So, it was the antiquated Alfredo Schürig which saw yet another small piece of Brazilian football history on Sunday, 16 January, after the ageless Roberto Carlos, overlapping from his traditional left back position, charged down the left flank and sent a low, screaming cross into the box, upon which the Portuguesa de Desportos keeper and a Corinthians attacker converged and managed to deflect just outside the near post.  The referee credited the effort to the keeper, who naturally felt otherwise and left his line to protest.

Ball. Left foot. Roberto Carlos. Wherever he's been that is not a good combination for the other side to see.

However, the official was not in a talkative mood and waved play on.  Roberto Carlos, the Selecao legend who has struck stunning free kicks wherever he has been, with Brazil in the World Cup, Real Madrid in the Champions League and at stops on either side of those tenures, had just placed the ball in the corner radius and, looking up, realised his opportunity.  A quick shuffle to the left put him in position and he hurriedly drilled a curling waist-high missile towards the goal.  One of his forwards was in the line of fire but had the presence of mind to leap, legs akimbo, and permit the ball to continue on its narrow arc, finding twine just inside the far post.  The keeper, caught out, took two steps before pulling up, knowing that he would never make it in time to intervene.

It was an incredible strike from a grand master of the long distance set piece.  When you do the math, which is why I mentioned the Schürig’s dimensions, Roberto Carlos had only a second or two, while his opponents remained preoccupied, to launch a strike which needed to hook to the left to enter an 8 yard target, the near end of which was 37 yards distant.  Moreover, the ball had to be struck hard and with limited English, in order to travel the most direct, swiftest path, so that any alert defender would have little or no chance to prevent it from reaching its destination.  To hatch the plan, convert thought to action and execute, all in an instant, called upon twenty years of top flight experience, vision and confidence, for which Roberto Carlos was more than qualified.

Goals scored from corner kicks are rare indeed, but like every other kind, when the chance comes, it must be taken.  Even at 38 years of age, Roberto Carlos is the man you want in place in those moments.  That he is in place at Corinthians, rather than a big European club, not only shows the limited vision of some clubs, who ruled the Brazilian out because he was too old and slow, but also the foresight of Corinthians and the CBF.

While he may not possess the physical tools to hold down a place on the national team anymore, his presence in the Campeonato Brasileiro doesn’t just provide a measuring stick for greatness to young Corinthians players but to those on opposing sides, too.  He is not the only bright star who left the Samba constellation to shine even brighter in Europe and then returned home to make an impact on the domestic league.

Roberto Carlos is joined at Corinthians by Brazil’s greatest goal scorer, Ronaldo, who while battling gimpy knees and a sore back, manages to make a difference for the club, striking with regularity when he is in the line-up.  While Roberto Carlos quickly lost any illusions about making the 2010 World Cup squad, Ronaldo clung to hope until the death.

At Corinthians, it's time for the old men to have some fun with the youngsters.

Ronaldo, in his last year at Corinthians before he retires, had his issues in his younger years, famously getting into a fracas with a pair of transvestites on one partying binge.  Still, he has turned himself around markedly in his final years, displaying a love and respect for the game that has made him a popular figure once again, even more-so through his ability to laugh at himself when critics refer to him and his oft burgeoning midsection as ‘Fat’Ronaldo.

As well as this pair of legends, there have been several other players who have come home in recent times, not only to vie for a ticket to South Africa but to resurrect flagging careers, find first team action or simply give back to the game which afforded them so much.

Of those other players, Robinho is probably the most notable name, not just for his talent but because his reasons for making what was only a temporary return covered three of the four factors listed.  It’s unfortunate that the one reason for visiting that he wasn’t able to check upon re-entering Brazil was to give something back but that is Robinho, at least at this young stage of his career.

Ironically, when he first wished to cross the Atlantic in an easterly direction to seek his fortune, his domestic club, Santos, was unwilling to release him and he was forced to play out his contract.  Upon securing his escape, he landed in Madrid where his play at first made more of an impression than his brash attitude.  However, during the Fabio Capello era, he quickly found himself in the doghouse for a lack of commitment to team defence and sat much of the 2006-7 season on the bench next to David Beckham.  The pair would eventually return to the starting XI and make significant contributions to Los Meringue’s last Championship run.

The second 'R' generation, following Ronaldo, Roberto Carlos and one other, hasn't found glory, not yet learning that no matter your skills, it doesn't just come to you.

