Valencia C.F. are the third most successful club in Spain, rich in history and hungry to match former glory. They will be joining compatriots Real Madrid in United States later this month to compete in the 2013 International Champions Cup.

Here’s a preview:

Schedule

July 27, 2013: Milan vs Valencia C.F., Valencia (Mestalla Stadium) 2:00pm ET

August 4, 2013: Loser of Milan vs Valencia C.F. will play loser of Chelsea vs Inter or winner of Milan vs Valencia C.F. will play winner of Chelsea vs Inter, New York (MetLife Stadium) 4:00pm ET or 6:30pm ET

August 6, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

August 7, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

What to Expect

Valencia are coming off the heels of a decent if frustrating season, losing their final match – and a spot in this season’s Champions League qualifiers – after four straight wins put them firmly in control of their destiny. They are an aggressive attacking side, featuring one of Spain’s top strikers in Roberto Soldado who has been chased by Tottenham. While they boast some individual talent in the back line, as a unit their defense has let them down. Look for their match against Milan to be a high scoring affair. Should they advance to the finals, their most likely opponent will be their longtime rivals, Real Madrid.

Who to Watch For

Roberto Soldado. His 24 goals in 35 appearances made him the 5th highest goal scorer in La Liga, a goal shy of recent Manchester City signing Alvaro Negredo. He is a clinical finisher, twice as effective in front of goal as Liverpool’s newest No.9, Iago Aspas. Their attack is designed to feed as many through-balls to Soldado as possible, and they do that via Argentine Ever Banega. Wearing the No.10 shirt and doing a fantastic job of it, the 25 year old play-maker managed 0.5 accurate through-balls a game last season – equal to Real Madrid starter Mesut Ozil, and good enough for 4th overall in La Liga. Fullback Aly Cissokho put in enough quality performances to garner interest from Premier League clubs like Liverpool and Tottenham, but has so far committed to another season at Valencia.

What’s Changed

Out: Tino Costa, David Albelda
In: Oriol Romeu (loan), Javi Fuego, Michel

While they have let go of their central midfield pairing in Albelda and Costa, Valencia can consider this window a quiet one, as Soldado and Banega remain at the club despite performances worthy of outside interest. Valencia has plugged the new hole in central midfield (at least temporarily) by loaning 21 year old Spaniard Oriol Romeu from Premier League giants Chelsea. At Valencia he will have every opportunity to showcase his vision and solid defensive presence in a deep lying role.

Be sure to follow Ernesto on Twitter @MalaveFC

Inter Milan, a Serie A powerhouse that has fallen on hard times recently, is a team with everything to prove and will be coming to the United States later this month to compete in the 2013 International Champions Cup.

Here’s a preview:

Schedule

August 1, 2013: Chelsea vs Inter, Indianapolis (Lucas Oil Stadium) 8:00pm ET

August 4, 2013: Loser of Chelsea vs Inter will play loser of AC Milan vs Valencia or winner of Chelsea vs Inter will play winner of AC Milan vs Valencia , New York (MetLife Stadium) 4:00pm ET or 6:30pm ET

August 6, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

August 7, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

What to Expect

Inter Milan may not be at their mightiest at the moment, but with new manager Walter Mazzarri at the helm, Inter hope to correct last season’s 9th place finish. Their last campaign saw a myriad of formations employed, with the squad undergoing no fewer than 10 changes to its tactical plan in its search for a winning formula. Their attack suffered from losses due to injury, but nevertheless the team showed a flair for quick counters down the wings, and the team’s passing accuracy ranked 4th in Serie A. Their defense, though stacked with big names, faltered as well. Expect the squad to understand that their frailty needs correcting, and despite a new manager and new signings, look for them to do absolutely everything possible to embarrass cross-town rivals AC Milan, who have the potential to meet Inter in New York for an off-shore semi final derby.

