FIFA Updates

By RONALD BLUM AP Sports Writer

RUSTENBURG, England(AP)—The most famous man in Royal Bafokeng Stadium won’t be playing for either team on Saturday night.

He was wearing England’s blue training clothes during Friday night’s practice, kicking a ball just like the 23 players eligible to suit up in the famous white jersey.

David Beckham won’t be appearing in his fourth World Cup, though. The 35-year-old midfielder tore his left Achilles’ tendon while playing for AC Milan on March 14 and will miss the entire tournament. Still, he’s with the Three Lions lending support and giving advice, which could come in handy when England plays the United States – and Beckham’s Los Angeles Galaxy teammates, Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle.

Donovan hasn’t talked with Beckham recently.

“He’s a spy. He’s not going to speak to me,” the American said playfully this week.

Donovan criticized Beckham in a 2008 book, but the two have since made up and helped the Galaxy reach last year’s Major League Soccer championship game.

Now, as often happens in the World Cup, club teammates are on opposite sides. While the bond of being in the same locker room is temporarily broken, mutual admiration remains.

“David has been terrific in every way,” Donovan said. “I think he would tell you that initially it was difficult on the field for him to understand the way the game is played in our country but like he always has, he’s adapted well. And obviously before the injury he was a big part of our team last year.

“Off the field is I think equally clear. I think he’s almost single-handedly brought an awareness to our game that wasn’t there before,” Donovan added. “It would be one thing if he did that subconsciously without knowing and without putting effort into it, but he puts a lot of effort to helping grow the game in our country, and I think we all appreciate that.”

A former Manchester United and Real Madrid star, Beckham joined the Galaxy in 2007 and gave an instant boost to MLS attendance, if not to the Galaxy’s on-field fortunes.

He went on a half-season loan to AC Milan in January 2009 and again in January 2010, wanting to prove to England coach Fabio Capello that he would keep the sharpness necessary to become the first Englishman to appear in four World Cups.

But then came the injury sustained while playing in a Serie A match against Chievo Verona, one that occurred while he wasn’t even being challenged for the ball. Soccer’s most charismatic player – if never quite its best – had his dream shattered.

He came to South Africa anyway to be with the lads, even scouting for Capello at last weekend’s exhibition between the U.S. and Australia. He’ll miss most if not all of the Galaxy season while the foot heals, and his England career may be over after 115 international appearances, second only to goalkeeper Peter Shilton’s 125 from 1970-90.

Becks hasn’t been a shut-in in his Los Angeles-area home.

Even while an active player, the two-time FIFA player of the year runner-up assumed the role of a goodwill ambassador and promoter, following the path set by Pele in the 1970s.

“David has taken us into households that didn’t appreciate the game, didn’t know the game,” U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said. “Attendances are higher at certain games that he plays in. Television ratings are higher.”

His World Cup career may be over. His role in spreading soccer across the United States is not.

“Do people come back when David Beckham isn’t playing to watch the Galaxy play or the team they’re playing against? That’s the longer-lasting issue,” Gulati said. “He’s made it clear that whatever effect he’s had, he wants to see that continue. Whether it’s coaching, managing, ownership, whatever it is.”

The complaint under Roberto Mancini and in the wake of Calciopoli was that Internazionale couldn’t translate domestic success onto the European stage. Nearly half a decade removed from Juventus’ relegation and now with Jose Mourinho at the helm, that is no longer the case.

Inter stands two games away from its first Champions League final since 1972.

Against CSKA Moscow in the quarterfinal, Inter showed the sort of self-belief and composure on the biggest stage that the team has lacked since the 1960s when it won its only two Champions League titles. Staunch defending and shape held on to two slender 1-0 victories over the Russians.

Those games also revealed a flaw which will make Victor Valdes in particular rub his gloved hands together in glee: a lack of clinical finishing.

Over the two legs, Inter peppered CSKA’s goal with a total of 42 shots. Only two went in.

Granted, Igor Akinfeev played a blinder all 180 minutes and is surely one of the upcoming goaltenders in the world, but still.

Take for instance the 35th minute of the second leg. Diego Milito darted through at goal, unmarked really, coming at Akinfeev from the left so that the Argentine could use his favored right foot. With space in both corners, Milito, usually ice cold in the Serie A, scuffed his shot straight at the goalie. Had that gone in, the tie would have been well and truly over, allowing Inter to rest up ahead of the weekend match against Fiorentina.

Now 30, Milito is a veteran of many campaigns throughout Europe, but Inter is his first gig at one of the elite clubs. A similar miss early in the first leg prevented what might have made it a blowout.

Perhaps the lack of experience in high-pressure situations caught up with Milito. Maybe he just got unlucky. Either way, the entire team flubbed chances that should have gone in (even Samuel “I’ve Scored In Two CL Finals” Eto’o showed his traditional wastefulness in front of the net.)

