World Football Postulant

As if his week hasn’t been bad enough.

Adrian Mutu suffered a dislocated left elbow while training for Romania’s Wednesday friendly against Latvia.  His arm has had to be immobilized and he will miss two weeks.

That means Fiorentina will be without their talisman for their return fixture of Champions League third round qualifying against Slavia Prague on August 27 in the Czech Republic.  Four days later, Mutu will also miss Viola’s Serie A opener when Fiorentina hosts Juventus.

With a 2-0 advantage over Slavia Prague going into the tie’s second leg, Fiorentina is in good position to advance to the group stage without him.  Viola was very impressive in the first leg and should be able to control play in midfield.  Off to a mildly slow start Grambinus Liga (3 matches, 4 points, 0 goal differential), Slavia Prague may not be as strong a side as last season’s team that won the league and qualified for Champions League group stage.

What looked like a tough draw for the Italian club was little trouble in the first leg.  Though Mutu scored the club’s opening goal, Fiorentina should be able to advance without him, though it would make their backers feel a lot better if Alberto Gilardino could pocket and early goal.  With Sparta having failed to get any away goals, one Viola score would force the Czech champions to put up four goals to advance.

Should the home team pull off a 2-0 win or a two goal differential, Fiorentina may do to the head of the club-versus-country debate.  Let’s entertain the implications of a loss for a second.  It means Fiorentina will not go on to the Champions League group stage.  They will lose three highly lucrative home matches and potential prize money.  Should they get to that point, they would have a non-trivial chance of advancing to the knock-out stage, at which point they would get at least one more home match, against a big club, and more prize money.  While Slavia Prague may be down this season, a four game sample (three in league, one versus Fiorentina) is small enough to question whether they necessarily can’t win this tie.

That’s the nightmare scenario for Fiorentina.

After their Champions League qualifier is over, Fiorentina face a tough opening match to the Serie A season when Juventus visits Artemio Franchi.  All matches amongst Italy’s top five teams will be critical this season.  Fiorentina will have to face their first without their best player.

Juventus won the first leg of their Champions League qualifier against Artmedia 4-0.  That result fell within an impressive preseason that reflects Juve’s desire to reclaim the Scudetto.  With the match between the two teams coming at the end of Mutu’s two week diagnosed recovery period, Fiorentina fans should hope for a quick recovery and the presence of their star in the August 31 lineup.

Links
Romania striker Mutu suffers dislocated elbow
Mutu suffers elbow injury
Romania striker Mutu suffers dislocated elbow
Injured Mutu needs two weeks to recover

Fiorentina striker Adrian Mutu’s star was on display last Wednesday when his club impressed in their Champions League qualifier against Slavia Prague. Opening the scoring with a trademark free kick goal, Mutu and La Viola gave reason to think the club capable of improving on last year’s fourth place finish in Serie A.

After such a promising start to their season, it is unfortunate to see legal matters overshadowing the star’s play on the field.

In a judgment handed down by FIFA last Wednesday, Mutu has been ordered to pay Chelsea £13.68 million.  The decision stems from Chelsea’s claims of lost revenue resulting for Mutu’s failed drug test four years ago.  Testing positive for cocaine use, the Romanian was given a seven month ban from FIFA and had his contract with Chelsea terminated.  As further punishment, he has been made to pay this fee.  Mutu and his lawyers say they will appeal.

A seven month ban in which he earned no salary is already pretty severe.  Mutu is and was a well compensated player.  He lost into the millions of pounds based on his drug use.  It is not like he has not already been punished.  The £13.68 million judgment is capped onto that ban and contract termination.

The reasoning behind the judgment is also curious.  Chelsea claims a loss of earnings as a result of Mutu’s drug-related ban.  Although they may have had very good evidence showing an exact amount they lost as a result of Mutu’s absence, I am skeptical.  Furthermore, in having Mutu’s contract voided, they had the striker’s salary freed up and could have replaced the player.  It is not like they were given no recourse for reclaiming any losses.  If they continued to lose money as a result of the affair, the club bares some responsibility.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport must decide whether to hear this case before they rule on it.  If they uphold FIFA’s decision, it will be unfortunate.  Mutu is a rich man, but £13.68 million is a lot of money.  The decision seems based more on athlete envy and anger that a gifted player would do such a thing than any kind of legal or ethical principle.  If any kind of ethics should rule this day, it should be the fear that some drug user will now hestitate in coming forward to get help out of fear of being the next Adrian Mutu.

