Rabu, 31 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Minggu 4 Agustus 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Minggu 4 Agustus 2013 | Laga Arsenal vs galatasaray adalah laga yang paling menarik untuk ditonton, so jangan lupa untuk menontonnya. Teruatam para pendukung arsenal dan galatasaray.
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Sabtu 3 Agustus 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Sabtu 3 Agustus 2013 | Pada hari sabtu, ternyata ada pertandingan yang menarik sob, diantaranya laga persahabatan antara Barcelona vs Santos dan yang paling menarik lagi adalah laga Arsenal vs Napoli. Tonton sob!!!
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Jumat 2 Agustus 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Jumat 2 Agustus 2013 | Ada pertandingan big match yang wajib ditonton pada pertandingan bola kali ini, yaitu antara Bayer Munich vs Manchester City dalam laga final Audi Cup. Jangan lupa nonton.
Senin, 29 Juli 2013
Football By Decade: 1930s
Of course, in 1930 the Football League was still the World's most successful league, already almost 40 years old providing some of the greatest teams the game had ever seen, like Herbert Chapman's Huddersfield Town and later Arsenal sides as well the FA Cup. Globally the late 1920s had finally supplied the football fans from Italy and Spain with their own leagues, known respectively as Serie A and La Liga. German football would also continue to develop in the 30s, even with the dark shadow of Nazi Germany lurking over it.
However, within England political and social tensions were quite scarce, the Great Depression not having too greater impact on British life, in comparison to the conditions across the pond in the US and elsewhere in Europe, particularly Germany. The 1930-31 season saw Chapman's Arsenal win the title for the first time since their establishment, finishing above the ever-present Aston Villa. Second division champions Everton with frontman Dixie Dean would go on to triumph in the following season's First Division, which was no mean feat, edging out Arsenal by 2 points and even recording a massive 9-3 victorious scoreline against Sheffield Wednesday! Dixie Dean scored 5 in the match, and 44 in total over the course of the season.
Elsewhere within the British Isles, the 1930s provided a complete turnaround in fortunes for Welsh clubs after a prosperous past decade which famously brought the FA Cup to Cardiff. The Bluebirds by 1931-32 season found themselves languishing in the Third Division South a league below South Wales rivals Swansea Town, also the winners of that season's Welsh Cup. By the 1933-34 season Cardiff had come bottom of the Third Division and were fortunate to be re-elected, unlike Thames two years previous. The mid-30s are still fondly remembered today in football terms due the dominance of Arsenal.
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| Ted Drake |
Elsewhere around the globe came perhaps football's greatest innovation in the 1930s, the FIFA World Cup. The 1930 tournament, set up by Jules Rimet and hosted by two-time Olympic champions Uruguay proved a success leading to a resulting tournament in Europe in order to involve a greater number of teams from Football's prominent continent after only four attended in 1930. The 1934 World Cup was held in Italy, a nation whose sporting success was overlooked harshly by dictator, the fascist Benito Mussolini.
The Italian side was spear-headed by striker Giuseppe Meazza, already an Inter legend, as well as Bologna forward Angelo Schiavio. The Italians would go on to beat Czechoslovakia 2-1 in the Final and begin their global domination of the sport. England were absent from the '34 championship and for many would have won had they been there, the 3-2 scoreline in favour of the three lions in November 1934 proving it for the British public. Again the English were absent in 1938 but notable inclusions were the Cubans and Dutch East Indians (now Indonesia) to the main draw.
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| Double World Champions |
At club level in Italy the football was also played at an all-time high. Juventus were the leading lights of Italian football, winning the league five seasons in-a-row between 1930-35 under manager Carlo Carcano. Their main challengers were the aforementioned Inter and Bologna, the latter of which halting the Juve express train by claiming the 1936 and 1937 titles. Under Mussolini, sport, unlike most other things, thrived. Historian Bill Murray even writing that, "Mussolini’s Fascist regime was the first to use sports as an integral part of government....In addition to draining marshes and building roads, the stock in trade of dictatorial regimes, the Fascists built modern soccer stadiums as monuments to their glory.”
