Whither Ronaldinho, Robinho and Kaka

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

Paul Vickery who is one of the better soccer pundits published a piece on ESPN soccer stating that the Brazilian coach, Scolari, has indicated that 80 percent of the Brazilian team for the World Cup 2014 has already been selected. Based on the success of the Confederation Cup, I doubt if Scolari will tinker with his starting eleven or the bench. Scolari has a lot to do with accelerating the work rate of every member of the squad. The forwards are expected to fall back and defend. The mid-field players and full backs are expected to join in the attack. It’s a full court press for ninety minutes and especially in the final with Spain, Brazil out-hustled, out-muscled the Spaniards.



The pre-Scolari teams tended to play too slow, were too tardy and lacked intensity. That is anti-thetical modern football. Like the workers of the world, international players must have a high rate of productivity. Unlike the workers of the world, the professional soccer players are well paid.



Does that mean there is no hope for Ronaldinho, Robinho or Kaka?

Ronaldinho has recovered some form since returning to Brazil and has taken his team, Atletico Mineiro, to the final of Copa Libertadores. But at 33 can Ronaldinho play on two sides of the ball? He certainly is capable of defense splitting passes but for Scolari that might not be enough.

Robinho has fallen off a cliff. A.C. Milan was negotiating a transfer to Santos of Brazil but the transfer negotiations have broken down. Robinho doesn’t seem to be in the plans of A.C. Milan and his hefty salary of 4 million pounds makes it a chore for another club to give the once Brazilian star an opportunity to play on a regular basis.

Kaka’s career also plummeted once moving to Real Madrid. Plagued by injuries and the garguantun footprints of Ronaldo, Mourinho kept him in the shadows. With the advent of Ancellotti, Kaka hopes that he will be given more playing time. Whether that will mean space on the Brazilian national team, that will not be an easy task.



Scolari’s message is that Brazil has entered a new age and the stars of yesteryear must be confined to the history books.

Scolari’s Tinkering: Kaka or Ronaldinho

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

Time is running out for the Brazilian team to get their act together for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Brazil who was rated as the top team in the world in 2002 is now rated at number eighteen and falling. In recent warm-up games, the Selecao have lost to England (2-1), drawn with Italy (1-1) and drawn with Russia (2-2).

Scolari is not waiting on official friendlies and have started playing friendlies using their local based players. In a game against Bolivia, Brazil won handsomely 4-0 and against Chile drew 2-2.

Brazil has two pending international friendlies coming up against England and France. Brazil is the host of the Confederation Cup which serves as the forerunner for the World Cup. The Confederation Cup will be played in Brazil from June 15-30, 2013 and should be a test as to where the Scolari coached squad is in preparation for 2014 World Cup. In the Confederation Cup, Brazil will compete against Spain, Germany, Argentina, Japan and others.

There is no lack of talent inside or outside of Brazil. Brazil did not perform well in the 2006 World Cup when they were knocked out by France. Under Dunga’s tutelage, Brazil also was knocked out in the quarter final in South Africa when they lost to the Netherlands. From 2012 to 2013 Brazil has been struggling to be like Brazil. Under Mano Menezes the Selecao never found their stride and in a practice match against Germany were clobbered. The Brazilian Federation lost confidence in Mano and called back Scolari who had won the World Cup for Brazil in 2002. Scolari in 2014 will either be the hero or the goat.

In a recent interview with a Brazilian publication, Scolari indicated that he will go either with Kaka or Ronaldinho as his playmaker. Kaka was recalled for the friendlies against Italy and Russia. Ronaldinho was recalled for the English game and then again for the matches against Bolivia and Chile. Kaka has not managed to break into Real Madrid’s starting team and has not looked like the Kaka of old. Ronaldinho in the game at Wembley against England was taken off at half time but against Bolivia, the old maestro looked like the Ronaldinho of old. Scolari has stated that he has been impressed with Ronaldinho’s form at Atletico Minero. In the Bolivian game, Neymar and Ronaldinho combined beautifully and Neymar has expressed a preference for playing beside Ronaldinho.