Links
Mutu to battle ‘unjust’ fine
Mutu to challenge ‘inhumane’ fine
Mutu: An Inhumane Punishment
Mutu to appeal FIFA damages decision
DRC reaches decision on Mutu
Mutu ordered to pay Chelsea £13.8m
Mutu ordered to repay Chelsea £13.6m after sacking
Mutu ordered to pat Chelsea £13.68m
Chelsea awarded Mutu sum
Mutu ordered to pay £13.68 million to Chelsea
Mutu ordered to pay Chelsea a record £13.68 million in compensation
Mutu ordered to pay 13 million pounds compensation to Chelsea
FIFA order Mutu to pay Chelsea 17 million euros

Schalke 04 used the first week of its season to show the club is not only in line to challenge for the Bundesliga’s other automatic Champions League group stage birth (won by finishing second in the league) but also that they are ready to push Bayern Munich for the league title. Whereas a week ago Bayern looked like prohibitive favors to repeat atop the league, an injury-riddled roster could only draw in their home opener against Hamburger SV. That resumé pales in comparison to Schalke’s Champions League victory 1-0 over Atletico Madrid and their 3-1 domination of Hannover on Saturday.

Their victory in their league opener came despite missing two of their better players. Eredivisie import Jefferson Farfán was beaten down against Atlético and was out with a shoulder injury. Likewise, towering midfielder Orlando Engelaar would miss the season opener. If there is one quality that will define Schalke this year, however, it is their depth, particularly in the middle of the field. They were able to give Turk Halil Altintop the start in Farfán’s spot while a second straight eye-opening performance from 20-year-old Croatian Ivan Rakitic (pictured) helped compensate for Engelaar’s loss.

Rakitic has been their best player over the last week, quite an endorsement considering how Farfán, Kevin Kurányi, Jermaine Jones, Fabian Ernst, Christian Pander, Marcelo Bordon and Benedikt Höwedes have played.  The length of that list speaks to how impressive Schalke have been.  Bordon and Höwedes have been unspectacular but solid at the back, adroitly dealing with the few changes they were given. The midfield has made their job easy, with Ernst stifling any attacks attempting to build through the middle. Hannover was unable to transition the ball out of their own end in large part due to Ernst’s efforts. Up top, Kurányi had two goals, and although he could have had many more against Hannover, he also was great in pushing the back line. That has given a healthy Jones and Rakitic room in front of the line to attack.

Rakitic, who is in his second season with Schalke since joining the club from Switzerland’s FC Basel, gave both Atlético and Hannover troubles with his pace and ambition. Against Madrid he made his mark in using his speed to get on the end of frequent Farfán crosses.  But whereas Atlético had a number of talents in midfielder that could at least keep Rakitic occupied, Hannover could not keep up, and the Croat was able to bolt in from the left at will to disrupt the opponent’s back.  He brought an element of excitement (and for Hannover, worry) to ever attack, attacks that were frequent against the visitors.

The end result was the most impressive result of the weekend.  Schalke showed a result that is keeping with the idea that they are a title contender.  Fred Rutten has opened up their attack this season, and thanks to the acqusition of Farfán and Ratikic have the talent to stay with it.  If players like Rakitic and Farfán continue at the levels they have shown over the last week, Schalke could avoid the expected fight for second and set their sights on nipping at Bayern’s heals.

Beyond the Bundelsliga, only Chelsea in England have shown themselves the stronger side, thus far.  Only three of the seven big leagues have started play, but Schalke is not likely to drop far from the top of a Europe’s best teams list until their play falls.

Links
Opening win delights Rutten
Schalke ease to victory over Hannover
Bordon and Kuranyi sink Hannover
Schalke Suffer Engelaar Injury Blow
Three-star Schalke off to perfect start
New stars missing for Schalke
Engelaar missing against Hannover
Engelaar out for Bundesliga opener
Advantage Schalke

When, last week, Rangers lost their second round Champions League qualifying tie with Lithuania’s FBK Kaunas, there was immediate speculation that the Glasgow club would have to sell players.   Without the extra income those European football matches would bring, Rangers needed to offload some of its more costly players.  That speculation turned to fact today.

Carlos Cuellar, who missed the tie against Kaunas with injury, was sold to the Premiership’s Aston Villa.  The reigning Scottish Premier League Player of the Year was sold to the defender-starved club for £7.8 million, a totally which might keep any other players from having to be sold.