In Germany, the Nazi regime would attempt to follow in the example of Italy and use football as a means of improving and highlighting the power of their nation. On the other hand, the Germans were still slow to grasp the game and still used an outdated knockout system and final, rather than the league formats seen around Europe. In 1934, the Germans, now under the Fuhrer Adolf Hitler, changed to a group-stage and knockout system which began a mid-30s dominance of Schalke 04 as they triumphed on four occasions in the increasingly totalitarian and right-wing state.
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| A frightening sight |
Aside from the European game, football began to capture the minds of the Americas and Asia in the 1930s. As mentioned, Indonesia and Cuba represented Asia and the Caribbean respectively in the 1938 World Cup and the South American game was beginning to produce the forefathers of the golden-age of Brazilian and Uruguayan football. Despite being absent in the 1932 Olympics, the Nazi games of 1936 saw football once again on the Olympic agenda and once again an international victory for Italy. The games included Japan, China and Egypt, further exemplifying the global emergence of football. The British team only made the quarter-finals after a 5-4 defeat at the hands of Poland. For the Germans, once again the "great Aryan race" was beaten by Norway in the quarter-finals much to the Fuhrer's disappointment!
"The Führer is very excited, I can barely contain myself. A real bath of nerves." - Joseph Goebbels
Our best match of the 1930s? We would have to give that title to the "Battle of Highbury", an international encounter which highlights not only the growth of international football, but the political tensions which Europe was dominated by in the 1930s! Read about it here!
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| Let battle commence |
Footballers At War: 1939-45
Footballers At War: Royal Air Force
Minggu, 28 Juli 2013
Greatest Team Ever?: Arsenal's Invincibles
The Invincibles, a team that perfectly defined the philosophy and ideology that Arsene Wenger had sought to bring to the English game since his arrival at Arsenal in 1997. The 2003/04 squad were suitably nicknamed the Invincibles subsequent to the campaign as a result of the unheralded achievement in the modern era of completing the entire season without losing a single match. Despite only being 10 years old at the start of the invincible season, my passion (or as it was then, more of an obsession) for Arsenal and domestic football was perhaps at its peak. Although being young I still to this day feel privileged to have witnessed, albeit from the safety of my sofa, such greatness unfold on the pristine grass stage that was Highbury.
The Invincibles are quite rightly viewed as the strongest squad assembled by Arsene Wenger during his time at Arsenal. The team possessed a combination of strength, guile and outstanding team chemistry that helped shape an unstoppable force that would tear its way through the English game. It is worth looking at the individuals that created the squad and their impact on the formation of what was to become a truly formidable team.
The Invicibles’ goalkeeper was the only major addition made to the squad from the previous campaign. Jens Lehmann was brought in at the relatively senior age of 33 from German outfit Borussia Dortmund in the summer of 2003 to replace goalkeeping talisman David Seaman. In Lehmann, Arsenal had acquired a keeper whose undoubted talent on the pitch were to be of great benefit the defensive solidarity of the Arsenal side despite a somewhat temperamental personality that was often evident on the pitch. Lehmann was not only an exceptional shot stopper but he was also a goalkeeper who had the ability to command the penalty area not only through his outstanding organisational skills but also with his dominant physical presence.
The defensive unit that took shape in front of Lehmann during the Invincible season was undoubtedly the foundation on which the team was able to build its success. The first choice back-four consisted of wingbacks Lauren and Ashley Cole and the centre half pairing of Sol Campbell and Kolo Toure. The centre halves in particular were able to forage a mutual understanding based on the significant existing premier league experience of Sol Campbell and the raw pace and power that a young Kolo Toure was able to bring to the side. In Lauren, Wenger had reshaped a footballing career through modifying a playing position (for other examples of Wenger’s willingness to reinvent a players role look no further than Thierry Henry and to a certain extent Robin Van Persie). Lauren had arrived from Spanish side Mallorca 3 years previously and was seen as a utility man who formed decent cover for both midfield and defence. At Arsenal however, Wenger really cemented Lauren’s position as a right back and he was an integral, if not spectacular, part of the Invincibles' first 11. When looking at the other wing, Ashley Cole’s input to the team can perhaps be better appreciated when considering the cognisance that existed with the players in front of him just as much as his collaboration with the back four. Cole was able to form a magical understanding with Robert Pires on the left wing and the further forward Thierry Henry who had a tendency to drift into the left forward channels. Despite Cole being the only natural left footer out of the 3, there was an imperial understanding that revolved around the pace, skill and natural understanding of the game, that often resulted in devastating affects for opposing right flanks.
