After a month of late nights, drowsy afternoons and spousal negligence, the concluding saga of one of world’s greatest spectacle pitted French Flair against Italian Steel. Arguably one of the maestros of football in the past decade, Zinedine Zidane led the Les Blues out onto the pitch for one last time.
Zizou struck a chord of brilliance when France eliminated the Spanish and also taught the cocky Brazilians how to play football in the semis. He takes to the field and will try to bring the Cup home for the second time in the history of French football, thereby etching his existence in the annals of modern football.
With the paparazzi all over the Italians regarding the corruption scandals involving several top teams from the Serie A, the players were relived when the press turned their attention to the French after their triumphant feat against tournament favorites, Brazil.
The team is oozing talent from its noses, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vierra, David Trezeguet, Franck Ribery, Claude Makelele, Fabian Barthez, just to roll a few off my tongue. However impressive the roster seems, the French still assembled the team around Zidane.
That, in my humble opinion, wrecked the dreams of millions wanting to see one of the most celebrated sons of football lifting the trophy to conclude his career.
The Azzuris, on the other hand, have simplified the tactics of football. Managers and coaches all over the globe have herald different formations, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1, 4-2-2-2 and 3-2-3-2, just to name a few. For generations, the Italians have practiced the catenaccio.
Loosely translated in Italian as “Door Bolt”, the catenaccio places emphasis on defence. This, in turn, resulted in the ability to groom world-class defenders. The solidity of the Azzuri back line was unparalleled. Undoubtedly the best custodian in Germany 2006, Gianluigi Buffon show why he was the world’s best; conceding only two in the entire competition- an own goal and a penalty from Zidane in the Final.
And one would ponder on how to go about beating this magnificent Goalkeeper; one has to wonder how to breach the watertight defence first. Marshaled brilliantly by the player of the tournament, Fabio Cannavaro adopts a no nonsense attitude. With Gennaro Gattusso giving the defence more than ample cover from midfield, one really has to think thrice on how to “Unbolt the Door”
"Someone said, 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said, 'Listen, it's more important than that'." - Bill Shankly
Before the world cup started, stars like Ronaldhino, Kaka and Ronaldo were tipped to shine. Now, basking in the arms of glory are not the gold of Brazil but the blue of Italy. Here's my take on the best in Germany 2006.
Zizou struck a chord of brilliance when France eliminated the Spanish and also taught the cocky Brazilians how to play football in the semis. He takes to the field and will try to bring the Cup home for the second time in the history of French football, thereby etching his existence in the annals of modern football.
With the paparazzi all over the Italians regarding the corruption scandals involving several top teams from the Serie A, the players were relived when the press turned their attention to the French after their triumphant feat against tournament favorites, Brazil.
The team is oozing talent from its noses, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vierra, David Trezeguet, Franck Ribery, Claude Makelele, Fabian Barthez, just to roll a few off my tongue. However impressive the roster seems, the French still assembled the team around Zidane.
That, in my humble opinion, wrecked the dreams of millions wanting to see one of the most celebrated sons of football lifting the trophy to conclude his career.
The Azzuris, on the other hand, have simplified the tactics of football. Managers and coaches all over the globe have herald different formations, 4-2-3-1, 3-4-2-1, 4-2-2-2 and 3-2-3-2, just to name a few. For generations, the Italians have practiced the catenaccio.
Loosely translated in Italian as “Door Bolt”, the catenaccio places emphasis on defence. This, in turn, resulted in the ability to groom world-class defenders. The solidity of the Azzuri back line was unparalleled. Undoubtedly the best custodian in Germany 2006, Gianluigi Buffon show why he was the world’s best; conceding only two in the entire competition- an own goal and a penalty from Zidane in the Final.
And one would ponder on how to go about beating this magnificent Goalkeeper; one has to wonder how to breach the watertight defence first. Marshaled brilliantly by the player of the tournament, Fabio Cannavaro adopts a no nonsense attitude. With Gennaro Gattusso giving the defence more than ample cover from midfield, one really has to think thrice on how to “Unbolt the Door”
"Someone said, 'football is more important than life and death to you' and I said, 'Listen, it's more important than that'." - Bill Shankly
Before the world cup started, stars like Ronaldhino, Kaka and Ronaldo were tipped to shine. Now, basking in the arms of glory are not the gold of Brazil but the blue of Italy. Here's my take on the best in Germany 2006.
3 comments:
The allegory of the Frog
Once upon a time there was a race of frogs. The goal was to reach the top of a high tower. Many people gathered to see and support them. The race began.
In reality, the people probably didn't believe that it was possible that the frogs reached the top of the tower, and all the phrases that one could here were of this kind: "What pain! They'll never make it!" The frogs began to resign, except for one who kept on climbing. The people continued: "What pain! They'll never make it!"
And the frogs admitted defeat, except for the frog who continued to insist. At the end, all the frogs quit, except the one who, alone and with an enormous effort, reached the top of the tower.
The others wanted to know how did he do it. One of them approached him to ask him how he had done it, to finish the race and discovered that he was deaf!
Never listen to people who have the bad habit of being negative because they steal the best aspirations of your heart! Always remind yourself of the power of the words that we hear or read. That's why, you always have to think positive. POSITIVE!
Always be deaf to someone who tells you that you can't and won't achieve your goals or make your dreams come true.
Talents
"Use what talents you possess. The woods would be very silent if no birds sang there except those that sang best." - Henry van Dyke
Dear Anonymous'
I would really like to talk to both of you.
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