The Portuguese hit a hat-trick to take his tally versus the Catalans to eight this term, but he has to carry that form into tougher tests after failing in the big games in 2015-16.
The script seemed to be written before the match. Real Madrid would cruise to a comprehensive victory against Espanyol and Cristiano Ronaldo would be back among the goals. That’s what usually happens in this fixture and, sure enough, it was exactly how things turned out again on Sunday. Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Madrid had hit five past Espanyol at Cornella earlier this season, with Ronaldo on target five times in that 6-0 win in Barcelona. And this time, Real ran riot once again as they racked up the same scoreline – with Cristiano scoring a hat-trick.
Espanyol, of course, are often accused of fighting for their lives against city rivals Barcelona but lying down versus Madrid – and they did little to help that reputation as they went three goals behind within 16 minutes.
Karim Benzema gave Madrid the lead (the seventh time this term he has hit the first goal) with a header and Ronaldo added the second from the spot before James Rodriguez made it 3-0 with a deflected effort and Cristiano completed a fantastic first-half performance for Real with a superb strike as he dribbled past three defenders and curled an exquisite shot into the right-hand corner of the net.
It was his finest finish in many months and the first time he has dribbled past rival players to score in a long time – perhaps since his strike against Schalke in the Champions League en route to La Decima in 2013-14.
The Portuguese had got off to something of a slow start under Zinedine Zidane, scoring just twice in the Frenchman’s first three games and disappointing in the last of those: a 1-1 draw at Betis last weekend.
“Ronaldo doesn’t have to score every game,” Zidane said after this match. “When he doesn’t score three, we think something is wrong. He has tremendous ambition and today, aside from the goals, he did a great job defensively.”
And Ronaldo said in the mixed zone: “I’m very happy with the goals, but above all for the team. The goals come naturally.”
The Portuguese also criticised the pre-season preparations under previous coach Rafa Benitez and appears much more comfortable working with Zidane.
“The pre-season wasn’t good,” he said. “There were too many trips. Zizou has arrived with a different idea and we have to keep working this way.”
It is early days for Zidane, but one of the features so far is the improved performance of the midfield (Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in particular) and that, in theory, should help Ronaldo as well – along with the Frenchman’s emphasis on stepping up the fitness of his squad.
Ronaldo now has 30 goals from his 28 appearances in 2015-16, but eight of those have come in two games against Espanyol and the others versus sides like Levante, Getafe, Sporting Gijon, Rayo Vallecano, Las Palmas, Eibar, Shakhtar Donestk and Malmo.
Up against tough teams such as Atletico, Barcelona, Sevilla, Valencia, Villarreal and Paris Saint-Germain (twice), he has failed to convert. In fact, the only side in La Liga’s top six he had scored against this term is Celta Vigo.
After several games against ‘smaller’ sides in January, Madrid now face Athletic Bilbao, Roma and Atletico in three of their next four games. Buy fut16coincan upgrade your strength. So Ronaldo’s return to form on Sunday seems like good timing ahead of those tests, but if Madrid are to enjoy some success in the second half of this season, they need their main man firing when it matters most as well – and not only against sides like Espanyol.
It's all very well fantasising over a Pogba-Rodríguez dictatorship in midfield, but not every team can afford that kind of luxury. What if you're managing a lower league team on a much tighter budget but still want to improve your squad's ranks? Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Well fear not, for we've sniffed out five of the best deals you can get in FIFA 16. These players are an absolute snip, but that doesn't mean we're talking about bargain bin buys, oh no - every player here has at least 80 potential, so you know you're getting quality. Add any of these players to your team and you'll see the difference like night and day.
Bruno Varela
GK, age 20, OVR 69, potential 81, Real Valladolid, cost £2.1m
The goalkeeper is the backbone of any team that holds it all together - you can have the best defence in the world but will ship goals if your keeper isn't up to scratch. Luckily you can get that peace of mind for an absolute pittance in the form of Bruno Varela. The young shot-stopper from Portugal excels at shutting out close-range opportunities thanks to his fantastic diving and reflexes, which will see him reacting quickly and frustrating opposition forwards time and again. This high potential gem can be yours for just over £2m.
Dominic Iorfa
RB, age 20, OVR 69, potential 81, Wolves, cost £2.1m
Plenty of full backs are fast, but not many are strong too - but that's exactly what you get with Wolves right back Dominic Iorfa. He's lightning quick but stands at 6'4" and has 80 strength, a rare occurrence for normally-diminutive full backs. His tackling and jumping are two of the strongest areas of his game, so he will fit in well at centre back if you need the cover, and with 81 potential he's got a very bright future ahead of him.
Renato Sanches
CM, age 17, OVR 70, potential 86, SL Benfica, cost £3m
Players with potential as high as Renato Sanches can often cost in the range of £7-10m, which is what makes this player such a bargain - you can get a future world-beater for as little as £3m (less if you're willing to drive a hard bargain). What you get for such a measly sum is an excellent attacker with the pace, strength and technical ability to hold his own on the midfield battlegrounds. Snap him up now before his club realise how criminally underpriced he is.
Álvaro Vadillo
RM, age 20, OVR 71, potential 80, Real Betis, cost £1.8m
If you're a lower league manager on a restrictive budget, there's simply no better winger to buy than Álvaro Vadillo. While his skillset is not the broadest, what he does well he does extremely well. He's absolutely rapid and will outpace defenders rated far higher than he is, while his dribbling stat is phenomenal for his OVR. He also comes with four star skill moves, so is perfect for anyone who loves beating defenders with tricks. He's an out-and-out winger, no doubt about that, and with 80 potential will just get better and better. Spend a little time negotiating his price and you can get him for under £1.5m, which is unbelievably cheap.
Moses Simon
ST, age 19, OVR 70, potential 80, KAA Gent, cost £2.8m
Speaking of rapid, Moses Simon has enough pace to give Martín Demichelis a heart condition. Added to that is his short stature and superb balance, so even if he can't use his speed to get away, he'll still be leaving defenders in knots. Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength. If that wasn't enough, he comes with four star skill moves and an impressive dribbling stat, while his five star weak foot means he can score no matter which foot he uses. With all these things going in his favour - not to mention his 80 potential - he's a real bargain at just under £3m (although note that you have to wait until January to get him, but he's utterly worth it).
Jurgen Klopp took over Borussia Dortmund from his former club Mainz and almost entirely changed the way Dortmund played. Buy fifa 16 coins and build the best team to challenge players around the world. He took them to greater heights. However Liverpool fans shouldn't forget the fact that in addition to all this, he had a pitiful end to his career at Dortmund in the last 2014-15 season.
I believe that would be when he would work on the loopholes in the system that Brendan Rodgers created. There were quite a few things BR got it wrong.
