Since bursting

Since bursting on to the scene as a 19-year-old at Germany 2006, Andres Guardado has gone on to become one of the most recognisable faces of the Mexico team. A thorn in Argentina’s side during El Tri’s unfortunate Round-of-16 exit four years ago, the Mexican wide man has maintained his high standards, impressing over the last three seasons with Deportivo La Coruna and earning the full confidence of his national coach Javier Aguirre.

Now aiming to impress the world again at South Africa 2010, Guardado spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about Mexico’s journey to the world finals and their hopes of success there.

FIFA.com: Andres, Mexico came back from a shaky start in the qualifiers. How much of a part did coach Javier Aguirre play in the side’s recovery?
Andres Guardado: An absolutely essential one. He came in and got rid of the negativity in the national team, especially with the media, and created a nucleus of players that responded really well. That was the key to our qualification and luckily for us we’ve managed to keep that spirit alive.

What was it that changed in the team?
What he asked from us more than anything else was for each player to apply themselves for the benefit of the side. He said that just because we were Mexico didn’t mean to say we were the best in Central America. He brought us back down to Earth and made it very clear that if we lost another game, we’d be out of the World Cup.

Was there a time when you thought Mexico might not make it to South Africa?
Yes, when we lost in Honduras. I think we all had our doubts. We thought there was no way out but Javier gave us a boost, even though we still went out and lost to El Salvador in his first game.

What was the problem with his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson?
He didn’t have the best understanding with the players. He didn’t know Mexican football very well, which held us back a lot, and he sometimes used players in positions they weren’t familiar with. Maybe he could have got things right if he’d had more time but we needed results straightaway and he couldn’t get them.

What do you think was the turning point of the campaign?
The game against Costa Rica in San Jose (which Mexico won 3-0). We knew it was a matter of life or death and that we just had to win. That was the only game I started on the bench but I wasn’t down at all because Aguirre made it perfectly clear to us what he wanted. That match was also something of a test for me, a test of character. But I’m a dedicated professional and I think Aguirre could see that I responded well to being on the bench. I’m back in the starting XI now.
What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match. The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.
Mexico's Andres Guardado

What do you think of Mexico’s group in South Africa?
It’s going to be tough. The host nation always tends to do well at the World Cup. Then there’s France, who have got players of the calibre of [Yoann] Gourcuff, [Franck] Ribery and William [Gallas]. And even though the Uruguayans never arrive at the finals in good form they are always really tough opponents. What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match. The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.

There is always an immense amount of pressure on Mexico whenever they play. Does that ever get to the players?
Yes, of course it does. You try to get on with your job and put all that out of your mind but the whole country comes to a standstill whenever the national side is playing. Sometimes other people just don’t understand the level of passion among Mexico fans. The cities are like ghost towns, every TV set is showing the Mexico game and the presenters on all the TV programmes, even the non-sports shows, are wearing Mexico shirts. Everyone has an opinion and obviously that creates pressure for us. Our job is to get that out of our heads and try to be calm as possible out on the pitch.

How far do you think this team can go?
I don’t like to set limits. There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.
There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.
Andres Guardado

What do you remember about Germany 2006?

The first thing was getting the surprise phone call. I couldn’t believe it when (then coach) Ricardo La Volpe told me because I’d only been a professional for a year. But I guess that’s one of the reasons why he’s called 'El Loco'. He was mad to take me and then to start me against Argentina, especially when you consider I was just one of the second-string players at the World Cup. He thought I had the necessary skills, though, and he told me exactly what he wanted. All in all, I think I did a pretty good job for him.

Your face lights up when you talk about La Volpe. How important a part has he played in your career?
He was an idol of mine when he was coach at Atlas, my favourite team, so to be with him in the national team was really amazing. I learned so much with him. We were training once and he said to me: “I don’t know if you’re going to be a phenomenon in 2006 but by 2010 I’m sure you will be. It will be thanks to me too, because it was me who showed you how to play.” He was right too. I’m indebted to the people who’ve coached me since I was young, but there’s no doubt he’s the coach who’s had the biggest impact on me during my professional career.

There have never been as many Europe-based players in the Mexico team as now. Is that an advantage do you think?
Absolutely. If you compare us man for man with Spain, Brazil or England, we’re all more or less in the same teams. We know all their players too because we’ve played against them before. We’re trying to level things up with the major nations and playing in Europe is a big part of that.