Beckham, however, saw the writing on the wall and had already secured a mega-transfer to Los Angeles Galaxy.  Robinho took no heed and, despite supporting the attacking combination of Raul and Ruud van Nistlerooy in exemplary fashion, rivaling Guti for assists, found himself used as trade bait in a failed attempt to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo.  With his outspokenness and high wage demands, even Chelsea backed away when he sought an exit from the Spanish capital.  The only club willing to take him on was newly minted Manchester City.

To say that Robinho was unhappy at City is to say that Roy Hodgson had some trouble at Liverpool.  The Brazilian was not an ideal first recruit in Sheikh Mansour’s plans to build a Champions League side, even if it was the Abu Dhabi Royal’s first day in charge.  Intended to be a bright light to attract other major talents, he became more of a warning beacon which kept the very best away.

Having alienated two coaches at City, the second of whom, Roberto Mancini, was even more rooted in the catenaccio philosophy than Fabio Capello, Robinho found himself out of the first team, disinterested when called upon as a substitute and threatened by the likely loss of his place in the Brazil squad if matters held their course.  With no European club willing to reimburse City’s £32 million investment, the Brazilian suddenly developed a severe case of homesickness and secured a loan to his old club Santos.

At Santos, Robinho not only played well enough to keep his place in the national team, he was hailed as a positive influence on another precocious Santos teenager, Neymar.  While Robinho would find some success in the World Cup, his most memorable moment was the ridiculous, finger-wagging scolding he handed out to a dive-happy Arjen Robben in l’Oranje’s stunning fight back, which bounced the Selecao from the tournament.

Neymar. Has he been trying to fill the wrong shoes?

As for his teaching of Neymar, the talented youngster learned too well, mimicking his elder’s arrogance, which would lead to the dismissal of manager Dorival Junior, who had the temerity to attempt to discipline his star.  Neymar also echoed his mentor’s greed, welcoming the advances of Chelsea and, again like Robinho, trying to force his way out of the Santos clubhouse.  He was only kept in place (for the moment) when the club called on Robinho and Pele to talk ‘sense’to the adolescent phenomenon.  Possessing an ego rivaling his hero’s, Neymar is certain to test the European market soon enough and, unless his attitude changes, is just as likely to return when he finds that the level of dedication that European clubs demand seriously cuts into his fun time.

The hero, meanwhile, has returned to Europe, a part of AC Milan’s resurgence.  Unfortunately, his form has not been the best, as he has struggled mightily to find the target.  Given past history and the recent exit of one of his connections to home, Ronaldhino, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Robinho return to Brazil again, ahead of the 2014 World Cup.

Ronaldhino, himself is now back in Brazil, of course, with Flamengo.  If anyone showed less commitment to the squad and more interest in his leisure time than Robinho, it was the club-hopping Dhino, who has of late begun to fancy himself more an artist with his hands, playing the congas, than with his feet.  Now in his thirties and having been unwilling to forego Silvio Berlusconi’s wages to return home in order to secure a place in the 2010 national side, he will have to truly change his ways under the watchful gaze of Mano Manezes, if he is to make it to the Nirvana of playing in the World Cup in the Maracana.  Plenty of bookies will take a serious hit if he can turn the trick.

Another player with ties to Flamengo and Serie A, Adriano, has been back to Brazil on more than one occasion but the imposing forward has not displayed the willpower to match his physical attributes.  No matter where he is, it seems he cannot stay away from the night life and falls back down almost as quickly as he picks himself up.  Unlike Ronaldhino and Robinho, however, his pathologies are sadly more a result of chemical dependency rather than just a lack of professionalism.

While Ronaldhino and Robinho haven’t achieved the glory of Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo, there was a third ‘R’in the elder group, who often goes forgotten.  Rivaldo, the driving force in Brazil’s 2002 World Cup triumph in Japan and scorer of  34 goals in 74 appearances for the Selecao, seemed to have fallen off the planet after failing to impress at Milan after that tournament.

Rivaldo and Ronaldo celbrate winning Brazil's last World Cup, in 2002. Now both are home to prepare the next generation for 2014.

He played well in Greece for Olympiakos but struggled for AEK.  Then he inexplicably headed off to Uzbekistan, where he was far and away the best player in the league while featuring for Bunyodkor.  After fulfilling his two-year, €10 million contract, he decided to return home in search of a more challenging opportunity.  Having taken the Uzbeki’s money, he ran all the way home to his first club, Mogi Mirim, not just playing but taking over as club chairman.