Scolari will soon name his squad for the Confederation Cup and that will tell us which players are likely to represent Brazil in the 2014 World Cup. There is no shortage of talent. As central defenders, there are David Luiz, Thiago Silva, Dante and Dede. As full backs, there are Dani Alves, Rafael, Marcelo and Adriano. In mid-field, there is Paulinho, Hermanes, Ramires, Oscar and Ferdinand. As forwards, there is Hulk, Neymar, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Osvaldo, Damiao and Fred. Kaka or Ronaldinho is considered to play the role as playmaker, but Scolari should not overlook Coutinho who has shown at Liverpool that he is a mega star in the making.

Scolari must bring players who can forge the right chemistry. That togetherness will determine whether Scolari is the right man for the job or one who will suffer a similar fate like his predecessors, Dungo and Menezes. In the world of soccer, managers can determine whether teams achieve greatness or wallow in mediocrity. At this juncture in their football history, Brazil is in need of a Sir Alex Ferguson. If Scolari succeeds, he will be known not as “Big Phil” but as “Sir Felipe”.

Scolari and Ronaldinho: Is Brazil’s Future in the Past?

Ball Harambee By Bagga Wilks

As the 2014 World Cup in Brazil looms closer, the host country, Brazil, seems to press another panic button. Brazil’s soccer federation lost confidence in Mano Menezes’s ability to return Brazil to soccer greatness and sent him packing.

Menezes brought together a new generation of Brazilians which included Neymar, Oscar, Paulinho, Ramires, Lucas Moura, Hulk and Damiao. That aggregation looked great playing against weak teams like the United States, China and Iraq. But against top tier international teams like Germany, Argentina and recently England, Menezes’s boys looked ordinary.

Brazilian football has been in the dumps since winning the World Cup in 2002. In 2006, France knocked out a team that presumably was partying excessively. In South Africa 2010, the Netherlands easily defeated Dunga’s assembled giants who played like pygmies.

Replacing Dunga, Menezes did some house cleaning. He even brought back Kaka who was disappointing in South Africa. Kaka, who does not start regularly for Real Madrid in international friendlies played in Brazil, seemed to have captured his old sparkle. But the new boss Scolari did not include Kaka in the squad against England.

In 2002, Brazil won the World Cup largely due to the playmaking and brilliance of Ronaldinho. The young lad was at the zenith of his game and Scolari recollects how Ronaldinho single handedly destroyed England in the quarter-final in 2002. Ronaldo and Rivaldo formed an explosive strike force and Cafu and Roberta Carlos were sensational attacking wing backs. Nevertheless, it was Ronaldinho who was the straw that stirred the drink. He was the playmaker “extra-ordinaire”.

In Brazil’s quest for World Cup glory in 2014, they have reinstated “Big Phil” Scolari who led them triumphantly in 2002. Scolari has anointed Ronaldinho as captain of the Selecao and imagines that with such leadership responsibility the partying Ronaldinho will work his way back to superb conditioning and prove to the world that he can once again rise to the top. For Scolari, Brazil’s future is imbedded in the past.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. In his first game under Scolari, Ronaldinho who played only in the first half looked a half of his old self. In the first half, Brazil was awarded a penalty and Ronaldinho failed to convert. For the forty-five minutes, there was nothing that he did on the pitch that justified his return to Brazil’s national team.

Ronaldinho was a gifted player and during the first decade of the twenty- first century, he established himself as one of the great forwards/playmakers of all time. His initial years at Barcelona will remain memorable in the annals of world soccer. But somewhere along that march to greatness, Ronaldinho placed more emphasis on his night life than his football prowess. By the time he went to play for A.C. Milan in Serie A, that prowess had been significantly eroded. When Ancelotti coached him at Milan, he complained about his poor training habits. When Ancelotti made his departure from A.C. Milan, his successor, Allegri, also found that “clubbing” took precedence over “ball”. Not long after, Ronaldinho returned to Brazil.

Ronaldinho was not included in Dunga’s World Cup squad. Under Mano he has been in and out of Brazil’s national team, more out than in. With his recent reinstatement, Scolari is betting on a transformed Ronaldinho who will invariably lead to the rejuvenation of the aging Ronaldinho. The Brazilian playmaker is now 32 and in 2014 he will be 33. In the world of soccer, the thirties is considered over the hill, especially playing back to back games in the World Cup.

