I’ll start off with a couple of questions that made it on to other blogs but were never answered.
Nnogomes21 - I was wondering if you know/ have any idea's why Portugal's S.L. Benfica is struggling so far in the Liga Portuguesa and in the UEFA champions league, they have a lot of great players like...Nuno Gomes [C], Rui Costa, Silva ####, Fabio Coentrao, Oscar Cardozo... they have more but, they have a lot of great players, is it their chemistry that’s hurting them or is it a technical problem.. Explain please.
Bobby – I haven’t seen Benfica play this season so I may not be the best source of information. However, there are unbeaten in the league although the problem is that they’ve drawn four of their seven games. Probably the biggest disappointment has been the two defeats in the Champions League – away to Milan and at home to Shakhtar.
The goals have not been flowing freely – only 10 in 9 games and they’ve been shut out four times. Gomes is in his thirties and Rui Costa is well into his 30’s so there may be an issue - although I have read that he is playing well. In terms of player turnover fom last season Fabrizio Miccoli has returned to Italy and he seemed to have been a very important player from Benfica over the last two seasons.
The thing that stands out for me is the managerial turnover – nine in the last seven years. Jose Antonio Camacho is back for his second spell at the club after stepping in again this summer. Benfica needs to beat Celtic tomorrow in order to get back into contention in the Champions League. That might be easier done than trying to catch Porto.
Benfica is already 8 points behind Porto (100% record) after seven games and it is only a 30-game season in Portugal. Benfica plays third place Maritimo this weekend. In the meantime here is an article from Ben Lyttleton on the Wednesday’s Champions League game.
Jaredlampard - I'm a huge Celtic fan. 1. I really want to know on what you think of their poor performances away from home and if they really are one of Europe's top clubs. Two years ago, I drove 195 miles to a game to see them get thrashed 4-0 by D.C. United. This year, I went to two of their games which were against the MLS all-star team which they lost 2-0 and a game against Chicago which they drew 1-1. 2. I also want to know based on these results if you think that American clubs could perform well against Europe's best or it's just that the Uefa clubs are just in pre-season from.
Bobby – You have to define what constitutes a top club in Europe. If it is based on fan support, then Celtic are one of Europe’s top clubs. Based on performances in Europe over the last thirty years and the answer is no. I would not read too much in pre-season results in terms of the relative strength of European sides version the MLS. Here is an article by Andrew Smith on Celtic’s away performances.
There was also a very good article in the October/November issue of Champions magazine that dealt with home advantage – it had Celtic top in terms of home performances over the last three or four seasons.
Dasayev - I've been puzzled by the team selections and tactics of Sven Goran Eriksson and Mini-Sven, Steve McLaren. In terms of selection, they both seem desperate to curry the favor of "star" players and are reluctant to withdraw them whether they are in-form or not. So...we get the Gerrard/Lampard combination when it clearly doesn't work and the strange devotion to Paul Robinson when the likes of Robert Green and David James are clearly in better form. Wouldn't everyone be better served if Gerrard, Lampard, Barry, Bentley, etc. were fighting for these spots? Pushing each other to greater heights?
Of course, it would be benefit club and country for these places--and all others--to be up for grabs, so to speak. If you are doing the business for your club then you'll see time on the pitch. If England would have a stable pool of 30 or so players, all of whom were in contention and knew that their form would be a key to squad selection it would also give the team stability as you wouldn't have people constantly coming and going.
England has so many potential performers that I would think keeping an England "B" squad would be a great way for the manager to see players under pressure. For example, I can only think Lescott would have benefitted from such an experience while the more accomplished left-backs Shorey and Bridge deputized for Ashley Cole.
Bobby – An interesting theory but I would wager that the most successful countries have been the ones that have kept the most stable sides. It’s difficult enough to get players used to playing with each other let alone magnifying the problem by constantly changing based on club form. You often hear international managers talk of the need to generate a club spirit at the international level.
Although it is a different generation England’s most successful manager Sir Alf Ramsey was exceptional loyal to his players and was known on occasion to field a player in an international game who was struggling to get a game for his club.
As for having a stable pool of 30 international players to choose from – is that not an oxymoron? There just isn’t 30 English players capable of playing at the highest international level and if there was how could the team by stable?
