Big week for South America's big guns
Post categories: Football
Tim Vickery | 12:00 UK time, Monday, 12 December 2011
Crunch time is approaching for this year’s two outstanding South American clubs.
Over the next few days both Santos of Brazil and Universidad de Chile are seeking to scale new heights.
The Chileans, ‘la U’ for short, extended their unbeaten run to 34 games on Sunday, brushing aside Union Espanola to book their place in the semi-finals of the local championship.
This, though, is hardly the priority. They already have 14 Chilean titles to their name, including the first of the two played this year.
FC Barcelona midfielder Xavi (centre) and other players warm up during their training session in Yokohama, in Japan, ahead of their involvement in the Fifa World Club Championship. Photo: Getty
What they do not have is an international trophy - yet. Another unbeaten game on Wednesday night will guarantee them the Copa Sudamericana, the continent’s Europa League equivalent.
Much of the hard work has been done. Last week in the first leg of the final they won 1-0 away to LDU, or Liga of Quito.
The altitude of the Ecuadorian capital forced them into a defensive change, sacrificing a winger in favour of a holding midfielder.
But on Wednesday in Santiago it should be business as usual. ‘La U’ will surely take to the field with their customary two wingers and a central striker.
They will defend with a high line, marking aggressively, seeking to keep the opponent under constant mental and physical pressure, winning possession in the opponent’s half, and exchanging quick passes in the dynamic style which has captivated the continent.
It is the way that coach Argentine Jorge Sampaoli sends his team out to play. The little coach is every bit as dynamic as his team, constantly pacing up and down - and frequently outside - his technical area as if he is running on batteries.
His side have been dubbed ‘the Barcelona of the Americas.’ Sampaoli is rightly quick to play it down. But the comparison is not without foundation.
Because in that fascinating way that footballing ideas can bounce around the globe, there is a common link.
Barcelona freely acknowledge the role of Johann Cruyff as the father of the club’s on-pitch philosophy.
His appointment of coach over 20 years ago led to the long-term adoption of many of the principles and practices of the Ajax and Netherlands teams in which he had starred.
The Netherlands team of 1974 (and their so-called Total Football) also proved extremely influential in South America.
Brazil tried to copy them in 1978 and the excellent Colombia team of the late 80s and early 90s also borrowed many ideas from Cruyff and company.
But the South American coach most successful in capturing the dynamism of the Dutch has been Marcelo Bielsa, the Argentine who took his native land to the 2002 World Cup and then did such impressive work with Chile, who won over the neutrals last year in South Africa.
Sampaoli is a Bielsa disciple. After spells in Peru and Ecuador he has found that the work carried out by his mentor has made Chile fertile ground for his ideas.
His side have been a joy to watch - their 4-0 hammering of Flamengo in Rio is my football highlight of the year.
It is worth pointing out that they also knocked out Vasco da Gama on their way to the final.
It is often the case that Brazilian clubs have problems against teams which operate with strikers in wide spaces - a pertinent thought as Santos prepare to meet Pep Guardiola’s men, ‘la U of Europe,’ with the Fifa Club World Cup in Japan at stake.
In 1962 and 63, with Pele at his peak, Santos beat the European Cup winners to win the old Intercontinental Cup. Now all the continents are involved, which increases the prestige, but also the risks.
Santos have to negotiate Kashima Reysol of Japan in a semi-final, while Barcelona face Al Sadd of Qatar.
As well as winning their own game, Santos will also hope that there is no slip-up from the Catalans.
They have been dreaming of a clash with Barcelona ever since they were crowned South American champions back in June.
This gives them a clear advantage in preparation. As their 10th place finish in the Brazilian Championship shows, Santos have been on extended holidays.
Barcelona, meanwhile, have been in competitive action right up to Saturday night. Compared with the trip to Real Madrid, this tournament in Japan is almost an afterthought. For Santos it has been in every thought.
The other factor that may level the playing field is the fact that Barcelona do not have a monopoly on outstanding individual talent.
Neymar of Santos is undeniably something special, and though injury hit and the recipient of dangerously early hype, playmaker Paulo Henrique Ganso is a wonderful prospect.
Should both sides make the final it will be fascinating to see how the Santos pair cope with the high- pressure marking of Barcelona.
The prospect of a great game lies in the view that Santos can do more than hold on for grim death and seek to snatch a win with a single counter attack.
If Ganso can pass into space behind the Barcelona line, or if Neymar can cut through it with one of his dribbles then things could be very interesting.
And there is another area where Santos will look to cause damage. If coach Muricy Ramalho has cause to regret the injury suffered by specialist midfield marker Adriano, he can celebrate the return to fitness of Elano.
From the ‘if you want to see a spectacle then go the theatre’ school of coaches, Ramalho has built a reputation producing teams that are more efficient than eye-catching.
He won three consecutive Brazilian titles with Sao Paulo, whose captain and goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni recalls that “he never wanted to take risks.
He set up a strong system of marking, he liked to have a tall team and he paid a lot of attention to set pieces.”
Elano is his best striker of corners and free kicks. Without much height in their team, Barcelona could be vulnerable to his delivery.
Every time Neymar goes to ground within range of goal Muricy Ramalho will be licking his lips and dreaming of glory.
You can comment on this article below and send questions on South American football to[email protected] and I’ll pick out a couple for next week.
