Big Games, as per usual

One of the things that attracts me to football over most North American sports is that hardly a week goes by without top rate games being played somewhere in Europe (or the world, for that matter). Many sports on this continent have top calibre games sporadically, but certainly not on the consistent basis they are in football. It could have something to do with 82 or 162 game seasons, but I digress...

Saturday

Arsenal v. Tottenham (7:45 a.m. ET)

Usual derby fare should be on display. Yet a predictable result I don't expect. One team, Arsenal, has looked vulnerable of late and the other, Spurs, have played consistently better since Juande Ramos arrived from Spain.

Arsenal have not lost a North London derby for ages, winning 5 of the last 10 matches between the sides and drawing 5. But based on the football Ramos has Spurs playing right now, I don't see an Arsenal blowout. It will be tightly contested, like the match against Chelsea last weekend, and a 1 - 1 draw or a 1 goal Arsenal win will be the likely result.

Robin Van Persie, who put in a cameo appearance at the end of last Sunday's match, should be available again. He looked menacing in the few minutes he did play against Chelsea, look for more of the same tomorrow.

Bolton Wanderers v. Birmingham City (10 a.m. ET)

No, I'm not crazy. This match will be worth a watch. Since the arrivals of Gary Megson and Alex McLeish, both sides have seen their form improve. Bolton have qualified for the last 32 of the UEFA Cup (they'll face Athletico Madrid in the next round) while Birmingham have picked up points in 2 of McLeish's 3 games in charge and pushed Newcastle effectively in a 2 - 1 loss on the road. Each manager will understand the importance of these bottom-half clashes, so look for a rousing match of English football on display at the Reebok. A 2 - 2 draw, or even more goals could be in store.

Liverpool v. Portsmouth (10 a.m. ET)

After running out the reserves at Stamford Bridge mid-week, Liverpool will be in tough against Portsmouth at home. Pompey are much better on the road (6-1-2) than they are at Fratton Park (2-5-1), while Liverpool's home form is a disappointing 3-4-1 in the league this season.

The pressure is on for Liverpool, as it has been for most of the season. Another loss at home will bring calls for Rafa Benitez head (again), while a draw will be little more consolation. Xabi Alonso should start, allowing Steven Gerrard more opportunity to roam forward. He's played much too deep lately; when Gerrard plays deep, Liverpool play poorly.

Unlike Liverpool's September trip to Portsmouth which ended 0 - 0, Fernando Torres should start in this game. That should be good for at least a goal, one would think.

Peter Crouch will be looking on, wondering why he tried to break both of John Obi Mikel's legs on Wednesday. Not smart, Peter, not smart.

Sunday

Manchester United v. Everton (7 a.m. ET)

The titleholders are playing well right now, but I think no team is playing better than Everton in the Premier League right now. Yakubu can't stop scoring right now, Cahill is back to his best after coming back from injury and Arteta still can't get a cap with Spain despite his outstanding play. If any team outside Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool were to take 3 points from Manchester United this season, I suspect Everton might be up to the task this weekend.

Regardless, this should be a great match, likely producing more entertainment than the Liverpool/Man United match last Sunday.

Finally...

Barcelona v. Real Madrid (1 p.m. ET)

The pride of Catalonia versus the Evil Empire, some would say. This game should be really, really good, since the top Spanish sides don't seem to go into these games looking to nullify one another. 3 - 2 or 2 - 1 at least would be a reasonable result. For whom, you ask? At home, for a team that needs no better reasons to get up for a game, I think Barcelona will take the points. Madrid is playing very well right now, but Barca will want the first chance at revenge for losing out last season. They're also four points behind Madrid this year and Spanish title races are usually close. This will be good fun...

Is 11th place good enough?

With a squad that includes the World Footballer and European Footballer of the year, a defender who is far and away the best of his generation and a striker who has managed 66 goals in international club competition, it's a little underwhelming that AC Milan lies in 11th place in Serie A.

