The Ozil Contrast: Working Hard, Playing Harder.

After hearing yet another characteristic professional response from his son Mesut, Mustafa Ozil interrupts one of Real Madrid’s several playmakers to bless us with his own important opinion. “Boy, you’re too modest”, the son of an immigrant miner declares, before Mesut again resorts to merely announcing how even being a part of this great Los Blancos side fills him with joy. For a player as effortlessly impressive as Ozil can often appear on the pitch he is under no illusion that he is a team-player within a footballing institution famed for its stunning alumni of breath-taking individuals. Mustafa, an immensely proud father, can appear a larger than life character who undoubtedly enjoys his son’s success as much as Mesut himself does and has no problem allowing himself to indulge in the finer things in life. “50 percent work, 50 percent leisure” is his philosophy.

Ozil’s grandfather was one of the many thousands of migrant workers to arrive in the Ruhr Valley in the 1960’s, hoping to earn a living for themselves and their families in the coalmines of Western Germany. As a result of such a large scale influx of people Mesut spent his childhood in a culturally diverse Gelsenkirchen, sharing what is now called “Mesut’s ape-cage” (a fenced, uncompromising gravel pitch) with children of Lebanese and Polish descent, as well as Turkish and German youths. Ozil immediately stood out amongst his peers, impressing coaches at his first club DJK Westphalia 04 with his ability to translate his street soccer talents onto the green stage without losing an ounce of his flawless flair. Mustafa, fully aware of the attention his son was attracting from rival coaches and scouts, began hiring multiple agents for his son, certain his genes had created a truly special player.

As Ozil began shining in the Bundesliga, the Turkish Football Federation began attempting to lure the Schalke 04 starlet to play for the country of his ancestors rather than Germany, the nation who moulded Ozil into the potentially world class footballer and who he had represented in underage football throughout his short career. Then Turkey manager Fatih Terim began attempting to publicly charm the player who is arguably the most talented athlete either country has produced over the last twenty years, while the Altintop’s, who like Ozil were raised in Gelsenkirchen, were deployed by the TFF to woo the coveted asset to play for The Crescent Stars. Ultimately Ozil declared for Die Mannschaft, who have in Mesut’s eyes benefitted from the playmaker’s hybrid multicultural makeup which has shaped him as a player, with the man himself stating “My technique and feel for the ball is the Turkish side of my game; the discipline and attitude all come from Germany." Mustafa meanwhile claimed he had no preference for which nation his son would eventually turn up for and left the younger Ozil to decide for himself, although it is likely he was happy at the result due to the publicity a German international receives globally in comparison to that of a Turkish footballer.

During contract negotiations with Schalke Mustafa confidently prophesied that his son would be playing for Real Madrid within three years, just like his (also ethnically diverse) idol Zinedine Zidane. The Royal Blues on the other hand possessed their own doubts, which led to the Ozil’s migrating to the north of Germany to Werder Bremen for the Spring in 2008. The midfielder excelled in Thomas Schaaf’s kamikaze offensive system, consistently producing awe-inspiring performances at the Weserstadion, firstly alongside fellow playmaker Diego where the pair dragged Werder to a UEFA Cup Final as well the DFB Pokal Final (where Mesut scored the winner against Bayer Leverkusen) and then on his own once the Brazilian had departed for Juventus. Internationally Ozil was the star in a German under-21 side who were far superior to any of their rivals in the European Championship in 2009, with the number ten being named man of the match as the German’s swept aside their technically inefficient English counterparts 4-0 in the final.