Ronaldinho is fighting twin demons - age and lifestyle. With a serious commitment to conditioning and an adoption of a spartan lifestyle leading up to the 2014 World Cup, Ronaldinho could be an asset to the Brazilian national team. Despite his sub-par performance at Wembley against England when Brazil was beaten 2-1, Scolari has indicated that he is not yet ready to discard all faith in the aging Ronaldinho. Their two fates appear to be inextricably intertwined. Scolari’s future as the coach of the Brazilian national team may very well be determined by Ronaldinho’s quest to recapture greatness. History in the world of soccer seldom repeats itself. For both Scolari and Ronaldinho, the reconstruction of the past will determine their future.

A Reason to Leave AC Milan

Outside of playing for Flamengo, Ronaldinho the aging brazilian maestro loves to party. There's not much competition to Carnival in Rio de Janeiro and throw in hanging out with QB Tom Brady & Model wifey Gisele. In that case, Milan has nothing on Rio. All I ask is that we can get Ronaldinho styled in Futbolr, because his casual look is UFC couture on crack

Ronaldinho: Au Revoir to Europe

By Baggawilks
Ronaldinho began his segment of his European Soccer career in 2001 at Paris San Germain and ended in 2011 with his return to Flamengo. Over that 10 year career, much was accomplished.
Ronaldinho was born in a football family. His father, Joao, played for the local team in Port Allegre but his father died when Ronaldinho was still a tender age. The family moved out of the favela when his brother, Roberto, signed a professional contract with the Club Gremio. Roberto’s career was cut short when he suffered a knee injury. Ronaldinho’s unique talent for the game was discernable from the early years. Playing for a local Under 13 team, he managed to score 23 goals as his team won 23-0.

Snoop Dogg Talks About His Love For Football & the UK

Snoop Dogg's a Futbolr! He sits down with Manchester United Captain Rio Ferdinand and talks about his love for Football and how disappointed he was of Ronaldinho being left out of Brazil World Cup Team.

Coaches and Superstars

By
Bagga Wilks

The Brazilian, Robinho, was transferred from Real Madrid to Manchester City with a great deal of money and even greater fanfare. Robinho never found his footing under Mark Hughes or his successor, Roberto Mancini. Robinho played fairly well his first season in the English Premier League. In his second season, he got injured playing for his country and after his recovery never really got back his ‘samba” rhythm. He lost confidence in his game and the Manchester City coaches lost confidence in him.
Robinho was in a hostile work environment and went back on loan to play for his old club in Brazil, Santos. He recovered his form and confidence and played decently for his country in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa under Dunga.

Milan Sputters, Arsenal Sizzles Belatedly

By Bagga Wilks

Milan got clobbered in the Championship League by Mourinho’s Real Madrid and it is clear if Allegri continues to play 4-3-3 against the top teams of the world, they will suffer a similar fate.

Against Juventus, Milan was instrumental in rejuvenating Juventus’ season. Juventus showed on Saturday, October 30, 2010, the porous nature of Milan’s mid-field and defense. In the early minutes of the contest, Milan’s offense was potent. Ibrahimovic and Pato stormed the Juventus keeper but as the game settled, Milan’s weakness in mid-field and in the last four became apparent. As a formation 4-3-3 is anachronistic and the outstanding coaches play with essentially one striker and pack the mid-field with capable defensive players.

Ronaldinho Gets Transfered??

There's alot of speculation as to where the midfield magician Ronaldinho Gaucho is going, or even if he's going anywhere. After being left out of the Brazil World Cup squad there has been words about his move away from AC Milan. Notably back home to Flamengo or even to play w/ interim teammate Beckham for the MLS' Galaxy. The question about the entire situation is who is willing to pay the heavy transfer fee.

Well, wait no longer it looks like 50 Cent has got involved and will be signing Ronaldinho to G-Unit. Considering Ronaldinho's infamy in the night-clubs I'm thinking he'll be a perfect fit. Enjoy the video.

