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Friends Of Don Quixote: Politically Incorrect
Another African Cup of Nations kicks off this weekend, but for a number of Spanish sides the tournament can't end soon enough.
Jan 8, 2010 2:34:06 AM
By David Mosse
The European club season has become very much a war of attrition with every team needing to overcome injuries, suspensions and a certain degree of fixture congestion. How often these days does a club get to field its best starting XI?
These circumstances do make Barcelona's achievements last year all the more impressive. In his first season in charge, Pep Guardiola guided the Catalan giants to a treble without a particularly deep squad of players. Of course, he was fortunate to avoid the African Cup of Nations, and results this past week seem to indicate the tournament in Angola is too much even for Guardiola to handle.
With Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure already away on international duty, Barcelona dropped its first home points in the league against Villarreal and fell to Sevilla in the first leg of a Copa Del Rey tie. The team looks tired and the absence of the African pair will place an even greater burden on Barca's big guns. Guardiola can take solace in the fact he isn't the only one dealing with this problem.
Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez must make do without Frederic Kanoute and midfield dynamo Didier Zokora for at least the next couple of weeks. Mallorca will be minus striker Pierre Webo – though he was granted permission by Cameroon to take on Real Madrid this upcoming Sunday – and Espanyol has to overcome the loss of in-form goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
La Liga might not have a Didier Drogba or Samuel Eto'o, but 11 Spanish-based stars will be present in Angola, the fourth highest total behind France, England and Germany. The number could have been 12 had Getafe not managed to hold on to midfielder Derek Boateng, called up by Ghana as an injury replacement after the FIFA-imposed deadline for releasing players.
Each of these internationals will be gone during a critical stretch of the season, even as they continue to collect paychecks from their employers, which is incomprehensible and unparalleled in all of sports. The National Hockey League suspends its play mid-season so players can compete in the Olympics, while the World Baseball Classic takes place in March, wrapping up well before Opening Day.
Certainly no other region has the audacity to schedule its showcase event at such an inopportune date on the calendar. More than half the players (52.7%) called up for the ACN this time around represent European clubs. The situation might be a bit more palatable if the tournament was staged every four years, but of course, it happens every two, and is held in the same year as the World Cup.
Even the staunchest supporters of international soccer can't possibly justify such overkill. The African Cup of Nations should take place every four years in the same period as the European Championship, along with all the other continental competitions, effectively creating a spectacular summer in-between World Cups. Plenty of countries have a suitable climate to host the tournament this time of year.
The good news is FIFA President Sepp Blatter appears to be on the correct side of the issue for a change, but he remains hesitant to apply the necessary pressure. Blatter worries about offending Africans. After all, he has spent the past several years branding himself as the champion of the little guys, which is all fine and good. But, Mr. President, right now the big guys are the ones getting screwed.
First Quest: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Kaka should make his return after sitting out an additional match last week against Osasuna. The Brazilian hasn't played since the defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou in late November. Another player likely to feature in the starting XI is Karim Benzema, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, marking only the fourth time this season the three Galacticos have lined up together.
Jose Guti also reappears for the first time since that fateful night in Alcocorn when he clashed with Manuel Pellegrini. The veteran midfielder will take a place on the bench, as Fernando Gago steps in for the suspended Lassana Diarra. Sergio Ramos is suspended, which should lead to some major reshuffling, with Alvaro Arbeloa claiming his central spot and Marcelo dropping to left back.
Madrid's defense could have its hands full with striker Aritz Aduriz, who has emerged as a major force this season. Mallorca arrives at the Bernabeu as the surprise team in La Liga, but Gregorio Manzano's side hasn't been all that impressive away from home. Manzano welcomes back his trusted center-back pairing of Nunes and Ivan Ramis. Both missed last week's win over Athletic Bilbao.
Second Quest: Sevilla vs. Racing Santander
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
The victory at the Camp Nou did come at a cost, as Jesus Navas limped off late in the first half and is a major doubt for the clash against Racing Santander. Defender Lolo also finished the Barcelona match with an injury and his status is unknown. Luis Fabiano and Adriano remain sidelined, while Frederic Kanoute and Didier Zokora are taking part in the African Cup of Nations.