In five matches in the lower league side, he notched 10 goals and, needing stronger competition but being a man who honours his contracts, forged a creative deal with top flight club Sao Paolo, who were lacking the marquee name that rivals Corinthians and Santos each enjoyed.  Effectively, Mogi Mirim’s president loaned the club’s best player, himself, to Sao Paolo in exchange for financial considerations, the loaning of the senior side’s fringe players to the small club and further marketing and promotional support.

In an era where lower league side’s everywhere are finding it ever more difficult to survive, it’s good to see a player come home and direct his energies to insuring the continued existence of the club that launched his career.  If Rivaldo can have an impact similar to Roberto Carlos and Ronaldo have at Corinthians, his season long loan to Sao Paolo may be extended for a further year, which can only help Mogi Mirim all the more.

Still, less than a decade ago, there would have been no place for these stars in the domestic league.  Like the rest of the country, Brazilian football was a shambles.  Clubs were in debt, corrupt chairman were the norm and stadiums were in disrepair.  Rare was the club like Santos, which attempted to hold onto a young talent when Europe came calling.  There was just too much money to be had by selling them on.

If a funny little guy with a beard can fix four digit inflation, put Brazilian football back on track and get away with having a pretty woman, who is not his wife, hanging on his arm in public, why are the rest of us busy electing telegenic mouthpieces?

Two things have changed that.  First, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s election as president in 2002, and second, FIFA’s awarding of the 2014 World Cup to Brazil.

Lula’s effectiveness and popularity is evident in the fact, that like a talented footballer, he is known by an affectionate familiar.  The former trade unionist has righted one of the world’s most ailing economies, while some of it’s most powerful have been gripped by a serious recession.

At the same time, the clubs have come together in an effort to clean up their act and meet the challenge of hosting the world’s biggest party, as only Brazil can.  Some of the worst chairman have been ousted and even prosecuted and major stadiums in every state, including the Maracana, are undergoing extensive renovations.

The boom in Brazil has paralleled a significant downturn in Argentina. As a result, the Argentines have assumed the Brazilians’place as the planet’s number one exporter of footballers.  With a healthier economy, a public suddenly possessed of disposable income and a World Cup for which to prepare, there is suddenly more urgency to keep talented young players on the home front and a need for veterans with literally a world of experience to guide them . Not only are the hosts intent on putting on the grandest festival in the tournament’s history,  they will settle for nothing less than winning the competition, something they failed to do in 1950.  What better way to do so than to have the best and brightest easily to hand?

With that in mind, Santos have brought home another star, more professional in his outlook than Robinho, and hopefully a better influence on Neymar.  With former Shakhtar Donetsk, Man City and Galatasaray winger, Elano, to feed him in the box and whisper in his ear on the training ground, the club is hoping they can hold on to their young wunderkind until after the World Cup, when he will still only be 22.  Hopefully, in their eyes, a mature 22.

Will the least materialistic of the wayward Brazilians join the exodus home?

In the three and a half years before the tournament, Robinho is not the only, nor the biggest name likely to return home.  Kaka, long in recovering from his World Cup injury, has returned to Real Madrid, only to find that there may not be a place for him, with Mesut Özil shining in the middle and Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Maria more than capably manning the flanks.  For the moment, due to a crisis at forward, he is seeing some action as a second striker, but it’s possible that he may be moved in the summer.  Given his devotions, both on and off the pitch, it wouldn’t be a great shock to see him return to his boyhood club, Sao Paolo.

Then there is Luis Fabiano at Sevilla, Lucio and Julio Cesar at Inter and Juan at AS Roma, all of them in their early thirties and likely intent on trodding the turf at the refurbished Maracana four summers hence.  If the trend of the last few years continue, look for an ever-increasing exodus of prodigal sons returning home to the land of Carnival, as the country prepares to reclaim its time-honoured place at the head of the football’s elite, under the lights of a refurbished Maracana.

In England, several major clubs discovered trip wires on the pitch, when they ventured into Carling Cup action on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Manchester City took an early lead through Jo, at the Hawthorns, but fell 2-1 to West Brom and Everton went down at Brentford on penalty kicks.  Meanwhile, having received no telephone calls from Chelsea, Real Madrid or Inter Milan, Sam Allardyce led his Blackburn Rovers into Villa Park.  Considering that these two clubs met in the semi-finals of the competition, last season,  Big Sam had to be  both dismayed and wary at meeting Villa this early.  Those fears would be realised when the  sure (?) foot of Emile Heskey brought Gerard Houllier level in his first match as manager, after Gael Givet had gifted Rovers the lead.  Ashley Young would wrap the match up with a brace, although there was no joyful embrace like the one he offered the departing Kevin MacDonald in the Villans last outing.