Arsenal amongst others were interested although after the World Cup in South Africa they were merely a number in a congregation of the world’s biggest clubs eager to acquire one of the standout players of the tournament. Ozil’s movement went undetected by his opponents throughout the competition to devastating effect, with the allegedly inexperienced German roaming in between the lines before accepting the ball and releasing it at the perfect time. As a result of his stunning campaign Ozil fittingly joined one of Europe’s best sides as well as one of the greatest in the game in Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid. Mustafa’s prediction had come true, however despite a personally successful first year in the Spanish capital, where Mesut assisted 25 goals andcontributed to the first trophy of Mourinho’s reign (The Copa Del Rey), his father remained unhappy about his role in the side. “At Barcelona,” Mustafa begins to rave, “there are ten men who work to one purpose: for their playmaker Lionel Messi. Mesut at Real Madrid is a number ten, but the others do not work with him as their focus. Mesut runs between 12 and 14 kilometres a game, collects balls from deep and then distributes them forward. That costs a lot of energy”. In Mustafa’s eyes Mesut is an artist like Van Gogh. Dropping deep to aid the team’s defence is an unnecessary burden to place on his gem, who, if the modern game continues to evolve, will be asked to “wash clothes” next.

The reason why the former nightclub owner dreams of the youngest of his four children being granted the freedom of the Bernabeu is that he has not only invested his emotions into it, but also his money. Ozil Marketing is run by Mustafa with the sole purpose of maximising the earning potential of his famous child. If the term Real Madrid’s Mesut Ozil could be transformed into Mesut Ozil’s Real Madrid the forty-four year old entrepreneur would be set for a windfall of cash. The company itself hires seven people, including two cleaners, a chauffeur and most importantly a media consultant. Despite the fact Mustafa clearly enjoys his luxurious lifestyle he fails to ever stop short of working to add to his wealth. Interviews are often set up where a number of separate journalists are invited to share Mustafa’s (and occasionally his son’s) time in order to give one of Real Madrid’s key players even more public exposure. Mesut’s Dad is in charge of sponsorship issues, often declining offers others would agree to in an instinct in order to push for more. You can’t help but feel that it kills the Turkish born ‘executive’ to hand over fifty percent of his son’s sponsorship income to the club who employ Mesut due to Real Madrid’s policy on individual sponsorship. Whenever the company’s chief isn’t sipping on champagne while attempting to charm swarms of journalists or scoffing contract offers over the phone he is lobbying for Spanish football to be shown on German television so his primed asset can receive maximum exposure in the country which could perhaps contain the biggest proportion of his potential profit.

Regardless of how often Ozil appears on German screens he will remain a role-model to many Germans of ethnically diverse backgrounds. The Bismark born sportsman was awarded a Bambi award to highlight his successful integration into a German society which is constantly in a state of flux. This summer Real Madrid’s biggest transfer signing was the wonderfully talented Croatian Luka Modric, a player four years older than Ozil, but who mirrors many aspects of the German’s game. Modric is a diminutive, mobile footballer who like Ozil has no problem exploring the pitch in search of space he can then use to torture defences. What is less certain however is whether Mourinho plans on using Modric in a deeper role in midfield or further up-field, a position he has proven he can excel in against premium opposition, for example the second half against Italy in Poland and Ukraine during the summer. Introduced at half time at the expense of Ozil against Sevilla last Sunday, Modric now offers genuine competition to the German superstar who has been considered a fixture in this Los Merengues side he arrived from his homeland two seasons ago. While it’s unsure which of the two will start in the battle of the old and new Galacticos at Chamartin this Tuesday it would be the perfect stage for Ozil to stake his claim to a place in the Spanish champions midfield. One Ozil is certain as to who the superior player is. Whether Mesut also believes this however remains to be seen.

A couple of insightful pieces merit a mention on the subject of the wonderful German:

• Kate Connolly's Guardian article on the issues surrounding multiculturalism in modern day Germany. http://bit.ly/cRuTV0
• A translated interview from Welt Am Sonntag with both Ozil's courtesy of Jenny Jenkins. http://bit.ly/nPRpjf

Turin's New Hero, Il Principino Marchisio

“It’s difficult to compare players from the past and the present,” declares Marco Tardelli, his black and white heart beating faster as he excitingly passes judgement on Juventus’ energetic Torino-born number eight. Tardelli stands as undoubtedly one of The Bianconeri’s most iconic warriors. Tenaciously hounding down helpless opponents when his side lacked possession, as well as bearing a knack for integral goals, the five-time Serie A winner was a selfless soldier who relentlessly charged around Stadio Olimpico di Torino to the delight of the passionate tifosi under Giovanni Trappatoni. He also speaks as one of the most decorated footballers in the history of the sport with a clean sweep of European club honours, only lacking a European Championship medal at international level. All this just gives more credibility to the praise he directs towards the twenty-six year old who is expected to line up at Stamford Bridge this Wednesday night. “I see myself in Marchisio”, Tardelli cries. “In my view he is stronger than I was”.