The central midfield positions were occupied by Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva. Both were of significant stature, as was often the requirement in Premier League football at the time, and were very rarely seen to struggle to physically impose themselves against their counterparts. The trickery of Freddie Ljungberg down the right often paid dividends when combining with the experienced and skilled master that was Dennis Bergkamp up top. Although Bergkamp was 34 at the beginning of the season and far from his physical peak, his vision and appreciation of the game had in no way diminished. The input of Bergkamp and other experienced heads to this Arsenal squad should in no way be underestimated and it can certainly be said that in later years a lack of such experience contributed to the clubs fall from the very top of English football. In the absence of a game by game analysis of the season there are some undoubted pivotal moments that contributed to the creation of the Invincible tag.
The first of these matches came early on in the campaign. Arsenal faced up to champions Manchester United at Old Trafford in September 2003 where a fiercely contested battle was to unfold. With tensions and passion running high in both teams, Arsenal skipper Patrick Vieira was sent off in the 81st minute for kicking out at United striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy. Vieira and the Arsenal team were incensed however, as it appeared there was no actual contact between the two players. Then in the 90th minute a penalty was awarded to the home team after a clumsy Martin Keown challenge on Diego Forlan, with the villain of the piece Van Nistelrooy stepping up to the plate boasting a formidable penalty record. The Dutchman was able to send Lehmann the wrong way, however his spot kick was only able to rattle the bar. The ensuing few seconds saw Arsenal players Martin Keown and Lauren physically jumping on top of and bumping into Van Nistelrooy to torment him for his missed attempt. Although it is hard to argue that the behavior of the Arsenal defence was in any way commendable, for me it demonstrated an attitude that has been lacking from the Arsenal side in recent years, one of resilience and a refusal to allow other teams to bully Arsenal.
On the back of that fateful clash in September the Arsenal went on to produce some scintillating performances, sweeping away many a Premier League outfit that came before them with gusto. For me, however, a two week period over Easter was the real test of the mettle of the Arsenal team that had handled all previous tasks with relative ease. First The Gunners were knocked out of the FA cup 1-0 in a rematch of prior mentioned clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford. Then 4 days later Arsenal had lead Chelsea 1-0 at Highbury in an all English clash in the Champions League quarter-final, only for Chelsea to come back and break red hearts with a 2-1 win sealed by a last minute Wayne Bridge winner. The following weekend a deflated Arsenal outfit faced up to Liverpool in a league match at Highbury. With the gunners 2-1 down at half time, their season seemed close to meltdown, with the challenge of appearing in 3 major competitions seemingly taking its toll. It was then however that the character and spirit of the Arsenal squad emerged in a way befitting of only true champions. Arsenal came back to triumph 4-2, with a marvelous Thierry Henry hat-trick, including one goal of utter genius involving a slalomed run through the Liverpool back line leaving Jamie Carragher, amongst others, in his wake. From here the team pushed on, with Thierry Henry bagging 4 goals the next week at home to Leeds, and were eventually able to seal the title with a 2-2 draw at North London rival’s Tottenham. The Invicibles survived a few scares late in the season to round off the campaign with a 2-1 home victory over Leicester, with the final goal a coming from a trademark Dennis Bergkamp through ball finished off by skipper Vieira.
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| THAT goal |
There will, rightfully, always be a debate as to which was the finest team in the Premier League era. Candidates include the 1998 Arsenal double winning side, the Manchester United treble winning outfit of the following season, Jose Mourinho’s robust and efficient Chelsea team during his first spell at the club and also the Manchester United team that won 3 consecutive league tittles and a Champions League between 2007 and 2009.