Dealing with the transfers and the transfer committee - Not disregarding the fact that BR did sign the likes of Sturridge, Coutinho, Can, nevertheless all in all he's failed in recruiting players who would establish themselves well at the club. His influence on the transfer deals were perhaps minimal apart from scouting, observing and convincing the players. Most of the players were either brought in just for the sake of having great depth in the squad (like taking 10 odd players in the 2014-15 transfer window) or these players just could not fit in the system that he implemented (I still don't understand how Balotelli could even play in the system Liverpool employed).
Attracting already established, experienced and world class players: BR simply failed in bringing players of such kind. Agreed, he bought players who have great potential and can be invested upon for the longer term. But can long term investments get you what you want in one season itself? BR was not an LVG, Guardiola, Mourinho who could bring in players of world class quality and who'd have an impact on the style of play that Liverpool plays. All this must be parallel to the inflow of young players, so that they gain experience of playing at higher levels with such quality players. This is one area where (I believe) Klopp would manage pretty well.
Complacency: Yes, you heard me right. This is one thing I have observed right from the first season on Rodgers at Liverpool. The style of play has been so impressive, but we've failed on a majority of occasions like giving up the Premier League trophy after inching so close to it(that too after 24 years), buying and increasing the squad depth last season and just not being able to do well and thereby faultering in the UCL, Europa League, Premier League, Capital One Cup, FA Cup... one or two of which could have been on our side.
Holding on to the best players: It seems to be an inherent weakness in our club that we just let go of our best players because of tempting offers and lack of success at Liverpool. Torres, Owen and then continuing the tradition was in the BR time when we lost Suarez, Sterling, Gerrard. I'm pretty sure same would be haunting when Coutinho's name pops up in one of such places. Klopp here might have some history wherein he lost Lewandowski, Gotze but I believe if he works on the team and produces great results, not only the best team player will be reluctant to leave but also various interests in the quality players playing elsewhere.
I am not highly confident that Jurgen Klopp will be an instant hit with the results, but surely he can develop a great team if he works more on the loopholes and thus developing the strength. Click here to get more fifa 16 coins and improve your team. He's a great manager, tactician, brilliant with the player and the fans, there is no reason as to why cannot be an another Bob Paisley or a Bill Shankly that Liverpool has always wanted.
For a start his preparation for matches almost goes unchallenged. Mourinho has been known to often work 16-hour days between coaching, player management, scouting and preparing dossiers on his team's next opponents. With this kind of work ethic he shows his players that he too is willing to put in the long hours it takes to be successful. You can get fifa coins for sale here to improve your skill.
In this regard he demonstrates to his players that he will work as hard as he can and beyond, so that when he asks them to do the same it becomes an easy choice. Once you have a player's respect he will run through walls or kick his own mother for you.
Players relation
He learned under Bobby Robson and Louis van Gaal, as an assistant coach, that the key to being a successful manager is having a successful relationship with your players. If that bedrock does not exist, no amount of coaching or tactical know how will do you any good.
Work rate/ Team above player
Mourinho demands great work rate from his players that is rarely seen in other teams. He believes that "players don't win you trophies, teams win trophies, squads win trophies."
He has often sold good players because they aren't working hard enough defensively or not putting more than what's expected of them. The characteristics of all the mourinho teams have been they are really organized, tough to break down and always willing to put in the defensive shift. Even the offensive players help out in defense more than other teams.
He can ask his players to sacrifice their game for the greater good because they see that he puts the work in.
Take pressure off players
He always irritates the press and the opponents in press conferences and puts the pressure on himself during press conferences rather than on the players. Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Mourinho uses the press conferences to take the pressure of match build up off his players and looks for a psychological edge he can manipulate or make bigger for his opponents.
Anoop Ramakrishnan has written a thoughtful answer here. I like it. But it is an answer to a different question something like:"Has Arsene Wenger personally dismantled what should have been a fantastic legacy in the last decade at Arsenal?"
That is a book all in itself best summarised as: Without constant innovation, ten years after genius announces itself it becomes merely mediocre.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
The difference between Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson, his great rival, is that the Scot found ways to constantly reinvent himself and his teams on and off the field, whereas Wenger has not as Anoop Ramakrishnan points out. Anoop references Wenger's oburate adherence to the increasingly outdated ideas that initially made his name - training players 'like marines', finding cheap and hidden gems in the transfer market, winning games idealistically through a philosophy based on beautiful football and the domination of possession.
With reference to the original question Mourinho probably has largely destroyed Wenger's career and legacy. He has done this by consistently undermining Wenger in public and also by successfully demonstrating that 'doing the opposite' in football terms was an approach better suited to the pressures of football since 2004.
So, in contrast, Mourinho talked up a next level sports science approach focussing on rest as the basis of preventing injuries. He has reveled in demonstrating a common touch with players that doesn't appear to come easy for Wenger. Mourinho's well funded clubs have all eschewed the pursuit of players others hadn't uncovered also and they've all simply paid what has needed to be paid to succeed in the transfer market. Lastly by winning games pragmatically, and often quite cynically, through football based on transitions and controlling space when without possession, Mourinho in large part lived up to his Special One billing.
By positioning himself as Wenger's alter ego, almost, Mourinho was able to chip away at Wenger's sacred cows. This reached its apotheosis as Mourinho pronounced Wenger to be 'a specialist in failure'.
Now, I am not convinced that there is much substance to much of Mourinho's criticism, or indeed a lot to his emperor's new clothes football either. However, I do think that at a public relations level Mourinho has largely succeeded in both framing the press debate on Wenger and also in picking apart what was once an unimpeachable CV.
The irony is of course, that in the process things have come full circle. Mourinho now finds himself embracing mediocrity a little over a decade after pronouncing his own genius as 'a special one'.
Given the way Mourinho has conducted himself, there won't be many people in football queuing up to be kind to Mourinho when the inevitable rot fatally sets in. You might say that due to his antics trying to fatally undermine his rival Wenger Mourinho has sown the seeds of his own demise.
You need friends on the way down to mitigate against the coming bumpy landing. Wenger can count on plenty of friends both within the game - and within the media. As for Mourinho, I am struggling to name one notable person who would obviously jump to his defence. The reality is that no-one really likes a smart-arse, especially a smart-arse who uses his powers and his talent so cynically. Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.Short term fans treasure results above all else but long term legacies, and genuine fondness, are built upon how you played the game.
Mesut Özil has been magical this season. He has created a huge number of chances while only 16 have been converted so far. That is down to Giroud and Walcott’s mediocre finishing.You can get fifa coins for sale here to improve your skill.With Alexis back, Özil will continue creating chance after chance but now, the possibility of conversion will increase. Alexis is that kind of a player who turns a half chance into a full chance.
Therefore, when he is back, I think they will link up well. We saw how our attack caused havoc to United’s defense. Expect more of that. Alexis, the fighter he is, will make Özil even better. With Welbeck and Wilshere also close to return, Arsenal surely have something to look forward to.
Addition of talented players always boosts the team.Sanchez being pacy and Strong will be of more use to Ozil as Ozil was developed around pacy players(Real Madrid).So,i think Ozil’s game will become more improved after Sanchez.
