With so many fantasy football games to choose from, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of choices. But with the brand-new game called Euro Fantasy League, this fantasy game offers a major difference — you can select players from up to five of the top European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A and Ligue Un), all in the same team.

The game works similarly to other fantasy soccer games where you create a team from a fixed budget in order to gain points based on the performance of each player. But in another twist, each team that’s played in Euro Fantasy League is unique. No two players will have the same team.

If you’re a fan of European soccer, Euro Fantasy League gives the opportunity to challenge your knowledge of the beautiful game by picking the best footballers from the continent. Plus, you can transfer out up to five players each month to make sure your team stays as current as possible in case of injuries or poor form.

Since the game offers you a choice of players from all five top European leagues, it took me over an hour to set up my team since I had over 2,000 players to choose from. The selection process is intuitive and straightforward. You can even choose a color for your team kit. Euro Fantasy League also guides through your choices by showing each player’s stats, along with the points earned from last year. That said, I would have liked to see the stats go back further, but that’s a minor quibble.

Similarly to most other fantasy games, you can create mini-leagues and invite others to play with you.

If you’d prefer to play only one of the European leagues instead of selecting players from all five, you can do that too.

The free version of Euro Fantasy League is the single-league game. But if you sign up for the single-league version of the game for $6.99 for the season (or $19.99 for a five-team package), you can win one of several cash prizes.

For the multi-league game where you can select your team from any of the five top leagues, it’s just $11.99 for one team or $29.99 for a five-team package for the entire season. Again, there’s plenty of cash prizes for you to win based on the number of points you score.

Euro Fantasy League offers the top 5 winners monetary prizes at the end of the season. The game also offers the top three winners of every partial season prizes as well. There are five partial seasons in a full season.

EuroFantasyLeague.com offers football fans the chance to field interesting combinations of teams. Imagine reuniting Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero with his former teammates at Atletico Madrid or alongside Milan star Mario Balotelli to lead your team’s attack. Or imagine having a tight defensive unit marshaled by Paris Saint-Germain’s Thiago Silva and Bayern Munich’s Philipp Lahm.

Play Euro Fantasy League today, and put your knowledge of the European leagues to a test.

2) QF & Semi-Final Schedules: How can the quarter finals be setup in a way certain team had almost two days rest more than the next opponent? Germany played Friday while Italy played on Sunday before the two teams clashed on Thursday. This gave the Germans around 48 hours of additional rest. The same applies to the Portuguese who played on Thursday while the Spaniards played on Saturday before the two teams clashed on Wednesday. This gave the Portuguese a 48-hour advantage. Then, the Spaniards had an additional day of rest over the Italians prior to their Final clash.

Which is Spain’s greatest influence or factor in their triumph at Euro 2012?

– Squad’s Depth: Spain remains the deepest team, particularly in the midfield area. With a host of players capable of dictating play or dominating possession or creating scoring opportunities such as Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Cesc Fabregas and Xabi Alonso, the Spaniards did not have any problem maintaining control of matches. This exhausted opponents chasing after the ball and also meant opposing teams created less scoring chances.

– Iker Casillas: The Real Madrid captain proved once again he is one of the world’s best goalkeepers. Against Italy during the Group Stage he made a couple of crucial saves which could have made the the match’s result beyond the team’s reach. He also bailed Spain out with another fine save against a spirited Croatian side. In the Final, Casillas intervened a couple of times, in specific during corner kicks, when the exhausted Azzurri tried to mount a feeble comeback early on during the match before their challenge fizzled out.

– Overcoming Adversity: Real vs Barcelona is probably the biggest football match after the World Cup final, the European Championship final and the Champions League final. There is no doubt El Clasico is one of the beautiful game’s and even sport’s most anticipated events. Tensions between the El Clasico rivals were not allowed to divide the Spanish squad despite the sensitivities between certain Real Madrid and Barcelona players.

– Re-writing History: Spain became the world’s first nation to win three consecutive major tournaments after completing a trifecta of Euro 2008, World Cup 2010 and Euro 2012 triumphs. However, to call this team as the best ever would be a dis-service to certain historic teams such as the Brazil squad which won World Cup 1958 and 1962 to become the second and last side to ever retain a World Cup title after the Italian side of 1934 and 1938. In addition, the Brazil side which won the World Cup 1970 and the Italian side which won World Cup 1982 had to overcome some historic sides and stiff competition on their way to lifting the sporting world’s most prominent trophy.

– Proving Many Wrong: Many fans of the game, pundits as well as the world media had played down Spain’s chances of winning the European title after an indecisive start yet the Spaniards answered their critics in an emphatic manner by dismantling the Italian side, albeit a tired, over stretched and injury-ridden Azzurri. However, this also highlights Spain’s depth as the Spaniards did not face the same fitness issues and physical concerns as the Italians due to the depth of Vicente del Bosque’s squad.

Which is Spain’s greatest influence or factor in their triumph at Euro 2012?

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Barcelona star Lionel Messi continues to cement his place among the legends of the game and not just as one of the best players in the last five years. Messi has won everything on the club level but some critics have argued he must win the World Cup to be considered as one of the best ever.

While some of his performances with Argentina in the past were not up to par, Messi cannot be blamed for his country’s failures in recent years which came as a result of mediocre coaching under former legendary player Diego Maradona or due to the lack of complementary players who can bring the best out of Lionel.

However, in more recent times, Messi has clearly produced on a very high level with Argentina in a manner comparable to his performances on the club level. Lionel managed his first international hat-trick in a friendly against Switzerland back in February 2012. Over the weekend, Messi produced another masterpiece on the international scene as he scored a remarkable hat-trick against bitter rivals Brazil.

The Argentine magician seems to enjoy facing the Selecao as he managed to score a late winner against the Brazilians when the two sides met in Doha, Qatar. The Barca hero broke the deadlock with a fine late strike in 2010 to settle the friendly 1-0 in favor of his nation.

In New Jersey, Messi saw his side fall 1-0 before he produced to excellent runs and finishes to give Argentina a 2-1 lead. Brazil fired back with two goals to take the lead and as the Selecao appeared to be closer to victory, Argentina managed to equalize setting the stage for Messi to produce one more moment of magic.

Brazil’s goalkeeper Rafael made a fine save from Messi’s well-struck freekick as the match was nearing the final stages but he and his teammates could do nothing a few minutes later. Messi masterfully dribbled past Marcelo’s attempted challenge before going on one of his trademark surges and unleashing a wonderful curler to seal a 4-3 victory over the Selecao. Please click here to watch Messi’s third and wonder goal.

A huge crowd in East Rutherford was witness to one of the greatest individual performances by a soccer player and any professional athlete. Even some sections of the Brazilian crowd cheered with each of Messi’s goals and at the end many Brazilians did clap for Lionel despite the fact he was the main reason behind their team’s defeat.

Without Messi’s heroics, Brazil would have probably won this game without much trouble as the Selecao players seemed to have more possession and the better chances of the two sides. Below is the video showing all the goals of this entertaining match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww7TENIsWE0

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Prandelli pushed midfielder Daniele De Rossi back as a central defender and the Roma skipper did not put a foot wrong while subbing Mario Balotelli was a safe bet as the fiery and unpredictable Manchester City striker was nearing a meltdown. Luckily for Prandelli inserting Antonio Di Natale proved to be a great decision as the Udinese goal poacher managed to fire Italy ahead with a sublime finish.

Below are the main points to take from this clash:

1) Spain looked unconvincing and while it is too early to rule out the Spaniards, this tournament will likely signal the last chance for the current core players, in particular Xavi and goalkeeper Casillas, to win another major trophy with the national team. Spain are still one of the favorites to win Euro 2012 but this will probably usher the end of a historic cycle for the Spaniards and certainly the key players would like to end this winning run on top with another trophy.

2) Spain must start a striker in their next game or else they will find it difficult to win matches. When Fernando Torres was introduced, the Spaniards looked much more dangerous despite the fact the Chelsea striker was both wasteful and disappointing.

3) Iniesta’s form is promising but the Spaniards did look shaky and unstable at the back whenever the Italians attacked with precision. While Croatia and the Republic of Ireland might not test the Spanish defensive line or stretch it to the limit, teams in the advanced rounds will carry a greater punch and will threaten the susceptible back-line.

4) Italy were surprisingly positive in terms of creating the more dangerous chances but also in showing they can more than hold their own against one of the world’s best teams. Italy’s main concern following this match will be the unpredictability of Balotelli and his erratic behavior.

The defense will need to have Andrea Barzagli back if Italy do progress to the latter stages of the tournament. Barzagli has a good understanding with Juventus teammates Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini while

5) Coach Prandelli will be pleased with Andrea Pirlo’s moment of magic which created Di Natale’s goal but the Azzurri tactician must be aware he cannot rely on Pirlo’s brilliance all the time since Andrea is slowing down from a physical standpoint.

Prandelli will hope that Claudio Marchisio can step up and duplicate some of his club performances on the international scene. Marchisio made one great run towards the end of the match but was otherwise subdued despite his efforts throughout the clash.

6) Italy’s Prandelli will have to decide whether Di Natale will start the next match or if he will stick with Balotelli who despite his talent remains an accident waiting to happen. Antonio Cassano did enough to merit starting next match so Prandelli will likely start with either Balotelli or Di Natale. The Azzurri boss might give Balotelli another chance in a show of faith as benching him the next match means Prandelli will unlikely be able to rely on positive contributions from Balotelli if Italy do go far in the tournament.

Overall, it is too early to judge both teams but the Italians and Spaniards do appear to be serious contenders if one is to consider the performances of all the teams up to this stage. Spain can rely on its experienced core of players such as Xavi and Iniesta as well as the team philosophy and a winning mentality, a mixture of valuable intangibles.

As for Italy, the hope in the peninsula will be for the Azzurri to repeat the remarkable achievement of 2006 when the team lifted the World Cup despite a scandal back home. Prandelli will be hoping Pirlo’s physical decline will not affect his mastery of precise passing and creativity since the Azzurri will rely heavily on the veteran midfielder’s ability to dictate play.

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However, Del Piero’s career in Turin witnessed a long list of positive moments highlighted by a series of records. Below is a list of some of the highlights in the legend’s long union with the Old Lady:

a) Appearance Records: Del Piero has multiple records with the club when it comes to matches played. He is the all-time appearances leader with 705 games in Bianconeri colors. He is also the leader in terms of matches played with Juve in both Serie A and the various UEFA club competitions.

b) Goals: Del Piero is the club’s all-time leading scorer with 289 goals in all competitions. He holds Juve records for goals scored in both Serie A and the Champions League with 208 and 44 goals respectively.

c) Top Scorer: Alessandro is the second player ever (after Paolo Rossi) to win scoring titles in consecutive seasons in different Italian divisions. Del Piero was top scorer in Serie B with 20 goals in 2007 then followed that by being top scorer in Serie A in 2008 with 21 goals. He was also top scorer in the Champions League during the 1997-98 season.

d) Loyalty: When Juve were relegated due to Calciopoli, Del Piero did not leave the Turin club unlike many of the other notable names in the squad. While some were sold by the club to raise funds following a difficult season caused by the forced relegation, others tried to force their way out. However, Del Piero chose to stay with the Bianconeri and the club supporters never forgot that gesture by the legendary player.

e) Del Piero Zone: Alessandro became famous over the years for scoring some wonderful goals from a certain area on the pitch. He would approach the penalty box from the left flank before unleashing a wonderful curler into the top corner. Watch this video to see some of Del Piero’s goals, including a few of those stunning strikes from the Del Piero Zone.

f) Titles: Del Piero won almost everything with the Bianconeri, including Serie A on 6 occasions (that is excluding the two revoked titles which would have brought his tally to a remarkable 8!). He won the Champions League once but was on the losing end on three occasions which must be one of his greatest disappointments along with the demotion to Serie B. He also lifted the Coppa Italia once and was a runner-up on three other times.

While Del Piero’s achievements with Juve have been remarkable, he has also witnessed success on the international level with the Azzurri. He won the World Cup in 2006 when he scored what is to date the last goal in World Cup history. He scored Italy’s second goal in the 2-0 win over Germany at the end of extra-time.

Del Piero ranks among Italy’s most capped and best scoring players. He played for the Azzurri 91 times and managed to score 27 goals. He is also one of just six players who have participated in four European championships with their national team.

It is hard discussing Del Piero without talking about the impact the player has had beyond his performances on the pitch. He has earned wide respect not just for his goals and successes on the field but also for his respectful approach towards teammates, opponents and coaches as well as his loyalty to the club he represented for over 19 years.

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Barcelona’s hero on the pitch is undoubtedly Lionel Messi but former coach Josep Guardiola leaves behind a winning legacy punctuated by 14 titles in just four seasons. Guardiola’s stint at the helm has witnessed a number of remarkable achievements, particularly winning the Champions League on two occasions.

Prior to Guardiola’s reign, Barca had won Europe’s top competition just twice but in just four years the former coach was able to double the Catalan club’s haul in Europe’s elite club competition. Guardiola’s role must not be underestimated because having great talent does not necessarily guarantee success as witnessed over the decades by various star studded clubs.

In the past decade alone, Barca’s rivals Real Madrid served as a good example as the Los Galacticos era yielded more in terms of scrutiny and marketing stunts than trophies. No team has retained the European Cup since the great Milan side in 1989 and 1990. This is proof of the degree of difficulty of winning in Europe yet Guardiola’s players were able to win the trophy twice in 2009 and 2011.

Below is a list of some of the key factors behind Guardiola’s stunning success with Barca during his four seasons at the Camp Nou:

a) Familiarity: Before becoming the coach of Barca, Guardiola was a player both in the B team and then in the first team. Pep played for Barca for 11 years making him familiar with what it means to wear the club’s jersey. Add to that the fact he was part of the club’s famous La Masia academy and one gets the idea of how well-versed the former Barca coach is in terms of the club’s philosophy and approach. Simply put, Guardiola was a perfect fit at the Camp Nou because of his past at La Masia as well as his experiences as a player and captain at the club.

b) Winning Mentality: Guardiola might have won 14 trophies as the coach of Barca but he surpassed that achievement as a player. Pep won 16 trophies during his 11 years with the club as a player. His most important trophy as a player was the European Cup in 1992. Combining Barca’s prestige and history with his successful playing career made his transition to a winning coach much easier both from a psychological and philosophical standpoint. Pep had a winning mentality ingrained in his system.

c) Connection with Players: Current club heroes Andres Iniesta and Xavi are both graduates from the same La Masia academy which Pep attended. This not only created a bond between Guardiola and many of his players, including the likes of Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Carlos Puyol and a number of other first-team players who were part of La Masia, but also allowed Guardiola to better understand his players and vice versa. Fabregas, Iniesta and Xavi all mentioned on more than one occasion that they looked up to Guardiola as a player and learned from his game since Pep was a midfielder during his playing career.

d) Messi: Words cannot describe how influential Lionel has been in terms of helping Barca win trophies. Messi continues to break one record after another for the Catalan side and his latest achievement was to finish the current season with an unbelievable tally of 73 goals in all competitions. The long embrace between Pep and Lionel following the Copa del Rey triumph on Friday perhaps gave an indication of the mutual respect and appreciation those two individuals have for each other.

e) Mastering El Clasico: With the exception of this season’s 1-2 home defeat to bitter rivals Real Madrid, Pep was able to achieve great results against Los Blancos including 5 straight wins in El Classico, highlighted by a 5-0 trouncing of Real back in November 2010. Guardiola also led Barca to a triumphant campaign in 2011 which included eliminating Los Blancos in the semi-final of the Champions League.

Guardiola’s only other disappointment against Real came during the 1-0 defeat in extra-time in the Copa del Rey final in 2011. Guardiola did get his revenge by leading Barca over Real in this season’s Spanish Cup before the Catalans carried on all the way to lift their last trophy under Pep’s charge.

f) Playing Philosophy: Barca focused on the passing game and maintaining ball possession during Pep’s reign. It was a successful recipe and often left Barca’s opponents frustrated and limited to scrapping and fighting to regain possession. Barca’s playing philosophy resulted in 14 trophies yet teams gradually figured out how to frustrated Barca beginning with Jose Mourinho’s Inter and ending with Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea.

The focus on the possession game did backfire this season as the club fell short in terms of effectiveness in front of goal due to the lack of a pure finisher who can complement Messi’s set of skills. The scoring burden fell upon Messi’s shoulders and when the Argentina wizard did not score, the Catalans struggled to win games.

There are other factors behind Guardiola’s successful spell but the above list summarizes the important ones. In addition, Barca’s success was translated to the Spanish national team which won the World Cup for the first time ever in South Africa. Spain’s squad relied heavily on Barca’s stars such as Xavi and Iniesta to carry the torch and achieve glory.

It would not be far fetched to credit Guardiola with some of the success achieved by Spain because his leadership at the club level guided Barca to success and, consequently, allowed key players to help the national team to triumph.

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1) Del Piero: The former Juventus captain is a symbol of the club and his loyalty showed when he stuck with the Bianconeri despite the imposed relegation to Serie B around six years ago. Del Piero leaves Juve as the club’s all-time leading scorer as well as the player with most appearances in a Bianconeri shirt. The former World Cup winner has won every possible trophy with Juve and will be forever remembered as one of the pillars of the great 1990s side. Del Piero might head to England or the United States.

2) Nesta: The former Lazio and Milan defender has been among the best defenders in Italy and the world for over a decade. At his peak he was often tasked with nullifying the threat posed by the best attackers on the opposing team. Nesta is a World Cup winner, despite an unfortunate campaign on the personal level due to injury which sidelined him from the latter stages of the tournament, and he won the Champions League on two occasions.

Nesta won Serie A once with Lazio and added another two league titles with Milan. Nesta will go down as one of the best defenders not just over the last two decades but also in the history of the Italian game. Nesta will likely play one more season with the United States as a potential destination.

3) Filippo Inzaghi: The striker also known as Pippo was renowned for tormenting defenders with his clinical finishing. Inzaghi often frustrated fans and foes alike with his positioning as he either beat the offside trap to score or was halted by a referee’s whistle for being offside. Inzaghi holds a number of records such as being Milan’s leading scorer in international competitions and has the Serie A record of 10 hat-tricks as well as the Champions League record with 3 hat-tricks (tied with Barcelona star Lionel Messi and Englishman Michael Owen).

Inzaghi was part of Italy’s World Cup winning squad in 2006 and has won Serie A with both Juventus and Milan. He also scored the winning double in the Champions League final in 2007 against Liverpool. Inzaghi is expected to retire despite some rumors linking him with a move to the United States to join an MLS team.

4) Gennaro Gattuso: The tough tackling midfielder was a crucial component of Italy’s 2006 triumph in Germany. Gattuso’s fight spirit and determination have defined his game for over a decade and have helped both Milan and the Azzurri to achieve success. Gattuso won the Champions League twice and has a number of other titles. He said he is taking a year off before he decides whether he will make a comeback. It is unlikely that Gattuso would play again if he indeed skips this season.