Personally, the achievement of the Invincibles is one which I don’t expect to be matched again during my life time. Of course the age old cliche of ‘you never know in football’ always applies, but the Invincibles were able to form something truly unique, through a blend of spirit, skill and sheer footballing ability. From an Arsenal fan’s perspective with the club winning just one trophy since that glorious season (the following campaigns FA cup) the Invincibles are a team that I’m proud to say I was able to witness and one which shall surely take its rightful place in the history of English football.
Rowan Davies
Rowan Davies
Kamis, 25 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Sabtu 27 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Sabtu 27 Juli 2013 | Banyak sekali pertandingan yang akan digelar pada hari sabtu tanggal 27 Juli 2013,lebih banyak laga pershabatan disini, simak baik baik jadwal pertandingannya.
Jangan Lupa cari channelnya ya kawan. Jadwal Pertandingan Bola Sabtu 27 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Jumat 26 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan Jumat 26 Juli 2013 | Pertandingan Liga Indonesia dan pershabatan antar club akan mewarnai pertandingan pada hari jumat 26 Juli 2013 ini.
Jadwal Pertandingan 26-29 Juli 2013
Jadwal Pertandingan 26-29 Juli 2013 | Jangan lewatkan pertandingan menarik dalam negeri ataupun luar negeri yang akan ditayangkan di TV kebanggaan kita semua, catat baik-baik ya?
Di TV ONE
Di ANTV
The Premier League: A Transfer Crisis?
This year marks the 150th anniversary of the FA and its codified rules and football has come a long way since its official birth. With it have the transfers of its players. There seems to be a consensus that it has only been in recent times in which transfers have caused uproar. This is in fact is untrue as even as far back as 1905 there was surprise and uproar surrounding the transfer of Alf Common to Middlesbrough from Sunderland for the first four figure sum of £1000. 1979 saw the first British £1m player (if you include VAT) in Trevor Francis as he moved from Birmingham to Nottingham Forest going on to win the European Cup in the same year.
Fast forward 30 years and the record fee of £80m (€94m) paid for the supreme talent that is Cristiano Ronaldo could definitely have been better timed. Amid the height of the financial crisis Florentino Perez, in his second spell at the Bernabeu, approved the deal just a week after the £56m acquisition of Kaká. UEFA president Michel Platini criticised the deal whilst sections of the Spanish media remained unsure with El Pais quoted as declaring that "Florentino Perez lives in another galaxy" whilst Marca labelled the deal as "signing of the century".
A few years on and the big fees seem to have become part and parcel of the game rather than grabbing the occasional headline. However the British window has been at what seems to be a standstill with only Manchester City making any headway whilst the other major European leagues have been grabbing the headlines with arguably Monaco the biggest of all with the €130m outlay on Falcao, Rodgriguez and Moutinho. Meanwhile Barca, Real, Bayern and PSG have all added to their already impressive squads.
Last season was the first since 1996 that no English club graced the quarter finals of the most prestigious club competition and even then only one was permitted to enter! Whilst the statisticians among us may argue that that trend had to end at some point, others feel it was just down to quality. City and Chelsea had poor showings with the latter having attained the undesirable record of the first defending champion to crash out in the group phase. Chelsea were perhaps redeemed by virtue of the fact that they then emerged triumphant in Europe's second tier competition. Manchester United were perhaps unlucky whereas Arsenal were simply outclassed over two legs despite a spirited fight back against the eventual winners Bayern with a 2-0 win in the Allianz Arena.
This season certainly promises more than the last with three of the top five having changed management with Liverpool also looking to break into that group. I have perhaps prematurely discounted Everton's chances of another wonderful season but I simply feel the others will have too much for them this time around. With Mourinho back, Pellegrini's brilliance and Moyes seemingly with something to prove the season ahead is a mouth watering prospect. Spurs will be hoping to add to their squad both to breach the top four and appease Gareth Bale and down the road Wenger is widely reported to have a 70m war chest at his disposal though he is yet to make use of it.