Craigy_f – Q1. Do you have any impressions of Warner you’d share Bobby? Q2. Will FSC be showing any ACN games? Q3. Will Yallop stay or go? Q4. Which games tickle your fancy in the play offs? Q5. Who is a team you think would slip up or be surprised in this weeks, UEFA Champions League or UEFA Cup?
Bobby – 1. I met Warner in 1999 during the Pan American Games in Winnipeg and he was pleasant enough. However, his track record shows him to be anything but. 2. I have no idea – that’s a question for the FSC programmers. 3. I would bet on him leaving. 4. In the first round Houston vs. Dallas because of the rivalry. 5. Slavia Prague – I think Arsenal may score 7.
LParker - How long do you think it's going to take for Mourinho to surface at AC Milan? They looked awful this weekend against Empoli, haven't won a home fixture, and are now in the bottom half of the table. It's like they're moving in slow motion. If they lose or draw to Shakhtar on Wednesday, will Ancelotti be sent packing? Also, what does AC need in January (player/position wise) to find resurgence in Serie A and the Champions League?
Bobby – After 7 games last season they had twelve points – this season 10. Without the points deduction last season they would have finished on 69 points. Take Kaka (and Gattuso) out of the team and it is a very different side.
Even so I don’t think you will see Milan making too many moves in January – their hoping Ronaldo is back soon, and Pato will be available in the New Year. There has been a discussion on the blog about the importance of domestic league vs. Champions League. Milan may just think the scudetto is a route to the Champions League. As for Ancelotti I have predicted his demise for the last three seasons so I’m probably not a good judge in this case.
Henry14 - q1 What is the deal with Gerrard clear the air, do you mean he cannot be subbed, if Fergie or Wenger sub a Rooney or Ronaldo or Cesc there will not be any clear the air talks what’s your take? q2 l think Wenger is probably more ruthless than Fergie but less confrontational do you agree? q3 How do you rate Keane' signing this season, the likes of Halford, Cole.
Bobby – Q1. I think I answered that question both on the blog and on Monday’s FSR. Benitez made a gutsy call and a correct call.
Q2 I would try telling that to Beckham, Stam, Van Nistelrooy, Ince, Kancheskis to name only a few.
Q3 – Keane has made some signings that I think will work out very well – Kenwyne Jones may not be everyone’s idea of a silky striker but he will cause defenses a lot of trouble in years to come. Craig Gordon will repay his transfer fee many times over. I only saw Halford play once for Reading this season and I think once this season so I can’t really comment.
Cole was signed for cover and to contribute as a late substitute. You have to take into consideration that Keane made around 10 signings last season and they were more geared to getting them out of the Championship. Now he is finding out who can play in the Premiership.
Bayareasoccerfan - It seems like West Ham and Sunderland have spent comparable sums of money to Man City, but have been less successful. Do you think it is because British managers make poor signings? I do not see a playmaker (like Elano) in these sides. Are they trying to build a high-tempo English long ball squad which does not require a playmaker?
Bobby – If success is judged after 10 games then you are correct. But there are another 28 games to go. I’m not sure that the comparison is necessarily a fair one. You have to consider the number of players signed and to an extent their age.
According the numbers (they are imprecise as transfer fees tend to be nowadays) Keane has spent around 37m pounds, Sven 29M pounds and Curbishley 23M – all net numbers. Keane has signed 12 players at an average net cost of 3M pounds and the players are almost all exclusively young and with room to improve. Sven has signed five players (he has some on loan or on a Bosman) at an average cost of a little under 6M pounds.
Curbishley seems to average around $3M with a greater emphasis on “proven” players. I would not go along with the argument that because a manager is British that he makes bad signings anymore than I would offer up Gerard Houllier as proof of the opposite.
Yohann - What do you think is the source of England's problems on the international stage? England hasn't won anything even when Eriksson was there. It’s the whole program that should be analyzed. But I do think McClaren should be sacked... especially because he tried to make the players fit in a mold, instead of shaping the formation to suit the type of players he had.
Some players are overrated... like (I know you guys won’t like it..haha) Lampard and Joe Cole, Gary Neville, Ashley Cole. Some players are injury prone like M. Owen, O.Hargreaves, Lennon and J.Terry. Some players are underrated and should get a bigger share of playing time... Carragher, Sidwell and even Pennant come to mind.
Bobby – I have tried to find a way to answer your question but I can’t. You mention McClaren fitting players into a mold – what mold was that? When McClaren moved to a 3-5-2 from a 4-4-2 it failed so where was the mold in that case.