Roy has found himself apologising so often, he must be glad he isn't Japanese.

The big bangs occurred at Anfield and Stamford Bridge.

Milan Jovanovic opened his Liverpool account against Northampton, on 9 minutes, but the Reds didn’t do much else.  Shortly after the restart, Billy McKay brought the Cobblers even and in the 98th minute Michael Jacobs made the upset look like a shoe-in.  David Ngog gave the Kop hope at the death, however, only for Nathan Ecclestone to miss from the spot, gifting Northampton the victory on penalties.

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s breakneck momentum was brought to an abrupt halt by visiting Newcastle.  Patrick van Aanholt’s first Chelsea goal lost some of its glow when Nile Ranger and Ryan Taylor struck, 5 minutes apart, to put Toon in front going into the break.  Afterwards, Shola Amoebi’s brace cancelled out Nicolas Anelka’s but it was injury which did in the Blues. Having used two substitutes at the restart, Salomon Kalou’s hamstring pull, followed by Yossi Benayoun turning his ankle,  forced Chelsea into playing much of the half shorthanded and it ultimately cost them the match.

In Italy, Roma continued its dismal start losing 2-1 at Brescia and Napoli did likewise, crashing 1-3 at home to red hot Chievo.  Having read the press the riot act, last week, for pushing the panic button on Roma’s season, Claudio Ranieri may find himself perusing the want ads next, if he can’t get the Wolves back on the scent.

Bari went to the Guiseppe Meazza, on Wednesday, feeling pretty good about their own start.  Any delusions of grandeur quickly went up in smoke, however, as Inter blazed 4 goals past Jean Francois Gillet.  Samuel Eto’o remained in form, striking for two and his tallies were bookended by Diego Milito, setting straight the critics of his early season profligacy.

On Thursday, there was another upset, of sorts, as Palermo trounced Juve 3-1 for their first win of the season.  The Old Lady has only 4 points in as many matches and has conceded 10 goals already.  The only thing keeping Luigi Del Neri employed is a 4-0 pasting of bottom feeding Udinese.

The hair should have been the first clue.

In Brazil, the explosions came off the pitch.  Santos gave coach Dorival Junior the sack this week for refusing to back down on his suspension of teenaged star Neymar.  The youngster, who famously turned his back on a £23m bid from Chelsea, was piqued that Junior refused to allow him to take a penalty after being hauled down in the box.  He then turned his back on the successful effort of his teammate and proceeded to lace into his coach in front of the crowd, the press and television cameras.  The club’s board wanted their young star back on the pitch, with some important matches in the offing, and when the manager let it be known he felt his authority was being undermined, he duly found out that he was, in fact, correct.  If it’s any consolation to the departed, Junior’s opinion was echoed by national coach Mano Manezes, who left Neymar out of his squad for Brazil’s upcoming friendlies and was forthright about his reasons.

We’ve lived troubled moments in the past, and we want to keep problems out of the national team at this point. We believe it’s important to send this message out for everybody to have in mind the way we work. We want to leave clear the line we have chosen to manage this group. – Mano Manezes on Neymar’s disciplinary issues

Translation — We already have enough Ronaldinhos, Robinhos and Adrianos.  What we’re looking for is a few more Kakas and Lucios, kid.  So don’t call us, we’ll call you.

Since they seem to be of like mind on how young players should be brought along, one wonders if there’s room on Manezes’staff for Dorival.  One also wonders what awaits down the road for Santos, now that their precocious youngster has had a taste of power.  Who will he turn his back on next?

The immediate question, though, is will there be more fireworks and nasty plot twists on the weekend?  The stage is set for some and our intrepid crew of WFC writers is here to tell you about them.

Chris Mann

Chris Mann

Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona, La Liga…Saturday

Barca’s unforeseen defeat to Hercules aside, both teams have enjoyed relatively painless starts to the season, sitting in sixth and third place respectively. Although Pep Guardiola’s side overcame Sporting Gijon on Wednesday, without the recently injured Lionel Messi, the Argentine’s absence could have more of a pronounced impact at San Mames on Saturday. With Athletic the top scorers during the season’s nascent stages and Fernando Llorente enjoying an excellent run of form, Barcelona will have to be at their best to overcome the strength of their hosts and the vibrant atmosphere that the Basque supporters always generate.