Sanchez is a key man in the Arsenal squad and his work rate and brilliant goals are dearly missed. Ozil has been the shining light for Arsenal. With the amount of injuries to first team players, Ozil along with Giroud has done well so far.
Arsenal can rely on their partnership and when Sanchez returns you can expect more goals. Ozil’s form is red hot and with Sanchez burning desire to score goals and to make runs behind the defenders , there will be goals between them.
Campbell can continue to play at the right wing and he too is creating chances and along with Ozil he can play a crucial role for assisting the forwards.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength. Sanchez is a killer cannot wait to see him in action.
Chelsea are interested in signing the Paris Saint-Germain winger Ezequiel Lavezzi, according to Sky Sports Italy.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Lavezzi has been linked with a move away from PSG since the summer and it seems that the player is closing in on a January move to the Premier League.
The 30-year-old Argentine's contract with PSG expires in the summer and Chelsea are keen to get him on a bargain.
According to the report, Lavezzi's agent, Alejandro Mazzoni, was in London yesterday for talks with Chelsea and a move could be finalised soon.
The player has also been linked with a move back to Serie A where he enjoyed a very productive spell with Napoli.
Chelsea have struggled with creativity and goals from wide areas this season after the multi-million-pound signing Pedro Rodriguez failed to make the desired impact. The Spaniard has struggled to fit in since his move from Barcelona and is already being linked with a move away.
Furthermore, Eden Hazard's poor form has been a massive blow for the Blues who relied heavily on the Belgian in the final third. Hazard was the best player at Chelsea last season and bagged 14 goals along with 9 assists in the Premier League.
This season, the Belgian has managed just two assists and has failed to score in 19 Premier League appearances so far.
Lavezzi primarily operates as a wide forward and could add much needed pace and goals to the Chelsea attack. The Argentine has scored 32 goals for PSG over the last three seasons and had a similar goalscoring rate for Napoli as well.
It will be interesting to see if Lavezzi prefers a move to England over a Serie A return.Buy fut16coin
can upgrade your strength. But there is no doubt that the 30-year-old would be a useful signing for Chelsea in a short term deal, for a reasonable price.
According to reports from Spanish newspaper Marca, Los Blancos are currently locked in negotiations with the Argentinian club, and are hoping to reach an agreement soon.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Boca president Daniel Angelici has confirmed that he hasn't received any offer from Real Madrid as yet but the Argentine club would consider offers for the €15 million-rated Uruguayan.
"We have not yet received a formal proposal from Real Madrid for Bentancur," Angelici said. "The number that is being mentioned is not correct. His clause is lower than the figure mentioned."
Serie A giants Juventus have also show an interest, but Madrid are looking to make their move this summer ahead of the possible transfer embargo the club faces.
Madrid have signed several young players in the last 18 months, spending upwards of €35m on Martin Odegaard, Lucas Silva, Jesus Vallejo and Marcos Asensio, and Bentancur would be just the latest in a long line of talented prospects at the club.
Bentancur has been developing at a rapid pace and if Madrid fail to agree a deal now, they might lose the opportunity of singing a highly talented midfielder, as other clubs will start to show an interest as well in near future.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.
Madrid will probably send him on loan and give him the opportunity to continue his development with Boca.
FIFA should look into staging the World Cup across a continent instead of just one or two countries, UEFA general secretary Gianni Infantino said Tuesday as he stepped up campaigning for next month's FIFA election.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.
Infantino promised a bigger World Cup, reforms to scandal-tainted FIFA to create a "credible" global governing body and more money for member nations in his manifesto for the February 26 vote for a new leader.
The Swiss official, who has been right-hand man to suspended UEFA leader Michel Platini for the past seven years, said the World Cup should be expanded to 40 countries from the 32 for the 2018 event in Russia.
Platini and Infantino have also pressed a plan to spread the European Championships across 13 countries from 2020. Infantino said the World Cup could copy the idea.
"FIFA should investigate the possibility of organising the World Cup not only in one or two countries but in a whole region, so enabling several countries to enjoy the honour and benefits of hosting the World Cup," Infantino said.
Under his plan, there would be an "equitable rotation" for staging World Cups, with a continent that has held the contest having to wait at least two tournaments before getting it again.
The World Cup was held in two countries -- in South Korea and Japan -- in 2002 and FIFA said at the time it would be reluctant to repeat the exercise.
Deciding the 2026 World Cup hosts has been put back because of the scandals that have embroiled FIFA under outgoing president Sepp Blatter. Blatter and Platini have both been banned for eight years over a suspect payment.
In the election, Infantino is up against Asian Football Confederation president Sheikh Salman bin Ebrahim al Khalifa of Bahrain, Prince Ali bin al Hussein, a former FIFA vice president from Jordan, South African business tycoon Tokyo Sexwale and former FIFA official Jerome Champagne of France.
Among major soccer nations, Germany indicated Tuesday it is likely to back Infantino.
German Football Federation president Reinhard Rauball said: "I will recommend that the DFB board picks Gianni Infantino as the candidate we want to support."
Infantino "is someone who knows the business inside out," he added.
"FIFA and football have a lot at stake in this election," Infantino said.
Platini and FIFA president Sepp Blatter were banned from football activities for eight years last month opening up the election battle when Platini withdrew.
All five candidates have promised to clean up the world body after the Blatter-Platini investigation and a US inquiry which has left 39 individuals and two companies facing charges over bribes for football deals.
Infantino proposed a new FIFA Council for key decisions, 12-year term limits for officials including the president, more "independent voices" on key FIFA committees, declaring the remuneration of top FIFA members, naming a chief compliance officer and establishing a fully open tendering process for the body's multi-billion dollar deals.
"Taken together, these changes will, I believe, put FIFA on the path towards restored credibility and integrity," he said.
Infantino also said FIFA should "aim in the future" to channel 50 percent of its revenues to member associations.
Under his plan each of the 209 member associations would get $5 million over four years for football development projects.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want. That is more than double the current allowance. They could get another one million dollars in a travel allowance. Regional confederations would get $40 million over four years.
With an average age of just over 23, Tottenham Hotspur have the youngest squad of all the teams in the Premier League this season.Nowadays, I has concentrated my whole energy upon the FIFA 16 and buy fifa 16 coins. Spurs are comfortably sat in fourth, helped in a way by their reliance on an English core of first team regulars. Three young England internationals – Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Eric Dier – form the crux of the current Spurs side and they have fit in seamlessly with the tactical demands of their manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Alli, in his maiden Premier League campaign, has emerged as one of the standout performers of the season. Deployed in a variety of roles in midfield, he has shined the most as an attacking midfielder. Operating in the '10 space', Alli continually makes runs beyond Kane into the box which has seen him score five goals this season, while his link-up play with Kane has also been key to his side's attacking orientations.