Just because players are “overrated” it doesn’t mean that “underrated” players are better. Sidwell is an effective journeyman and Pennant is generally a very poor crosser of the ball. I just can’t see myself dropping Joe Cole in favour of either of them. Maybe you can give us your England starting line-up and the formation and then we might have something more meaty to discuss.
Chinaski - Berbatov looks ecstatic, anyone think he'll ask to move in January? If so where?
Bobby – A lot can happen between now and January.
Gregz - Do you see Wenger letting Gilberto move on in the January transfer window, especially with Flamini playing so well and Diarra and Denilson bidding for a spot?
Bobby – I would be very surprised if he did. For a start there is no benefit to letting him go. He can play at centre back at a push and I think you will find him getting more game time once the next round of WC qualifiers are passed in November. Flamini is laying well but it is a long season. Diarra is largely untested at the top level at that position and Denilson is more of a cover for Fabregas than as a defensive midfielder.
MasMaz - Is there any mention of intent in the rule book when the last defender prevents a goal scoring opportunity? I believe there is an intent clause for handballs, but is there one for honest but mistaken defending so that only a yellow and a penalty is given?
If there isn't there should be, I just can't see how Hibbert tried to intentionally prevent a goal scoring opportunity, I still don't think it was a foul. Anyone could stop running any time to create contact with the defender.
Bobby – As others have pointed out there is no mention of intent. The wording on hand ball is “handles the ball deliberately”. In terms of yellow or red card the wording is “denies an obvious goal-scoring opportunity to an opponent moving towards the player's goal by an offence punishable by a free kick or a penalty kick.”
I know there has been discussion on goalkeepers getting yellows as opposed to red cards. It would suggest that the difference is based on the referee’s judgment of “moving towards” the goal. I would add that I don’t think moving towards the goal is necessarily meant to be limited to a straight line to the goal. As for the theory of a player stopping running to create contact – that would then be obstruction on the attacking player. I think it would be a bit obvious.
Henry 14 - l thought your defense of Gerrard was ridiculous, every time we talk of poor officiating there are people who feel it is a good or a bad decision and one of them will be correct. If players go and tell referees and then seen to change their mind then we have a problem. We are not saying Hibbert should not be sent off but the precedence of a player going to the ref and then appears to change his mind is wrong.
Bobby – I have come to the conclusion that you watch and hear a completely different show than I appear on every Monday and Friday. How the hell do you come up with “defense of Gerrard?” You and I do not know what was in the referee’s mind nor what Gerrard said – the bottom line is that Clattenburg got the call right. It seems that you would prefer he got it wrong.
Victoriakevin - I emailed this to the MLS: What is the point of the season, it ends and nobody wins anything and then some of the teams play on in "the playoffs"?? Why have a season? Why not just play the playoffs? I don't get this. What do you think about the farce of the MLS season?
Bobby – As others have pointed out it is a North American thing. But given your thoughts, are you intending to e mail the Football League and the Dutch League as well? Most people in England love the play offs and hockey seems to have a good following in Canada with a format that involves 80 meaningless games before the play offs. What’s your solution?
LetsGoBuffalo - In today's football, do you think European clubs would rather win the Champions League or the home league? Or do you think its a club-by-club basis?
Bobby – Obviously club by club. It would be hard to convince me that winning a 7th straight Ligue Une title would mean more to Lyon than winning the Champions League. Question though – how many teams rest players before a league game by putting out a weaker side in the Champions league? It does happen but the opposite is more often the case is it not?
Finally, thank you to everyone who visits the blog and especially to those who participate.
It's days like this that make me proud to support Arsenal. While many will praise Theo and Cesc Fabolous, I will praise one of my favorite Arsenal players in the last 2 seasons Helb. I talked about how good this guy is and alot of people in this blog thought he was a very average player and called for him to be sold this includes Arsenal fans. He plays the game with his mind. He's a Kaka breed type of player but just not at the same level. Amazing player to watch though.
Theo is starting to make me see that he does have potential to be one of the best. His pace is scary seriously scarey and like they say you can teach someone how to run fast.
Bendeter and the 2 Cesc goals where a joy to watch.
The main difference between the signings made by Man City ,Sunderland and West Ham is that Curbishley has for some unknown reason signed a bunch of players with a history of injury problems.
Parker ,Dyer ,Bowyer ,Neill ,Upson ,Bellamy ,etc.
