Sorry for the slight lateness of this, but as everyone knows, Platini's administration chose Poland & Ukraine's joint bid over the other top candidates of Austria-Hungary (are they trying to resurrect the empire again?) and favourites Italy. I'll confess, i've posted late because I spent the entire day laughing at the dismay of the Italians, most of whom were soooooo confident that they were going to get it.

Why? Because they're Italy. Because of the riots and match-fixing and other problems that they thought would secure the sympathy vote having assumed that people would want to see them rewarded for their self-inflicted problems. And Because they're "world champions". Guess what? They already got their sympathy vote - it's called the World Cup. Everything now is just karma for Fabio Grosso's honesty.

And there's the small matter of politics - Italy did not support Platini's UEFA presidential campaign (maybe because he seems to be slightly on the extreme side), and perhaps they are paying the price for that now. Italy still have the same old football administration that they've had for 20 years, and nothing has shaken it - not the doping scandals, not the riots and violence, and certainly not the match-fixing/calciopoli scandals. Perhaps they thought that they were too old and powerful for the young man, and now they've been shown up. This might be the catalyst for the shake-up that Italian football has required for some years now, and Platini might have precipitated it, which is ironic considering he spent his best years under the power shelter of the Old Lady in Turin. I'm not Platini's biggest fan, but I think if he had been president prior to calciopoli, there was no way AC Milan would have been allowed into Europe this season.

As for the decision in general, I think it's great. Countries like Poland And Ukraine are all part of "Europe", but let's face it, nobody really considers them to be. They will always be "those Eastern Europeans" to the self-important Western Europeans and it's time that something was done to give them a presence. Poland, despite being part of the EU are yet to be really accepted, and the Ukraine are just one of many nations trying desperately to gain membership into the EU. The leftovers of strife and communism are still visible over there, but it is major events like these that can literally transform the fortunes of a country.

It will help both countries (moreso Ukraine) on a financial/economical level, and will also bring them to the world stage. This is important especially in the case of the Ukraine, where a wave of mini-Abramovich's has seen football clubs being bought up and millions spent on bringing talent in from around the world. The announcement that the Euro is coming will only spur on the football interest in these countries, and meanwhile they will be busy cleaning up and preparing for a festival of fun and football. Meanwhile Sepp Blatter and his little sidekick Michel Platini can chuckle to themsleves. Who knows... maybe "incentives" from the Russian/Ukrainian mob were involved? With Blatter you can just never say.

Let there be no doubt about this boy's talent. Simply amazing:

Barcelona and Manchester United. They are both struggling. Oh yes they are.

On a weekend of upsets, Barcelona lost 1-0 away at Zaragoza, and United went down 2-1 at Portsmouth. Both sides are choking badly, and while United have a once-again consistent Chelsea grinding out wins and catching up with them, Barcelona are fortunate to have equally bad chokers Sevilla as their title challengers. Time and time again Sevilla have failed to capitalise on Barca's slip-ups, and on Saturday they could only manage a goalless draw against Racing Santander in response to Barca's defeat, which came courtesy of a typically opportunistic Diego Milito strike .

It all certainly has provided a very interesting twist to the finishes of Europe's two major leagues. A while ago, United looked confident and in-control, especially when Chelsea were struggling, but the tables look like they might be turned now. Henrik Larsson is being sorely missed. He might not have set the world on fire in his short spell at Old Trafford, but he was an experienced, top-class player that they had in an attack short of depth; his departure has left the attack short of ideas and confidence, and just 3 points ahead of Chelsea.

Rooney hasn't scored many this year, neither has Saha, and Solskjaer has been patchy when fit. Cristiano Ronaldo has been their main threat, and it looks like a situation where they will now have to prioritise between the Champions League and the Premiership, although that problem might not last much longer if they fail to overturn their 2-1 first leg away defeat against AS Roma. Ferdinand will have to regain his confidence after scoring a wildly entertaining own goal at the weekend, and Van der Sar has looked a bit shaky – he failed to cleanly either hold or punch away shots against Roma and Pompey , both of which resulted in similar rebound goals.

Barca however have no real excuses. Eto'o and Messi are both fit and the latter has been wonderful since his return from injury, they have a team that is far stronger than last season's and really should be doing better. But they have been generally shaky this term, and slipping up a lot. They are out of the Champions' League, and should be focussing 100% on domestic duties, but somehow seem to have confused their objectives even more by handing the initiative to everyone else. Barca are on 56 points, Sevilla are on 55, Real Madrid are on 54, and Zaragoza and Valencia are both on 50 .

