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Bayern and Barcelona brought English football to its knees... but which team stands as football's current No 1?
By Jamie Redknapp
Friday, February 21, 2014
Bayern Munich also celebrated a 2-0 away win, with victory over Arsenal at the Emirates
Barcelona and Bayern Munich trampled over English football this week — both went home with wins and tie-defining killer late goals.
Manchester City and Arsenal fans will feel hard done by. They will argue that red cards changed the direction of both games. Their opponents will say they worked those one-on-one opportunities and then took full advantage.
Barcelona play wonderful football and Bayern are a ruthless powerhouse but which team are currently No 1?
Kroos and Thiago are the new Xavi and Iniesta
Let’s look at those Toni Kroos stats again. Total passes 152, with 147 completed — that’s more than the entire Arsenal midfield.
He was playing against 10 men, yes, but this was a mighty performance. David Moyes was watching at the Emirates and I’m sure he was thinking: ‘Why did I not go in harder during the transfer window?’
Kroos has a contract issue with his club — he doesn’t think they pay him enough. After this display, I doubt that will be a problem for much longer. Bayern would be mad to let him go.
He and the excellent Thiago are the new leading midfield double act in world football. They ooze power and quality.
Neuer is the world’s best
One goalkeeper has a swaggering air of confidence, the other breeds chaos. Manuel Neuer is the undisputed world No 1. His penalty save from Mesut Ozil, when Arsenal had started brilliantly, changed the mood of the game.
He looked like a beast filling the goal. Victor Valdes looks a bag of nerves. Barcelona still seem to attempt seat-of-their-pants defending, with last-ditch tackles and Javier Mascherano looking like he is about to be exposed. Valdes doesn’t help much.
Bayern’s defence didn’t look too happy during the first 30 minutes either. Jerome Boateng, especially, had a poor start and his position for the penalty he conceded was terrible. He was booked and then removed at half-time. That will give hope to anyone who fears Bayern are unbeatable.
Arsenal showed how to make them uncomfortable, but they had to score at that point.
The missed penalty sucked the life out of them and Bayern grew from there.
An overrated role
Javi Martinez (Bayern) and Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) have the best jobs in world football. Who wouldn’t want to play at the base of these midfields with so much quality around them?
But I think this role in any team is overrated. Yes, you are the quarterback, but there is a lot of time on the ball to dictate the game.
Bayern were better when Martinez went into the back four and the marvellous Philipp Lahm switched from full back into midfield. They had more purpose about them.
—Daily Mail
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...-current-No-1-
By Jamie Redknapp
Friday, February 21, 2014
Bayern Munich also celebrated a 2-0 away win, with victory over Arsenal at the Emirates
Barcelona and Bayern Munich trampled over English football this week — both went home with wins and tie-defining killer late goals.
Manchester City and Arsenal fans will feel hard done by. They will argue that red cards changed the direction of both games. Their opponents will say they worked those one-on-one opportunities and then took full advantage.
Barcelona play wonderful football and Bayern are a ruthless powerhouse but which team are currently No 1?
Kroos and Thiago are the new Xavi and Iniesta
Let’s look at those Toni Kroos stats again. Total passes 152, with 147 completed — that’s more than the entire Arsenal midfield.
He was playing against 10 men, yes, but this was a mighty performance. David Moyes was watching at the Emirates and I’m sure he was thinking: ‘Why did I not go in harder during the transfer window?’
Kroos has a contract issue with his club — he doesn’t think they pay him enough. After this display, I doubt that will be a problem for much longer. Bayern would be mad to let him go.
He and the excellent Thiago are the new leading midfield double act in world football. They ooze power and quality.
Neuer is the world’s best
One goalkeeper has a swaggering air of confidence, the other breeds chaos. Manuel Neuer is the undisputed world No 1. His penalty save from Mesut Ozil, when Arsenal had started brilliantly, changed the mood of the game.
He looked like a beast filling the goal. Victor Valdes looks a bag of nerves. Barcelona still seem to attempt seat-of-their-pants defending, with last-ditch tackles and Javier Mascherano looking like he is about to be exposed. Valdes doesn’t help much.
Bayern’s defence didn’t look too happy during the first 30 minutes either. Jerome Boateng, especially, had a poor start and his position for the penalty he conceded was terrible. He was booked and then removed at half-time. That will give hope to anyone who fears Bayern are unbeatable.
Arsenal showed how to make them uncomfortable, but they had to score at that point.
The missed penalty sucked the life out of them and Bayern grew from there.
An overrated role
Javi Martinez (Bayern) and Sergio Busquets (Barcelona) have the best jobs in world football. Who wouldn’t want to play at the base of these midfields with so much quality around them?
But I think this role in any team is overrated. Yes, you are the quarterback, but there is a lot of time on the ball to dictate the game.
Bayern were better when Martinez went into the back four and the marvellous Philipp Lahm switched from full back into midfield. They had more purpose about them.
—Daily Mail
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/sport...-current-No-1-
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