Final Whistle Issue #3 by Final Whistle

ISSUE

#3 April 2012

FINAL WHISTLE www.finalwhistle.co.in

IVORIAN HITMAN DIDIER DROGBA 5 clubs. 3 spots. The dreaded relegation battle Editorial: Death of the International Friendlies

a round-up of all the gossip from the english papers!

PLUS · Talent Scout - Isaac Cuenca · Legends Feature - Ferenc Puskás · Spotlight - Borussia Dortmund · All new Statistics feature · The mind boggling quiz returns!

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CONTENTS EDITORIAL FEATURE

Club Spotlight - The limelight shines on German champions Borussia Dortmund

FIFA plans to scrap six international friendlies in a calendar year. What impact will this have on the beautiful game around the world?

Player Profile - A complete profile of

Talent Scout - Rising Barcelona star Isaac

Chelsea and Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba

Cuenca dazzles us in this edition of TS

Barclays Premier League Relegation Feature

All new statistics feature - A look at football via the numbers game

Humor Section - The lighter side of football. Take a look at these gems and laugh your worries away

A look at the five teams fighting it out from now till the end of the season to preserve their Barclays Premier League status

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Quiz time! - The stakes have been raised. Test your knowledge about the beautiful game in our quiz section

Gossip Column - A round-up of all the off-field news from around Europe

PRAY FOR MUAMBA The footballing community has come together this week to pray for the recovery of Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a FA Cup match against Tottenham. Muamba has shown small signs of recovery since, and we continue to hope that he will soon boast a return to full health.

PREMIER LEAGUE SURVIVAL The fight for Premier League survival is heating up as we enter the business end of the 2011-12 season. Here is a look at the 5 clubs who find themselves in the relegation quagmire and will fight it out to avoid the drop down into the nPower Championship.

Wolverhampton Wanderers Having endured the taunts of the home fans all season, the Wolves directors relented and duly sacked Mick McCarthy. What followed, however, has hardly eased the pressure on the club’s hierarchy. After unsuccessfully interviewing five candidates for the managerial position, they ended up promoting assistant manager Terry Connor. His managerial debut started off on the right footing as he inspired his players to fight back from a two goal deficit at Newcastle to snatch a draw. But it proved to be a false dawn as the gigantic task at hand was revealed the following week when Fulham ruthlessly exposed the cracks in Connor’s armor, thumping Wolves 5-0. The next game against fellow relegation Steven Fletcher: Wolves’ top scorer this season rivals Blackburn was dubbed as a ‘six pointer’, a huge game for everyone concerned with Wolves. So dismal were Wolves that Saturday afternoon that Rovers took away all three points from the Molineux, keeping their first clean sheet of the season in the process. The one shining light this season has been the form of Steven Fletcher, their top-scorer. He has consistently found the back of the net, keeping Wolves afloat, while fellow striker Kevin Doyle has fluffed his lines. Midfielders Matt Jarvis and Jamie O’Hara have failed to replicated last season’s form. Terry Connor’s ability to marshal and motivate his troops for the remaining nine fixtures will have a huge bearing on Wolves’ hopes to avoid the drop. Key Player: Steven Fletcher. Remaining key fixtures: Bolton Wanderers (H), Wigan (A).

Cover Cover #2 Ad Contents Muamba T Relegation Spotlight Internatio PP 1st Pag Player Pro Talent Sco Stat Attac Fixtures Humor Se Gossip Co Quiz Contact U

Queens Park Rangers A season that began with so much promise has unravelled into a nightmare for the Queens Park Rangers supporters. They have seen their side go from mid-table hopefuls to relegation scrappers. Several signings and a managerial change later, QPR find themselves stuck in the relegation zone as the season enters it’s business end. Adel Taarabt, who had a sterling season in the Championship last term, has failed to live up to expectations and is yet to break his goal scoring duck in the Premier League. Summer signing Shaun Wright-Phillips arrived amid much fanfare, with the general consensus that he could revive his career which had stalled at Manchester City. But he has failed to bed in, and he, too, is still waiting to score his first goal for the club. Joey Barton’s temperamental nature has reared it’s ugly head on more than one occasion this season, another contributing factor in QPR’s struggle in the top flight.

Joey Barton: Temperamental midfielder

Goals have not been flowing for the Rs this season and manager Mark Hughes will be hoping January signings Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse can provide some much needed respite on that front. Key Player: Bobby Zamora. Remaining key fixtures: Sunderland (A), Swansea City (H), Stoke City (H).

Blackburn Rovers No other club ensconced in the Premier League relegation scrap has quite had the topsy-turvy season that Blackburn Rovers have endured. Victories over Arsenal and Manchester United have been overshadowed by events off the pitch, with fans calling for manager Steve Kean’s head despite an upturn in form since the turn of the year. Following the takeover by Venky’s and the appointment of Steve Kean, the future looked bleak for the Lancashire club. They were rooted to the bottom of the table for the first half of the season, with only one win to show for their efforts. The fans started organizing protests before home games and their season reached a new low when fellow strugglers Bolton came away from Ewood Park with all three points. But Steve Kean has managed to steady the ship since that defeat and steered the club out of the relegation zone. This rise in form has been in large parts to Yakubu and Junior Yakubu: Saving Steve Kean since August Hoilett, whose goals have kept Rovers in the race to beat the drop. The departure of club captain Chris Samba to Anzhi might impact the club in the long run but the short-term goal is to ensure Premier League football for another season and Steve Kean looks set to deliver on that front if his side continue their recent revival. Key Players: Yakubu & Junior Hoilett. Remaining key fixtures: Bolton Wanderers (A), Swansea City (A), Wigan (H).

Remaining key fixtures: Bolton Wanderers (A), Swansea City (A), Wigan (H).

Bolton Wanderers Bolton Wanderers were expected to finish in the top half of the table at the start of the season, no one saw a relegation battle looming on the horizon. But the loss of Mark Davies and Lee Chung-Yong have been keenly felt by Owen Coyle’s side, their absence leaving a lack of creative spark in the Bolton team.