There are a number of other elderly statesmen who are either departing from the peninsula or will be retiring. Milan’s Dutch midfielder Clarence Seedorf will be the fourth Rossoneri veteran to leave the club following a long and successful spell with the club. Despite his short stint with the Rossoneri, Mark van Bommel will also be another veteran player who will be leaving Milan. There is no doubt that Milan will be witnessing the biggest overhaul due to the exit of at least five veteran players who had a key role over the years.

With Del Piero leaving Juve as well, the Italian league will usher the near closure of the old guard’s exploits with perhaps only Roma’s legendary skipper Francesco Totti remaining from the peninsula’s golden generation which achieved glory on the domestic, European and world fronts.

Perhaps Totti summed up best when he admitted he was getting emotional following the Rossoneri supporters tearful goodbye to some of the club’s veterans as well as Juve’s split with Del Piero.

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The Bianconeri were aiming to finish the season without a defeat in official matches but they failed in the last hurdle. In doing so, Juve’s players were unable to give Alessandro Del Piero, who started his last game in Bianconeri colors, a parting gift prior to his departure to another league outside the peninsula.

Juve’s first defeat in the season and Del Piero’s exit from Turin should not overshadow Napoli’s great achievement. This is the first trophy for the Partenopei in over two decades and the players did it by implementing Napoli’s blue print for the season: strike and strike hard on the counter.

Overall Napoli deserved the cup not because they played better but because the Bianconeri were subdued and proved once again they are wasteful in front of goal. On the other hand, Napoli’s trident of Marek Hamsik, Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi proved to be decisive with the first two stars scoring the winning goals.

It is premature to consider Napoli as a legitimate threat to next year’s Serie A contenders because the club’s bench and defensive line desperately need reinforcements. This season the Partenopei struggled in Serie A because of the demands of the Champions League schedule which highlighted Napoli’s lack of depth.

For the Partenopei to compete next season, they must retain their star trio and add some quality on the bench and to their starting XI. There are two troubling rumors for the Partenopei faithful as growing reports indicate Lavezzi might be headed out the door while Cavani is wanted by a host of elite European clubs, including Juventus.

It will be hard for Napoli to resist the financial temptation in case a mega offer was presented by the likes of Manchester City or Real Madrid for the services of Cavani. Going back to the game, Napoli were diligent in defending and relied heavily on their counter-attacks while Juve, once again, displayed their superior yet toothless ball possession which yielded zero goals.

Napoli must be congratulated for sticking to what they do best and for lifting the trophy while coach Conte will be left to contemplate some important decisions prior to promising yet difficult season in 2012-13. The Bianconeri supporters will forever be thankful for the dedication, loyalty and efforts of Del Piero but his departure should make it easier on Juve to draft in some capable forwards who can find the back of the net.

Marco Borriello failed once again and despite scoring a crucial winner in the closing stages of the season, the former Milan striker does not fill well with Conte’s system. It is quite surprising how Conte preferred to start the ineffective Borriello and the mediocre Marcelo Estigarribia ahead of other players who could have been more decisive.

For Napoli this caps a wonderful ending to a season that looked promising at one stage before it unraveled following the European disappointment. For the Bianconeri, it marked the end of an era with Del Piero’s farewell and the first loss of the season.

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The Rossoneri must address the following key concerns in order to be successful next season in Italy and Europe:

a) Ibrahimovic Factor: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been in fine form since his move from Barcelona prior to the beginning of last season. The fact the Rossoneri appear to be too dependent on his scoring and performances is another testament to his talent. However, depending too much on the Swedish star’s scoring and skills means teams can counter Milan by focusing on the temperamental striker.

b) Ineffective Attackers: Robinho scored a disappointing total of 6 goals in 29 matches in Serie A. That is unacceptable when talking about a forward who plays for a team competing for the championship. Antonio Cassano managed 3 goals before he was sidelined following the heart procedure. Cassano still managed to provide his teammates with 9 assists in just 15 matches played in the Italian league. The Rossoneri must sign an attacker who can take off some of the pressure from Ibrahimovic.

c) Alexandre Pato: The Brazilian striker has played in only 11 league matches this season. In the last three years, Pato has played in just 59 out of a possible 114 league games. Please refer to this article on Pato written back in March 2012.

d) Squad Quality: Milan might have a big squad but many of the bench players are either past their best or they have been mediocre in recent years. The Rossoneri must focus on getting quality players as opposed to just signing or keeping players to maintain a bigger squad.

e) Defenders: The defensive line is in need of reinforcements, in particular younger and upcoming quality defenders. Some of the veterans must be replaced as Gianluca Zambrotta and Mario Yepes can no longer perform at a high level on a consistent basis. Even the once reliable Alessandra Nesta can no longer be counted upon to perform consistently in both Serie A and the Champions League. At 36, Nesta is nearing the end of his career and he has managed to feature in just 16 league matches this season.

f) Veterans: The Rossoneri can be considered as one of Italy’s and Europe’s most experienced teams yet with savvy veterans comes old age and a number of concerns such as fitness and injury doubts. Gennaro Gattuso barely played, featuring in just 5 league matches, while Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini played in just 18 and 22 Serie A games respectively.

Milan must sign a proven scorer and add some quality defenders as well as some talented midfielders to replace the older players such as Mark Van Bommel, Filippo Inzaghi, Yepes and Zambrotta who are all well into their 30s. Without taking the necessary steps to support Ibrahimovic and adding younger, promising and skilled players, the Rossoneri will struggle to meet next season’s challenges in Italy and Europe.

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Barcelona’s squad contains a number of talented individuals such as Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas as well as the world’s best player in recent years Lionel Messi; however, this season the Spanish league title went to a deserving club: Real Madrid.

There are several reasons as to why Los Blancos triumphed in La Liga following Barca’s recent domination on both the domestic and European fronts. Below are the most significant reasons:

a) Away Record: Real won a stunning total of 16 matches out of 19 played away from Madrid. Los Blancos only conceded 13 times away from home. In addition, the biggest away win was the triumph at the Camp Nou which effectively sealed the title for the club.

b) Cristiano Ronaldo: CR7 has scored a remarkable 45 goals in only 37 games in La Liga. What is even more remarkable is the fact Ronaldo did not miss a single match which shows how dedicated and fit he has been this season. Add to that an impressive tally of 12 assists in the league and one can clearly see why he is considered as one of the best players in the world along with Barca’s Messi. Ronaldo’s most important goal came against Barca as he registered the winner in the 2-1 away triumph to end the Catalans’ dream of repeating as champions.

c) Attacking Firepower: Real managed to score a record 117 times (with one remaining fixture to play. Ronaldo might have scored 45 goals, but two of his teammates Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema combined for 42 goals with Higuain scoring 22 goals in just 17 league starts. Higuain came off the bench on 17 other occasions.

d) Mesut Ozil: The German midfielder contributed to the Real cause with 17 assists. Ozil was behind Ronaldo’s winner at the Camp Nou when he provided the great assist for the Portuguese star to finish off Barca’s hopes of winning the title. It is important to note that Angel Di Maria was as crucial as Ozil this season with the Argentina international assisting his teammates on 15 occasions.

e) Jose Mourinho: The Portuguese coach remains a controversial figure with his outspoken criticism of referees and opponents as well as his use of psychological warfare to engage with competitors and officials alike. However, Mourinho has relatively toned down his rhetoric and has focused more on getting the results this season. His tactics foiled bitter rivals Barca at the Camp Nou and he was finally able to lead Real to a win against the Catalans in the league.

Mourinho’s ability to get the best out of his players and his anti-Barca strategy have been successful this season as he brought the league title back to Madrid following a few years of domination by the club’s Catalan rivals.

Juventus will finish on top of the league table regardless of the result of Week 38. The Bianconeri defeated Cagliari 2-0 while Milan lost 2-4 to Inter to confirm Juve as this season’s champions. Below is a list of the most important factors behind Juve’s triumph:

a) Andrea Pirlo: The Italy midfielder has been perhaps Juve’s most influential player this season. Pirlo is not outspoken and is not flashy, preferring instead to let his feet do the talking for him. The midfielder has scored three goals and provided 13 assists in 35 league games. His influence extends way beyond those stats since the majority of Juve’s attacking moves go through him.

b) Antonio Conte: Coach Conte has now won Serie A both as a player and a manager with Juve. His fighting spirit and determination as a player were crucial to his status as a captain of the club and now he has transmitted this mentality to the players. Conte has also learned from some of his mistakes and he can only improve next season and on.

c) No Europe: Juve did not have to worry about European football since the club finished seventh last season. Milan, the main competition, had to deal with the demanding Champions League fixtures, including having to play Barcelona on four occasions.

d) No Injuries: The Bianconeri have been relatively injury-free with only minor setbacks to players such as Simone Pepe, Andrea Barzagli and most recently to Paolo De Ceglie. However, none of these injuries forced a particular player to miss more than a couple of games. On the other hand, rivals Milan faced a plethora of injuries with important players such as Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Gennaro Gattuso as well as Antonio Cassano’s lengthy absence following his heart procedure.

e) Defensive Line: Juve conceded only 19 goals in 37 matches which is quite an impressive record. The club’s defense has been solid throughout the season with the exception of a few mistakes committed by Leonardo Bonucci as well as Gianluigi Buffon’s blunder against Lecce last week.

f) Midfield: It would be unfair to signal out one players from the midfield without mentioning the others. As such, credit must go (in addition to Pirlo of course) to midfielders Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe. Marchisio and Pepe managed to score 9 and 6 goals respectively in the league while Vidal has been relentless with his runs, defensive and attacking efforts. Vidal also contributed with 7 goals to Juve’s cause in Serie A. It must be said Juve’s pressing game requires a tremendous effort and endless running from the club’s midfielders.

g) Transfers: The signing of Vidal, Pirlo, Mirko Vucinic and Stephan Lichtsteiner during the summer was crucial to building this successful Juve side. In addition, the mid-season move for Martin Caceres was a useful one since the Uruguayan is capable of performing in a number of positions. It must also be said that Juve also shipped out a number of players who were either ineffective or perhaps even damaging to the locker room. The Bianconeri loaned out Felipe Melo and Vincenzo Iaquinta while also dispensing of one of the fans’ least favorite players in the shape of Amauri.

Juve’s transfer campaign as well as the club’s hiring of Conte, the form of Pirlo and several other key players such as Vidal have been the major catalysts behind the club’s return to the summit. It will be interesting to see how Juve will manage next season with the demanding fixtures in the Champions League.

It will be very hard to manage both European and domestic football and it is doubtful the club can repeat this historic achievement of going 37 matches without a defeat in the league. This is due to the need to rest and rotate players to avoid fatigue and injuries while remaining competitive on all fronts. One can bet on Juve’s management and coaching staff to make the right decisions just as they did during this past summer.

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Italian fans lived through a dramatic Match Day which concluded with Juventus winning the league title after bitter rivals Inter clinched a precious derby win over Milan.

At one point, both Juve and the Rossoneri were ahead meaning the title would not be decided until the final week of fixtures. However, everything changed after Inter’s Diego Milito completed his hat-trick with two penalties before Brazilian full-back Maicon ensured a memorable win for the Nerazzurri with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area. Get your free football bets at FREEbets.

Milan’s campaign has been affected by injuries along with a congested schedule which took its toll on an already weary and depleted squad. The Rossoneri have also been over dependent on star player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker was again among the scorers as he registered both of Milan’s goals to take his tally to an impressive 28 goals in just 31 league matches. Unfortunately for the Rossoneri supporters, Ibrahimovic’s double was not enough and his team fell short.

As for Juve, this could usher a new era led by none other than former Bianconeri captain Antonio Conte who has done a phenomenal job in his first season as the coach in Turin. Conte might not be as savvy or experienced as some of the other Serie A coaches, but he made up for it with his work ethic, enthusiasm and his ability to instill a winning mentality in the Old Lady’s squad.

Conte made sure all the younger players and the summer signings new the value of wearing the Bianconeri shirt. The former club captain also showed faith in a number of players despite some rough stretches they went through.

For instance, Leonardo Bonucci made some costly mistakes in a number of matches yet Conte has continued to start him and Bonucci’s form improved with time. A more significant case is that of forward Mirko Vucinic who went through a tough series of matches when he was below par and did not score leading to some disgruntled fans questioning his role. However, Conte kept the faith in Vucinic and the Montenegro striker repaid the coach with some commanding performances, crucial goals and important assists.

A long season has ended with the Old Lady re-establishing herself as a force in Italian football while Milan and Inter must regroup and rebuild for the future. If Napoli can keep their star trio of Edison Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi while adding a few quality players then the Partenopei can be a threat next season.

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Juventus eased past Roma in a 4-0 home triumph to take advantage of Milan’s earlier slip, the Rossoneri barely managed a 1-1 home draw against Bologna thanks to a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalizer.

The Bianconeri are now three points ahead of Milan. Juve remain undefeated in the league and are still on course to achieve a precious domestic double if they can maintain this high level of intensity.

The win over Roma witnessed a quick double by Arturo Vidal who found the back of the net twice inside the first eight minutes of the match. Vidal has been one of Juve’s best performers this season yet the credit for this big win must be shared between the Chilean midfielder and forward Mirko Vucinic who had a hand in all of the four goals.

Vucinic assisted on the second and fourth goals while his pass led to the penalty won by Claudio Marchisio. Vucinic also passed to Paolo De Ceglie who crossed for Vidal’s first goal.

Juve’s remaining schedule appears to be easy on paper yet the Bianconeri have struggled at times when attempting to break the defensive walls setup by smaller sides. As for the Rossoneri, their schedule is not difficult either but it does have one tricky match against bitter city rivals Inter.

What must Juve do in order to retain their lead and win the league title?

1) Intensity: Juve’s players have been playing with such high intensity. This has left opposition players incapable of keeping pace with the Bianconeri attacks. If Juve keep playing at this intensity, then the smaller sides will have little if any chance to match the Bianconeri. Smaller teams have attempted to fight and work very hard in order to restrict Juve but the work ethic of the Bianconeri players has been phenomenal in recent weeks.

2) Vidal: Even prior to his double against Roma, the midfielder has been having a great first season in Turin and if Juve do win the title, the Chilean will be one of the decisive factors in this quest. Andrea Pirlo dictates the pace of the match and offers his teammates with scoring opportunities, but without Vidal his job would be much harder. Vidal covers so much space and often retrieves the ball to allow Pirlo the freedom to roam and cause havoc with his pinpoint passing.

3) Pirlo: The former Milan star has to be the season’s best pick up and when considering he came via a free transfer and deprived the Rossoneri of another creative force, it is easy to see why he is considered by many as one of the main reasons behind Juve’s return to the top of the table.

4) Defense: Juve’s defensive line has been immense this season with the club conceding only 18 times in 33 matches. There is no doubt Gianluigi Buffon is a great goalkeeper but his defenders have made his job much easier. Giorgio Chiellini remains an aggressive leader of the back-line while Andrea Barzagli must rank as one of the most shrewd transfer moves in Italy over the last two seasons.

Juve’s defensive prowess has been enhanced by the rejuvenated Leonardo Bonucci who is peaking at the right time. The addition of Martin Caceres during the January transfer window was a smart move while summer signing Stephan Lichtsteiner has solved Juve’s problems in recent seasons at the full-back position.

Having the right players alone will not lead to an impressive run of 33 undefeated league games. Coach Antonio Conte has done a tremendous job by instilling the Juve spirit and the grit which characterized his playing career into his squad.

The current Bianconeri appreciate the meaning of putting on the club’s shirt and have played as a unified team setting aside personal agendas in order to achieve the team’s ultimate objective which is to return to the top of Italian football. The next five matches will determine whether the players have enough passion and determination to overcome adversity and win Serie A.

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Barcelona’s disappointing loss to Real Madrid was a result of a number of factors which went against the Catalans. No doubt Real’s players and coach Jose Mourinho deserve credit for properly implementing the plan to contain Lionel Messi and for using the perfect tactics to neutralize Barca’s other key players such as Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

However, there are a number of factors which gave Los Blancos the initiative from the start:

1) Josep Guardiola’s Lineup: Guardiola opted to rest Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez ahead of the return leg against Chelsea. Clearly Guardiola’s focus was turned to the Champions League. This was a decisive factor in favor of the visitors. Nothing ought to be taken away from Real’s victory but had Guardiola selected his strongest lineup then the final outcome might have been different.

2) Cristian Tello: Guardiola made a mistake starting the inexperienced Tello in such a decisive match. The occasion ended up being too big for the young player. He has the talent but he made several poor decisions when given the chance to produce goals or assists. Tello went on to waste at least a couple of scoring opportunities by himself or for his teammates. Another starter, perhaps Pedro would have probably provided a different dimension and a scoring threat in such a crucial match.

3) Lionel Messi: The Argentine wizard was surprisingly subdued for such a big match but he has often been the focus of some of Mourinho’s anti-Barca tactics which emphasize reducing the danger posed by the Catalans by eliminating Messi’s threat. Messi was surrounded by at least three players whenever he set on one of his trademark forays into Real’s penalty area. He was unable to create much and his most notable contribution was the one pass to Xavi who wasted a great scoring chance.

4) Victor Valdes: The goalkeeper could have done better on both goals had he been positioned in a more effective way. For the corner, he appeared to be lost and was caught in two minds forcing him to unconvincingly palm away the header which eventually fell to Sami Khedira to score Real’s first and to practically undermine Barca as Mourinho’s emphasis must have been on scoring first and relying heavily on counter-attacks.

For the second goal, Valdes appeared to be stuck in no man’s land as he should have either stayed further back or rushed even closer to Cristiano Ronaldo in order to close down the space and angle for Ronaldo. The Portuguese star did finish with aplomb but frankly Ronaldo had it easy once he noticed Valdes’s ill-advised positioning.

5) Strikers: In recent years, Barca’s triumphs have relied heavily on the possession game and the intricate passing as well as the superior talent of the squad. All these points of strength fail to conceal one major weakness in the team. Barca lack a true striker who can finish chances. Perhaps the failed attempt to integrate Zlatan Ibrahimovic has left Guardiola unwilling to experiment again, but since the departure of Samuel Eto’o, the Catalans have not had a true striker who fits their scheme of play. This has been costly this season, in particular in El Clasico this weekend and during last week’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea in London.

Real’s players deserve praise for outwitting the superior Barca players in Catalonia but it must be said that some of Guardiola’s decisions made it easier for Los Blancos to triumph against the Catalans and to effectively seal the fate of the Spanish league title.

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The weekend in Italy and perhaps world football has been overshadowed by the tragic news of Piermario Morosini’s death during a Serie B match between Livorno and Pescara. The Livorno midfielder suffered a heart attack while playing against Pescara.

