Football Dispatch

Wednesday Football
21 May 2008
by Jerrad Peters

Most compelling viewing
Parma 0-2 Inter Milan

The timing was off; but the result was expected. After failing to secure the Scudetto against both AC Milan and Siena in subsequent weeks, Inter Milan rescued their season by claiming a 16th Italian title on Sunday.

Having once enjoyed an 11-point lead atop the standings, a poor run of results – including a stretch of just two wins in ten matches following their Champions’ League defeat to Liverpool – had narrowed the gap to just a single point ahead of Sunday’s fixtures. Second-place AS Roma, meanwhile, had taken full advantage of Inter’s slip-ups. A win at Catania, coupled with a draw or loss from the Nerazzuri, would have completed one of the greatest choke-acts in Italian football history.

It very nearly happened. After second-place AS Roma had scored an early goal in Sicily, relegation-threatened Parma were understandably heartened. In a dogfight for Serie A survival, the Gialloblu were crossing their fingers for a Roma win which would sentence Catania to the second division instead. Their task was aided by a pre-match rainfall which left pools of water scattered about the pitch. And when Inter struggled for fluency in the opening minutes, it appeared as though the upset was underway.

The first half was particularly cagey. But both Aparecido Cesar and Maicon had early chances to spring a lead for the guests. Cesar, however, was in clear when he spoiled Javier Zanetti’s cross and Maicon blasted Patrick Viera’s pass above the Parma goal. Julio Cruz added to the missed chances when his header fell wide of the target.

With the title in Roma’s grasp, Inter manager Roberto Mancini removed Cesar in favor of top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the 51st minute. The swap paid immediate dividends as the Sweden international produced the Nerazzurri’s first opportunity of the second period when his effort from just outside the box was saved by Nicola Pavarini.

He was rather more accurate just after the hour-mark. Again attempting an ambitious effort from distance, Ibrahimovic beat the Parma goalkeeper with a bouncing shot from 25-yards. The goal seemed to inspire the visitors; and both Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli came close to extending the lead.

Parma’s best opportunity at equalizing came when Inter ‘keeper Julio Cesar looked to have made an illegal tackle on Cristiano Lucarelli. The Brazil number-one escaped without conceding a penalty, however; and Ibrahimovic added an insurance marker after connecting with a Maicon cross in the 79th minute.

Inter, with 85-points, finish as Champions while AS Roma, on 82-points, claim the division’s second automatic Champions’ League berth. Third-place Juventus and fourth-seeded Fiorentina will enter the competition at the third qualifying stage. AC Milan, with 64-points, will participate in the UEFA Cup alongside Sampdoria and Udinese. Napoli will attempt to qualify for Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

At the other end of the table, Empoli, Parma, and Livorno have been relegated to Serie B while Chievo and Bologna have been promoted to the top-flight. Lecce, AlbinoLeffe, Brescia, and Pisa will play-off for the third promotion spot.

Notable results
Real Madrid 5-2 Levante

Real Madrid very nearly lifted a second consecutive league trophy without having to kick a ball. Ahead of Sunday’s season-ending match at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu in the Spanish capital, visiting Levante players had threatened to boycott the fixture over unpaid wages. Having gone the entire week without training, they abandoned their warning after La Liga officials announced that the proceeds from an upcoming benefit match would be pocketed by the Granotes’ players.

It was a decision which paid off in heaps for the lookers-on. Madrid, after winning the league two weeks ago, were loose, confident, and put on a show. Robinho opened the proceedings with a pair of chances – the first saved well by goalkeeper Manuel Reina and the second just missing the visiting goal. Not to be outdone, Inaki Desarga made a cheeky attempt from the half-way line which narrowly sailed above the bar.

Wesley Sneijder, whose return from injury has coincided with Madrid’s sparkling run of recent form, finally created an opening after 23-minutes when his corner-kick was knocked into the path of Ruud Van Nistelrooy by Sergio Ramos. Ramos put his own name on the scoresheet just five minutes later when he headed Guti’s cross past a helpless Reina.

Already established as one of the best defenders in Spanish football, Ramos created Madrid’s third goal when he crossed to Van Nistelrooy inside the box. The towering Dutchman was denied on his first effort; but Robinho reloaded and calmly played the ball across the goalmouth for Van Nistelrooy to convert into his 20th goal of the season.