Ivan Klasnic: Bolton’s leading light all season

It is no coincidence then, that Mark Davies’s return from a long term injury has coincided with Bolton’s rise in form. Nigel Reo-Coker, Fabrice Muamba and Darren Pratley are able deputies but none has the creativity that Mark Davies possesses in abundance. Ivan Klasnic, who made a remarkable 22 appearances from the bench last season, has been given a starring role by Coyle this time around and has repaid the faith with a flurry of goals. David N’Gog arrived from Liverpool in the summer with the promise of goals, but he has only managed 2 while Kevin Davies has found himself on the fringes of the team after an alarming dip in form.

Owen Coyle has retained the backing of the board and the fans despite a run of poor results and has admitted he is lucky to have such an understanding support. But he will have to get the best out of his ailing side in the final part of the season if he wants to keep his beloved Bolton in the Premier League. Key Players: Ivan Klasnic & Mark Davies. Remaining key fixtures: Blackburn Rovers (H), Wolves (A).

Wigan Athletic The bookmakers favorites to go down for the last couple of seasons, quite how Wigan Athletic have managed to avoid the drop into the Championship is a mystery. Wigan left it till the final day of last season to secure Premier League survival after Hugo Rodallega scored to give Wigan an unlikely win at Vila Park. They will be hoping a similar outcome this time around, as another mediocre season has left them firmly rooted at the bottom of the Premier League ladder. Goals have been at a premium at the DW Stadium, with last season’s top scorer Hugo Rodallega failing to replicate that form. He had an alleged falling out with manager Roberto Martinez and even though he has worked his way back into the first team, goals have continued to elude him. Victor Moses however, has been a shining light for the Latics. He has been in scintillating form and despite a lack of goals, he is Wigan’s most in-form player. There is a buzz of anticipation whenever the ball is at his feet and Martinez will feel Moses will hold the key if his Wigan outfit are to get out of the relegation zone. Key Player: Victor Moses. Remaining key fixtures: Blackburn Rovers (A), Wolves (H).

Victor Moses: Wigan’s outstanding player

SPOTLIGHT - BORUSSIA DORTMUND

In this edition’s Club Spotlight, we take an in depth view at the reigning Bundesliga champions Borussia Dortmund and their rise to the top of the German game. The reigning Bundesliga champions and current leaders, Borussia Dortmund are enjoying another golden period in the club’s history. Boasting the likes of stars such as Mario Gotze, Shinji Kagawa and Mats Hummels, the club are destined for bigger things if they can keep hold of their prized assets. Despite being founded in 1909, the club had to wait till the 1950s to win a major trophy but since then they have been among the powerhouses in German football. The club’s progress stalled in the 1970s and 1980s but the arrival of Ottmar Hitzfeld boosted their declining fortunes and ushered in a new era. Borussia Dortmund have flirted with bankruptcy a couple of times in their history with the most recent brush coming in 2005 when they were forced to cut the players’ wages and to sell their stadium. The Westfalenstadion, which Dortmund owned originally but were forced to sell, is now being leased to them. It is the second biggest stadium in Germany and played host to a few World Cup games in 2006. It was named the Signal Iduna Park to raise capital and help the club stave off the impending financial crisis it was about to sink in. Here is a brief look at how the club we know as Borussia Dortmund came to be.

OVERVIEW

Name: Ballspiel-Verein Borussia 1909 e. V. Dortmund Founded: 1909 Nickname: Die Borussen Stadium: Signal Iduna Park Capacity: 80,720 Division: Bundesliga STAFF

Owner: Dr Reinhard Rauball Manager: Jürgen Klopp ACHIEVEMENTS

Bundesliga: 1955-56, 1956-57, 1962-63, 1994-95, 1995-96, 2001-02, 2010-11 UEFA Champions League: 1996-97 Record Goal-Scorer: Manfred Burgsmüller (135) Most Appearances: Michael Zorc (463)

Early Years In December 1909, a group of young men, unhappy with childsponsored Trinity Youth, decided to break away and form their own football club. Borussia Dortmund was thus founded in a local club called Zum Wildschütz. The founding members that day were Franz and Paul Braun, Henry Cleve, Hans Debest, Paul Dziendzielle, Julius and Wilhelm Jacobi, Hans Kahn, Gustav Müller, Franz Risse, Fritz Schulte, Hans Siebold, August Tönnesmann, Heinrich and Robert Unger, Fritz Weber and Franz Wendt. The name Borussia was inspired by the Borussia beer made at the Borussia brewery in Dortmund. Originally, the team sported blue and white striped shirts with a red sash. It was only in 1913 that they donned the black and yellow stripes that have become so familiar now. Dortmund, using the Stadion Rote Erde as their home ground, participated in various local leagues in the next decade but enjoyed only modest success. In 1929, the club tried to sign paid professional players in order to enhance its reputation but it backfired miserably. They were on the verge of bankruptcy when a local supporter decided to save them and he veered them out of this potentially fatal situation by backing them financially.

August Lenz: Borussia’s star man in the 1930s

The 1930s saw the rise of Nazi power in Germany. This led to a major restructuring of the sports organizational layout throughout the country to suit the regime’s needs. Borussia Dortmund’s president refused to join the Nazi party and was duly dispatched from his post and swiftly replaced by a more willing member. Two members who used the club’s offices to produce anti-Nazi pamphlets were executed. Dortmund enjoyed a much more successful stint in the Gauliga Westfalen, a league established under the Nazi rule, but they had to wait until the end of World War II to make a breakthrough. It was during this period that Borussia Dortmund developed it’s fierce and intense rivalry with Schalke 04 who were the most successful side of that era. After several failed attempts to merge the club with other organizations, the club made it’s first appearance as Ballspiel-Verein Borussia in the national league final in 1949, a game they lose 2-3 to Mannheim. A first division league called Oberliga West dominated the German football scene in the 1950s. Dortmund tasted their first piece of silverware in 1956 when they beat Karlsruher SC 4-2 to lift the national title. Borussia won the competition the following year with exactly the same team, a one-off feat yet to be eclipsed in German football. Borussia won the last final in 1963 before the inception of the Bundesliga, their third national championship.

