Month: May 2010

Mourinho Arrives in Madrid

The word “saga” gets thrown around loosely among Anglo-American journalists, often in an effort to create a buzz about an unremarkable story, but the Mourinho episode during the past week correctly merits this designation. The “saga” ended today with the…

Inter Prevails, Celebration Tamed

Two excellent individual efforts by Diego Milito made the difference in Saturday’s Champions League final to complete Inter’s dream season and place the Italian club on course to match Barcelona’s unprecedented achievement in 2009. The moment of glory did not…

Champions League Preview

Bayern Munich’s path to today’s Champions League final in Madrid reflects the German club’s status as the competition’s team of destiny. Their passage from group stage to the semifinals had a touch of miracle just about every step of the…

Copa Libertadores Quarters

Heartbreak gave way to chaos in Buenos Aires after Estudiantes was eliminated from the competition by a late away goal from Brazilian club Internacional de Porto Alegre. The intensity of the match spilled over after the final whistle, sparked by…

Spanish Curtain Call

In front of 100,000 jubilant spectators that provided a great atmosphere at the Nou Camp stadium in Barcelona, Sevilla claimed La Copa del Rey in Spain with an efficient win over Atletico Madrid, the newly crowned Europa League champion. The…

Inter, Barca & Argentinos Triumphant

Internazionale Milano completed the Italian league-cup double on Sunday, matching Bayern Munich’s achievements in Germany and Chelsea’s in England, setting up a level clash in Saturday’s Champions League final. As anticipated, Barcelona retained the La Liga title without emotions, a…

Missing from the World Cup

World Cup rosters were announced during the past week to provide an indication of strategic insight, with a few teams effectively revealing their direction in South Africa. The most glaring provisional roster omissions came courtesy of France’s Raymond Domenech and…

Atletico Madrid Jubilation

It’s true, not a dream or a possibility, it really happened. For the first time in 25 years, Atletico Madrid is rejoicing in European glory, capping a season that started with the greatest expectations only to turn into a nightmare…

Celebrations in Progress and on Ice

As the domestic leagues are wrapping up a long season to make way for the World Cup, there was no shortage of highlights this past week as Chelsea, Bayern, Marseille and Benfica sealed their respective league titles. Barcelona passed its…

Liverpool Future Begins Now

In the next days and weeks, Liverpool Footbal Club will finally kick-start the changes required to return to the top of the English football hierarchy. Starting with transformations at the management level and culminating with new ownership desperately needed to…

Copa Libertadores Quarters Set

Flamengo resisted an onslaught in Sao Paolo to edge out Corinthians on the away goal and advance to the Copa Libertadores final eight, joining Libertad of Paraguay, Universidad de Chile, Chivas of Mexico, defending champion Estudiantes of Argentina and not…

One for All the Marbles

Spurs travel to Manchester tomorrow to take on City in a game with maximum implications for both clubs, at stake nothing less than the final Champion$ League place currently occupied by Tottenham. With City travelling to West Ham United and…

Stupendous Goal of the Week

Fernando Belluschi, Porto’s Argentine midfielder, delivered a sensational goal against arch-rival Benfica that not only mooted a controversial Porto strike but also prevented Benfica, in need of a single point, from celebrating the Portuguese title in Porto’s stadium. A nutmeg,…

Roman Holiday

Ma … che cosa !!! Last Saturday’s encounter between Lazio and Inter revealed the truly incredible dimension of acrimony that exists in the world of soccer, globally not just in Italy, when home side Lazio fans supported visiting team Inter…