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Showing posts from September, 2020

Liverpool are even better than a year ago. Champions of England want to retain their title in Premier League

Liverpool won against Arsenal 3:1. The Reds were too good for massively improved Arsenal team. Trent Alexander-Arnold plays like a winger, not defender, Virgil Van Dijk the same. Jurgen Klopp set up the team, which can defend and attack. All players are brilliant on the ball and off the ball. The quality is there and tactics as well. The depth of the squad is impressive. Jota and Minamino are perfect role players. Salah, Firmino and Mane hold responsibility for scoring, however they are replaced, when it is the best option for the mighty Liverpool team. Wijnaldum, Fabinho and Keita are solid at the midfield, particularly on defense. Trent Alexander-Arnold and also Andrew Robertson are probably the best defenders we have seen in recent years. They can defend and create chances. Their crosses and clearances are always impressive. Liverpool are good in terms of set pieces. Virgil Van Dijk is always at the box to score. They transformed the game. Arsenal have been improved by Arteta, f...

Barca win in La Liga. Fati will replace Messi in coming years

Barca beaten Villarreal in their first fixture in La Liga. Blaugrana played well, but they are still in transition period. They’ve dominated the Yellow Submarine from Spain, scoring all four goals in the first half. Fati has been supreme, Alba, De Jong and Busquets solid as always. Messi bit in the shadow, but he just cannot be underestimated. I think Messi understood the team is in crisis, in transition period for a while right now and he just should allow the team to grow around him. Pjanic and Coutinho join Barca, but it will take time to adapt them to Barca squad. Dembele seems to be the role player. Griezmann disappointed a bit, but he is great in the build up, he just fits to one touch football. However, it was walking football at Camp Nou. Villarreal have not put Barca under pressure. They were all the time behind the ball, waiting for Barca. It was wrong tactics, it has to be said. If they had played with passion and persistence, they would have won the game. I just cannot he...

Will Lewis Hamilton retire from the F1 by the end of 2020?

Lewis Hamilton is very close to his 7-th World Championship in 2020. He will not be beaten by his teammate, Valtteri Bottas. Bottas plays the second fiddle to Lewis over last three years. He is unable to challenge Lewis, like Nico Rosberg did in 2014 and in 2016. Valtteri is the pro, but inconsistent. Consistency is the key to win in motorsport at every level, whether it is F1, WEC, WRC, IMSA, DTM or BTCC. Everyone knows that, Valtteri knows that, but he is not good enough, bit like Rubens Barrichello, when he was driving alongside Michael Schumacher at Ferrari in early 2000s.  Speaking about the great Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton is very close to equal his record in number of the race wins and championship titles. Lewis is 35 and he is the leader of the mighty and the most dominant team in the history of the F1, Mercedes. Mercedes have been winning everything over last 7 years since the introduction of the hybrid power units to F1. The new tech is massive investment and...

Bayern lose against Hoffenheim. Bundesliga is not easy for the Champions of Europe

Bayern have lost the game in Bundesliga against Hoffenheim. They’ve been the invincibles over last months, however, Kramaric and the rest of the Hoffenheim team have shown, it will not be easy for Bayern in 2020/21 season in Bundesliga. Bayern have been playing against Hoffenheim like pre-season friendly. They were sloppy and careless with the ball and Hoffenheim took all opportunities to score. Bayern have been chasing Hoffenheim over the entire game. They need to pick up the pace a bit, if they want to win in 2021. I cannot help thinking Bayern have underestimated Hoffenheim and they paid the price. Hoffenheim were great on the counter attack, they were fast and creative. They punished their opponents. Are Bayern pro? They are, but from time to time they will lose, like Manchester City against Leicester last weekend. The level in the European football is too high to underestimate any rival. Bayern were creative and proactive in offense, passive in transition to defense. Manuel...