What do Mexico need to do to break into the world footballing elite?
People used to say that Mexican players lacked ambition because they didn’t want to play in Europe. Now it’s the club directors who put a big price tag on our heads and don’t let us leave. With Mexico the way it is at the moment there’s no way a top team can pay €20 million for a player, and people have to understand that the best way for Mexican players to develop is to play for the best clubs in the world against the best players in the world.

Can you see Mexico making the big breakthrough at South Africa 2010?
Yes, because people are getting to know more and more about our football. Nobody knew much about us before and now I get coaches coming up to me and asking about Mexican league players. My hope is that we can carry on making the same kind of progress at the World Cup.
Add your comment
(Total comments 217)

Since bursting

Since bursting on to the scene as a 19-year-old at Germany 2006, Andres Guardado has gone on to become one of the most recognisable faces of the Mexico team. A thorn in Argentina’s side during El Tri’s unfortunate Round-of-16 exit four years ago, the Mexican wide man has maintained his high standards, impressing over the last three seasons with Deportivo La Coruna and earning the full confidence of his national coach Javier Aguirre.

Now aiming to impress the world again at South Africa 2010, Guardado spoke exclusively to FIFA.com about Mexico’s journey to the world finals and their hopes of success there.

FIFA.com: Andres, Mexico came back from a shaky start in the qualifiers. How much of a part did coach Javier Aguirre play in the side’s recovery?
Andres Guardado: An absolutely essential one. He came in and got rid of the negativity in the national team, especially with the media, and created a nucleus of players that responded really well. That was the key to our qualification and luckily for us we’ve managed to keep that spirit alive.

What was it that changed in the team?
What he asked from us more than anything else was for each player to apply themselves for the benefit of the side. He said that just because we were Mexico didn’t mean to say we were the best in Central America. He brought us back down to Earth and made it very clear that if we lost another game, we’d be out of the World Cup.

Was there a time when you thought Mexico might not make it to South Africa?
Yes, when we lost in Honduras. I think we all had our doubts. We thought there was no way out but Javier gave us a boost, even though we still went out and lost to El Salvador in his first game.

What was the problem with his predecessor Sven-Goran Eriksson?
He didn’t have the best understanding with the players. He didn’t know Mexican football very well, which held us back a lot, and he sometimes used players in positions they weren’t familiar with. Maybe he could have got things right if he’d had more time but we needed results straightaway and he couldn’t get them.

What do you think was the turning point of the campaign?
The game against Costa Rica in San Jose (which Mexico won 3-0). We knew it was a matter of life or death and that we just had to win. That was the only game I started on the bench but I wasn’t down at all because Aguirre made it perfectly clear to us what he wanted. That match was also something of a test for me, a test of character. But I’m a dedicated professional and I think Aguirre could see that I responded well to being on the bench. I’m back in the starting XI now.
What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match. The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.
Mexico's Andres Guardado

What do you think of Mexico’s group in South Africa?
It’s going to be tough. The host nation always tends to do well at the World Cup. Then there’s France, who have got players of the calibre of [Yoann] Gourcuff, [Franck] Ribery and William [Gallas]. And even though the Uruguayans never arrive at the finals in good form they are always really tough opponents. What I’m most excited about though, is the Opening Match. The whole world will be watching us and I think any country would love to have that opportunity.

There is always an immense amount of pressure on Mexico whenever they play. Does that ever get to the players?
Yes, of course it does. You try to get on with your job and put all that out of your mind but the whole country comes to a standstill whenever the national side is playing. Sometimes other people just don’t understand the level of passion among Mexico fans. The cities are like ghost towns, every TV set is showing the Mexico game and the presenters on all the TV programmes, even the non-sports shows, are wearing Mexico shirts. Everyone has an opinion and obviously that creates pressure for us. Our job is to get that out of our heads and try to be calm as possible out on the pitch.

How far do you think this team can go?
I don’t like to set limits. There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.
There are always lots of surprises in football and though no one probably gives us much chance of getting through to the next round or the quarter-finals, we are confident we can be the revelations of the World Cup.
Andres Guardado

What do you remember about Germany 2006?