The other more worrying explanation is that the Premier league for all its acclaim is just not as good as it used to be, or not as good as La Liga. Just a few years ago the dramas of SAF, Mourinho, Benitez, Wenger and their teams kept us glued all season long and you probably could have written a terrible soap based on some of the events. Vieira and Keane, what we wouldn't give to see that show again! Even at the other end Ian Holloway, Roberto Martinez and Mick McCarthy provided ample entertainment.
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| Trevor Francis became the first British £1m player when he joined Nottingham Forest |
Fast forward 30 years and the record fee of £80m (€94m) paid for the supreme talent that is Cristiano Ronaldo could definitely have been better timed. Amid the height of the financial crisis Florentino Perez, in his second spell at the Bernabeu, approved the deal just a week after the £56m acquisition of Kaká. UEFA president Michel Platini criticised the deal whilst sections of the Spanish media remained unsure with El Pais quoted as declaring that "Florentino Perez lives in another galaxy" whilst Marca labelled the deal as "signing of the century".
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| Monaco's spending alone dwarfs the Premier League's |
Last season was the first since 1996 that no English club graced the quarter finals of the most prestigious club competition and even then only one was permitted to enter! Whilst the statisticians among us may argue that that trend had to end at some point, others feel it was just down to quality. City and Chelsea had poor showings with the latter having attained the undesirable record of the first defending champion to crash out in the group phase. Chelsea were perhaps redeemed by virtue of the fact that they then emerged triumphant in Europe's second tier competition. Manchester United were perhaps unlucky whereas Arsenal were simply outclassed over two legs despite a spirited fight back against the eventual winners Bayern with a 2-0 win in the Allianz Arena.
The last weekend of the season and most of the attention seemed to be on whether or not it would be Arsenal or Spurs who finished fourth. What a season! A lacklustre defence of their title saw City finish second with several poor performances throughout the season. The mismanagement of QPR along with the lack of quality in the Reading dressing room meant they were always up against it, whilst Wigan may well have beaten the drop if they'd only decided to play some football a week or two earlier! United simply did what they had to, it wasn't the most exciting team we've ever seen pull the red jersey on nor were they as reliable as we're used to but they were as effective and decisive as ever resulting in an eleven point gap and their 13th title.
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| Gareth Bale - A Premier League talisman but for how long? |
The EPL was the place to be for most big names just a few seasons ago yet it seems the biggest English clubs have had some trouble in attracting their preferred targets to others in Europe. Liverpool lost out to Dortmund in their chase of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Ligue 1 somehow seemed more attractive to Falcao and Cavani than Chelsea or City and Spurs lost Villa to Atlético in just 3 days despite Villa himself admitting his serious offers came from England. Thiago Alcantara also chose to fight for his less than guaranteed place in a Bayern midfield rather than a sure fire spot in the United one. This has meant a host of world class players have snubbed the EPL this window, which depending on your viewpoint may be for several reasons.
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| Henrikh Mkhitaryan picked Klopp and Dortmund over Liverpool and the EPL |
Our English clubs, for the most part have tended not to pay over the odds for players and tend to have a ceiling to which they will not breach. Arsenal are of course prime examples of this, whilst United could easily have afforded Benzema the summer they sold Ronaldo. Monaco is wonderful but to snub London, the Premier and Champions League is something you have to think thrice about. This is will only be exacerbated by the full introduction of Financial Fair Play this season that has already seen UEFA threaten to boot Malaga out of this season's Champions League if they do not settle their debts.
The other more worrying explanation is that the Premier league for all its acclaim is just not as good as it used to be, or not as good as La Liga. Just a few years ago the dramas of SAF, Mourinho, Benitez, Wenger and their teams kept us glued all season long and you probably could have written a terrible soap based on some of the events. Vieira and Keane, what we wouldn't give to see that show again! Even at the other end Ian Holloway, Roberto Martinez and Mick McCarthy provided ample entertainment.
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| How will the Premier League cope without Sir Alex Ferguson? |
The Premier League season promises much and we really should be excited with Moyes at the helm of United, the return of The Special One and Pellgrini's spending spree. However there fails to be reasons for such excitement surrounding the European campaigns of United, City, Chelsea or Arsenal. Barring City who have spent near £100M and Chelsea who will perhaps rely on the tactical prowess of their manager, United and Arsenal will have to make at least one major move in the market this summer where they have already tried and failed.
