附带球迷评论
11/01/2006 06:30

Bear Market: A Review Of Christian Vieri's Career

Well, it is official. Christian Vieri, the soccer traveller (only Nicolas
Anelka comes close to matching Bobo's wanderings) who once said that cricket
was another favourite sport of his, and that he would love to have been a
cricketer but chose the glamorous world of soccer instead, has left Milan -
after six months in which he played only 8 games and scored two goals - for
Monaco, in the hope of winning a place in Italy's World Cup squad for
Germany.

Christian Vieri was born on 07/12/73 in Bologna, Italy, but raised in
Australia along with his brother Massimiliano, a soccer player who played for
the Australian national side. With a  French mother, Christian could have
played for France, but he chose the Azzurri.  He moved back to Italy at age
15 after attending Prairie Wood High School for a short duration, as his
father's playing days for the Marconi Stallions were over.  

Christian was at one time one of the most potent strikers in the world,
instilling fear into many defenders.  His size and power were a hindrance for
many defenders.  Now, he is suffering from the 'bear market' syndrome as his
scoring prowess seems to have dried up.

It was not always like this.  Vieri was once loved and praised by soccer
pundits as being one of the best strikers in the world and Pele named him
among the top 125 living players.  But as well as praise, he attracted
criticism - and this year was named Serie A's worst player of 2005.   He was
not deemed to be Mr. Intelligent, as his nickname Bobo or Bobogol implies  
that he is stupid, for he always begins his sentences with ermm…  But none
of his fans cared about that, and nor did the coaches or owners who signed
the checques, as long as he could score.  And that, he certainly could.  To
his credit, Italian was a second language and he was the only player on the
team to speak English fluently.

Christian began his career at Prato in 1989 in Serie CI.  He was then
snatched up by Torino in 1990 and played in 6 games including an appearance
in Coppa Italia.  It was at Prato where the travelling began, for until he
joined Inter Milan he had a different home every year.  After Torino, Pisa
acquired his services and with two goals scored at Pisa it was then off to
Ravenna where he scored 12 goals.  He then left for Venezia, scoring 11
goals.  His goal to game ratio was impressive and the cream of the crop of
Italian soccer, Juventus, were interested in his services.  At Lippi’s Juve,
he made his mark with 14 goals: 8 in Serie A and 6 in Europe in five games.  
He was begging to get noticed at international level and Maldini called him
up in 1997 for a friendly against Moldova.

1998 was his year.  Juve allowed him to leave for Spain where he teamed up
with Atletico Madrid.  Here he wooed the Spanish public with 24 goals and he
was La Primera Liga’s top scorer.  This in turn earned him  a place in
Italy's squad for France 98.   He shone at France 98, scoring 5 goals - just
one short of the Golden Boot.  While everyone assumed that Baggio and Del
Piero would bag the goals, Vieri played his part.  Unfortunately, the
shoot-out syndrome cost Italy a place in the semi-finals.  Bobo (pardon the
pun), made his mark and now Lazio called and, wanderer that he is, Rome
became his home.  At Lazio he won the Cup Winners' Cup under Sven-Goran
Eriksson and his second trophy, scoring the only goal in that game against
Mallorca.

However, the fun of packing and unpacking luggage did not end.  Inter were
interested and Moratti wanted him badly.  Hey, he got Ronaldo, so why not
Vieri?  This attack could be deadly.  Well, if both were in form, then yes.  
Moratti broke the bank again and now it was off to Milan to play for Inter.  
In 5 seasons and 142 appearances he scored 120 goals (or 122 depending on the
stats).  Injuries plagued his career at Inter and he did not feature at Euro
2000.  The doctors would nickname him 'silk muscles.'

2002 beckoned and Vieri was at the top of his game, finishing 2nd on the goal
scoring chart to Trezeguet.  He was in shape and Italy had the team to win in
2002.  The Azzurri were united and hungry like the wolf.  They were the
favorites and with an in-form Vieri they were a force to be reckoned with.  
However, Italy bowed out against South Korea in the 2nd round due to a
combination of bad refereeing and, most importantly, poor coaching.  Vieri
had a chance to win the game but missed the lob given to him by Tomassi
(however, due to different view points he was close but still too far back by
a couple of inches to get there).  2003 was a good year as he finished as top
scorer.

