Ancelotti Loses Credibility

Carlo Ancelotti has been much revered by the Football Column, but the Italian’s return to Real Madrid will leave a bitter taste for all Evertonians, they will feel let down, disappointed, particularly following on from Ancelotti’s quotes, “I am here for the long term, I am settled here.” All b— of course. Ancelotti’s actions have been in marked contrast to the persona which the Italian portrays, of interest is that the Everton squad severed ties with Ancelotti’s media accounts, they feel betrayed, lied to. Ancelotti has always worked with the world’s best players at his disposal, but can Carlo cut the mustard with players of lesser standing? That is now the question, is the Ancelotti as authentic as he appears. If the loon tune, the Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is termed as a friend, then they are twinned frauds, equal standing, a no credibility match up, arrivederci Carlo!

The Dream Move

The answer to June’s dream question is Robin Van Persie who jumped from one red van to another, 2012, Arsenal to Manchester United, perhaps Carlo Ancelotti had a dream, “never trust a Carlo”, the road to Madrid.

The Bottlers

In true bottle green fashion, the Premier League choked as expected against the European League halted breakaway clubs imposing a twenty two million fine in the region of 3.5 million pounds for each club to pay, put the peanuts on their bread, watch you don’t choke on the paltry fines. The fines will be directed into grass roots football. The Premier League have to remain visible with the distribution of the monies, no choice, but the Premier League should have made the right choice to impose clubs with points reductions for the 2021-22 season, seems appropriate, but as expected the Premier League honchos lived up to their historical value, the bottlers.

Euro 2020 The Home Front

Start point, Wales who kicked off v Switzerland with the Swiss having the better of the exchanges. The Welsh adopted a 4-2-2-2 tactic to try and restrict the opponent’s forward movement looking for counter attacks with Daniel James wide left and Gareth Bale, wide right, the tactic without ball retention. Wales rode their luck till half time. On forty nine minutes Embolo put the Swiss ahead, the way back for the Welsh did not seem possible, but on seventy four minutes Keffer Moore powered home a header for the Welsh. The Swiss had a late goal ruled out by a coat of paint on the VAR tram lines, offside?

Scotland kicked off v the Czech Republic who are always difficult opponents. The Scots started the match in breezy fashion but lacked quality in front of goal. A headed goal followed by a 9 iron chip shot from some distance, the ‘halfway’ line, a contender for goal of the tournament, a two goal brace from Patrick Schick sealed the points 2 to nil. Marshall the Scot’s goalkeeper’s gung ho positioning needs to be addressed, but positives can be taken from the match.

England manager Gareth Southgate picked a team to counteract Croatia’s strengths and was criticised, but was proven right on his team selections. Early match time England dominated the proceedings with the questionable selection of Raheem Stirling proving to be of a positive, offering energy and nuisance value, rewarded with the match winning goal on 57 minutes. The pick for England was the pocket power midfielder Kalvin Phillips. Croatia had their moments without looking likely to score. A solo, encouraging performance from team England.

Onto Wales second group match v Turkey who seemed kebabbed from their 3 to nil loss to Italy which let Wales in through the front door, last sixteen qualification. On 4-2 minutes Ramsey made the breakthrough for Wales first goal, Gareth Bale failed to make it two hitting row Z from the penalty spot. A ninety fifth minute goal from Roberts sealed the points two to nil and group qualification.

Onto England v Scotland, the Scots like to rev up their engines on facing the auld enemy with England’s approach appearing to be “We must not lose the match. A draw is good enough, it’s all about qualification.” The Scots Bobby dazzled around England’s penalty area for periods of play, but quality finishing was powder keg dry. England came close during the exchanges with John Stones testing the durability of the paint on the goalpost. The second half was a reflection of the before for England with square pass followed by square pass, some would suggest lack of ambition or safety play, take your pick. On 57 minutes Adams should have got his shot off, a goal was beckoning for the Scots, but rushed and fluffed his shot. Late on England should have been awarded a penalty with Robertson treading on Stirling’s boot, no VAR visible, sleeping, a 0-0 draw it was to be, the last sixteen beckons for England, Scotland perhaps.

The Sniffer, A Mystery?

Leeds United’s former Alan Clarke was nicknamed the sniffer, not for sniffing one’s fingers, but for sniffing out goals. On the football roadmap we have another sniffer, one who sniffs out in other regions, the German Luthansa, manager Joachim Low, who prefers to dive low and Jockey into position those sweet smelling fingers. Low with the Beatle styled haircut partly covering one’s eyes, (Hey Jude, don’t make it bad) maybe cannot see the hair from the tree trunk, low the sniffer, mystery solved?

The Euro 2020, the home front, England, Scotland and Wales in brief match report were written to coin a phrase ‘at the time of writing’ leading up to the last sixteen qualification phase.