Luis Suarez leaves FC Barcelona. Adios y muchas gracias por todo Luis

I just cannot understand why Barcelona board and coach caused Luis Suarez’ departure from the club. It is simply insane. Luis Suarez has scored 198 goals for Barcelona. Without him, Barca would have not won Champions League and La Liga several times. Luis is 33, like Messi. He is one of the greatest number nine, central forward in football – I think only Robert Lewandowski is better and Luis has been allowed to leave. Moreover, he was asked to leave by the current Barca’s coach Ronald Koeman. They’ll be missing El Pistolero. Badly. Goals, assists, aggressiveness and uncompromising style. Furthermore, Luis joins Atletico Madrid, arch rival to Barca over the years. Diego Pablo Simeone, Argentinean manager of Los Colchoneros couldn’t be happier. He will have great central forwards. Barca will be more dependent on Messi. Fati is impressive, but he is 17 years old. Griezmann will not be able to carry the team throughout the entire season. Barcelona is in transition, the new board will be ...

Everton and Tottenham are on fire

Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho have set up great teams, capable of winning trophies. Everton and Tottenham scored five goals on matchday two of Premier League in their fixtures against West Bromwich Albion and Southampton respectively. More to come in upcoming weekend and weeks. We have congested schedule, we will have the opportunity to assess Everton and Tottenham. Carlo Anceletti set up decent team at Goodison Park in blue side of Liverpool. James Rodriguez, Richarlison, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Allan, Yerry Mina and Lucas Digne play really well with and without the ball. They are well organized by the Italian coach and they are resilient and uncompromising. They have the winning mentality. They take responsibility for the game passing the ball, trying to create chances, making space, looking for gaps and breaking the lines of their opponents. The team is set up and ready to fight for Champions League spot against Manchester City, FC Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham. They are con...

Arsenal are the force to be reckoned with this season

Arsenal have beaten West Ham at home. It is not a surprise to me. Arteta’s players have worked hard to make it happen. They scored first, then Moyes players have equalized, but Arsenal didn’t give it up and they scored winning goal. It shows, Arsenal made the progress under Arteta management and over the fierce opposition in English Premier League. Last year, they were sloppy, the confidence wasn’t there. They were insecure, if opponents scored. Under Arteta, they are sharp and confident. They’ve got the winning mentality. It is vital and it's the turning point. Arsenal can fight for Champions League spot with Arteta. They still need to improve on every single aspect of the game, but they are not powerless like year ago. They fight. Arteta has done great work taking into account defense. Arsenal try to intercept the ball, they are aggressive in defense. It is a good sign. The defense is the key to win. If you can defend for ninety minutes, you still have opportunities to create ext...

Manchester United 1:3 Crystal Palace. Painful experience

When I was growing up Manchester United have been winning everything in England and from time to time in Europe . These days are over however and reality is miserable . Solskjaer players are not able to stop Crystal Palace. Credit to Palace, they deserved to win at Old Trafford, legendary Theatre of Dreams. The Theatre of Dreams became nightmare for Manchester United since Alex Ferguson left the club in 2013. Legendary manager was serving for the club over 27 years. I wasn’t even born when he started. Manchester United were the leading force of English football since 1990s. Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Neville brothers, Butt, Cole, Yorke, Irwin, Pallister, Sheringham, Solskjaer, Johnsen and Schmeichel were setting a tone of English football. Then Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney came in the mid 2000s and United clinched second European title in 2008. First they won in 1999 after late drama in Barcelona against Bayern Munich. Sir Alex Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles, five FA...

Juve win in Seria A, but Bianconeri are not good enough to clinch Champions League in 2021

Juve have won against Sampdoria 3:0, but I don’t think Pirlo’s players are good enough to win the Uefa Champions League. They were playing really well at first half, however Sampdoria could have won this game. They could score an equalizer at the beginning of the second half. They have not done that, Bianconeri have taken the advantage over the team from Genoa and they have scored two more times. Ronaldo has been playing well, as always, but he has been stuck in the team, which is in the transition period. Pirlo wants to make Juve winning again in Europe, however, he doesn’t have central forward and players around Ronaldo are good enough to clinch Serie A title, but in the fierce competition in Europe, it will be not enough. Juve are not able to close down quickly opponents throughout the entire ninety minutes of the game and skillful Sampdoria were close to score on 1:1. Bianconeri need to stay compact horizontally and vertically. Italy deserves Uefa Champions League in 2021. The on...