While they do have three games in hand and could be up to sixth if they gain maximum points, the reigning Champions of Europe and newly crowned World Club Champions have done little right in their domestic league this season. They only have three goals and no wins at the San Siro. They've fared better away from home, but short of winning the Champions League again, it appears as though the current Milan squad won't be in a position to qualify for next season's competition.

That's a shame. Milan's squad deserve more, at least from a sentimental perspective.

Paulo Maldini would be in any well thought out all-time starting XI. He's managed to win 5 Champions League trophies, 2 Intercontinental Cups, 1 World Club Cup, 4 European Super Cups, 7 Serie A Championships and holds the Italian record for international caps. At 39, he would still displace players ten years younger in most club sides. He seems quite content with his achievements and will retire at the end of the season. But I'm certain he would retire with a clear conscience were Milan to qualify for Europe again.

The same sentiment must be shared by Kaka. The winner of both the World and European player of the year has detractors, but his ability to show up for big games is beyond question. Whenever Milan need a performance on the big stage, the Brazillian is there to lead the way. I agree with many of the criticisms aimed at Kaka, since I think his failing is that he doesn't seem to deliver consistently in the league, a fact laid bare by Milan's current position in the table. Even though he has publicly committed himself to the club, Kaka has been doggedly pursued by Real Madrid (the Madrid club president never fails to state this ambition publicly when the occasion arises). One would begin to question his dedication were Milan resigned to the UEFA Cup or worse at the end of the season.

With two goals in the World Club final in Japan, Filippo Inzaghi added to his impressive international club goalscoring record. Like many of his teammates, Inzaghi has struggled this season, failing to score in 9 league appearances. At 34, perhaps the weekly grind of Serie A is catching up with the forward, but with only 4 strikers on the books at Milan, one would expect more from a player of his ability to score when it matters most.

With all this in mind, is it any wonder that Jose Mourinho has been linked with the Milan management job. Current manager Carlo Ancelotti has been under increasing scrutiny and criticism, despite his international achievements. With the January transfer window around the corner, the time to make a move in the management department would be now. It appears Mourinho would look favourably upon the position and would certainly be a good fit for the Rossoneri.

Milan may be getting long in the tooth, but with players like Kaka, Gattuso, Pirlo, Gilardino and Clarence Seedorf, it would not take much for a new manager to turn the ship around. Here's to hoping they do; the Champions League wouldn't be the same without them.

Gargantuan Sunday

After seeing Sky Sports referring to tomorrow's games between Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea as Grand Slam Sunday, I couldn't resist coming up with my own hyperbole for a posting title.

These games are big, to be sure, but really...

Anyways, a quick couple of words about the games, since I've got to go and watch some more of today's action.

Liverpool v. Manchester United

Recent form between these two sides shows either low scoring draws or lows scoring Man United victories. I don't have any reason to believe this will change.

Liverpool will likely field a team similar to the one that trounced Marseilles in mid-week. I've seen reports that Xabi Alonso may return, but I'd imagine only as a substitute if at all. I think this year's Liverpool side will push Man United a bit more, but I'm not sure if it will be enough to get three points.

Alex Ferguson was in the fortunate position to rest his key players against Roma, fielding a reserve squad plus Wayne Rooney. United will be fresher than Liverpool, and this may give an edge. 0 - 0, 1 - 1 or Man United by a goal: this isn't what I would like to see, but I think the top guns from Manchester will play a big role.

Arsenal v. Chelsea

This may prove to be a bit of a grudge match. I can't help but think Chelsea manager Avram Grant took a look at some film of Arsenal's recent matches and wrote some good notes. Chelsea have the players to push the Gunners around just like Newcastle and Middlesbrough have in recent games.

Chelsea will miss Didier Drogba, but if they bring a physical game to the Emirates Stadium, they will be good money to get a point.

