Hi everyone, I’m sorry but due to some unforseen circumstances and site renovation, Hit The Bar is going on a two month hiatus (yes, it is a long time). Don’t worry though, as soon as November starts, HTB will be back with its usual insight, analysis and more explosive content!
Stay tuned.
-Zain R. Mian
For quite some time now, there has been a dark cloud hovering over the Nou Camp in Barcelona. A cloud of uncertainty that surrounds the future of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club. Even though Ibra and his agent have consistently denied the possibility of a move away from the Nou Camp, rumors have refused to die down and with the passing of each day a move to Italy seems increasingly likely. But does a move away from the Blaugrana have to be a bad thing? Hit The Bar investigates:
This summer Barcelona signed one of the most prolific strikers of the modern game, David Villa. The Spanish forward is expected to grab the Pichichi award this season as fans are hoping he links up well with the team. This is something he has mastered at international level and hopes to replicate again for the club. This may well mean bad news for Zlatan though as he himself hasn’t exactly impressed in the Red and Blue this season.
Even though Guardiola has repeatedly stressed that he will play both Villa and Ibra’ together and El Guaje himself has said that he has no qualms about playing side-by-side with Zlatan, still a move away from the club may be the best option for him if he hopes to re-establish himself as a player. Since Barcelona don’t really need him in the truest sense of the word, he could well benefit from a transfer to another European Club.
Then there’s AC Milan, a prestigious club with an equally impressive history: With no less than seven Champions Leagues (inclusive of the old format) and seventeen Serie A titles to their credit Milan are undoubtedly one of the major players in Europe. What’s more, Milan actually want nay need Ibrahimovic in their ranks. The Rossoneri have been suffering from a prolonged slump for quite a long time and spectacularly crashed out of this season’s title race after coming within a couple of points of eventual Champions Inter.
Zlatan could be exactly what Milan need to partner with Alexander Pato upfront and bag them an excess of goals. The Swede will feel accustomed to the style of play in Serie A after his time with Inter and a return to Italy may just be the best option for him. But can Ibrahimovic be the catalyst Milan need to finally end their Serie A drought? Can he do the same for Milan as he did for their eternal rivals Inter?
Should he at least try?
I think Yes.
-Zain R. Mian
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A few days ago, it was confirmed by both Real Madrid And Werder Bremen that German International Mesut Ozil had completed his long awaited transfer to Los Blancos.
The signing of the German international has capped off a spectacular run of Real Madrid summer spending in which the Whites also signed Pedro Leon, Sergio Canales, Sami Khedira, Ricardo Carvalho, and Angel Di Maria. These signings have signaled the formation of a “New Galacticos“ and a Real Revolution under Jose Mourinho now seems imminent.
Barcelona, on the other hand, have not been especially active in the transfer market this term. Besides adding David Villa and Adriano to their ranks, the Blaugrana have not been successful in acquiring the services of a midfielder (read: Cesc Fabregas) to slot into the first team. But should Cules be worried just yet? Have Real Madrid become too much of a force to be reckoned with?
I think not.
Granted, Real have done a lot of re-fortification this summer, but this was still not their weak point last year; the likes of Kaka, Ronaldo, and Xabi Alonso etc. were still quality signings that made up the bulk of the first team, a squad few teams could rival.
But last year, even with all their ludicrous spending, they still lacked the “key” to unlocking the full potential of their players: cohesion.
Whereas Barcelona mastered the art of keeping possession and passing the ball a long time ago, Real Madrid are relative amateurs when compared to them and this is where they need to improve. Their so-called stars never even came close to producing anything similar to Barcelona’s eye-catching football which many other teams endeavor to play.
The Barcelona side, unlike Real Madrid, isn’t based on 11 multi-million dollar signings that have been put on the same pitch and told to “play.”. No, the majority of the Barca starting 11 comprises of players who have risen through the ranks at La Masia and slowly earned their right to play in the first team.
Thus, the Barca team formed as a result is a closely-knit bunch in which every player is keenly aware of the other’s strengths (and weaknesses).
Too bad for Real Madrid something like this can’t be bought otherwise I’m certain they’d be churning out the big bucks to try and land it. This may turn out to be the one great advantage that Barcelona have over them come the start of the new La Liga season and El Clasico, when it eventually does come around.
Another cause of concern for Barca is Real Madrid’s new tactician, Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese took over the reins of Los Blancos from Manuel Pellegrini approximately two months ago and it seems he will be looking to give the Pep Guardiola a run for his money this time around.
It was Jose who came out on top the last time the two of them locked horns in the Champions League, though it can be said his tactics in the second leg were less than inspirational.
“The Special One” has not lost at home since the 23rd of Feburary 2002, a scary statistic if you think about it. Pep Guardiola has also admitted himself that Jose has a case to be called the “Best Manager in the World.”
Thus, the biggest hurdle Barca must conquer is not any single man or a material object, it is the intellect of Jose Mourinho. Something I’m confident Joseph Guardiola and his Blaugrana are extremely capable of.