BUNDESLIGA In 1962, the German Football Association met in Dortmund and finally decided to establish a professional football league which was to begin in August 1963. Thus, the Bundesliga was born. Borussia Dortmund earned the right to play in the first edition of the league since they were the reigning national champions. The first ever Bundesliga goal was scored by Borussia’s Friedhelm Konietzka barely a minute into the into the match against Werder Bremen, a game they ended up losing 2-3. Dortmund won their first German Cup in 1965 but the following season produced a mixed bag as they lifted the European Cup Winners Cup but surrendered a commanding lead at the top of the Bundesliga and ended up finishing second, three points behind eventual champions 1860 Munich. The Friedhelm Konietzka: First 70s were characterized by financial problems and relegation. The club ever Bundesliga scorer moved tho their current stadium, the Westfalenstadion, in 1974 and returned to the Bundesliga in 1976. The financial problems and brushes with relegation continued throughout the 1980s.

1990s-The Golden Age Manager Horst Koppel was let go in 1991 after a disappointing tenth place finish in Bundesliga. Ottmar Hitzfeld was hired and he began what is known as the ‘Golden Age’ in the club’s history. He led the club to a second place finish in 1992, and could have won the Bundesliga had Stuttgart not won on the final day. Dortmund made it to the 1993 UEFA Cup final but were convincingly beaten 6-1 on aggregate by Juventus. Despite this loss, Borussia Dortmund walked away with DM25 million under the prize pool system that was in place at the time for German clubs participating the the cup. This cash injection prompted new signings which brought them major honors in the late 1990s.

Matthias Sammer: European Footballer of the Year

Dortmund won the Bundesliga title in 1995 and 1996 with Matthias Sammer (left: in picture) being named the European Footballer of the Year from the 1996 team.

Ottmar Hitzfeld wrote himself into Borussia Dortmund’s folklore when he guided them to the UEFA Champions League title in 1997. Facing a Juventus team featuring Zinedine Zidane in the final, the odds were stacked against the German side. But a brace from Karl-Heinz Riedle and a stunning chip from substitute and local boy Lars Ricken saw Dortmund over the finishing line with a 3-1 success. Dortmund then went on to lift the Intercontinental Cup after beating Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro 2-0 and in the process became only the second German club to achieve this feat.

The 21st Century Borussia Dortmund became the first, and till date the only, German club to be publicly traded on the German stock exchange. They won the Bundesliga for the third time two years later after securing the title on the final day. But they tasted defeat in Europe as the lost the UEFA Cup final to Dutch side Feyenoord. But heartbreak was to follow for a number of years as the club steadily declined due to poor financial management. It became laden with heavy debts and the club’s hierarchy were forced to sell their Westfalenstadion ground. It was to get worse, however, as they failed to qualify for the Champions League after being eliminated in the qualifying round by Club Brugge. This eventually led to the club teetering on the brink of bankruptcy in 2005. The players had to take a 20% pay cut and the Westfalenstadion, now being leased to the club, was renamed the Signal Iduna Park (after an insurance company) to raise capital. After a few indifferent seasons, Dortmund reclaimed the Bundesliga crown in the 2010-11 season with a young and vibrant squad. Players such as Nuri Sahin, Shinji Kagawa, Mats Hummels, Mario Gotze, Lucas Barrios and Robert Lewandowski played key roles in Dortmund’s seventh title success. This earned them a place in the Champions League but they failed to progress from their group consisting of Arsenal, Olympiakos and Marseille. They are currently sitting top of Bundesliga again, five points clear of second place Bayern Munich.

Bundesliga Champions 2010-11

The club’s next big challenge, apart from retaining their Bundesliga title, is to keep hold of their young stars who have shown such immense promise. Nuri Sahin has already left for pastures new, but if the future is bright if players like Mario Gotze and Shinji Kagawa can be convinced to stay.

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES SCRAPPED The recent scrapping of international friendlies by FIFA to help support club football has ignited fiery debates in the footballing world. Abhimanyu Nagpal argues why this decision robs the fans of showing their patriotism. ‘The friendlies are becoming more and more difficult to accept for everybody’ said Arsene Wenger as two of his players returned from international duty carrying injuries. Nobody likes losing players through injury, but injuries are a part of any professional sport and there is no way around it. The delusional Arsenal manager thinks he’s speaking for the entire world when all the Frenchman represents is Europe’s elite clubs. In recent times, it has become a habit of sorts. The Wengers and Fergusons of today’s world come out and ridicule FIFA’s ideas and control. Also, having a let’s just say ‘misunderstood’ president at the helm doesn’t exactly help FIFA’s cause. While one can understand how it is only their job to protect their players at a crucial time in the season, but as two of the most influential and powerful managers in world football it does come across as shallow and self-centered. They say - With great power comes great responsibility and it is quite irresponsible of them to make statements like it.