However, if Chelsea try to play a nice, attractive game of football, Arsenal will dismantle them at home. It's important to remember that all three of Arsenal's past three Premier League matches, where they've looked vulnerable, were on the road. At home in London, things will be different.

Look for a draw if Chelsea thug it up a little with the leaders, maybe a one goal win. Look for an Arsenal win if Chelsea try to play "attractive" football.

The Rest

For those who have access to Setanta and haven't seen the match yet, make sure to watch for a repeat of the Wigan v. Blackburn game. Really, really entertaining football. Games like this one are why the Premier League is the best league around.

On Capello: only half the job is done

Firstly, I think the FA have done a good day's work in hiring Fabio Capello to be the next England manager.

Capello's CV is impeccable, winning eight* league championships at four different clubs along with the 1994 European Championship while at AC Milan. These ten trophies, it should be noted, are ten more than England's previous boss, Steve McClaren.

He also has a great deal of experience dealing with some of the top talent and biggest egos in the game. Managing twice at Real Madrid for solitary seasons, he won a championship each year. Particularly during his last season (2006-2007), he proved able to step into a job and mould underachieving stars into a unit capable of winning.

This should be just the tonic for England. No more freedom to roam for the likes of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard, no more selections based on reputation alone, no more tolerance of Paul Robinson's gaffes. Capello is the type of manager who plays to win, not to make his players feel wanted or important.

There appears to be some apprehension on the part of the FA, as Capello has indicated he wants to bring his all-Italian backroom staff along. The report on Guardian Unlimited indicated that the FA board had some issues with the staff, particularly Franco Baldini, whose role they believed may clash with that of FA director of football development, Trevor Brooking. We shall see, but I doubt even the FA would turn this into a make-or-break issue.

The only caveat I have about the hiring of Capello is that I don't think he will necessarily be the answer to the youth crisis in England. Capello is a fine man to deal with proven talent to be sure, but is he the man to guide the stars of tomorrow?

He's never spent a great deal of time at a club, with his spells at Milan (1991-96) and Roma (1999-04) being the longest at five seasons. That's not the kind of time a developer spends at a club. I think the longest he'd be at England would be through Euro 2012, considering he is 61.

I feel the FA would do well to pursue someone the calibre of Gerard Houllier, who had tremendous success developing youth in France, to be a youth director in England. Only by developing younger talent will England sustain any momentum that Capello may begin.

If the FA content themselves with paying Capello a reported 6.5 million pounds a year and don't seek a solution to the dry well that is the English talent pool, they may as well have kept McClaren.

* A ninth title, won at Juventus, was stripped after the match fixing scandal. Not his fault, but only eight medals to show for it.

Only two more spots up for grabs

With today's Champions League action over, there remains only two spots left in the knockout round.

Real Madrid, Olympiacos, Porto, Liverpool and Schalke joined the ranks of the qualified, each by winning their final matches. They join Chelsea, AC Milan, Celtic, Barcelona, Manchester United, Roma, Inter Milan, Sevilla and Arsenal, who had already qualified.

Tomorrow, Rangers host Lyon, with the home side only needing a draw to advance, courtesy of a better goal difference.

In Group G, Fenerbahce advance if they beat CSKA Moscow at home. The Turkish side can also advance if PSV lose their match at home against Inter. PSV need to hope Fenerbahce slip up and they can beat the odds against the Italians to move on.

Chelsea, after losing Didier Drogba for several months due to injury, look to have their work cut out for them in the League and in Europe. The Blues only managed a 0 - 0 draw at home against Valencia. Drogba is the key to the Chelsea attack, which looks impotent when he's not in the lineup.

Valencia are a side in disarray, not having won since Nov. 10. Even without Drogba, Chelsea should have picked up three points at home. Avram Grant surely must be counting the days until the transfer window opens and he can raid Roman's piggy bank to cover off Drogba and his other African Nations' Cup-bound players. Arsenal v. Chelsea on Sunday could be even more interesting with the two sides sputtering at the moment.

