Goal.com’s analytical Carlo Garganese hails the Cameroonian and Africa's lion hearted hitman after yet another monstrous Champions League performance, and warns those who continue to write off Italian football…
Cristiano Ronaldo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Samuel Eto’o – who is the best player? The consensus would argue that the African would be in bronze position in respect of this particular trio.But why? Few would question the notion that all three of these stars are world class, however what defines a true legend and all-time great is the ability to regularly produce his best in the games that really matter.
Unlike the more heralded Ronaldo and Ibrahimovic, Eto’o has done this throughout his career. The ex-Barcelona hitman is one of only two players to score in two Champions League finals, while he has hit countless other decisive knockout goals in Europe’s premier club competition.
Last night's epic 3-2 victory in Munich was no different as Eto’o led the line imperiously, scoring Inter’s first and creating the other two. Having turned 30 last week, the Cameroonian – who has struck 52 times in 101 games for his country – must now surely be considered as the greatest African footballer of all time. What Eto’o has produced has arguably surpassed the achievements of heroes like George Weah, Lakhdar Belloumi, Rabah Madjer and Abedi Pele.
As has been the case throughout 2010-11, Eto’o was untouchable against Bayern over the 180 minutes. In the first leg, he was ludicrously isolated but still managed to create chances out of nothing despite the attention of up to four opponents. During last night’s return he was afforded more space and support from fellow goalscorers Wesley Sneijder and Goran Pandev, and he capitalised on this with devastating effect.
Serie A and Champions League defenders are visibly terrified when facing Eto’o. The four-time African Player of the Year boasts almost every attacking attribute in the book: Lightning fast, skilful, powerful, an expert at holding the ball, creative, intelligent, aware – you could go on and on. One criticism of Eto’o during his time at Barcelona was that – despite an outrageous record of 108 goals in 145 La Liga games – he was not always the most clinical of finishers. This is one area where Eto’o has improved in Italy. You just don’t expect him to miss anymore.
Eto’o’s statistics this season confirm as much. He is third in the Capocannoniere rankings with 19 goals in 26 Serie A games, while he has struck four times in three Coppa Italia outings. In the Champions League itself, Eto’o is joint-top scorer with Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez on eight goals. In his last 12 outings for his country, the African goal machine has found the back of the net on 10 occasions.
Along with Barcelona’s Lionel Messi, Eto’o is certainly an early contender for the 2011 FIFA Ballon d’Or. Naturally, much will depend on the conclusion of this Champions League edition and at the moment Inter do not look like retaining their crown. Offensively and mentally Leonardo has transformed the Nerazzurri since succeeding Rafa Benitez at the turn of the year, but defensively all the problems from the Spaniard’s reign remain.
Although Bayern’s three goals in the tie can be put down to misfortune and Julio Cesar’s shocking goalkeeping, the Germans easily opened Inter up time and time again over the two legs. At 1-2 last night the Bundesliga outfit should have killed the game as they squandered at least three one-on-ones.
On the other side of the coin, Inter created plenty of chances themselves and considering the general lack of quality in Europe this term there is no reason why their weak defence should prevent them aiming for another final. Indeed, the only team significantly stronger than the Beneamata right now are Eto'o's old side, Barcelona. Inter would fancy their chances against Schalke, Shakhtar Donetsk, Tottenham, Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid or Lyon.
Which is why writing off Italian football was once again premature. In 2006, Calcio’s last rites were read out and the Azzurri won the World Cup. The same thing happened 12 months later before Milan lifted the Champions League. And of course, a year ago, Serie A was labelled by ignorant national presses as a “retirement home” prior to Jose Mourinho winning the Champions League with Inter.
A success that - despite Serie A being in crisis since 2006 and the Premier League in its richest ever period – means Italy has actually won more Champions Leagues than any other nation since the Calciopoli scandal. Now just imagine what would be possible if Serie A wasn’t in crisis?
As always, no one ever learns when they dismiss Italian football. When Samuel Eto’o is about, you do so at your peril.
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