Free-Kick P.K.Banerjee

The clock has started ticking. A glance at the sports pages of newspapers every morning will tell you how close we are to the World Cup. The mega event the world looks forward to every four years will kick off in about a month and a half, and though the European club season is still not over, the focus is gradually shifting to Germany.

The first leg semi-final matches of the Champions League featured a clutch of superstars and not-so-famous ones who will be asked to play key roles for their respective countries at the World Cup. Showing off their skills were Ronaldinho, Kaka, Gilberto, Serginho, Cafu, Dida of Brazil; Henry, Pires, Giuly of France; Riquelme, Sorin of Argentina; Nesta, Gattuso of Italy.

If I were to find a common thread in the performance of the teams during the two nights, I would have to say that players with cutting edge looked in good form. The likes of Ronaldinho, Kaka, Gilberto, Henry, Riquelme, Nesta did enough to suggest they are ready for the World Cup. The Barcelona versus AC Milan game was one of the finest in recent times. It had everything you wish to see in a game of soccer ? speed, good combination of play, great individual skills, solid defensive work and a brilliant goal.

Milan, playing at home, started with aplomb and created two excellent chances in the first half. Gilardino hit the post, while Shevchenko’s header was palmed away. Gilardino wasted another opportunity shortly after half-time.

All these while the scoreline was nil-nil. It could have been a different story had Inzaghi been on the pitch.

Barcelona took control of proceedings late in the first half. But it was during a 25-minute spell after change of ends, when the peerless Ronaldinho was at his best, that Barcelona really stamped their class. The Brazilian split the Milan defence with a magical pass and Giuly, showing great anticipation, finished it off with a fine left-footer.

Ronaldinho didn’t play at full throttle for the entire 90 minutes. When he did, even the organised Milan defence ? led by the redoubtable Nesta and the towering Jaap Stam ? was at its wits’ end to stop him. Ronaldinho started on the left, then moved rightwards before working his magic down the centre.

Ronaldinho uses a deceptive body movement to work up a devastating dribble. At times, Ronaldinho just walks with the ball, daring the defender to challenge him.

More often than not, the defender doesn’t have the courage to commit himself to the final tackle as he is so wary of the unpredictable Brazilian. The fact that he fooled someone of Nesta’s stature was a statement of Ronaldinho’s pedigree.

Brazil, as always, will be one of the big favourites to win the World Cup. And if that happens, I won’t be surprised if Ronaldinho plays a very major role, something like what Maradona did in Argentina’s 1986 triumph.

Coming to Wednesday’s match, I must say that I was disappointed with the way Arsenal struggled against Villarreal. Yes, the Spanish side has a very good midfield manned by Argentines Riquelme and Sorin, but

I expected Arsenal to dominate more, especially since they were playing at Highbury. The Gunners won by a solitary goal, but the story could have been different had Villarreal not been denied a genuine penalty before Toure had scored.

Thierry Henry didn’t have his best game, but the signs are good. The Frenchman seemed a trifle slower than normal, but was still the fastest with the ball among the 22 on field. He also showed his characteristic skills in one-vs-one situations.

In the past, the Arsenal striker has been accused of reserving his best for the club and not for the country. This is his last chance to prove his detractors wrong. I think he’s determined to excel for France in Germany.