The Special One returns with Madrid's triumph

Photo credit: Reuters

There are a few characters in life worth noting. In sports, in soccer for the purposes of this blog, this may take the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, Messi, Valencia, Clint Dempsey or Zidane. However, this is only part of the equation. The other side is the coach and there are plenty of big personalities out there when it comes to this category: the cool and calculating Franz Beckenbauer, the fiery brilliant Sir Alex Ferguson, and the antithesis of modesty: Jose Mourinho, a.k.a "the special one."

Jose was never a great player and only participated in modest clubs in the Portuguesa Liga such as Belenenses and Comercio e Industria. He first started as a translator for Sir Bobby Robson with Sporting Clube, Porto and eventually Barcelona. His full coaching career began with Benfica and Lieira, where he found modest success, although the latter attained its highest ranking in the league in club history.

Mourinho's breakthrough came while coaching Porto, which he took new heights by winning the UEFA Champions League with a win over Monaco after eliminating Manchester United, Lyon, and Deportivo La Coruna. As a side note to American fans, the win versus Manchester United came thanks to a serious gaffe by Tim Howard. After Porto came a blockbuster move to Chelsea of the English Premier League in which he earned £5.2 million. Jose won the Premier League in 2005 and 2006, as well as the League Cup in 2005 and 2007 and the FA Cup in 2007.

After continuous disagreement with the Chelsea owner, Roman Abromovich, he resigned from his post as coach in 2007, having never won the Champions League. This would change, however, when he became coach of Inter Milan in 2008. He won the Italian Serie A that same season and also in 2010. Further, in 2010 his Inter achieved the treble by winning the Serie A, Coppa Italia, and the Champions League.

His move to Real Madrid in 2010 was reminiscent of his appointment at Chelsea: a big money club in need of a trophy. Indeed, Barcelona had been champions ever since Guardiola took over as coach in 2008, so re-taking the crown was a paramount objective for the Madrid club. Mourinho still finished second in his first season (2010-2011) but won the Cup that same year. However, he injected new talent into the squad with moves for Mesut Ozil, Sami Khedira, and Angel Di Maria. Thus, he effectively crowded out his midfield that already included Xabi Alonso, Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. However, this depth would become valuable in the future.

Also in his inaugural season with the club, a meeting with Barcelona in the semifinals of the Champions League resulted in some interesting Mourinho "moments." He was critical of the referee in the first round at the Bernabeu and was suspended for the second game at the Nou Camp. Always a competitor and always outspoken, he alleged that a "conspiracy" was behind his loss to the Catalan club.

Mourinho toned it down this past season. He quietly (relatively) and steadily gained ground in the league as Barca faltered time and again. He was outspoken still, yes, but he took a far more calm approach to his job. As Bayern Munich eliminated Real Madrid from the Champions League competition last week, we could see his maturation in his frustrated yet surprisingly calm reaction to his star players, Kaka and Ronaldo, missing their respective penalties. The Special One knew that he had taken the necessary next step in his career by winning the Spanish Primera outright. Earlier that week his team had won at the Nou Camp by the score of 2-1 over Barcelona, effectively ruling the Catalans out of the crown.

The Special One isn't done yet. He knows he must achieve his goal of bringing the Champions League crown back to Madrid. He certainly has the tools for the job but his approach must be more cautious in the defense than it was against Munich. Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, in particular, stretch the back line too far through their constant forays forward. This pulls the central defenders wide and exposes the middle of the pitch for the opposing squad. Pepe's recourse in that match was to concede a penalty.

Perhaps it will be in the defensive end that Mourinho finally strikes gold for Real Madrid. One or two more acquisitions or departures might achieve this goal. He has, after all, a potent attack that spreads talent into every blade of grass on the pitch. He's a special coach that doesn't shy away from substitutions in the middle of the first half. His theme isn't a "we must win," but instead chooses another phrase: "we cannot lose." As he once put it when he was hired at Chelsea: "Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one."

Congratulations, Mr Mourinho. The soccer world wouldn't be the same without you.

And now for something funny:

When Superclubs meet: Barcelona-Real Madrid and Arsenal-Chelsea

It is always such a treat to watch the most expensive, most coached, most watched, and most controversial teams play each other. Such was the case with the Barcelona - Real Madrid SuperClasico and the Arsenal-Chelsea London derby. Both games delivered and were worth the millions spent on the teams (not endorsing such exorbitant prices, by the way).

For Arsenal it was perhaps the lack of Van Persie and Adebayor, or just that Ancelotti clearly outmanaged Arsene "Voyeur" Wenger. Or maybe it's because Chelsea is just that good this year. When you realize that the same group of players have basically been marinating in their own collective talents (Lampard, Ballack, Drogba, Deco, Anelka, Terry, the Coles) you have to admit something special could come to fruition. The Drogba-Anelka tandem alone strikes fear into opponents, especially now that they are starting to gel. Drogba, needless to say, is pure magic, and both goals against Arsenal attest to this notion.