Not many people have mentioned much about Zaragoza this season, but they have been steadily climbing up the the league, and whilst their 1-0 win over Barca might be considered an upset by most, there are some who will look at the league table and say that every team in the top 7 is very, very tricky. Barca have already lost to Real, Valencia, Sevilla and Zaragoza this year, and if you can't beat your opponents at the top, then you don't deserve to win. Something just seems to be awry at the Nou Camp, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Rijkaard gone in the summer.

Anyway, off to sleep for me. Tomorrow's Champions League action could make me a very, very happy man if both Man United and Chelsea go out of the competition :)

AC Milan 2 - 2 Bayern Munchen

Bayern Munich came away from Milan with 2 valuable away goals to set up an exciting contest in the 2nd leg.

Andrea Pirlo scored first for Milan, showing great reactions and technique to loop a header over the onrushing Michael Rensing from an awkward position. There were definite questions about offsides when the ball was played through, but Pirlo looked to be just on.

The lead didn't last too long however - from a set piece, a misdirected header fell to Daniel Van Buyten about 7 yards in front of goal, and he steered it past the keeper with his left. A neat finish, especially from a giant right-footed central defender, and Bayern were level with about 15 minutes to go.

Milan then regained the lead with some very questionable refereeing. Kaka glided into the box with his usual elegan style, went past a few players, and then headed for the byline. But Van Buyten muscled in and won the ball with a fantastic challenge that looked to have eased the pressure so close to the end. But the referee gave a penalty, cue furious protests from the Bayern players.

Kaka took a long, long time over the penalty, perhaps deciding whether he should miss it or not, but eventually he slotted low to the right, with Rensing going in the absolute opposite direction. You can't blame Kaka at all, he fell over when he was tackled, bounced straight up, and never onced appealed to the referee for anything, and honestly looked quite embarassed when the penalty was given. But he was professional, and scored his 7th goal of this year's Champions League.

Justice was to prevail though, especially for Van Buyten, and in the 93rd minute of the game, the ball once again broke to him in Milan's penalty area, and he took a touch and blasted home a left-footed volley at the near post. It was the last action of the game, and it ended there, 2-2. A very entertaining encounter, and two great left-footed finishes from the big Belgian, Van Buyten, the second of which any striker in the world would have been proud of.

So assuming that the Real Madrid circus was a reality TV show - one of the ones where the useless ones get voted off (and the even more useless ones win), let's take a look at who should/would survive from the current squad.

Should I Stay or Should I Go?
(Let me know who you think should be chopped-and-changed at Real using the comments below)



STICKING AROUND

1. Mahamadou Diarra
   Unquestionably solid, essential player, that should be the first on any team-sheet. If Real Madrid want solidity, he is probably more important than anyone else. And it's not just his toughness or reading and control of the game - he's a more-than-decent technican, can pass the ball well, and pops up with important goals. Is best played however with a an aggressive workhorse partner, while he sits deep. Emerson is currently too similar to him.
   
   
2. Sergio Ramos
   Quick, incredibly athletic, very spirited, and soon to be one of Europe's finest defenders. That of course depends on whether he gets the right mix of coaching and experience. You should've gone to Arsenal.
   
   
3. Ruud van Nistelrooy
   The ugly, cheating, horse-faced one has been terrific for Real this season, showing all his old ability after being released from his nightmares in Manchester. Not really part of a long term plan, but is 25 goals a season guaranteed.
   
   
4. Fernando Gago
   Still not completely sure about him, but is a definite talent and a classy player. A bit taller, but very much like Cesc Fabregas, Gago represents a new generation of midfield talents. To bring the best out of Diarra, I think he needs to be in a system like he was at Lyon - 3 central midfielders, him sitting deep, Essien rushing around charging down everything, and Juninho pulilng the strings in front of them. I think Gago would be perfect for that system, and could flourish in the Juninho role.
   