Mourinho’s disciplined approach combined with the tenacity and shape the team showed over both legs moved the Nerazzurri into the semifinal. However, there Inter will meet Barcelona, the best team this generation will ever see. When Inter and Barca met in the group stages, the Italians were humiliated and 2-0 didn’t tell the whole humiliating tale.

Similar unconvincing finishing from Inter will plant Barcelona firmly in a second consecutive Champions League final.

He’s got the other elements ticking over nicely, perhaps Mourinho should devote some training time this week to shooting drills.

Centurion – Internazionale at Fiorentina
2:30 p.m. EST, Saturday, April 10
Fox Soccer Channel

Inter could still win a treble this season. Standing in its way in two competitions is Fiorentina. The clubs will play twice in three days, first in the Serie A on Saturday and then the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal on Tuesday.

With AC Milan (three points back) and Roma (one point back) both playing at home this weekend, the result in Florence will likely determine if Inter stay top of the pile.

The last month has seen an upturn for La Viola, which suffered a major slump starting around the turn of the year. But three wins and a draw in the last five have convinced Cesare Prandelli’s men they can still squeak into Europe by the season’s end.

Inter, already buoyed by the win over CSKA, can look fondly on another stat: Juventus, Roma, and Milan all won at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.

Key man: Diego Milito (Inter) has outshined Samuel Eto’o and any other striker in the league bar Antonio Di Natale. Even when others are rested, the Argentine hitman plays nearly twice a week. He’s got 18 goals for his troubles, but that number needs to increase if Inter plan on winning anything this year.

Prediction: Inter win.

Optio – Catania at AC Milan
9:00 a.m. EST, Sunday, April 11
Fox Soccer Channel

Catania don’t travel well, with a mere two wins away from Sicily. At home, the club has defeated even Inter and Fiorentina and built a comfortable midtable position after relegation looked impending. So that this match will take place in Milan has to boost Leonardo’s confidence.

With Alessandro Nesta, Christian Abbiati, Oguchi Onyewu, and Daniele Bonera all out injured (Bonera might make the bench), Milan will forget about the defensive side of things and go on an all-out blitz for goals. Against Cagliari last week, even when conceding twice, the team poured forward and scored three itself. Expect a similar tactic.

Catania will miss two of its best attackers in Jorge Martinez and Cristian Llama. More focus will inevitably fall to Maxi Lopez, the two-goal hero of the Sicilian derby against Palermo last week.

Key man: Ronaldinho (Milan) exclaimed, “We have six finals to play,” according to Football-Italia.net. Responsible for nearly half of Milan’s goals this season, the Brazilian better be ready to make a difference in at least five of those finals if his team is going to usurp both Roma and Inter to win the scudetto.

Prediction: Milan win.

Decurion – Genoa at Sampdoria
2:30 p.m. EST, Sunday, April 11
Fox Soccer Channel

Sampdoria hasn’t lost at home this season. Genoa has won away only twice. You do the math.

Tied for points with Palermo, Doria sit in fifth only because of goal differential. Even with the title race so close, the sprint for fourth is arguably more exciting. Below Palermo and Samp (51 points) hover Napoli (49 points) and Juventus (48 points). Further back, even Fiorentina and Genoa (45 points) harbor realistic hopes of making a late run.

Genoa’s late run will have to start immediately following this game. A series of injuries throughout the team have Gian Piero Gasperini scrounging just to field a proper XI. Samp, on the other hand, has ready made replacements for its two main injuries. Marco Storari is adequate backup for Luca Castellazzi and has been in good form. Antonio Cassano probably adds more to the team and game than injured Nicola Pozzi could.

Key man: Giampaolo Pazzini (Sampdoria) has 14 goals this season. A Fiorentina reject, the hitman has shown the sort of form that has him in the Italian national team discussion (though he’ll likely miss the World Cup). Clinical and consistent, he’s as good a bet as anyone to make the telling difference in this match.

Prediction: Sampdoria win.

Legionary – Parma at Napoli
Noon EST, Saturday, April 10
Fox Soccer Plus

Napoli hasn’t lost at home this season. Parma has won away only twice. You do the math.

As mentioned above, Napoli sits two points off fourth place. A moderately easy run-in means the side has every chance in the world of nabbing that spot. However, Naples will have to do it without Christian Maggio, one of its most effective players, as the winger hobbled off injured last week.

Key man: Marek Hamsik (Napoli) stepped into the creative void this year with both Fabio Quagliarella and Ezequiel Lavezzi underperforming. His 11 goals lead the team, which isn’t too shabby for a midfielder.

Prediction: Napoli win.

Zac Lee Rigg is an associate editor of Goal.com. Phalanx Prophecy appears, dutifully, every Friday. You should probably read it.

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