However 2004 was a poor season due to injuries and he was ineffective at Euro
2004.  At Inter, Adriano was stealing the show and injuries, ego and fan
eruptions got to him.  The ice man was melting.  He was not the same player
he once was and the defences did not worry about him anymore.  His love-hate
relationship with Inter was all over the media until finally in 2005 the
contract was annulled and he was allowed to move to Milan.  Critics thought
this was a mistake by Inter, and that Vieri could revive his career with
Milan just like Pirlo and Seedorf had. Others think it was a ploy to land
Gilardino and for him to go to Parma.  Well, in the event it proved a mistake
on Milan’s part, and the past did not come back to haunt Inter.  Lippi
called him up for a game vs. Scotland and he missed a fine goal opportunity.

Now it is off to Monaco for a chance to gain a place for Germany.  Yes, he
scored 22 goals in 43 matches and is Italy’s top goal scorer with 9 goals in
two tournaments, but he faces tough competition from an in-form Totti,
Gilardino, Toni and a Del Piero who scored thrice against Fiorentina making
him Juve’s all-time leading marksman.  In short, Vieri's days as an Azzurri
player could be numbered, and if Lippi takes him to Germany then it is out of
nostalgia for the good old days, and he falls into the red herring trap that
ate all other Italian coaches.

Well, I wish Vieri the best and perhaps a change of leagues is what the
doctor ordered.  If not, then the bear market of no goals will continue and
he will have to retire perhaps a bitter man.  Will that happen and will he
stay at Monaco or leave for other pastures as he usually does?  Time will
tell.

Bruno Cardile


Your Comments
Adnan Kuwait

11/01/2006 18:52
TO be honest, what happened to Vieri is the same that happened to Raul in
the sense that both machines stopped scoring. I wish the best for him because
for histiry, his name will be printed.
juxhin Albania

11/01/2006 17:54
vieri was better to stay at Inter
chan hoe nam kelantan,malaysia

11/01/2006 17:27
i think bobo is the most sucessful italy forward who play in oversea since
zola,he will regain his from ,he mistake was joining ac milan at this age ,ac
milan already have great player like shevchenko ,gilardino and filipio
inzaghi ,he shall join other club who without any superstar ,anyways all the
best for him in monaco.
ANDI kOSOVA

11/01/2006 16:31
THIS IS THE LIFE,EVERY START HAVE AN END.
Hyacintha Jakarta, Indonesia

11/01/2006 16:27
Very impressive article, i wish Bobo all the best. We have to give him some
credits. His time is over, i think he has to let it go ........
MONDI KOSOVA RAHOVECI

11/01/2006 16:24
BOBO IS BOBO.
Theresa Ipoh, Malaysia

11/01/2006 16:23
I totally agree with Khalid. Vieri is still a great player we used to know,
he deserves more. I sincerely wish him all the best and hope to see him in
the Italy squad for worldcup 2006. FORZA VIERI!!!
aziz norway

11/01/2006 16:14
well to be honest veiri should be admired. he z gentleman besides a player
that wat all italian other players said about him. and he is great attaker
every body knows that but he had some bad lucky but hopefully will get his
contribution again. goood luck veiri WE MISS U . FORZA ACMILAN
Dean Mangion Malta

11/01/2006 15:52
I think Milan did the right thing when they got Vieri since at thet time
they only had Shevchenko as an only striker at that time. This is because
Inzaghi was Injured and Gilardino had not yet arrived. Bobo's experience with
Milan was a bit bitter though I think that Vieri was welcomed at Milan.
Everyone of the Ac Milan supporters were dissapointed when Vieri left since
he could still offer Milan so much. Well I wish Bobo alll the best of luck at
Monaco.
Zaldoo Jakarta

11/01/2006 15:42
C'mon guyz, show some respect.... in d last 4 years, he proved himself as
one of d best striker but as he get older, his ability decrease and i thnk
its a common things for professional players. scoring 120 goals is not easy
and it means a lot to Inter.. he also play with his heart.. so BOBO, dont
worry, inter fans will not forget u....
Hadi BH Lebanon

