The Age of the Super Strikers

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As Leo Messi continued to defy defenders, goalkeepers, logic or even the basic laws of the universe in the concluding scenes of this year by overcoming Gerd Muller’s record for the number of goals scored in a single calendar year, in a tantalising feat of self determination, an interesting situation arose. People celebrated the achievement then almost immediately questioned exactly what they were rejoicing.

For until the topic of ‘most goals scored in a calendar year’ had found itself at the heart of modern football’s overbearing gaze in late 2012, nobody had actually realised that the former German and Bayern Munich star had indeed managed such a feat.

Something’s not right here. Gerd Muller was no stranger to the World stage. In fact, he won fourteen trophies with Bayern Munich as well as conquering both the European Championships and the World Cup, so just how did nobody notice when he scored 85 goals in one calendar year?

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Through Ryu’s Lens: Zlatan, Zlatan, Zlatan

Oh, the Champions League was going on too? We were taken aback by the Zlatan Show™, and rightfully so. The Swede is the man of the moment, and watching Ibrahimovic in his element at the Parc des Princes in Paris was a sight to see, even if PSG vs. Porto was not a particularly memorable match. Ryu had his camera in hand in “Par-eeee” and did a little portrait of one of the game’s greatest characters.

Interact with Ryu on twitter @Toksuede and check his Flickr. Posted by Eric.

Zlatospheric - AFR Voice Episode 6

With what critics have been describing as the audio equivalent of a 30-yard bicycle Kung-Fu kick, we present your fortnightly of AFR Voice. This time around we’ll be kicking things off with all things Zlatan – the goal, the aftermath, and the big question – just what is he giving his wife for Christmas? We’ll also be picking apart Snoop Dogg’s new found Old Firm connection, and discussing how much magic, if any, will flow out of the FA Cup when MK Dons and AFC Wimbledon play each other for the first time in the competition’s second round.

Then it’s off around the Premier League where we’ll be trying to remember the last time that Chelsea won a league game in November, getting the Mark Hughes sacking sweepstakes up and running, as well as taking an in-depth look at the questionable eating habits of Andrei Arshavin; before embarking on a breakfast-based adventure with Reading defender Sean Morrison (#CerealQuest).

If that wasn’t enough for you then let us brew up some coffee, send some emails and get the photocopier fired up, as it’s now very much business time in the MLS – this means we’ll be looking at the Eastern and Western Conference play-off finals and getting jacked up for the MLS Cup as LA Galaxy and Houston Dynamo fight it out for the second year running. Then it’s back over to mainland Europe where Juventus have continued their good run in Serie A, Rafa Benitez has been breaking hearts, we adopt a new team from the East of Berlin, and we swing by France where PSG have stuttered again and a rather interesting/violent piece of art has just been unveiled. Magnifique.

As always, if you’d like to get in touch then do tweet us @AFRVoice or drop us an email at afrvoice@gmail.com. You can also subscribe to the pod on iTunes and find us on Soundcloud.

What happens in your head? “Magic, magic…”

It was one of those rare moments. It was one of those moments when language languishes into nothingness and even the most eloquent descend into senseless drivel. It was a moment when all opinion was void, and instead replaced with pure, universal awe. And Zlatan’s bicycle kick from 30 yards out was not a mistake, nor was it a singular ounce of brilliance. This was not a mediocre player scoring the goal of his life; no, this added a fourth to an already sensational hat-trick against England. Zlatan ripped his shirt off and ran to his applauding teammates, but his post-match reaction? “It was a nice goal.”

We were left speechless. Then Swedish reporter Anna Brolin asked, “What happens in your head?”, and Ibrahimovic replied, “Magic, magic.” There was no rebuttal to be had. An arrogance we would normally detest transformed into something beloved, something unquestionably justified. We sit here struggling for words, but what was your reaction? [GIF by Josh. Words by Eric. Follow AFR]

Election Night Special - AFR Voice: Episode 5

In what has been a historic week for American politics, AFR Voice is here to count the ballot papers of world football and see who have been the real winners and losers this week.

We’ll be getting things started with the audio equivalent of shaking hands and kissing numerous babies as we get bleary eyed about the first round of this year’s FA Cup, the return of Big Mick McCarthy to football management, before having it out in an untelevised debate on the diving issue, featuring special guest - Olympic diver Tom Daley (not technically a guest on the show, but we do talk about him a bit).