Diego Capel likely replaces Navas after turning in a strong performance against the Catalan giants, and Diego Perotti will assume an even greater responsibility. Manolo Jimenez must also decide between Alvaro Negredo and Arouna Kone up front. Negredo came off the bench on Tuesday to score the winner from the penalty spot, but is suffering through a terrible season.
Sevilla has only one victory in five league games, and this lousy run is in sharp contrast to the form of its opponents on Saturday. Winners of three out of four, Racing has improved dramatically under Miguel Angel Portugal, distancing itself from the relegation zone. Portugal will be minus defender Oriol Lozano and striker Mohammed Tchite, both injured in the Copa Del Rey match against Alcorcon.
Ladies-in-waiting: Deportivo vs. Osasuna
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST, Gol TV
After holding Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw at home last week, Osasuna travels to the Riazor to take on a Deportivo side buoyed by a win over Valencia in the Copa Del Rey. Osasuna has had trouble scoring this season, as the strikers continue to waste all the good work from Juanfran. Manager Jose Antonio Camacho insists the goals will come, but it might not happen against a stingy Deportivo defense.
Miguel Angel Lotina's side has also experienced problems offensively. Striker Ivan Riki returned from a month-long absence last week in Zaragoza only to re-injure himself in the first half at the Mestalla. Andres Guardado opened the scoring against Valencia with a beautiful finish, but the star of the show was Pablo Alvarez who pulled all the strings and added the second goal in a 2-1 victory.
Ladies-in-waiting: Tenerife vs. Barcelona
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
A couple of weeks ago I referred to Iturralde Gonzalez as the worst referee in Spain, but Perez Burrull staked his claim on that title on Tuesday with a performance for the ages. And for once all the key decisions went against Barcelona. Pep Guardiola assumed the blame for the defeat, claiming he left out too many starters, so expect to see Guardiola field his strongest team on Sunday.
Of course, such a lineup won't include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card in the draw against Villarreal, and probably shouldn't include Dmytro Chygrynskiy either. The Ukrainian center back turned in another disastrous outing against Sevilla and was booed mercilessly by the home fans. Even Guardiola's patience has to be wearing thin.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Valladolid vs. Atletico Madrid
Villarreal vs. Almeria
Espanyol vs. Real Zaragoza
Malaga vs. Athletic Bilbao
Sporting Gijon vs. Getafe
Xerez vs. Valencia
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men of La Mancha" on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
The European club season has become very much a war of attrition with every team needing to overcome injuries, suspensions and a certain degree of fixture congestion. How often these days does a club get to field its best starting XI?
These circumstances do make Barcelona's achievements last year all the more impressive. In his first season in charge, Pep Guardiola guided the Catalan giants to a treble without a particularly deep squad of players. Of course, he was fortunate to avoid the African Cup of Nations, and results this past week seem to indicate the tournament in Angola is too much even for Guardiola to handle.
With Seydou Keita and Yaya Toure already away on international duty, Barcelona dropped its first home points in the league against Villarreal and fell to Sevilla in the first leg of a Copa Del Rey tie. The team looks tired and the absence of the African pair will place an even greater burden on Barca's big guns. Guardiola can take solace in the fact he isn't the only one dealing with this problem.
Sevilla manager Manolo Jimenez must make do without Frederic Kanoute and midfield dynamo Didier Zokora for at least the next couple of weeks. Mallorca will be minus striker Pierre Webo – though he was granted permission by Cameroon to take on Real Madrid this upcoming Sunday – and Espanyol has to overcome the loss of in-form goalkeeper Carlos Kameni.
 |
Each of these internationals will be gone during a critical stretch of the season, even as they continue to collect paychecks from their employers, which is incomprehensible and unparalleled in all of sports. The National Hockey League suspends its play mid-season so players can compete in the Olympics, while the World Baseball Classic takes place in March, wrapping up well before Opening Day.
Certainly no other region has the audacity to schedule its showcase event at such an inopportune date on the calendar. More than half the players (52.7%) called up for the ACN this time around represent European clubs. The situation might be a bit more palatable if the tournament was staged every four years, but of course, it happens every two, and is held in the same year as the World Cup.
Even the staunchest supporters of international soccer can't possibly justify such overkill. The African Cup of Nations should take place every four years in the same period as the European Championship, along with all the other continental competitions, effectively creating a spectacular summer in-between World Cups. Plenty of countries have a suitable climate to host the tournament this time of year.
