by Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo
The final score of the game played on April 24, 2008 was 0 to 0 with both teams employing many players to help out in defense. It was an excellent game as both teams' strong defenses made few or no errors. While both teams prevented goals from scoring, Fiorentina (being the stronger team) played a good ground short-ball passing game, thus giving them excellent offensive play.
For the first 9 minutes however, Fiorentina was unsettled until about the time that Jorgensen sent a long shot sailing well over the Ranger’s goal. Following that, they settled down and began to put together offensive tactics and plays that lasted throughout the game: Their midfield offence and defense was excellent. The Italian team’s shielding skills were obvious, especially demonstrated by Argentina native Mario Santana. Their passing and trapping skills were superior to that of the Rangers.
As for the Scots, their best attack came when powerful and fast Darcherville dribbled past defenders on the left wing at 16 minutes into the game. He brought the ball in near the goal then placed it dangerously in front of it, but a teammate just missed getting to the ball. Why he was substituted-out about 5 minutes into the second half is beyond me?
The Rangers did not have the precise attacking skills of their opponents, but their defensive skills prevented them from losing: They managed to keep most of their team back in times of opponent attacks. As for offense, their long passes (made frequently from their goalkeeper) usually ended in interceptions.
Discussion
At times the Rangers, often seemed hold on to the traditional long-ball passing game when on the offense. They appeared to be in a transition--going from their traditional long-ball soccer style to the short-ball, ball-possession game. If so, they need to concentrate on better passing, trapping and shielding under pressure. Read my soccer books for a thorough understanding of these skills.
Fiorentina had excellent skills, but I believe that their endurance could have been better. Despite the excellent defense of the Rangers, a higher endurance could have won the day for Fiorentina as they dominated the midfield.
I found it interesting however, that in the last ten minutes or so, each team maintained their stride and did not try to force the ball into the net: This (over anxiety to score) can be a common occurrence with tie score games and generally does not produce a goal. So, both teams maintained self-control--the mark of excellent teams.
I was pleased to see a clean game. Both teams should be complemented for this play. Even the announcer commented about the lack of rough playing from the Scottish team. He apparently expected this type of play. The referee was excellent. He was firm and most likely the reason that the game had few serious fouls.
Here is a little story from my past. Years ago, I had refereed a game in Canada. About 10 minutes into play I stopped the game and exerted my authority. Players from one team were fiercely roughing-up their opponents with a high frequency: Their general tactics were to go for the legs and not the ball. These tactics was the roughest that I had experienced up to that time. I called that team’s coach onto the edge of the field and spoke to him so everyone could hear. Knowing well that the coach was behind these maneuvers, I told him, "I do not know what is going on here with your team, but if this type of rough play continues, I will discontinue the game."
The coach responded to me in a thick brogue, " That’s the way we play in Scotland". I responded with, "Well that is not the way we play in Canada", and restarted the game.
From that point on moreover, the excessive rough playing ceased and we enjoyed a nice soccer match--the way it is supposed to be played and the way I like to see it.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
No. 42—German Soccer, Bundeslige—FC Nuremberg vs. FC Bayern Munich: A Good Defensive Game to Watch, but Ended Sloppy
by Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo
The final score of the Bundeslige game, FC Nuremberg vs. FC Bayern Munich, played on March 29, 2008 was 1 to 1. It was a great spectator game as both teams played a good ground passing game with excellent defense except on both occasions when goals were scored.
Nuremberg dominated this half. At minute 44 Nurenberg’s Zvjezdan Misimovic was unmarked and kicked a long shot from the left side of the goal into the upper right hand corner of the net. This shot just missed the cross bar and the upright. There was no chance for Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper Kahn to save this shot. However, Misimovic should have been marked.
During the middle of second half, Munich seemed to come alive. And at minute 81, substitute Podolski became open in front of the goal. Luca Toni sent a nice pass to unmarked Podolski, who scored making the score 1-1. There was no chance for Nuremberg goalkeeper Blazek to stop this shot.
Discussion
Both teams defenses (see the author's books) kept the score down, but on two occasions (once for each team) a goal was let in due to players caught watching the ball and not marking strikers. At about the last 8 to 10 minutes, the play and players became undone as both teams tried frantically to sent the ball up to the opponents goal--they seemed to have thrown caution to the wind. Had one of these teams played aggressively, yet with care as earlier in the game, they may have scored a winning point. However, it seems that each team ran out of steam, making aggressive offensive play difficult—the probable cause for the lack of each team's energy at the end of the game is not enough endurance training.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
The final score of the Bundeslige game, FC Nuremberg vs. FC Bayern Munich, played on March 29, 2008 was 1 to 1. It was a great spectator game as both teams played a good ground passing game with excellent defense except on both occasions when goals were scored.
Nuremberg dominated this half. At minute 44 Nurenberg’s Zvjezdan Misimovic was unmarked and kicked a long shot from the left side of the goal into the upper right hand corner of the net. This shot just missed the cross bar and the upright. There was no chance for Bayern Munich’s goalkeeper Kahn to save this shot. However, Misimovic should have been marked.
