2010 was a bad year for Italian football. I tried to think of the positives, but very few came to mind. A disastrous World Cup in South Africa, a bad showing in the Europa League, and only a Champions League victory (guided by a Portuguese mastermind) which retains some dignity for Italian football. While […]

With the Champions League and Europa League draws having taken place, the rest of the season is slowly drifting into a more predictable mush. There's just one last weekend of Serie A action (this weekend), and then there's a solid two weeks and a bit of break from the Serie A. I certainly find it […]

While in the Champions League all Italian sides made it through to the knockout stages, there was a fear that in the Europa League there would be no Serie A teams. Luckily, Napoli managed to qualify with a 1-0 win over Steaua Bucharest, thanks to a very late goal by Cavani. And there was more […]

While it was a great Champions League group stage for the Italian sides, the Europa League group stages are proving to be more difficult for the Italian sides in the Europa League. In fact, all of the Italian sides have been eliminated except for Napoli, who might be able to pull off a good result […]

UEFA Champions League While Real Madrid and Barcelona can earn their spots into the knockout round with wins against AC Milan and FC København, respectively, and will likely qualify even without victories in Matchday 4, Valencia does not have that margin of error as they play their reverse fixture against Rangers on Tuesday night. Ever […]

With the another matchday of the Champions/Europa League group stages coming up, I've decided to take  a look at what could be the more interesting matches of the 40 which will be played in the two competitions. The way I've chosen these matches is by looking at the teams which are playing, how they've been […]

UEFA Champions League If judging by current form at this very minute, Real Madrid might be playing the best football in Europe.  After their opening few matches where they could not kick the ball into the Mediterranean Sea, their ten goal outburst against Deportivo La Coruña and Málaga in their last two matches shows signs […]

Gregorio Manzano took the reins of Sevilla FC one week ago from the sacked Antonio Álvarez, and he did not inherit a club that inspired any confidence from los nervionenses that filled the Estadio Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán on Sunday afternoon.  Although the Andalusians only lost one of their first five matches in La Liga, two […]

Like most soccer fans, I am a soccer league polygamist.  Because I live less than 20 minutes from an MLS club, I root for and follow Major League Soccer in the U.S.  However, I am also a passionate Arsenal fan who lives and dies in every match they play throughout the year.  And of course, […]

The Champions League and the Europa League are now priorities, now that the Bundesliga has surpassed the Serie A, Italian teams need to pull their weight in European competition. The first matchday of the group stages of the Champions League and the Europa League didn't play out too well for the Italian clubs involved. Out […]

Udinese have been underachievers, this was especially seen last season, when the club only arrived in 15th place. While it could seem strange that I define them as underachievers, I know the talent in the team is incredible, especially going forward. Maybe they've never had the right coach, or maybe the team never gelled together […]

Last season was a special one for the Blucerchiati, as they finished the season in fourth place in Serie A and qualified for the Champions League.  The club also unveiled a striker-duo that could not only lead Sampdoria to further success but form the basis of a more potent attack on the Italian national team.  […]

Palermo are one of the best put teams in Serie A, while their president, Zamparini, is a bit crazy, he has made some smart signings. And maybe at first you think that Palermo will suffer without Cavani and Simplicio, I think they won't miss either of them at all. Instead, a player they will miss […]

In 2005-2006, Napoli was looking to escape dire finances and Serie C1.  In 2010-2011, Napoli can credibly claim that it is competing for a Champions League berth.  The Partenopei led by their president Aurelio De Laurentiis have been slowly built up and well managed to the point where last season they qualified for their their […]

Juventus have passed their first test, they've qualified for the next round of the Europa League defeating Shamrock Rovers 2-0 away from home and 1-0 in the return leg at home. Now Juventus will play a play-off against Austrian side Sturm Graz, and if they win that playoff, then they will play in the Europa […]