The first thing was getting the surprise phone call. I couldn’t believe it when (then coach) Ricardo La Volpe told me because I’d only been a professional for a year. But I guess that’s one of the reasons why he’s called 'El Loco'. He was mad to take me and then to start me against Argentina, especially when you consider I was just one of the second-string players at the World Cup. He thought I had the necessary skills, though, and he told me exactly what he wanted. All in all, I think I did a pretty good job for him.

Your face lights up when you talk about La Volpe. How important a part has he played in your career?
He was an idol of mine when he was coach at Atlas, my favourite team, so to be with him in the national team was really amazing. I learned so much with him. We were training once and he said to me: “I don’t know if you’re going to be a phenomenon in 2006 but by 2010 I’m sure you will be. It will be thanks to me too, because it was me who showed you how to play.” He was right too. I’m indebted to the people who’ve coached me since I was young, but there’s no doubt he’s the coach who’s had the biggest impact on me during my professional career.

There have never been as many Europe-based players in the Mexico team as now. Is that an advantage do you think?
Absolutely. If you compare us man for man with Spain, Brazil or England, we’re all more or less in the same teams. We know all their players too because we’ve played against them before. We’re trying to level things up with the major nations and playing in Europe is a big part of that.

What do Mexico need to do to break into the world footballing elite?
People used to say that Mexican players lacked ambition because they didn’t want to play in Europe. Now it’s the club directors who put a big price tag on our heads and don’t let us leave. With Mexico the way it is at the moment there’s no way a top team can pay €20 million for a player, and people have to understand that the best way for Mexican players to develop is to play for the best clubs in the world against the best players in the world.

Can you see Mexico making the big breakthrough at South Africa 2010?
Yes, because people are getting to know more and more about our football. Nobody knew much about us before and now I get coaches coming up to me and asking about Mexican league players. My hope is that we can carry on making the same kind of progress at the World Cup.
Add your comment
(Total comments 217)

Who is your player of the season?

Who is your player of the season?
(FIFA.com) Wednesday 26 May 2010
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The final games have been played, the handshakes exchanged and the silverware handed out as domestic and continental football prepares to take a back seat in most areas.

However, while the upcoming FIFA World Cup™ is now the main focal point for football enthusiasts the world over, we want to ask you to take a quick break from looking forward to South Africa 2010 and reflect on the season just past.

Across planet football, there have been some outstanding individual campaigns, be they from superstars at title-chasing giants or lesser-known names battling valiantly to help their employers scale new heights. As always, there are plenty of outstanding candidates to choose from, but what we at FIFA.com want to know is: Who is your player of the season?

Simply click ‘Add your comment’ to share your views with the world, remembering to keep your comments clean, respectful, on-topic and in English.

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!
(FIFA.com) Sunday 30 May 2010
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In our regular Sunday feature, FIFA.com presents you with some of the biggest names from Planet Football who will be celebrating their birthdays over the coming week.
30

Steven Gerrard (30) is hoping England can live up to their pre-tournament billing as one of the favourites at the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. At club level, the goal-getting midfielder captains Premier League powerhouse Liverpool.
31

Alfredo Torres (79) took part in the 1954 FIFA World Cup as part of the Mexico national team. Unfortunately for Torres, El Tri failed to make an impression in Switzerland, crashing out of the tournament in the first round.
01

Alexi Lalas (40) is celebrating the 'Big Four-0' this week having previously represented the USA in two FIFA World Cups (1994 and 1998). The iconic American hung up his boots seven years ago.
02

Sergio Aguero (22) will be aiming to translate his good form at club level onto the biggest stage with Argentina in South Africa. The Atletico Madrid star picked up the UEFA Europa League trophy this term with victory over Fulham in the final.
03

Luigi Di Biagio (39) enjoyed a glittering career in Italy with the likes of Roma and Inter Milan. The combative midfielder also took part at both France 1998 and Korea/Japan 2002 with the Squadra Azzurri.
04

Lukas Podolski (25) was voted Best Young Player at Germany 2006, leaving illustrious names such as Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in his wake. The Cologne striker will be doing his utmost to repeat that success at South Africa 2010.
05

Zvjezdan Misimovic (28) just missed out on a place in South Africa after Bosnia-Herzegovina were defeated by Portugal at the play-off stage. At club level, the creative midfielder's finest hour to date came in the 2008/09 season as Wolfsburg won their maiden Bundesliga title.