   
5. Iker Casillas
   An unquestionably brilliant shot-stopper, but not a commanding keeper, and he's short. I don't think he needs to be replaced, but when you have a keeper that's not good with crosses, free-kicks and corners, then you need commanding centre-backs, and Cannavaro and Helguera are not the answer. Ramos has a good leap, but is still on the shorter side, and all three lack presence. Casillas' ability needs to be maximised, and to do so Real need to sign not just an imposing centre-half, but one with the personality needed to command the defence at Real, and take the pressure off the 'keeper.
   
   
6. Guti
   Just the kind of player Real need right now, one who is talented and hard-working, but doesn't need to be a star, and doesn't need to overcomplicate the game. Guti has been shifted around in a lot of positions since he made his debut, and he's now a versatile player with a gifted left foot. Some people might say that stars win championships, but that's equally true of good squad members who make the team better.
   
   
   

ADIOS AMIGOS

1. Raul
   I am one of Raul's biggest fans, make no mistake, but it's time for him to face the facts and leave. He is one of the most effective, resourceful and deadly strikers in the game, but he has suffered with Real's galacticos policy. He is the heart and soul of the club, but he has let his game suffer in order to try and accomodate the players around him. The arrival of Ronaldo saw him drop deep and out to the left, and the further arrivals of Robinho, Cassano, Van Nistelrooy and now Gonzalo Higuain have provided a team that doesn't know how they are playing, with a collection of attackers that don't know where to play. Raul needs to be at the forefront, leading the line, sniffing for chances, and prowling around the penalty box, not doing the dirty work (like he did for Ronaldo) at the expense of scoring goals, which is what he does best. I would love to see him at the Arsenal, but he could do far worse than go to Valencia. Should they accept one of the expected multi-million offers for David Villa, logic would dictate signing Raul, so he could be reunited with Fernando Morientes, the partner with hom he did so well for both club and country. When they played together, they were both equally deadly, and made the team very threating. He would have as much chance of winning La Liga and the Champions League in Valencia, and would re-form one of the best striking partnerships of the last decade. I fear though that he will continue to toil away in Madrid.
   
   
2. Fabio Cannavaro
   The most undeserving winner of World Player of the Year in recent times. A great defender, but he's been average for a few years now. For Italy, he played for a defensive team, with Buffon behind him, and Pirlo in front of him. He was good in the World Cup but not great. In Serie A he played for the cheats, once again with Buffon behind him, but also with Thuram, Zambrotta, and Emerson alongside him. He's past it, and it has shown at Real. In La Liga, where there is more attacking, he has less help, and more to do, and he has struggled. Plus, he has not shown much commitment.
   
   
3. Helguera
   Another great servant to Real, but he has struggled in recent years. What many people forget about Helguera, is that he used to be a midfielder and sometimes quite an attacking one as well. He could run with the ball, and pass it, and anctipate the opposition perfectly. Then, the season that Real won the Champions League in 2000, he played as a weird version of a defensive midfielder/sweeper, sometimes in front of the two centre-halves, sometimes behind. But he excelled; he read the game perfectly, glided out of defence with the ball and improved those around him. For many, he was man of the match in a final that Real won 3-0. Well since then things have slowly gone down. Real started playing a back 4 to accomodate los galacticos and Helguera started to play as a conventional centre-half. He did well, anchoring at the back and scoring vital goals, and still making an occassional midfield appearance. He was still highyl rated at the time, Arsenal making a big offer to Real because they wanted him to replace Manu Petit in midfield, and Juve also showing interest. But Helguera stuck on, and bit-by-bit things have gotten worse. He has shown clearly that he was not meant for central defence, and after being destroyed twice by Ronaldinho, his confidence and poise both seem to have suffered. He looks weary and desperate at times, and needs to move away and get back to the midfield. The fans don't seem to appreciate him anymore either.
   
   
4. Roberto Carlos
   Old, over-rated, and just unsuitable for the team. He may be a legend, but that's all that he is now.
   
   
5. Robinho
   There is too much pressure in Madrid, too many stars, too much chaos, and zero organisation. Robinho has suffered badly under Capello, but hes also suffered because there are 20 players to play in each position, and the coaches have all played him in 20 different positions. Another coach will arrive in Madrid, and i'm sure he will be replaced by another one quite soon, and so on. They will sign more players, have more squabbles and elections, and the circus will never stop. Robinho is a big, big talent, but needs guidance and stability. Arsene Wenger and Arsenal might be the perfect place for him, but I think he could do well to go to Germany or France or a smaller La Liga team on loan for a season. Villareal maybe?
   