FOR THE PLAYERS Why I say it is shallow is because the same managers, if they were in-charge of a national team, they would be rooting for these ‘pointless’ friendlies. These matches are like a pre-season of sorts. Never did one hear of them complaining about injuries incurred during the pre-season tours of China and America. But of course, ‘the pre-season is vital; it gives the players a chance to gel and work together as a cohesive unit.’ Well, what about the national teams? How many matches does the national team play together in a year – about twelve? My main point is, for the national teams to perform at levels they should perform, the players need to gel. They need to know each other’s styles of play. They need to learn to work for one another. Above all, they need to feel like a team. And as much as it may surprise, you don’t get a cohesive unit or a team by playing twelve matches Messi’s international appearances to decrease together in a year. Another similarity to the pre-season is how these friendlies provide a chance for the younger and more inexperienced players of the squad to be tested on the international stage. It is here that emerging talents like Iker Muniain and Georginio Wijnaldum develop their big-game temperaments. It is an opportunity of being in the spot-light and making it their own. Also, for players in their mid-twenties such as Darren Bent and Riccardo Montolivo playing for smaller clubs, it presents an opportunity to play against the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Lionel Messi on the world stage. It is because of a lack of these international games that we have witnessed the Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard conundrum. As two of the best midfielders that England has produced in recent memory their mid-field partnership was suppose to be a match made in heaven. The glory years went, where both achieved a considerable amount at the club level, with England however,

Also, for players in their mid-twenties such as Darren Bent and Riccardo Montolivo playing for smaller clubs, it presents an opportunity to play against the likes of Wesley Sneijder and Lionel Messi on the world stage. It is because of a lack of these international games that we have witnessed the Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard conundrum. As two of the best midfielders that England has produced in recent memory their mid-field partnership was suppose to be a match made in heaven. The glory years went, where both achieved a considerable amount at the club level, with England however, they drew a blank. Another England example (forgive me for it, but this one is very difficult to overlook), Fabio Capello - a manager who has done well at every club he has been to, also somehow drew a blank with England. One can only wonder as to whether Capello suddenly became a bad manager who lost his touch or has it actually got something to do with the lack of training ground time his players got with one another.

FOR THE SUPPORTERS It is international games that get Barcelona and Madrid together; it is these games that get both halves of Milan together and it is in these games that Liverpool ‘does not walk alone’ but walks with United as an ally. Not only that, the friendlies provide an opportunity for the spectators to see matches such as Brazil v/s France or Argentina v/ s Germany, something you would otherwise see may be once in four years (if you’re lucky). As spectators here in India, we can never truly be a fan of a national team. One can love clubs, but Where does the patriotism go now? to support another nation whole-heartedly, it’s kind of difficult. What we fail to realize is the fact that these international games and tournaments are an opportunity for the spectators to see their national teams in action. Every big tournament that a Spanish team or the Azzurri disappoints at is heart wrenching for its supporters. Remember the 2007 cricket world cup and what a huge let down it was to see India go out so early, well this is no less for them.

QUALITY OF FOOTBALL It is a common observation at international events that the quality of football is below-par. The best players in the world perform far below the standards that we are used to seeing them perform at. People would argue that they’ve had a long season and a Euro or a World Cup comes right after that exhaustive season, and while that is one of the reasons, it is not the only reason. The other reason of course, is the lack of game time with one another. And the only way to improve standards of international football is by increasing the number of international games and reducing the number of club games in a season. It is something that makes more sense financially too. Statistics clearly show that the viewership of a football world cup is higher than any other sporting event around the world. This is not to say that we should increase the number of Arsene Wenger: A stout non-believer in teams participating in a world cup, but makes sure that the international friendlies quality of football is preserved, and the first time viewer sees the beautiful game for what it really is. It’s a shame that Mr. Wenger, who himself is an ambassador for the beautiful game, doesn’t see what these friendlies mean for the international game.

DIDIER DROGBA UNLEASHED “It wasn't nice seeing Manchester United win it time after time.” - Drogba feels the pain after watching Manchester United lift another title.

"My situation is not really important. I want to focus on the club and put the club in the right situation in the league.” - Drogba on his current contract situation at Chelsea.

“I am better at 32 than I was six years ago, when I came here. I am scoring more goals, I am more calm, more relaxed on the pitch and it helps a lot. If I keep playing in a team like this I can plan maybe five more years. I was only 25 when I started at the highest level, so I feel young. I still love the pitch, running. I don't count the runs I make. Maybe in a year or two it will be different.” - Drogba, 2010.

Didier Drogba recently scored his 100th goal for Chelsea, and in the process became the first African player to achieve the feat in the history of the Premier League. He has been a tower of strength for the Blues ever since his arrival in 2004. Final Whistle takes you on a journey down memory lane.

One of the most feared strikers in the Premier League, Didier Drogba arrived on the world stage in 2004. But his career has been a roller coaster ride, rather than a straightforward journey. He signed his first professional contract at the age of 21 and it wasn’t until he was 24 that his full potential was realized. He is known for his physical approach to the game which has helped shape his career as a target man. Drogba is generally considered one of the best strikers in Europe with his back to goal. He can hold the ball up and keep possession for his team in pressure situations.

PROFILE

Name: Didier Yves Drogba Tébily Age: 34 Born: March 11, 1978 Club: Chelsea Nationality: Ivory Coast ROLE

Position: Striker Jersey Number: 11 Previous Clubs: Le Mans, Guingamp, Marseille

Drogba was born in Côte d'Ivoire but moved to France at the age of five to live with his uncle, Mochel Goba, a professional footballer. His stay in France was short lived however, as he became homesick and returned FAVORITES to Côte d'Ivoire just three years later where he started playing football Nickname: King Drog, regularly in the local car parking lot. He had to return to France once Drogbazooka, Tito again as both his parents lost their jobs. It wasn’t until 1993 that Drogba joined a local semi-professional club, Levallois, as a junior player. His goal-scoring exploits earned him a place in the first-team but the Ivorian failed to impress the head coach and was sent back down to the junior squad.

LE MANS, GUINGAMP & MARSEILLE Drogba had to change clubs after he finished school as he had to switch cities to pursue accounting at university level. He was signed by Le Mans as a youth player but his first two years at the club were ill-fated as he struggled to cope with the training schedule and was hampered by injury. Drogba’s complicated personal life added to his problems as he only began attending daily practice sessions after he had grown into a full adult. At the age of 21, Drogba knew his time was running out unless he established himself in the first-team soon. He doubled his efforts in training and was rewarded with a first-team debut soon after and signed his first professional contract in 1999.

Drogba in action for Le Mans

He scored seven goals in his first season for Le Mans but the following season was a disaster as he lost his place in the side after a serious injury and upon his return, failed to find the back of the net for the remainder of the season.

