A Football Report

AFR, alongside a selection of top bloggers, participated in the exclusive launch of the boots on the 1st of May in Manchester. Dominic Vieira enjoyed the privilege testing the Predator Lethal Zones displaying Portuguese flair which certainly impressed the beloved Kickette, alongside meeting the brains behind the project and watching Nani, Cleverley and Dzeko #unleash their skills. Perhaps the most interesting part of the event was speaking with Aubrey Dolan, adidas’s tireless designer in charge of the entire Lethal Zones project.

They fit like a glove. I could dribble like Nani, I curled Xavi-esque passes like my midfield idol and fired sweet shots with Van Persie ferocity. After taking my first strike, I knew my feet were blessed with a special pair of boots and it was matter of seconds before I blasted another ball. Unfortunately, Alex Ferguson was not present to find that missing midfield sensation he’s desperately looking to sign.

I was wearing Predators once again; it had been a while and they were no longer crowned with that trademark red tongue. Adidas’s innovation was on show once more, as they designed a shoe containing five distinctive ‘Lethal Zones’ which deliver the ultimate control, touch, accuracy, power and skill. 

Their bright blue and infra-red colour captured my eye the moment I unzipped the bag, the new face of Predator will become an iconic pair. The transition in colour, which developed from last year’s AdiPower, demonstrates innovation and responsiveness to the modern football culture. Once more the Predators, which have become a strong reference in football since their inception in 1994, had evolved.

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By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lisbon

Once a nobody, once irreplaceable and now an uncertainty. At the age of 24, the forward from Tenerife has played over 160 matches, kissed all the trophies and set a record which Messi didn’t, becoming the first player in history to score in 6 different competitions in one season.

After swiftly establishing himself during his first full season at Barcelona, it seemed evident that Pedro would remain up front for years to come. Last year he formed the lethal MVP trio which naturally and rapidly transformed into a menacing power scoring 98 goals. It was an effective combination with Messi moving to the centre enjoying a free role accompanied by two agile forwards, and they conquered everything. 

However, it’s been another season of transition as the manager began rotating his attacking force with frequency, except for the untouchable ‘King Leo’ of course. The arrivals of Fabregas and Sanchez, the only summer investments made, offered Barcelona more dynamic solutions. In addition, Guardiola did not hesitate to promote two Catalan youth products, Isaac Cuenca and Cristian Tello. The pair of 20 year old’s have been enjoying a productive run of games, boosted by David Villa’s major injury sustained in December alongside shorter absences from Pedro and Afellay’s eternal calf curse. 

Pedro no longer appears to be an “absolutely fundamental” element in the team. This past week has been defining for Barcelona where they frustratingly lost to Chelsea and were knocked out of the La Liga race by sacred rivals Real Madrid on home soil. Pedro appeared in both matches as a substitute, with limited time and opportunity to make a difference. Despite being fit, why was Tello selected ahead of the World Cup champion for the ‘El Clasico’?

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By Dominic Vieira, writing from Lisbon

There’s no denying that the two best teams on the planet are about to go head to head in another exhilaratingly exciting El Clásico, managed by revolutionary men, armed with an elite selection of Spanish world champions, sponsored by the two leading sports brands with varying “sports betting vs. Qatar foundation” kit sponsors, featuring two electrifying forwards, the two best players in the world. 90 minutes of speechless, yet dramatic football will be played at the majestic Camp Nou, which could virtually conclude the 2011/12 La Liga season - this match is monumental!

The Ronaldo vs Messi rivalry is a constant feature in any newspaper published today. It’s an unforgettable discussion, stumble into any local café in Madrid or Barcelona and you’ll be entertained with an endless argument; nobody cares about the crisis or alarming unemployment figures in Spain today, or tomorrow. But the answer which neither side will agree on, is, who is better?

The beauty revolving around the rivalry is that Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo compete and desire to be number one, both individually and with their clubs. Both players are hard workers and this rivalry is strictly competitive, where they’ve praised each other on numerous occasions, contrasting with the fiery Keane vs Vieira or a bitter Pele vs Maradona. Now the fact that they play for eternal rivals, simply intensifies a battle which has been endless since the day Ronaldo was presented in front of 80,000 roaring fans inside the Bernabeu.

And since transferring for a record to ‘Los Blancos’, he’s seen Messi consectively crowned king of the world by FIFA. Zlatan Ibrahimovic compared the two superstars perfectly during his interview, “Leo Messi is all talent, while Cristiano Ronaldo is the product of much training.” The Swede makes a point which many agree to and in order to be the best ‘o melhor’, a players needs talent and must work hard.

So why isn’t Ronaldo the best?

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By Dominic Vieira

The 2011/12 Premier League is now Manchester United’s to win or lose. Alex Ferguson is sitting in a position which he’s overly familiar with, which is not only a throne of comfort but one where he freely shares his wise words to antagonize local rivals Manchester City as he bluntly indicated “A season lasts for a bit longer than three months.”

Sir Alex has made a valid point. In December, Manchester City were crystal clear favourites to lift England’s most prestigious crown and led the race until March. But their drop in form was exploited by the Red Devils who have accumulated 28 points from their previous 10 encounters. Surely the 1996 ghost of Kevin Keegan is haunting Roberto Mancini or is this typical Manchester United?

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One of the most entertaing matches of La Liga will shortly be kicking off, Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao at the Camp Nou!

Although this encounter does not embrace the same conflict, emotion and hype which revolves around an El Clásico, the quality of the 90 minutes will certainly be played at an equal standard, if not higher. Tonight two coaching masterminds go head to head, Pep Guardiola and Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentine who has been producing wonders for Bilbao, is an avid admirer of the Barcelona manager and is constantly speculated to inherit his throne in the future. Victory tonight won’t only prove that point, but will dramatically dent Barcelona’s title hopes where Guardiola aims to equal Cruyff’s record of winning the La Liga for 4 consecutive seasons.

The two visionaries are enjoying successful campaigns where both sides are favourites to win in Europe and will be clashing at the Copa del Rey final. As always they will be fielding players of boundless talent; we’re overly familiar the names on the back of the Blaugrana jerseys, but what about the red and white striped shirts? Bielsa’s Bilbao is receiving the grand praise it rightfully has displayed on the field where players such as Llorente, Martinez, Muniain, Susaeta and De Marcos have been consistent pillars and stars. Interestingly, ALL the players carry Basque roots and the majority are academy products where they’ve been menacing in the Europa League, a trophy which they have all the potential to lift in Bucharest.

Tonight is about this match, where teamwork, “tiki-taka”, flair, skill, and intelligence will be combined into 90 minutes of magic (and Messi magic). But what should this encounter be called? “La batalla de la autonomía”,  ”el clásico de las canteras” or “súper total fútbol”.

Or what about… “El Cante-Clásico”? [posted by Dominic Vieira]