Claudio Marchisio was a Juventino from his first breath. Born the youngest child to Stefano and Anna, the Marchisio family were passionate, season ticket holding supporters at the Stadio Delle Alpi. Their talented son was present at the stadium as a ballboy on the crisp winter’s day of December 4th 1994 when a sublime Alessandro DelPiero finish completed a glorious comeback victory against Juventus’ Tuscan enemies Fiorentina. It was never any surprise that Claudio’s calling in life was to represent the family’s beloved Old Lady. Prior to his first audition for a place in the Turin side’s academy a young Claudio, even at the tender age of seven, was aware that he was in partaking in “a very special examination”. The youngster was aided by the fact that his father, as important a figure in his career as anyone else, taught him to play two-footed at the age of four. Mini-Marchisio’s ambition to join his beloved club was the catalyst to developing a ruthless determination within him, concentrating on the final match of the trial where, after placing himself up front, he tried to score as many goals as possible.

While progressing through the youth ranks Marchisio adapted his style of play, regressing from an advanced trequartista to become a capable, all-round central midfielder. At the age of sixteen World Cup winning manager Marcello Lippi, who would later hand Claudio his international debut, began recruiting the boy who was allegedly playing second fiddle to Sebastian Giovinco in the Juventus youth system to train with the first team. Once Lippi had left Fabio Capello backed his predecessor’s judgement and followed suit, giving the youngster a chance to train with his idol Del Piero, Pavel Nedved and his current manager Antonio Conte amongst others. Working alongside, as well as learning from players of that calibre only reinforced Claudio’s ambition to become a professional footballer for the club he loved, and with him on the cusp of achieving that he (with the support of Stefano) dropped off the education ladder, willing to throw the abundance of commitment in his passionate soul towards becoming an icon for his fellow Juventino.

Juventus’ demotion to Serie B as a result of the Calciopoli scandal was a blessing in disguise for their blossoming midfielder, with Didier Deschamps handing him the games he required to gain accustomed to representing a club of the stature of the Turin giants. After gaining 26 appearances Marchisio had proven he could slot into a side bubbling over with seasoned internationals who decided to stay at the club despite an enforced relegation. However despite impressing both he and best-friend Giovinco were loaned out to Empoli the following season in order to improve the likelihood of acquiring ninety minutes week in week out. On their return to the full Juventus side the elder outshone the miniature Giovinco, earning his place in Claudio Ranieri’s first eleven. Starring in the side around the turn of the new year Marchiso consistently produced impressive displays alongside a number of different midfield companions (even Christian Poulson), winning the club’s Player of the Month competition for December, while also receiving the first comparisons between his style of play and Tardelli’s.

The road to the top however wasn’t always smooth. Politicians as well as fans of some sets of supporters demanded Marchisio be dropped from the Italian National team prior to the World Cup in 2010 after being filmed allegedly manipulating the lyrics to the national anthem. By claiming the words Ché schiava di Roma were injected into the pulsating song, people were accusing the midfielder of slurring Rome or indeed Italian politics (perhaps justifiably). Marchisio claimed he had tripped up over his words as the backing track being played was slower than what the Italians were usually used to hearing while his more experienced team-mates such as Gianluigi Buffon, captain Fabio Cannavaro and his manager Lippi all publicly defended the then 24 year old. Clearly unperturbed, on the field the following season Marchisio was one of the few bright lights in a miserable campaign in Turin, signing his second five year deal in just over two years at the end of the season. Claudio charged his father with the responsibility of negotiating that contract, relieving his agent of his duties in the process, stating “I have the certainty that people from my own family will really serve my interests.” While entrusting a family member to act as an agent is not unusual in the world of football, one gets the feeling that with Stefano not only does he have his son’s best interest at heart, but also what is best for his beloved Juventus. The Marchisio family would rather be rich in happiness than rich in the bank.