The fact Spurs sold Roberto Soldado to Villarreal last summer points to the general direction Pochettino envisages his team to line up in an offensive sense. Soldado, a penalty box poacher who does little else in areas beyond the 18-yard box, was seen as a misfit in Spurs' system, which under Pochettino has embraced the Argentine's well-documented high pressing tactics as a means to unsettle opponents in their build-up phases.
Kane isn't the archetypal English centre-forward, and the two other forwards Spurs recruited last summer – Son Heung-Min and Clinton N'Jie – aren't typical centre-forwards either. The two summer signings are more comfortable drifting inside from wide areas, and played alongside a partner at their previous clubs. The idea was always to bring in players carrying specific attributes of positional interchanging and playing as part of the team.
That the Kane-Alli partnership has flourished owes much to the frequency with which they interchange positions during a game. Alli is often seen to be the most advanced Spurs attacker when Kane drops short, and in phases where Kane holds his position up front, Alli stays in close proximity to the striker to help facilitate combination plays. In Spurs' 1-1 draw with Everton earlier this year, Kane and Alli were involved in numerous combinations in and around the Everton box, only to be denied by Kane's poor finishing and Everton's last-ditch defending.
It's not only Alli and Kane; the entire Spurs front line are capable of positional interchanges which has been the feature of the Lilywhites' attacking play this season. Saturday's 4-1 win over Sunderland saw several instances of Spurs' positional fluidity; one occasion allowed Kane to have a pop at goal from distance as Mousa Dembele advanced forward with the ball whilst dragging defenders with him before laying the ball back to the England striker.
The immediate understanding between Kane and Alli bodes well for the England national team as well. Son was brought in as a marquee acquisition last summer but has been kept in the shadows by a blooming rapport between the two Englishmen. While Spurs press high up the pitch with their four attackers, their defence hasn't been subjected to much pressure from opponents. Last season, they conceded 13 shots per game, which has improved this term as they are conceding 11 shots per game this season.
While too much shouldn't be read into the influence of Dier in that regard, his adaptability and consequent comfortability has seen Spurs evolve into a sturdier defensive unit this term. From conceding the sixth highest number of goals last season, they now have the meanest defence in the entire division. Dier's impact from his new holding midfield role assumes some significance, although most of the plaudits have gone the way of the central defensive partnership of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen.
Dier is vital to Pochettino's favoured tactical wing-back switch during games. Spurs rarely play anything aside from their template 4-2-3-1 with two pivots, but Dier's experience as a central defender and a full-back last season has allowed Spurs to easily switch into a more attack-minded shape with the two full-backs playing as auxiliary wingers while Dier slots in as the third centre-back.
That allows the likes of Erik Lamela and Christian Eriksen to overload the central space, and also allows more penetration from the sides with the full-backs. Dier's versatility means Spurs are rarely out of shape in defensive transitions and his ability to quickly recycle the ball has also been instrumental in helping Spurs to become more proactive against passive opponents.
Dier has often been the least talked-about of Spurs' young English stars, but his significance is reflected in the way his team go about their job at the attacking end of the pitch.Manage your team and buy fifa coins to upgrade your strength.
Kane, Alli and Dier have been a breath of fresh air in what the wider media have termed an "un-Spursy" season for Spurs. They are three vital cogs in Pochettino's machine that is characterised by attacking interplay, high pressing and solid defending. In what has been a season of myriad narratives, the one that involves the future of the England national team is being written at White Hart Lane.
Wayne Rooney scored for the fourth consecutive game to give Manchester United a vital 1-0 victory over bitter north-west rival Liverpool at Anfield Sunday.Nowadays, I has concentrated my whole energy upon the FIFA 16 and buy fifa 16 coins.
Both teams had taken part in thrilling 3-3 draws in midweek, but this clash looked set to be scoreless until Rooney popped up to volley home his 78th minute winner.
It was his 176th English Premier League goal, a record for a player for a single club.
The England international striker had been tied on 175 with former Arsenal great Thierry Henry.
The win lifts United to fifth place in the standings, two points adrift of Tottenham Hotspur, which occupies the final Champions League spot.
Liverpool, which had the majority of the play on its home pitch, remains in ninth spot with its fifth league defeat under Jurgen Klopp.
But the visitor had David de Gea to thank for fine stops to deny Emre Can and Roberto Firmino, while Jordan Henderson dragged a good chance wide in a drab first half.
Rooney's clinical finish after Marouane Fellaini's header from a corner rattled the Liverpool crossbar was United's first shot on target.
That statistic did not bother delighted manager Louis van Gaal, who was under pressure before Christmas after a series of poor results and lackluster performances.
"It is a big step in a good direction and I am very happy," he told Sky Sports.
"In the second-half we played much better and kept the ball better and created chances and Wayne Rooney makes the fantastic goal again," added the Dutchman.
Later Sunday, Arsenal battled to a goalless draw at Stoke City to leapfrog unheralded Leicester at the top of the EPL standings on goal difference alone.
Goalkeepers Jack Butland for Stoke and Petr Cech for Arsenal both made vital saves to keep the game scoreless, Stoke staying in seventh spot.
Arsenal, missing the injured Mesut Ozil and not risking a return for Alexis Sanchez, had the better of the possession but needed a pair of superb stops from Cech late on to keep a share of the points.Manage your team and buy fifa coins to upgrade your strength.
The result leaves the Gunners and Leicester tied on 44 points after 22 games, with Manchester City just a point adrift in third.
Manchester City's talismanic Argentine striker who's long established himself as the Premier League's finest marksman...
We may have respected their ability with the ball at their feet, but when it comes to the Premier Leagues best and most iconic players, we haven't always been as affectionate as we might, and perhaps should have been.
Alan Shearer was seen as an elbow-happy dullard who relished kicking Neil Lennon's head off. David Beckham was an air-headed buffoon who looked like he got dressed in the dark.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
There's always something fans will use to avoid admitting respect for their rivals' superstars. Or at least there was until Sergio Aguero came along, smiling as he politely strolled around your club's centre-back before respectfully guiding the ball past your goalkeeper. Again.
That's probably because Aguero is fun - and fun without the needle. In fact, when FFT's Andrew Murray asked him to describe himself in three words back in 2014, he replied: "Fun, calm and a happy father of a spectacular son." As you will have noticed, that was actually 10 words, but he's so nice we'll let him off.
Aguero not only plays with joy etched across his face, but also with the joy in his heart. He has the enthusiasm of a young child still very much in love with the game, and it's typically infectious. He may win his team points on his own, but you get the impression victory isn't the be-all and end-all for the 27-year-old - he just wants to have fun, and for those around him to enjoy themselves, too.
"That's just always been me," the loveable scamp told us last year. "When I was at school, my teachers used to say: ‘OK, OK, Sergio. That's enough now, let's be serious for a minute,' but I'd keep on laughing and enjoying myself just the same. I don't know, I just like felling around a bit and being a joker. On the pitch, I'm not smiling in every minute, but I like enjoying myself because that brings out the best in me."