The  Spanish center back fills an immediate, desperate need for Martin O’Neill’s team.  Their already thin club was stretched thinner when, in their last Intertoto Cup match against Odense BK, lost Wilfred Bouma with a right ankle dislocation.  So thin was Villa that they brought wantaway midfielder Gareth Barry in as a replacement to play left back.

Cuellar not only adds depth, but he adds the type of quality a team which expects UEFA Cup qualification needs.  It is a great, steadying addition for O’Neill’s side - £7.8 million well spent, considering Villa was less than a week away from starting their league campaign without barely enough backs to play their preferred formation.

For Rangers, it solves any financial concerns they may have had while dealing the club a  huge hit on the field.  Still, Walter Smith has expressed his disappointment, saying that the move comes as a surprise and the fee will be reinvested in the club.  Perhaps that is the case, but this move did not come out of nowhere.  The minute the Rangers’ loss was made final last week, speculation of sales started.  It sounds like Smith may be saying the right things - trying to keep the club focused on the new season - but Cuellar moving on can not be a real surprise.

There was almost no gap between them an Celtic atop the SPL before the sale.   After selling their best player, Rangers have to be considered underdogs to defend the two trophies they earned last season.  Perhaps it needed to be done, and no ardent Rangers follower should be surprised, but that doesn’t make the move any easier to swallow.  Having to sell your best player only underscores the shock of last week’s loss.

For Cuellar, he moves to a quality club that has the talent to play near the top of the Premiership for the duration of his stay at the club.  He is only 26-years-old, making this the perfect time to make the next step in his career.  Champions League football could have been it, but the Premier League will give him the same opportunity to play against the elite.  While he loses the big fish, small pond feel of the Scottish League, he gets to move to a club that will be playing some sort of European football while being guaranteed full time action.

Quotes
“If Rangers had still been in Europe I think Carlos would have stayed for another season.” - John MacDonald, former Ranger
“But with Rangers out so early, and with no Uefa Cup football either, he must have thought it was time to go. It’s a major blow because no team likes to lose their best players and he had a great season for us.” - MacDonald
“This is the best league in the world and last year Villa did very well. They play very good football and had a fantastic season.” - Cuellar
“So I am very happy to come here with the opportunity to play in the Premier League. We are also playing in Europe this season, so that will be good.” - Cuellar
“I watched Villa last season and Martin O’Neill is a very good coach. He plays exciting attacking football and I am excited to be here.” - Cuellar
“My ambition is to play for my country and I think with Aston Villa I will have that possibility. Every player wants to play international football and that is my aim.” - Cuellar
“This has come as a surprise and I am disappointed. Carlos Cuellar has been a great player for the football club and inevitably there has been speculation about him playing in the Premiership.” - Smith
“The club has received a substantial uplift in fee and we will now reinvest in the team.” - Smith
“The Rangers supporters have been fantastic to me, but I am young and I want to play at the highest level and I hope they will always welcome me back. I want to thank them for everything.” - Cuellar

Links
Ex-Ranger Blames Euro Exit For Cuellar Move
Cuellar Swaps Rangers for Aston Villa
Cuellar Completes Villa Move
Villa capture Cuellar
Aston Villa agrees to buy Cuellar from Rangers
Cuellar completes £7.8 million move to Villa
Cuellar completes Villa switch

The Court of Arbitration for Sport, to which Barcelona, Werder Bremen, and Schalke had appealed FIFA’s ruling compelling the release of U23-eligible players for the Olympics, has sided with the clubs, ruling teams are not required to release their players for participation in the Games.  The CAS said that clubs have no legal obligation to release the players since the Games do not fall within the agreed to International Match Calendar.

The CAS did, however, encourage all parties to continue working towards an amicable solution.  Shortly after the ruling, both Werder Bremen and Schalke granted their players - Diego and Rafinha, respectively - permission to play.  Barcelona has not said whether they intend to follow through on their previous plans to call Lionel Messi back from Beijing.  Argentine coach Sergio Batista has said he anticipates Messi will stay with the team after joining them late last week.

Though it ruled in the clubs favor, the CAS said it will not mandate non-released players be banned from playing in the games.  The court said that their ruling does not effect the eligibility of any players who have already been entered by their national sides.  That interpretation puts the burden for upholding this ruling not on the International Olympic Committee, FIFA, or the country’s federation.  The burden falls upon the players, who would be in breach of contract should they defy their clubs in the face of the CAS ruling.  With Diego and Rafinha having now received permission to play, the only footballer in danger of breaching contract is Messi.