Buoyed by his new long-term commitment to the club and transformed under former Juventus legend and former teammate, Antonio Conte, Marchiso enjoyed his most successful season at the European giants last year, thriving under Conte’s dynamic system which paired himself and Arturo Vidal as midfield shuttlers and charged them with the responsibility of allowing Andrea Pirlo the luxury of a pocket of space to dictate play from deep in the middle of the park. The influence of Stefano remained, with the father constantly offering his son advice, praise and criticism despite his elevation on the global stage. “After each game I call my father on the phone, his judgement is fundamental to me”, claims a clearly humble Claudio. Prior to the campaign Marchisio senior set his son the target of ten goals spread out over the entire season. After twelve games the in-form talisman had racked up six goals from play before reaching the set target, finishing the season as the squad’s second highest scorer as they remained unbeaten during a successful Serie A season. The diamond of the Juventus midfield Pirlo knows “if I give Claudio the ball, he knows what to do”, but he’s also aware that he can’t shine without the Italian father-of-two willingly emptying his lungs on a weekly basis for him.

One factor which has contributed to Juventus’s promising beginning to the current season is the fact that Conte has enhanced Il Principino’s role as a leader, exemplified when the player maturely attempted to defuse the potentially damaging situation during Euro 2012 where Antonio Cassano made a homophobic slur in response to a misplaced question considering the team were taking part in the second most important international football tournament in the world. “One almost has the impression that he does not really want to become an adult”, Marchisio bemoaned, highlighting the superior maturity the Juventus man has in comparison to his teammate four years his senior. However along with this added maturity has come an innate desire to create history, and make the name Marchisio resonate around Europe. That means no more Tardelli comparisons. “I’ve always been honoured by the comparison with one of the greats of the world game, but I think the time has arrived that we only talk about Marchisio," the tifosi member announced during the summer. “I am old enough and mature enough to perhaps be seen as a reference point for younger players”. However one feels that the only way to banish the two constantly being mentioned alongside each other is to begin to emulate the unprecedented level of success Marco Tardelli enjoyed during his own career thirty years ago. With Champions League football on his plate this season he now has the chance to appease his appetite, beginning with the clash with the defending Champions of Europe this week. However even should that happen it is unlikely the post-game phone-calls with Stefano will cease.

Os Três Grandes. Um Dois Três?

The dominance Portugal’s Big Three, Porto, Sporting Lisbon and Benfica, hold over the Primeira Liga cannot be overstated. Throughout the history of Portugal’s domestic league these sides have shared seventy-four titles between them, with Belenenses’ victory in 1946 and more recently Boavista’s success at the turn of the millennium the only occasions where Os Três Grandes have been denied from reigning supreme at the end of the season. The most successful team of the trio for the last 25 years, Porto, continued to display their superiority over their rivals last season, reclaiming the title after a year in Lisbon with The Águias of Benfica.

Led by the charismatic Andre Villas-Boas, Os Dragões took Portugal by storm, heading the league table from the second round of games through to the end. Not content with calling the shots domestically, Porto ran riot in Europe too, scoring 37 times throughout their resounding Europa League campaign. Come May they finished a mighty 21 points above their O Clássico rivals Benfica, despite the Lisbon clubs fantastic mid-season form. Meanwhile Sporting were forced to endure a scrap, albeit a successful one, with the Big Three’s closest challengers Braga during April and May for third place. However with the annual Summer shake-up on the Iberian Peninsula, the coming season looks open and quite promising, with big names coming in as well as out and managerial changes at the championship’s most serious contenders, traditionally.