"I do stuff in any game to have a laugh. I remember once against Newcastle I was stood next to Jonas Gutierrez. [David] Silva was walking over to take the corner and went like this [motions international football sign language for ‘come short'] to me. I turned around to Jonas, a team-mate for years with Argentina, and said: ‘Hey, mate. How's it going?' He goes: ‘Oh, yeah, Kun, you know me. The same as ever. How's the injury?' ‘Yeah, not bad, thanks. Oh, someone's calling you over there.'
A lack of trophies in 2015 may have tested that sunny disposition, but that doesn't mean Aguero doesn't have anything to show for his year. In April, he scored his 100th goal for Manchester City during an entertaining 4-2 defeat at Old Trafford, and the following month he fired home his 26th goal of the Premier League season, securing the Golden Boot ahead of the likes of Diego Costa, Harry Kane and Alexis Sanchez. A run of nine goals in the final seven Premier League matches of the season certainly gave him the edge.
From there it was off to Chile for the Copa America. Aguero took on as big a role as he ever has for the Argentine national team, scoring against Paraguay and Uruguay in the group stages, before netting again against the Paraguayans in the semi-finals. He was substituted long before the penalty shootout that ultimately brought final glory for the host nation.
He started the 2015/16 season with a superb opening goal in a 3-0 victory against Chelsea, using his famed upper-body strength to hold off Nemanja Matic, and nimble footwork to bamboozle Gary Cahill, before tucking the ball past Asmir Begovic.
With Aguero seemingly carrying a knock or strain, it was a month before he scored his next Premier League goal, but when he did - in the 42nd minute of October's home fixture against Newcastle - another four quickly followed. Within 20 minutes. It was almost inhumane - so much so that Manuel Pellegrini showed mercy and substituted his star man. Newcastle's beleaguered defence was eviscerated, but even their fans would still probably sooner have ruffled Aguero's hair than wrung his neck.
The Argentine finally did succumb to injury a week later, having been stretched off with a grade-two hamstring tear in his country's World Cup qualifying defeat to Ecuador. He was sidelined for six weeks. City battled on without him, although they looked near toothless in the goalless draws at Old Trafford and Villa Park.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.
His return to action may have coincided with Manchester City's 4-1 defeat to Liverpool, but even on a hugely frustrating evening for Pellegrini's side at the Etihad Stadium, Aguero was able to score the goal of the night, cutting inside and bending an unstoppable drive past Simon Mignolet. He'll be aiming for team success to match his individual magic in 2016, and could anybody with a heart say he doesn't deserve it?
Newcastle United take on West Ham United on Saturday at St. James’ Park.
The Magpies have finally broken their scoring duck after netting three against Manchester United on Monday night. Before that, they hadn’t troubled the scoreboard for four consecutive games.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
The Hammers are coming into the game on fine form – they recently came from behind to beat Bournemouth 3-1, thanks to goals from Dimi Payet and Enner Valencia.
Jonjo Shelvey and Henri Saivet have been signed by Newcastle in order to avoid relegation, and they could be in line for their debut’s at the weekend.
After a busy summer, the Irons are yet to add to their squad during the winter window – but they will be extremely happy with how their men have bedded in.
Click through the slides below to see three results between the Magpies and West Ham that FIFA 16 predicted.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.
Do you want to create original, opinionated articles for Newcastle Toons? Click here to kick start your application process.
I can not figure out what a beard meant for men, from the surface of said single, bearded means mature or intelligent, if talking about inner turmoil, I can only glimpse from Kaká in the eyes of two.
January 6, 2014, in Atlanta. Kaká scored two goals in the game, and the first goal,Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want. it was his first AC Milan scored 100 goals.
I have a friend, Kaká at the San Siro from 2003 Blair, she fell in love with him. I’m not a very good memory of people, but in retrospect, I still remember the way she talked about Kaká when, it’s like talking about the world’s most delicious ice cream, the tone is full of sweetness and longing. I remember when she talked about Kaká corner in the school buildings, the sun reflected in her face looks, but also remember when Kaká at the San Siro rattling, laughing like a sunny look.
I have a friend, a diehard AC Milan fans. When we talk about the ball, no matter who is talking about his concluding remarks would be:. “In short, as Kaká” Kaká is wound Missing football idol and strength to send two, we are not convinced except Taekwondo indeed there is no reason to refute. Kaká, we have these chat balls apart, reading college. Asked again, he only said: “In Kaká’s style of play, the peak has passed, sell well.” I do not know that he is angry, or a prophecy.
Time pass a decade, shy girl had married a man woman. When you see Kaká on the pitch running back, a moment , you would think everything has not changed.
But you can not overlook the fact that when the card holding member 100 that indicate to the world shirts, you’ll realize that the time has been too long. Once upon a time, Kaká’s eyes with a murderous sun, unassuming character could not hide domineering but myself. And now, Kaká eyes more vicissitudes and pathos.
“In the former teammates, I miss the most Kaká, both from the perspective of the players or a friend or is it a man’s point of view, I miss him very much, he is also one of the strongest players.” – Inzaghi
Say this, Jiuye already retired, while Real Madrid Kaká is still sinking. Compared with Kaká alongside Jiuye day, Kaká and Milan are caught in a struggle situation. Jiuye miss Milan’s Kaká, Kaká will miss Milan’s Kaká, and we do it not.
The summer of 2003, a young man from Sao Paulo, Brazil move to AC Milan. While Kaká has been a minor celebrity, but for most fans, the Brazilian player gives the first impression of just “looks very well.” Compared to the outbreak of Kaká’s name now before landing in Europe on younger Neymar over the world, the arrival of Kaká’s too low-key, but used to see the star of Milan fans, he did not hold out much to look forward to, at least, they do not think come so soon. Maybe life is always so disappointed in anticipation, inadvertently surprise.
He is the Prince of San Siro, cheers and praise forever around him
Soon, Milan’s Kaká gradually become the main players, followed by heart attack. In the first season, Kaká was named the best player in Serie A and the best foreign aid.
Serie influence wound is still one of the best worldwide, Kaká with superior skills and the sun became a football shape budding idol. Tabloid reporter excitedly digging this young man’s private life, did not expect the result took Kaká got more praise. We all know that the Brazilian players are renowned for their excellent talent and optimistic personality attracted many fans, but their lack of self-discipline chaotic private life and always a headache, but Kaká is a special presence. In this way, Kaká and field performance under field style made him a set of thousands of pet in one idol, but for Kaká, it is people like is happy, but the most important thing is to win the game. Fame did not affect Kaká, with maturity, he increasingly invincible on the pitch. Maybe along the way too well, how much God should give Kaká a little bitterness. 2005 Champions League final, all fans an unforgettable night in Istanbul, the champion left Milan on the right. Whenever look back on this past, Kaká did not disable the “nightmare” to describe. Fortunately, Kaká was still young, there is enough time to dream.