Drogba showed glimpses of his potential the following year and this led to Ligue 1 club Guingamp snapping him up for a fee of £80,000 halfway through the 2001-02 season. He helped the club stave off relegation that season but the coaching staff remained unconvinced of his abilities. Little did they know what a brilliant striker they had on their hands. Drogba scored an impressive seventeen goals the next season and led the club to a record seventh place finish. His efforts attracted strong interest from the big clubs in Ligue 1 and Drogba made the switch to Marseille at the end of that season for a reported fee of £3.3 million.

The world was introduced to the sensation that is Didier Drogba at Marseille. The club reaped the rewards of signing him as he scored nineteen goals that season and won the National Union of Professional Footballers Player of the Year award. He also found the back of the net five times in the UEFA Champions League and six times in the UEFA Cup. His stay at Marseille lasted only one season, but he is still held in very high regard there. He presented his jersey to the Notre-Dame de la Garde church before the 2004 UEFA Cup Final and it is still framed in the basilica of Marseille. He is regarded as a club legend despite such a short stay, such was his impact on the club’s supporters.

Drogba introduced himself to the world at Marseille

CHELSEA & BEYOND Chelsea, then going through a revolution under new owner Roman Abramovich, shelled out £24 million to acquire the services of the Ivorian striker in 2004. Drogba scored sixteen goals in his first season with the club, helping them to their first league title in 50 years. He scored in extratime as Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-2 to lift the League Cup crown. Drogba finished the following season with sixteen goals again as Chelsea became only the second team in the Premier League era to win back-to-back titles. But the 2006-07 season marked the arrival of Drogba on the world stage as he smashed 33 goals in all competitions, more than his previous two seasons combined. He won the Golden Boot along the way, after notching 20 goals in the league. He scored in the League Cup final again, this time against Arsenal, as Chelsea defeated the Gunners 2-1 to lift the trophy. Drogba joined an elite list of players who have scored in both domestic finals (League Cup and FA Cup) in the same season when he scored the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. The 2007-08 season began in the worst possible fashion for Drogba as manager Jose Mourinho walked away from the Striking fear into opposition hearts club. It was reported at the time that Drogba was in tears when Mourinho told him that he was leaving. In an interview with France Football Magazine, Drogba admitted he felt “broken” and expressed a desire to leave Chelsea. He later apologized to the fans and won back their support by his goal scoring performances on the pitch. He lost his place in the side during Luis Scolari’s reign as Chelsea manager but resolved to win it back. He enjoyed a revival under Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti, but found himself on the peripheries of the first team again when Andre Villas-Boas arrived in June 2011. However, due to Nicolas Anelka’s departure and Fernando Torres’s lack of goals, he was reinstated as Chelsea’s primary striker.

CÔTE D'IVOIRE Drogba made his bow on the international stage in 2002 and helped the nation to qualify for their first ever World Cup in 2006. Drogba captained The Elephants to the African Cup of Nations final in 2006, which they lost to Egypt in a penalty shoot-out. He scored the first World Cup goal of his career against Argentina in 2006 but Côte d'Ivoire were eliminated at the group stage. Drogba was crowned the African Player of the Year in 2007 and was awarded the coveted title again in 2010. Drogba wins the African Player of the Year award

Drogba’s first amateur club, Levallois Sporting Club, named their stadium after the Ivory Coast striker in October 2010. He was appointed by the United Nations Development Program as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2007 on account of his charity work. He has continued to work selflessly to raise awareness about issues in Africa and recently set up the ‘Didier Drogba Foundation’.

INDIVIDUAL HONOURS 2004 - Onze d’Or, UEFA Cup Top Scorer, Ligue 1 Goal of the Year, Ligue 1 Team of the Year, Ligue 1 Player of the Year 2006 - Ivorian Footballer of the Year, African Footballer of the Year 2007 - Ivorian Footballer of the Year, Chelsea Players’ Player of the Year, PFA Team of the Year, UEFA Team of the Year, Premier League Golden Boot, ESM Team of the Year, FIFPro World XI 2009 - African Footballer of the Year, BBC African Footballer of the Year 2010 - Premier League Golden Boot, PFA Team of the Year, West African Footballer of the Year, Chelsea Player of the Year, Time Top 100 Côte d'Ivoire all-time Top Scorer. World Goalgetter of the 21st century

CLUB HONOURS Chelsea Premier League - 2004-05, 2005-06, 2009-10 FA Cup - 2006-07, 2008-09, 2009-10 Football League Cup - 2004-05, 2006-07 FA Community Shield - 2005, 2009

Cover

PP 1st Page Gossip Column

Contents

Muamba Tribute

Player Profile

Talent Scout

Quiz

Relegation Stat Attack

Spotlight Fixtures

Internationals Humor Section

BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE STATS Player'Name'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''Games'Played''''''''Games'Started''''''Goals''''Game'Winning'Goals''''Assists Robin'Van'Persie''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''28'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''27'''''''''''''''''''''26''''''''''''''''''''''''10''''''''''''''''''''''''9 Wayne'Rooney'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''25'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''23'''''''''''''''''''''20''''''''''''''''''''''''''5''''''''''''''''''''''''5 Demba'Ba''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''25'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''23'''''''''''''''''''''16''''''''''''''''''''''''''3''''''''''''''''''''''''2 Sergio'Aguero'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''26'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''23'''''''''''''''''''''16''''''''''''''''''''''''''4''''''''''''''''''''''''6 Edin'Dzeko'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''24''''''''''''''''''''''''''''14''''''''''''''''''''''13'''''''''''''''''''''''''4'''''''''''''''''''''''''4

56'H'Alan'Shearer'has'scored'the'most'penalties'in'Premier'League'history. 603'H'Paul'Scholes'has'made'an'incredible'603'passes'in'604'minutes'of'Premier'League'action'this'season' for'Manchester'United.

1541'H'Fernando'Torresâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s'goal'drought'lasted'1541'minutes'(25'hours'41'minutes).

for'Manchester'United.