-Zain R. Mian
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*Also published on The Bleacher Report (Over 2500 views and counting)
Yesterday, Monday the 16th Of August saw UEFA announce their 12 nominees for the 2009/2010 European Awards. These include nominations for the Best Forward, Midfielder, Defender, Goalkeeper and of course, the overall Best European Player of the previous year. Last years winners included the likes of Edwin Van Der Sar, John Terry, Xavi Hernandez and the reigning World Player Of The Year, Lionel Messi.
This time around however, it is shocking to see that only one England-based player has made it into the elite list, Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. Come to think of it, maybe it isn’t as shocking as it first seems if you muse over the fact that no English side made it into the Semi-Finals of the Champions League this season- a pretty rotten year for the English if you ask me.
Let’s put that aside for now though. This year 5 of the Club Award nominees are from Internazionale, followed by 4 from Barca and one each from Olympique Lyonnais and Bayern Munich, the aforementioned Rooney completing the dozen. Before we progress any further though, here is this year’s complete list of nominees:
• UEFA Best Goalkeeper of the Year
Júlio César (FC Internazionale)
Hugo Lloris (Olympique Lyonnais)
Víctor Valdés (FC Barcelona)
• UEFA Best Defender of the Year
Lúcio (FC Internazionale)
Maicon (FC Internazionale)
Gerard Piqué (FC Barcelona)
• UEFA Best Midfielder of the Year
Xavi Hernández (FC Barcelona)
Arjen Robben (FC Bayern München)
Wesley Sneijder (FC Internazionale)
• UEFA Best Forward of the Year
Lionel Messi (FC Barcelona)
Diego Milito (FC Internazionale)
Wayne Rooney (Manchester United FC)
Now if you ask me, I think Valdes doesn’t have a decent enough chance of claiming the award. Not that he’s not good (I’m a Barca Fan, mind you), it’s just that a majority of his clean-sheets are not due to his sole effort but he also needs to give his exceptional defense a great deal of credit for his achievements. Thus, I think the Goalkeeper of The Year may well go to the omnipresent Cesar or even Lyon’s Hugo Lloris. Valdes doesn’t really seem to be “in it to win it”, if you will.
Moving on, the next category i.e. the “UEFA Best Defender Of The Year” is indeed one of the most tightly contested categories this year. Featuring two legendary defenders in the form of Lucio and Maicon along with newly crowned World Champion Gerard Pique, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Personally, I’d prefer the latter to either of the two Brazilians (You’ve probably already guessed why). Only time will tell though which of the three gets to take the prize home to show off to mommy dearest.
Next we have the ” UEFA Best Midfielder Of The Year” category. Barcelona’s Xavi Hernandez and two ex-Madridistas, Wesley Sneijder and Arjen Robben form the triplet that is competing for this prestigious honour. All three nominees are exceptional, well matched players and this is probably the most open category of all- Each player has just as much chance to win it as the other. As much as I would love for Xavi to win, but Inter and Bayern Munich’s superb seasons have done him no favours and it seems it is likely that a new Midfielder Of The Year Will be crowned, most likely Wesley Sneijder.
But who will claim the “Best Forward Of The Year” I hear you say? Well to me there seems to be only one clear winner. A lad who goes by the name of Lionel Andres Messi. He will have his work cut out for him though, compatriot Diego Milito and the fiery Wayne Rooney will provide stiff competition for the young Argentine as he looks to conquer Europe once more (though on a more personal level).
Milito has 35 goals to his credit this season whereas Wazza has troubled the scoresheet 34 times. Leo on the other hand has scored a jaw-dropping 34 times in the league alone this season (something opposition defenders know all too well), tying legendary Ronaldo’s club record. Placing your money on this boy wonder should be a safe bet. Heck, he might even make it two Player Of The Year Awards in a row, something Wesley Sneijder will hope to make sure never happens.
The Gala will take place next Thursday at 17:45 CET.
-Zain R. Mian
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*Also published on The Bleacher Report
I know it’s been quite a while since my last post (12 days, to be exact!) and so I thought I must post today! So here goes. One day from now, on the 14th of August, the Premier League kicks off. It has indeed been a very long, tiring wait but thank God football is back! (though La Liga is still a couple of weeks away) I can’t count all the boring weekend afternoons I’ve spent waiting for this day.
Alot has been going on in the British transfer window this season, some of the more notable transfers include:
Now that all the clubs have had enough time to pursue and sign the players they want/needed and the team squads are rested and ready the time has come to walk the walk, if you will. This will be the very first weekend of the Premier League and it is always crucial to do well in your first match of the season. Not only does a win give you a headstart over your close rivals (whether it be for the Title, European places or to escape Relegation) but it also sends out a message to opposing teams that you mean business and are not to be taken lightly.
That said, I’ve decided to pick the two games that may decide the course of the season for the teams involved. It wasn’t too difficult though as there were only a handful or so matches that could be considered marquee fixtures. So without further ado, here are my two picks:
1. Tottenham vs. Manchester City
Venue: White Hart Lane 2. Liverpool vs. Arsenal
Venue: Anfield-Zain R. Mian
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