UEFA Team of the Year 2009: VOTE NOW!

Today UEFA published a list of 60 candidates that will form the UEFA Team of the Year 2009. Eleven players and one manager will be chosen by fans from across the world to represent the best of European football over the last year, and the team announced on January 8th 2010. Their are eleven Spaniards on the shortlist along with nine others who ply their trade in La Liga. You can vote for your team at UEFA Team of the Year To make it more interesting, I have chosen an XI not using more than one player from any one team. See my team in the comments below!

GOALKEEPERS: Edwin van der Sar (Manchester United) Iker Casillas (Real Madrid) Víctor Valdés (Barcelona) Júlio César (Inter Milan) Manuel Neuer (Schalke 04)

RIGHT BACKS: Daniel Alves (Barcelona) Maicon (Inter Milan) Darijo Srna (Shakhtar Donestsk) Javier Zanetti (Inter Milán) Philipp Lahm (Bayern Munich)

LEFT BACKS: Patrice Evra (Manchester United) Ashley Cole (Chelsea) Eric Abidal (Barcelona) Aly Cissokho (Lyon) Marcel Schäfer (Wolfsburgo)

CENTRE BACKS: John Terry (Chelsea) Nemanja Vidic (Manchester United) Gerard Piqué (Barcelona) Giorgio Chiellini (Juventus) Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United) Carles Puyol (Barcelona) Dmytro Chygrynskiy (Barcelona) Thomas Vermaelen (Arsenal) Per Mertesacker (Werder Bremen) Bruno Alves (Porto)

RIGHT WINGERS: Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) Dejan Stankovic (Inter Milan) Miloc Krasic (CSKA Moscow) Jesús Navas (Sevilla) Marek Hamcík (Napoli)

MIDFIELDERS: Xavi Hernández (Barcelona) Xabi Alonso (Real Madrid) Yaya Touré (Barcelona) Sergei Semak (Rubin Kazan) Frank Lampard (Chelsea)

ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) Kaká (Real Madrid) Yoann Gourcuff (Bordeaux) Zvjezdan Misimovic (Wolfsburgo) Diego (Juventus)

LEFT WINGERS: Ryan Giggs (Manchester United) Franck Ribéry (Bayern Munich) Andriy Arshavin (Arsenal) Andrés Iniesta (Barcelona) Mesut Özil (Werder Bremen)

STRIKERS: Samuel Eto'o (Inter Milan) Edin Dzeko (Wolfsburgo) Grafite (Wolfsburgo) Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Fernando Torres (Liverpool) Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) David Villa (Valencia) Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Barcelona) Diego Forlán (Atlético Madrid) Marcus Berg (Hamburg)

MANAGERS: Josep Guardiola (Barcelona) Mircea Lucescu (Shakhtar Donestsk) Sir Alex Ferguson (Manchester United) Laurent Blanc (Bordeaux) Horst Hrubesch (Germany Under-21)

Valencia: La Liga candidates?

It's early doors but last weekends win over Athletic Bilbao in the San Mames has suddenly catapulted Valencia into the spotlight, with the press eager to announce their arrival as La Liga candidates. What's certain is that they´ve jumped up to third place in the table and have only lost once so far this season. The two home draws against Sporting and Mallorca are the only reason they aren't right at the top challenging Barca. Away from home they have been impeccable, with six wins out of seven and in David Villa they have the most lethal marksman in the league.

Since the Rafa Benitez era, 'Los Che' have suffered, with the reign of Ronald Koeman almost relegating them to the second division in 2008. Yet after an uncertain start, Unai Emery has put smiles back on faces at the Mestalla, with the club even going strong in the UEFA Europa League and the Copa del Rey. He has found a formation that works; a 4-2-3-1 with the old guard of Albelda and a rejuvenated Marchena protecting the back four and allowing the potent attacking force of Pablo Hernandez, Juan Mata, David Silva (now injured and ably replaced by Joaquín) and David Villa to do the rest. With quality on the bench in the form of Zigic, Banega, Maduro and Miguel, they have the squad to fight on three fronts.