After dictating over their opponents in the league last year, Porto were expected to struggle to keep hold of some of their key players. Leader of the orchestra Joao Moutinho has been linked to a rendez-vous with Villas Boas at Chelsea, although it seems the London side are fixated on Luka Modric primarily to inject the direction they lack in midfield. Falcao’s renewed contract is a sign to European powerhouses that the Dragons are not prepared to step aside easily and allow the players who led them to silverware last year exit the doors at the Estádio do Dragão.

Instead, Porto have searched for talented youngsters who can not only contribute this season but for many seasons to come. Brazilian wingbacks Danilo and Alex Sandro (both 20) have joined for a combined fee of over €20 million after being swiped from under the nose of Benfica. While it is necessary for both to improve defensively, the right and left sided players respectively have the potential to become future Brazilian internationals and are expected to join up with the squad after Santos’ attempt to win the World Club Championship in December. Fans can also expect to be dazzled by Argentine winger Juan Manuel Iturbe, unfortunately lazily labelled “The New Messi” after his exploits at the South American Under-20 Championships as a seventeen year old earlier this year. Add this menacing trio to the Colombian prodigy James Rodriguez, who produced some magical displays last season on the fringes of the first team, and Porto have four players of outstanding potential who, assuring their development continues, can lead them to more titles in coming years. The loss of Andre Villas Boas should dent their ambitions, however with his former assistant Vítor Pereira now at the helm, the continuity should ensure that the effect isn’t as severe as possible at one of the best run clubs in Europe.

Like Porto, Sporting are heading into the new season with a new coach, the tactically astute Domingos Paciência. He joins after a couple of bright seasons with Braga, guiding them to the Champions League and the Europa League Final after punching above their weight during an impressive campaign. With young talent such as Daniel Carriço and Rui Patrício already in place at the capital, the new manager had plenty to work with once he had joined. However Paciência wasted no time in his new role, culling his squad of players he deemed deadwood such as Maniche, Pedro Mendes and Timo Hildebrand., while also bringing in established players European leagues. Bulky, yet injury ridden centre half Oguchi Onyewu has joined permanently from A.C. Milan, while Valeri Bojinov is similarly aiming to reignite his career after a spout of fitness problems. Atila Turan has moved to Os Sportinguistas from French side Grenoble after the rapid youngster impressed down their left side this past season. Eighteen year old Diego Rubio is an unknown quantity to the capital side’s fans but after provoking a significant amount of excitement at Colo Colo (enough to nearly make Chile’s Copa America squad), The Lions should be positively intrigued by his signing.

However three marquee signings have given even the most pessimistic Sporting fan hope for next season. Diego Capel has joined for a measly €3.5 million from Seville. Despite his career stalling in the last couple of years, the electrifying Andalucían left winger has pace in abundance which can be utilised to beat a man, and at twenty-three he has time on his side to return to the form which led to interest from Real Madrid earlier on in his career. They’ve also gone double Dutch at Estádio José Alvalade in the form of Ricky van Wolfswinkel and Stijn Schaars. Van Wolfswinkel is a natural goal-scorer who stands at 6’1’’ and is best known for sticking to his word and single handedly knocking Celtic out of Europe last Autumn. While Van Wolfswinkel has a degree of experience despite being so young (twenty-two), Schaars has seen it all. A member of the Dutch squad for the World Cup last year, he has played in the Champions League for AZ Alkmaar after leading them to only a second Eredivisie title. A natural leader, and a bargain at less than €1 million as he was entering the final year of his contract, Schaars is a forward thinking midfielder and can provide the guidance which Sporting have not had in the centre of the field since the loss of Moutinho to Porto, with the ultimate ambition being to lead the capital’s second club to only a third title in thirty years, or a first in ten.

While Sporting’s only departures were with the club's wishes as they cleared big earners who offered little but experience on the pitch, their bitter rivals Benfica were forced to sell arguably the Primeira Liga’s best player, Fábio Coentrão, to Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid side. To nullify the marauding left back’s absence The Eagles have acquired the services of World Cup winner Joan Capdevila. While Capdevila’s experience should prove to be a valuable asset, it cannot be denied that his ability is waning, having become Villareal’s second choice left back last year. Despite this, he should prove an astute replacement for Coentrão.