In 2007, although compared with the peak period Milan have appeared in the case of aging players, but there is Kaká, it seems that everything is not a problem, it is also the year, Kaká magical performance to conquer in the Champions League too fan. In the Champions League semi-final, Kaká led AC Milan against Manchester United. Dream Theater’s career, Kaká scored twice to become one of the most classic moments, return to San Siro, AC Milan again beat his opponent 3-0, it was a rainy, cold through the still significantly younger Rooney and C Luo’s heart, and Kaká goal is to enjoy the victory and to the pouring.
That would be a year Kaká. 2007 Champions League final is a game about redemption and revenge, this time Kaká and his Rossoneri had the last laugh. In the same year, the World Club Cup, AC Milan to a 4-2 victory over Boca Juniors won the championship at the moment to freeze the scene, Kaká carefree smile.
Subsequently, AC Milan’s deficit is more severe, at Real Madrid’s passion for the pursuit, Kaká left the dream place to start, but then it is hard to think of Kaká at the Bernabeu could not set sail again. “We are very good friends, talk about anything between us, I hope he can recover soon from the injury, because he really is a very good teammate in front of Real Madrid, Kaká and my relationship most closely. ”
Gemini were high hopes that a became king at the Bernabeu, the other only with injuries as partners.
The summer of 2009, has been the implementation of the policy of Real Madrid superstar has done a shock football event, they introduced AC Milan’s Kaká and Manchester United’s C Ronaldo, but before the two men is the two-time Golden Globe winner Unfortunately, the two men embark on a career at Real Madrid, but the two extremes.
Kaká’s first season at Real Madrid spent fairly stable. However, the “hoax hurt” event before the World Cup in South Africa, followed by the “conceal injuries” incident, as well as the decline of their own state, let Kaká at Real Madrid completely reduced to a marginal figure. This is a make Kaká fans the most sad time, but this time, actually lasted four years. From 27 years old to 31 years old, a professional player of the day was supposed to be the most brilliant, Kaká became gray memories.
“Kaká has always been my idol, I strive for the goal, and with him has always been my dream to play.”
Kaká return to the San Siro, and then look back suddenly a dream.I do not know what would the reaction heard the news during the period of support from Kaká Milan fans. To be ridicule, former flies well, we can rest assured. Maybe some have deep Ai Kaká fans the past four years, have not seen Kaká a ball again, maybe they occasionally say a few laugh Kaká piece, maybe they bothered to remember those beautiful days, because, best memories, touch more will sour. But to hear the news of Kaká return, even if they are hard mouth again, rational analysis Kaká’s return is very likely to fail, probably they secretly dug out pressure in the bottom of the shirt, worn look to their own 4 years change, think Kaká change.
After just a play for Milan, Kaká injured again, the critics see as prey, like the wolf, grab a hot letters. “Kaká is already 31 years old, he accumulated too many injuries, return is bound to be a tragedy.” “Brazil World Cup? No kidding.” “Kaká now faces enormous psychological pressure, he had not himself this off . “Even AC Milan themselves have admitted that they think the commercial value is greater than the value of the return of Kaká on the pitch. Give up salary during recuperate move, you can not stop people biting comment.
Perhaps the world is too harsh, so the fate doomed to arrange some inspirational stories staged. After the return from injury, although it can not return to peak Kaká, also given its due contribution. Status of AC Milan, we do not need to say, Kaká’s contribution is essential for this time of Milan. Prospects AC Milan, the current situation is still not clear, even if born Kaká miracle, nor the ravages of time enemy. However, Milan and Kaká to support the go, but also a way of life. If we say that Milan and Kaká had, like youth magnificent fairy tale, then Milan and Kaká again encounter, is like closer to the reality of fiction, a bit sad, but there are a warm fragments.
Kaká is a devout Christians, so he was very easy for me to think of a soul-stirring as his, to the Catholic background of the novel “Quo Vadis.” Maybe I can borrow the famous plot to write a book at the end of this essay,about the story of Kaká.Buyfut16coin can upgrade your strength.
You do not want to give up running, so you go again to Milan, for you and countless fans of the youth, the continuation of a more and more dull regret the outcome.
“Only those who have the courage to take a penalty miss them. I failed that time. Period.” These are the words of a man who has been forced to defend his reputation on the back of one kick of the ball. Numerous players have had their careers tarnished by just a single act .
There is no love lost between Juventus and Fiorentina. It’s a rivalry borne out of bitterness, as accusations of thievery, cheating and spite have been thrown back and forth over recent decades. None of this was aided by the 1990 sale of Roberto Baggio from Fiorentina to the Turin giants.Buy fifa coins and experience new charater you want.
Juventus had been close to securing the precocious talent five years earlier, only to be beaten to the punch by the Fiorentini. Despite being only 18 and playing in Serie C-1, the transfer was seen as a huge coup, with young Baggio becoming hot property already.
His rise was nothing short of meteoric. Born in the small town of Caldogno, he started turning heads at an early age, played for his local club at nine-years-old and was being scouted by several Italian clubs by 11. An incredible scoring record of 45 goals in 26 games, including six goals in one game, finally persuaded Vicenza to snap him up for the whopping sum of £300. Baggio continued his rich vein of form in the Vicenza youth set-up, and was quickly promoted to the senior squad.
It soon became clear that Robi was destined for even bigger things. In the 1984-85 season, he finally broke out in style, having only appeared a handful of times in the previous two seasons. That year he scored 12 goals and played an instrumental part in Vicenza’s promotion to Serie B. Juventus and Fiorentina fought for the signature of this lower-league gem, but it was the team from Florence who won the race, paying around £1.5 million for the now 18-year-old. Diego Maradona had been a world record transfer only a year before at £5 million.Buy fut16coin can upgrade your strength.
One can only speculate to what heights his career might have risen had he avoided what came next. On May 5, 1985, only two days after having signed the deal with Fiorentina, Baggio suffered a career-threatening ACL injury. Even though he eventually made a miraculous recovery, the injury would stay with him throughout his career. His love for the game, however, kept him going until 37. He later admitted that if he had played only when he was fully fit and without pain, he would have played football maybe two or three times a year.
While recovering from his injury, young Baggio would have been forgiven to give up hope on several occasions, but chose to persist due, mainly, to his undying desire to continue playing football. Periods of intense pain, due to his allergy to powerful anaesthetics, coupled with a crisis of a spiritual nature, leading to him converting to Buddhism, both defined this difficult moment in his life. It would also continue to define both his playing style and personal life for the rest of his career.
Baggio’s bond with Fiorentina was cemented during those early years at the club, when he played little to no football but was fully supported by the club and fans. In choosing to honour the deal with Baggio, with the very real possibility of never seeing any return on their investment, Fiorentina took a massive risk on placing this amount of trust on a teenager, but would soon be rewarded.
He only scored his first goal in May 1987; a delicious free-kick against Maradona’s Napoli that was vital in Fiorentina’s survival that season. It was to be the true beginning of Baggio’s career in Serie A. During the next three seasons, Roberto Baggio vowed his fans around the world with his skills and spectacular goals, and was key in Fiorentina climbing the ranks of Serie A.