It remains to be seen whether either Fabregas or Higuain, both peripheral figures at their current clubs and the latter set to seal a move to Napoli, will be persuaded to join our shores, and that is saying something. Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale may well move on to La Liga and yes Navas and Jovetić are wonderful talents but I would much rather have the first two remain in the league they have built their careers on so far.
It remains to be seen whether either Fabregas or Higuain, both peripheral figures at their current clubs and the latter set to seal a move to Napoli, will be persuaded to join our shores, and that is saying something. Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale may well move on to La Liga and yes Navas and Jovetić are wonderful talents but I would much rather have the first two remain in the league they have built their careers on so far.
The rise of the Germans, what will be the resurgence of the Italians and the brilliance of the Spanish will be hard to overcome and I have to add I feel much owes to the various successes of the National teams. Only time will tell where the English game (or British with Swansea and Cardiff both in the league now) will be this season and whilst there seems to be less reasons to be hopeful, let's remain hopeful.
Christian Ayandokun
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| Premier League new boys Cardiff City will have to spend to survive |
Christian Ayandokun
The Battle of Highbury - November 1934
10th June 1934 - Italy win the second ever FIFA World Cup 2-1 after extra time against Czechoslovakia with a side featuring the likes of Giuseppe Meazza. However, FIFA were still not representing the World as a governing body as nations like England and their Football Association had fallen out with FIFA pre-1930 and the first World Cup.
The Match
The Azzurri settled into the second half and despite their man disadvantage began to play like the World Champions. Italy had the beginnings of a great partnership between Giovanni Ferrari and more notably Giuseppe Meazza whose 35 international goals have only been topped by Luigi Riva. Meazza, whom the San Siro is officially named after when Inter play at home, scored his first after 58 minutes, created by Enrique Guaita. His second came only four minutes later when he headed home from Attilio Ferrari’s free kick and suddenly it was very much ‘game on’! Unfortunately for the Italians it seemed everything was against them as Meazza struck the cross bar and England goal keeper Frank Moss pulled off some incredible saves to hang onto the lead.
FT England 3-2 Italy
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Come 14th November 1934 it was time for what the English press were calling the “real” World Cup final between the official World Champions and the long acknowledged best team in Europe. Not only was this game billed as a titanic clash on the pitch but it was also a political minefield off it with fascist dictator Benito Mussolini ruling Italy. Il Duce was so keen to win that he was rumored to have offered his countrymen an Alfa Romeo and £150 (in old money) if they beat the English.
The Line Ups:
England
Position | No | Name | Age | Club | Caps (incl v ITA) | Goals (incl v ITA) |
Gk | 1 | Frank Moss | 25 | Arsenal FC | 4 | 0 |
RB | 2 | George Male | 24 | Arsenal FC | 1 | 0 |
LB | 3 | Eddie Hapgood (c) | 26 | Arsenal FC | 9 | 0 |
RH | 4 | Cliff Britton | 25 | Everton FC | 2 | 0 |
CH | 5 | Jack Barker | 27 | Derby County FC | 2 | 0 |
LH | 6 | Wilf Copping | 27 | Arsenal FC | 7 | 0 |
OR | 7 | Stanley Matthews | 19 | Stoke City FC | 2 | 1 |
IR | 8 | Ray Bowden | 25 | Arsenal FC | 2 | 0 |
CF | 9 | Ted Drake | 22 | Arsenal FC | 1 | 1 |
IL | 10 | Cliff Bastin | 22 | Arsenal FC | 9 | 4 |
OL | 11 | Eric Brook | 26 | Manchester City FC | 10 | 7 |
Italy
Position | No | Name | Age | Club | Caps (incl v ENG) | Goals (incl v ENG) |
GK | 1 | Carlo Ceresoli | 24 | Ambrosiana-Internazionale FC | 2 | 0 |
RB | 2 | Eraldo Monzeglio | 28 | Bologna 1909 FC | 18 | 0 |
LB | 3 | Luigi Allemandi | 31 | Ambrosiana-Internazionale FC | 15 | 0 |
RH | 4 | Attilio Ferraris (c) | 30 | SS Lazio | 26 | 0 |
CH | 5 | Luis Monti | 33 | Juventus FC | 16 | 1 |