Soccer on TV this Week Oct. 16-22

Friday, October 16

1:45pm Ghana vs Brazil, ESPN, ESPN360.com, Galavision, FIFA U-20 World Cup FINAL

8:00pm Birmingham vs Boston U, FSC, Men's College Soccer

Saturday, October 17
7:30am Aston Villa vs Chelsea, ESPN2, England Premier

9:30am SC Freiburg vs Bayern München, GolTv, Germany

9:30am Manchester U vs Bolton, Setanta, England Premier
10:00am Portsmouth vs Tottenham, FSE, England Premier
10:00am Sunderland vs Liverpool, FSC, England Premier
10:00am Blackpool vs Plymouth, ESPN360.com, England Championship

12:00pm Nottingham vs Newcastle, ESPN360.com, Setanta, England Championship

12:00pm Juventus vs Fiorentina, FSC, Italy Serie A

12:30pm Hamburger vs Leverkusen, GolTv, Germany
12:45pm Ajax vs Willem II, ESPN360.com, Netherlands

2:30pm Montreal Impact vs Vancouver Whitecaps FSC USL Finals
2:40pm Genoa vs Inter Milan, FSE, Italy Serie A
2:45pm PSV vs Heerenveen, ESPN360.com, Netherlands
3:00pm Lille vs Rennes Setanta, France
4:00pm Valencia vs Barcelona, GolTv, Spain
4:00pm Toronto FC vs Real Salt Lake, Direct Kick, MLS

6:00pm New England Revolution vs Chicago Fire, FSC MLS
8:00pm DC United vs Columbus Crew, Direct Kick, MLS

8:00pm Monterrey vs Jaguares, Telemundo, Mexico
8:30pm Kansas City Wizards vs Seattle Sounders FC, Direct Kick, MLS
8:30pm FC Dallas vs Colorado Rapids, Direct Kick, MLS

9:45pm Atlas vs Querétaro FC, Telemundo, Mexico

10:00pm San Luis vs Pumas UNAM, Telefutura, Mexico
10:30pm Chivas USA vs San Jose Earthquakes, Direct Kick MLS

Sunday, October 18
8:00am Blackburn vs Burnley, Setanta, England Premier
9:00am Lazio vs Sampdoria, ESPN360.com, FSC, Italy Serie A
11:00am Wigan vs Manchester City, FSC, England Premier
1:00pm Athletic Bilbao vs Sporting Gijón, GolTv, Spain
1:00pm CD Toluca vs Tigres UANL, Telemundo, Mexico
1:00pm Morelia vs Pachuca, FSE, Mexico
2:30pm AC Milan vs AS Roma, FSC, Italy Serie A
2:45pm Toulouse vs PSG, Setanta, France
3:00pm Osasuna vs Atlético Madrid, GolTv, Spain
3:00pm Houston Dynamo vs LA Galaxy, Telefutura, MLS
3:00pm Florida vs Georgia, ESPNU Women's College Soccer

Monday, October 19

3:00pm Fulham vs Hull City, ESPN2, England Premier
8:00pm Santos Laguna vs Chivas Guadalajara, Telefutura, Mexico
8:00pm CD Toluca vs DC United, CONCACAF Champions League

Tuesday, October 20

2:45pm Debreceni VSC vs Fiorentina Sky Sports Red UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan, FSE,UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Inter Milan vs Dynamo Kyiv, FSC, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Rangers vs FC Unirea, Setanta, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm VfB Stuttgart vs Sevilla, Sky Sports Red Button, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Olympiakos vs Standard Liège, Sky Sports Red UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Liverpool vs Lyon, Sky Sports HD 1,UEFA Champions League
2:45pm AZ Alkmaar vs Arsenal Setanta Ireland, UEFA Champions League
8:00pm CD Toluca vs DC United, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

Wednesday, October 21

2:45pm Juventus vs Maccabi Haifa FC, Sky Sports Red Button, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Real Madrid vs AC Milan, FSC, FSE, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Zürich vs Marseille, Sky Sports Red Button, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm FC Porto vs APOEL Nicosia, Sky Sports Red Button, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Chelsea vs Atlético Madrid ITV HD, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm VfL Wolfsburg vs Besiktas JK, Sky Sports Red Button, UEFA Champions League
2:45pm Bordeaux vs Bayern München, Sky Sports HD 3, UEFA Champions League
10:00pm Metapan vs Houston Dynamo, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