Liverpool have all under control. The Reds are the best in England

Sadio Mane scored two goals against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. It was enough to secure three points for Liverpool. Chelsea are sloppy, careless with ball, without the ball they are simply powerless. It is too easy to break Chelsea defense. It is still early days, however it seems The Blues are not able to challenge for the title this year, massive progress would have to be made to change that. It won’t happen overnight. It is a bit disappointing. Chelsea were among championship contenders not long time ago, but they seem to be in transition period. Timo Werner, who joined the club recently, played well, others failed. Liverpool players got the job done. They were cautious bit on the first half, but they kept up with the good work. Christensen has been sent off due to his challenge. Afterwards Liverpool executed perfectly their tactics and Mane scored two goals. Header and his persistence without the ball have given Liverpool three well deserved points. Sadio Mane is probably the bes...

Leeds and Fulham play great football

Both promoted teams played exceptionally well last weekend. Leeds won 4:3 against Fulham, both promoted teams put up the great show on the Elland Road in Leeds. There is no tactics however while Fulham and Leeds play, but it is great news for all fans around the world. English Premier League is global brand, it is followed in China and in the United States, not only in Europe. We love offense, not tactical game. We dislike catenaccio, although I love Italy. Premier League is the greatest business sporting product on the planet, because it provides entertainment. In these days, when people struggle, it seems to be vital. I am impressed that both Marcelo Bielsa and Scott Parker set up great teams, capable of playing one touch football and attack all the time. They both need to improve their teams considering defense, if they want to not be relegated. However, last match between those two was truly a thriller. Leeds have been leading 4:1 and they’ve been under severe pressure, put by ...

Robert Lewandowski and Bayern are in the league of their own

Bayern demolished Schalke 04 Gelsenkirchen on matchday one of Bundesliga. Lewandowski “rabona” assist made this game simply exceptional. Sane, Gnabry and Lewandowski played great one touch football between lines, without ball they have been closing Schalke quickly. Bayern set up the tone of Bundesliga and the European football in current season. If you want to win, you need to close down without the ball as soon as possible to retake possession and play vertically between lines. Bayern are doing so over last months in the European football setting up the bar high, it is simply the standard of playing football on the very highest level these days. It is great to watch. They make a show for fans. Fans are not on the stadium, however, we can follow Bayern on TV and it is simply pleasure. Bayern have made great moves on the transfer market. They lost Coutinho and Thiago, however Leroy Sane, former Manchester City player joined the club from Munich. It great decision, which has been m...

Thiago Alcantara and Gareth Bale are coming to Premier League

According to recent reports, two stars are coming to English Premier League this month. Thiago will be Liverpool player and Gareth Bale returns to Tottenham. The high depth of Liverpool squad may be determining factor considering the title fight in 2021. Tottenham desperately need to be strengthened. Spurs struggle. They are not creative anymore and they seem to not be highly motivated, which is bizarre. They need winger. Bale played for them until his move to Real Madrid. Premier League will have even higher quality than currently. Thiago played under Guardiola in Barcelona, and Bayern. He learnt how to be a role player and defend. He is creative, imaginative and highly disciplined. Liverpool will be even stronger with him. Klopp wants to improve the lineup, he is aware winning is possible when the team improves all the time. If you are not moving forward, your arch rivals will improve and win. Premier League is such a great league due to fierce competition among teams. They push ea...

Premier League is better than ever before. Watch and follow the best league

I’ve been following Premier League since 20 years now and I can assure you that this season will be the best one. Race for the title will go down to the wire. Liverpool and Manchester City will be fighting for the title, however Leeds, Chelsea, Arsenal and Everton made massive progress and they are still improving. Bielsa, Lampard, Arteta and Ancelotti set up great teams.  I am impressed how much Arteta has changed Arsenal. They are highly motivated, they close down quickly when they lose the ball – it is discipline. Arsenal struggled over last 15 years due to poor transition – they were not able to close down quickly and make interception. Under Mikael Arteta they are well organized. They work together as one team, not 3-4 separate formations and even more importantly they are doing that quickly. They are not sloppy. They question is about consistency, particularly away from home, however they were dominant against Fulham last weekend. They need to attack this season and improve...