LH | 6 | Luigi Bertolini | 30 | Juventus FC | 24 | 0 |
OR | 7 | Enrique Guaita | 24 | AS Roma | 7 | 3 |
IR | 8 | Pietro Serantoni | 27 | Juventus FC | 4 | 0 |
CF | 9 | Giuseppe Meazza | 24 | Ambrosiana-Internazionale FC | 28 | 24 |
IL | 10 | Giovanni Ferrari | 26 | Juventus FC | 24 | 9 |
OL | 11 | Raimundo Orsi | 32 | Juventus FC | 33 | 13 |
Attendance: 51,000-57,000 (various reports)
NB:
England lined up with an inexperienced squad, every player with fewer than 10 caps, a young Stanley Matthews making his second national team appearance. It was also the first time (and only time since) that 7 players started all from the same club, Arsenal, having home ground advantage.
Italy, unlike England (who were selected by a committee), were aided by a permanent coach named Vittorio Pozzo. A man who is the only coach to have won back to back World Cups (soon to be challenged by Vincente Del Bosque next summer in Brazil) as well as 2 Central European International Cups and an Olympic Gold medal in 1936. Pozzo known as Il Vecchio Maestro (The Old Master) led his side on an unbeaten run from December 1934-1939. (On a big tangent) Pozzo is known to have developed the Metodo (2-3-2-3) formation, based on half-backs and being supported by the two inside forwards creating in effect a 5 man midfield, strong defensively but also on the counter attack offensively. This is the formation developed and adapted by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona with Busquets, Alves and the various left backs playing the ‘half back’ role and Xavi and Iniesta the ‘inside forward’ role (seen closer on the second image below).
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| Pozzo's adaption, remarkably like Pep's Barca |
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| Original Metodo formation |
The Match
The first 45 were incredibly fiery with Ted Drake breaking the foot of Italian Centre Half Luis Monti after only two minutes, with no substitutions allowed in those days Italy were forced to play the rest of the game with 10 men. The Italians felt the injury to Monti was deliberate so set out for revenge, turning the match into a blood bath. England saw injuries to Ray Bowden (ankle), Jack Barker (hand), Ted Drake (leg and a punch), Eric Brook (broken arm) and to Captain Eddie Hapgood who broke his nose and had to depart the field for 15 minutes.
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| All friends before kick-off |
However, the football was a different story as England dominated. Eric Brook missed a penalty in the first minute after a foul from Italian keeper Carlo Ceresoli who promptly save the spot kick. Brook redeemed for himself only 2 minutes later as Cliff Britton floated in a free kick which Brook headed home and then added to with a free kick of his own after 10 minutes. Debutant Ted Drake, who was already more than involved, made it 3-0 in the twelfth minute as a 10 man England (Hapgood off the pitch for treatment) attacked down the right and the centre forward finished the move off to cap an eventful first 15 minutes!
HT England 3-0 Italy
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| Giuseppe Meazza - One of Italy's greats |
FT England 3-2 Italy
England had beaten Italy but who was superior? Well that was not really decided, the Italians, dubbed “The Lions of Highbury” gained everyone’s respect by playing 88 minutes with 10 men and almost getting back into the game. The Football Association and British press were enraged though at the violent treatment of their players, leading calls for England to withdraw from internationals altogether.
The Guardian reported how a player said “It was not a game of football, it was a battle” and ran editorials with public and footballing opinions on what they had witnessed. Italy would go on to dominate the 1930s but one thing is for certain, no one would forget the Battle of Highbury for many decades to come!
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| Treatment room |
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| The successful 1938 Italian World Cup team with Benito Mussolini |
Gareth TFHB (Follow me on twitter @GJ_Thomas and @TFHBTop250)
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