Embarassed, Levante pulled one back just after the restart. Laurent Courtois made a superb run down the right flank and crossed to Alexandre Geijo. The act was almost identically repeated just 11-minutes later as the 25-year-old Geneva-born striker completed his brace.

The Levante goals were book-ends to a piece of Wesley Sneijder magic, however. His free-kick from distance found nothing but net for his ninth goal of the season. He was involved in the final goal as well. Another accurate corner found the head of Ramos as the 22-year-old notched his fifth goal of the campaign.

With 85-points, Real Madrid are champions of Spain with an eight-point gap over second-place Villarreal. The Yellow Submarine will be La Liga’s second, automatic representative in next season’s Champions’ League. Barcelona, in third place with 67-points, will go through the third qualifying stage of the competition alongside Atletico Madrid.

Sevilla will make a return to the UEFA Cup after a disappointing fifth-place finish. They will be joined by sixth-place Racing Santander and Copa del Rey winners Valencia. Deportivo la Coruna have applied for a place in the Intertoto Cup.

Relegated are Levante, Murcia, and Real Zaragoza. They will be replaced by Segunda champion Numancia, Sporting de Gijon, and Malaga.

Bayern 4-1 Hertha Berlin

With just two losses in the league all season, Bayern Munich regained the title with a fortnight to spare. That 0-0 draw with Wolsfburg on May 4, however, was one of their most tiresome performances of an otherwise exhilarating season. After winning the Ligapokal Cup to kick-off the 2007-2008 season, Bayern raced out to a commanding lead in the Bundesliga standings, won a record 14th DFB Pokal Cup in April, and completed the treble in Lower Saxony. The only black mark on their campaign was a semifinal loss in the UEFA Cup to eventual champions Zenit St. Petersburg.

To cap off the schedule, Luca Toni scored a hat-trick as Bayern dismantled Hertha Berlin 4-1 on Sunday. His first came after just three minutes when he ran onto a Franck Ribery cross and headed past Christian Fiedler for his 22nd goal of the campaign. The Italy international had his second header before the half-hour when he nodded Bastien Schweinsteiger’s overhead ball beyond Fiedler in the 27th minute.

Ribery claimed one for himself just six minutes later. Schweinsteiger’s corner took an awkward deflection before the Frenchman sliced his 11th goal of the season.

Almost on the hour, Toni completed his hat-trick. Some good work from Lukas Podolski left the 30-year-old in the clear for his 39th goal in all competitions.

Valeri Domovchiyski ruined Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn’s clean-sheet in the final match of his storied career. Sensing the magnitude of the moment, manager Ottmar Hitzfeld substituted Kahn in the final minutes. The legendary goalkeeper – capped 86-times for his country and a winner of eight Bundesliga titles and the 2001 Champions’ League – was treated to a standing ovation by the 69,000 fans inside Allianz-Arena.

With 76-points from 33-matches, Bayern finish atop the standings and will return to the Champions’ League in the Group Phase alongside second-place Werder Bremen. Schalke 04, by finishing in third-spot with 64-points – two adrift of Bremen – will have to go through the third qualifying stage. Hamburg and Wolfsburg will compete in the UEFA Cup while last year’s German champions, Stuttgart, will hope to qualify for Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

Duisberg, Hansa Rostock, and Nurnberg are relegated to the second division while Borussia Monchengladback, 1899 Hoffenheim, and FC Koln have been promoted to the Bundesliga.

Auxerre 1-3 Lyon

It may have come down to the final day, but there was never going to be another champion. Olympique Lyonnais won their seventh successive title, Sunday, by beating Auxerre 3-1 at Stade Abbe-Deschamps.

Ligue 1 Player of the Year and top-scorer Karim Benzema kicked things off with his 20th domestic goal of the season after less than a minute. Working well with Fred, he connected with the Brazilian’s pass for a tidy finish from just inside the area. Not to be outdone, Fred put the visitors ahead by a pair after converting Kader Keita’s cross in the 10th minute.

With that, the title was secure. Auxerre did deliver a scare, however, when Daniel Niculae’s 13th minute goal was ruled offside. The brief lapse in concentration seemed to jolt the guests. Lyon dominated possession from there; and the Burgundy side rarely troubled goalkeeper Gregory Coupet.