The good news is FIFA President Sepp Blatter appears to be on the correct side of the issue for a change, but he remains hesitant to apply the necessary pressure. Blatter worries about offending Africans. After all, he has spent the past several years branding himself as the champion of the little guys, which is all fine and good. But, Mr. President, right now the big guys are the ones getting screwed.
First Quest: Real Madrid vs. Mallorca
Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
Kaka should make his return after sitting out an additional match last week against Osasuna. The Brazilian hasn't played since the defeat to Barcelona at the Camp Nou in late November. Another player likely to feature in the starting XI is Karim Benzema, alongside Cristiano Ronaldo, marking only the fourth time this season the three Galacticos have lined up together.
 |
Madrid's defense could have its hands full with striker Aritz Aduriz, who has emerged as a major force this season. Mallorca arrives at the Bernabeu as the surprise team in La Liga, but Gregorio Manzano's side hasn't been all that impressive away from home. Manzano welcomes back his trusted center-back pairing of Nunes and Ivan Ramis. Both missed last week's win over Athletic Bilbao.
 |
Saturday, 2:00 p.m. EST, Gol TV
The victory at the Camp Nou did come at a cost, as Jesus Navas limped off late in the first half and is a major doubt for the clash against Racing Santander. Defender Lolo also finished the Barcelona match with an injury and his status is unknown. Luis Fabiano and Adriano remain sidelined, while Frederic Kanoute and Didier Zokora are taking part in the African Cup of Nations.
Diego Capel likely replaces Navas after turning in a strong performance against the Catalan giants, and Diego Perotti will assume an even greater responsibility. Manolo Jimenez must also decide between Alvaro Negredo and Arouna Kone up front. Negredo came off the bench on Tuesday to score the winner from the penalty spot, but is suffering through a terrible season.
Sevilla has only one victory in five league games, and this lousy run is in sharp contrast to the form of its opponents on Saturday. Winners of three out of four, Racing has improved dramatically under Miguel Angel Portugal, distancing itself from the relegation zone. Portugal will be minus defender Oriol Lozano and striker Mohammed Tchite, both injured in the Copa Del Rey match against Alcorcon.
 |
Sunday, 11:00 a.m. EST, Gol TV
After holding Real Madrid to a 0-0 draw at home last week, Osasuna travels to the Riazor to take on a Deportivo side buoyed by a win over Valencia in the Copa Del Rey. Osasuna has had trouble scoring this season, as the strikers continue to waste all the good work from Juanfran. Manager Jose Antonio Camacho insists the goals will come, but it might not happen against a stingy Deportivo defense.
Miguel Angel Lotina's side has also experienced problems offensively. Striker Ivan Riki returned from a month-long absence last week in Zaragoza only to re-injure himself in the first half at the Mestalla. Andres Guardado opened the scoring against Valencia with a beautiful finish, but the star of the show was Pablo Alvarez who pulled all the strings and added the second goal in a 2-1 victory.
Ladies-in-waiting: Tenerife vs. Barcelona
Sunday, 3:00 p.m. EST, ESPN
A couple of weeks ago I referred to Iturralde Gonzalez as the worst referee in Spain, but Perez Burrull staked his claim on that title on Tuesday with a performance for the ages. And for once all the key decisions went against Barcelona. Pep Guardiola assumed the blame for the defeat, claiming he left out too many starters, so expect to see Guardiola field his strongest team on Sunday.
Of course, such a lineup won't include Zlatan Ibrahimovic, suspended after picking up his fifth yellow card in the draw against Villarreal, and probably shouldn't include Dmytro Chygrynskiy either. The Ukrainian center back turned in another disastrous outing against Sevilla and was booed mercilessly by the home fans. Even Guardiola's patience has to be wearing thin.
The Impertinent Curiosity: Other Games
Valladolid vs. Atletico Madrid
Villarreal vs. Almeria
Espanyol vs. Real Zaragoza
Malaga vs. Athletic Bilbao
Sporting Gijon vs. Getafe
Xerez vs. Valencia
"Friends of Don Quixote" appears Friday mornings on Goal.com. Also check out "Men of La Mancha" on Monday mornings, as David Mosse recaps the action from the weekend.
For more on Spain click ahead to Goal.com's Spain homepage
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