<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/lazio-roma/image/8560962?term=Ranieri" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
It’s the final group stages matchday of the Champions League, and Roma and Inter Milan need to win their midweek matches. After such a <a href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/only-napoli-left-in-the-europa-league/3370">poor display from Italian sides in the Europa League</a>, the Serie A needs to hold its head high and have three teams go into the knockout stages of Europe’s top competition. If Inter can manage to steal first place in their group from Tottenham, and Roma manage to qualify in their group, things will be looking slightly brighter for the Serie A, and the two clubs themselves.
Roma will be travelling to Romania for their match on Wednesday against CFR Cluj, and while at first it doesn’t look like a very difficult match, an upset could end Roma’s Champions League campaign early. After their fantastic 2-2 draw against Chievo (Chievo came back from two goals down, and then came close to scoring a winner after De Rossi was sent off in the final minutes), they play Cluj, and then the giallorossi will be hosting last-placed Bari next weekend. But two tough matches come right after playing Bari, first they’ll have to host Lazio in the Coppa Italia in the midweek, and then they travel to AC Milan the following weekend, and both of those matches could finish in a loss for Ranieri’s side.
While I think that Roma will manage to move on to the knockout stages of the Champions League, Lazio could knock out Roma from the Coppa Italia, and then the Ibrahimovic led AC Milan could easily defeat Roma at the San Siro. What do you think? Share your comments below!
Inter Milan are certainly in one of their worst moments right now, especially after their <a href="http:\/\/www.serieatalk.com/rafael-benitez-running-out-of-time-at-inter/3372">3-1 loss to Lazio</a> over the weekend. But Rafa Benitez has remained upbeat and optimistic about his current situation with Inter, and he seems to be prepared to grab a win away against Werder Bremen, which is the last game of Inter’s group stages in the Champions League. Yet the odds seemed stacked against him, not only will Rafa Benitez be missing Diego Milito, but the Spaniard will also have to do without Wesley Sneijder and Lucio! A cold trip to Germany doesn’t seem the best place to test out even more new youngsters, but it seems like Benitez will be forced to.
Right after the important game in the Champions League, Benitez has a chance to redeem himself after this season’s bad start with the European champions will travel to Abu Dhabi to play in the FIFA World Club Cup. Many players seem set to return in this competition, and winning a fairly simple trophy could motivate and convince players enough to begin winning in the other competitions. It’s very possible that Julio Cesar and Maicon will manage to return for the FIFA World Club Cup, and two veteran players like them should be able provide some cover for Inter at the back. Do you think that Rafa manage to right the ship at Inter Milan? What if Inter loses to Werder Bremen, and then has a poor display in the FIFA World Club Cup? Would it be time for him to go? Share your comments below!

Roma And Inter Need Wins In Champions League - World Soccer Talk

Roma And Inter Need Wins In Champions League

Fifa released its list of the <a href="http:\/\/soccerwrapup.blogspot.com/2010/10/ballon-dor-2010-23-nominees.html">23 nominees for the Ballon D’Or of 2010</a>. Along with the 23 players, there are also 10 managers/coaches competing for the World Coaches of the Year award. The winners of both will be announced by FIFA on December 6th.
Something which will stand out right away when you look at the list of the 23 players is that there are no Italian players. This was predictable especially with the Italian National team having trouble in the 2010 World Cup. While I thought that maybe the Juventus central defender Giorgio Chiellini could’ve made the final 23, he didn’t. I’m certainly disappointed, and I hope that next year we’ll be able to see a couple of Italian names on that list of 23 players. Maybe Giuseppe Rossi, Davide Santon, or Mario Balotelli?
Although the list is devoid of Italians, luckily there are some players representing the Serie A. There are only four Serie A players, and all four of them play for Inter Milan. They are: Julio Cesar, Wesley Sneijder, Samuel Eto’o, and Maicon. If you were to ask me, those are four great choices, but it’s a little disappointing that there’s no other Serie A side represented.
And there’s an interesting player who wasn’t included in the final 23, and that’s Diego Milito of Inter Milan. Surely if there was a star goalscorer from last year, you’d have to think about Inter Milan’s Argentinean. He scored both goals in the Champions League final to make sure that Inter won the historical trophy, but FIFA haven’t included him in the nominees for the Ballon D’Or. I think he should’ve been included, what about you?
Funnily enough, there’s an Italian on the list of the World Coaches of the Year award, good old Carlo Ancelotti. Carlo did a great job at Chelsea in his first year, and he won the English Premier League title. Along with Carlo, Jose Mourinho is nominated after his extraordinary treble which he accomplished with Inter Milan last year.
While I think this award will go to Jose Mourinho, what are your thoughts? Please comment below! And what are your thoughts regarding the lack of Italians? Who do you think will be the next Italian to be on the shortlist? Share your thoughts below! And if you haven’t seen the list of the nominees yet, be sure to check it out <a href="http:\/\/soccerwrapup.blogspot.com/2010/10/ballon-dor-2010-23-nominees.html">here</a>!