I don`t understand managers buying injury prone players and then expecting them to stay fit just because THEY have signed them.
Gunner44-I agree that Arsenal is starting to look for real. I know I'm not the only one, and I'm sure some Gooners have been waiting for it too, but this team just hasn't slown down at all and seems to be getting better by the game.
With Arsenal playing Liverpool and United in the coming weeks, we'll see how good they are.
you heard it hear first if liverpool play 4-4-2 with gerrard anywhere near the centre of midfield we are going to trounce liverpool, but if benitez put masherano and sisoko and gerrard on the right then they really can stiffle us and probably win
Bobby - "most people in England love the play offs"
Well that's just wrong. An incorrect & sweeping generalization.
True that the play-off matches are well attended and that they provide the media with an extra few weeks at the end of the season.
There are plenty of supporters from the the Championship, Leagues One and Two that don't like the play offs.
Premier League supporters could really give a hoot about the play offs.
So maybe - "the play offs are well attended in England - particularly the finals where teams get to play at wembley" would have been more appropriate.
Q5 - that response was quite funny!
But Lyon are about as likely to win the CL as Slavia Prague - so an attempt to do well in the CL which hampers their league form is daft. As fairly quickly they will be out of the CL and not in a CL position in their league.
I just can't see drogba going to france - italy or spain or germany maybe but not france unless a CL winners medal isn't important to him
MAZ-
henry in the MLS anyone - apparently it is what he wants
Nike to buy Umbro for 285miliion quid
Bobby - I haven't stumped up for mlsLIVE TV and can't follow a game too well in Spanish so I'm limited to NY v NE. MLS need to get their distribution correct - several key moments this season have been only available on PPV or spanish language channels.
Still De Rosario has another chance to shine - a top ten mls player but rarely credited with much.
Bobby, on Celtic in the US – "...I would not read too much in pre-season results in terms of the relative strength of European sides version the MLS."
Very diplomatically spoken!
If, year after year, Celtic enjoys one of Europe's greatest home advantages but is not one of the truly top-performing sides, the fans are almost certainly a primary factor in the home success. That jibes with all of the uniformly positive comments about Scottish fans that are emanating from the current EC qualifiers and previous international competitions.
Playoffs are most definitely a North American thing. They serve as an economic driver (profits for participating teams -- especially in hockey, high ad revenue for networks, supposed sales increases for sponsors), for one thing. But another is that team owners don't believe fans will support a middling team through a season -- in any sport -- unless there's at least a playof####riven miraculous shot at glory, an end-of-season fresh start. Hence, situations where 50% or more of league teams make the playoffs.
Sadly, speaking of the US in particular, the owners are often right, which speaks badly to ongoing fan commitment and support (gridiron, especially at the college level, is an exception). At the same time, the playof####riven culture has modified fan behavior more toward a must-win mentality in terms of translation to TV ratings and game attendance. I have come to realize this only during my 10 years of following European football, and I can only hope that others do the same.
Craigy-You keep saying it but you just don't want to get it...If Lyon don't have a shot at winning the CL yet they still make it their top aim, what does that say?
They do have a shot of winning the CL every year they enter. This year less so as they have shed some very good veteran players but yes they are outside contenders every year.
Monaco vs Porto.... it can happen again. This is the nature of tournaments.
Some interesting stats regarding the number of players by nationality that played in matchday 2 games of the Champions' League. Read into it what you may:
53 Brazil
34 France
30 Italy
29 Spain
23 Portugal
20 Argentina, Germany
16 Romania
15 Turkey, Czech Republic
14 Serbia
13 Scotland, Holland
12 England
11 Ivory Coast
10 Ukraine
Whatever can be said about those numbers its obviously Arsenals fault. It can also directly be linked to the national teams problems. Good thing Arsene was just 17 in 66! :P
now the jokes are out of the way between 4 English clubs only 12 English players played? this automatically assuming non are playing outside the EPL and in the CL. The top 7 are pretty good national teams especially the one with 23 players!!
craigy_f - To clarify - I was quoting the price of the broadband offering. Generally I'm not a big fan of watching via the net but MLSTV was pretty consitent.