Seven minutes after the break, Kim Kallstrom delivered an added measure of insurance – Anthony Reveillere’s deep cross finding the head of the 25-year-old Swede. Frederic Thomas pulled one back for the hosts on 78-minutes. But with safety already guaranteed, Auxerre looked reluctant to spend any more energy than absolutely necessary. Lyon, meanwhile, can complete their first ever league and cup double with a win over Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de France final on Saturday.

With 75-points, Bordeaux’s second-place finish will see them join 79-point Lyon in the Group Phase of the 2008-2009 Champions’ League. Third-place Marseille will enter the competition at the third qualifying stage. Nancy and St. Etienne will compete in the UEFA Cup with Coupe de la Ligue winners PSG; and Rennes have applied for a spot in the Intertoto Cup.

At the bottom of the table, Metz, Strasbourg, and Lens have been relegated to Ligue 2 while Le Havre, Nantes, and Grenoble will participate in the top-flight next season.

Motherwell 1-1 Rangers

Chris Porter is 90-minutes away from having his name written in the famous annals of Celtic Football Club. Born in Wigan, the 24-year-old Motherwell striker is hardly Hoop-legend material. But as his 50th minute goal held Rangers to a 1-1 draw at Fir Park, Saturday, he may have secured a third consecutive Scottish Premier League title for the Bhoys.

Celtic, as it happened, were front and centre in the buildup to the match as well. In honor of the late Tommy Burns, the players took the field to Burns’ favorite song – Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin – and performed a minute of applause ahead of kickoff.

From the outset, Rangers appeared to more desperate side. With Daniel Cousin and Nacho Novo spearheading the attack and Charlie Adam, Lee McCullock, and Christian Dailly also restored to the side which lost 2-0 in the UEFA Cup final to Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday, the visitors made good use of the ball in the opening stages. Dailly had the first opportunity when he headed Carlos Cuellar’s cross just wide of goal.

‘Gers captain Barry Ferguson was next to pass over a chance to score. The 30-year-old midfielder misfired on Adam’s pass and Motherwell goalkeeper Grame Smith had no difficulty in making the same. Shortly thereafter, Novo scuffed a good opportunity after dinking Stephen Craigan before shooting wide of Smith.

Nevertheless, Rangers finally had their breakthrough just shy of the half-hour. Dailly caught Smith off his line and headed Kirk Broadfoot’s overhead pass for the opener. Novo looked to have put the guests 2-0 up just moments later; but the linesman’s offside flag kept Motherwell within a goal.

Five minutes after Cousin missed a sitter, Porter struck. David Clarkson hit the post with a headed effort before Darren Smith fed Porter in close. The former Oldham forward made no mistake – notching his club-leading 14th goal of the season.

With just a single match to play after dispatching St. Mirren 3-0 on Monday, Rangers can only regain the title if Celtic fail to take full points from Dundee United on Thursday. Level with 86-points after 37-rounds, Celtic’s goal-differential of 57 is four-goals better than Rangers’ record. Both sides are bound for the Champions’ League. But the runners-up will have to enter the competition at the third qualifying stage. Motherwell are already assured a berth in the UEFA Cup while Hibernian have applied for a place in Europe via the Intertoto Cup.

Gretna, with just 13-points, have been relegated to Scotland’s First Division while Hamilton Academical will take their place in the Premier League.

Key contributors
David Villa

Valencia talisman David Villa scored five goals in two matches to conclude an otherwise disastrous season in La Liga. With his club escaping relegation with just a handful of matches to spare, the 26-year-old must surely be pondering a summer move away from the Mestalla.

None of that was on his mind as he devoured Atletico Madrid, however. In fact, Villa might well have had a hat-trick. His low ball into the box after 11-minutes took a deflection off Atletico defender Giourkas Seitaridis before bouncing past goalkeeper Christian Abbiati to open the scoring.

Villa might well have produced a second just moments later when his pass narrowly missed Juan Mata. But he made no mistake in the 40th minute when his long-distance past rose beyond Abbiati – the Italian ‘keeper in no position to make the save after denying Mata.

The treble was completed in the 55th minute. David Lomban’s superb through-ball found Villa – the latter finishing neatly for his 18th goal of the domestic campaign.