Fabricio Presilli

Fab Presilli

Campeonato Brasileiro – 25th round

Santos vs Cruzeiro…Saturday

After a tumultuous week, with the firing of coach Dorival Junior, for refusing to back off his disciplining of wonder kid Neymar, Santos’boys faced a tough opponent.  With their club rising up the championship table, Cruzeiro’s Argetinian duo, Ernesto Farias and Walter Montillo, are making goals and headlines.

Internacional vs Corinthians…Sunday

The Libertadores Champions are still trying to get to the top of the table nationally, and Corinthians place is up for grabs with a shaky record on the road. Ronaldo is healthy and expected to play and fellow senior citizen Roberto Carlos has been one of Timão’s best players.

Geoff Edwards

Geoff Edwards

Bayern Munich v FSV Mainz 05, Bundesliga…Saturday

Who would have predicted FSV Mainz to be top of the table with 5 wins out of 5?  I certainly didn’t, but that’s where they are. Mainz coach Thomas Tuchel, not so long ago tending bar to fund his studies, now being hailed as the ‘German Mourinho,’has given Mainz’s young team and its fans the chance to dream of bigger things.

What better place for those young dreams to be cruelly crushed than the Bayern’s Allianz Arena. The Bavarians have had a stuttering start to the season, struggling to break down opposing defenders. But, ominously, they are coming off the back of a trademark last-gasp win at Hoffenheim and will be confident of victory despite Franck Ribery’s month-long injury lay-off. It won’t be a cakewalk however. In Andre Schuerrle, Lewis Holtby and Marcel Risse, Mainz have a trio of in-form young forwards capable of inflicting real damage on Bayern’s sometimes dodgy defence.

Werder Bremen v Hamburger SV, Bundesliga…Saturday

The ‘Nordderby’is one of the most eagerly awaited rivalries on the German football calendar. Bremen are in the middle of a small crisis, coming off the back of 2 abject defeats to Mainz and Hannover 96. With their defence reaching new levels of incompetence and the lack of rhytm in attack, following the loss of Mesut Ozil, Bremen will have to improve drastically to beat their great rivals who, despite their midweek loss at home to Wolfsburg, have had a decent start to the season.

Tapesh Patel

Tapesh Patel

Lyon vs. Saint-Etienne, Ligue 1…Saturday

You really couldn’t write this. Saint-Etienne finished in 17th place last season  and Olympique Lyonnais second. Yet now the minnows are topping the league with six games gone. The last time St. Etienne won the league was in 1981, when some fellow named Michel Platini led the side.  They may not win the league, but the foundations are set for a great season. Take Dmitri Payet for example, who has now scored six in six, continuing a fine run which may lead him into the national side.

Les Verts success has taken a lot of the customary attention away from local rivals Lyon. Les Gones will be desperately hoping for a win, as the ironic 16-place gap between the two sides almost looks larger than the 60km that separates them geographically. Manager Claude Puel may be fearing for his job if reports are to be believed. The best remedy for all of the negative press? A victory in the Rhône Derby. This one is perfectly poised.

Leeds United vs. Sheffield United, The Championship…Saturday

Another derby, this one in the colder climate of Yorkshire. A bumper crowd of 35,000 is expected to watch what should be a fiery encounter at Elland Road. Gary Speed returns to his former club as manager after the sacking of Kevin Blackwell last month.   The Blades will be optimistic for a win, in the absence of Leeds goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Martin Palazzotto

Martin Palazzotto

Los Angeles Galaxy v New York Red Bull, MLS…Friday

Some gossip rag has run a story that David Beckham cheated on his wife all the way back in 2007.  It’s America, so naturally Becks is suing for libel.  He has a much better chance of winning here than he would at home.  That said, he also has a much better chance of winning on the pitch than he does in court.

It’s a battle between the two biggest clubs in the league, with the Galaxy sitting atop the table and New York, currently 5th.   The Red Bulls will be without Thierry Henry, who although legitimately injured, will probably be decorating his new $9M Manhattan penthouse, complete with its own bamboo forest.  Wow, isn’t American soccer beginning to sound more like the English game?

America v Santos Laguna, Mexican Apertura…Sunday

In Group 3, of the three group alignment in the Primera Division, Cruz Azul are in fact cruising, 10 points in front.  In Group 1, Monterrey and Santos share the lead at 18 points and are 5 points ahead of any second place club.  As long as they maintain their pace, one of them will take the wildcard spot in the playoffs.  Which means that the battle for Group 2 between Toluca (13), San Luis (13) and Club America (12) is the only current point of contention in the league.  Having given up the top spot to Toluca last week, America welcome Santos to the capital.  This is not the club you want to see coming out of the visitor’s clubhouse when you absolutely need a result.