I stand with Lewis Hamilton. Is Lewis right?

Lewis Hamilton made a strong statement last Sunday wearing a T-shirt highlighting police brutality in America. Very reminiscent to Lebron James message in NBA. F1 champion is however under investigation right now, F1 authorities check whether Lewis broke the rules considering the sporting code. Andrew Benson, BBC Sport: The sporting code forbids drivers from “affixing to their automobiles advertising that is political or religious in nature or that is prejudicial to the interests of the FIA”. The only reference to politics in the statues a requirement on the FIA to “refrain from manifesting discrimination on account on race, skin colour, gender, sexual orientation, ethnic or social origin, language, religion, philosophical or political opinion, family situation or disability in the course of its activities”. F1 has set up the social campaign raising awareness on social issues, like #BlackLivesMatter, #WeRaceAsOne and diversity. Lewis plays the leading role, he speaks as the leader....

Tuscan Grand Prix. Amo l’Italia

Tuscan Grand Prix was thrilling like week earlier Italian Grand Prix at Monza. We should race in Italy every weekend! Tuscan Grand Prix at Mugello delivered. The race was interrupted two times by red flags, but therefore we had 3 standing starts! We had action packed race, full of drama, emotions and battles. The overtaking move which has been done by Alex Albon on mighty Daniel Ricciardo on San Donato was absolutely spectacular. Alex passed Daniel on the outside! Well deserved podium, first of many. Drivers involved in scary incidents are ok, thankfully, although Carlos Sainz admitted, it was scary. Restart procedure should be improved. Drivers need to be assisted somehow. Otherwise, we could lose all cars in one restart. The race was controversial and political I would say considering race winner T-shirt. Lewis Hamilton wants to draw attention to social issues involving #BlackLivesMatter and for the first time I’ve seen winning driver wearing a T-shirt with very clear message on t...

Vettel joins Aston Martin in 2021. Will they challenge for the title?

Sebastian Vettel will race for Aston Martin in 2021. What does it mean to F1, Seb and Aston ? F1 keeps on the grid one of the star, 4-times World Champion, popular figure on the paddock. Seb is liked right now. When he was racing in Red Bull, it was different story, because he was dominant and he made F1 bit boring in early 2010s, but fans like him, his sense of humour, attitude and talent. Aston Martin group gain a lot. They will be seen as the championship contenders from the day one in F1. Global brand will grow around the world. From marketing perspective, it is great choice for the brand. He is the  added value . Seb might not be on the grid, if he didn’t join Aston. It is great considering his career. He will stay and even more importantly, he will not be under such severe pressure like in his current team, Scuderia Ferrari, loved by Tifosi like their country, Italy. He will be able to enjoy racing once again , like in Red Bull days in early 2010s. British team suits h...

Checo Perez leaves Racing Point. F1 is broken. Money and power are more important than talent and hard work

Sergio Perez has  made an announcement: he is leaving the Racing Point by the end of the season. He has no alternative, possibly it is his last season in F1 .  Perez joined the team back in 2014. He was standing on the podium in second race in Bahrain . He was the leader of the team since 2014. He is one of the most underrated drivers on the grid , since I’ve been following the F1, 1998. Perez hasn’t delivered in 2013 McLaren. The team was in transition preparing car with hybrid engine before 2014 massive regulation change. Perez left McLaren and joined the team from Silverstone, called Force India in 2014, currently Racing Point, Aston Martin in 2021. Aston needs Vettel, the former champion, star. They want to set up leading force, they are the global brand, not only British . Vettel will have fresh start in the new team. However, Sergio Perez didn’t deserve to be treated like that. He signed 3 years contract last year and now he’s lost his job basically. Perez is soli...