Prandelli confirmation for Italy

Prandelli confirmation for Italy
(PA) Sunday 30 May 2010
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Fiorentina coach Cesare Prandelli has signed a four-year contract to take over as Italy boss when Marcello Lippi steps down after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.

Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete was given permission by the Serie A club earlier this month to talk to Prandelli, and the two men met in Rome today to discuss the matter.

An FIGC statement this afternoon confirmed the pair had reached agreement. It read: "Cesare Prandelli will take over the bench from coach Marcello Lippi after the World Cup in South Africa. President Abete has confirmed this morning, in a meeting that was held in Roma, the contract with the next coach of the national team, after the decision of Lippi to leave his post.

"The FIGC and Cesare Prandelli have agreed a contract for four years. The details of the deal will be defined in the coming days. The official presentation of the new coach will be at the end of World Cup."

A popular appointment
Lippi stepped down as Azzurri coach after leading the team to World Cup glory in Germany four years ago, but resumed the role two years ago. The 62-year-old will again leave his post after this summer's showpiece event in South Africa, and believes the federation have got the right man in Prandelli to replace him.

"I told president Abete at Christmas that I intended to finish these two years and then leave," Lippi said today. "Prandelli is the right person in the right place, but we will talk about this more in depth in the future. We will also talk further down the line, if you like, of the reasons which have pushed me to leave the national team for the second time."

Former national coach Arrigo Sacchi is also confident 52-year-old Prandelli, who was under contract with Fiorentina until June 2011, will do a fine job at the Italy helm. Sacchi told Sky Italia: "Cesare has shown already many times that he is a great coach, a great personality. He is technically excellent and a person I respect. Working for the national team is not like being a club coach - you are a coach that has to do a lot in a short space of time."
Cesare has shown already many times that he is a great coach, a great personality. He is technically excellent and a person I respect.
Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi

Prandelli arrived from Roma in summer 2005 and transformed Fiorentina from relegation strugglers into a team worthy of a Champions League place in his first season in charge. Despite the 15-point deduction handed to Fiorentina for the match-fixing scandal, Prandelli was able to guide the team to a sixth-place finish in Serie A in 2007.

The following year, Prandelli steered Fiorentina to fourth place and qualification for the Champions League group stages. After the departure of Carlo Ancelotti from AC Milan to Chelsea last summer, Prandelli became the longest-serving manager in Serie A.

Manchester United

Manchester United-bound striker Javier Hernandez and Adolfo Bautista each netted twice as Mexico completed their FIFA World Cup™ preparations with a hansome win over Gambia in Bayreuth, Germany.

Having lost successive friendlies to England and the Netherlands, Mexico needed a morale-boosting result and delivered in emphatic fashion.

Gambia kept the deficit to 1-0 at half-time, Hernandez's 18th-minute opener the only goal, but there was a rush of activity in the second period.

Ebrima Bohna made it 3-1 after Hernandez's second and Bautista's first had swelled Mexico's advantage.

Alberton Medina wrapped things up nine minutes from time, shortly after Bautista completed his brace

Fabio Capello

Fabio Capello declared himself happy with England's second half performance as they came from behind to beat Japan 2-1 in their final warm-up game for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and indicated he now knows 22 of the 23 players he will take to South Africa.

The 63-year-old Italian admitted he was not happy with England's first-half display in which they went 1-0 down to a goal from Marcus 'Tulio' Tanaka and looked both out of sorts and uncomfortable with an experimental 4-2-4 formation.

But the fact that England improved dramatically with the inclusion of five half-time substitutes, and in particular Joe Cole, before Tulio and Yuji Nakazawa both scored unfortunate own goals to turn the match around, kept the Italian in good spirits.

Sven-Goran Eriksson's

Sven-Goran Eriksson's first match at the Côte d'Ivoire helm finished in a draw against Paraguay as the two World Cup qualifiers fine-tuned their preparations in Thonon Les-Bains, France.

The game sprang into life after the interval, following a goalless first half. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba opened the scoring for the Elephants nine minutes after the break when he netted his 44th international goal with a deflected free-kick, and Hibernian defender Sol Bamba extended their advantage with a 74th-minute volley.

But substitute Lucas Barrios pulled one back for the South Americans with a low shot a minute later and Aureliano Torres equalised a minute from time to deny Eriksson a winning start to his regime.