During the middle of second half, Munich seemed to come alive. And at minute 81, substitute Podolski became open in front of the goal. Luca Toni sent a nice pass to unmarked Podolski, who scored making the score 1-1. There was no chance for Nuremberg goalkeeper Blazek to stop this shot.
Discussion
Both teams defenses (see the author's books) kept the score down, but on two occasions (once for each team) a goal was let in due to players caught watching the ball and not marking strikers. At about the last 8 to 10 minutes, the play and players became undone as both teams tried frantically to sent the ball up to the opponents goal--they seemed to have thrown caution to the wind. Had one of these teams played aggressively, yet with care as earlier in the game, they may have scored a winning point. However, it seems that each team ran out of steam, making aggressive offensive play difficult—the probable cause for the lack of each team's energy at the end of the game is not enough endurance training.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
No. 32—Soccer, Spanish: Villarreal vs. Barcelona: Barcelona Dominated the Mid Field but Could Not Penetrate Villarreal’s Strong Defense
By Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo
The match was held on January 24, 2008 and ended in a scoreless tie. Villarreal, in very bright yellow uniforms, could not seem put together cohesive attacks from the midfield, which Barcelona dominated. Barcelona’s midfield was strong and their passing attacks were excellent, except when near Villarreal’s defended goal. Villarreal had a strong defense and required that most of Barcelona’s shots at the goal be taken from well outside the penalty area. They did make one defensive mistake however, they allowed Iniesta to be unmarked at the 77th minute. Iniesta, all alone in front of the net, could have scored wining goal, but he missed.
Barcelona's Leo Messi was installed into the game at the start of the halftime. He had been out on about 5 weeks on an injury. He played well as he set up a few chances for his team to score, but the team could not make the right connection to score.
Barcelona also maintained a strong defense, but was less tested as many of Villarreal’s attacks were generally thwarted in the midfield. And most the shots on goal were from outside the penalty area. Barcelona outclassed them as they settled the ball from nearly all passes. Villerreal sent too many desperate long passes up field and most were intercepted as could be observed as the ball settled down. They also made some trapping mistakes. These mistakes could be related to their lack of optimum conditioning.
It was a clean game for the first three quarters, but it got a little rough in the last quarter.
Here is my analysis of the game.
Barcelona owned the midfield for most of the game with Villarreal’s disappointing passing.
This is what I believe went right and wrong for Barcelona.
Barcelona was aggressive to win the loose ball and had the energy to constantly make good passes and traps under pressure of nearby opponents. But, they met their match when they went against Villarreal’s defense. Their own defense disallowed any goals from being scored--there were only a few attempts at scoring by Villarreal.
This is what I believe went right and wrong for Villarreal.
Even though Villarreal could not develop many attacks on goal, they made a great showing with their defense. Goalkeeper Diego Lopez well defended the goal along with taking command of his defensive team as elaborated on in my books. On the attacking side, the team did not appear too aggressive to pressure their opponents into making passing mistakes, yet they made several passing mistakes of their own; but fortunately, their strong defense kept them from losing: This is commendable. However, I believe that they could improve offensively with better conditioning.
A further note: If I were the manager of this team, I would do something about the blaring color of the "phosphorescent" yellow uniforms. I could be wrong, but if I was playing against this team, one glance would immediately alert me as to where the opponents are located and aid in the distribution of passes to relatively unguarded teammates. Even though one might say that the bright color also helps Villarreal’s players easily identify their own teammates, my opinion is that it is more disadvantagous than advantagous.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
The match was held on January 24, 2008 and ended in a scoreless tie. Villarreal, in very bright yellow uniforms, could not seem put together cohesive attacks from the midfield, which Barcelona dominated. Barcelona’s midfield was strong and their passing attacks were excellent, except when near Villarreal’s defended goal. Villarreal had a strong defense and required that most of Barcelona’s shots at the goal be taken from well outside the penalty area. They did make one defensive mistake however, they allowed Iniesta to be unmarked at the 77th minute. Iniesta, all alone in front of the net, could have scored wining goal, but he missed.
Barcelona's Leo Messi was installed into the game at the start of the halftime. He had been out on about 5 weeks on an injury. He played well as he set up a few chances for his team to score, but the team could not make the right connection to score.
Barcelona also maintained a strong defense, but was less tested as many of Villarreal’s attacks were generally thwarted in the midfield. And most the shots on goal were from outside the penalty area. Barcelona outclassed them as they settled the ball from nearly all passes. Villerreal sent too many desperate long passes up field and most were intercepted as could be observed as the ball settled down. They also made some trapping mistakes. These mistakes could be related to their lack of optimum conditioning.
It was a clean game for the first three quarters, but it got a little rough in the last quarter.
Here is my analysis of the game.
Barcelona owned the midfield for most of the game with Villarreal’s disappointing passing.
This is what I believe went right and wrong for Barcelona.
Barcelona was aggressive to win the loose ball and had the energy to constantly make good passes and traps under pressure of nearby opponents. But, they met their match when they went against Villarreal’s defense. Their own defense disallowed any goals from being scored--there were only a few attempts at scoring by Villarreal.
This is what I believe went right and wrong for Villarreal.
