Quick update - England/Spain

Well ... I haven't had time to post too much lately since I've been working offsite for a while.

Anyway, what's new in the world of soccer ... premiership and La liga, that is.

England

Chelsea loses, as I predicted last week. The league might be all but over but it's good to see the leader lose a game (Chelsea supporters might not like this one!). It makes for a more exciting end of season even though the big fight is for second place.

ManU did win 1-2 with Saha's double. They stand second with two games in hand and two points ahead of Liverpool. Liverpool who also won 3-1 and have managed 8 goals in the last two games are hoping for a Manchester slip to get back to second place.

The battle for fourth place is also good to watch. Four teams (Spurs, Gunners, Blackburn and Bolton) all looking to get into fourth. Wigan is also lurking but most likely to fight for a UEFA cup spot.

Spain

Barcelona did as it should (without Messi). Their strikers sure can score with Larsson and Etoo taking advantage of Real Sociedad in a 2-o victory.

La Liga is practically over with Valencia losing to Racing away and Real only managing a 0-0 draw agains Betis at home. It's Real's third consecutive scoreless draw and looking at the way they play lately it seems that they are waiting for a new season and a new coach.

Real stand second, 11 points behind Barcelona and Osasuna has managed to get into a tie for third with Valencia and just one point behind Real.

The real battles in Spain are for second, UEFA and relegation spots. Relegation is tight and with four points separating 13th from 19th it is going to be a battle that might only be decided in the last day. Stay tuned.

Chelsea, oh mighty Chelsea

Another Premiership Chelsea game and another victory! They seem to squeak out a victory every week but is their luck running out? The league title is pretty much wrapped up but their style of play leaves something to be desired. They love to play a defensive and counterattacking style that, as we’ve seen, might work well in England, but against other European teams is definitely not a solution. Out of Champions League play once again.

Abramovich put millions of dollars into this team but the offensive cohesiveness and team camaraderie does not seem to be there. Will the team self-destruct before the end of the season and start losing more games? Very unlikely … but I guess it doesn’t matter. The league title is theirs and there is always room for improvement as more money will be put on the table for next season’s signings.

-- The Premiership Soccer Blogger

Thierry Henry … Speed, Finesse and a Goal

Well, so it ends. Another Premiership week and another week where everybody is talking about Thierry Henry.

He scored both goals for Arsenal in a 2-1 victory over Liverpool. Henry had put Arsenal in front in the 21st minute with a fantastic curling shot. Luis Garcia equalised for Liverpool 15 minutes from time. But right after Xabi Alonso was sent off with 8 minutes remaining in the second half, Gerrard’s attempted backpass was intercepted by Henry who made it look so easy putting the ball past Jose Reina.

He, alone, terrifies opposing defences. Just tell Real Madrid. One fantastic solo effort by Henry put his team through to the next round in the Champions league and he had many more chances in the return leg.

It seems that every week there is a rumor of a major European team wanting to acquire his services. Barcelona and Inter Milan have publicly displayed their interests and I wouldn’t be surprised if he moves to one the bigger continental teams this summer. Why not? Besides Shevchenko, is there any other player like Henry playing in his position? Don’t mention Ronaldo since his better days are done; Adriano and Etoo still need to prove their worth. Any thoughts?

- The Premiership Soccer Blogger

Real Disarray

The match of the day in Spain: Valencia-Real Madrid.

A lot of buzz surrounding this game, especially following last week’s Real Madrid Champions League elimination at the hands of Arsenal, the previous week’s resignation of Real’s president Florentino Perez and the fact that these 2 teams are third and second in the standings.

Could any of them move a step closer to Barcelona and be alone in second position? Well, first things first …

Valencia: The return of Baraja to the lineup seemed to have cheered up the Valencia supporters who were really confident about their team’s ability to defeat Real Madrid. They won 0-1 in their visit to Madrid earlier in the season.

Real Madrid: The coach’s starting lineup leaves much to be desired about his coaching abilities. Starting Raul Bravo, Baptista, Zidane, Raul in detriment of Pavon/Helguera, Robinho, Cassano and Ronaldo seemed like a big mistake.
Zinade just doesn’t have the pace, Baptista has not really adapted to the team and Raul has not played well for three years and just came out of an injury.

The Game:

First Half

You didn’t miss much … Real Madrid had ball possession and a territorial advantage but no real chances on goal by both teams. One strange play to talk about: Mejia, a Real defender seemed to have fouled Villa, a Valencia attacker, just outside the box. The ball came to Ramos who, thinking that the referee had called a foul grabbed the ball with his hands. The referee did not blow his whistle and after consulting with the linesman, the referee decided to give a free kick in Real Madrid’s favor. A strange situation indeed and it was the only way to resolve it besides giving a penalty.

Second half

More of the same until the 65th minute when Real’s Baptista headed the ball down with power from a cross that Canizares magnificently saved. A couple of minutes earlier, an invisible Raul (as always) was substituted by Ronaldo.

Around the 75th minute, Robinho and Cassano came in for Zinade and Baptista. Real looked much better with Robinho’s skill and Cassano’s mobility and strength. A few semi-chances for Real until the 89th minute when give’n go play between Ronaldo and Cassano resulted in a penalty. Ronaldo was set free and the Valencia’s goalkeeper had no choice but to tackle him. Yellow card and penalty … but possible hand ball by Ronaldo before that.

Ronaldo, who has shown his discontent with the club and Real’s supporters took the penalty. The result, a slow shot along the ground the the goalkeeper’s left and an easy save by the goalie. End of Game.

0-0. A fitting end to a game and nobody closer to the top, really! Real’s troubles continue.

- The Spanish Soccer Blogger