Argentina opens their Olympic tournament tomorrow against the Côte d’Ivoire.  Likewise, Brazil plays tomorrow, against Belgium.  Barcelona wants Messi back for their Wednesday Champions League qualifying match with Wisla Krakow.  Schalke will take on Atlético Madrid without Rafinha.

Barcelona had previously agreed to let Messi join Argentina should Barça have a comfortable lead after the first leg of their qualifying tie.  That compromise solution was offered before the CAS ruling and would have seen Messi join Argentina for the medal round.  It is unclear whether Barcelona would be willing to grant such a release in light of the CAS’s decision.

While Messi’s Olympic hopes remain in the balance, his gold medal dreams have not been the biggest loser of the saga’s denouement; rather, it is the sport’s governing body that has taken the biggest hit.

In attempting to flex his organization’s muscle and force through a U23-policy for the Olympics that defied his own organization’s International Match Calendar, FIFA president Sepp Blatter unwittingly walked into a club-versus-country fight, misjudging his adversary in the process.  All along, it was apparently that FIFA had overreached it power (and the tacit agreement it held with clubs) when it compelled player releases for a tournament that was not taking place in a release period.  It should not have been a surprise that clubs fought the ruling, nor should FIFA have been caught off guard that the CAS upheld a club view that relied on agreed-to timelines over FIFA’s logic of custom and spirit.  While it is disappointing that the Olympics have fallen so far in esteem that individual football clubs feel justified in withholding players from the tournament, the regulations backed club claims.

There was always a chance that the CAS would rule with FIFA and uphold tradition, but FIFA should have known the clubs would balk.  The European Club Association had been itching for a battle ever since it was late showing up to 6+5’s funeral.  The ECA was going to fight to the end, no matter what.  More than for questioning the Olympic ideal or maintaining control over a few players, the ECA saw this issue as one that spoke to the heart of who controls the footballing world.  To the ECA, the clubs have control.  In the fight to affirm that control, a fight the ECA was formed to win, the clubs have won Round 1.

Perhaps Blatter and the similarly inclined UEFA president Michel Platini will tread lightly next time they wish to butt heads with the clubs, seeing that this first battle was never about the players.  Werder Bremen and Schalke’s easy about-faces on Diego and Rafinha showed that.  It was about Blatter overstepping.  The next battle could be about a Platini-pushed debt-plan or one of Blatter’s club-controlling player restrictions.  The next battle could also be waged for Platini or Blatter’s jobs, with the clubs exerting pressure on their home federations to start looking out for the local interests in addition to contemplating which nation gets a major tournament.

The CAS’s ruling not only rebuffed Blatter and FIFA on the Olympics, it rebuffed the whole organization and marginalized it power by backing the clubs.  The clubs now know they have a track to follow in restraining FIFA.  That Blatter would ever let this battle come to this point was a huge tactical error.  Now FIFA’s lack of power is evident, splashed across every football site in the world.  Before it tripped into this fight,  FIFA’s impotence was a topic for message board conversation and football theorists with excessive time on their hands.  Had Blatter not engaged in this beguiling act of hubris and stuck to the letter of the law - or, better yet, worked with and not over the clubs - FIFA would today be stronger for having brokered a solution.

But today they are weaker, their most dangerous adversary is stronger, and the organization is left to fire verbal salvos referencing spirit and custom.  Even in that vein they have ceded the high road to Werder and Schalke, who have magnanimously released their players.  FIFA, in contrast, remains petulant.