Liverpool are through, pulling off their third consecutive victory in the Champions League, beating Marseilles 4 - 0. With 16 goals in the past three European games, it's much more painful to remember they lost to Reading on the weekend. The match on Sunday against Man United will be a better litmus test of the Reds quality.

And finally, Ryan Babel of the aforementioned Liverpool, is becoming the Garbage time King of the World. The young Dutchman scored a meaningless (but well-taken nonetheless) goal in the game in France today. By my count, he's now scored five goals in the final thirty minutes when his team has been up by two goals or more. He does well to score them, but it would be nice to see the talented youngster score when it matters.

The new David Seaman?

Sunday's Middlesbrough/Arsenal match was the first time I'd had the opportunity to see the Gunners in quite a while. Other than Arsenal's distinct lack of quality on the day, I noticed one other thing that gave me a reason to smile.

Manuel Almunia appears to have let his starting keeper's job go to his head. As you can see from the picture here (really, take good look), Mr. Almunia feels his is the heir apparent to former Arsenal keeper David Seaman.

Not a bad 'stache for starters, but I think he's got a ways to go before he'll have the dashing style of the former England number one.

Cristiano Ronaldo The Cheat, Arsenal Exposed and Rafa Loses The Plot Again

Ronaldo behaving badly

Anyone who caught the Man United/Derby County game yesterday knows it was pretty dire. The pitch was a mess, the sleet started in the second half and Derby still look much like a Championship side headed for certain relegation.

On the brighter side, Derby did notch their first away goal in the 4 - 1 loss and Ryan Giggs scored his 100th league goal.

On the darker side, Cristiano Ronaldo showed his true class, or lack of, by diving to draw a penalty in the waning moments of the match. The replay clearly showed Ronaldo was untouched and in light of their comfortable lead so close to the death, it was truly unsporting of the Portuguese international.

Equally unsporting was his insistence at taking the penalty, denying the man of the match Carlos Tevez the opportunity to seal a hat-trick. It seemed it was more important for Ronaldo to notch his 14th goal of the season and score in his sixth straight match.

I have begrudgingly begun to admire Ronaldo's skills, but his cheating antics will need to stop before I'm ready to accept him as the top class player. Shame on him.

Arsenal's Achilles

Middlesbrough's 2 - 1 shocker over Arsenal was an impressive spectacle. The Boro squad suffocated the league leaders, who were made to look absolutely pedestrian. The home side had a standout performance from former Arsenal man Jeremie Aliadiere. He'd looked like a bust for most of the season, but against his old team he was very good indeed. For Middlesbrough's sake, let's hope he keeps it up.

As for the Gunners, after a loss to Sevilla in their last Champions League match a week and a half ago, they looked vulnerable in victory against Aston Villa and shaky in a draw versus Newcastle before finally losing their first league match at the Riverside Stadium.

In Arsenal's defense, they were without Cesc Fabregas and Alexander Hleb who would have undoubtedly made an impact.

But the past three matches show that tireless running and closing down of Arsenal will lead to positive results. Holding back and leaving room for them to pass the ball is absolutely the wrong way forward, especially for teams that don't have the skill to match the Gunners. Watch out in games to come.

Not again...Reading 3, Liverpool 1

I didn't see this whole match, but all I needed to see was the Liverpool team sheet: 4-3-3, no wide men and Momo Sissoko.

When will Rafa Benitez learn that if he wants to win the league, he can't take any team lightly - especially on the road. I understood immediately that he was looking towards the final Champions League game against Marseille in mid-week and Man United next weekend.

This, of course, was confirmed when Benitez took Fernando Torres off once they went down a goal and Gerrard off after Reading's third. Since when is a game over with 30 minutes left? Or even 20? Surely Rafa doesn't think he can get off lightly in a match like this, looking ahead when points are at stake?