This tragic incident should serve as a reminder to everyone, whether players, football fans or people in general, that life is fragile and they must appreciate what they have while trying to make the best out of it.

Moving back to the Serie A race between Juventus and Milan, it must be said that the title is still up for grabs and either club could end up winning the Italian league. Juve’s toughest match will be at home this weekend when they host Roma while Milan’s trickiest encounter will come against city rivals Inter.

The Nerazzurri have struggled and been plagued by inconsistency throughout the season, but surely Inter’s players would not want the Rossoneri half of the city celebrating a league triumph knowing they have an opportunity to put a dent into Milan’s title hopes. Inter’s season has been a great disappointment so halting Milan’s progress might be the only bright spot for the Nerazzurri this season with the two rivals set to meet in the 37th round of the league. This could be a decisive fixture in terms of where the league title ends up.

Below are some of the key elements which appear to be in favor of a Juve title win:

1) Freshness: Juve seem to be the fresher of the two clubs with Milan struggling due to various injuries. Alexandre Pato has barely featured this season with injuries continuing to plague his career while veterans such as Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Nesta have had to deal with various injuries.

2) Lack of Injuries: While Milan have had to cope with injuries to Gattuso, Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and others, the Bianconeri have been relatively injury-free with minor problems sidelining Simone Pepe, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Claudio Marchisio for a few games. On the other hand, the Rossoneri were also dealt a major blow when the influential Antonio Cassano was sidelined following a heart procedure. Cassano is gradually returning back to match fitness but he clearly has missed a crucial chunk of the season.

3) Coach Antonio Conte: Antonio is supposed to be the less experienced between the two coaches of Juve and Milan, yet his experience playing with the Bianconeri, his work ethic and dedication have infected his players. Juve’s players have displayed the grit and determination which once defined Conte’s playing style when he was the club’s captain. On the other hand, Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri has used the excuse of the infamous “ghost goal” against Juve on a number of occasions which highlights both uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the club’s ability to finish the season strong. Allegri has seen a promising season unravel following the tough exits in Coppa Italia and the Champions League. Confidence in the Rossoneri camp might be low with the players giving a nervous display in their last fixture.

4) Undefeated: The Bianconeri remain undefeated with just 6 rounds left and this is the ultimate testament to the players and their ability to manage difficulties during matches. Juve is the only club still undefeated in Europe’s top 5 leagues (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, B. Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Milan have all lost at least one league match).

On the other side, there are some factors which could play in Milan’s favor to hand them the league title:

1) Schedule: After hosting Roma, the Bianconeri seem to have a fairly easy schedule but Juve’s players have struggled all season to score against the weaker sides and have dropped precious points against those teams. Juve still have to face Lecce and Cagliari, both clubs are at risk of relegation so those will be tricky matches. Milan do face relegation contenders but the Rossoneri have done better than Juve against the weaker sides.

2) Ibrahimovic Factor: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already managed to score 23 goals and assisted on another 9 goals in just 26 matches. The Swedish star has often carried the Rossoneri whenever they needed goals the most. Ibrahimovic might have a reputation of failing to score in the big matches, but there is no doubt he has been a winner where ever he played. He has won league titles with Juve, Inter and Milan as well as Barcelona.

3) Experience: While Juve appear to be the fresher and fitter of the two sides, the Rossoneri have the edge when it comes to experience with players such as Ibrahimovic, Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Mark van Bommel and Gianluca Zambrotta providing plenty of it. Milan won the title last season so the players are aware of what needs to be done in order to triumph in the league.

4) Talent: This has been mentioned on a number of occasions by pundits and followers of the beautiful game alike, but it must be mentioned again: the Rossoneri have superior individuals when compared to the Juve which is a more harmonious unit. Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Seedorf and Boateng all have the talent and set of skills to turn the result of a match in Milan’s favor.

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Barcelona’s controversial win over Milan secured a fifth consecutive semi-final appearance in the Champions League to tie the record set by bitter rivals Real Madrid over 50 years ago. Ironically, the Spanish giants might end up clashing in the final in a European version of the famous El Clasico.

Barca’s path to Munich appears to be much easier than that of Real because the Catalans will face Chelsea, the English club with an aging squad and inconsistent results as shown by the results in the English Premier League, while Los Blancos will have to overcome Bayern Munich in the semis.

Bayern will be determined and desperate to oust Real since their arena will be the venue for the final in what is club football’s most prestigious trophy. Real will have to keep an eye on the triple threat posed by Arjen Robben, Franck Ribéry and Mario Gomez. Both Robben and Ribéry have managed 11 goals in the Bundesliga with the Frenchman providing another 11 assists while striker Gomez has managed to score 23 goals in 27 league matches in addition to 11 goals in just 8 games in the Champions League. Bayern’s quality extends beyond their star trio to include established players such as Philipp Lahm and Thomas Müller.

Clearly Real’s task will be a difficult one but coach Jose Mourinho has already tasted success against Bayern while in charge of Inter, the Italians triumphed over the Bavarian club to win the European trophy in 2010. Mourinho has been less than animated this season with Real having a great run in La Liga and in Europe, however, the failure to defeat Barcelona has taken away some of the luster from Madrid’s surge to the top of the Spanish league.

Bayern will likely find it tough to contain Real’s own triumvirate in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain. Ronaldo is having another phenomenal season and if it were not for Lionel Messi’s amazing numbers, Cristiano’s achievements would be receiving more media coverage and much more attention from experts and fans alike.

How intriguing would it be if Chelsea did pull off a major upset to eliminate Barca and play against former coach Mourinho and his Real side? It would be wrong to overlook Chelsea but at the same time it does appear that only Bayern can stand in the way of another El Clasico. The stakes will be even higher for the two Spanish giants if they do meet in Munich. If they do meet and Real triumph, then Mourinho might opt to move away from Madrid just like he did after achieving European success with Inter.

Mourinho’s destination will most likely be the English Premiership with a number of clubs rumored to be interested in his services, including his former club Chelsea. For now, Mourinho’s eyes will be on dethroning Barca as La Liga and European champions. With a six point advantage in the league, Los Blancos remain the favored club to clinch the title but it could be a different story in Europe with German giants Bayern standing in the way of Real and another European final.

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Milan only managed a point after a 1-1 draw at Catania but the Rossoneri remain on top of the league standings by two points despite Juventus recording an impressive 3-0 win over Napoli.

On Paper, Milan’s schedule is much easier due to two main reasons- the Rossoneri will play 6 of their final 8 matches at the San Siro, including the away clash against city rivals Inter, and have no matches left against top 5 sides. Playing Inter will likely be Milan’s toughest fixture left since the Nerazzurri will be desperate to to not only beat their neighbors but also to deprive the Rossoneri from glory in Serie A.

On the other hand, Juventus must still host Lazio and Roma while a trip to Palermo might be tricky. The Bianconeri have obtained better results against stronger teams but this does not mean beating both Lazio and Roma will be an easy task. Both capital clubs are battling for the precious third spot which allows for competing in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. Juve still have to play Cesena, Novara and Lecce with all three clubs in the relegation zone and expected to drop down to Serie B. Nevertheless, the Bianconeri have struggled to break the defensive lines of weaker sides so these three clashes could turn out to be tougher than expected.

Against the visiting Partenopei, Juventus managed to secure a morale boosting win as the final score could have seen the Bianconeri win by an even bigger margin. For coach Antonio Conte, the positives from the clash are too many to count but some of his decisions remain questionable such as starting with Marco Borriello in attack. The striker who is on loan from Roma does not seem to be on the same wavelength as any of the other attackers on the squad. Borriello showed a lack of understanding with Mirko Vucinic before he was subbed by Conte and during his time on the pitch, Marco barely linked with Vucinic.

When club legend Alessandro Del Piero and unpredictable substitute Fabio Quagliarella were introduced by the coach, the two immediately changed the complexion of the match and showed a more decisive touch around the penalty area. It is true the duo were able to take advantage of Napoli pushing forward in an attempt to achieve a draw, but Borriello looked ineffective and seemed very unlikely to find the target even if given the opportunity to finish the match.

In future matches, starting Alessandro Matri would be the ideal option unless Conte wants to use Quagliarella and then bring on Matri. Quagliarella seems to be inching closer to his best after looking sharp against Napoli. Conte must also use Del Piero in late game situations not because he is a legend but due to the fact he adds another dimension to Juve’s approach with his set of skills, passion, inspiration and experience. Del Piero has been in fine form in recent matches and it might be time for Conte to give him more playing opportunities. Del Piero can be useful if he is brought on during the last 30 minutes with the team in need of a goal.

The Bianconeri appear solid on the defensive end and do not need to make any major changes to their lineup except for giving Simone Pepe the chance to regain his early season form and providing Martin Caceres with more playing time. Caceres appears to be more relaxed and fresher than Stephan Lichtsteiner who might be better served if given a break this weekend or the next one.

As for Milan, the club remains in a solid position considering the ease of the remaining fixtures and the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has produced the goals whenever the Rossoneri were in desperate need of a breakthrough. The Rossoneri received good news with talented forward Antonio Cassano edging closer to a comeback following the heart procedure. Cassano was in fine form prior to the surgery and his return will serve as a boost to the squad even if he cannot perform a full 90 minutes every match. His presence provides coach Massimiliano Allegri with more options and means the Rossoneri can rely on a talented player who is capable of changing the result of a match with his passing and skills.

Cassano is still the leader in one category for Milan with 7 assists in just 9 Serie A matches. He will be similar to a new signing since he has not played in 2012.

Milan’s experienced side, with veterans such as Clarence Seedorf, Alessandro Nesta and Christian Abbiati to name just a few, has the edge over the Bianconeri who will rely heavily on Andrea Pirlo, ironically allowed to leave by Milan during the summer.

The presence of Ibrahimovic gives Milan another advantage since the Swedish star relishes the challenge of winning another Serie A title and is more than capable of delivering the goals as shown by his impressive tally of 22 goals in just 24 league appearances. The Rossoneri have coped well despite the injuries to some key players. Alexandre Pato and Kevin-Prince Boateng have missed many matches and there are others such as Nesta who have missed their fair share of games. This shows the quality and depth of the squad at the disposal of coach Allegri.

Finally, Milan’s hope of retaining the league title will be better served by an exit from Europe since overcoming Barcelona this week will likely require considerable mental fortitude and physical energy from the Rossoneri. The longer the Rossoneri remain in Europe, the more the likelihood that fatigue, injuries and other concerns can have a negative effect on the league run. While Milan have been dealing with a congested schedule, the Bianconeri have been able to focus on Serie A and do not have to worry about the Coppa Italia at this stage since the final against Napoli is scheduled a week after the end of the season.

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Suddenly, and in less than one week, Real Madrid’s comfortable 10 point lead has shrunk into a mere 6 point advantage with Barcelona in hot pursuit of the top spot in La Liga. Barca’s star Lionel Messi has been in top form in recent weeks as confirmed by his scoring exploits in both the Champions League and in Spain.

As for Real, the 11 match winning streak came to an end over the weekend after a disappointing home draw against Malaga. This was followed by another draw away to struggling Villarreal.

Below are some of the reasons why the league title will still end up in Madrid despite those two disappointing draws:

1) Six Point Lead: Real remain on top with 10 matches left. Even if Los Blancos lose at the Camp Nou, Barca will only be able to cut the lead to three points. Real could win their remaining fixtures or Barca might drop a few points in the last 10 games.

2) Cristiano Ronaldo: The Portuguese star has been scoring on a regular basis and he already has scored 32 times this season in La Liga. It is difficult seeing opposing teams being able to stop Ronaldo from scoring.

3) Away Record: Los Blancos have won an impressive 11 matches out of the 14 fixtures played away from Madrid. That is by far the best away record in La Liga.

4) Goals Scored: The Madrid side has the best attack in Spain with 90 goals with Barca’s attack coming in second place with 82 goals. Jose Mourinho has capable scorers in Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema who have scored 17 and 14 goals respectively in La Liga. On the other hand, Barca’s attack seems to be much more dependent on Messi who has managed 34 goals while Xavi is the club’s second top scorer with just 10 league goals.

Below are some reasons as to why the league title will remain in Barcelona for another season:

1) Messi: The attacking wizard has been unstoppable in recent weeks with records continuing to fall as a result of Messi’s scoring exploits. Lionel is already Barca’s all-time leading scorer while his 5 goals in the return leg of the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen proved once again the young genius can achieve almost anything on the pitch when he is at his best. Supporters and pundits as well as opposing fans have run out words to describe the great Argentine star.

2) Home Game vs. Real: Barca will host Los Blancos at the Camp Nou on April 22nd. This is perhaps the biggest opportunity to inflict a morale damaging defeat upon bitter rivals Real. If the point difference stays the same ahead of this clash, then a home win for Barca can slash the gap to just three points with four matches to go before the end of the season. The reason this is a crucial match is because the Catalans have had the advantage in league play since Mourinho took over in Madrid.

3) Real’s Lack of Discipline: The clashes in El Clasico have shown that players from both clubs tend to face difficulty controlling their temper when playing against each other. However, Real’s players seem to be more prone to making mistakes while displaying erratic behavior. Real’s Pepe infamous stamp on Messi’s hand is one obvious example of the reckless approach of certain players under Mourinho’s charge.

Losing your temper in a top clash might make sense, but to lose two players against Villarreal and in the last 5 minutes is unacceptable. Both Sergio Ramos, a volatile defender who has often been involved in controversial incidents, and Mesut Ozil were sent-off towards the end of the 1-1 draw in Villarreal.

4) Ease of Schedule: The Catalans have an easier schedule with their most important clash, the one against Real of course, being at home. On the other hand, Los Blancos must still host third place Valencia as well as play away against city rivals Atletico Madrid. A trip to face ninth-place Athletic Bilbao might prove tricky too for Mourinho’s squad.

The next few weeks should prove to be interesting in Spain following Real’s unexpected struggles against Malaga and Villarreal. Both Real and the Catalans are still in Europe so fatigue might not be a factor at this stage. Barca’s Copa del Rey final fixture will not take place before the end of the league season which means it will not alter the weekly preparations for the Catalans or force them to rest players in advance of the Spanish Cup final.

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While Barcelona’s historic run in the last few years and Lionel Messi’s mesmerizing form have gotten most of the coverage in the media, one player appears ever closer to helping Real Madrid dethrone the Catalans as La Liga champions. This star player is none other than Cristiano Ronaldo who has flourished and has been on an absolute tear since moving to Los Blancos after a successful spell with Manchester United.

What the Portuguese forward has done in terms of scoring goals surpasses even the great Lionel Messi. While Messi is undoubtedly the world’s best player and perhaps one of the greatest to ever play the beautiful game, Ronaldo was the Spanish league’s top scorer last season. Below is a list of his achievements since joining Los Blancos:

1) Ronaldo has scored an incredible 98 goals in just 89 La Liga matches. Last season, he achieved a remarkable tally of 40 league goals in just 34 matches. This season, he has already managed 32 goals in just 26 league games.

2) In three years, he has scored 19 goals in just 24 European matches. Ronaldo won the Champions League with Manchester United but his objective is to lift the European trophy with the Madrid side. That would be a historic achievement since it would reaffirm Real at the top of European football with a total of 10 European Cups if they can win this season.

3) In the 2010-11 season, Ronaldo became Real’s all-time leading scorer for a single season with a total of 53 goals in just 54 matches in all competitions. That surpassed the previous record of 49 goals for a Real player set by the legendary Ferenc Puskas.

4) Last season, Ronaldo also broke the record for all-time goals scored in a single season in La Liga. His 40 goals were two more than the previous best record achieved by two players, including Real’s Hugo Sanchez.

5) Ronaldo has won the Golden Shoe award twice, once each with Manchester United and Real. In doing so, the Portuguese star became the first player ever to win the award in two different European leagues.

There is no doubt Ronaldo has been one of the world’s best players in the past several years. He has won almost every individual award there is in football and has achieved remarkable things as an individual with both Manchester and Real. However, and despite his many trophies with Manchester, his trophy stint in Spain has so far yielded just the single Copa del Rey triumph last season.

Ronaldo will be measured by the league titles and the Champions League trophies he wins with Real. At this point, he has been overshadowed by Messi and rightfully so. Los Blancos have not been able to defeat Barca in league play since Ronaldo joined the club a few years ago. Real’s sole triumph over Barca was last season’s Copa del Rey final. Otherwise, the Catalans have eliminated Real in the Champions League last season and in the Spanish Cup this season while beating their bitter rivals at their home turf in Madrid earlier in league play this season.

Ronaldo still has the chance to achieve a league win over Barca when the two clubs meet at the Camp Nou. He can finally displace Barca as champions in the domestic league barring a sudden collapse by Los Blancos. Real’s lead in the league is comfortable enough for the club to afford a defeat in Barca and still win the championship as long as Jose Mourinho’s players remain consistent in the other fixtures.

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Italy’s Serie A will be determined in the next few weeks with Milan and Juventus fighting hard to win the distinguished league title. Milan’s players might be distracted by their Champions League commitment with Barcelona as their next target in the quarter-final stage. As for Juventus, the Bianconeri have yet to lose this season in an official match despite facing difficulties scoring against weaker sides.

This weekend, the Rossoneri came away with a precious 2-0 in Parma after a challenging game during which Zlatan Ibrahimovic was again the difference maker. The Swedish star converted a penalty to give Milan the lead after a shaky spell during which the hosts tried to control the match. Ibrahimovic will be one of the main reasons behind Milan’s success if they do win the league competition. His goals have been crucial while on the other side his former team Juventus has struggled to find the back of the net on a consistent basis.

Even the 5-0 triumph in Fiorentina, which is Juve’s biggest win at the Stadio Artemio Franchi, is not enough to hide the Turin club’s attacking deficiencies. The Bianconeri ought to be thankful for Mirko Vucinic’s performance against La Viola as he managed to open the scoring after hitting the post earlier in the match. He also had a hand in all of Juve’s other goals during his time on the pitch. He key role in the goals scored by Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo.

Despite the emphatic win, Juve remain four points behind Milan who appear to have the easier run-in while the Bianconeri must still host Inter, Napoli, Lazio and Roma. The Rossoneri might have a tricky fixture or two when they host Roma and play in Milan as the visitors against city rivals Inter. However, Inter’s players have struggled in the league and failed to overcome Marseille in the Champions League.

Milan will have the experience, Ibrahimovic and a predatory instinct which seem to help the side overcome opponents during tricky spells. As for the Bianconeri, they remain undefeated in Serie A as previously mentioned and they do not have the distraction of European matches to worry about. Juve will be hoping the Rossoneri will be physically and psychologically spent following the mammoth tie against Barcelona and Lionel Messi.

Juve must continue to address the scoring difficulty facing the striker since Vucinic was the only attacker on the scoresheet in Florence. The other four goals were scored by midfielders. The one positive is the fact Marchisio has once again found the back of the net and this could motivate him ahead of the crucial fixtures in the upcoming weeks.