Bobby, How much longer will Wenger sit Lehmann? I know he's trying to make a point, however, up until now it hasn't mattered, because their competition thus far (with the exception of a very encouraging pursuit by Sutherland last week)has been "cute" at best. Almunia has keep 9 clean in 12 games. But, I'm not impressed, when your team is holding 70% to 80% of the possession, and the ball is not coming anywhere near you net. Thank you, Matthew Flamini. As far as goalkeeping goes-Almunia does not have the comfort of the back four, and you could tell in that Sutherland game, Toure and he were not on the same page. But now, it's go-time-Liverpool and Man U over the next two weeks. For my nerves, the goal is the only think making me nervous right now. Well, that and Senderos sometimes.
Q:Am I all alone in thinking, we might be in a little trouble in goal for these fixtures? If Almunia has poor performances, is Lehmann back?
Q: Is it possible that this is just one of Wenger's psychological methods of lighting a fire under Lehmann's ####?
I have a su####ion that Lehmann's comments yesterday might be exactly what Wenger wanted to hear from his feisty GK. Let’s not forget, Wenger likes his goalies a little crazy.
Either way, Almunia is not IT, and if this continues especially going into a cold long Away-fixture schedule-Arsenal WILL drop points, and by January, Lehmann will most defiantly be back in goal, or they will have to bring someone else in, which is doubtful because the fish they have to fry in January is going to be difficult enough. -
Last edited by LParker on October 24th at 9:05 AM.
Their going to need Lehmann when they have to reconfigure the backline when they lose Toure and Eboue to the ACON. Gallas is injury prone and undependable. We'll need another defender in January.
Bobby, what are the chances of pulling Micah Richards away from Man City in January?
He's not cup tied, he hasn't signed a new contract yet, is still young enough, has stated an interest in Arsenal, as he was a fan of the club as a child. Plus, Wenger and the club will get all these extra English #### pts and all the English fans will soon realize exactly how replaceable John Terry really is . This is something I would like to see: Micah Richards in an Arsenal kit.
Q: But if not Richards, who would be available as far as defenders who could play at Arsenal's high tempo? Preferably players not cup tied.
Predictions:
1) AC Milan will drop another 2 pts drawing with Shakhtar. Crisis Meetings will begin in Milan.
2)Lehmann will be back in goal for Arsenal by the Sevilla champions league at the end of November.
3) Arsenal will buy a central defender in January.
To: MasMaz: Lehmann is on his way to Bayern Munchen when Khan finally retires.
LP you are incorrect, I don't know the name, but Bayern have a very good backup, who has been playing for Bayern in Kahn's absence. And it is Kahn, not Khan. Khan is the nemisis of Captain Kirk!
I can't say that I see Henry in the MLS, wouldn't complain though. I think Shevchenko is much more likely.
Bobby and Everyone else: What do you make of ManUre injuries? Can they really keep getting wins without there three starting mids? Coz if they can I really don't think they will lose the title unless Arsenal win all there games.
And What do you make of Wenger Vs. Benitez strategy of you play whoever is playing good vs. you rotate players to keep them fresh and happy? Is it better to keep rotating to keep the players happy or is it better to play the team that is winning you games and sticking with it no matter who is left on the bench?
therealrico: My bad German spelling is irrelevant.
The fact is, Lehmann is going to return to Germany when his tenture at Arsenal is up. He has stated this serveral times. The other GK at Bayren: Rensing is alright, but just like Almunia-he's had little to do in goal. He did have a few good saves agaisnt Bochum, but Grote found the back of the net in only 11 mintues. That fact is Lehmann probably would have left this past year if, Bayren had secured a Champions League birth. It's no secret that Hitzfeld wants Lehmann, and he'll get him cheap, probably on a free transfer. Stutguart will try, as will Werder Breman. (Tim Wiese not looking to good this year) But in the end-it will be Bayren. Lahmann is going to be the German GK for a good while to come. I'm not saying that there aren't some good German contenders for the GK position, I'm just saying-That's the way it will be in Germany and at Bayren. Maybe as soon as the start of next season.
Both pretty old, I can see him heading back to Germany, but not Bayern. They are building a team for the future, and pretty much have it with maybe the exception of keeper. I admit my ignorance in the current back up. It sounds as if you know a thing or two about him.
Putting Lehmann back in the starting line up is a mistake. I hope Wenger does it though. :) And Richards can't join Arsenal, he's English. There's a limit of one English player in Wenger's starting line up. :)
Livorno's keeper is Amelia. And he is the next up and coming Italian keeper. During the summer I had brought up his name a bunch of times. But, regardless of Ringo's recommendations, the PL managers obviously were not reading the blog that day.