Who to Watch For

Inter Milan have one of the best young center backs in Europe in Andrea Ranocchia. The 25 year old is as comfortable on the ball as he is in the air, and even netted 2 goals while assisting another last season – a solid defender in every sense of the word and a better passer than most Italians in that position. Famous names like Zanetti, Cassano, Cambiasso and Guarin also figure, but keep an eye out for 19 year old central midfielder Mateo Kovacic. The Croatian teen, who joined just this January, wears the No.10 shirt for Inter, and performed admirably in his 11 appearances for the club last year. Successfully completing over 90% of his passes and putting in at least one MotM performance, he gives Inter fans much to be excited about. Watch for Inter to rely on through balls from the starlet to another promising youngster, new striker Mauro Icardi.

What’s Changed

Out: Antonio Cassano, Dejan Stankovic
In: Walter Mazzarri, Hugo Campagnaro, Marco Andreolli, Mauro Icardi, Ishak Belfodil

Inter’s biggest summer signing has undoubtedly been former Napoli manager Walter Mazzarri. He managed to take Napoli to 2nd in Serie A last season, thanks in large part to Edinson Cavani, but due in no small part to his tactical know-how. Outgoing manager Stramaccioni was faced with many problems out of his control, but as a first year manager he was incapable of dealing. Mazzarri’s Napoli won much renown for their very quick counter-attacking style in a 3-4-3 formation. Stramaccioni himself had success with the formation at Inter; don’t be surprised to see it at this year’s International Champions Cup

As for their on-field signings, Mauro Icardi stands out as an exciting one. At 20 years old the Argentine U20 and former Barca U17 managed to feature in 31 games for Sampdoria last season – a feat that cannot be said for many other young, attacking players. His 6ft frame and dribbling ability make him formidable in the box, though his passing ability ought to improve.

Ishak Belfodil, an Algerian born striker bought from Parma, is similar in many ways to Icardi: young, tall, and a total work horse (34 games played) scoring 8 and assisting 5. The two are an exciting future strike corps for a club in need of rebuilding.

Inter’s defense needed mending, and in center backs Hugo Campagnaro and Marco Andreolli, they get added strength at the back. Campagnaro comes with the added bonus of having played under Mazzarri at Napoli for the last three seasons.

Be sure to follow Ernesto on Twitter @MalaveFC

Real Madrid are the richest football club on earth and the most successful club in Spain. Their name represents the absolute highest caliber of football, and they will be coming to the United States later this month to compete in the 2013 International Champions Cup.

Here’s a preview of the incomparable Real Madrid:

Schedule

August 1, 2013: Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy, Phoenix (University of Phoenix Stadium) 9:30pm ET

August 3, 2013: Loser of Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy will play loser of Juventus vs Everton F.C. or winner of Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy will play winner of Juventus vs Everton F.C., Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium) 8:00pm ET or 10:30pm ET

August 6, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

August 7, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

What to Expect

Expect the kind of play fitting a club consistently fielding the world’s greatest footballers: massive doses of individual skill employed in the service of scoring goals. They are certainly on no one’s list of best defensive teams, but when you can boast fielding one of the top two best attacking players on the planet, do you really need to? Nevertheless, this is a team on the rebound after a disappointing 2012/13 campaign. Their squad has already seen some star additions this summer and will likely see more. Expect an extremely gifted team, hungry for success, but adapting to new teammates and a new manager in outgoing Paris Saint-Germain boss Carlo Ancelotti, a man who will attempt just about any formation in order to get the players he wants on the field.

Who to Watch For

Two words: Cristiano Ronaldo.

What can be said about the man that hasn’t been said already? The gifted winger is the only player on earth capable of even attempting to dispute Lionel Messi’s claim to World’s Greatest Footballer. The man averages over a goal a game for Madrid, and he’s played hundreds there; there really isn’t a player more likely to score. Whatever can be said about Real Madrid’s ups and downs as a squad, Cristiano Ronaldo is currently one in around 3.5 billion.

Special attention should also be paid to the team’s new signings, a young Spanish trio of immense skill: Daniel Carvajal, Asier Illarramendi, and Isco.

What’s Changed

Out: Jose Callejon
In: Daniel Carvajal, Asier Illarramendi, Isco

While the biggest transfer stories surrounding Real Madrid involve rumors of players like Luis Suarez and Gareth Bale signing for the club, there have been some real live additions that should make a real impact on the already star studded squad.