The Swede, who took up his new post on March 28, will oversee one more friendly - against Japan on Friday - before leading his team in South Africa, where the Ivorians will play Portugal, Brazil and Korea DPR in the so-called 'group of death'.

The Paraguayans, who tackle Greece in their final warm-up friendly on Wednesday, have been drawn in Group F alongside Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand.

Germany international

Germany international defender Heiko Westermann has been ruled out of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ because of a broken foot, the German football federation announced on Sunday.

The 27-year-old Schalke 04 player injured himself during Germany's 3-0 friendly win over Hungary in Budapest on Saturday.

His injury is the latest blow for Germany who are already without captain and Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack and midfielder Christian Traesch, both out with ankle injuries.

"Heiko would have played a key role in our team. He would have been important for us because of his polyvalence," said Germany coach Joachim Loew. He showed remarkable form in training."

Germany face Australia, Serbia and CAF Africa Cup of Nations finalists Ghana in Group D at the World Cup, which runs from 11 June - 11 July in South Africa.

IFAB press briefing: live streaming

IFAB press briefing: live streaming
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 18 May 2010
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The International Football Association Board (IFAB) will today convene for a Special Meeting at the Home of FIFA, and FIFA.com will be providing live streaming from the post-meeting press conference.

The focal point of the meeting, to be chaired by FIFA and its President Joseph S. Blatter, will be the final analysis of the experiment with additional assistant referees in the UEFA Europa League 2009/2010.

Other items pending from this year's 124th Annual General Meeting, including Law 12 (Fouls and Misconduct – Sending-off Offences), Law 14 (The Penalty Kick) and the role of the fourth official, will also be discussed.

The press conference will begin at 14.00 CET, so just revisit this story nearer the time and a link for the streaming will be provided.

Le Guen’s northern legion

Le Guen’s northern legion
(FIFA.com) Monday 17 May 2010
Le Guen’s northern legion
Foto-net

One of the intriguing aspects of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ is Cameroon’s return to the big stage. Absent from Germany 2006, the only one of the last six world finals they have missed, the Indomitable Lions will be making their reappearance in Group E, where they will face the Netherlands, Denmark and Japan.

It looked at one stage as if the African giants might fail to qualify again. Collecting just one point from their first two games in their final qualifying group, the four-time African champions were forced to replace coach Otto Pfister with Paul Le Guen.

That tactical switch, combined with the emergence of a new generation of players, came just in time. Quickly establishing his authority, the former Lyon coach injected fresh blood into the team and began to impose his ideas, with his new charges stringing together four successive wins to qualify for South Africa.

Sticking to his principles despite Cameroon’s disappointing showing at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations Angola 2010, the Frenchman has just announced his provisional squad for the world finals, finding room for only a handful of experienced campaigners.

Among the many novices in the frame for a place in the final 23-man squad are three friends who all play their club football in a corner of northern France and who would be only too happy to delay their summer holidays for the biggest football show on earth.

Making up the trio is Valenciennes goalkeeper Guy-Roland N’Dy Assembe, his club team-mate and right-back Gaetan Bong, and Aurelien Chedjou, currently bringing his defensive skills to bear for Lille, some 50 kilometres further north. Another local resident who was also in the reckoning was Henri Bedimo, a left-back with nearby Lens. Sadly for him, though, he failed to make the cut.

“We call each other after every game but it’s not always easy to meet up,” N’Dy Assembe tells FIFA.com. “At least this way we’ll be able to see each other, though I can’t stop thinking about Henri. It’s a real shame he won’t be with us.”

While N’Dy Assembe only came into the Cameroon fold at Angola 2010 and Chedjou at the end of the qualifying competition for South Africa 2010, Bong is a complete newcomer. The holder of dual nationality, the Valenciennes youngster represented France at U-21 level, though there should be no doubt as to where his allegiances lie. “As I’ve always said, I was born in Cameroon and I’m Cameroonian,” he explains. “I owe a lot to France and that’s why I couldn’t turn down the invitation to play for the U-21s. But make no mistake, it’s Cameroon I’ve always wanted to play for.”

A learning curve
His wish could soon be about to come true. Bong’s first goal is to avoid becoming one of Le Guen’s seven discards, an outcome neither he nor N’Dy Assembe and Chedjou are willing to contemplate. “I’m well aware that this is an opportunity that invariably comes up just once in a lifetime, and I’m going to do everything I can to make sure I don’t miss the boat,” says the Lille man.