Quotes
“The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld the appeals filed by FC Schalke 04, SV Werder Bremen and FC Barcelona against the decision issued on 30 July 2008 by the Single Judge of the Fifa’s Players’ Status Committee that consequently has been set aside in its entirety.” - CAS
“The Olympic Football Tournament Beijing 2008 is not included in the Co-ordinated Match Calendar and there is no specific decision of the Fifa Executive Committee establishing the obligation for the clubs to release players under 23 for this tournament.” - CAS
“The requirements to justify a legal obligation of clubs to release their players for the Football Tournament Beijing 2008 on the basis of customary law are not met.” - CAS
“I’m calm and confident about this because I have spoken with the player and know what [Messi] is thinking. The player is going to make it clear to Barcelona that he wants to stay here.” - Batista
“In view of FIFA’s recommendation made to the clubs to release their players as well as of the Olympic spirit, the CAS call upon the goodwill and good sense of FIFA and the clubs to find a reasonable solution with regard to players who wish to represent their country in the Olympic Games.” - CAS
“We are confident and hopeful that [Messi] will remain here with the team for the whole tournament.” - Batista
“Fifa is surprised and disappointed by this decision, but we respect it.” - Blatter
“I regret that the CAS has not taken the Olympic spirit into consideration.” -  Blatter
“The Olympic Football Tournaments are a unique opportunity for a player as they are high-level competitions that give everyone involved - most notably young players - the chance to gain international experience that will stand them in good stead for the future.  It stands to reason, therefore, that it is not only the player and his national team who can benefit from such an experience, but also his club.” - Blatter
“I do not want to go into the legal side of all this, but I do know that [Messi] will be playing with us for the entire championship.” - Batista
“Theoretically the clubs could ask their players to go back to Europe because they would be entitled to do so.  And if the players do not come back there could be a case of a breach of contract.” - Matthieu Reeb, secretary, CAS
“It is now the moment for everyone to sit at the table and find a reasonable solution.  Of course, this could affect the tournament and it’s in the interest of nobody to destroy what could be an extraordinary tournament this year. But this is a matter for clubs, FIFA and the players to decide.” - Reeb
“We could have done with our strongest squad for these matches. We firmly believe, however, that unfortunately there is absolutely no point in bringing Rafinha back one day before our opening game.” - Andreas Muller, general manager, Schalke
“All the frustration and the huge disappointment he would feel, coupled with the exertions of travelling, would not in our opinion have put him in a position to play to the best of his ability.” - Muller

Links
Court blocks Messi from playing
Clubs win Olympic appeal
Fifa disappointed with CAS decision
FIFA disappointed by CAS decision
Messi wants to stay with Argentina - Batista
Clubs win appeal; Messi wants to play
Barcelona to decide Messi fate
German clubs release players for Olympics
Clubs U-Turn Over Olympic Brazilians
Blatter ‘Surprised & Disappointed’
Olympics: CAS steps in to stop players heading to Beijing
Trio wins Olympics appeal
European clubs win Olympic appeal

attacking midfielder Franck Ribery has won Germany’s Footballer of the Year award, becoming only the second foreign player to win the honor.

In his first season after moving from Marseille to the Bundesliga, Ribery was instrumental in Bayern’s resurgence to the top of the table, scoring 11 goals in 28 league games.  Ribery also led Bayern to the German Cup title.

Ribery decisively outpointed second-place Michael Ballack (three time winner) in the award’s voting, completing a meteoric rise to international football stardom for the Frenchman.  The 25-year-old did not receive his first international cap until two years ago.  Shortly after, he proved a key player in France’s 2006 World Cup run, where they would end the tournaments as runners-up to Italy.  One year later, Ribery jumped from Marseille, to whom he had just move a year earlier after contentiously leaving Galatasaray in a salary dispute, for a €25 million fee, identified by Bayern as a key player in their rebounding from a disappointing 2006-07 that saw the German powers finish fourth in their league.

Along with Luca Toni, brought in from Serie A’s Fiorentina, Ribery revitalized the Munich club and now has them ready to be a force in Champions League.

Ribery has now, in successive years, won French Footballer of the Year and German Footballer of the Year.  He inherits this award from Stuttgart’s Mario Gómez.

Ribery is currently recovering from an ankle injury suffered during Euro 2008 and is likely to miss München’s season opener against Hamburg SV next week.

German Footballer of the Year, 2004-2008

Quotes
“It’s good for a sportsman to be recognized for his performances. But I have to say that the titles won last year by the team are far more important.” -  Ribery

Links
Ribery voted German footballer of the year
France’s Ribery voted German footballer of the year

One week after being on the verge of a move to AS Roma, Fiorentina star striker Adrian Mutu has signed an extension with La Viola that will keep him at the club through the summer of 2012. The extension contains a raise on his salary of about ten percent, making this contract extension less of an upgrade for the Romanian star and more of a pledge. Mutu’s reputation suffered a bit during the Roma ordeal because he had said, shortly before, that he wanted to stay at Fiorentina for life. Upset La Viola fans might want to note that their star has essentially taken less money to finish out his career with their club.

It is unlikely to assuage those committed to bitterness towards Mutu.   Thankfully, those seem relatively few.  For many fans, it is hard to think if terms of sympathy as it concerns a “mere” ten percent wage.  Over the next few seasons, as star players are signed or re-upped at their clubs, La Viola fans might want to note the find of money that Mutu passed up.  It will be notable.

But with the contract issue behind player and club, Fiorentina can now concentrate on their Champions League qualifying match-up against Slavia Prague.  Due to start in just under two weeks, Fiorentina has a difficult match-up against the Czech Republic club.  If Fiorentina can not solve problems at the back that have manifest  during the preseason, they will lose this tie.  The gap between Fiorentina (the fourth place team from Serie A) and the champions of the Grambrinus liga is not so big that Cesare Prandelli’s team can afford to be off their game.