Even though Villarreal could not develop many attacks on goal, they made a great showing with their defense. Goalkeeper Diego Lopez well defended the goal along with taking command of his defensive team as elaborated on in my books. On the attacking side, the team did not appear too aggressive to pressure their opponents into making passing mistakes, yet they made several passing mistakes of their own; but fortunately, their strong defense kept them from losing: This is commendable. However, I believe that they could improve offensively with better conditioning.
A further note: If I were the manager of this team, I would do something about the blaring color of the "phosphorescent" yellow uniforms. I could be wrong, but if I was playing against this team, one glance would immediately alert me as to where the opponents are located and aid in the distribution of passes to relatively unguarded teammates. Even though one might say that the bright color also helps Villarreal’s players easily identify their own teammates, my opinion is that it is more disadvantagous than advantagous.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Blog 31--Soccer: Real Madrid vs. Athletico Madrid: Real Madrid Controlled the Game
by Soccer Coach Albert M. Luongo
On Jan. 20, 2008 Real Madrid had a victory over Athletico Madrid. The score ended Real Madrid 2 Athletico Madrid 0. While Athletico had several chances to score during the game, most were saved by Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Castillas. He had made many spectacular saves, giving an indication that his defense was somewhat wanting. But, Real Madrid out passed and preformed Athletico. Real Madrid also worked the ball up field with much better passing than the opponents. The results were that there were more coordinated attacks by the former and only sporadic attacks by the latter. The final score ended about right.
The first goal came when Robinho passed the ball to Raul from the left wing area. Raul unimpeded by any defenders scored at 40 seconds into the match: Just prior to the goal, a defensive error by an Athletico defender caused the ball to not clear properly enabling Robinho to place the ball in front of the net and to Raul. Their second goal came when Ruud Van Nestelrooy scored from a corner kick. He side volleyed it with his left foot with no chance for anyone to defend against it—making it 2 to 0. No further goals were scored.
The referee, in my opinion, made a serious bad call by giving a yellow card to an Athletico Madrid player who made a perfect legal slide tackle to Robinho at 35 minutes into play. Robinho went down after the tackle, but the tackle was perfectly legal. He should have also awarded a penalty kick against Athletico Madrid at 12 minutes into the second half when Atletico’s player took down Real Madrid’s Salgado--kicking the back of his leg in the penalty area. After that the game got quite rough. It was apparent to me that the referee lost control of the game.
Review:
It seemed obvious to me that Athletico needs to be in better physical condition in order to reduce mistakes on the field and to better compete with a team of the caliber of Real Madrid. Near the end of the match, Athletico made passing and trapping errors that could be generally attributed to exhausted players.
Both teams could use improvements in their defense.
Even though these two teams are rivals, there is no excuse for their fouling. Athletico’s roughness exceeded that of Madrid. The referee should have had better control of the game following the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Note 1. At the FIFA web site it is necessary to scroll down to read it.
Note 2 : I do not give out the referee's name for their own security.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
On Jan. 20, 2008 Real Madrid had a victory over Athletico Madrid. The score ended Real Madrid 2 Athletico Madrid 0. While Athletico had several chances to score during the game, most were saved by Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Castillas. He had made many spectacular saves, giving an indication that his defense was somewhat wanting. But, Real Madrid out passed and preformed Athletico. Real Madrid also worked the ball up field with much better passing than the opponents. The results were that there were more coordinated attacks by the former and only sporadic attacks by the latter. The final score ended about right.
The first goal came when Robinho passed the ball to Raul from the left wing area. Raul unimpeded by any defenders scored at 40 seconds into the match: Just prior to the goal, a defensive error by an Athletico defender caused the ball to not clear properly enabling Robinho to place the ball in front of the net and to Raul. Their second goal came when Ruud Van Nestelrooy scored from a corner kick. He side volleyed it with his left foot with no chance for anyone to defend against it—making it 2 to 0. No further goals were scored.
The referee, in my opinion, made a serious bad call by giving a yellow card to an Athletico Madrid player who made a perfect legal slide tackle to Robinho at 35 minutes into play. Robinho went down after the tackle, but the tackle was perfectly legal. He should have also awarded a penalty kick against Athletico Madrid at 12 minutes into the second half when Atletico’s player took down Real Madrid’s Salgado--kicking the back of his leg in the penalty area. After that the game got quite rough. It was apparent to me that the referee lost control of the game.
Review:
It seemed obvious to me that Athletico needs to be in better physical condition in order to reduce mistakes on the field and to better compete with a team of the caliber of Real Madrid. Near the end of the match, Athletico made passing and trapping errors that could be generally attributed to exhausted players.
Both teams could use improvements in their defense.
Even though these two teams are rivals, there is no excuse for their fouling. Athletico’s roughness exceeded that of Madrid. The referee should have had better control of the game following the FIFA Laws of the Game.
Note 1. At the FIFA web site it is necessary to scroll down to read it.
Note 2 : I do not give out the referee's name for their own security.
All of the above information is the author's opinion. This article in no way is meant to degrade, discredit or defame any team or person. Its sole purpose is to improve the skills of young soccer players, coaches and the game itself.
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