Juve and Milan will turn their attention to the Coppa Italia return leg before they can focus once again on league play. It remains to be seen whether the Rossoneri will push hard on March 20th in Turin in order to get back into the tie or if they will field a weakened side in order to prepare better for future Serie A matches and the battle against Barca in Europe.

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Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo made sure to leave his mark with a second-half double to lift his club to another away win. Los Blancos won 3-2 at Real Betis after trailing 1-0 early on. This precious victory leaves Real with a considerable advantage over bitter rivals Barcelona who are in second place but have been inconsistent throughout the league season.

There are a number of factors behind the rise of Los Blancos in the domestic championship ahead of Barca. Star player Ronaldo is having a great season and has scored an incredible 32 goals in just 26 league matches. The Portuguese forward will be hoping to win his first La Liga title and has been unstoppable in the domestic competition. His goals have been crucial in leading Real to the top of the table.

Ronaldo’s heroics are one of the reasons behind this successful domestic run but below are a few other important conditions which helped create the suitable environment for Real to assume leadership in Spain:

1) Away Form: Real’s players have shown a tremendous consistency away from the Santiago Bernabeu while recording 11 wins in 13 matches and managing a total of 34 points. In comparison, Real have amassed 36 points at home. Los Blancos suffered a single defeat away from Madrid.

2) Prolific Attack: Real’s players have scored a total of 88 goals in the league which is 15 more than Barca (the Catalans played one less match). Ronaldo scored 32 goals but both Gonzalo Higuain and Karim Benzema have scored their fair share of goals. Higuain has scored 17 goals in 24 league matches while Benzema’s tally is 13 goals in 22 matches.

3) Team Work: While Barca might have more talented individuals, Real’s players have been performing more as a team with Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil contributing 13 and 12 assists respectively in the Spanish league.

4) Defensive Ability: Real’s defensive line is the second best in La Liga, behind Barca only who have conceded only 19 goals. Madrid have conceded 23 goals. Real’s ability to combine a productive attack with a solid defensive wall has helped the club reach the top of the standings.

5) Jose Mourinho: The controversial Portuguese coach has kept a low profile this season compared to last year (his first in Spain) and to his previous seasons in both Italy and England. Mourinho has focused more on motivating his players, preparing for opponents and getting the best out of the players at his disposal.

While Mourinho can be annoying for many fans (and not just the Barca supporters) with his theatrics and statements, he remains determined to overcome Barca in Spain and eventually Europe. It is no secret that Mourinho has always wanted to beat Barca and the Portuguese probably counts his European success over the Catalans while with Inter as one of his best achievements.

Behind Mourinho’s strong feelings and dislike for Barca is most likely his belief that he deserved to be hired as the coach of the Catalan club a few years ago. He takes it personal whenever Real lose to Barca. The Portuguese often blames referees and speaks of other conspiracies when Barca win but he is now closing in on a precious league title.

The current run in La Liga has Mourinho talking about extending his stay in Madrid only a couple of months after he was growing frustrated with the criticism from the media and some of the Real supporters, in particular after clashes with Barca which usually finished in a defeat for Los Blancos.

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Alexandre Pato was linked on a number of occasions with potential transfers to Spain and England as well as French club PSG. The figures which were discussed ranged from £35 to £45 million. Milan seemed reluctant to release Pato and the young Brazilian remained with the club.

However, with the striker suffering from one injury after another, some have begun to express their frustration with his numerous injuries. Last season he missed several weeks after suffering from a hamstring injury, his third such injury in the space of a year.

Pundits and fans alike have questioned his fitness levels and his rehabilitation while others grew frustrated with his frequent absences. Pato is currently sidelined and has managed to play in only 10 league matches while scoring a single goal. The pressure on Pato must be intense and he was below par when he featured against Juventus in the top of the table clash. There are even clouds of doubt over his training program and his ability to recover.

With all these negative aspects being attributed to Pato’s physical condition and commitment, experts and some of the Rossoneri supporters are starting to wish the club did sell Pato to raise enough capital to invest in other players. As recent as January 2012, the Rossoneri were after the services of Carlos Tevez.

Will Milan regret not selling Pato to Chelsea or PSG? The young striker has a habit of rising to the occasion as shown by his goal against Barcelona in the Champions League which came a mere 24 seconds after kick-off. In the 2009-10 season, Pato scored two goals to propel Milan to a famous 3-2 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League as well. The young Brazilian has shown he can score goals having registered 15, 12 and 14 goals in Serie A in the last three seasons.

Those in favor of Pato can also point to the fact the player nicknamed the Duck is only 22-years-old and can be one of the key players in the future with Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic already 30-years-old. Perhaps if he is not rushed back, he can fully recover to play a bigger role in the future. This is a tough decision for Milan as well as the Pato since the club might consider selling him while he could seek a much-needed fresh start with another club.

For the time being, he has pledged his commitment to the club’s cause while the Rossoneri have resisted all offers. It might be hard to refuse a hefty offer to sell Pato this summer if the Rossoneri have a replacement in mind. The next two months will be decisive in determining Pato’s future and his relationship with the club.

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Some fans and pundits, particularly in Argentina, have on several occasions claimed that Lionel Messi saves his best performances for Barcelona. The Argentine wizard has responded with a hat-trick against Switzerland to secure a 3-1 win for his country.

Then there are those who attribute Messi’s success with Barca to the presence of Xavi and Andres Iniesta. However, these same people fail to recognize that Messi raises the Catalan club into a another level with his performances, incisive runs and goals, and that there’s more to his presence at Barcelona than simply playing the best players from the best team (Spain have won the World Cup and the Euros, and are the favourites in the Euro 2012 betting odds as well).

The criticism leveled against Messi while playing for Argentina comes from the fact he seems unstoppable while representing his club yet he does not score as frequently when representing his country. This is down to the fact he is surrounded by better players at Barca not to mention the bad coaching and tactics when Maradona was in charge of Argentina. The absence of players who can complement Messi’s style of play and the limited time he spends with his compatriots in training camps preparing for international tournaments also explain why Lionel does not shine as often for Argentina.

A closer look at Messi’s stats shows he has scored 22 times in 67 caps for Argentina while also providing his teammates with 20 assists. These are decent figures and should not be underestimated. Lione’s numbers for Barca are definitely more impressive but that is once again down to a number of factors mentioned above. The question posed by some is how critical is Messi for the club’s success and what does he provide Barca with?

The answer is simple: Messi is even more important than his goals and his dazzling moves which excite the fans. In La Liga, he has played 24 times and scored a remarkable tally of 28 goals while assisting his teammates 8 times. His 28 goals and 8 assists in La Liga imply that he was behind more than 50% of Barca’s 70 league goals!

His 8 assists are tied for most with Dani Alves while Cesc Fabregas and Xavi have 7 and 6 assists respectively in league play. This is a clear indication that Messi is much more than a scoring machine or a finisher. He is the fulcrum of most if not all of Barca’s attacks and even midfielders such as Fabregas and Xavi have not provided as many assists.

Last season, Messi managed a stunning total of 18 assists and 31 goals in 33 league matches. In this season’s Champions League he has scored 7 goals and given 4 assists in 6 matches. Barca would not be winning all these trophies if Messi did not call the Camp Nou his home. Even if Barca had Wayne Rooney or Edinson Cavani instead of the Argentine wizard, the Catalans would not have enough to win all these titles. Messi has scored in both Champions League finals against Manchester United and he is often the player capable of unlocking the tightest of defenses when his teammates seem to be struggling to find an opening.

Messi has to be considered Barca’s best player ever even at this young age because he has already won multiple La Liga tiles as well as a few Champions League trophies. He makes the impossible look easy as confirmed by this great goal:

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOSwI3oI5Kg&feature=related

Despite facing criticism, Serie A has seen a number of established and emerging stars in recent years. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s return to Italy after a brief spell with Barcelona shows the peninsula can still attract top quality players. With the presence of stars such as Andrea Pirlo, Robinho and Wesley Sneijder, Serie A can still be considered as one of the world’s elite leagues.

The results of Milan and Napoli (both won their first-leg matches against two EPL teams despite many pundits claiming EPL is far superior to Serie A) show there is still life in the Italian league despite the financial difficulties and the poor condition of stadiums in Italy.

Many have covered Sebastian Giovinco and Marek Hamsik or rising stars such as Edinson Cavani, but little attention has been given to Stevan Jovetic, one of the most promising players not just in Italy but perhaps Europe. He has been in Florence for the past 4 years and has already shown he is determined to shine and become a star.

Jovetic’s career has already faced one major obstacle when he missed all of last season after a demoralizing cruciate ligament injury. Since his return to action, Stevan has demonstrated he has the talent as well as the determination and fight to resume his career from the same promising plateau he reached prior to his serious injury.

During the 2009-10 season, Stevan scored both goals in the 2-0 win over Liverpool and added another pair in the 3-2 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He began to attract interest from a number of elite European clubs yet the injury to his right knee sidelined him and some began to doubt whether he can comeback to the same level he exhibited prior to his long-term injury.

So far, Jovetic has answered his critics with an impressive tally of 12 goals in just 16 Serie A matches this season. He continues to improve and remains Fiorentina’s best hope for rebuilding and perhaps to compete for Champions League spots starting with next season.

Jovetic signed a contract extension tying him to the Florence based club until 2016 which means only a big offer can convince Fiorentina to sell him. The talented forward has already played 19 times for Montenegro and scored 8 times for his country. He is only 22-years-old and if he continues to improve and put on some impressive displays then it would not be a surprise if he is linked once again with clubs such as Manchester United and Real Madrid.

Jovetic is proving the cynics wrong as he continues to score for Fiorentina but the bigger task will be to perform consistently at a high level. In the past, he scored in Europe’s elite competition against some of the bigger clubs but the question is can he do it again and will he get the opportunity to do so while in Florence or must he move to another club? This season has been relatively calm on the market front because some clubs are probably covertly monitoring his progress before a potential move during the summer.

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Edinson Cavani has been a major hit with Napoli’s fanatical supporters as he continues to find the back of the net at an impressive rate. Last season, his first with the Partenopei, the striker managed to score 26 goals in 35 league matches. This is by no means an easy feat considering the Uruguay international attacker plays in Serie A which is considered a defensive league driven by tactics as opposed to the more free flowing game characterizing most English Premier League matches.

Cavani does not only score goals against the weaker sides but also on the big stage as confirmed by his record against the elite clubs. Italian champions Milan were on the receiving end of a Cavani hat-trick early in the season while European opponents have seen first hand what the Uruguayan striker is capable of. During the group stage of the Champions League, Cavani managed to score the two goals in the 2-1 win over Manchester City, effectively eliminating the English club from Europe’s elite competition.

Edinson also scored one goal in Manchester to earn the Partenopei a precious point against the Citizens and most recently notched a goal against Chelsea to help his team carry a 3-1 lead to London. There is no doubt Napoli will be looking for Cavani to help the club reach the latter stages of the European competition.

While his stats might pale when compared to those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, Cavani’s achievements must not be overlooked because his role in Napoli’s surprise run in Europe has been quite significant. Last season Cavani had a hand in more than half of Napoli’s goals in Serie A since he provided 6 assists to his teammates in addition to scoring 26 out of the 59 goals scored by his team.

This season he remains on course to repeat last season’s impressive numbers as he has scored 15 goals in 22 league appearances so far. There is interest in securing the services of Cavani emanating from La Liga and the English Premier League. It might be hard for Napoli to hold on to their star player if he continues to score goals at this impressive rate.

Cavani has admitted there is intense pressure on him to perform because of Napoli’s passionate fans but he stresses he is happy and would not move just for the sake of money. This must be welcome news for the Partenopei as some of England’s and Spain’s top clubs can easily offer audacious salaries to quality players such as Cavani.

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Juventus escaped with a 1-1 draw yet the performance at the San Siro left a lot to be desired. The Bianconeri looked out of sorts and lacked composure during the first 45 minutes against the hosts. Juve only took charge once Milan’s players appeared to slow down and suffer from fatigue. Without taking away credit from the Rossoneri who were in control for around 60 minutes, Juve lacked energy early on and were undone by Leonardo Bonucci’s mistakes which allowed Antonio Nocerino to strike first.

One reason behind the unconvincing performance was coach Antonio Conte’s decision to start certain players, in particular Marco Borriello and Marcelo Estigarribia. Borriello has failed to impress since joining Juve on loan while Estigarribia is useful coming off the bench late when opposing teams are tired. One other intriguing point is why the dynamic Emanuele Giaccherini did not feature during the match. Giaccherini can take advantage of any space given to him while finding the right spot to either create or score goals. Perhaps Giaccherini should have started instead of Estigarribia or even Claudio Marchisio. Conte could then replace him by Marchisio or Simone Pepe if he did not perform well.

Here is a recap as to why Juve struggled to impose their game on Milan:

1) Conte: Coach Conte has been one of the bright spots in Juve’s resurgence this season. However, in the last couple of weeks he appears to be suffering under the intense pressure which comes with coaching a club of Juve’s stature. Nothing against Conte (who is still relatively inexperienced when compared with the veterans who took charge before him such as Claudio Ranieri and Alberto Zaccheroni, both of whom failed to return Juve to glory) because the former Juve captain has been able to reinvigorate the squad and instill the famous Bianconeri fighting spirit in his players.

Conte has used his players wisely but when the club suffered successive draws and began to face difficulties scoring, the coach started to alter a successful system while replacing certain key players (such as Alessandro Matri) instead of choosing to carefully rotate some ineffective players such as Bonucci and striker Mirko Vucinic. Conte did the extreme by putting both Matri and Vucinic on the bench in the last couple of matches instead of leaving Matri as a starter while benching Mirko.

There are other questionable decisions such as leaving Pepe on the bench against the Rossoneri while starting Estigarribia. No doubt Conte has been dealing with rising pressure as witnessed by his recent refereeing remarks which veer away from his calm and assured demeanor earlier in the season.

2) Borriello: Conte chose to start Marco Borriello and the striker’s performance was one to be forgotten. It has been surprising to see Borriello get some starts considering he has performed poorly when called upon as a starter or substitute in recent matches. Some might say Borriello needs more time but the fact is the striker should not be signed permanently. Nothing would shock the Juve fans more than having Borriello as a permanent fixture in the squad since the supporters could not wait to dispose of another flop in Amauri and would not want to see Borriello as a long-term member of Juve.

It is unlikely Borriello will be permanently signed by Juve during the summer. He would take away a spot from another striker with the club in desperate need of attacking reinforcements at the end of the season to replace club legend Alessandro Del Piero. Juve will probably sign two attackers during the summer, one to replace Del Piero and another one who is likely to be a goal poacher. This would leave Juve with better attacking options.

3) Pirlo: One of Juve’s and Serie A’s best stories has been the form of Andrea Pirlo with the former Milan schemer bossing the Bianconeri midfield and playing at a high level. Pirlo has been influential throughout the season but struggled mightily against his former team. Obviously Pirlo was affected by his return to the San Siro to play his first match in Serie A against a club he spent many successful years with.

To blame everything on Pirlo would be a mistake since his midfield partners, particularly Arturo Vidal, were having a nightmare during the first hour against the Rossoneri. Pirlo was uncharacteristic with his erroneous passing and his inability to dictate play. He did improve slightly once Juve took charge but this will certainly go down as one of his few bad performances of the season.

3) Attack: Conte did make a mistake by starting Borriello but the decision-making of Vucinic has been a major concern. When inserted during the second-half, Mirko was once again unconvincing as he often tried to take on multiple players instead of passing when he should have. In recent matches Vucinic took ill-advised shots when he should have crossed or passed. Mirko is looking increasingly frustrated by his lack of goals. This has affected his judgment. Against Milan he did not perform well while Borriello was poor.

Matri was the single bright spot having scored a valid goal only to see it ruled out incorrectly for offside before he went on to score the equalizer to earn Juve a precious win which could determine the fate of the Scudetto when the season draws to an end. As for Fabio Quagliarella, he was better than Borriello and Vucinic yet he failed to convert a great opportunity following a majestic pass driven-in by Giorgio Chiellini. Fabio will continue to earn playing time but Borriello should not be used again this season. While the legendary Del Piero cannot perform at a high level for 90 minutes, he should be used as a late substitute in certain games.

4) Midfield: The Juventus midfield has been the major force behind the club’s rise this season. While the stats show Juve as a defensive force, a lot of the credit should go to the Bianconeri midfield with the likes of Simone Pepe and Arturo Vidal as well as Claudio Marchisio and even Pirlo often tracking back to help the defenders to retrieve the ball and stop opponents.

Unfortunately for Juve, the midfielders have been underperforming in recent weeks for various reasons. Vidal was horrific against Milan and his decision to tackle Mark Van Bommel from behind might prove costly as his red card will see him miss matches with suspension. Vidal was erratic and lethargic against the Rossoneri while Marchisio was very quiet and lacked the energy which was key during his incisive runs into the penalty area of opposing teams earlier in the season.

Marchisio scored a number of important goals for Juve but has been well below his best for most of 2012. As for Pepe he suffered from a couple of niggling injuries during recent weeks which must have affected his form yet it was surprising to see him start on the bench against Milan. When coach Conte rectified his mistake by subbing in Pepe, the winger rewarded his manager with a number of runs on the right wing and was much more effective than any of the other midfield players.

5) Bonucci: Leonardo has been error prone throughout the season and it remains a mystery why he continues to start matches when coach Conte has better options available to him. Following the addition of Martin Caceres who can serve as a full-back or a centre-back and the improving performances by Paolo De Ceglie, the underperforming Bonucci should not be starting as often.

Chiellini can play as a centre-back or a left-back and the same can be said about Caceres who usually played as a right-back during his first stint with Juve. Thus, there is no excuse for Conte and he has the players who can fit the two systems he has used this season. A 4-3-3 for instance can see Caceres, Andrea Barzagli, Chiellini and De Ceglie play while a 3-5-2 can also have Caceres, Barzagli and Chiellini form the back three. Of course Juve will be using Swiss full-back Stephan Lichtsteiner regularly so he can too perform in a 4-3-3 or 3-5-2 either in place of Caceres (for a 4-3-3 system) or to complement Caceres in a 3-5-2 with the Swiss player performing as a wing-back in the five-man midfield.

Simply put, Bonucci should not be starting unless the coach intends to rest certain players against weaker sides. He has cost Juve a number of points and there is no doubt Juve have overpaid for his signing. The only upside is the fact Bonucci is not old so he has time to learn and improve, in particular when it comes to his passing and concentration levels. He was behind Nocerino’s opener and prior to that he also cost Juve when he allowed Andrea Cossu to pounce on his bad clearance to deny Juve a win against Cagliari. If one carefully watches the Milan clash, Barzagli made at least three critical tackles to save Juve while Chiellini was instrumental with his fighting spirit, aggressive approach and crunching tackles during the second-half.