Regardless of how they perform in Champions League, Fiorentina can use the knowledge that Mutu will be in fold to focus on re-qualifying for Champions League:  finishing in Serie A’s top four.  Inter has struggled to find their rhythm while implementing Jose Mourinho’s new system while AC Milan has looked old and thin.  In the early going, those two look most vulnerable, but Fiorentina must be ready from the get-go as they host Juventus in Round 1.

With the Mutu saga now over, Prandelli can stay preparing his team for their fights.

Links
Mutu Extends Fiorentina Contract
Mutu Signs Contract Extension
Mutu to extend La Viola deal

Today’s MRI on Real Madrid winger Wesley Sneijder’s left knee revealed a torn ligament, but the damage is not as bad as originally feared. In the wake of the injury suffered during the Emirates Cup, Real Madrid has speculated they would be without their Dutch star for six months. Instead, Sneijder will miss two to three months, putting him back by November.

His injuries are such that he will not have to undergo reconstructive surgery.  Instead, Sneijder will rest and rehabilitate the tear, which was not to any cruciate ligaments.

That timeline would have him miss half of Real’s Champions League group stage matches and their first match against Atlético Madrid. Domestically, it would not be a big hit, and on the continent it will not be so much as to drop Real Madrid to a third, non-qualifying place in their four team group. Obviously, it could be much worse.

If he were out six months, he would miss the first fixture against each La Liga team as the first leg of the first knockout stage in the Champions League (in addition to the rest of the group stage).  Sneijder and Real can now breathe a sigh of relief, not having to find out the implications of such an absence.  Football fans can feel the same relief.

Quotes
“Sneijder avoids the surgeon.” - Real Madrid
“After an MRI on Monday morning, it was determined that Wesley Sneijder only damaged his left Internal Lateral Ligament and that his Anterior Cruciate Ligament remains fully intact. Sneijder is expected to miss three months, during which he will undergo orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation.” - Real Madrid
“I am very happy.” - Sneijder

Links
Sneijder injury not as bad as feared
Sneijder out three months: Real Madrid
Real’s Sneijder out for three months with knee injury
Sneijder blow for Real
Great news
Sneijder Only Out For Three Months
Madrid’s Sneijder sustains serious knee injury
Real relieved over Sneijder
Real boost for Sneijder
Sneijder out for three months
Sneijder out for three months

Bernd Schuster’s worst nightmare came true today at the Emirates.  There to contest the Emirates Cup, their star left winger Wesley Sneijder, who some would argue was likely to be the Real Madrid’s best player for the upcoming season, suffered a knee injury in club’s friendly against Arsenal.

The Dutch star went down in the second half and had to be stretchered off the field.  In a statement afterward, Real Madrid said that an initial test showed torn ligaments in his left knee.  An MRI will be done on Monday to determine the extent of the injury.

If the club’s initial diagnosis holds Sneijder will be out up to six months.  It is a major blow to a club that always expects to win their league and wants improvement over last season’s disappointing early exit from the Champions League.  With a revamped Barcelona squad and a improved Atlético Madrid side giving them little breathing room in La Liga, even the few points worse Sneijder’s absence leaves them could mean a disappointing season.

That seems a harsh assessment given we do not yet know the extent of Sneijder’s injury.  Football news is notorious for glorifying every story.  In this case, it is much more attention-grabbing to assume a long recovery than to report a relative knick.  That warning aside, this injury looks bad.   Real and football fans should prepare for the worst.

Before talking about the effects on Real, let’s stop and think about what Sneijder’s going through right now.  There is never a good time to suffer a major injury, but Sneijder may have suffered his at the worst moment possible in his career.  This is a player that many, including myself, thought was about to transcend from star to superstar.  He is one of the best players in the league but rarely gets mentioned as one of the best players in the world.  Over the next two seasons, between his club and country responsibilities, I expected him to transcend that gap.

Now Sneijder has a long recovery ahead of him.  When he returns, he will likely have to reclaim his spot on a team that will always seek to find the best players possible.  He is, after all, the same age as Arjen Robben.  Already, some ridiculous Cristiano Ronaldo speculation is being linked with this injury, as if Sneijder being out will loosen Manchester United’s grip.