“Being named in the provisional squad takes me a step closer to fulfilling my childhood dream,” adds N’Dy Assembe. “I’ve got a lot of work to do though if I’m going to make sure of my place at the training camp.”

As the biggest selection surprise of all, Bong is even more modest about his hopes of making the final pool: “There are a lot of other players who deserve this as much as I do. They’re in my thoughts and I know how lucky I am. Now I’m going to fight my hardest to get in the 23. This is already fantastic news for me, so making the finals will just be the icing on the cake for me, a bonus. I’m young and I want to make the most of this so I can learn and develop.”

In his role as potential understudy to Carlos Kameni, N’Dy Assembe is also looking to gain some valuable experience. “For me it would be a chance to find out what the top level is all about and learn how to handle the pressure,” he explains. “I’m not expecting anything more than that.”

That educational experience will be made all the richer by the presence in Le Guen’s squad of Cameroon’s old guard.

“The older players are like big brothers to us,” acknowledges Chedjou, now something of a veteran with eight caps to his name. “They know that have to get the key points across to us in a short space of time. But they also know that it’s not easy to wear the colours of your national team. You have to prepare yourself for something like that, so it’s great to be able to go through this transitional period with them. Take Rigobert Song. He knows he’s going to be handing over to us soon but his attitude remains fantastic and he’s still a great example to the defenders. He’s very close to us and he’s a real gentleman.”

Eto’o leading by example
Another player who encapsulates the team spirit in the Cameroon camp is Samuel Eto’o, who was appointed captain by the incoming Le Guen. “Samu is always giving us encouragement and urging us to push ourselves all the way,” adds Chedjou. “He’s won everything in his career but he still has this incredible desire to win. He’s not the type of guy to revel in his own success.”

The harmonious atmosphere bodes well for South Africa, with a number of pundits tipping Cameroon’s class of 2010 to go further than their illustrious predecessors managed.

Their previous best came at Italy 1990, when the likes of Thomas N’Kono, Jean-Claude Pagal (Gaetan Bong’s uncle), Francois Omam-Biyik and Roger Milla shook the football world to its foundations in reaching the quarter-finals before unluckily going down 3-2 to England.

The current crop believe they can raise the bar. “I can honestly see us winning the title,” says a bullish N’Dy Assembe, while Chedjou adopts a more guarded tone: “We need to perform at our very best if we are to put our poor display at the African Cup of Nations behind us. What we want to do is to come away from South Africa without any regrets. I know we can pull off a surprise, like reaching the final for example.”

Providing they get the nod from coach Le Guen, the trio of young hopefuls will soon have the chance to show their confidence is not misplaced.

Del Neri: My Juve mission

Del Neri: My Juve mission
(PA) Tuesday 18 May 2010
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Luigi Del Neri firmly believes he can help Juventus rediscover their winning mentality. Del Neri left Sampdoria yesterday having guided the Genoa club to a fourth-place finish in Serie A.

The 59-year-old is expected to be unveiled as the new manager of Juve in the next 24 hours following the departure of Alberto Zaccheroni. In an interview with Turin-based sports newspaper, Tuttosport, Del Neri said: "Juve represents a starting point not an arrival one.

"In a club like this one, you are forced to achieve great aims. I will have to be demanding with the players, with the club and with myself. It's always a club that makes a coach great, not the contrary. If they have acquired me it's because they know me. In football, you win not because of a formation but thanks to organisation, winning mentality and quality."

This will be Del Neri's biggest career challenge. Despite spells at Roma and Porto, he is most famous for his successful stint at Chievo. He took Chievo from Serie B into the top flight for the first time in their history and established them in the top half of Serie A.
In a club like this one, you are forced to achieve great aims. I will have to be demanding with the players, with the club and with myself.
Luigi Del Neri

The Italian tactician guided Atalanta to defend their top-flight status for two consecutive seasons before joining Samp last summer. He added: "It's very difficult to join a team that has won everything in its history. But here we have to reconstruct a winning mentality."

For the second year in a row Juve, who are the Serie A club that has won the most league titles (27), finished the season empty-handed. Under Zaccheroni, who replaced the sacked Ciro Ferrara earlier this year, the Turin giants have endured a dismal run.