While there are concerns about Conte’s decision-making in recent weeks, particularly his player section and choice of system, there are still many positives following this away draw in Milan. Conte has shown he is willing to learn from his mistakes and he can address them with the season reaching a critical point. Juve remain undefeated after 24 matches in Serie A and they are a mere point behind Milan. Having played one match less than the Rossoneri, Juve can top the standings by winning the postponed match.

Conte must make sure he remains focused on selecting the best players at his disposal while avoiding comments about referees. His changes in the system used, some of his player selections (particularly against Milan) and his venting against refereeing decisions are starting to annoy many neutrals following a near flawless start to the campaign which has seen him receive plenty of positive reviews. There were a number of decisions made by Conte which raised concerns yet it must be said he corrected his mistakes with the successful substitutions he made, in specific those of Matri and Pepe.

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League leaders Milan were dominant during the first-half and the early stages of the second period against their rivals Juventus. The Rossoneri scored after another mistake by Leonardo Bonucci. The Juve centre-back committed two mistakes leading to Milan’s goal scored by former Juve midfielder Antonio Nocerino. Bonucci was not under pressure yet he misplaced his pace which eventually got to Nocerino who opted to shoot from a distance yet it appeared Gianluigi Buffon had his strike covered. However, the error prone Bonucci intervened to completely change the trajectory of the ball and his deflection left Buffon hapless.

Eventually Milan tired out and Juve mounted a late challenge to secure a 1-1 draw. Below are the main reasons behind Milan’s failure to achieve a precious win to avenge two earlier defeats to the Bianconeri during the current season, one in the league and another in the Coppa Italia:

1) Ibrahimovic: Former Juve striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic was serving the third and final match of his suspension from another one of his silly mistakes. There is no doubt Zlatan is one of the best strikers in Serie A, yet his erratic behavior has often cost his teams in big matches. His presence would have probably yielded more goals for Milan during their dominant first-half performance.

When Ibrahimovic plays, Milan’s offense does indeed goes through him but who can complain when he often scores leading pundits and the media to vocally criticize the Rossoneri for being over-dependent on the temperamental Swedish star? He was clearly missed against Juve because Alexandre Pato is a shadow of the player he was when he first joined Milan.

2) Pato: The Brazilian striker is still young but one cannot remember the last match when Alexandre Pato was fully fit and able to deliver the crucial goals. Injuries and fitness problems have hindered the Brazilian’s growth after a couple of promising years which witnessed Pato score some important goals leading some European clubs, such as Chelsea, to inquire about his availability.

The absence of long-term casualty Antonio Cassano (heart procedure) and the suspension of Ibrahimovic left coach Massimiliano Allegri with limited options since Filippo Inzaghi was unlikely to start against Juve.

3) Substitution: Coach Allegri made an ill-advised decision to remove Urby Emanuelson and replace him with veteran midfielder Massimo Ambrosini. The timing of the substitution was also questionable. Perhaps Allegri should have waited another 10 minutes instead of having two 34-year-old midfielders in Ambrosini and Mark Van Bommel trying to contain a dynamic Juve once opposing coach Antonio Conte inserted the dynamic Simone Pepe and then followed by introducing the effective Alessandro Matri.

Milan looked tired and slow towards the end but no one can deny having two older midfielders tipped the balance in Juve’s favor (of course before Milan gained back some momentum with the late sending-off of Arturo Vidal).

4) Chances: Milan’s strong start and first 45 minutes deserved more than a goal so when the two sides went into the half with a score of 1-0 in favor of the Rossoneri, the Juve players must have sensed the situation cannot get any worse. Juve’s players must have felt they had a chance to come away with at least a point if they improved on their disastrous first-half performance.

5) Linesman: The Sulley Muntari goal should have counted giving Milan a 2-0 edge. The ball clearly crossed the line and if the scorer (Muntari) was in an offside position then the linesman should have at least raised his flag to force the match referee to blow his whistle. Instead, the linesman’s performance was appalling and allowed the play to continue with Juve launching a lightening counter-attack which almost resulted in an equalizer had Christian Abbiati not produced a fine save. If Juve had scored on that counter-attack then surely the referee would have lost control of the match.

The same linesman would later deny Juve a goal by claiming Matri was offside when he was in fact onside to draw the two teams level. The linesman was dismal to say the least because covering for an earlier error with another glaring mistake is not the right way to redeem oneself.

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Lionel Messi broke the scoring record for the elimination rounds of the Champions League when he scored during Barcelona’s away win against Bayer Leverkusen. The Germans were not spared Messi’s heroics as the Barca wizards scored near the end of the match to register his 19th goal in the knockout stages of Europe’s elite club competition.

The fact Messi has managed to score more than Real Madrid’s legend Raul and former Milan hero Andriy Shevchenko, both tied at 18 goals in the knockout phase, only adds to the Barca star’s growing legend at the age of 24. This is a testament not just to his prowess but also his ability to score on the big stage with 6 of his goals coming against some of Europe’s giants such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Messi scored two goals against each of those three clubs.

Some of his most remarkable feats came against English side Arsenal against whom he scored 6 goals. However, Messi is a big stage performer and he proved it by scoring in both finals against Manchester United.

Messi and his teammates might not be able to retain the La Liga title but Barca will likely lift the Copa del Rey and is a serious contender to go all the way in the Champions League. If the Catalans manage to win both trophies and miraculously recover to win La Liga then Messi will certainly be a big reason why Barca’s players were able to do so.

Even on a team with impressive players such as Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, Lionel remains a star cut above the rest. Messi’s heroic rise over the years has not made him arrogant or selfish. He is a great scorer but also a joy to watch with his dribbling skills as well as his selfless approach.

Messi is much more than just individualistic brilliance because he also has great team spirit and impressive work ethic. He has managed a total of 44 goals in the Champions League while providing his teammates with assists on 14 other occasions.

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Did Juventus throw away the title by drawing 0-0 in Parma after the scorless home draw with Siena? The Bianconeri continue to struggle in front of goal at an alarming pace which could cost coach Antonio Conte and his players the dream of winning the Serie A title. There are a number of factors but below is a list of some of the major concerns which were on display against Parma:

1) Vucinic: For the umpteenth time summer signing Mirko Vucinic failed to score while making wrong decisions or rushing his shots. Vucinic has managed only 3 goals in 16 league matches which is certainly not what the Bianconeri management and supporters were hoping for. Vucinic’s shot selection was questionable against Parma and this is perhaps due to a lack in confidence.

He was Juve’s most notable summer capture but he has failed to deliver. One thing is for sure: if Juve’s management expected Vucinic to contribute at least 15 goals a season then they might be off the mark because the attacker has not managed more than 14 goals in Serie A during his best season with Roma while he scored 19 goals in one Serie A campaign for Lecce.

2) The Forwards: The forwards at the disposal of coach Conte might be strong on paper but none of them appear ready to guarantee 15 goals a season for various reasons. The legendary Alessandro Del Piero is nearing the end of his historic journey in Bianconeri colors while Fabio Quagliarella is still trying to get back to his best after an injury-plagued year.

Considering Vucinic’s well-documented lack of scoring, there is tremendous pressure on Alessandro Matri to deliver the goals. Matri has been solid, if not spectacular, yet he remains Juve’s best hope for goals (at least among the attackers). Matri has scored 9 goals and assisted on 3 others. January signing Marco Borriello cannot be assessed at this stage.

3) Fatigue Factor: There are 16 matches left for the Bianconeri this season yet some players appear to be tired or lacking the cutting edge at this stage of the season. After a scintillating start, both Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal have slowed down. Marchisio was exceptional early in the season and has managed to score 6 goals in the league yet he seems to be tired and had to deal with minor injuries in recent weeks.

Simone Pepe is another player performing below his early season form when he scored 5 goals in Serie A. The incisive runs and aggressive play of both Marchisio and Pepe had been decisive in Juve’s rise to the top of the standings. Since the duo started facing fatigue, fitness and injury issues, the performances of the Bianconeri have declined.

4) Possession Game: Coach Conte seems to insist on following an approach similar to that of Barcelona. Juve’s midfield is a mix of talented, skilled and hardworking players yet the club does not have someone of Xavi’s or Cesc Fabregas’s caliber. However, Juve’s midfield has to be considered as one of the best in Europe. The combination of Marchisio, Vidal and Pepe along with the masterful Andrea Pirlo has turned the Bianconeri from an average side to a challenger capable of keeping possession and pressuring opponents.

One thing Barca has been suffering from is the lack of a scoring punch (for a number of reasons such as the lack of a genuine centre-forward) and it seems Conte’s team is facing the same problem. While Matri qualifies as a centre-forward and the same can be said of Borriello, both attackers do not have the physical presence to trouble opponents. Matri is not an aggressive player while Borriello is short on match fitness having settled for the bench most of the season (both with Roma and now Juve).

Against Siena and then Parma, the Bianconeri players possessed the ball for 70% and 63% of the time respectively but could not translate this dominance into a single goal. It appears Conte’s Juve adopted the possession game of Barca but unfortunately took along some of the few negative aspects attributed to such a style such as the lack of a killer instinct. The Barca style of play highlights patience and keeping the ball but seems to suffer from inefficiency and at times appears toothless in front of goal.

5) Undefeated Record: At times the Bianconeri and their coach Conte appear more concerned about preserving their unbeaten record as opposed to pushing harder for victories. In recent weeks there has been talk of how Perguia lost the Serie A title to Milan decades ago despite going the entire season without a single defeat in the league. While Juve employ a patient approach even against weaker opponents, there seems to be a fear factor involved, in particular in the last 20 minutes of matches. The Bianconeri seemed a bit rattled towards the end against both Siena and Parma.

Talk of going through the whole season undefeated has surfaced at times and some are even making comparisons between the current Juve team and that infamous Perugia side. A Bianconeri loss can perhaps open the floodgates and allow the players to perform more freely and with less pressure. Against Parma, Emanuele Giaccherini should have played more minutes because he tends to take up more dangerous positions and creates more scoring opportunities when compared to the less dangerous Marcelo Estigarribia.

6) Conte’s System: Coach Conte relies on three midfielders who might be different in style yet who can all interchange positions on the field. These three midfielders will ultimately decide whether the Bianconeri can win the league title. The influential trio, namely Pirlo, Marchisio and Vidal, do not have a replacement on the squad and no one comes close to their talent level when they are forced to miss a match, are underperforming or playing while unfit.

Pepe’s injury has somewhat exposed Juve but the presence of Giaccerini and Estigarribia can somewhat compensate for the winger’s absence; however, no one on the Juve squad can take Pirlo’s or Marchisio’s place in the starting lineup. Even Vidal has no replacement on the bench. The fact all three play at the same time means whenever there is a suspension or a forced absence, the Bianconeri will likely struggle to compensate for the costly absence.

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Real Madrid’s latest win (4-2 over Levante) gave Jose Mourinho’s squad a 10 point lead (and a comfortable margin of error) over Barcelona in the race for the La Liga title. It would fair to say that Los Blancos are nearing on the league title after years of dominance by their bitter rivals from Catalonia. In recent years, almost every match between those two sides has ended in Barca’s favor and, in some cases, embarrassed the Madrid side.

The start of the season has not seen any changes in this dynamic with the Catalans winning the Spanish Super Cup then triumphing in league play in Madrid (3-1 after trailing 1-0 early on) and eliminating Los Blancos in Copa del Rey. However, it appears the Madrid side will win what matters most for the capital side’s supporters: the league title!

Unless there is a miraculous turn in events, including a sudden and unexpected collapse by Real’s players then the trophy will end up in the coffers of the Madrid side. There are 16 matches left but with an advantage of 10 points even the likely defeat at the Camp Nou will only close the gap to 7 points. Barca will be hoping Real will begin to drop points but it will be difficult for the Catalans to overcome this difference in points. There are a number of factors behind the surge of Los Blancos to the top of the standings:

1) Away Form: Real Madrid have an impressive away record. The club won 9 out of 11 matches away from the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu while Barcelona’s struggles away from home will likely cost the Catalans the league title. The Catalans lost 2 games and drew 5 others out of 11 matches played outside Barcelona.

2) Goals: Mourinho has often been criticized in the media for his approach to certain matches, in particular the clashes with Barca, but Los Blancos have scored an impressive 75 goals in just 22 games. Madrid’s offensive success overshadows how strong the club has been on the defensive end when playing away. Madrid conceded only 6 goals on their travels compared to Barca’s 13. That is quite impressive considering Real have conceded 15 goals at home. Both Barca and Real have managed to score 45 goals at home but once again the difference shows in the away matches. Barca’s players have scored just18 times outside the Camp Nou to highlight the difficulty faced against home teams which defend deep to negate the possession game used by Barca to breakdown opponents. Real’s direct approach is proving to be much more successful than Barca’s patient play.

3) Scorers: Credit must be given not just to Cristiano Ronaldo but also to some of his teammates for their scoring exploits while Barca’s lack of a true striker is beginning to show. Last season the Catalans relied on Lionel Messi’s amazing run but one player alone cannot keep carrying the team. Xavi had an exceptional 2010-11 season and he is still performing at a high level but he is not a scorer while his teammate Andres Iniesta has been injury prone (and he too is not going to guarantee 20 or even 15 goals a season). Real have Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain, both of whom can score 20 goals a season. Barca’s flirtation with Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not have been a resounding success but perhaps he should have been given more time to establish himself. It is true Barca’s system does not allow Ibrahimovic to flourish but the Swedish star could have managed 20 or more goals a season if given the proper opportunity.

4) Motivation: Barca’s winning run will come to an end sooner or later for a number of reasons, including the lack of alternatives for key players such as Xavi and Carles Puyol. Teams are desperate to get a point from the mighty Catalans and they have figured ways to grind out results against Messi and his teammates. Having won so many trophies, some Barca players appear to have lost motivation and they seem to lack the passion which helped drive the side to unprecedented success. On the other hand, Real’s players are desperate for the league title and have been watching in despair during the last few years while Barca received plaudits piling up the trophies.

5) Mourinho: The self-proclaimed Special One might be the most desperate individual seeking to achieve success at the expense of Barcelona. Mourinho’s ties with the Catalan club go back to the days when the late Sir Bobby Robson was Barca’s coach and Jose worked on his staff. Mourinho is renowned for his ability to motivate players and he is a tireless worker despite the critics who point out to his struggles against Barca (excluding Inter’s win in the semi-final of the Champions League and last season’s Cop del Rey success).

6) Rotation: While Mourinho has been able to rotate certain players and still get the best possible results, Barca struggle whenever key players such as Xavi and Cesc Fabregas do not start matches. Barca seem incapable of winning easily if some of the star players such as Iniesta, Xavi or Fabregas are left on the bench. In Real’s case, Mourinho has been able at times to rotate Benzema and Higuain or use them both in the same match.

7) Barca’s Injuries: Iniesta has missed a number of matches during to injury while David Villa is out for an extended period. Even summer signing Alexis Sanchez was out for a number of weeks this season. These three players would have played many more games if they have been healthy throughout the season.

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Milan and Juventus are currently the top two teams in the Italian league with the Rossoneri ahead by two points but the Serie A champions have played two more matches than their rivals Juventus. Juve’s positive run, the club is undefeated this season in official play, is due to a number of factors such as a solid defensive record and a midfield marshaled by veteran Andrea Pirlo with the aid of Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal.

As for Milan, the league champions are dependent on the volatile star Zlatan Ibrahimovic and an experienced squad spearheaded by savvy veterans such as Alessandro Nesta and Clarence Seedorf.

Below is a glance at what makes Antonio Conte’s Bianconeri prime candidates for the Italian league title:

1) Hunger: There is a hunger among established Juve players, particularly Marchisio and Giorgio Chiellini, who have yet to win a major trophy with the club. In addition, Pirlo has a point to prove after his free transfer from Milan during the summer.

2) Balance: The proper blend between the old and the young players. Older stars such as Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon offer the experience and stability needed at a prestigious club (such as Juve) while emerging players such as Vidal and Marchisio provide the energy and enthusiasm.

3) Pirlo: Midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been one of the most successful stories of this season after some pundits and fans wrote him off following his reduced role with Milan due to injury in 2010-11. Pirlo has been both decisive and crucial in leading Juve’s charge with his pinpoint passing, calm demeanor and his ability to keep the ball as well as dictate the game when needed. While Vidal provides non-stop running and Marchisio knocks in crucial goals such as his late winning double against Milan, the rejuvenated Pirlo orchestrates the attacks and serves as the focal point of Juve’s possession game.

4) Spirit: Prior to Calciopoli, the Juve squads were often defined by their fighting spirit and other related intangibles. Juve players often conjured their never-die attitude to pull famous wins and avoid defeats in some tight clashes. The determination and dedication were hallmarks of the Marcello Lippi era yet the Bianconeri lost such priceless qualities in the previous couple of years. During this season, former Juve captain Conte, who played under Lippi, has worked hard on restoring the club’s pride. Conte has done a phenomenal job up to this point and it would not be surprising to see Juve end up with the title once the season is over. One great example of Juve’s fight was the 3-3 draw with Napoli after the Bianconeri trailed 1-3 to the dangerous Partenopei side.

5) Stadium: The new Juventus arena has been a decisive factor in helping the club with the supporters playing a positive role in spurring the players forward when the visiting teams were attempting to force a draw on the Bianconeri. Juve did draw 4 home games but these games came against weaker sides which opted to close shop and pack their area in order to prevent the Bianconeri from scoring.

Below is a list of factors which could tip the title in Milan’s favor:

1) Ibrahimovic: The Swedish star has weighed in with 15 goals and 4 assists in league play. Zlatan is Milan’s focal point in attack and is often the key player when the Rossoneri are looking for an opening against tough opponents.

2) Experience: The Rossoneri squad is composed of experienced players in every position starting with goalkeeper Christian Abbiati and centre-back Nesta as well as midfielders Massimo Ambrosini and Mark Van Bommel. These players have won the league title last season so they have the knowledge of what is needed to win trophies.

3) Depth: Despite the injuries and absence of key players such as Antonio Cassano (heart issue), Alexandre Pato (injury) and now Ibrahimovic (suspension- did not feature against Udinese), the Rossoneri squad has shown it is deep enough to cope with such emergencies. The Rossoneri have been without injured goalkeeper Abbiati as well as Alberto Aquilani, Gennaro Gattuso and Kevin-Prince Boateng.

4) Attack: The Rossoneri have Serie A’s best attack having registered 45 goals, 8 more goals than Lazio, while by comparison Juve have managed only 33 goals.

5) Nocerino: The midfielder signed from Palermo was signed to replace the aging Gattuso yet Antonio Nocerino has proven to be a very important player for Milan having played 20 league matches so far, including 19 as a starter. However, the biggest surprise has been Nocerino’s scoring exploits as the midfielder, not known for his goals, has managed to register 7 goals so far.