_

I have my doubts whether they will be able to present a serious challenge for the league, simply because after the loss of Raul Albiol to Madrid, their defence isn't quite up to scratch. Third place is well within their means providing they keep hold of David Villa and David Silva. However they can definitely have a say in who does win La Liga, starting with next weekends match against a Ronaldo-less Real Madrid.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo: A defining weekend

It's a question that has probably been asked a billion and one times. Who is better; Messi or Ronaldo? It's a question I've always found impossible to answer. It's the modern day 'Pele or Maradona' or 'Beckenbauer or Cruyff'? They are the two best players in the world right now without a shadow of doubt. But they are two completely different players and besides, how do you define better? The most entertaining? Whoever scores the most? Do you use figures and stats or simply what you see on your television screen? But leaving all that aside, I think this weekend has shown me who I would rather have in my team.

_

Cristiano was devastating at times against Almería, slicing through their defence with superhuman ease. He set up Sergio Ramos' header with instant one-touch control and a wonderfully flighted cross. He won a penalty with a fantastic burst of pace and he scored the fourth with a superbly timed run. All this only two games into coming back from two months out injured. But whilst what happened after he missed his penalty is all too easy to condemn, I think it has shown Real Madrid an element of Ronaldo's personality that they were perhaps unaware of before. Or at least they turned a blind eye to it.

_

His undeterred drive for individual success before all else. I would never criticise him for that, because it's exactly what has got him where he is. Yet ever since I saw him fall to the ground after John Terry had missed the penalty which handed Man Utd the 2008 Champions League, in an ever so slightly disrespectful show of self-pity having missed his own, it's been very clear exactly where Ronaldos loyalties lie. But no manager will ever complain when he's banging in 45 goals a season and leading his team to league and Champions League glory. Neither will his teammates complain. They are all after the same thing, and who wouldn't want Cristiano in their side?

_

But then you have Lionel Messi. Equally devastating, but willing to give up a chance to score so that someone else can take the glory. That shy smile when he has just tucked away another of his wondergoals, or just been presented with another trophy. If he doesn't score or even if he doesn't play well, this all plays second fiddle to team success. As long as Barcelona are winning. It's that humble attitude; his unease at being the centre of attention; that look of shock when he is given man-of-the-match. It just makes me warm to Messi more than Ronaldo, and simply for these reasons (because in terms of trophies and personal gongs they've both won it all) I would rather have him in my team. If I had to choose of course.

La Liga Results/Highlights: 06.12.09 - Valencia best of the rest

Mallorca 4 - 1 Real Zaragoza

(1-0) 38' Aduriz, (2-0) 67' Aduriz, (3-0) 74' Mario Suárez, (4-0) 82' Keita, (4-1) 85' Ander

• Real Zaragoza are in freefall and if they don't sort out their away form soon, they could be heading for another relegation scrap. Their defence isnt great at the best of times, but with an ageing Ayala and little Goni playing as centre backs, they are always going to leak goals.
• Mallorca continue their stunning home form; this their seventh win in a row at the ONO Estadi. Aritz Aduriz showed his preditory instincts infront of goal, whilst Borja Valero controlled proceedings from the middle of the park. Gregorio Manzano has his team sitting pretty in the upper realms of La Liga.
• Angel Lafita, Ander Herrera and Jermaine Pennant created most of Zaragozas best chances, but it's the defence that Marcelino will need to work on. January will give him a chance to bolster that area of his team, but with an ever-growing debt it remains to be seen if they can afford real quality.
  