However while one talent-ridden star has left, a potentially wonderful player has come in. At a reported €8 million, Axel Witsel arrives from Standard Liege as a bargain buy and one of the most exciting players of Belgium’s current Golden Generation. The afro-supporting twenty-two year old’s reputation as a player likely to explode in an act of petulance tarnishes the fact that he is an incredible talent who has the ability to play as a box-to-box midfielder or as the furthest advanced one. His technical ability is often ignored as a result of his tall shape and tough tackling nature, and both Roma and A.C. Milan were accredited with an interest in his services earlier this summer. The skilful and highly rated Enzo Pérez , who can play out wide or centrally, has been bought to support Witsel in midfield. Pérez’s compatriot Ezequiel Garay has come in as part of the Coentrão deal, and could prove a valuable addition at Estádio da Luz as the Portuguese league seems to be more of his standard. At the beginning of the Summer it looked as if free-scoring Paraguayan Óscar Cardozo was destined to leave for Dynamo Kiev, while inspirational captain Luisao was rumoured to be on Leonardo’s wish list at big-spending Paris Saint-Germain. However with both expected to stay now, along with the additions to the squad, Benfica are well-equipped to extend their lead in terms of Portuguese Championships won.

The Portuguese clubs monopoly of the Europa League Final last year, as well as Benfica’s presence in the semi-finals, should have given The Big Three the inspiration to push on and reach the knockout stages of the Champions League at the very least in the next few years. Unfortunately Portugal’s fiscal strains will undoubtedly affect the finances of Portuguese football. However, in the short term, this has not stopped Os Três Grandes from making some astute signings this year. While some patriotic supporters are not happy at the signings from abroad as they stifle the growth of homegrown players’ development, it cannot be denied that they have injected a level of excitement around the continent that the Primeira Liga may deliver one of Europe’s most competitive competitions next year, with the added spice in the form of the disdain all three clubs possess for each other. Of course the title could end up outside these three clubs. History however suggests otherwise.

Dani Alves: The Essential Liability

Messi. Villa. Pedro. Iniesta. Xavi. The fearsome front five of Barcelona. Constantly lauded for their outrageous attacking play in a Blaugranes side which have revolutionised the way the game is played. Arguably the most influential trait of the greatest team of this generation however is the intense pressure exerted on opponents regardless of how innocuous their position on the pitch is. The perfect example of this is the opening half of the first leg of the Champions League first leg between Barcelona and Arsenal at The Emirates in 2010. Arsenal couldn’t control the Catalan compression, led by Messi et al (bar Ibrahimovic), The Gunners confined to their own half as Barcelona consistently won the ball back and bombarded shots at Manuel Almunia as if it was some cruel training field joke. The formula is pretty simple, press the opponents, patience in possession, pick the clinical pass, goal.

However to exclude the name of Dani Alves when discussing Barca’s unique and exciting attacking brand of football is criminal. Alves  is an integral part of the jigsaw, providing a unprecedented outlet from right back as a result of his pace and winger-like-trickery. Constantly marauding down the right flank Alves is a key component in Pep Guardiola’s side and his philosophy of the game. With either Pedro or Villa in front performing as an inverted winger, Barcelona rely on Alves for width on his side of the pitch. Luckily they have an overlapping full back with mighty lungs, allowing him to cover a substantial amount of ground for the whole ninety minutes.

Frequently Alves finds himself in the opposition penalty box after being detected by a delicious Xavi or Iniesta pass (for example his neat finish after a pinpoint ball over the defence from Iniesta against Shakhtar Donetsk). He regularly takes on the role as the true winger in the side, providing countless assists from wide areas particularly when the opposite full back tracks his man infield (see David Villa luring Patrice Evra infield at Wembley). While he has extraordinary technique previously unheard of in a full-back when it comes to both scoring and creating goals, his most influential and effective work comes when raiding into the final third out wide.  The Brazilian’s sublime offensive attributes have culminated in a direct involvement (goals or assists) in 62 Barcelona goals over the last three years, with countless other opportunities spurned by his Catalan colleagues. Undoubtedly Alves is the world’s primary attacking right back.