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Real Madrid suffered another home defeat to Barcelona but this time in the first-leg of the Copa del Rey. The cup loss has not been as painful as the La Liga loss to the bitter rivals from Catalonia. In both defeats the hosts took the lead early on only for the Catalans to strike back to achieve precious and morale boosting victories.

Last season, Mourinho’s team was able to lift the Copa del Rey at Barca’s expense yet all other competitions involving both sides have ended in favor of the Catalans who went on to win La Liga title and the Champions League. Those two latter titles are the ones which Mourinho wants to win and are the reason why he was hired in the first place.

Mourinho knows he cannot beat Barca by playing an attacking game so he keeps resorting to a defensive strategy with an emphasis on counter-attacks and an aggressive approach to intimidate Barca’s creative trio of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta.

Those who value the Spanish Cup will argue that the Portuguese coach used his strongest lineup to face the Catalans but the reality is crystal clear for those who understand the intense rivalry between the two clubs and Mourinho’s personal grudge against Barca. Real, in particular the club’s management and Mourinho, cannot afford to be seen as giving away a match to Barcelona.

For Mourinho the focus remains on winning La Liga and this is a possible objective despite the home loss to the Catalans. Los Blancos have been more consistent than any other club in the Spanish league and deserve to be on top. With Cristiano Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain scoring the goals, Mourinho can rely on a decisive firepower to finish off opponents.

As for the Spanish Cup’s return-leg, Mourinho will attempt to win the clash at the Camp Nou because he needs to boost his own morale and that of his squad since he realizes Los Blancos cannot afford a crushing defeat to the bitter rivals. Another loss to Barca this week would damage the confidence of the players and increase doubts about Real’s ability to win La Liga following a period of dominance by the Catalans.

Mourinho realizes losing the return tie will create a psychological barrier for his players who will become increasingly lacking in confidence when it comes to their ability to win the remaining fixture against the Catalans at the Camp Nou on April 22nd. That league fixture will likely be decisive for the coronation of the eventual league champions.

In the meantime, and despite the criticism from supporters and various media outlets, Mourinho will stick to the unpopular defensive strategy against Barca while relying on Ronaldo and his attacking partners to sneak a winner from counter-attacks. The Copa del Rey might not be Mourinho’s ultimate objective but winning the return fixture, even by a scoreline of 1-0 which leads to exiting the cup, will be one of Mourinho’s main targets ahead of the much anticipated league dual in April.

Will Mourinho be able to halt Barca’s dominance or will Messi and his teammates continue to cause heartache for the shrewd Portuguese tactician?

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Juventus have scored 29 goals in 18 league matches which is not very impressive but by no means is it a disastrous figure considering only two clubs in Serie A have scored more: Milan and Napoli.

The figures do not lie and a closer look reveals the Bianconeri have scored 10 goals in 3 matches meaning the club managed only 19 goals in the other 15 games. This explains why the Bianconeri have drawn 8 out of the 18 matches played. The Juventus attack needs a more lethal striker with summer signing Mirko Vucinic struggling to find the back of the net with any consistency.

Alessandro Matri is the club’s top scorer and has been in fine form yet he remains the only proven attacking threat in the squad considering club legend Alessandro Del Piero is nearing the end of his journey while Fabio Quagliarella has been hindered by injuries.

The Bianconeri are desperate to offload veterans Vincenzo Iaquinta, Luca Toni and Amauri as the three strikers have failed to impress and have not been used by coach Antonio Conte. In addition to Juve’s inconsistent and indecisive attack, coach Conte has a few other issues to contend with if the Bianconeri are to return to glory:

1) Lack of midfield alternatives: There is an urgent need for a quality midfielder to cover for the impressive trio Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Andrea Pirlo. The coach’s tactics dictate that the three midfielders start each game yet there is not a single reliable substitute capable of contributing at the same level if any one of them is missing. Milos Krasic is a winger and has struggled all season with the Serbian’s move away from Turin becoming a very plausible option with every passing round of fixtures.

2) Hard-working wingers: Utility player Simone Pepe who has practically played on the right and left wings as well as deputized as a right-back does not have a true replacement within the squad. Pepe is not the most talented of players yet there is no doubting his effort and his determination. This season he has shown vast improvement from his first one with the Bianconeri.

Despite having the speed, Krasic does not put the work as hard and is one dimensional so he cannot be seen as an ideal replacement. In addition, Dutch signing Eljero Elia has so far failed to impress Conte and has barely played for the club prompting some to wonder why he was even signed to begin with.

3) Need for a centre-back: Andrea Barzagli has over-performed yet his defensive partner Leonardo Bonucci continues to disappoint in the sense he has not shown much improvement from last season. Bonucci has been guilty of some unacceptable mistakes such as his wayward and poor clearance which led to Cagliari’s equalizer through Andrea Cossu last weekend.

The club’s best centre-back Giorgio Chiellini is being used as a left-back emphasizing Juve’s need for a quality centre-back to challenge for honors. While summer signing Stephan Lichtsteiner has performed fairly well and is a huge improvement compared to Marco Motta in the right-back position, the Bianconeri do not have any other reliable full-backs in their squad. This explains why the club is being linked with former player Martin Caceres who can play in more than one position at the back.

While the club’s defensive record is the best in the league with just 12 goals conceded so far, this impressive stat is perhaps misleading since it gives credit to the defenders while overlooking the role played by the midfielders. Vidal has been a massive influence in midfield and his non-stop running has seen him go back and retrieve the ball on countless occasions. The same can be said of Simone Pepe and Marchisio while the presence of Pirlo must not be underestimated.

Last season, Felipe Melo had his best year in Juve colors yet he remained a liability when it came to passing which meant he regularly gave away the ball after winning it. The current trio of midfielders are all better passers and have the ability to not just keep the ball but surge forward to create scoring threats.

In addition, goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon is gradually returning to form and has made a number of impressive saves this season. Barzagli, Chiellini and Bonucci were all with the club last season but, once again, the main difference is the enhanced quality of the club’s midfield.

For the Bianconeri to achieve glory they need to acquire a proven scorer in addition to a quality centre-back and a midfielder who can properly replace the likes of Marchisio and Vidal.

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Roma legend and skipper Francesco Totti broke the Serie A scoring record for a single club after managing to score a quick double on Saturday during the 5-1 win over Cesena. The two goals scored by Totti brought his tally to 211 goals with the Giallorossi in the Italian top flight.

Totti has now played 486 times in Serie A and scored 211 goals to beat the record of Swedish legend Gunnar Nordahl who managed to score 210 goals for Milan in league play. However, he trails Nordahl in overall scoring in Serie A since the Swedish legend managed 225 goals to rank 2nd on the all-time list while Totti is in 5th place and in need of 5 more goals to tie both Giuseppe Meazza and Jose Altafini.

Totti will have the chance to probably rise as high as 2nd place on the list if he continues to play since he needs 14 goals to tie Nordahl but he is far behind the all-time top scorer in Serie A who is Silvio Piola with 274 goals.

Totti deserves all the praise for his efforts, scoring record and loyalty to Roma spanning around two decades. Like the legendary Italian defender Paolo Maldini, Totti has only played for one club. Totti’s scoring record for a single club in Serie A must serve as an example for those who doubt they can play at a high level once they go over the age of 30. Francesco is 35-years-old and will likely play on for another couple of seasons.

Totti has also contributed to the Italian cause helping the Azzurri reach the final of Euro 2000 and winning World Cup 2006. His best season was 2006-07 when he managed to score 26 goals in 35 league matches.

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The current table shows Inter in 5th place yet the Nerazzurri have a greater chance of competing for the league title than Udinese or Lazio who are currently above them in the standings. Inter’s players have the necessary experience and the quality players to challenge for titles while both Udinese and Lazio are lacking in terms of experience and the killer instinct needed to win difficult matches.

The Nerazzurri have yet to benefit from the signing of Diego Forlan who has been sidelined due to injury for the most part while key player Wesley Sneijder has been dealing with injury and fitness issues for the majority of the season. Sneijder might have also been distracted by rumors of a potential transfer to the English Premier League to join some of the elite clubs such as Manchester United.

With the dust settled on those rumors and Sneijder certain of finishing the season with Inter, this could serve as a major boost for the club’s title hopes. Sneijder was one of the best players not just in Italy but the world when Jose Mourinho was in charge at Inter and the Dutch star was also one of most important players during South Africa 2010 when the Netherlands reached the World Cup final.

Inter possess experience and the winning mentality in abundance with a squad including skipper Javier Zanetti, midfielder Esteban Cambiasso and striker Diego Milito. Argentine attacker Milito scored the decisive goal in the 1-0 win over bitter city rivals Milan. This precious victory will provide tremendous boost for the squad’s confidence and will allow coach Claudio Ranieri to remain optimistic for the remainder of the season. While Inter’s resurgence has not gone unnoticed, common sense dictates that the Serie A title will go to either neighbors Milan or eternal rivals Juventus.

Milan’s injury list which has deprived the club of two key attacking options in the shape of Antonio Cassano and Alexandre Pato has had a negative effect on the club’s title defense yet the Rossoneri are a mere point behind Juventus in the league standings. This is a strong testament to the club’s pool of talent with the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Kevin-Prince Boateng helping to offset the crucial absences. Cassano had a heart procedure and his return date has yet to be set while Pato will likely be out for 3 to 4 weeks.

The Rossoneri remain the favorites for the title because they have a more talented squad than the Bianconeri. Milan’s squad contains a number of proven players such as Thiago Silva, Robinho and Alessandro Nesta. While the loss to Inter in the city derby was a damaging blow, the overall effect on the league standings has been minimal. Milan’s European adventure might be the one major hindrance which could likely benefit league leaders Juventus.

The Bianconeri are focused on the domestic front since Juve failed to qualify to Europe following a dismal season. With coach Antonio Conte leading the charge, the Bianconeri have been able to avoid defeat in 18 league matches so far. The draw against Napoli showed how determined the squad is under the guidance of Conte. The presence of a former Bianconeri player at the coaching helm has been a bonus for Juve even if a similar experiment with Ciro Ferrara failed in the recent past. The circumstances are quite different today as opposed to during Ferrara’s unsuccessful spell. Ferrara was inexperienced and an unproven tactician when he took over as a coach while Conte had already be then helped two clubs earn promotion from Serie B to Italy’s elite Serie A.

Conte’s aggressive approach, fighting spirit and determination as both a former midfielder and a coach have been transmitted to his starting XI as evident in the playing style of midfielders Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio as well as winger Simone Pepe. Unsurprisingly, Conte’s greatest influence has been felt amongst the club’s midfielders such as Marchisio and the rejuvenated maestro Andre Pirlo.

It would be unwise to bet against Conte’s side remaining at the top when the season’s final whistle is heard but who is brave enough to bet against Milan’s Ibrahimovic? The next few months will be interesting and the clash between the top two clubs on February 26th will be one to keep an eye on.

When Karim Benzema scored the opener for Real Madrid inside the first minute, some assumed it was going to be a long night for Barcelona’s players and the club’s supporters. However, the Catalans eventually turned the result around in another painful defeat for outspoken coach Jose Mourinho who, as expected, pretended the loss was not damaging.

Below are some of the key factors behind Barca’s ability to turn the early 1-0 deficit into a precious 3-1 victory in Madrid:

1) Barca’s Possession Plan: Most Spanish football fans are aware of Barca’s reliance on the possession game in order to deprive opponents of the ball and the chance to create scoring opportunities against goalkeeper Victor Valdes.

The Barca goalkeeper was shaky throughout the night not because of Real’s chances but rather due to his persistent attempt at neatly passing the ball to a teammate when he was under pressure. This led to Benzema’s early goal and could have resulted in one or two other goals if Real took advantage.

By keeping possession over 60% of the time, Barca made sure that Cristiano Ronaldo saw less of the ball and this restricted the overall efficiency and attacking threat from the hosts.

2) Barca win Midfield Battle: While there is no doubt some Barca player tend to flop at the slightest of touches, the Real players were certainly more aggressive and they did not hesitate to use two-footed tackles on a number of occasions against Barca. At the end, Xavi’s and Andres Iniesta’s confidence with the ball and their ability to pass their way out of any difficult situation allowed the Catalans to eventually turn the ride in their favor.

Xavi would certainly like to take credit for the second goal albeit the heavy deflection which ought to see Real’s Marcelo take the unfortunate credit of scoring an own goal. However, it was not this goal which makes Xavi so critical for Barca’s success but rather his amazing ability to make everything look ordinary. Xavi is not the talented dribbler such as Lionel Messi and he certainly is not flashy, but the Spanish midfielder can pass the ball like no other when forced into some of the most difficult situations.

Finally, Iniesta deserves praise for his efforts and he was Barca’s main threat once the game was at 3-1 with his marauding runs creating at least three serious scoring opportunities for the Catalans to add to the score. Iniesta and Xavi continue to show telepathic understanding when it comes to their passing and positional awareness.

3) Cristiano Ronaldo’s Failure: Ronaldo could have easily helped Real take a solid 2-0 lead over their bitter rivals yet he chose to be selfish instead of passing to the well-placed Angel Di Maria. This squandered opportunity would prove costly as Barca’s Messi would opt to setup Alexis Sanchez with a sublime pass for the equalizer.

In the second-half, Ronaldo would go on to miss a glorious scoring opportunity from a header while his decision continued to be questionable. While Messi did not score, the Argentina wizard did at least create space for his teammates and his assist led to the equalizer while Ronaldo went on to squander a couple of other free-kicks from his favorite spots.

4) Jose Mourinho’s Decisions: The Portuguese coach has been fortunate to get the opportunity to coach some of the best teams in their respective league. In the case of Chelsea, Mourinho became manager at the opportune moment when Roman Abramovich had already poured millions and millions of pounds. Then, with Inter, Mourinho had the benefit of Massimo Moratti’s heavy spending, players such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the squad and the fact previous coach Roberto Mancini had set the winning era rolling. Currently, Mourinho is coaching one of the richest and best teams in the world with players such as Ronaldo, Higuain, Mesut Ozil, Pepe, Xabi Alonso and Kaka on his squad.

So where did it go wrong for Jose? When it comes to Barca, many acknowledge the controversial Portuguese coach has a personal vendetta because deep inside he always wanted to take over coaching duties at the Camp Nou. He hoped after Chelsea he would be considered for the Barca post but he was overlooked and then the same following the end of the Frank Rijkaard era in Catalonia. Thus, Mourinho seems to be emotionally charged when facing Barca and he often seems obsessed with avoiding defeat against the Catalans rather than pushing hard for a win.

Some of his questionable decisions include giving striker Gonzalo Higuain a mere 20 minutes to save the game. The Argentina striker has managed to score 12 goals in just 14 La Liga appearances, with 7 of those games coming as a substitute. Some might say Mourinho was adventurous enough to use Benzema, Ozil and Ronaldo at the same time, but the Portuguese coach ought to have started Higuain who is in fine form.

Another issue was the timing of his substitutions which seemed to be off as at 1-3 down, Higuain was realistically left with very little time to save something from the match while Kaka was only brought on after the hosts fell behind 1-2. Ozil was not having a great game so to wait almost an hour before subbing him was quite a mistake. Even Di Maria who was inconsistent and erratic somehow survived longer than expected before Mourinho opted to remove him.

5) The Talent Level: To be fair to Mourinho, the Barca squad has to be considered as one of the best assembled teams in the history of the game at the club level. The core of Spain’s Euro 2008 and World Cup 2010 winning squad is formed by Barca’s backbone with key players Xavi, Iniesta, Gerard Pique and Carles Puyol all contributing heavily to both Spain’s and the Catalan club’s success over the last few years. Add to the mix players of the quality of Messi and even summer signing Alexis Sanchez, then it is hard to imagine a team currently better prepared to win trophies. Obviously the addition of Cesc Fabregas, the former Arsenal skipper, only makes the squad even deeper and more talented!

Some might argue this is just a single match, but what they fail to recognize is the fact this triumph in Madrid will likely boost Barca’s morale following an inconsistent run in La Liga. As for Real, the club still has a chance to be 3 points ahead if the players can put behind this defeat to win their remaining match before the holidays. The win was certainly much more important for Barca because had Real won, then the difference would have been 6 points with the Madrid side having the opportunity to make it 9 points prior to 2012.

Time will tell whether this loss will have a damaging effect on Los Blancos and if the Barca players will use this precious victory as a means to propel their season to new heights in the quest to retain their La Liga title.

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The two historic sides of Spanish football will face-off this weekend in a highly anticipated match expected to carry massive repercussions for the remainder of the season. Real Madrid are on top of the standings with a three point advantage over bitter rivals Barcelona. There is no lost love between the two sides and the regional and geopolitical factors add to the intensity of this clash. No doubt having what many deem as the world’s best three players in the shape of Cristiano Ronaldo of Real Madrid and Barca’s duo Lionel Messi and Xavi will add further flavor to the match.

Below are some of the expected clashes and main subplots to this traditional slugfest between two of the best and most decorated clubs in the world:

1) Pep Guardiola versus Jose Mourinho: At this stage the younger coach Guardiola has the edge over Mourinho since the outspoken Portuguese boss has not beaten Pep in La Liga. In addition, Guardiola’s Barcelona have dominated domestic and European honors with the exception of Copa del Rey. Mourinho will be desperate to win to put behind last season demoralizing 5-0 loss at the Camp Nou.

One thing many should realize is the common belief Mourinho was always desperate to be coach of Barca and when the Catalans opted for Guardiola a few years ago he personally took it as a slap on the face. Thus, Mourinho is on a personal vendetta and that could explain his often controversial and aggressive speeches and interviews last season.

2) Barca’s Defensive line versus C. Ronaldo & Higuain: Barca’s defense has looked shaky at times this season and this is due to the fact club skipper Carles Puyol and his trusted partner Gerard Pique have missed a large chunk of Barca’s matches in La Liga this season. This creates instability at the back allowing quality players such as Ronaldo and Gonzalo Higuain to take advantage.

Match: Barcelona vs. Real Madrid

Kickoff: Sunday, April 23rd 2:45pm ET

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One of the main battles of the match will involve Ronaldo and Real’s attackers with Barca’s defenders. The help from Barca’s midfield will be crucial as the defensive line will likely falter against Ronaldo and his in-form teammates such as Higuain.

3) Barca’s Midfield and ball-possession: One crucial key to the match will be how much possession Barcelona’s midfielders, in particular the likes of Xavi, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas, can guarantee so as to relieve their defensive line from the intense pressure likely to be applied by Higuain, Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil and perhaps Kaka.

Xavi and Iniesta are not defensive midfielders or anchormen, but their ability to retain possession, pass the ball around and create opportunities will help decide how much rest their defenders will be enjoying. In addition, by keeping the ball, Iniesta and Xavi will be limiting how much damage Ronaldo can do if he has possession.