Ronaldo, Suarez and Dybala should win the Uefa Champions League for Juventus and Italy

Juventus need to finally deliver and clinch the title in Europe. They’ve got truly impressive lineup, charismatic coach and confidence built in Italy.   Serie A might not be the best league nowadays, however  Champions of Italy should be doing far better in Europe , than they have been doing over last 10 years since Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan won the Uefa Champions League. It was 2010!  Bianconeri have got all the ingredients needed to win  everything, however they don’t deliver. I’m aware Luis Suarez hasn’t joined yet, but the move is expected and  even without El Pistolero, Bianconeri should be the Champions of Europe . Ronaldo, Dybala, Costa, Higuain, Cuadrado, Arthur, Rabiot, Khedira, Sandro, Danilo, Chiellini and Szczęsny could do better . Bianconeri are on the back foot considering midfielders, however,  their work ethic and tactics should give them the title .  They are able to close down quickly without the ball and we know how does the d...

James Rodriguez joins Everton! Stars are coming to Premier League

Former Real Madrid, Bayern and Colombian national team star joins Everton, which is incredible story. Premier League is attractive. James David Rodriguez Rubio has never met the expectations after sensational performance at World Cup in 2014 . He was the shining star of the tournament in Brazil, playmaker, the team leader of Colombia national team. Everyone was impressed watching him on the pitch. It was only the matter of time, he joined one of the leading teams in Europe, playing the leading role actually as play maker. However, he never met expectations in Europe. James joined Real Madrid and he wasn’t able to show his true potential . He was overshadowed by Cristiano Ronaldo and as the role player his performance was deteriorating in Madrid . He was on loan in Munich at Bayern, then he returned to Madrid. He never fitted to club, which is bitterly ironic . However, after 6 years he joins Everton . The Toffies are in deep shadow of other club from Liverpool, the current Champio...

Ansu Fati, the rising star of Spanish football

17 years old midfielder Ansu Fati has been making headlines over last days due to his truly remarkable performance in Spanish national team. He’s 17, however he’s been playing like 30 years old experienced player. He is the rising the star since 2019, when he made his debut in first Barcelona team under Ernesto Valverde against Real Betis Balompie at Camp Nou. Week later, he scored against Osasuna Pamplona away from home. He is talented, skillful and hard working. He seems to have the natural ability to play football, bit like Patrick Kluivert 20 years ago. He enjoys playing football. One touch football, dribbling, tricks, almost relaxing way of playing make him special young player . However, he is under the spotlight right now. Hopefully, he will be able to make progress in Barcelona under Ronald Koeman with Lionel Messi. He could become next Barcelona’s leader, like Messi, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo and Romario in the past . It is impressive to see the Barcelona football academ...

Pierre Gasly wins in Italy!

AlphaTauri driver has made the history winning the Italian Grand Prix . Who would have thought that? He was under immense pressure from McLaren’s Carlos Sainz but he has done it and has taken the flag first! People will say it is due to red flag, incidents involving Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel, but the day belongs to Pierre Gasly and France. He took the opportunity to win, which is shocking victory and it must bring smile to everyone. He deserves that. Racers win . It is great considering fans and sport itself. Mercedes were dominant over last 6 years since the hybrid engine has been introduced, and they are still the quickest on the grid, however on the drivers circuit, the driver has won . Pierre was relegated from the senior Red Bull team to mid pack team, Toro Rosso, currently it is Scuderia AlphaTauri. I just cannot say how I'm happy due to this shocking result. Pierre is talented driver, the champion of the future . AlphaTauri is small Ita...

