EgyptianSoccer.com - Mido's Celta Vigo transfer and consequent debut goal have given rise to many eyebrows. EgyptianSoccer.com back tracks Mido's past weeks and takes a look at the competition he'll be facing at Vigo.
Ahmed "Mido" Hossam is probably the name associated the most with Egyptian players in Europe. A week ago, it seemed like a dark future awaited him when he was first dropped to the reserves and then banished for the season from appearing for the first team of Ajax, only to be thrown a lifeline by RC Celta Vigo of Spain. The Spanish side offered a loan deal of E160,000 for the services of the Egyptian for the rest of the season.
The Amsterdam-based club quickly agreed as the management was eager to separate the youngster and his coach, Koeman, who seemed incapable of resolving their problems. The deal quickly turned sour as the international football governing body blocked the move. Yet, after a plea from the Spanish Football Association and Celta Vigo?s management to the FIFA, under an exceptional Spanish transfer rule, they gave the Egyptian youngster the green light to showcase his talents elsewhere..
Despite being in 5th place in the powerful Spanish La Liga, Celta Vigo was suffering from a shortage of goals as their goals per game ratio barely exceeded unity. Desperate for a savior of the frontline the fans looked towards Mido and placed all their hopes on him. Having all the spotlight on him, Mido had to play up to this high profile. Celta?s coach, Miguel Angel Lotina praised the Egyptian?s talents and despite not even being a regular sub at Ajax, he decided to give him the chance 6 days after he first arrived in Spain when his side played host to Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
Mido started up front as lone striker. The home team was dealt a strong below when del Horno managed to put Athletic de Bilbao on the scoresheet first, 8 minutes into the game through a marvellous free kick. However Mido?s hard work finally paid off 12 minutes later. A long ball into the area, which Athletic?s defenders failed to collect, was talently received by Mido?s chest and quickly chipped over the on-rushing keeper.
Not too long after, Mido received the ball with his back towards goal, lifted the ball up in the air before attempting an amazing overhead kick that almost squeezed itself under the cross-bar. Four minutes into the second half, Mido almost got his second when he received the ball in the area and shot just wide. Thanks to a 77th minute goal from South African, Benni McCarthy, Mido was able to participate in his first victory playing for a Spanish club chasing Valencia for the final Champions League Spot. Mido was subbed out for Catanha, four minutes from time, among the home crowd?s applause.
Despite his spectacular performance on his debut, Mido must continue training hard in order to show European clubs what he?s capable of, since a move back to Amsterdam, after the loan period ends, will be highly unlikely.
Striking competition
Celta Vigo has received Mido with open arms and open hearts, while the Spanish media have embraced the controversial Egyptian as one of their own over the past few days. But can the same be said for his new team mates? Egyptiansoccer.com takes a look at the strikers that Mido will be competing with to break into the starting line up.
Celta Vigo play with a very modern strategy of 4-3-2-1, which also transforms into 4-4-2 depending on the tactics required. They depend on two play-makers that provide the killer passes to the spearhead of the attacking formation in the form of a goal poaching striker, whose sole responsibility would be to convert all the attacking pressure into goals. This is the position Mido will be expected to play in.
There are a few players who will be competing for this position;
Catanha, a veteran of the team at the age of 30, who is skillful nonetheless, is usually on the bench and is substituted in during the latter stages of a game when his services are required.
Kaviedes, a Spanish national of Ecuadorian decent, is a skilful player who is adored by the fans for his passion and commitment to the cause, and is often tipped for greatness, but his lacklustre performances have recently relegated him to the bench.
Next up comes Edu, Celta?s Brazilian striker. He has been the team?s most consistent scorer this season, and has in turn been the striker most likely to be in the starting line up for the past couple of months. He was injured in Celta?s last game, so there is certainly a window of opportunity for Mido to dislodge him as the main striker with some good, solid performances in the next few games.
Mido?s real threat, however, will be in the form of Benny McCarthy, the South African superstar who has been a fan favorite for the past couple of seasons. Although he has lost some of his form over the past few months, nevertheless, he has proved to be an asset for Celta Vigo in the past, with an abundance of skills and lightening pace. He will probably be Mido?s main competition for the second striker?s position in the starting line up.
Ironically, Mido and Benny McCarthy have a great deal in common, including mutual goals against Bilbao, and it seems this similarity has not gone unnoticed by the meticulous Spanish media. They?re both African, young, skillful, and sporting icons in their respective home countries. But last, but not least, they?ve both played for Ajax before and shined in the Dutch league.
In an interview with Celta Vigo?s official website, McCarthy explains, ?To come here, like us, is good for the African young people. It gives them hope. In Holland you learn, but you learn much more in Spain. And that is useful when you are selected for your national team?. When Benny McCarthy was asked about the rivalry between him and Mido he commented, ?It creates more possibilities for the team. It?s better to have more competition in the group. In the end the coaching staff decides on the selection of the team".
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