Unfortunately for a player of his quality and class, this period at Fiorentina would prove to be one of few respites in a long career filled with injuries and opposition. The 1990-91 season was another such period of transition and challenges. La Viola endured a difficult season on the domestic front, finishing a disappointing 13th, despite an impressive tally of 17 goals for Baggio. Abroad, however, they had managed to reach their first and only UEFA Cup final – in which they incidentally faced Juventus.Manage your team and buy fifa coins to upgrade your strength。
If Fiorentina fans had not suffered enough with their side’s defeat to their arch enemies in that final, there came a final blow to their collective egos when their star player was sold off to the Turin giants. Despite the fact that it was an economically-forced world-transfer record, the Viola faithful were so incensed that they started a riot on the streets of Florence – the chairman became a prisoner in the stadium as he genuinely feared for his safety after pushing through the deal.
The blame was not solely laid at the door of the chairman, with some fans branding Baggio as a villain and a traitor. He was then attacked by Juve fans for apparently refusing to wear the club’s scarf during his presentation. A difficult season for Juventus, wherein they finished seventh, did nothing to warm the fans to Baggio, but it was one particular match on April 6, 1991, which had many Bianconeri ultras fuming.
Juventus and Fiorentina had already met in December in the league, and while that match went off relatively peacefully, the return match was anything but. Baggio started the match against a backdrop of a stunning Fiorentina choreography portraying the city’s skyline – perhaps showing him what he’s missing – before enduring a difficult game surrounded by purple-tinted jeers. A key moment in the game came when Baggio earned his side a penalty, but then refused to take it. The penalty was missed by De Agostini, and Juventus’s eventual 1-0 loss made that decision even harder to swallow for the fans. Things went from bad to worse when he picked up a Fiorentina scarf thrown at him immediately after his substitution, and hundreds of fans showed up to protest his actions at Juve’s training ground a couple of days later.
By this point, Baggio’s form had alerted the nation to his talent, and as such he could not be ignored for the Azzurri’s 1990 World Cup squad. Having already debuted, and scored, for La Nazionale, and given his form for Fiorentina, some would have considered Baggio as a no-brainer for a starting position in the line-up. Instead, he sat out the first two matches of the tournament.
Finally given the chance in the third game against Czechoslovakia, the stage was set for Robi to make his mark. Starting alongside his new Juve teammate, Salvatore ‘Toto’ Schillaci, Baggio helped secure an impressive 2-0 result. More memorable, however, was his goal in that game, which has gone down as one of the finest in World Cup history. Starting the move at the halfway line, Baggio plays a one-two before dancing past the Czech defenders and sending the ball beautifully over the keeper. With the ball glued to his foot, he makes it look so simple.
Many would have been forgiven for thinking that this would cement his place in the Italian side, but much like his club career, Baggio’s relationship with the national team was one of the love-hate variety. Playing an important role in Italy’s two subsequent knockout victories over Uruguay and Ireland, Azeglio Vicini decided that Baggio would be rested for the semi-final against Argentina.
“Vicini said to me that I looked tired, but I was only 23. I’d have given anything to start that match.” His disappointment was clear for all to see, and the fans were equally surprised. Although Italy took the lead, the Argentine’s equalised and would eventually win on penalties. Baggio came on, and scored on his penalty, but to no avail. Italy were out. He would go on to score a goal, and win a penalty, in the bronze win over England, but many were left to wonder ‘what if?’
The next years of Baggio’s career would arguably be his best. Finally settling down in Turin, he would win over all doubters with his electric playing style, as he went from strength to strength in the black and white jersey. Playing behind the main strikers, as a “more of a No.9 ½” in the words of Michel Platini, he would arguably reach the pinnacle of his career, as he guided a young Juventus team to their first Serie A title after an uncharacteristically long title drought for the Bianconeri.
He would also win the Coppa Italia that same year, but it was their UEFA Cup victory in 1993 that would be his greatest achievement. Scoring five of his six goals in the tournament in the semi-final and final of the competition, Baggio made a forceful impact, which heavily contributed to him winning World Player of the Year that same year. The world seemed to be finally recognising, and rewarding, Baggio’s undeniable talents.
The world’s eyes were on that run-up. Attempting to hit the ball with enough force to split the crossbar in two, the shot went wide of the goal. The embarrassment still endures today, and experts will probably never stop referring to it as one of the World Cup’s most embarrassing moments. Diana Ross’s penalty miss should have been the lowlight of the 1994 World Cup, but Roberto Baggio’s misfortunes would not be outdone.
That summer should have been Baggio’s time to shine, and in many ways it was. As Graham Caygill summed up, the five goals that he scored “does not do his role in Italy’s run to the final justice”. Hristo Stoichkov has often been lauded as the most impressive player at the ’94 World Cup, with his role in Bulgaria’s run to the semi-finals, but it was Baggio who appropriately prevailed when the two met in the competition’s penultimate game. Robi was everywhere for his side in every game, as he dragged Italy through round after round, with the rest seemingly hanging onto his majestic ponytail. Il Divin Codino, or The Divine Ponytail, had come through again for his country on the big stage.
The Azzurri had endured a stuttering start to the tournament, and only qualified after scoring one more goal than a conservative Norwegian side. The thoroughly awkward Group E made World Cup history, with all teams finishing on four points, and Italy qualifying as the fourth best third place team. Complicated stuff, but it set up the inevitable Italian revival. There were further stutters, however, but Baggio’s gumption and three late goals ensured the Italians would stumble past Nigeria and perennial bridesmaids Spain.
Franco Baresi’s penalty miss in the final is rarely remembered. If you search for ‘Baresi penalty’, the first result reads: ‘Franco Baresi heroics – World Cup final 1994’. I would not dream of dragging his reputation down, as his performance in the gruelling Pasadena heat was nothing short of brilliant. The point, rather, is that Baggio was one of three players to miss their penalty for the Italian side, but just as Alexis Sánchez’s penalty celebration will be the image of Chile’s historic 2015 Copa América victory, Baggio’s disconsolate figure will always be the face of Italy’s 1994 World Cup.Buy fifa 16 coins and build the best team to challenge players around the world.
Playing for two hours after an exhausting tournament would have been enough for any footballer, but the fact that Baggio did that on the back of a painkilling injection after the Bulgaria game said much about his character. His injuries had begun to trouble him again, but after missing out on the semi-final in the last tournament, there would be no stopping Baggio from taking part in the final. By the time the penalty shoot-out came around, he was beyond exhausted. “I knew what I had to do and my concentration was perfect. But I was so tired that I tried to hit the ball too hard.”