   
6. Cassano
   Very talented player, who was a cheap signing. He could be of use, but it would be a waste of his talents, and with his bad attitude and temper he is not going to be content with a place on the bench. They have too many other players, and he needs to go to a smaller club where he can control the play and be the star that he wants to be.
   
   
7. Jose Antonio Reyes
   Somewhere in his head, there exists a brain. Unfortunately he has probably forgotten it at his mother's house, perhaps when he went there to make her tell him a bedtime story, or to help him tie his shoelaces. He could potentially be a footballing genius (and for 5 months in London he was), but he needs to get his head right, and stop acting like a child and a mama's boy. His loan will finish, and I don't think Real will want him. Arsenal won't want to keep him either, and he doesn't want to be anywhere but Spain, so it all depends on who can finance his purchase.
   
   
8. Alvaro Mejia
   When Reyes was still playing at Sevilla, he tormented the Real defence so much that Mejia started to cry. When you have been made to cry by the world's biggest crybaby, then something must be wrong.
   
   
9. Pavon
   Francisco Pavon, of Zidanes and Pavones fame, is a lanky error-prone centre-back who is as bad as Mejia if not worse. Maybe they both will improve as they get older, but they are not going to get better by sitting on the bench. Real are better off buying experienced backup in that position, and letting these boys go and develop their game elsewhere.

And then there's the "others": Salgado is a good solid player, who would be good to keep, but who also wouldn't be missed much if sold. Cicinho is an exciting player, but inconsistent, and like Salgado, wouldn't be missed. It doesn't help that they both play in the same position. Higuain is a talent, but quite young, and largely unproven. He needs another season, like Marcelo, the exciting young Brazilian left-back who has been struck down by injuries.Raul Bravo is an average defender, who will always be back-up. He can fill in effectively at left-back, and not as effectively at centre-back.

Real desperately need a new coach as well, maybe Mourinho, maybe Rafa Benitez, but Mourinho would do a top job. And I would recommend them signing a busy central midfielder to complement Diarra and Gago in the middle. Michael Essien is out of reach, but Gattuso, De Rossi, and Lucho Gonzalez are all excellent options, ESPECIALLY Lucho. Emerson, although looking visibly aged, is still an experienced winner, and if he stayed, would be an important member of the squad.

So tell me, WHAT DO YOU THINK THE CHANGES SHOULD BE AT REAL THIS SUMMER?

I watched Brazil vs Chile the other day. I watched Brazil trounce them 4-0. I watched Kaka glide past players and look like he was just floating through the game doing anything that he liked. I saw Ronaldinho score 2 goals and throw in his usual blend of trickery. I saw Gilberto Silva quietly mop up everything and nonchalantly offer up the ball to the playmakers. I saw Fred work hard up front, trying to help the team with scant reward.

I also saw Robinho play an entirely useless second half, time and time again Brazil were in great attacking positions, but lost all their impetus when the ball came to Robinho. Either it was taking too much time, or trying his usual obsession of pedalas, or just sloppiness. When Brazil were counter-attacking in the second-half they seemed like they might score 5 or 6 goals, but Robinho's inadequacy put paid to that. At a time when a lot of people are wondering about Robinho coming to Arsenal, his performances for club and country are closely resembling those of Jose Reyes - full of talent, but eventually incapable of really doing much besides trying a trick, falling down, and losing the ball.

So the question must be asked - is Robinho good enough? At Santos, he was mesmerising, a truly unique talent in the world. But since leaving he's done nothing. In Spain defenders have taken care of him quite easily, for Brazil he's never really looked certain about what he's doing. His present situation doesn't help - Capello has destroyed his confidence, and he's only had a few patches in which to shine.

If it is confidence, it should only matter to a small extent. The true greats - it doesn't matter what team they're playing in, and in what conditions - they adapt, and they eventually excel. Robinho was always thought to be destined for greatness, but a lot of people are probably having a bit of a re-think now.

Arsene Wenger is probably the perfect manager for him - he works with players to concentrate on their strengths, to fit into styles of play, and to achieve their potential. Robinho needs him right now... but do Arsenal need Robinho?

A roundup of some YouTube goodness concerning the "Fake Ronaldo", Cristiano. Nice light-hearted stuff inspired by his incessant step-overs and diving: