldn't handle the Catalan especially Sanchez who was man of the match.Messi hit the wood work a few times before getting his goal in the 88 minute.Barca had 80% of the possession with leverkusen playing with some times 5 defenders and almost all there players in there own half it seem only time until the breakthrough came,the host done well to limit the champions chances and got a goal back in the 52 minute after a positive start to the second half

, but it only lasted 3 minutes as cesc fabrigas threaded a well weighted ball to Sanchez who rounded past Leno and slotted home his second goal of the game,the Germans almost came close through gonzalo castro whose shot was tipped over by valdes  at full stretch.messi almost put the game to bed with a bit of magic that saw him hit the wood work with 18 minutes to play, he got his goal 2 minutes from time connecting with dani Alves cross.leverkusen now have a mammoth task if they wish to salvage anything from this tie at the formidable camp nou where they must at least win 3:0 if they wish to go through. a very unlikely upset ( but this is football)      

Preview:Arsenal fc v Ac milan

Arsenal go into the game with the benefit of having won their group but drew one of the toughest fixtures available to those who topped their group,their opponents on the other hand took the predictable place of second to the current champions Barcelona.The Italian champions  are also in good form coming from behind to beat title contenders udinese 2:1( with  di natale opening the scoring only for Milan sub to level the scoring and to set up youngster el sharaawy)to go top of the seria a, Milan are also boosted by the return of veteran alessandro nesta  and the young guns of pato and Kevin-prince-boateng.

The Rossoneri's newlook strike-force could hurt the north Londoners.

on the other hand arsenal are without German centre back per mertersacker who was stretchered of during arsenals league victory over Sunderland which brings us onto another arsenal player who would most likely feature in tomorrows fixture gunners  legend Thierry henry who grabbed an extra time winner in the sunderland game which propelled arsenal into the top four and in turn qualification for next year's champions league.arsenal would be counting on their prolific captain robin van persie as well as young gun alex oxlade Chamberlain to provide the potent threat upfront against the experienced back line of Milan.

Its set to be a memorable encounter between these former 'giants' of Europe,it should be goals galore as to of the Europe's hottest strikers battle it out in the form of robin van persie and Zlatan ibrahimovic(who did score twice against the gunners when playing for Barcelona).