Giovanni Dos Santos

With Deco having been giving his marching orders – and both Ronaldinho and Samuel Eto’o likely to follow him down the plank – the future of Barcelona would seem to be in the hands of youngsters such as Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic, and Giovanni Dos Santos. But while Messi and Krkic established themselves as household names in Spanish football this season, Dos Santos struggled for attention in manager Frank Rijkaard’s setup. That is, until the final day of the season.

Rumored to be unpopular in the dressing-room, the young Dos Santos scored three goals as the Blaugranes defeated Murcia 5-3 at the weekend. With Eto’o’s 23rd minute strike having canceled Juan Ochoa’s 16th minute opener and Thierry Henry’s goal in the 26th minute putting the Catalans in front, Giovanni took it from there.

He scored just his second goal of the season after Eto’o played him clear in front of Murcia goalkeeper Alberto. Then, after a neat one-two with Messi, Giovanni lobbed Alberto for his second on the night in the 52nd minute. His third was even better. After accepting the ball from Henry, the 19-year-old Mexican lashed a superb blast from 17-yards.

Rafael Van der Vaart

Hamburger SV are a potentially massive club. And with Martin Jol set to take the reins at HSH Nordbank Arena, it will be interesting to see what the Rothosen can accomplish over the next few seasons. Of course, those aspirations are largely dependent on whether Rafael Van der Vaart remains at the club through the summer. Judging my his performance at the weekend, he will have his choice of suitors before the 2008-2009 Bundesliga season begins in August.

Van der Vaart opened the floodgates against Karlsruhe, Sunday, with a successful penalty conversion after David Jarolim had been fouled in the area. Jose Paolo Guerrero scored the first of his three goals just 11-minutes later. And his second, after a delicious back-heel by Van der Vaart, had the hosts ahead by three at the interval.

Just four minutes after the restart, it was 4-0. Van der Vaart showed lovely control on Hamburg ‘keeper Frank Rost’s goal-kick – cradling the ball and crossing accurately for Guerrero. Van der Vaart’s third assist came in the 78th minute when he set up Ivica Olic for a simple header.

Bafetimbi Gomis

At 6-foot-2, Bafetimbi Gomis has been likened to Emmanuel Adebayor. As a matter of fact, the comparison is a complement to the Arsenal striker. Gomis, who scored twice as St. Etienne dispatched Monaco 4-0 at Stade Geoffrey-Guichard on Sunday, has been one of French football’s best-kept secrets all season. Until now. With each of Newcastle, Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille, and Sevilla scouting the 22-year-old French international, a move abroad looks a matter of time.

If, indeed, his brace for Les Verts was his final contribution to the club, he certainly went out on a high note. With less than four minutes gone, Gomis delivered a spectacular volley Dimitri Payet had stormed down the right flank. Just three minutes later, he bagged his 16th goal of the season after weaving through the Monaco defense.

Man of the weekend
Alessandro Del Piero

In an era where a loyalty in football can be described as eratic at best, Alessandro Del Piero is a definite feel-good story. In fact, the Juventus forward is a feel-good story for a hatful of reasons.

After refusing to abandon ship when the Bianconeri were relegated to Serie B in the wake of the Italian match-fixing scandal, the 33-year-old stormed back to the top-flight and claimed the first goalscoring crown of his illustrious career. In so doing, he re-established himself as one of the world’s premier footballers – the definitive Trequartista – and earned a place in Roberto Donadoni’s squad for the upcoming EURO 2008 finals.

Del Piero’s performance in a 3-3 draw at Sampdoria was particularly sublime. The veteran notched his 20th Serie A goal of the campaign after just seven minutes when Pavel Nedved found him inside the area. Shortly after the hour-mark, he had his league-leading 21st. A wonderful piece of trickery saw Del Piero slip through the Sampdoria defense before being brought down in front of goal. He took the penalty himself – completing the brace and reaffirming his place atop the heap of modern, Italian football greats.

Have a question about football? Email your query to jerradpeters@gmail.com.

Jerrad Peters is a football journalist based in Winnipeg, Canada. His weekly column for the Winnipeg Free Press is the largest of its kind in the country. A regular contributor to Soccer Three-Sixty, ESPN Soccernet, and Soccer365.com, his work has also appeared on TheMirror.co.uk, Canadian-soccer.com, Footy247.co.uk, Foot2ball.com, and Squadinfo.com.