1541'H'Fernando'Torres’s'goal'drought'lasted'1541'minutes'(25'hours'41'minutes). 4'H'Salomon'Kalou'and'Sergio'Aguero'are'the'only'players'to'have'scored'in''4'competitions'this'season' (Premier'League,'FA'Cup,'Carling'Cup,'Europe). 0'H'No'team'has'ever'beaten'Manchester'United'in'the'Premier'League'after'having'a'player'sentHoff'in'the' first'half. 60'H'Thierry'Henry'(74)'had'60'more'assists'in'the'Premier'League'than'Ruud'van'Nistelrooy'(14). 23'H'Most'wins'in'the'Premier'League'in'the'90th'minute'or'later'H'Liverpool'(23),'Arsenal'(19). 0'H'Fulham'are'the'only'team'yet'to'receive'a'red'card'this'season. 49'H'Of'the'49'teams'to'have'participated'in'the'Champions'League'since'2010H11,'Lionel'Messi'has'scored' more'goals'than'40'of'them. 19'H'Jermain'Defoe'has'scored'the'most'goals'coming'on'as'a'substitute'than'any'other'player'in'Premier' League'history. 3'H'Jose'Mourinho'has'lost'just'3'of'his'last'33'matches'in'the'Champions'League,'all'at'the'hands'of' Barcelona. 80'H'José'Mourinho's'win'%'in'the'league'with'Real'Madrid,'lower'than'Manuel'Pellegrini's'(81.5%). 4'H'Santi'Cazorla'has'scored'the'more'goals'from'direct'freeHkicks'than'any'other'player'in'La'Liga'this' season. 15'H''Napoli'have'scored'15'goals'in'the'last'15'minutes'of'matches'this'season,'more'than'any'other'Serie'A' team. 10'H'Real'Madrid'and'Bayern'Munich'have'taken'the'jointHmost'penalties'this'season'among'the'top'5' European'leagues. 5'H'AC'Milan'have'failed'to'beat'Barcelona'in'the'last'5'meetings'between'these'two'sides'(three'defeats,' two'draws). 1'H'Steve'Mandanda'is'the'first'goalkeeper'since'Dida'in'2007'to'rack'up'an'assist'in'the'Champions'League. 73'H'Manchester'United'are'the'first'team'in'Premier'League'history'to'score'more'than'70+'goals'after'29' games. 122'H'Rory'Delap'has'taken'more'throwHins'than'Manchester'United,'Manchester'City'or'Sunderland'this' season 2058'H'Philipp'Lahm'is'the'only'Bundesliga'player'to'have'made'over'2000'passes'this'season. 1762'H'Eric'Abidal'has'played'the'most'minutes'(of'an'outfield'player)'in'La'Liga'this'season'without' receiving'a'card. 54'H'Real'Madrid'(24)'and'Barcelona'(30)'have'scored'the'most'goals'in'this'season’s'Champions'League. **Figures'accurate'till'19th'March,'2012.

Ferenc Puskás A look at the legend that was Ferenc Puskás “Look at that little fat chap. We'll murder this lot.” A judgment as good as good as Alan Hansen’s “You can’t win anything with kids”. The ‘little fat chap’ happened to be Ferenc Puskás, one of the most incredible footballers in the history of the sport. The ignorance and arrogance of the English was never highlighted more than it was right there. Puskás led his Hungarian team to a 6-3 victory at Wembley. With that, the ‘mighty magyars’ became the first country in history to win a match at the famous stadium. England were taught a footballing lesson, a lesson so unique that only Puskás and his men could teach it. The mighty Magyars played a brand of football that was unknown to the world and Puskás was its focal point. A few months later, England would travel to Hungary looking for retribution. The attempt at retribution would, however, turn into yet another humiliation. A 7-1 win for the magnificent Magyars meant that the verdict was clear - the Magyars were the team to beat. Puskás played with incredible intelligence and his style was like no-one else’s of his generation. In 1954, came the biggest heart-ache in Hungarian football history. The Magyars entered the tournament as favorites and lived up to the tag as they beat South Korea 9-0 in the first match and then went on to beat the much fancied West German side 8-3 in the second with Puskás being center to all the good things with the Hungarian side in Switzerland. As an anti-climax though, ‘the galloping major’ injured his ankle and was forced to sit out of the Quarter and Semi Finals - two matches that underlined the importance of Puskás to the Magyars. In the final however, Puskás declared himself fit and started the match. Hungry raced into a two goal lead inside eight minutes and Puskás scored the second. The ‘overweight’ genius however, was clearly not fit, as Hungary lost the most important match in their history. In 1958 Ferenc Puskás joined Real Madrid as the combined efforts of former Honved manager Emil Oestreicher and Santiago Bernabeu lured the stocky Hungarian to join the ‘Royals’ from Spain. At Madrid, Puskás joined center-forward Alfredo Di Stefano and Francisco Genko – a flying winger. The player struck up a sensational partnership with Di Stefano and was four times the leading scorer in the Spanish Championship. The pinnacle of this outstanding Real side was the 1960 European Cup Final played before a crowd of 135,000 at Hampden Park. In one of the truly memorable matches, Real beat Eintracht Frankfurt 7-3. Di Stefano scored a hat-trick. Puskás went one better, getting four goals. In 1962, Puskás would make yet another European final as Madrid faced off against Portuguese side Benfica. That, however, turned out to be a disappointing night for Madrid as they lost the match 5-3. For the 35 year old veteran though, it was a fantastic night. He scored all three goals for Real Madrid. In 1966, Puskás retired from competitive football to concentrate on coaching. His coaching venture however, was a flop show and his greatest achievement as a coach came in 1971 when he guided the Greek Champions Panathinaikos to the European Cup Final where they lost 2-0 to Ajax at Wembley. In November 2006, Ferenc Puskás passed away as football lost one of its absolute greats to pneumonia. His legend was honored in October 2009 as Fifa announced the introduction of the Fifa Puskás Award awarded to the player who has scored the "most beautiful goal" over the past year. Puskás is still remembered as one of the greatest footballers who ever lived.