Right back Daniel Carvajal is no new name for close observers of Real – the 21 year old Spaniard is a product of Madrid’s youth system, though after failing to appear in the senior squad he was sold last July to Bayer Leverkusen. After finishing the campaign voted 3rd best right back in Germany by fans, Madrid apparently realized their error and snapped him back up. The German fans were not wrong: Carvajal is a fantastic attacking right back, notching seven assists while putting in an equally impressive defensive shift. He will be a definite improvement for Real at this position.

In midfielders Illarramendi and Isco, Real Madrid have purchased two of Spain’s brightest young stars. Asier Illarramendi is an anchor at defensive midfield, excelling at intercepting passes and tackling. Since his unveiling, much has been made of his position as Xabi Alonso understudy. He does not posses such vision or passing prowess yet, but does have the same Basque roots as the Madrid playmaker. Expect great things as he learns from a true world beater.

The 21-year-old Isco is one of the best young passers in Europe, and in many ways the heir apparent to his renowned compatriot, Andres Iniesta. Isco is a dazzling dribbler who loves to rush in on defenders just outside the box, and is very adept at drawing fouls as a result. By all accounts Isco should develop into Spain’s next great midfielder (along with Bayern target Thiago Alcantara).

Be sure to follow Ernesto on Twitter @MalaveFC

Juventus, reigning Serie A champions, are one of the biggest names in world football and will be coming to the United States later this month to compete in the 2013 International Champions Cup.

Here’s a preview of Italy’s reigning champs:

Schedule

July 31, 2013: Juventus vs Everton F.C., San Francisco (AT&T Park) 11:00pm ET

August 3, 2013: Loser of Juventus vs Everton F.C. will play loser of Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy or winner of Juventus vs Everton F.C will play winner of Real Madrid vs LA Galaxy, Los Angeles (Dodger Stadium) 8:00pm ET or 10:30pm ET

August 6, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

August 7, 2013: Opponent to be determined, Miami (Sun Life Stadium), 6:30pm ET or 9pm ET

What to Expect

Juventus is the strongest team in Italy, with depth now in every position. They play a style that is in many ways coming into vogue this season: high tempo, very high pressing when out of possession, cut-throat counter attacks, but with a unique spin: a somewhat unorthodox 3-5-2 formation. Manager Antonio Conte has silenced any doubters since his 2011 arrival, taking the Bianconeri on an unbeaten title run through Serie A in his first season. He repeated the feat in the 2012/13 season and looks to bring an unprecedented third straight title to the Turin giants. Expect this team to take no prisoners, especially with Serie A rivals Inter and AC Milan, both of whom have the potential to meet Juventus in an all-Italy final.

Who to Watch For

This team is built around some of the worlds best defenders and midfielders, with an all-time world great in goal: Gianluigi Buffon. Buffon is an absolute legend at the club and around the world, and has the distinction of winning his first Scudetto with now manager Antonio Conte, but with Conte featuring in midfield rather than the technical area. In central midfield features a player with a similar pedigree: Andrea Pirlo. The deep-lying playmaker is absolute commander of Juve’s offense, and is lethal from free kicks. Both featured in Italy’s 2006 World Cup victory and represent the very highest caliber of Italian footballer.

This will also be the first major outing for Juve’s new and vastly improved attack, featuring former Manchester City star Carlos Tevez and Athletic Bilbao legend Fernando Llorente.

Finally, rumor has it that manager Conte may try out a truly unorthodox 3-3-4 formation this coming season, and the International Champions Cup may be just the place to see it first.

What’s Changed

Out: Emanuele Giaccherini
In: Fernando Llorente, Carlos Tevez, Angelo Ogbonna

One of the biggest stories this summer has been the lengths to which Juventus have gone to upgrade their strike force. They have reached out to two very talented, if erratic, strikers in Carlos Tevez and Fernando Llorente.

Tevez, a tireless attacking midfielder/forward, scored 11 and assisted 8 for Manchester City last season. A fantastic dribbler, he loves to cut inside and run at defenders near the box.