With Rafael van der Vaart already thought to be on his way to the Santiago Bernabeu, the attacking midfielder position will be much deep when Sneijder returns.  Whereas he leaves the lineup the one sure-thing amongst Madrid’s current midfielder deployment, he will have to reclaim that role when he returns.

Emotionally, Sneijder has to be devestated.  If this happened when he younger, he would have the ignorance of youth to cloud his scope.  A little later, after he had further establish himself as the superstar he can be, it would be slightly easier to deal with.  Later in his career, and he’s already past his peak.  For it to happen now is gutting.  To go from 80 clubs games and constant football over the last two years to being out most of the upcoming season, Sneijder has to be disconsolate.

For Real, they can slot Arjen Robben into Sneijder’s spot, keep Gutí in the middle and play van der Vaart wide.  Perhaps Robinho can play a little deeper and on the right, or maybe Madrid can play more formations with two in the hole.  Who knows.  There are a lot of possibilities, most of them crazy or reactionary at this point.  Los Blancos will be covered no matter what - covered enough to not have to worry about Sneijder’s absence affecting most of the matches they will play.

There are also those other matches - their contests against Barça, their Champions League fixtures, those nights against the Valencias and Villareals of the league when points can be stolen when you’re not playing your best.  Those nights they will miss the individual class Sneijder brings.  There is a reason some think him their best player.  When things are tight and little separates the two sides, he is that elite talent that few besides Real Madrid have.

For the next six months, they will not have it, and when he comes back do not expect him to immediately return to form.  Real Madrid easily won La Liga last year thanks to Barcelona’s disarray, but if preseason is any indication, Barça will not roll over this season.  Sneijder’s absence may be what distinguishes the two rivals.

Quotes
“Right now it’s very difficult. He is in a lot of pain and they have got to do tests. Right now it doesn’t look good.” - Schuster
“Initial tests show serious damage to his knee ligaments, but the player will undergo complementary exams including an MRI on Monday to determine the full extent of the injury.” - Real Madrid
“It’s a very difficult moment for him - he’s in a lot of pain. He should have another test but we haven’t had a good look yet.” - Schuster
“These matches are always beneficial. They’re friendlies, but because there is prestige everyone wants to do well against a major team.” - Schuster
“We tried to play carefully so as not to risk our players… but now we have to go home and recover our spirits, then we’ll see.” - Schuster
“It’s serious and it’s the worst news we could get. He has, at the very least, torn his internal ligament.” - Ramon Calderon, president, Real Madrid
“He is very upset, crying because it is a serious problem and very painful.” - Calderon

Links
Sneijder suffers serious leg injury
Sneijder has serious knee damage: Real Madrid
Schuster Worried After Sneijder Injury
Sneijder did his knee - Schuster
Robben Crushed By Sneijder Injury
Sneijder snaps knee in ‘friendly’ at Arsenal
Sneijder fears for Real
Salgado hints at Ronaldo move
Sneijder suffers knee injury
Ronaldo quest to gain impetus
Real’s Ronaldo quest to gain impetus: Salgado

The big names in today’s Champions League, third round qualifying draw can breathe a sigh of relief at having avoiding a match-up with Atlético Madrid, but one of the darlings of last year’s tournament was not so lucky.

Atlético, the best of the unseeded teams in today’s draw, stood to be slotted against some of the round’s high profile participants: Barcelona, Juventus, Arsenal, or Liverpool. Those clubs exhaled in avoiding Madrid while Schalke 04 garnered the dubious distinction.

Having made the final eight last season, Schalke had designs on another Champions League run. Now being matched-up against Atlético one step before the group stage, replicating their knock-out round success last season seems far off. They will enter this qualifying round tie as underdogs to the revamped Spanish side.

Still, Schalke has to be given more than a puncher’s chance considering Sergio Agüero, Atlético’s star striker, will be half-way around the world, staring for the Argentina olympic team.  All of Schalke’s complaints about losing Rafinha now ring a little hollow.

The other La Liga side in the draw, third-place finishing Barcelona, got a fortuitous match-up against the winner of the Beitar Jerusalem-Wisla Krakow second round match-up. Jerusalem leads the tie 2-1 after one leg, with the second leg scheduled for Krakow. Barcelona should easily advance into the group stage while being able to use their players judiciously. If their strong preseason form is any indication of how they will perform in two weeks, the Beitar-Wisla winner is in for a long two legs.

Likewise, Juventus looks to be heavy favorites over the winner of the Tampere (Finland)-Artmedia (Slovakia) second round qualifier. Artmedia won the first leg 3-1 in Finland. Like Barcelona, Juventus has looked impressive in preseason, coming off a controlling 3-1 away win in a friendly against Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund. Juve’s return to the Champions League should get off to a successful start.