No Italians in Ballon D'Or 2010 Nominees - World Soccer Talk

No Italians in Ballon D'Or 2010 Nominees

<div style="float: right;margin-left: 5px"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/sports-news-may-2010/image/8889020?term=champions+league+Inter" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
Today’s UEFA Champions League draw was one that should prove that Serie A is still one of the premier leagues in the world, and that Inter is arguably the world’s best club.&nbsp; The Nerazzurri swept the UEFA individual awards: Goalkeeper of the Year (Julio Cesar), Defender of the Year (Maicon), Midfielder of the Year (Wesley Sneijder), Striker of the Year (Diego Milito), and Footballer of the Year (Milito again).&nbsp; Milito scored both goals in Inter’s defeat of Bayern Munich in last season’s Champions League final.
But of course the big news is the draw, and with Sampdoria’s loss this week Serie A has three teams represented in the Champions League – defending champion Inter Milan, AS Roma, and AC Milan.&nbsp; The draw was a mixed bag for all three, but all have a good chance of advancing.
Inter was placed in Group A along with Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur, and FC Twente.&nbsp; Bremen is of course the club that eliminated Sampdoria, and so it has a second chance to knock off a Serie A team.&nbsp; Tottenham is playing in its first Champions League since 1963, and has a potent attack led by Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe.&nbsp; FC Twente are the reigning Dutch champions but are making their first&nbsp; Champions League group stage appearance ever.
This is a tough draw for Rafa Benitez’s club, but they will not have to travel far for away matches, two of which (White Hart Lane and De Grolsch Veste) hold fewer than 40,000 spectators.&nbsp; They won’t go through the group stage undefeated, but it’s hard to see how Inter doesn’t advance from this group probably at the top.&nbsp; My instinct is a loss either at Tottenham or Twente, but they finish first in their group.
Their rivals AC Milan also face a group of quality opponents rich in history, possibly making them part of this year’s “Group of Death”.&nbsp; Milan (a Pot 1 club) is in Group G with Real Madrid, Ajax, and Auxerre.&nbsp; Last year Milan went to Madrid and escaped with a upset 3-2 victory, helping them advance from the group.&nbsp; This year, they will face the defending Champions League winning manager Jose Mourinho who is looking for a third title with his third team.&nbsp; Ajax is one of Europe’s most famous clubs, but does not have the level of talent it has had in past years.&nbsp; Auxerre is the French club that has a knack for upsets – it qualified for the group stage by knocking off Zenit St. Petersburg.
Jose Mourinho is likely salivating to play in Milan again and knock off the Rossoneri.&nbsp; I have my doubts that AC Milan can go into Madrid and beat Real Madrid again, but they can advance from this group.&nbsp; The key is not to lose focus when playing Ajax or Auxerre, because both are more than capable of advancing themselves.&nbsp; This group will also have a ton of attention paid to it simply because of the names involved.&nbsp; As such, Allegri will have a tough tightrope between preparing for his group and the domestic league.&nbsp; Still I expect AC Milan to finish second and advance.
The third Champions League team Roma will be expected to finish second in their group, but because of the balance in this group all four have the possibility of advancing.&nbsp; The Pot 2 team drew Group E headlined by Champions League runner-ups Bayern Munich, which will be a tough test for the Giallorossi.&nbsp; The upset pick from this group will be FC Basel, Switzerland’s most successful club who have played in European competition since 1999. &nbsp;While Roma has more talent and big names, Basel will not be an easy victory. &nbsp;The fourth club, CFR Cluj, is a Romanian club that under new ownership in the 2000s has found success after being a second division team most of their history. &nbsp;Roma fans will remember this club as the one in 2008 that came to Rome and won 2-1 in the Champions League. &nbsp;I expect Roma to advance, but to have to battle the entire way.
My prediction is that all three Serie A clubs will advance, one in first and two in second. &nbsp;But what do you think? &nbsp;Tell us in the comments section, in the poll below, and on Twitter <a href="http:\/\/www.twitter.com/roberthayjr" target="_blank">@roberthayjr</a>
[polldaddy poll=3679105]