TALENT SCOUT Talent Scout takes a look at one of the brightest young talents to emerge from La Masia - Issac Cuenca Joan Issac Cuenca Lopez, better known as Issac Cuenca, is the next famous product emerging from the famed Barcelona FC talent producing academy, La Masia. He can play either as a forward or a winger, and has drawn comparisons with teammate and La Masia graduate, Pedro. In 2003, at the tender age of 12 years, Cuenca enrolled in Barcelona’s academy, La Masia. However, he left his training midway through his third year as an academy graduate and returned home to join local side CF Reus Deportiu. After spending the 2008-09 season at CF Damm, he returned to Barcelona and rejoined the youth team. He was loaned out to CE Sabadell FC in the 2010-11 season, where he made his senior debut. He played a key role in the club’s promotion to the second division, making 24 starts along the way. Cuenca never featured for the Barcelona B team while Pep La Masia’s very own: Issac Cuenca Guardiola ran it, but, as with Pedro, the coach had big plans for Cuenca. After Guardiola became first-team manager, he called up Cuenca to be a part of the first-team’s pre-season preparations in July 2011. After a string of impressive performances in the B team, Cuenca was called up to the first-team squad and made his official senior debut when he replaced David Villa in a Champions League match against FC Viktoria Plzeň. After suitably impressing Guardiola, he made his first La Liga start during Barcelona’s trip to Granada and played the full 90 minutes.

"Physically speaking he might not be popular with the ladies, but on the field he does things that will amaze you. He does his work perfectly!" - Pep Guardiola on Cuenca, 2011.

Cuenca scored his first goal for the club just four days later, playing a starring role in Barcelona 5-0 home win against RCD Mallorca. His ability on the ball has drawn praise not only from his manager, but from fellow team-mates Messi and Iniesta as well. He has recently signed a contract extension with the Blaugrana, which will keep him at the club until 2015. Cuenca lacks a certain physical presence, but he more than makes up for it with his technical ability and above average dribbling skills. Blessed with a good footballing brain, Cuenca is giving Guardiola a dilemma on the wings as his stock continues to rise. With David Villa ruled out for the rest of the season and Pedro showing some indifferent form, this is the moment Cuenca has been waiting for. Whether he can seize this opportunity and cement a place in the first-team depends on his determination to succeed, a quality he has in abundance.

Cover

Cover #2

Internationals Fixtures

Contents

PP 1st Page

Muamba Tribute

Player Profile

Humor Section

Talent Scout

Gossip Column

March 24, 2012 6.15pm Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur 8.30pm Arsenal v Aston Villa March 26, 2012 12.30am Manchester United v Fulham March 31, 2012 7.30pm Aston Villa v Chelsea 7.30pm Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal April 1, 2012 6.00pm Newcastle United v Liverpool

Relegation

Quiz

Spotlight

Stat Attack

March 27, 2012 12.15am Apoel Nicosia v Real Madrid 12.15am Benfica v Chelsea March 28, 2012 12.15am AC Milan v Barcelona 12.15am Marseille v Bayern Munich April 3, 2012 12.15am Barcelona v AC Milan 12.15am Bayern Munich v Marseille April 4, 2012 12.15am Chelsea v Benfica 12.15am Real Madrid v Apoel Nicosia

April 2, 2012 12.30am Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United April 7, 2012 7.30pm Chelsea v Wigan Athletic April 8, 2012 6.00pm Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers 8.30pm Arsenal v Manchester City April 9, 2012 12.30am Fulham v Chelsea *Timings are in IST and are subject to change.

March 29, 2012 12.35am Schalke 04 v Athletic Bilbao 12.35am AZ Alkmaar v Valencia 12.35am Atletico Madrid v Hannover 96 12.35am Sporting v Metalist Kharkiv April 5, 2012 12.35am Athletic Bilbao v Schalke 04 12.35am Valencia v AZ Alkmaar 12.35am Hannover 96 v Atletico Madrid 12.35am Metalist Kharkiv v Sporting

March 24, 2012 10.30pm AC Milan v AS Roma March 25, 2012 6.30pm Napoli v Catania 12.15am Juventus v Internazionale March 31, 2012 9.30pm Catania v AC Milan 12.15am Parma v Lazio April 1, 2012 6.30pm Internazionale v Genoa 1.15am Juventus v Napoli April 7, 2012 6.30pm AC Milan v Fiorentina 6.30pm Cagliari v Internazionale 6.30pm Lazio v Napoli 6.30pm Palermo v Juventus April 11, 2012 12.15am Chievo Verona v AC Milan 12.15am Juventus v Lazio 12.15am Internazionale v Siena April 15, 2012 6.30pm AC Milan v Genoa 6.30pm AS Roma v Fiorentina 6.30pm Cesena v Juventus 6.30pm Lecce v Napoli 6.30pm Udinese v Internazionale April 22, 2012 6.30pm AC Milan v Bologna 6.30pm Fiorentina v Internazionale 6.30pm Juventus v AS Roma 6.30pm Napoli v Novara April 29, 2012 6.30pm AS Roma v Napoli 6.30pm Internazionale v Cesena 6.30pm Novara v Juventus 6.30pm Siena v AC Milan

*Timings are in IST and are subject to change.