Although the following season with Juventus was the one with his first and only domestic double, Baggio missed out on a large chunk of it after injuring himself following a goal against Padova in November. During his lay-off, a young player by the name of Alessandro Del Piero began to stake his claim for Baggio’s position. The appointment of Marcello Lippi that season did nothing to aide Baggio’s case, who had decided that the number 10 did not fit into his tactical system. At the end of the season, and to the dismay of the Juve faithful, Lippi announced that Roberto Baggio was no longer needed at the club.
Injuries certainly played their part in his difficulties at AC Milan, but it was largely due to his relationship with the managers. Fabio Capello and Óscar Tabárez, who was brought in the following season, often benched Baggio because of his perceived lack of fitness, which, predictably, did not go down well with the ambitious player. The style of play chosen by both managers also favoured more athletic players; hardly conducive to Baggio’s philosophies. Tabárez famously said, after Baggio had complained about a lack of playing time, that there was “no room for poets in modern football”.
Baggio’s troubles continued even after the Uruguayan’s dismissal, as Silvio Berlusconi decided to bring in Arrigo Sacchi halfway through the 1996-97 season. Despite having performed such a crucial role in Italy’s World Cup run under Sacchi, the pair never got on. In Italy’s second group match against Norway, Sacchi opted to substitute Baggio just after goalkeeper Gianluca Pagliuca had been sent off. “The man is mad!” Baggio shouted for all to hear, echoing the voice of his countrymen. It then came as no surprise when Sacchi firmly laid the blame of the final loss at Baggio’s door. The Italian manager even excluded Baggio from his Euro 1996 squad where Italy were knocked out in the group stages.
A horrid season for Milan signalled the end of Sacchi’s reign, as Capello was brought back to restore the Rossoneri to former heights. Yet again, however, Baggio was seen as dispensable in achieving this target and was offloaded to relative minnows Bologna. Carlo Ancelotti famously turned down the chance to sign Baggio that summer, believing that the likes of the former Juventus star and Gianfranco Zola – who he had sold off that same summer – did not fit into his preferred 4-4-2 formation. “Big mistake”, he would later admit.
Losing the ponytail, a relieved and “reborn” Baggio would go on to have his most prolific ever season at Bologna, scoring 22 goals and finish in eight place (two places above Capello’s Milan). Playing again in an unshackled role at Bologna, the 31-year-old seemed to have regained his mojo, and was called back into the Italian side for the 1998 World Cup. With Sacchi finally gone, he would have been forgiven to believe that this would be his redemption for ’94.
Italy, unlike the time before, started the 1998 World Cup with a bang. Baggio struck late in the first match against Chile to secure a 2-2 draw, but the Italians would go on to become clear winners of the group with two wins in their next matches. Baggio struck again in the final game to secure a 2-1 win over Austria.
For the next two knockout round matches, Baggio was dropped to the bench in favour of Juventus’s Del Piero. Manager Cesare Maldini had decided that the two were incompatible and as such must be rotated. Del Piero’s poor form in the competition, especially versus France in the quarter-final, meant that this decision has been heavily criticised since, especially given Baggio’s form that season. Coming on for Del Piero in the France game, Robi could only contribute by scoring from the spot in the penalty shoot-out, but Albertini and Di Biagio’s misses ensured eventual-winners France would progress. It would be Baggio’s final appearance at an international competition.
What waited for him after France 98 was unfortunately not any better. After impressing at Bologna, Baggio decided to take one last crack at a big team: Internazionale. The first season was far from an unmitigated disaster, Baggio contributed 10 assists and five goals, although his playing time was again limited by injuries. Several coaching changes did the team, and the player, no favours either.
The following season would be even worse, as Massimo Moratti hired Marcello Lippi. Having not seen eye-to-eye at Juventus, this was never going to be a great match, and any hope to the contrary was quickly destroyed when Lippi asked Baggio to spy on his team-mates for him. When Baggio refused, Lippi unceremoniously dropped him from his team and the enigmatic Italian rarely played for Inter again.
Baggio has never held back in his criticism of Lippi’s management at Inter. One journalist attributes Baggio as saying that “the Lippi I had at Inter declared war on me”, highlighting one incident in a match, where Baggio’s 40-yard assist to Christian Vieri was applauded by his team-mates, was scorned by Lippi. It seems crazy that a player of this much talent would be wasted on the bench at not just Inter, but Juventus, AC Milan and the national team. Baggio’s clashes with his managers are one of the defining characteristics of his career. After he had ended his career, Baggio stated:
“I’ve often wondered why they really wouldn’t consider me, but I never found the real answer. Perhaps they were a bit jealous, as everybody used to love me, even opposing fans. Was I stealing the show, denying them the role of protagonists they were desperately claiming for themselves? Modern football is increasingly dominated by the coaches, their narcissism to put themselves above the team and their players.”
Journalist Emmet Gates ponders whether the Divine Ponytail was simply born at the wrong time, as he perhaps would have been afforded more tactical freedom if he had played ten years later. As Gates points out, what would Baggio have done in a Zdeněk Zeman side? Most football fans are now drooling at the mere thought of it. It is true that Baggio was, for some reason, seen as a burden by some managers; not having the necessary grit or tactical nous to fit into their strict regimes, and as such was relegated to the role of a bit-part player. That sort of thinking seems ludicrous to the rest of us watching, and Zinedine Zidane was attributed as saying: “Baggio on the bench? It’s something that I will never understand in my lifetime.”
It is to Baggio’s credit that he never refused to play when he was met with such adversity, and goes a long way to counter the criticism levelled at him. A famous example was in his final match for Inter against Parma. The game, a Champions League qualification playoff, was won by a late brace from Baggio, and his celebration for the second, whether fuelled by joy, anger or a bit of both, is as genuine as they come. The additional factor to this is that Lippi, the man who held him back on so many occasions, had been promised the sack had Inter failed to reach the Champions League. For once, karma seemed to be on Baggio’s side, as Lippi was given the boot regardless.
Many believed they had seen the last of Baggio when he announced that he would be moving to newly-promoted Brescia on a free transfer at the age of 33. This was never going to be the case. Despite two serious injuries, one keeping him out for four months in his second season, the number 10 played four seasons for the Biancoazzurri. He would not be there only to make up the numbers either, with his first two seasons being so impressive, despite his injuries, that he was consistently one of Serie A’s best offensive players and had a real shout of a 2002 World Cup spot. Giovanni Trapattoni believed Del Piero and Totti were enough to carry the Italian side. Italy were knocked out by South Korea.
Finally, on May 16, 2004, Roberto Baggio played his final match. Having been told as a teenager that he would never play football again, retiring at the age of 37 and having been recognised as the world’s best player has to be applauded at the very least. It is also telling that Brescia were relegated the very next year, after finishing the 2003-04 season in 11th place. That is the effect that Baggio still had at 37.Click here to get morefifa 16 coins and improve your team.
He gave everything he possibly had on the pitch, and that was clear to see. He might have clashed with several people over his career, but somehow he always emerged with his reputation intact. He had his naysayers, but almost every football fan loved him. Roberto Baggio was their hero; whether they wanted him or not.