Inter Sweeps UEFA Awards, Plus Champions League Draw Analysis - World Soccer Talk

Inter Sweeps UEFA Awards, Plus Champions League Draw Analysis

<div style="float: left;margin-right: 5px"><a href="http:\/\/view.picapp.com/pictures.photo/entertainment/italian-national-soccer/image/8972791?term=giuseppe+rossi" target="_blank"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div></a></div>
As I always say when I write about transfers, please take this post with a grain of salt – there are so many transfer rumors out there that will never pan out.
That being said, Rafa Benitez should acquire Giuseppe Rossi with the money he acquires from transferring Mario Balotelli.
It is one of the worst-kept secrets in soccer that Inter Milan is shopping Balotelli, primarily to the two Manchesters.&nbsp; Yesterday, Inter <a href="http:\/\/soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=809011&amp;sec=transfers&amp;cc=5901" target="_blank">rejected a $25 million </a>bid for him from Manchester City, as they should&nbsp;because they could probably get much more for him, especially if a bidding war erupts between EPL clubs.&nbsp; However, most of the soccer world anticipates that Balotelli, who has soured on Serie A and Inter, will be playing for a new club next season.&nbsp;
But a report today from <a href="http:\/\/www.espnstar.com/football/news/detail/item467643/Rossi-to-replace-Balotelli-at-Inter-Milan/" target="_blank">La Gazzetto della Sport</a>&nbsp;confirms that Benitez has at least considered acquiring Giuseppe Rossi from Valencia to replace Balotelli.&nbsp; While Rossi has publicly committed to remaining with his current club, Inter can use the cash from the Balotelli deal to entice Rossi to return to Italy.&nbsp; Plus, the American-born player has said he considered returning to Italy to play for Pama.&nbsp; So while a Serie A return is unlikely, it is not far-fetched.
But what would a Rossi&nbsp;contribute to the 2010-2011 Inter squad?&nbsp; Tactically he would be an upgrade from Balotelli, as he is right now a more complete player.&nbsp; Rossi would add to Inter’s impressive striker depth, rotating playing time with Milito and Eto’o.&nbsp; He had 12 goals in domestic play last year, more than Balotelli.&nbsp; Adding a rising star like Rossi to the roster would make Inter even more of a favorite to defend at least its Serie A title.
It would also give the club the face of Italian soccer.&nbsp; As the older contributors to the 2006 World Cup retire from international play, and FIGC officials stress out over who will lead a new generation of Italian stars, Inter could grab the soon-to-be biggest Italian star in soccer.&nbsp; As talented as de Rossi, Montolivo, and other Italian national team players are, they lack the “Q” rating of a Rossi.&nbsp; While Juventus has been known as the feeder team for the Azzurri, the Nerazzurri could lay claim to being a team of international stars.&nbsp; They could have the biggest Italian star (Rossi), possibly the world’s best keeper (Julio Cesar), the world’s best defender (Maicon), Cameroon’s biggest name (Eto’o), etc.&nbsp; As Champions League champions, Inter Milan could try and maintain their hold on the crown with an international All Star team.
Of course, the transfer market will outdate this post within days likely, but what do you think of an Inter squad with Rossi?

Inter Swapping Balotelli for Rossi? - World Soccer Talk

Inter Swapping Balotelli for Rossi?

Latest news from Julio Cesar. Find out about all the news related to Julio Cesar on worldsoccertalk.com

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Julio Cesar"

AS Roma

Roma And Inter Need Wins In Champions League

FIFA

No Italians in Ballon D'Or 2010 Nominees

General

Inter Sweeps UEFA Awards, Plus Champions League Draw Analysis

General

Inter Swapping Balotelli for Rossi?