Paradoxically, defensively Dani Alves is a liability, protected from exposure by the sheer dominance of his Barcelona side. Guardiola’s side do not lose many games, big games especially, but when they do the goals regularly come as a result of their right back’s defensive flaws. Barcelona’s highest profile loss under their majestic manager came at the San Siro against arch-rival Jose Mourinho’s Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final. After the underrated Pedro struck Barcelona into an early lead Inter came firing back and equalised through Wesley Sneijder. As Samuel Eto’o’s low cross limped towards the penalty spot Alves was dragged centrally to pick up the diminutive Goran Pandev, completely unaware that Sneijder was drifting in behind at the back post. After the Dutch maestro’s ample finish from a slid Diego Milito pass Internazionale went on to subdue and defeat the team from Catalunya in a manner no team has managed to do since, or indeed during the Guardiola reign, and in the process ensuring that Barcelona’s obsession with reaching Europe’s pinnacle at the Bernabeu that year would remain unfulfilled.

A year later at the scene of the first half massacre in London (or miracle considering the score remained 0-0 at the break), Arsenal inflicted another rare European defeat on Barcelona aided by Alves’ lack of awareness and defensive effort. For the winning goal late in the game the former Seville full-back trotted back towards his goal during a textbook counter attack, not only allowing Robin van Persie to chase past him but also Andrei Arshavin, the goal-scorer. Absolutely atrocious defending and evidently a sheer reluctance to help out his defence, an uncharacteristic trait for a member of this Guardiola side.

In the painful defeat in the Copa del Rey final this year, again at the hands The Translator, against acrimonious rivals Real Madrid, the goal which secured Los Blancos only trophy of the season again transpired as a result of an attack down Madrid’s left flank against the vulnerable Alves. After Angel Di Maria played a simple one-two with Alves’ compatriot Marcelo, he accelerated over the first five yards like a Formula One racer, tearing past the world’s most expensive right-back caught on his heels before planting the perfect cross (under little pressure) onto the head of Cristiano Ronaldo. While this may only have been a dent in Barcelona’s procession towards a double winning season, it prevented them from winning an historic second treble in three years.

If Dani Alves is susceptible defensively on occasions where Barcelona are required to scrap for victory, how can he cope as an integral member of a Selecao side flaccidly attempting to prove they can cope with the extraordinary pressure of lifting the World Cup Trophy at The Maracana 2014, something their compatriots could not manage in 1950. The initial signs don’t look promising. Behind a now out of form Maicon in South Africa last Summer, Alves is now Brazil’s starting right-back at this year’s Copa America. At Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes last Saturday night Paraguay’s pacy winger Marcelo Estigarribia was an ever present threat to Brazil’s right side, constantly wreaking havoc and exposing Dani Alves’s frailties by galloping past him. Estigarribia, no matter how impressive he has looked during the tournament, is no world beater, yet he played a major role in Paraguay’s initial equaliser with Alves nowhere in sight after initially being turned by his predator. In the second half while dwelling on whether to guide the ball out or dribble his way to safety Alves was dispossessed by Cristian Riveros in his own box, leading to a crucial goal. Only Fred’s late equaliser spared his team-mate's blushes.

As a result of his incredible attacking attributes Daniel Alves is a fixture in Barcelona’s first eleven. Regardless of how weak he is defensively, it does not negate the fact that Alves is one of the most influential full backs in the world. However while Barcelona’s tiki-taka, relentless pressing and utter dominance protects Alves more often than not, these luxuries are non-existent in Mano Menezes’ struggling Brazil side. Menezes, despite a barrage of criticism in his homeland, surely cannot be oblivious to this, especially as Maicon is a much more astute defender. If only Dani had his fearsome front five in front of him to press and gain the ascendancy.