But this is the Premier League, and were it not for Middlesbrough, Liverpool would be 10 points back of top spot right now. They needed a draw at least and failed.

A Liverpool failure to beat Marseille and get a victory against Man United at home will make the Reading game all the more important in retrospect for the manager. Too bad he doesn't appear to see it the same way.

Those crazy Koreans

For some reason, the people running the South Korean FA decided that after former Lyon boss Gerard Houllier turned down the management post in the Far East, making a play for Mick McCarthy was the next best option.

McCarthy, who is currently in charge of League Championship side Wolverhampton, is more famously known for his botching of the Republic of Ireland job and poisoning the FAI relationship with Roy Keane during the failed Euro 2004 qualification campaign.

Additionally, McCarthy also had a hand in managing the worst side in Premier League history, Sunderland, who were relegated during the 2005-2006 season with only 15 points.

Fortunately, McCarthy turned down the job. Perhaps Korea's shady approach, contacting McCarthy directly rather than approaching the club played a part in McCarthy's decision. Considering his fabled past at his two previous employers and Wolves sixth placed league position, McCarthy likely played this one cautiously.

Houllier, on the other hand, seems to be holding out for an England approach and was not interested in moving east. Likely not the sexiest choice for the Three Lions.

In totally unrelated news, in-form Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is out of action, requiring surgery to repair a damaged knee that could see him sidelined for several months. That leaves Chelsea with Salomon Kalou, Andriy Shevchenko and Claudio Pizzaro to lead the attack for the Blues. Considering Shevchenko is out of favour and Pizzaro has failed to impress, Chelsea may turn their attention away from Ronaldinho towards a more conventional forward come January.

Euro draw needs a recount

Please spare us...a Group of Death, possibly The Group of Death, has been pulled out of the UEFA hat. France, the Netherlands, Italy and Romania have been drawn into Group C for Euro 2008.

What sort of hare-brained scheme led to this disgrace? Well, I think it can be explained like this:

1) The number one seeds are Austria, Switzerland (the two host nations), Greece (the title holders) and the Netherlands (the nation with the highest Euro 2008/World Cup 2006 qualifying coefficient). The coefficient is determined by dividing a team's points total from Euro and World Cup qualifying and dividing by games played.

2) The remaining seeds are determined by the coefficient and are either rated a 2, 3 or 4.

Looking on the table at the UEFA Website, you can easily see that the two host nations are by far the poorest sides in the tournament and Greece would be tied with Poland as the best two of the four seeds.

This ludicrous system will result in two of the best teams in the tournament, the lower two teams in Group C will fail to qualify for the knockout round, while sides like Sweden, Greece, Russia, Poland and Croatia will go through, only on merit of the system devised by UEFA.

I don't have any problems with any of the teams who actually qualified for the tournament. They all deserve to be there and I hope some of the teams just mentioned go on to emulate Greece from 2004 and put some of the more prestigious nations to the sword.

However, I think there are some things UEFA (and FIFA, for that matter) could do to ensure the high profile games are played in the knockout rounds, where the drama needs to be.

First, teams from the same qualifying group should not play one another in the group stage at the final. Why do we need to see Italy and France, Sweden and Spain play again? Placing these teams in the same pot would eliminate this prospect.

Second, teams should be seeded consistently. If the hosts are the worst teams in the tournament, so be it. If the champions have made a hash of things in recent times, so be it.

Lastly, the coefficient system isn't bad, but some reflection of tournament performance needs to be included. Yes France's qualifying record has been abysmal in terms of the coefficient, but they played in the World Cup Final. Croatia on the other hand, collected a total of four points and failed to move out of the group stage at both the last Euro and World Cup. Yet their coefficient ranks them second behind the Dutch.

I realize that most of these systems are a work in progress and we are talking about the bureaucratic dinosaurs at UEFA and FIFA, but surely fans should expect better.