Then it’s off to canvas support on the key battle ground that is the MLS playoffs – can LA pull things back against San Jose after conceding a right stinker of a free kick late in the first leg, just how many more own goals do DC United and the New York Red Bulls have up their sleeves, and will we see a goal in a match between Seattle and Real Salt Lake ever again?

After that, it’s back to the political stronghold that is Europe where Roma have been holding up trains, Zlatan has been kicking people again, Inter have been ruining the party in Turin, and how for a fraction of a Presidential campaign budget, you can own part of a Spanish football club.

As always, you can contact the team on Twitter @AFRvoice, or by emailing afrvoice@gmail.com. You can also subscribe to AFR Voice on iTunes, follow us on Soundcloud, and find past episodes on the site here. Get involved, vote or die, etc…

In which Zlatan forgets his stripes; or Postzlatanica

By Max Grieve

Lo! And now the towers fall
Under some words too great
Alas, they had them built too tall
And they could not bear the weight
There Zlatan goes, and so goes all
Imagination. Allegri sighs, defeated
“Why have all my parts retreated?”
 
I met a Frenchman in the stands
His face was covered by his hands
Wearied by the fight below           
And ignorant of distant fans
“I am Platini: hear me now!”
And he began an explanation           
Of blind and deaf decisions           
Or a new UEFA regulation
Though I couldn’t hear him all too well
Through his forks of red crustacean.
 
Lo! And now the towers fall
Under some words too great
Alas, they had them built too tall
And they could not bear the weight
Crushed by departure, Allegri calls           
“Where are those we once admired?”           
Sounds echo off four empty walls
They’ve left for Paris, or retired.

The EURO 2012-inspired illustrated postcards by Simon Evans

Rooney. Malouda. Zlatan. Cristiano. All will bring their talents to Ukraine and Poland in less than 100 days for EURO 2012. Artist Simon Evans sent us these brilliant “illustrated postcards” that he created as part of a larger project for Goals 5-a-side Soccer Centres. Focusing on the goal celebration, Evans captures the emotions of the stars from England, France, Sweden, and Portugal, respectively.

[Find more about Simon’s project here]

We Can Be Heroes, But Just For One Day

By Mirko Corli (a proud Nerazzuri supporter)

David Bowie was right.
Last night was the time to be heroes, and José Mourinho and his lads definitely were.

David Bowie - “Heroes”

It has been a tough match, completely different from the first leg. In the San Siro Inter was powerful, with terrific counter attacking on the pitch, controlling the entire game, apart from the last 15 minutes.

In last night’s game Inter never was in control of the match. From the very beginning even before the sending off of Thiago Motta, the Nerazzurri were keen to play a defensive match. Everybody behind the ball line, and less counter attacking than ever. And that was the masterpiece. 

It was José Mourinho’s masterpiece, it was a masterpiece by every single player. Always in the game with the right focus on the ball, on the opponents, on the stadium.

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Is Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s injury good for Barcelona?

They say form is temporary, class is permanent. While I’m not going to go as far as to say that Zlatan Ibrahimovic is no longer a world-class player, he certainly is, I think we can all agree that he hasn’t been in the best form lately. In fact, he has been no where near as good as we all expect from Barcelona’s replacement for Samuel Eto’o. Above is footage of Ibra wasting chance after chance in a recent game against Real Zaragoza; can you really tell me this is the same Zlatan that won Inter Milan the Scudetto last year?    

Anyway, the Sweden international suffered a calf injury whilst warming-up for Saturday’s Primera Division clash with Athletic Bilbao and, after being replaced in the line-up by Bojan Krkic, underwent initial tests this evening. Bojan went on to score two goals against Atletico Bilbao (Barça won 4-1, highlights after the jump). I know that Ibra scored two goals against Arsenal, but I think it is fair to say that he wasted another half-dozen golden chances in the first half at the Emirates.

Confidence is necessary for a player to succeed at the highest levels, and I really think the Swede needs to take some time to regain faith in himself. So while Ibra will merely be a spectator when Barça welcome Arsenal to the Nou Camp, either Thierry Henry or Bojan will replace him and play the prominent role in attack. Is that really a bad thing for Barcelona? I, for one, think this is the best thing that the Blaugrana could ask for.

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