They say a trip to play Celtic is a vital part of your footballing education.
Sergei Fedorov Red Wings Jersey . And, of course, when I say they, I mean some of the greatest to ever play the game.
Barcelonas Xavi: "The atmosphere generated by the fans in Celtics stadium for
our visit was the most impressive Ive ever witnessed. The grounds of Liverpool
and Manchester United are good and the hostile feeling of playing against Real
Madrid in the Bernabeu is also excellent, but the atmosphere against Celtic was
the best." If the opinion of Xavi is not enough, how about someone equally as
brilliant and smart. Someone like Paolo Maldini... "Every professional
footballer should seek to play at least one game at Celtic Park. I have never
felt anything like it," he said. The great thing about Maldini and Xavi is that
they are all-time greats, not only for the way they played on the field but also
for the way they carried themselves off it. They speak, you listen. They remain
two of the smartest players I have ever watched and listened to. Throughout
their long careers at the top of the game, they certainly never referred to
themselves as one of the games best players. And then there is Mario Balotelli
and the comments he made to the Scottish Sun newspaper this week: "I have heard
all about the fans and the atmosphere they create - and my message to them is
bring it on! "If fans want to try and make a stadium hostile for me - or boo me
because I am one of the best players in the world - then I hope they do." One of
the best players in the world, eh? Okay. The Italian touched down in Glasgow
this week having played a total of 27 Champions League games in his career. For
his three teams, Inter Milan, Manchester City and AC Milan, he was important
enough to only have started just 11 of those, coming on 16 times as a
substitute. He had scored just seven Champions League goals in 1,276 minutes
played, averaging a goal every 182 minutes. For Inter, he was nothing more than
an after-thought on their way to glory in 2010 while at City, he started just
two of 12 matches, spread over two frustrating campaigns for both club and
player. The third chapter in his Champions League career is back at the San
Siro. For now. The thing with Mario is, you just never quite know what he is
going to do next, and that includes choosing where to play. On Saturday, in a
league game against Genoa, Balotelli missed a penalty in a frustrating 1-1 draw
that sent the Italian giants down to 13th in Serie A. After the match he took to
twitter to thicken the plot. This is the end. :-) - Mario Balotelli
(@FinallyMario) November 24, 2013 Before the Genoa match, he had told the
Italian press I am happy at Milan and I am happy to be here. Balotelli certainly
played happy, despite making it eight straight games without a goal, and was a
menace throughout the match and arguably Milans best performer. That didnt stop
Milan fans from voicing their complaints after the game towards Balotelli and
his teammates. It is hard to blame them. Their performances, just like their
league position, have not been good enough. Yet, with the transfer window closed
until January, this is not a club Balotelli can run away from. At Inter and
Manchester City, Balotelli was surrounded by a plethora of outstanding players
who could easily demand a starting spot ahead of the Italian, who could happily
move aside and away from having to perform on the field. At Milan, things are
very different. An out-of-form Balotelli, smiling or sulking, remains the clubs
best option up front. There will be no sitting on the bench for Mario. And so
with that presents the self-proclaimed one of the best players in the world an
opportunity, a run of games to help carry Milan back towards the top three in
Serie A and into the last 16 of the Champions League. "Great atmosphere always
brings the best out of me," he had said in the run-up to the game and so it
proved. The game was effectively over as a contest just after half-time, with
Milans both goals coming from corners that Celtic failed to deal with, killing
the usual atmosphere Celtic Park is famed for. Much will be made of Kakas easy
header inside the box to open the scoring but it was Balotellis run from a deep
position that led to a free kick that won the corner and placed Milan into
scoring territory. It was to be that kind of day for Balotelli, a day where he
would have to bide his time, show patience and a mature side to his game when
waiting to receive the ball. It is these kind of games that people have wondered
about the 23-year-old. He is built very much like a striker who can play up top
on his own, but his overall attitude and tendency to drift out of games is one
of the reasons he hasnt started as many Champions League games as he should
have. At Celtic, he had an appetite to come deep to receive the ball, start
quick counter-attacks with his midfielders and drift wide to provide key outlets
and pull the central defenders into areas they dont want to go. Balotelli would
get rewarded for his hard work when he scored his eighth career Champions League
goal in the second half, coming deep, before timing a run superbly, sprinting
into space to receive a great ball from Riccardo Montolivo and finishing it off
at the near post. He also used his supreme strength to brush aside the
defender, let the ball run, and not even touch it until he kicked it into the
net. He wasnt the best player on the pitch for Milan but on this night, he didnt
need to be. The fantastic Kaka, playing behind Balotelli, was, as the Brazilian
rolled back the years with a sensational performance that included powerful runs
from distance, incisive passes and an ease at finding space. Kaka,
unfortunately, wont be given such space by many teams in Italy and so the
responsibility of carrying Milan back towards respectability falls at the feet
of Balotelli. In Glasgow, perhaps without even knowing or caring, he passed
another test of his footballing education and finally showed signs that he does
have an ability to lead the line for a team in Europes elite club competition.
He is far from one of the worlds best players but if he wants to get anywhere
near to the level once shown by Maldini, and still shown by Xavi, the European
Champions League gives him the stage to perform. We know how much he likes a
stage, now it is up to him to ensure what he does on it. Why Always Me? The
truth is it hasnt been about you enough, Mario.
Jonas Gustavsson Red Wings Jersey . 28 with a Vancouver entry for the first time in 10 years and a novel new collective
bargaining agreement.
Mike Green Red Wings Jersey Authentic . Villa has already confirmed his short-term deal and the Daily Mirror reported early
Tuesday that Lampard will join him as both build up match fitness ahead of moves
to the new Major League Soccer franchise New York City.The Florida Panthers have
re-signed defenceman Dmitry Kulikov to a three-year deal worth a total of $13
million. Kulikovs new deal carries an average annual value of $4.33 million. The
23-year old Russian scored eight goals and added 11 assists in 81 games with the
Panthers in 2013-14. "Hes got so much ability," said Panthers GM Dale Tallon.
"Its time for him now to make a statement and be a leader on our team. Hes got
all the ability in the world.
Jonas Gustavsson Red Wings Jersey Authentic. . Its now just a matter of channeling it in the right direction. Were happy to
have him in the fold. Hes a great kid. Hes still a young guy with tremendous
ability. Hard to find those guys." Originally selected 14th overall in the 2009
NHL Entry Draft, Kulikov has appeared in 313 career games with the Panthers,
scoring 24 goals and 75 assists. Kulikov just completed a two-year deal worth an
average annual value of $2.5 million.
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