I imagine this will be Amelia's last year at Livorno. Given that Bufon has the national team No 1 spot under control for the time being he may be willing to play any where in Europe. I would imagine Arsenal or Bayern would be a perfect destination for him.
Wow Livefools what is going on. Well they have a chance of redeeming themselves on Sunday but I personally don't see it happening. If I was a Liverfool fun I would plead with Benitez to rotate Hypia coz the guy won't be able to coupe with Arsenal.
An Arsenal fan made a point saying that Hyypia didn't sleep last night coz of nightmares from watching Arsenal 7-0 win from his performance maybe it's actually true.
verbal - I think one reason for the lack of Englishmen abroad is that we have such an established League. Despite the gao in the Premier League and the Championship I wouldn't be suprised to find the Championship one of the better world second tier divisions.
Young english players will play at a League one or two or conference club and work their way up to the top flight.
Brazilian and Argentinean football are primarily an export business , 26 Argentineans in the in the Greek Superleague alone. And these exports are not all Liga 1, Serie A or Premier League quality.
Plus in many first divisions in Europe Greece or Turkey or Czech Republic two or three teams dominate and the rest aren't much good.
Compare your list to the number of nations competing in the Champions league.
Spain 4
England 4
Italy 4
Germany 3
Portugal 3
Scotland 2
France 2
Turkey 2
Ukraine 2
Holland 1
Greece 1
Russia 1
Romania 1
Czech Republic 1
Norway 1
Check out my blog - last week I did some articles on the numbers of foreign players in some European leagues.
JayAlvez of course they have a shot - just not a very realistic one.
Robinho went from "zero to hero" Fans have been turning on him lately and booing him at home. They simply got tired of his stepover moves going nowhere. But today he was magnificnet, albeit against a 10 men Olympiakos. he scored two goals and created a PK which RVN missed.
L'pool is not out of it yet but it will be tough. They 'll need to win their last 3 games to make out of the group. Otherwise is probably UEFA cup for them.
Also Rosenborg is one win away to make it through the to knock out round. This will be the shocker of the tournament.
Today we saw the difference Kaka makes for Milan.
Once again Celtic cracked under pressure away from home.
craigy - There is only one reason and one reason only why there aren't many English players playing outside GB. That reason is lack of "value".
What I mean is the amount of money to be paid for an English player is very high for the return that player can provide in terms of quality. In other words a team can get a player just as good as any English player for a lot less money.
I give you a couple of examples: Michael Carrick and Darren Bent very good players both. But for the money paid I can 2 or 3 players just as good for each one of them somewhere else.
Sure there has been some exception like Michael Owen but those were very special circunstances
Last edited by gabemar on October 24th at 2:34 PM.
Wow, I just read the latest bit of pomposity to come out of Jens "tinfoil helmet" Lehmann. What a team spirit this guy has. I don't think I have ever heard of a player trying to undermine one of his own teammates in such a public fashion. I'd knock his teeth in if I were Almunia and I'd kick his #### off the team if I were Wenger. I know Bobby has said he will be back between the sticks before long but I cannot see how that would cause anything but cracks in the foundation. Just one more reason to hate the Gunners.
"You're just a small town in Poland!"
Southend fans at Walsall
Besiktas 2 - 1 Liverpool!
GO BLACK EAGLES!
Megson for Bolton
Chick Young thinks Scotland should play a 'friendly' at Wembley - good article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/sco tland/7058469.stm
"I'm watching the Liverpool game in a pub and the Red fan next to me just stormed out in disgust before shortly returning, finishing his pint and sneaking off again."
Ahmato, in Birmingham, via text on 81111
"Excellent. We will have a fully fit Torres for Carling Cup."
Phyrex on 606
just saw the Benfica Celtic highlights. How fitting after this years u20 the winning goal comes from Adu to Di Maria to Cardozo(wasnt in the u20).
" 87 Óscar Cardozo (Benfica) scores! Benfica get the breakthrough with just three minutes left of normal time as Angel Di María chips the ball over the top for Óscar Cardozo to chest and coolly finish past Artur Boruc from close range."
I am the soccer analyst for the Fox Soccer Report and appear twice a week - every Monday and Friday at 10:00 EST. I have also been a regular contributor to the Fox Soccer Channel website since the summer of 2004. Over the last twenty years I have contributed to various radio and television programs throughout North America as well writing about the game for newspapers, magazines and websites.
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