Espanyol 0 - 4 Racing Santander

(0-1) 47' Henrique, (0-2) 51' Canales, (0-3) 67' Tchité (p), (0-4) 72' Canales

• Another team in freefall are Mauricio Pochettinos Espanyol. They conceded four goals in 25 minutes in the second half which condemned them to another dismal home loss. Questions have to be asked about why their 'stars' Tamudo, Nakamura and Iván Alonso didn't start the match.
• Racing ended their run of ten matches without a win in style as rising star from Santander Sergio Canales, scored two and set up one in a man-of-the-match performance. Miguel Portugal appears to be turning the tide at the Sardinero.
• The Espanyol players were met with a wall of boos and jeers at the final whistle. Having conceded eight in the last two matches and lost four in a row they need to turn things around quickly before next weeks derby trip to the Camp Nou. Continue like this and they could be in for a hiding.

Malaga 1 -1 Osasuna (0-1) 47' Masoud, (1-1) 83' Apoño

• Osasuna seemed to surprise themselves by taking the lead, but once they did they were happy to sit on it and soak up whatever Malaga threw at them. A dangerous tactic and it backfired when Apoño fired in with seven minutes remaining. Thats four draws in a row now for Malaga.
• Malaga knocked the ball around well, but they lack a natural goalscorer. Nigerian stiker Obinna had numerous chances to open the scoring but failed on each and every occasion. Muñiz will surely be looking to sign a proven hitman in January, as they lurk dangerously around the relegation zone.
• Former Spain coach Jose Antonio Camacho has his Osasuna team sitting comfortably in mid-table although he contributed in their slip-up today by taking off his two best players on the day; Camuñas and Aranda. The Iranian connection of Javad Nekounam and Masoud keep the Osasuna wagon rolling.

Tenerife 2 - 1 Sporting Gijón (0-1) 5' Diego Castro, (1-1) 55' Ricardo, (2-1) 66' Nino

• Vital three points for Tenerife as they fought back from a goal down to sink Sporting. Omar was a constant danger for the home side once again, and I'm sure the big guns in La Liga will be keeping tabs on him as the transfer window approaches.
• Once they scored Sporting retreated into their own half and didn't dare venture forward. Their defence has proved inpenetrable at times this season, but today they failed to deal with Nino and co. are were downed by two goals in ten minutes. The injury to striker Bilic is a massive blow.
• Tenerife knew how important this match was and set upon their opponents with a vigour that could still see them achieve their objective of staying up. The fact that Nino is beginning to find the net bodes well for the rest of the season.

Villarreal 3 - 2 Getafe
 
(0-1) 2' Pedro Leon, (1-1) 16' Capdevila, (1-2) 52' Soldado (p), (2-2) 66' Cazorla, (3-2) 86' Capdevila

• Villarreal are slowly but surely returning to the sort of form that has seen them achieve so much over the last few years. They suffered today, especially as they had to play with ten men for the most part of the second half and had to come from behind twice before scoring the decisive third goal.
• Getafe contributed to an entertaining match but Michel will be worried that they failed to take advantage of Cani's sending off. Roberto Soldado continues his goalscoring streak but in vain.
• Ernesto Valverde was on the brink of getting sacked not too long ago, but his sides recent run has lifted them up to 11th and they are closing in on the European spots which must surely be their aim for the season. Having a freescoring full-back like Capdevila will help their cause. And what a strike that was from Cazorla! Good to see him back.
  

Athletic Bilbao 1 - 2 Valencia

(1-0) 57' Muniain, (1-1) 60' Villa, (1-2) 82' Mathieu

• Valencia established themselves as the best of the rest, as they overtake Sevilla with three hard-fought points in the San Mames. A belter from David Villa, who already has eleven for the season, and a goal from French defender Mathieu was enough to beat a well-organised Bilbao outfit.
• Iker Muniain is on a one-way path to stardom and he enhanced his growing reputation with the opening goal and a performance which enthralled the San Mames after he came on early in the second half. A player with a huge future ahead of him.
• Unai Emery has lifted his team to third position, three points behind Real Madrid who visit the Mestalla next week. That game promises to be an absolute cracker and it's Valencias chance to put a marker down for the rest of the season. With Villa in this sort of form I wouldnt bet against them beating Pelligrinis side.