4) The brilliance of Lionel Messi: Barcelona’s quality players are all over the pitch, yet Messi has proven to be a decisive factor in most of the clashes against Real Madid since Mourinho took over. The Portuguese coach must be planning a way to slow down the Argentina star even if Mourinho might claim he will not adjust his strategy to restrict and contain the Argentine wizard.

Messi has scored decisive goals against Real Madrid, so whether he has enough space and time to dissect the Los Blancos defensive line could very well be the deciding factor in this match.

5) The form of Gonzalo Higuain: The Argentina striker suffered a serious injury during 2010-11 season but has been back to his best in in this early stretch of the La Liga campaign. If allowed the slightest of chances, the Argentine assassin might be able to decide the match’s outcome. Higuain has already managed a remarkable 12 goals in just 14 matches in La Liga. Of those 14 games he played in the Spanish league, he only started 7 of them. Higuain has also been extremely efficient managing to score 12 goals from just 18 shots on target and a total of 30 shots (12 of which were off target)!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0bPoxFEPRU

6) The role of Real’s Pepe: The Portugese player has been used in a more advanced role as a defensive midfielder with one major task which is to shadow Messi’s movements. If Pepe can control his temper and avoid receiving a quick yellow card while slowing down Messi as much as possible, then Los Blancos will have a big opportunity to end up on top in this clash. Pepe has done a decent job against Messi who is one of the hardest players to mark in football.

7) Kaka and Ozil: If Kaka and Ozil do start, then the question will be wether the duo can provide the extra impetus needed to test Barca’s back-line and to offer the support for Ronaldo who will otherwise be getting the majority of Barca’s attention. Thus, if Ozil and Kaka do not perform as needed, then Barca will likely focus on frustrating Ronaldo.

8 ) Ronaldo’s productivity: The Portuguese star has often disappeared during extended stretches of the matches against the Catalans. If Ronaldo is not at his best or if he gets easily frustrated, then Real could suffer in the attempt to find ways to breakdown Barca. If Ronaldo plays to his potential then he could tip the balance in Real’s favor as long as Pepe can restrict Messi’s movement. Ronaldo is

9) Angel Di Maria (Madrid) and Fabregas (Barca): Di Maria has produced a magnificent season so far from a statistical standpoint with 11 assists and 3 goals in just 12 La Liga matches. Di Maria can create problems with his runs and he is the perfect complement to Higuain and Ronaldo.

On the other hand, Barca’s Fabregas is having an exemplary season since joining this summer from Arsenal with the midfielder managing an impressive tally of 7 goals and 5 assists in just 11 La Liga appearances. Fabregas has combined well with Messi and he has had no issues fitting seamlessly with his teammates.

10) Alexis Sanchez the X-Factor: The talented Chilean attacker suffered an unfortunate injury which stalled his career with the Camp Nou outfit after joining from Italy’s Udinese during the summer. However, Sanchez managed to score 4 goals in just 7 La Liga appearances. He could play a decisive role coming off the bench or perhaps coach Guardiola decides to insert him in the starting lineup to confuse opposing boss Jose Mourinho.

Regardless of whether Sanchez starts or plays a portion of the match, the Chilean is more than capable of creating something special and he could be the danger-man since most of Real’s players will be focused on Messi as well as Xavi, Iniesta and Fabregas. With David Villa struggling to impress this season, it would not be surprising to see Sanchez grab the headlines if given the proper opportunity and ample time to deliver.

There are of course other players who can influence the outcome of the match but one crucial factor will be the attitude and approach of the players from both teams. Under Mourinho, Real’s players have often resorted to being physically aggressive in an attempt to intimidate Barca’s stars, yet that has backfired with Barca coming on top while some of Real’s players have been disciplined by the referees. On the other hand, Barca’s players have dropped fast to the ground and often engaged in outrageous flops as witnessed in last season’s Champions League tie between the two bitter clubs.

For the neutral fans of the beautiful game, the main wish is for an entertaining and free flowing spectacle with opposing stars Ronaldo and Messi allowed to perform at their scintillating best. For the respective supporters of the two clubs, their coaches and players, the main objective will be achieving victory to dent the title hopes of their bitter opponents.

Will Guardiola or Mourinho win this latest battle of wits? Will Messi or Ronaldo shine? There is one way to find out: fans ought to tune in to enjoy one of the year’s most anticipated matchups in sports!

Don’t forget: Real Madrid v Barcelona is live on ESPN Deportes on Saturday, December 10 at 4PM ET. 

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With reports emerging about an agreement between Milan and Manchester City outcast Carlos Tevez, there are many who believe the Argentina striker will be a big addition to the star studded Rossoneri squad. However, the Citizens have yet to negotiate with Milan and there is no guarantee the transfer will go through during the January window. Below are some of the positive outcomes from adding the talented Tevez:

1) Tevez is a proven talent having managed an impressive 43 goals in just 65 English Premier League matches. The 27-year-old has the skills and the ability to dribble past the best of defensive lines in Europe and the world. At 27, he is nearing the peak and he can excel if provided with the proper platform to perform.

2) If Milan do not sign him, there were reports both Inter and Juventus can be potential club destinations. Thus, by signing Tevez, the Rossoneri will ensure two of their bitter rivals will not be adding a dangerous attacking weapon.

3) Players from Argentina tend to settle down and succeed in Serie A if they are talented and dedicated. There are many examples of stars hailing from Argentina who have achieved success in the Italian league such as Javier Zanetti and Gabriel Batistuta. Tevez will likely find it easier to settle down in Italy than in England where he has language issues and cultural barriers to overcome.

4) Despite boasting the likes of Alexandre Pato, Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic in their ranks, the Rossoneri need a frequent goalscorer considering Pato’s extended absences due to injury and Robinho’s inaccuracy in front of goal. Only Ibrahimovic has been an undisputed goal threat since joining Milan.

Pato has missed a large chunk of last season and has had to recover early this season so his playing time has been greatly limited. As for Robinho, it took him quite an extended stretch of matches to hit top form last season but what has plagued him since joining the Rossoneri is the fact he has missed a plethora of easy goals due to miscues or wrong decisions. If Tevez keeps up with his scoring trend with City, then Milan will have solved the need to find a reliable scoring partner for Ibrahimovic.

5) Milan will sell more tickets, gain more exposure and expanding on their marketing brand, whether through the sale of club merchandise or TV viewership by adding a talented and controversial figure such as Tevez.

On the flip side, there are some risks associated with the signing of the Argentina striker and below are some of the main ones:

a) Tevez has been a disruptive figure in England as he has shown little sensitivity to the fans of Manchester United when he accepted to join their city neighbors City, but to make it worse he has not been a positive influence in the dressing room of the Citizens. It did appear that Tevez rejected manager Roberto Mancini’s order to go on as a substitute and this could cause problems in Milan where coach Massimiliano Allegri is not as experienced as Mancini despite winning the Serie A title last season.

In addition, Tevez has often voiced his displeasure about being in England and, on more than one occasion, he claimed he was homesick. Do the Rossoneri want to sign a player who could jump ship at any point of the season?

b) The addition of Tevez could damage the susceptible harmony between the strikers already present on Milan’s roster. Swedish star Ibrahimovic is renowned for his volatile temperament and is not an easy character to get along with while Robinho is not immune to throwing tantrums and being moody. As for Pato, the addition of Tevez could signal the end of his tenure with Milan as the Rossoneri will not be able to play all four attacking player, particularly with Kevin-Prince Boateng showing massive improvement from last season. The four attackers cannot be on the pitch together because they will create an imbalanced lineup lacking in structure and defensive ability.

c) Milan will likely have to pay a large sum to secure the signature of Tevez and that could hurt the club’s budget when considering the club’s need for other reinforcements at the end of the season. The Rossoneri will need to look for younger players, particularly in midfield and on the defensive end. Alessandro Nesta, Gianluca Zambrotta, Gennaro Gattuso, Clarence Seedorf, Massimo Ambrosini and Mark van Bommel are well into their 30s while squad players Mario Yepes and Daniele Bonera are also above 30.

Thus, the club will need to buy at least one young talent to compete for midfield positions as well as a young defensive player who will compensate for the older defenders. Milan’s problems are not in attack so it might be wiser to invest the money elsewhere.

d) Tevez might not be able to settle quick in both the city of Milan and amongst his new teammates considering his habit of running out his welcome at different clubs. Tevez might become more of a distraction than a welcome addition if he fails to settle down and if he does not find the back of the net on a regular basis. An unhappy Tevez can bring undesired attention to Milanello.

Overall, the signing of Tevez, if indeed his move gets the nod from City’s directors, will add another attacking threat to the Rossoneri lineup forcing opponents to adjust their plans to restrict and contain a very talented player capable of scoring some fantastic goals. On the other hand, Tevez brings with him uncertainty and a lot of unknowns as well as excess baggage from his previous stops in Europe, specifically the Premier League.

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Last season Barcelona virtually guaranteed winning La Liga by overcoming Real Madrid at home and then securing a draw in Madrid. No doubt Barca was superior to Los Blancos last season but so far the champions have been inconsistent while Cristiano Ronaldo and his teammates have been on a phenomenal run. So what is at stake in the latest edition of El Clasico?

1) A win for Real Madrid will most likely pave the way to winning La Liga title this season provided there is no late season collapse and no points are wasted against the weaker sides.

2) A win or a draw for Barcelona will keep the club’s hopes of retaining the title alive. It might be early in the season but if the last couple of years are to be used as a reference point then the clashes between the two clubs are decisive since the point differential tends to be driven by the results from their two matches.

3) A win for Real Madrid will provide a massive boost for Los Blancos and their coach Jose Mourinho who is desperate to defeat Barca in La Liga or Europe as a Madrid boss after achieving the feat while coaching Inter. On the other hand, a loss will be damaging for both Mourinho and his players since Barca will receive a massive boost from winning in Madrid.

4) Real are 3 points ahead and have a game in hand so defeating Barcelona will create a six point gap with the potential of turning into an insurmountable nine point cushion if Real wins the match in hand.

5) Real have played only 6 matches at home while Barca have played nine home games which is another factor in the Madrid club’s favor. This makes El Clasico even more important for Barca and the stars such as Xavi, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas are certainly aware of the significance of this clash.

While the match could end in a draw, a win for either team could be decisive in signalling which side has the upper-hand. A loss for Real Madrid will not be as damaging as a defeat for Barca may turn out to be, but the emotional and psychological edge gained by the winning side could prove crucial for the remainder of the season ahead of the return clash at the Camp Nou.

Simply put, Barca cannot afford to lose to Real because a potential nine point gap could be hard to overcome, particularly when Los Blancos are firing on all cylinders. All eyes will be on the two sides when they clash at the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend.

Note: Real Madrid v Barcelona is live on ESPN Deportes on Saturday, December 10 at 4PM ET.

Who will win? Real Madrid or Barcelona?

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The return of Juventus as a force in Italian football has coincided with the arrival of Andrea Pirlo on a free transfer and with former club captain Antonio Conte assuming control of coaching duties. Both Pirlo and Conte have been influential in Juve’s rise with the former Milan midfielder proving indispensable in several matches while coach Antonio has helped revive the squad’s damaged spirit.

Conte has been able to create a sense of belief amongst his players while not only boosting their confidence but also instilling the values normally associated the famous kit of the Old Lady.

It would be unfair to exclude a number of other players from praise after the club’s impressive start to the season, but there are two starters who deserve a lot of credit for Juve’s position at the table of the Serie A table. The two aforementioned players are former Udinese winger Simone Pepe and Chilean midfielder Arturo Vidal. Pepe was signed on a permanent basis this season after a one-year loan spell which could be deemed as above average but not too impressive.

During the summer there were reports Juve were going to cash-in on the player they signed from Udinese but coach Conte convinced Pepe to stay in Turin. This might prove as one of the summer’s best moves as Pepe has become integral to the coach’s plans with his dynamic, non-stop running as well as his versatility. Pepe can operate on both flanks and can even revert to a full-back position when needed.

Pepe has already managed to score four goals this season to match his total from the previous year. His movement and his tireless running have been crucial factors in sustaining the impressive start to Juve’s season through the intense energy level in midfield provided by Pepe along with Vidal and Claudio Marchisio. The energetic trio compensate for Pirlo’s inability to cover much space in midfield as a result of his age and decline in stamina. The hard work of the three players allows Pirlo to move freely and to operate at a pace most convenient to his declining physical attributes. Besides freeing the influential Pirlo, Pepe and Vidal have been able to contribute on the offensive end as well.

While Pepe tends to struggle with his crossing at times, Vidal is relied upon to drive the Juve team forward while ensuring the Bianconeri retrieve the ball quick when it is lost. Vidal, like Pepe, deserves credit for his tireless running but what he adds to the equation is his ability to force opponents to make quick decisions while challenging them for possession. Vidal also provides impetus with his runs towards the opposing penalty box and has proven to be a successful passer of the ball in small space. Vidal might not be renowned for his long-range or pinpoint passing but his short-range passing is definitely an upgrade on former Juve anchorman Felipe Melo.

Vidal has contributed three assists and scored on two occasions in 12 matches, including nine starts and three substitute appearances in Serie A. His performances this season have given the Bianconeri fans something to smile about after a few years plagued by defensive midfielders incapable of retaining possession or properly passing the ball, in particular Christian Poulsen, Momo Sissoko and Melo who all failed to win the fans while wearing the Bianconeri’s famous shirt.

Together Vidal and Pepe have formed the dynamic half of an impressive partnership in midfield with Marchisio and Pirlo. While the experienced Pirlo control the match’s tempo and provides incisive passes for the attackers, Marchisio has become well accustomed to popping up inside the opponent’s penalty box to score goals or create scoring opportunities. The four players have been instrumental in Juve’s rise but Pepe often receives less praise than he deserves. Pepe might not get the praise usually reserved for the likes of Pirlo and Marchisio, but he has certainly been as decisive for the club. No one can forget his late equaliser against Napoli which helped the Bianconeri achieve a precious draw and maintain their unbeaten record since the beginning of the season.

Against Cesena, Pirlo was suspended but Pepe, Marchisio and Vidal all compensated for his absence by scoring, in the case of the latter two, and through their tremendous effort, particularly Pepe who did not stop running. When the season is over, the Bianconeri’s final position will be heavily influenced by the performances of the midfield quartet. Pepe in particular must be applauded because he has allowed the Bianconeri fans to forget about Milos Krasic who has struggled for form in this early stretch of the season after a positive start to his Juve career during the 2010-11 season.

If the Bianconeri do win Serie A, then much of the credit deserves to go the midfield with special attention reserved to the likes of Pepe and Vidal as well as Marchisio and Pirlo ofcourse. Conte, a midfielder during his playing days, must be proud to be coaching such a productive group and must have no qualms if any of the four had partnered him when he was still an active player.

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Mexico’s Carlos Vela scored a contender for the goal of the season not just in La Liga but the whole of Europe. Vela, a former Arsenal player, has failed to impress or hold a place not just with the Gunners but a couple of other European clubs.

His scoring record is rather unimpressive for an attacker but this stunning overhead goal could change everything for Vela. The Mexican striker will probably gain a lot of confidence from this goal. This is certainly a difficult move to pull-off, in particular when he had to control the ball at first and maintain his balance before striking with a bicycle-kick to find the back of the net.

What makes this goal even more precious is the fact it was a valuable one which came towards the end of the match to secure a point for Real Sociedad against Malaga with his team trailing 1-2.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4DMAgbOCuw

Leeds United have long enjoyed the support of boisterous fans with Elland Road considered as one of the most intimidating and hostile environments for visiting teams. Despite the financial crisis which resulted in the fall of Leeds into the third tier of English football for the first time, the Whites were able to earn promotion to the Championship last season. Leeds came close to fighting for a return to the EPL but barely missed on the play-offs after finishing in 7th place.

Various figures provided by Hitwise show Leeds United’s website as the 6th most visited football website for weeks in the last few years. The same source, Hitwise, showed the Whites having a very popular website in the UK with a ranking as high as 5th overall. A few years ago, and despite Leeds languishing in the lowly third tier of English football known as League One, the club not only broke all attendance records for that division but was also considered as the most popular and best supported club outside the EPL and the Scottish Premiership (according to http://www.roymorgan.com/news/press-releases/2006/490/ in a report published by Roy Morgan Research).

Leeds ranked as the 9th most popular club in the UK. The Whites are clearly not lacking in terms of fans, many of whom are renowned for their loyalty and boisterous support. Based on popular support alone, Leeds deserve to be in the EPL despite the fact the club is also considered as one of the least liked outside Leeds and it vicinity. None other than Sir Alex Ferguson has singled out Elland Road as one of the most intimidating places to visit in Europe.

The challenge mounted by Leeds last season was effectively undone by the team’s weak defensive line which conceded a disastrous total of 70 goals in 46 matches. Once again it appears the club’s weak defensive unit will serve as a major hindrance in the face of achieving promotion back to the promised land. The Whites have already conceded 26 goals this season with the Championship’s worst defensive team leaking 30 goals, a clear sign of how poor the Leeds back-line has been.

To blame the defenders alone would be unfair since football is a team sport. The successive managers of Leeds during the last decade have failed to replace one of the club’s most dedicated players in former midfield anchorman David Batty. Since Batty’s retirement, Leeds have not had a reliable and omnipresent holding midfielder who can help shield the back four. There are a number of reasons behind the staggering tally of goals conceded by Leeds during the last couple of seasons; below is a list of some of the important ones:

1) The Failure to replace Batty as mentioned above has become a massive disadvantage and has left the club’s back-line exposed. It must be noted that none of the midfielders and wingers present on the current Leeds squad are intimidating and aggressive enough to strike fear into the hearts of opposing players.

2) The lack of consistency in goal has had a negative influence on the club’s fortunes as well. In the 2010-11 season, Leeds conceded 70 goals and at the end of the campaign Danish goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel was allowed to leave despite some solid performances in a number of matches. Prior to the financial collapse of the club, Leeds used to boast some of the better goalkeepers in England such as Nigel Martyn. The Whites have yet to find a goalkeeper who can provide both the consistency and confidence in protecting the net.

3) The injury to Patrick “Paddy” Kisnorbo deprived Leeds of their best defender for an extended period of time and despite his return this season, Paddy has yet to return to his best. The lack of quality defenders on the squad means Kisnorbo’s return is a welcome relief but the Australian defender still needs time to improve his sharpness and to return to his best.

4) The club’s defenders tend to lack certain characteristics with the likes of Aiden White relying on pace yet lacking consistency and experience. However, many of the club’s defenders are either slow or prone to making the occasional yet costly mistake. Red cards, own goals and various errors have epitomized the Leeds defensive line in recent years.