From last week’s postbag:
Q) A question from a Manchester United fan about Rodrigo Possebon: I was really disappointed when we sold him, as he looked really promising before he had his injury, and I feel we didn't give him enough time to rediscover his form. How has he been doing back "home" with Santos?
Tomjedur Rahman
A) So far it looks as if United were right to say goodbye. He’s played - either covering for injuries or as part of a reserve side. But he has made little impression, and hasn’t even been included in the squad for the 2011 Fifa Club World Cup.
Q) I remember watching a player called Diego Markic at the 1997 Under-20 World Cup and being extremely impressed with him. I think he captained the Argentina Under-20 side on occasions in that campaign and for me was one of the outstanding players in a side featuring Cambiasso, Walter Samuel, Juan Riquelme, and Pablo Aimar. I believe he played as a central midfielder, sweeper or centre-back and looked like a quality prospect. I wondered what happened to him?
Chris Smith
A) This is probably a case of a player shining early as a result of premature physical development. For the Under-23s at the start of 2000 it was obvious that he was massively short of top level. He gave Bari in Italy sound service for a while, but has been retired for a few years and is now assistant coach at Tigre in Argentina’s first division.
Q) Like many people I was mesmerised by the Brazil side of 1982 which was top heavy with midfielders but dazzling to watch. Do you think that side is the greatest to never win the World Cup when you consider that Netherlands reached World Cup finals in 1974 and 1978?
Ahmer Khokhar
A) Much as I love Brazil of 1982 I wouldn’t consider them the best non-winners ever. Even as a third choice centre forward they could have done better than Serginho (Claudio Adao, perhaps) and there was an imbalance in the team between the left and right flanks. Despite their undoubted greatness, I would put a few sides in front - Netherlands of 1974, as you mentioned, but also Hungary of 1954 - and a word, too, for Brazil of 1950, a truly remarkable team unfairly branded as failures because of a few bad minutes.
went to the Crystal Palace Yth vs Everton Yth game
Everton won 2-1 AET
Kyle Da Silva and Vences Bola impressed for Palace
Ross Barkley is too good for this level
Everton Youths are HUGE. Palace are more skillful but found it hard to cope with Everton's strength.
Good game overall
Ashley Cole mocked Roberto Mancini and his players with the chant: "Thursday night, Channel 5" after Chelsea beat Manchester City.Cole 'taunted Manchester City players after defeat'
Premier League leaders City were knocked out of the Champions League last week and will continue their European campaign in the second-tier Europa League after Christmas.
Stamford Bridge had reverberated with fan chants of the same taunt as Andre Villas-Boas' side, who are still in the Champions League, came from a goal down to ended City's unbeaten start to the domestic season.
The jubilant Chelsea players formed a post-match huddle on the pitch before heading down the tunnel.
There, they found Mancini and his backroom staff remonstrating with referee Mark Clattenburg over two controversial penalty decisions.
As the Chelsea players passed, eyewitnesses claim, England left-back Cole shouted: "F*****g have some of that" and "Thursday night, Channel 5".
City players reacted and stewards had to step in to push players towards their respective dressing rooms.
One eyewitness said: "With the players squaring up and then others coming down the tunnel it was just like watching cars pile up on a motorway.
"It wasn't anything serious, but there was a load of shouting and swearing, and even those who didn't know what had started it joined in as they came into the back of the melee.
"It was more indignation and a bit of antagonism than anything else, certainly not serious. But it was obvious Cole was trying to wind the City players up after what the Chelsea players felt was a really big win for them.
"They were really celebrating as if they'd won a trophy, rather than just a game."
After the match, an irritated Mancini said: "I don't know what he said. I didn't understand it. But if the Chelsea players are saying we are a top team, for us that is important."
Chelsea reached the knockout stages of the Champions League for the ninth successive year last week when they beat Valencia to win Group E.
Ironically, Cole was in the Old Trafford tunnel for Pizzagate in October 2004 - when his Arsenal side's 49-match unbeaten record was ended by Manchester United and Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson was hit by a piece of pizza thrown during a post-match row.
Meanwhile, City midfielder Yaya Toure will escape FA punishment for his kick and slap aimed at Chelsea star Juan Mata.
Clattenburg saw the first incident and decided to take no action - and the FA has now said they will not press charges after reviewing video evidence.
Time to watch a very average Brazilian team with two super craques
1
That skill by Neymar was DURT
How can Newmajr have JR on back of his shirt
Absolute flossing the rules, bawse like a bodmon
even at this level Ganso is way too slow on the ball
WOW
FUCK RIGHT OFF!!
i beg we splurge all we have to get Neymar, jeebus!
He is too good for Man Utd
5
2
they said the same thing about CR7....lol
1
Borges>>
2nil game over
they said the same thing about CR7....lol
No they never because he was unknown
Which known craque has ever joined Man Utd?
they said the same thing about CR7....lol
No they never because he was unknown
Which known craque has ever joined Man Utd?
only joking mate
let me live in hope ffs 
they said the same thing about CR7....lol
No they never because he was unknown
Which known craque has ever joined Man Utd?
only joking mate
let me live in hope ffs
I am pissed because he is likely to join Barca
Wenger might sign Neymar,
He bottled Ronaldinho & Robinho
3rd time lucky?
And we're fucking rich now + we've fed him bare games at Emirates with Brazil + Andre Santos is his best friend
By urbanelite, in Music
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seen pires, R9, zidane, davids,lehmann, so far
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Ricky Alvarez>>>>>>>>>
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