Evening everyone.
Despite the Interlull in full swing we still have new bobs and bits to discuss. I'll start with the elite managers' meeting in Nyon.
Truth be told, I didn't understand the purpose of it up until today. Why yank the best managers out of their respective clubs for two days? Just so that they could shake hands and say some things about one another? For the most part, that's exactly what they did, but there's also an upside to the proceedings.
Thing is, Uefa is willing to listen to the opinions of the most tactically astute managers. It remains to be seen, whether Platini and Co just listen and then dismiss the talk as nonsense or they actually might change something, but rumours are in place about some possible changes. These include a revamp of an away goal rule and the way teams are being seeded into pots.
Why do I think it's more than just rumours? Because it was in the Guardian (just click the link above) and this paper rarely runs a story with nothing to back it up.
I'm sure you are familiar with the away goal rule and so you can get why managers want to try and change it. Honestly, why does such an important thing as progressing in a major European tournament has to depend on geographical whims? Now it's not as hard to beat teams away from home, so why does a 3-1 has more value than a 2-0? Why, if you have conceded at home, does it have to be such a big deal? We all know that a team which plays first leg away from home is more likely to go through. They just have to score once to put the chances of the opposition in serious jeopardy.
How heartbreaking was it to see Arsenal heroically beat Bayern away only to crash out on aggregate due to scoring only two goals away? Both teams have scored three, why is it okay for one of these to qualify and the other bade farewell?
The other change sounds scary, but it also sounds raw and unlikely. Someone came up with idea, that only champions have to be seeded in the first pot. So either Barca or Real Madrid, for instance, will only be seeded in the second? And what does it mean for teams that qualify from third or fourth place? They' ll be seeded in the third or fourth pot respectively and will potentially have to fight three teams, which have done better in their respective leagues? Imagine Arsenal finishing fourth (God forbid) and be seeded with Real, Napoli and, say, Schalke. How's that fair?
Good thing is, it's all talk at this stage and any potential changes are far from being introduced. So not to worry right now, but it'll be interesting to see, whether Uefa really cares about football and will take the managers' view.If they don't, then this meeting was just a PR exercise.
In other news, Podolski revealed he had a talk with Arsene about his prospects:
The German is a kind of player who's unlikely to become our regular starter (esp. given his age), but it doesn't mean he's of no use. On the contrary, I view him as a kind of super-sub (not quite Chicharito, but still), who can make his stamp on the game by coming on and scoring.
Poldi also adds much-needed depth to our side, ensuring the manager has options and various ways to tackle problems, should they arise. Also, Poldi has experience some of our younger players lack, experience, which can be crucial sometimes, which can make the difference in a game.
That's it for today. Sorry it's a bit short, but the hour is late and I'm dead on my feet. More here later, as soon as it appears.
Have a good weekend
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)
Despite the Interlull in full swing we still have new bobs and bits to discuss. I'll start with the elite managers' meeting in Nyon.
Truth be told, I didn't understand the purpose of it up until today. Why yank the best managers out of their respective clubs for two days? Just so that they could shake hands and say some things about one another? For the most part, that's exactly what they did, but there's also an upside to the proceedings.
Thing is, Uefa is willing to listen to the opinions of the most tactically astute managers. It remains to be seen, whether Platini and Co just listen and then dismiss the talk as nonsense or they actually might change something, but rumours are in place about some possible changes. These include a revamp of an away goal rule and the way teams are being seeded into pots.
Why do I think it's more than just rumours? Because it was in the Guardian (just click the link above) and this paper rarely runs a story with nothing to back it up.
I'm sure you are familiar with the away goal rule and so you can get why managers want to try and change it. Honestly, why does such an important thing as progressing in a major European tournament has to depend on geographical whims? Now it's not as hard to beat teams away from home, so why does a 3-1 has more value than a 2-0? Why, if you have conceded at home, does it have to be such a big deal? We all know that a team which plays first leg away from home is more likely to go through. They just have to score once to put the chances of the opposition in serious jeopardy.
How heartbreaking was it to see Arsenal heroically beat Bayern away only to crash out on aggregate due to scoring only two goals away? Both teams have scored three, why is it okay for one of these to qualify and the other bade farewell?
The other change sounds scary, but it also sounds raw and unlikely. Someone came up with idea, that only champions have to be seeded in the first pot. So either Barca or Real Madrid, for instance, will only be seeded in the second? And what does it mean for teams that qualify from third or fourth place? They' ll be seeded in the third or fourth pot respectively and will potentially have to fight three teams, which have done better in their respective leagues? Imagine Arsenal finishing fourth (God forbid) and be seeded with Real, Napoli and, say, Schalke. How's that fair?
Good thing is, it's all talk at this stage and any potential changes are far from being introduced. So not to worry right now, but it'll be interesting to see, whether Uefa really cares about football and will take the managers' view.If they don't, then this meeting was just a PR exercise.
In other news, Podolski revealed he had a talk with Arsene about his prospects:
"I had a very good conversation with the manager. He has stressed he is putting trust in me and my qualities."However, Poldi's decision to stay can also be the consequence of no offers being on table:
“A move away from Arsenal did not fall through because I had no offers to move.
“There have been enquiries from other countries, also from Bundesliga clubs, but I am from Cologne and it would have been tough for me to represent any other German club."Frankly, I don't much care why Poldi stayed. The fact that he did is the most important, however, it should be noted that he is more or less happy with his position and ready to fight for his place and to contribute in the process.
The German is a kind of player who's unlikely to become our regular starter (esp. given his age), but it doesn't mean he's of no use. On the contrary, I view him as a kind of super-sub (not quite Chicharito, but still), who can make his stamp on the game by coming on and scoring.
Poldi also adds much-needed depth to our side, ensuring the manager has options and various ways to tackle problems, should they arise. Also, Poldi has experience some of our younger players lack, experience, which can be crucial sometimes, which can make the difference in a game.
That's it for today. Sorry it's a bit short, but the hour is late and I'm dead on my feet. More here later, as soon as it appears.
Have a good weekend
Follow me on Twitter (@AlexBaguzin)