5) The club’s ownership has not pumped enough money into the club’s coffers and having a limited spending policy has cost Leeds in terms of the ability to sign quality defenders who can help shore up the porous defensive line. In the last couple of years, Leeds have often relied on loan signings, older players in the twilight of their career and in some cases veterans who are way past their best. These recruits are often temporary and at best they are below the needed standards at a club of the stature of Leeds.

In conclusion, Leeds can not only challenge for promotion but also win the division if the proper funding is made available to fix some persistent problems in recent years which are related to the defensive options available at the club. At least two quality centre-backs must be signed while a full-back is also needed. Adding those three defenders alone will not completely solve the problems because there is a need for a capable holding midfielder who can provide cover for the defenders.

If Leeds do not address these issues, then the club will likely be headed to the playoffs at the end of the season provided the attacking options continue to compensate for the defensive weaknesses.

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Several Italian coaches have successfully worked outside Italy in the last few years including former Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti who succeeded in achieving a historic double in his first season in charge in London by leading the Blues to the English Premiership title and the FA Cup trophy. Ancelotti would be relieved of his duties at the end of the following season despite finishing second in the league. Chelsea had long set sights on winning the elusive Champions League, so without an extended run in the European competition coupled with the failure to win a domestic title doomed Ancelotti’s fate.

Roberto Mancini took over as Manchester City boss towards the end of 2009 replacing Mark Hughes who failed to impress and was duly sacked as manager of the Citizens. Mancini brings a strong CV as a player but more importantly as a winning coach. Mancini won the Italian Serie A title three time as coach of Inter. Since taking over manage of the Citizens, Mancini was able to win the FA Cup last season while finishing inside the top four in the Premiership to guarantee qualification to the Champions League. This season the Citizens are undefeated in Premier League action and are five points ahead of  city rivals Manchester United.

Fabio Capello was appointed as England manager in 2008 and the strict disciplinarian known as ‘Don Fabio’ has a decent record of 28 wins and 6 losses in 42 matches in charge of the Three Lions. However, Capello’s reign has not been all smooth with a disappointing World Cup in South Africa when the English were hammered by the Germans (regardless of the ‘goal’ which was never awarded to England). Capello’s tenure will be judged once England’s journey in Euro 2012 is over. Capello’s time can be summarized as promising during the qualifiers yet disappointing during the World Cup because the Three Lions only managed to draw against both the United States and Algeria. However, England managed to defeat both Spain and Sweden by the same scoreline of 1-0 in recent friendlies to end 2011 without suffering a single defeat.

Perhaps one of the proudest managers at the moment is none other than the highly decorated Giovanni Trapattoni who won league titles in Italy, Germany, Portugal and Austria. Trapattoni succeeded in leading the Republic of Ireland into their first major tournament since World Cup 1994 (the Irish were managed by Jack Charlton) and qualifying to Euro 2012 marks the first European championship the Irish will be competing in since Euro 1988. This must be extremely special for Trapattoni since the Irish were unjustly eliminated from contention for World Cup 2010 when Frenchman Thierry Henry used his hand to assist on the equalizer scored by William Gallas in Paris in the return leg of the playoff match between the two sides.

Marcello Lippi is currently unemployed but has hinted on more than one occasion that he would like to take charge of a non-Italian team and possibly a national team with a chance of making World Cup 2014 in Brazil. Despite his disappointing World Cup in 2010 during his second stint with the Azzurri, Lippi’s accomplishments cannot be diminished considering he won the Champions League with Juventus and the World Cup with Italy in Germany 2006. Alberto Zaccheroni is in charge of the Japanese national team and he was able to lead Japan to a historic fourth title in the Asian Cup following a 1-0 win over Australia in 2011 in Qatar.

The next 12 months promise to be an exciting one for Italian coaches outside Italy with Mancini primed to fight for the Premiership title while both Capello and Trapattoni will lead England and Ireland respectively during Euro 2012. In addition, it would not be surprising to see one of Ancelotti or Lippi take over a prominent coaching job in 2012.

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The Italian national team was dealt a double blow with the participation of Giuseppe Rossi and Antonio Cassano in Euro 2012 thrown into doubt, yet the emergence of Mario Balotelli could serve as the perfect remedy for coach Cesare Prandelli’s concerns.

Balotelli had a slow start to the English season but he has been scoring regularly in recent weeks prompting Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini to praise him. Balotelli and Mancini worked together during their stint with Inter and it was only a matter of time before Mancini would be able to get the best out of Balotelli. The young Italian striker did not get along with former Inter coach Jose Mourinho and has had a controversial career with his erratic behavior on the pitch and off field antics.

His scoring run with the Citizens and most recently his first goal in Azzurri colors have shown that Balotelli can be decisive if used properly. At City, he did benefit from the Carlos Tevez fiasco which paved the way for him to get more playing time while the absence of both Rossi and Cassano has opened the door for Balotelli to shine on the international scene. Mario responded positively by scoring a decent goal against Poland and then went on to help create the second one scored by Giampaolo Pazzini.

Italian boss Prandelli had hinted on a previous occasion that he would like to incorporate Balotelli into a trident attack along with Rossi and Cassano. The current uncertainty might force coach Prandelli to rely on Balotelli first and surround him with complementary players.

Pazzini could be one of the players tasked with partnering Balotelli but there are other potential names such as Juventus striker Alessandro Matri who is having a fine season. Prandelli will be careful not to jump to conclusions with Euro 2012 still a distant event. If Cassano and Rossi recover in time then they will both be included. Even if they are missing, Balotelli has shown he is up to the task of carrying the attacking burden.

There is no doubting Mario’s talent and skills but questions remain about his temperament. If he can stay away from trouble and avoid controversy, both on and off the pitch, then Mario can successfully focus on leaving his imprint on the club level and the international scene.

Italy will be looking to Balotelli to lead the line next summer with the likes of veteran Andrea Pirlo and emerging midfielder Claudio Marchisio offering support. Balotelli’s unpredictability will fit well with Prandelli’s plans to make Italy tougher to defend against and figure out.

The Italian coach has done a great job helping the Azzurri regain the passion to win matches while putting in strong performances. At this rate, it will not be far fetched to see the Azzurri triumph in Euro 2012 with Balotelli spearheading the attack.

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The Azzurri qualified to Euro 2012 without being tested as coach Cesare Prandelli attempted to build the national team around younger and talented players such as Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi. Various niggling injuries and a plethora of ridiculous antics performed by Balotelli meant that Prandelli was not able to rely heavily on the controversial Manchester City attacker. Therefore, Milan’s Antonio Cassano was the focal point of Italy’s attack and Prandelli seemed to build around the talented yet unpredictable forward. Recently, the Italian boss received damaging news regarding the health and condition of two players: Cassano and Rossi.

Rossi is expected to be sidelined for several months and his absence will be felt since he offers better options for Prandelli when it comes to ball possession, creativity and passing as opposed to the more traditional attackers such as Giampaolo Pazzini. Rossi will likely recover in time for Euro 2012 but the question is whether he will be fit enough to make any notable contribution. In fact, Prandelli might exclude Rossi if the striker is unable to prove his fitness prior to the European championship.

A greater concern for Prandelli is the status of Cassano who has been influential during the qualifiers and who was performing at a high level with Milan as well. Cassano underwent a heart procedure and is expected to recover fully but there are some concerns about whether he will be able to mentally focus on his game and perform as good as witnessed in previous weeks once he returns to the pitch. Antonio has managed to provide 7 assists while scoring 2 goals in 9 Serie A matches for the Rossoneri, yet it is his international tally during the qualifiers which impresses the most. He managed to score 4 goals and provided 2 assists in just 6 qualifiers for the Azzurri.

Cassano shouldered the attacking responsibilities ranging from creating scoring opportunities to scoring by himself while the troubled Balotelli was absent. If Cassano does not return for Euro 2012, this will likely deal a heavy blow to Italy’s chances of lifting the European trophy next summer. Rossi’s injury has also added to Prandelli’s woes yet there appears to be one glimmer of hope in the shape of the enigmatic Balotelli who has been scoring regularly for the Citizens after a slow start to the season. Balotelli has managed 5 goals in just six Premiership matches, including three of which he appeared as a substitute.

It is too early to judge whether Cassano and Rossi will make the Euro 2012 squad but in the likelihood of their absence, this should serve as a great opportunity for Balotelli to set aside his reputation as a talented yet volatile and unreliable player. The next three months will be crucial in determining whether Cassano and Rossi have a chance of playing in Euro 2012 while Balotelli can confirm his fine form by continuing to find the back of the net while limiting his controversial acts on and off the pitch.

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Less than a week after some pundits and other critics have questioned Lionel Messi’s form, the little Argentinean responded in emphatic form. Messi had failed to score in the last three matches yet he registered a hat-trick as he guided Barca to an impressive 5-0 win.

The hat-trick not only silenced the critics but also propelled Messi to second place on the Catalan club’s all-time scoring list behind Cesar Rodriguez. The hat-trick took his tally to 13 goals in just 10 La Liga matches while his totals for the season stand at 19 goals in 17 appearances. What is more impressive is the fact Messi has also assisted on another 11 goals emphasizing how important he is to Barca’s drive to win more titles and the ability to fend off competitors on both the domestic and European fronts.

Barca’s supporters will be pleased to see their star player erase any doubt about his form, in particular with a couple of tough matches scheduled for early December when the Catalans host surprise package Levante on December 4th before traveling to Madrid a week later to take on Real Madrid in one of the most anticipated duels worldwide. Barca have had to deal with some key injuries this season which have deprived coach Pep Guardiola of influential players particularly on the defensive end with Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique several matches while Andres Iniesta has also missed some playing time. The return of these players will provide Guardiola with a more complete squad to choose from while erasing any fears of Barca’s susceptibility at the back ahead of the gigantic standoff against Real.

Real’s star player Cristiano Ronaldo is also having a great season and his numbers are quite impressive despite being inferior to those registered by the Argentine wizard. Ronaldo might not be hard pressed to score like last season considering Argentina striker Gonzalo Higuain has returned to full fitness and has been scoring on a regular basis to help Los Blancos challenge for the league title.

While Barca were effective in the transfer market after capturing Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas, it must be said that Real could be considered as the summer’s biggest winners with two influential players in Higuain and Brazilian Kaka returning to fitness following injury problems in the 2010-11 season. Both can be considered as great additions to coach Jose Mourinho’s squad since they are now able to contribute and assume a key role in the club’s challenge to Barca’s supremacy in both La Liga and Europe.

Fans worldwide will be anticipating the massive clash between the bitter rivals in Madrid on December 11th, but, in the meantime, both clubs must be careful not to underestimate their opponents in the buildup to El Clásico. For now, Messi and Ronaldo will both resume their favorite hobby of terrorizing opposing defensive lines while preparing for the crucial derby which could be decisive in determining which side has a leg up despite being scheduled rather early in the season.

People are not shocked when they hear that Messi or Ronaldo managed to score a hat-trick because both stars have shown a unique ability to find the back of the net from different angles and through various ways.

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Former Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo made the move to Juventus this summer on a free transfer in what should be his last contract with an elite club. Pirlo now joins an exclusive list of players who have represented Italy’s three most prestigious clubs, Inter, Juve and Milan. In fact, Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only other active player who has worn the shirt of the three clubs. Pirlo is unique not because of some flashy moves or scoring goals but rather his ability to find teammates with incredible passes and his habit of creating danger out of nothing.

Pirlo has been able to add to Juve’s midfield what has been missing in the last few years with his leadership, ability to keep the ball and his calm demeanor. His presence has helped the Bianconeri jump to the top of the table and, more importantly, has freed the likes of Arturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio to assume roles they are more comfortable completing. Pirlo’s presence has already benefited Marchisio in a very positive way with Claudio having more energy and time to attack the opposition’s penalty area as opposed to worrying about how he is going to receive the ball in dangerous positions.

In simple terms, Pirlo allows Marchisio to shine and Claudio can finally achieve his potential after years of promise plagued by some inconsistency. Marchisio has indeed scored in big matches for Juve in the previous seasons but his statistics this year have already matched those of last season. Claudio scored 4 goals in 2010-11 yet has already managed to find the back of the net 4 times in the opening 9 matches of the current season.

Three of those four goals might turn out to be a deciding factor when the Scudetto is awarded at the end of the 2011-12 season since his double against Milan meant the Bianconeri were able to register a late 2-0 win while his last goal came against Inter to help Juve edge their bitter rivals 2-1. Marchisio has shown a tendency to drift out of games but what has become his trademark move this season is attacking the penalty box and linking well with his teammates to create scoring opportunities. The fine goal against Inter perhaps serves as the best example after an exquisite one-two with striker Alessandro Matri allowed Claudio to expertly place the ball into the back of the net beyond the goalkeeper’s reach.

Marchisio’s ability has also been noted with the Italian national team and he has shown his potential by scoring against Serbia, a team considered by some as the most talented one after Italy in the Euro 2012 qualifying group (despite the failure of the Serbs to make the playoffs, they still boasted players such as Krasic, Vidic and Stankovic with the latter two retiring from the international game after the failure in the qualifiers).

Thus, Marchisio has scored in the three most important matches for his teams this season against Serbia, Milan and Inter. While Marchisio’s contribution shows up on the scoresheet, his club and Italy partner Pirlo has been as influential if not more in certain matches. Pirlo has helped resurrect the Azzurri after a disastrous campaign in World Cup 2010 and his return to form might lead some to ponder what if he and fellow Bianconeri goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon were fit for Italy last summer. While it is hard to project how far the Italians would have gone, it might not be far fetched to state the Azzurri would have at least made the 2nd Round in South Africa 2010 as opposed to the acriminous exit from the group stages. Azzurri boss Cesare Prandelli has been delighted with the duo’s impact and he will be confident in their ability to carry Italy into the latter stages of Euro 2012.

With Pirlo healthy and playing at a steady level, Marchisio has been able to benefit from his presence and from the advice of coach Antonio Conte who was also a midfielder when he captained the Old Lady for a long stretch during his successful stint lasting over a decade in Turin. Could it be that the return of Conte as a coach and the priceless acquisition of Pirlo along with the rise of Marchisio are going to serve as the main catalyst behind Juve’s return to glory?

It is too soon to make a stand but with each passing round the Bianconeri are making their supporters believe in success; however, the next round will serve as another stern test with the scheduled trip to Napoli. In the meantime, Bianconeri fans will be talking about the passing of Pirlo and the rise of Marchisio while reminiscing of the days when Conte led the Old Lady against the giants of Italian and European football.

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Juventus threw away another two points with Genoa scoring a late equalizer in Turin to force a 2-2 draw on Saturday. The Juve supporters must be disappointed with the club’s inability to display a killer instinct in finishing off weaker opponents. The Bianconeri also wasted a number of opportunities highlighting the lack of scoring touch despite the presence a plethora of attacking options such as Fabio Quagliarella (did not play versus Genoa), Alessandro Matri (scorer of both of Juve’s goals versus Genoa), Alessandro Del Piero (a late substitute) and Mirko Vučinić (played but again failed to score).

Despite having the best record amongst Italy’s traditional powers during the early portion of the season, the Bianconeri have shown weaknesses which will likely come back to hurt the club’s chances of achieving glory if they are not addressed. Below is a list of the main concerns for Juve:

1) The Shuffling of the defensive line: Coach Antonio Conte has moved Giorgio Chiellini, who is Juve’s best defender, to the left-back position further weakening a susceptible backline. Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli have not fully convinced since joining Juve and having both start at the same time could pose problems (see previous article which covers a bit Juve’s left-back issues for more details)

2) The lack of a killer instinct: The Bianconeri continue to find it hard to score goals when needed. Against Milan, the match could have ended in a 0-0 draw if not for Claudio Marchisio’s late brace (see Juve’s lack of killer instinct)

3) Milos Krasic: Coach Conte has not used Krasic often but when he did give the Serbian winger the chance to impress, Krasic failed to deliver. Krasic is having a tough start to the season in contract to his strong showing early in the 2010-11 season when he first joined Juve. The Bianconeri cannot afford to have a player such as Krasic underperforming and perhaps this could signal the end of his Juve career unless the winger, with Conte’s help, can get back to form.

4) New Signings need time to settle: Vučinić is only one of several players who have joined the Bianconeri this summer and some have yet to play more than a match for Juve. One such player is Dutchman Eljero Elia who has featured only once and is taking time to adjust to life in Italy as well as the style of play in Serie A.

5) Vučinić: The forward from Montenegro has managed just one goal in six matches in Serie A. This is not an impressive return for a player supposed to be Juve’s key summer signing.

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Real Madrid currently occupy third place while Barcelona are on top but only by a point with Levante separating the perennial contenders in Spain. One of the main reasons behind Real’s 24 goals in 7 La Liga matches is the presence of key player Cristiano Ronaldo, but the Portuguese star is not the only reason behind this tally which is second to Barca only. However, Real’s push to win La Liga cannot be attributed to Ronaldo’s presence alone considering Gonzalo Higuaín’s blistering form early in the season.

Gonzalo has already managed 8 goals in just 7 matches, including three starts and an additional four appearances as a substitute. His current form bodes well for Los Galacticos who are desperate to win back the league title after years of Barca’s dominance on the domestic scene. The Argentine forward has a solid record with Real but was hindered by injury last season during which he played 17 matches and managed to score 10 times while providing assists on 6 occasions.

In 2008/09 season Higuaín scored 22 goals and had 9 assists in 34 league matches. The following season he played 32 times and registered 27 goals while giving 5 assists. Thus, Higuaín was improving as a player and growing in terms of stature as a forward prior to the injury setback. This season he has been eased into matches by coach Jose Mourinho and has repaid the controversial Portuguese’s faith with goals.

One important feature of Gonzalo’s game is his ability to contribute beyond scoring goals as witnessed by his decent number of assists each season. He has also been accurate this season with his 8 goals coming from just 20 shots and those numbers are extremely impressive when compared with Ronaldo’s stats. Cristiano has scored 7 times so far this season but needed a massive 52 shots in order to achieve his goal haul. Higuaín’s numbers are more impressive when factoring in Ronaldo’s less efficient scoring rate and the fact that the Portuguese started six matches while making a single appearance as a substitute compared to the Argentine’s three starts and four substitute appearances.

Higuaín’s return to fitness and his free scoring form are major positives for Mourinho in this campaign considering the alternative is Frenchman Karim Benzema who has been erratic in his Madrid career despite a decent return of 15 goals last season. One main factor to consider is Gonzalo’s age as he is only 23 years-old and can only improve over the years if he continues to work at this rate. Higuaín has scored a total of 77 goals in 134 league matches which is a rate better than 1 goal every 2 matches.

With the Argentine forward back in the starting lineup, many will bet on Real’s ability to rise to the challenge and perhaps even replace rivals Barcelona as league champions. His goals will certainly help Los Galacticos to compete with Barca but there is no guarantee it will be enough to win the Spanish crown.

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