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The French first division, Ligue One, kicks off at the weekend and newly-promoted Monaco will be hoping to recapture former glories after spending big money over the summer.

Their two most significant signings have been the Colombian pair, striker Radamel Falcao and left-footed attacking midfielder James Rodriguez. Both are magnificent players - the former a goal machine at the top of his game, the latter rich in strong, creative promise.

While it surprised some that both players decided to move to Monaco, there is little doubt the

While it surprised some that both players decided to move to Monaco, there is little doubt the transfers will benefit the Colombian national team.

The pair can further refine their on-field partnership - after all, a centre-forward is only as good as his service. Rodriguez and Falcao were in harness for Porto in the 2010-11 season and their relationship will surely benefit from playing together every week.

Perhaps more important is the fact their fixture load in the coming season will be relatively light. There are no European club competitions for Monaco. Restricted to domestic matches, there is little chance that Falcao and Rodriguez will have burnt themselves out before the 2014 World Cup.
It is undeniable that end-of-season fatigue is an important factor in tournament performance.

One of the most surprising sights I recall in football is that of Franco Baresi leading Italy out for the 1994 World Cup final. He had suffered an injury in the opening game, had undergone knee surgery and it was thought he would play no further part in the tournament. Yet there he was, given the task of organising his team's defence against the likes of Romario and Bebeto. It looked like madness.

In the event, though, Baresi gave an immaculate performance, reading everything around him, timing his tackles, quietly imposing himself and passing crisply forward. The fact he missed in the penalty shootout is one of football's great miscarriages of justice.

A few years ago I was present when the rival coaches from that match gave a news conference in Rio. Italy's Arrigo Sacchi and Carlos Alberto Parreira of Brazil recalled the debilitating heat in which the game took place. Sacchi revealed a comment made at half-time by his midfielder Roberto Donadoni.

"If we go upfield," he had said, "there is no way we will be able to get back." And of course, both remembered the superb display that Baresi had given. It just went to show, said Sacchi as Parreira nodded in agreement, "that it was better to be injured than to be tired."

http://goals442..com/2013/08/radamel-falcaos-move-to-monaco-will.html