Thursday, October 22

8:00pm Chicago Fire vs Chivas USA, ESPN2, ESPN360.com, ESPND, MLS

SOCCER ON TV This Weekend

Friday, September 18
2:30pm Schalke 04 vs VfL Wolfsburg, GolTv, Germany
2:45pm Sheffield U vs Sheffield Wednesday, Setanta, England Championship
7:30pm NY Red Bulls vs NE Revolution, Direct Kick, MSG, MLS
8:00pm Boston U vs Boston College, FSC, Men's College Soccer
9:00pm Estudiantes Tecos vs Morelia, Galavision, Mexico
11:00pm San Jose Earthquakes vs Colorado Rapids, ESPN2, ESPN360.com, ESPND, OmniSportTV, MLS
11:00pm Vancouver Whitecaps vs Cleveland City Stars, FSC, USA United Soccer League

Saturday, September 19
7:45am Burnley vs Sunderland, ESPN2, England
9:30am Hannover 96 vs Dortmund, GolTv, Germany
9:45am Arsenal vs Wigan, Setanta, England
10:00am Aston Villa vs Portsmouth, FSE, England
12:15pm West Ham vs Liverpool, FSC, England
12:55pm Nice vs Monaco, Setanta, France
2:00pm Osasuna vs Sevilla, ESPN360.com, ESPND, Spain
3:00pm Marseille vs Montpellier, Setanta, France
3:00pm Seattle Sounders FC vs Chivas USA, FSC, MLS
4:00pm Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid, GolTv, Spain
6:45pm Hull vs Birmingham, Setanta, Delayed England
7:30pm Juventus vs AS Livorno, FSC, Delayed, Italy
8:00pm Guadalajara vs Jaguares, Telemundo, Mexico
8:00pm Pachuca CF vs Monterrey, Telefutura, Mexico
8:30pm Houston Dynamo vs Real Salt Lake, Direct Kick, MLS
8:30pm Kansas City Wizards vs FC Dallas, Direct Kick, MLS
10:00pm Atlante vs Santos, Telemundo, Mexico
10:30pm Los Angeles Galaxy vs Toronto FC, Direct Kick, MLS

Sunday, September 20
6:00am CSKA vs Dinamo Moskva, Setanta, Russia
8:30am Manchester U vs Manchester City Setanta, England
9:00am AC Milan vs Bologna, FSC, Italy Serie A
11:00am Lens vs Lille, Setanta, France
11:00am Chelsea vs Tottenham, FSC, England
1:00pm Real Madrid vs Deportivo Xerez, ESPND, Spain
1:00pm CD Toluca vs Atlas, Telemundo, Mexico
2:30pm Roma vs Fiorentina, FSC, Italy Serie A
3:00pm PSG vs Olympique Lyon, Setanta, France
3:00pm Chicago Fire vs Columbus Crew, Telefutura, MLS
3:00pm Santo André vs São Paulo, GolTv, Brazil
5:00pm Boston U vs Harvard, FSC, Womens College Soccer
5:00pm Queretaro vs America, Univision, Mexico

Monday, September 21

Tuesday, September 22
8:00pm Puerto Rico Islanders vs Saprissa, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League
10:00pm Houston Dynamo vs Arabe Unido, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

Wednesday, September 23
2:45pm Manchester U vs Wolverhampton, Setanta, England Football League Cup
8:00pm Columbus Crew vs Cruz Azul, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League
9:30pm Colorado Rapids vs San Jose Earthquakes, Direct Kick, MLS

Thursday, September 24
8:00pm DC United vs CD Marathón, FSC, CONCACAF Champions League

WWW.FUTBOLR.COM

American's help Rangers FC draw AC MILAN

Tonight Milan played a friendly at Ibrox Park against Glasgow Rangers. Rangers point of view it was a chance for a host of fringe players to get involved and the big plus was Maurice Edu who did well in midfield all night. Not much happened in the first half, with the only highlight coming from a Ronaldinho free kick that shaved the post. Rangers FC opened the score in the 66th minute through DaMarcus Beasley, who profited from a misunderstanding between Silva, who did not make the best of impressions tonight, and Darmian. It was his USA team mate Edu who set the chance with a good ball through.

Milan managed to tie the score just four minutes later through Pato, who had just come in to replace an ineffective Shevchenko, after Kaká wreaked havoc in the Rangers' defence. The 2007 Golden Ball winner then got himself on the score-sheet as well, giving Milan the lead with a terrific run and shot from inside the area in the 78th minute.

However, the home side managed to come back to make it 2-2 with a goal from defender Sasa Papac, who made a smart run into the area and beat Dida in the 81st minute.