European Football Roundup
- Most people will focus on what is wrong with Real Madrid after losing 2-1 to Sevilla but give credit where it’s due as Sevilla where the better team out there. The opening games set up nicely for Real Madrid but against a top team who always seems to play well at home their weaknesses were exposed.
- Cristiano Ronaldo may not be the best player in the world but he is the most important player for Real Madrid already. Much like his time with Manchester United when Ronaldo is not in the starting lineup Real Madrid loses a certain spark out there.
- Barcelona may spend big when it comes to filling a need like Dani Alves last year and Zlatan Ibrahimovic this year but the heart and soul of this team is there youth pipeline. For the last two seasons people have been anointing Bojan as the next great player but with his injury Pedro has stepped up and shown Pep Guardiola that he deserves a place on this team.
- The sky is no longer falling for Inter Milan. Even better news sees Inter in a tie for top spot in Serie A thanks to Sampdoria’s draw with Parma and Juventus losing to Palermo. Wesley Sneijder goal at the death from a tight angle sees Mourinho all smiles going into the international break. Mind you I’m sure the special one will find something to annoy him during the time off.
- I’m interested to see how Ciro Ferrara handles Juventus downturn after being the darling of Italian football in September. If he comes through this rough patch well he should have a long career in coaching.
- It’s almost sad to see AC Milan being happy drawing against Atalanta considering they are 19th in the table. Nice to see Ronaldinho score however it took 43 minutes being up a man for A.C Milan to get the equalizer.
- Roberto Donadoni must be feeling the heat going into the break in 15th spot. Losing 2-1 against Roma thanks to a brace from Francesco Totti isn’t going to make things any better.
- The last time Bayern Munich where in a slump they were able to purchase Arjen Robben. No such luck now as Bayern produced another disappointing performance, drawing FC Koln 0-0.
- With Bayern Munich failing to score it makes the decision to send Toni Kroos out on loan to Bayer Leverkusen even more puzzling. Not only is Bayer Leverkusen joint leaders on top of the Bundesliga along with Hamburg but the 19 year old is producing fine goals like the one against Nurnberg on the weekend. While he hasn’t featured for the German national team yet he is exactly the type of under the radar type player who might shine at next year’s World Cup.
- I know 99% of you don’t care about Portuguese football but since I’ve mentioned Braga’s perfect start they just kept on winning. I’m not about to break the streak now. Make 7 for 7 as Braga defeated Jose Mourinho home town club Vitoria Setubal 2-0. Former Newcastle man Hugo Viana got the FU goal in the 93rd minute.
- Finally a Freddy Adu sighting as he played 30 minutes in Belenenses 0-0 draw against Sporting. That should help out his parent club Benfica who play Monday.
- Not shocked by Rangers defeating Celtic 2-1 in the latest Old Firm derby. Ranger were a desperate team and played like one as they didn’t want to drop seven points behind Celtic. Kenny Miller will never completely win over the Rangers faithfully but after his two goal performance it’s unlikely he’ll have to pick up a tab for a week or two.