11/01/2006 15:21
Vieri is one of the player I LOVE, i a fan of Super Bobo, he was a great
striker and he will be always a Top Scorer.The problem begins when Mancini
came to Inter, he didn't appreciate Vieri and he doesn't know his value, when
he came to Milan I was extremely happy coz the player i love is playing with
the Team I adore, but in Milan with Sheva and Gilardino it is so hard to find
a place, I think Vieri need time and only time, it is better for him to play
in england in these days... Forza Milan, Forza Italia, Forza VIERI...
Arief Indramayu

11/01/2006 14:31
It's age that decreased the capability to scoring. I hailed him 3-5 years
ago, but I could see clearly that he doesn't have good skill to score lot of
goals now..
Amel Bosnia and Herzegovinia

11/01/2006 14:18
Bobo will always be a great player.He diserves to treat like that.He is just
in bad form.
ymas kuwait

11/01/2006 14:17
veiri made a mistake by moving to milan, but he deseves more respect for all
his contributions to the soccer world,
emmanuel lagos,Nigeria

11/01/2006 13:11
I think vieri made the first mistake by leaving inter for milan why they
were other clubs all over europe.Anyway i wish him the best of luck over
there in monaco and will like to see him regain his goal scoring form.
Pat Sydney

11/01/2006 12:42
Ah, now they all turn on Vieri. Should have played for his real homeland,
Australia. He will live to regret it in the same way Craig Johnston did. By
the way, Max Vieri did play for Australia against Turkey and is a decent
player. very physical but good at holding up play and poaching goals.
Khalid China

11/01/2006 10:44
Vieri is still a top scorer, he just needs time to recover and get back on
the track. With the coming of Andriano to Inter (By the way, even Andriano is
a talent scorer but with unstable level in every match so it makes hard to
count on him alone all times), the pressure was more higher not only on
Vieri's appearance chances but also for the coach Mancini who wanted the
quick results, had no patiente to help him to get him back from injury to his
ex-level...And Mancini didn't make Vieri feel that he is still wanted in his
squad...I have to respect that choice since Mancini doesn't need him any more
especially Mancini is playing with 4-3-3 and Vieri is more suitable for 4-4-2
... Let's say that the high level of Vieri since 1998 and every year on as
top scorer in the Spanish and Italian championships has made the fans unable
to see him not scoring... I am sure that Vieri is still strong, he needs more
support and suitable coach's confidence and environment. He will be the key
player with his large experience(even he will comme as substitute of
Gilardino or Toni that are very strong at the moment)for Italy in 2006 World
as well as Del Piero because both of them they came from injuries and got
back their confidence of scoring... All of my best wishes of success to Vieri
in this new team with his teammate the unlucky Di Vaio... I have two words
for Vieri: be confident as you were, just play your football and you will be
on your way once again to the net smoothly.... Good luck for Italy in the
World Cup.
Walt Oceanic 815

11/01/2006 10:40
jeez, Bruno. Learn to spell and punctuate before writing in English
bob beirut

11/01/2006 10:19
I wish all the best luck for Vieri, i think that his decision to move to
Milan was stupid because he would be dealing with a coach called Ancelotti
who was the main reason behind ending Rivaldo's Career! if he had stayed at
inter he would ve gotten more success and still be in the first 11 , however
onbe should thank Vieri for the first marvelous 4 years he had in Inter. Thk
u BOBO.
Lonelyplanet Maldives

11/01/2006 08:56
Vieri is a big flop in both Milan Clubs.
Rikard G?vle, Sweden

11/01/2006 08:48
Very good article of a very good striker. Just hopes he gets the praises he
deserves.
Jon Kuching, Malaysia....truly Asia

11/01/2006 08:41
ITALY's 5 strikers must be: TOTTI, DEL PIERO, TONI, LUCARELLI, GILARDINO
Gregory Simpson London, England

11/01/2006 08:30
Good article on Vieri's history, but for God's sake can you proofread your
work before you post it!
Amru Hamilton, Canada

11/01/2006 08:01
To be honest, I was never a fan of Vieri's.. I just didnt like his game! But
i definately think for all that he's done, he's a player to be respected.
Facts cant be ignored. I wish him all the best of luck in France.
Rio toronto, ca

11/01/2006 06:43
Bobo will be luky to get a single gol at the ligue 1. (pity on foam. foam of
hamilton)

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