Listen to unusual podcast. Guillem Balague spoke to Pep Guardiola on his favourite songs

“Pep Guardiola: The six songs that define my life, love, football and family”. I strongly recommend the podcast on the Spotify:  https://open.spotify.com/episode/4auQCpjLxPBGzUGg3TUET8 . Guillem Balague has spoken to Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola on his favourite songs, family and life. Pep Guardiola has given wonderful insights considering his approach and attitude to life, the past in Barcelona and family life. We can hear Pep’s favourite songs and listen to him, he explains, why does he love those songs and what it is important in life. Wonderful insights from the boss, coach, who has been defining the European football over last 12 years, emulating his mentor, the late Johan Cruyff, the former Dutch star, Barcelona player and coach. We could hear more about lively Catalunya, much different than England and America, Pep’s attitude to life and work. It is great for fans. We don’t have such great access to Pep Guardiola. Credit to journalist, Guillem Balague, who...

Messi stays… but for how long?

Leo Messi spoke to Spanish media on possible transfer. He’s not able to leave. He doesn’t want to go to court. His family doesn’t want him to go and move to another country from the city of Barcelona. Messi is family man, introvert, private. Family is everything to him. Apparently, Manchester City would not be able to pay the transfer fee, 700 million euro. Messi is stuck in FC Barcelona. He said the president of the club doesn’t keep his promise regarding the contract and simply doesn’t want him to leave. Messi wants to compete in Uefa Champions League, not to be humiliated. He says the club is not the winning project for years now, indicating the management could have done better job. Messi had a terrible year in the club. He thinks it is not the winning project, capable of competing in Uefa Champions League and it seems that it will not change. He would like to compete in Europe for titles and simply enjoy football in last years of his career. Barcelona kept unhappy player on ...

Williams family steps back from F1. The end of the era

Claire Williams is about to step down as the deputy team principal of F1 Williams team following the conclusion of the upcoming Italian Grand Prix. It is the end of the era. Sir Frank Williams and his team were part of the F1 and British motorsport since 1970s.  They won 7 drivers World Championships, 9 constructors World Championships, 114 races. Jones, Keke Rosberg, Mansell, Piquet, Prost, Senna, Villeneuve, Hill, Coulthard, Montoya, Ralf Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Bottas, Massa, Kubica... Frank Williams and Patrick Head have been dominant force in the F1 in 1990s. They were unstoppable due to genius of Adrian Newey, one of the greatest racing designers of all times, hard work, commitment and determination. Nigel Mansell and Damon Hill made Britain winning in F1 again in 1990s in Williams cars. Family team has been winning and even the greatest F1 driver had wanted to drive for them in mid-1990s. the great Ayrton Senna, who has lost his life in 1994 San Marino Grand Pri...

According to recent reports, Leo Messi will join Manchester City

The legendary forward is about to leave FC Barcelona and join Manchester City . We know Messi didn’t take part in training session with the team recently and his father is about to seat and negotiate with Bartomeu, the club president . They will talk about Leo’s departure. It may lead to court, which would have been harmful to both parties, however Leo is not longer Barcelona player. He will not play in Blaugrana shirt . His intention is clear. He wants to leave as soon as possible . This is what we know now . Jorge Messi claims, his son may leave for free. The club president and La Liga authorities claim he is the Barcelona player and he didn’t successfully terminate his contract, which expires by the end of the next season. According to them, Messi has done that too late. Anyway, he is not taking part in FC Barcelona preparations to upcoming season making his intention very clear . The deal with Manchester City would be unprecedented. Leo is seen as the best player in the histo...

Robert Lewandowski deserves 2020 Ballon d’Or

Polish striker deserves 2020 Ballon d’Or. It is obvious to me, not because I’m Pole. He was a key to win the Uefa Champions League . Bundesliga will never be perceived as the La Liga or Premier League, Bayern players have been dominant over the opposition in last 8 years, like Juventus in Italy and Paris Saint-Germain in France. However, Bayern won the Uefa Champions League in 2020 and it is deciding factor , which should determine the outcome. Lewandowski played the crucial role on the European stage scoring 15 goals, which basically tells the story of 2019-20 season . The competition is fierce and under difficult circumstances, he was by far the best striker of the tournament. He made the job done. He met expectations. We expect strikers they will score goals. He’s done it. The entire team played well, they humiliated Barcelona scoring 8 goals in quarter final. I am impressed, how did they approach to this competition. They were defending as the team, all 11 players have been ...