I Bianconeri lost four of their last seven games to finish a disappointing seventh in the standings and miss out on Europe's elite club competition. Juve will have to go through the qualifying round for the Europa League.

"There are years that are like this one, who knows why," said Del Neri. "There's no doubt that the team knows how to play but I think it's necessary to work on the approach."

When asked if Gianluigi Buffon will remain, with the goalkeeper a reported target of several English Premier League clubs, Del Neri said: "I hope so, I will talk to him. Gigi is the goalkeeper of the national team, to replace him would not be easy.

"He is someone that gives a lot on the pitch and in the changing room he brings ambition, hunger for victories. Buffon and (captain Alessandro) Del Piero represent so much also from an image standpoint."

Slovakia: Nothing like the first time

Slovakia: Nothing like the first time
(FIFA.com) Tuesday 18 May 2010
Slovakia: Nothing like the first time
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They say the first time is always special, and in Slovakia the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™ has a lovable debutant with feet planted firmly on the ground but hopes that spin up in the stratosphere.

A long tradition exists of first-time participants at the FIFA World Cup pulling off stirring results, whether by the force of sheer enthusiasm or ability out on the pitch. Senegal’s Lions of Teranga roared to the quarter-final round in 2002 after a famous opening-day victory over then-holders France. Nigeria’s Super Eagles thundered through USA 1994’s group stages, finishing ahead of Diego Maradona’s Argentina and Hristo Stoichkov’s impressive Bulgaria. The Republic of Ireland’s cheerful trip to the quarter-finals in 1990, and Korea DPR’s rousing upset of giants Italy and subsequent run to the last eight in England in 1966, are other examples of first-timers making a mark on the world stage.
We can’t fail them in South Africa.
Goalkeeper Jan Mucha is hoping not to let Slovakian fans down in South Africa.

Outsiders and underdogs can be hard to resist, and a new team invariably has the sympathetic support of neutral fans everywhere. The Slovaks – who ousted Czech Republic and Poland to finish first in their qualifying group becoming the only debutants to reach South Africa 2010 – also remind us of a recent finals first-timer, Croatia, who very nearly landed in the final of France 1998 in their FIFA World Cup debut.

Like the Croats, who rode the outstanding play of Davor Suker and Zvonimir Boban to the semi-finals in 1998 – just seven years after gaining independence – the Slovakians have a direct connection to a proud past on the world stage, and are also playing under the colours of a new standard. The Croats participated in eight FIFA World Cups as part of Yugoslavia, as did Slovakia as one half of former European powerhouse Czechoslovakia, a team that finished finished runners-up on two occasions: at Italy 1934 and in Chile in 1962. The former nation’s ultimate achievement, before the splitting of the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993, came in 1976 when they beat FIFA World Cup holders West Germany in a famous penalty shootout to be crowned champions of Europe.

Skrtl and Co
Though debutants on paper, Slovakia arrive in South Africa with a raft of sturdy players, most of whom ply their trade in some of Europe’s biggest leagues. The top-flights of Germany, Italy, England, Turkey and Poland are all represented in the 30-man preliminary squad named by coach Vladimir Weiss; in Liverpool’s Martin Skrtl, the Slovaks have a leader accustomed to life at the top tiers of the game.

"Our ambition in South Africa is to reach the second round," said the ever-cautious coach Weiss in a recent interview with FIFA.com. But spirits in the team’s hopes are started to soar rise above mere second-round ambitions.

“I didn’t fully appreciate so far what it means for fans that Slovakia qualified for the World Cup,” said the near-tearful Poland-based goalkeeper Jan Mucha as tens of thousands of people greeted the FIFA World Cup trophy on a promotional tour in the north-western city of Zilina. “But I understand it now. We can’t fail them in South Africa.”

“I’d think first place is already taken,” said qualifying top-scorer Stanislav Sestak. “I’m pretty certain the world champions [Italy] can cope with this group,” which also includes Paraguay and rank outsiders New Zealand. “But we’re contenders for second place. That would be a huge success for Slovakia.”

"Qualifying for the World Cup is important for the identity of our young nation,” said captain and all-time Slovak caps leader Miroslav Karhan, “but we know it's going to be very hard work to perform well at the finals.” Karhan speaks for his hopeful nation of 5.5 million as they place their hopes and dreams firmly behind their beloved first-timers: “Our country is very proud.”