Llorente is widely recognized as one of the most gifted strikers in Spain, but internal problems at Athletic marred his last campaign. His prior season saw him score 17 and assist one in La Liga’s Primera Division, while netting another 7 and assisting 4 in the Europa league. His total tally was 29 goals in 56 matches.

In Ogbonna, Juventus gain even more depth at the back, with the 25 year old center back showing hints of great skill and an ability to play on the left with cross-town rivals Torino.

Be sure to follow Ernesto on Twitter @MalaveFC

AS Monaco FC is the name on everyone’s tongue, and for good reason. Bursting at the seams with cash thanks to the next Russian billionaire on the block, Dmitry Rybolovlev, they have spent it on a flood of top talent. Names like Radamel Falcao, Joao Moutinho, and Eric Abidal are of a caliber fans would expect at the best clubs in the world. Monaco is a club with a very successful history in France and is in every way primed to wreak havoc in Ligue Un. There is no reason to believe they won’t soon be embarrassing Premier League clubs in the future the way Borussia Dortmund and Shakhtar Donetsk did last season.

The question is now, with so many new, gifted players, how might Monaco build their game plan?

One thing is certain. That game plan will revolve around former Atletico Madrid and current Colombian national striker Radamel Falcao. The lethal Falcao netted 34 goals in 42 games last season, playing most often as a lone striker atop various formations. Monaco manager Claudio Ranieri’s side may have played many Ligue 2 games with two strikers, but in Falcao he has a player who can manage up top on his own and has proven ineffective when forced to share the space with another striker, as was the case in last season’s Madrid Clasico. Do not expect a 4-4-2 next season.

As far as the wings are concerned, Monaco are sure to field the recently signed James Rodriguez on the right. At 21 years old, he already has 2 goals in 12 caps for his country along with scoring 11 and assisting 9 in his 34 matches last season at Porto. Colombian press has even taken to calling him, “the new Falcao.” At left wing, expect to see right-footed Belgian u21 Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco. In 29 matches with Monaco in Ligue 2, the 19-year-old scored 8 goals and assisted 7 more. Carrasco scored twice from free kicks last season, so expect more from him in that capacity.

In central midfield, there is no doubt that Joao Moutinho will feature. His 14 total assists last season led Porto with teammate (at Porto and now at Monaco) James Rodriguez coming in second. Moutinho was especially effective in the Champions League, completing 87.5% of his passes and getting outscored by striker Jackson Martinez by just a single goal. He also comes with the added benefit of having worked alongside Falcao in Porto as they won the treble under Andre Villas-Boas. Jeremy Toulalan, Monaco’s recent purchase at defensive midfielder, comes with 36 caps for the French national side and excels at the holding midfield role.

The rest of Monaco’s midfield does not necessarily command the formation being made to fit them, but with young Argentine Lucas Ocampos present, Claudio Ranieri does have a decision to make. Does he line up the squad in a 4-2-3-1, with Moutinho probably deeper than he would like, but with room for the aforementioned Ocampos behind Falcao, which is his primary position? Or does he go with a 4-3-3, with Ocampos and Ferreira-Carrasco fighting for the left wing position? Ocampos has also lined up as a second striker, but as mentioned earlier, Falcao is not the kind of striker who pairs well with another.

It is clear, though, that in his wingers and talismanic striker like Falcao, Ranieri has the flexibility up front to charge his wide players to swap wings, which one can use to open up stubborn defenses. Given the squad’s current composition, a 4-3-3 with Ferreira-Carrasco/Campos, Falcao, and Rodriguez, Monaco  looks especially dangerous. A free-roaming Moutinho with Toulalan and the rest of Monaco’s defensive-minded midfield should prove able to manage the transition from defense to attack and set up many, many goals. Finally, Eric Abidal’s return at left back will give Monaco experience, skill, and determination at the back. Ligue 1, be afraid. UEFA, get ready. Monaco is coming.

This team looks poised to wreak havoc on Ligue 1. Can they force their way into the CL in a single season, or will this squad of all stars and wunderkinds falter in their attempt? Have your say in the comments!