In the city of Barcelona, home of the soccer team bearing the city's name, a clash of titans occurred today. It was the "merengues" Real Madrid visiting Guardiola's champions. It was Raul - C. Ronaldo versus Ibrahimovic - Messi. It was Iniesta - Xavi versus Xabi Alonso - Kaka. It was a slow game at times with plenty of defense, but Ibrahimovic needed only one shot on goal. It is the Swede's positioning, opportunism, and clarity in finishing that makes he and this Barca team so dangerous to stellar defenders like Arbeloa, Sergio Ramos and Pepe. Perhaps Real Madrid would wow us with every move if it weren't such a makeshift team put together with a dream of winning everything, but instead coalesced established players around a quality nucleus at midfield (like Barcelona and Chelsea). But, who are we to dismiss any of these teams? They make us cheer, scratch our heads, and appreciate the king of all sports--soccer.

Galacticos return: first Kaka, now Ronaldo

It's official. $130 million for Cristiano Ronaldo. Real Madrid is close to being Galacticos once more having added Kaka to the mix a week ago. What's next? Plenty of names and somehow a lot of money. This team could very well rival the Zidane-Becks-Ronaldo team of the early 2000s. Crazy! Now if only they could share some of the money with the world economic crisis, right? There's the socialist in me.

What's next for Man U.? Maybe Frank Ribery and/or Benzema. They are also, I hear, looking at Wigan's (and Ecuador's) Luis Antonio Valencia. Missing Ronnie will be a big blow to their offensive prowess but that's how club football is player around the world. They should be fun to watch next year, right?

Kaka: For love or money

The record is set. Sort of. Maybe there's still some time for Kaka and AC Milan to consider the consequences of what could be a record-breaking $150 million transfer to Abu Dhabi-owned Manchester City. There are many things to consider with this turn of events, if it occurs. Opponents of this move include Beckham and AC Milan teammates (Pato, Ronaldinho), the Milan fans, and even Hull City boss, who remarks that this is not football when a team can buy any player it likes in order to win. Even then, however, we can look at other sports like baseball (Yankees, Red Sox, etc) and Abromovich's own star-studded Chelsea that have not shied away from admiting they have bought the best players. MLS is not alone (Beckham, Blanco, Gallardo), even if the teams don't really pan out as winners. Right now, Man City boasts Robinho, Elano, Jo, Wright-Phillips and they are looking all over the world for more stars. Who can stop them if they have bottomless pockets in this present age when capitalism has failed?... unless you control the flow of oil. And yet that's the other story line to follow here. Italy is in economic crisis like the rest of the world and the city of Milan and the club are also looking for ways out. It is high ranking officials, ultimately, that may decide the fate of the former Fifa player of the year (2007). Also to consider is the fact that Kaka leaving may pave the way for a permanent move for Beckham, even if Milan aren't looking to spend the cash.
Surely, this is a test of mind over matter, money versus heart, and pure capitalism may have the upper hand.

Another Olympic Failure*?

Amidst talks of clubs not allowing some of their players to participate in the U-23 Olympic tournament, new questions have been raised about the validity of the tournament and the relationship between the Olympic Committee and FIFA. Mainly Brazilian-based players Diego and Rafinha are affected at this point. Kaka was rotundly negated permission by AC Milan to join the Brazilian squad even though it was his personal wish to be at the tournament. Keep in mind that the Olympics are the only major tournament Brazil has never won.
Deportes de Primera radio hosts on XM Deportivo suggested that either the Olympic tournament would whither away by losing its rank in the top soccer competitions or FIFA would have to flex its muscle to intervene and make sure that teams cede their U-23 players. Such players include big names like Alexandre Pato, Lionel Messi and even our own Jozy Altidore. Another important thing to remember is that European clubs are weary of exhaustion for the players and potential injuries that would hamper a teams' chances in domestic play. In addition, teams have already dealt with the significant involvement of their more experienced players in Euro 2008 and world cup qualifying in the other confederations. Added to this is the fact that Olympic play starts near the end of summer break and at the beginning of the season for major European leagues. Jozy Altidore risks being out of contention for a spot in the first team for Villareal if he's on duty at the Olympics.
So what should the answer be? Make it official (FIFA) that all teams should cede their U-23 players for Olympic play. There are also 3 overage players that can participate in the event. I would hope those could be at a team's discretion. All that said, I hope FIFA can come to terms with this situation and we can have an enjoyable tourney. Argentina looks set to win it all as long as the players they called get to participate. Their team is absolutely loaded with the likes of Messi and Aguero leading a team that boasts overage players Juan Riquelme, Javier Mascherano and Nicolas Burdisso.
Enjoy the games (we hope).
*Olympic failure refers to Mexico's elimination at the qualifying stage. It was the term used by Mexican officials and what cost Hugo Sanchez his job. They tied Canada, lost to Guatemala and only managed +4 goals against Haiti.