Although they will be favored, the same is not guaranteed for fellow Serie A-side Fiorentina. La Viola drew Slavia Prague, the tradition-rich club that is the current champion of the Czech Republic’s league (Grambinus liga). Slavia Prague qualified for the group stage of last year’s Champions League by eliminating Eredivisie side Ajax in last season’s third round qualifying. A young team that is a year more matured, Prague should not be taken lightly by Fiorentina.

Liverpool was drawn against Belgian champions Standard Liege, better known as the club of United States center back (and former Newcastle United player) Oguchi Onyewu. Liverpool, like Juventus and Barcelona, should breeze through.

Arsenal should also make it easily into the group stage, but their match-up will likely garner the most press in England. Eredivisie side FC Twente, who qualified for their Champions League spot thanks to the Dutch league’s unique playoff system, was drawn against Arsenal, allowing former Middlesbrough and England national team manager Steve McClaren to match-up against Arsene Wenger once again. There is a not-so-subtle irony to the former England coach being matched-up against a Premiership side that is unlikely start an English player. Add this to the fact that McLaren could not get a job in the Premiership yet finds himself in the Champions League and the papers will have a month’s worth of story lines.

Third round qualifying for the Champions League sees 32 teams paired off for two-legged ties, the winner of each moving on to the group stage of the competition.  Sixteen teams have already qualified for that stage.  Those 32 teams will be draw into eight, four team groups.  Each group then plays a double-round robin format, with the top two finishers  advancing to the competition’s knock-out stage.

The teams which lose in third-round qualifying will be entered into the UEFA Cup first round.

Other notable match-ups from the third qualifying round:

• Spartak Moscow looks destined to match-up with Dinamo Kiev, with the latter currently up 2-1 in their second-round qualifier against Ireland’s Drogheda United.
• Romanian power Steaua Bucharest will take on Galatasaray, last season’s Turcell Super League champions, in a match-up that will feature may players from this summer’s Euro 2008.
• And although each team has to finish-off their lead in second round qualifying, Greek squad Panathinaikos looks destined to meet Czech Republic side Sparta Prague.

This summary will also appear, in a revised form, on American Soccer Reader.

Quotes

“Every team is tough and when there’s a draw you have to pit yourself against the rival that fate gives you and that’s that.” - Enrique Cerezo, president, Atlético Madrid
“We’ve been drawn against a strong side, a German side, but in any case we’re going to give it everything because Atletico Madrid are going to push on from this round.” - Cerezo
“It was strange, because as soon as I joined (Twente) I knew we had the draw coming up.” - McClaren
“I expected one of the English teams. I think fate deals you certain cards and it has dealt us this draw.” - McClaren
‘I think of all the teams we could have had, that is the toughest - or one of the toughest. Obviously we looked at Arsenal, Liverpool, Juventus, Schalke and we got one of the most difficult.” - McLaren
“We will go to Krakow to watch the game. We honestly don’t mind which team we face.” - Txiki Bergiristain, sporting director, Barcelona
“Of course it’s always important for us to be in the group stage of the competition. We want to be there and of course we are working hard to be there.” - Bergiristain
“They will also be worried, knowing that return game is in Madrid and that we are a team that is improving and working hard. We have signed well and we have spent two years on this plan.” - Javier Aguirre, coach, Atlético Madrid
“Schalke are on a similar level to us and I think the tie is 50-50. I am very optimistic though and home advantage could prove to be very important over.” - Aguirre
“The draw could have gone better for us.  Atletico Madrid are a good side that finished fourth in a very strong Spanish league last season.” Fred Rutten, trainer, Schalke
“It’s a hammer blow- the most difficult opponents for us.  But I’m sure that Madrid would also have wished for a different opponent.” - Andreas Müller, general manager, Schalke
“For us the game against Atletico is a super game and will a high-point for our fans at the start of the season.” - Marcelo Bordon, captain, Schalke

Links

UCL: McClaren back as Twente draw Arsenal
Good draws for Serie A pair
Liverpool faces Standard Liege in Champions League
Cerezo expecting Atletico to ‘push on’
McClaren’s Twente to meet Arsenal
Aguirre:  Schalke Will Be Worried Too
Mac ready for Gunners test
Arsenal face McClaren in Champions League
Schalke Face Up To Tough Atleti Challenge
McClaren’s men coming to Emirates
Reds handed Standard test