March 24, 2012 10.30pm Mallorca v Barcelona 11.30pm Real Madrid v Real Sociedad 1.30am Getafe v Valencia April 1, 2012 8.30pm Barcelona v Athletic Bilbao 8.30pm Osasuna v Real Madrid 8.30pm Valencia v Levante 8.30pm Villarreal v Espanyol April 8, 2012 8.30pm Athletic Bilbao v Sevilla 8.30pm Levante v Atletico Madrid 8.30pm Real Madrid v Valencia 8.30pm Real Zaragoza v Barcelona April 11, 2012 12.30am Atletico Madrid v Real Madrid 12.30am Barcelona v Getafe 12.30am Villarreal v Malaga April 15, 2012 8.30pm Espanyol v Valencia 8.30pm Levante v Barcelona 8.30pm Real Madrid v Sporting Gijon April 22, 2012 8.30pm Barcelona v Real Madrid

March 27, 2012 12.30am Sunderland v Everton April 14, 2012 7.30pm Liverpool v Everton/Sunderland April 15, 2012 7.30pm Tottenham Hotspur/Bolton v Chelsea

HUMOR SECTION Had a long day at work? Struggling to find a reason to smile? Don’t worry, we’ve got the perfect dose for you. Take a look at these gems and laugh your worries away! Some pictures speak a thousand words, don’t they..

⁂ Since January 2011, Fernando Torres has more managers than goals at Chelsea. ⁂ Even Lionel Messi has more hat-tricks this season than Fernando Torres has goals. ⁂ Carlos Tevez plans to sue his boss Roberto Mancini. If his lawyer has any sense of humor, he'll refuse to come off the bench and defend for him. ⁂ A coin was thrown on the Ibrox pitch at the weekend. Police are trying to determine if it was a missile or a takeover bid. ⁂ During a training session today, Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard mistimed a tackle and caught Craig Bellamy on the knee. Bellamy’s knee started to swell up and become hugely inflamed. As the rest of the Liverpool squad gathered round to see the damage, Luis Suarez shouted out – “Damn! Look at that knee grow!” It was an unfortunate event as Patrice Evra and senior Man Utd officials had just arrived at the training ground to hold reconciliation talks with Liverpool.

Hilarious Quotes “Despite the rain, it’s still raining here at Old Trafford.” - Jimmy Hill “It was a fair decision, the penalty, even though it’s debatable whether it was inside or outside the box.” - Bobby Charlton “Whoever wins today will win the championship no matter who wins.” - Denis Law “I don’t really believe in targets, because my next target is to beat Stoke City” - Ron Wylie.

GOSSIP COLUMN

NO MORE MUSIC

Roberto Mancini has gone and done it again. What, you ask? He has now banned music from the Manchester City dressing room so that his players can focus on footballing matters instead. No more facing the music, eh Roberto?

THE FROG PRINCE?

After admitting that he used to drink stinking boiling frog juice as a boy to boost his chances of becoming a professional footballer, Park Ji-Sung has been asked by Korean authorities to campaign against people drinking the juice in order to save the amphibians from this inhuman behavior. Croak.

A ROTUND MATTER

Controversial Corianthians striker Adriano has been placed under house-arrest by the club to help him lose weight. He has been spotted partying well into the night on more than one occasion and has already been fined thrice by the club. Even the Emperor isn’t above rules after all.

DEL PIERO - THE GOD

TAKING THE PISS

Alessandro Del Piero has officially attained God-like status in Turin after achieving an incredible feat. He agreed to see a 12-yearold girl in a coma after being contacted by her parents and being told that she was a big Juventus and Del Piero fan. Upon hearing his voice, the girl woke up. Il Fenomeno Vero (The Real Phenomenon), as he is called, has worked his magic again.

Keeping yourself warm can be a little difficult for a goalkeeper when he’s asked to sit on the substitutes bench every week. So St. Etienne’s backup goalie found a new and toasty way to keep himself heated up. “With 15 minutes left, you just pee in the suit given to you.” Secret’s out, all eyes on the bench, lads.

IT’S QUIZ TIME! 1.Who was the Coach of The Spanish National team at World Cup in 2006? A. Luis Aragones B. Vicente Del Bosque C. Jose Antonio Camacho D. Inaki Saez 2. Which famous Italian striker was nicknamed ‘Bobo’? A. Christian Vieri B. Filippo Inzaghi C. Luca Toni D. Roberto Baggio 3. Who is the only Brazilian to ever manage Real Madrid? A. Dunga B. Luiz Felipe Scolari C. Mariano Garcia Remon D. Vanderlei Luxemburgo 4. What is the name of Middlesbrough’s stadium? A. The Riverside Stadium B. Elland Road C. The Valley D. St. James’ Park 5. Name the player connecting these clubs: Malmo FF - Ajax Amsterdam - Juventus - Internazionale Barcelona, AC Milan. 6. Which of the following players is American? A. Brad Friedel B. Tim Cahill C. Duncan Ferguson D. Steven Fletcher 7. In which year did the Netherlands win their one and only international major? A. 1978 B. 1984 C. 1988 D. 1970 8. Who was sent-off in the 2006 Champions League final? A. Didier Drogba B. Jens Lehmann C. Henrik Larsson D. Claude Makelele 9. Which of the following teams does not wear stripes? A. Internazionale B. Stoke City C. Atletico Madrid D. Werder Bremen

10. Who did Fabio Capello succeed as Juventus manager? A. Carlo Ancelotti B. Didier Deschamps C. Claudio Ranieri D. Marcello Lippi 11. Name the only Spanish club that AC Milan legend Clarence Seedorf has represented? A. Barcelona B. Real Madrid C. Valencia D. Deportivo La Coruna 12. Who was Republic of Ireland’s manager at the 2002 World Cup? A. Mick McCarthy B. Steve McClaren C. Giovanni Trappatoni D. Brian Kerr 13. Which English club has Dutch legend Edgar Davids represented? A. Arsenal B. Tottenham Hotspur C. Chelsea D. Liverpool 14. Which is the only Italian club Patrick Kluivert has represented? A. AC Milan B. Internazionale C. Juventus D. AS Roma 15. How many UEFA Champions League final appearances does former European Player of the Year Pavel Nedved have? A. 1 B. 3 C. 0 D. 4 16. Who was the manager of FC Barcelona before Frank Rijkaard? A. Sir Bobby Robson B. Charles Rexach C. Radomir Antic D. Louis van Gaal 17. What is the name of the stadium for Atletico Madrid? A. Estadio Mestella B. Estadio Da Luz C. Vicente Calderon D. Estadio San Mames

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