AS Roma v Internazionale, Serie A…Saturday

Last season, these two clubs fought it out tooth and nail for both the Scudetto and Coppa d’Italia.  Inter took all the honours but the departure of Jose Mourinho left the Nerrazzurri in a state of flux and, as some (including yours truly) thought, vulnerability.  Rafa Benitez seems to have settled the side to his liking, however, with a 4-0 deconstruction of Bari, which saw Diego Milito finally find his scoring touch.  On the other hand, Roma is in chaos at the moment.  Claudio Ranieri is sniping at the press, his side can’t manufacture a result and there are rumors of a ghost in a toga, crowned with a laurel branch, wandering the bowels of Stadio Olimpico, playing a dirge on a violin.  This match may well define Roma’s season and a loss may end the Reign of Ranieri.

Matt and Roman

The Scouser Report with Matt Dalton & Roman

It’s been a pretty embarrassing week to be a Scouser, what with Everton and Liverpool both being royally embarrassed at the hands of Brentford and Northampton respectively. This weekend sees Everton travel to Craven Cottage to take on Mark Hughes’Fulham, whilst Liverpool will be entertaining, and I use the term very lightly, Sunderland.

Both sides of Stanley Park will be desperate for not only points but convincing performances.  Normally, these would be clubs that they would fancy their chances against. No offence to Sunderland or Fulham, but they are not of the same quality as the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United and should provide a good opportunity to get some confidence back in times of trouble.  That is not to say that either will be an easy game.  Last season, a beachball proved how tricky it can be to face Sunderland and Fulham haven’t let anyone kick sand in their face for a while now.

After the complete disaster of midweek, I am going to put my neck on the line.  Things have to get better some time for both the Reds and the Blues of Merseyside and this is the weekend it will happen. Liverpool to win 2-0, Everton to scrape an injury time winner to take a 2-1 result back home.

..

Well, that about wraps it up.  If any of you are wondering where Eliot Rothwell is, after his big Premier league debut last week, he hasn’t ditched us just yet.  Instead of weighing in on Catch Them If You Can, Eliot will be treating us to an insider’s look at Premiership weekends, in his new series, Diary Of A Wannabe Journalist.  As well as a birds-eye view of a different match each week and the free food which comes with it, Eliot will be rubbing elbows, literally, if the seating in the press box at Goodison Park is consistent with the rest of the league, with the likes of Phil McNulty, Tony Barrett and whether he likes it or not, Henry Winter.  So keep a weather eye for Eliot’s entries each week!

See you after the weekend!

No, the Champions League is definitely the cock of the roost and, this year, it invades the territory of another cagey bantam, the FA Cup.  Wembley Stadium, home of the world’s greatest domestic cup competition, is set to do double duty this year, deciding Europe’s best, as well as England’s. While Real Madrid’s dream of playing for the title at the Santiago Bernabeu in ’09-10 was crushed by Lyon, for Premier League holders Chelsea and their closest rivals, Arsenal and Manchester United, it’d be twice as sweet to feature in a pair of  May finals in London.

For that to happen, though, one (or two!) of them must fight their way through a Premier League winter and also overcome 31 other clubs, all dreaming of European glory.  The final group qualifications were completed at the end of August, quickly followed by the seeding and drawing for group assignment.   Now, the transfer window has closed and squads are set until January.  So what are we waiting for?  It’s time to get this party started.

Here, then, is a breakdown, group by group, of the proving ground for those who would move on to Wembley.  Read on to see how your side rates in the 2010-11 UEFA Champions League.

..

Group A

Appropriately, we start with the defending champions.  With only two significant changes at Inter Milan this year, Mario Balotelli’s exit would usually be considered the most important.  Not so much, though, when Jose Mourinho is the other mega-star bidding farewell and his is, obviously, the more difficult act to follow.  Not surprisingly, given their history at Chelsea and Liverpool, new man Rafa Benitez has been rising to the Portuguese’s steady stream of bait, trying to convince anyone with a microphone in hand that Mourinho’s departure really isn’t that big a deal.

As confident as the Spaniard is, with Jose’s treble winning side still largely intact, it’s shaping up to be a tough season for Rafa on all fronts.  During the Serie A summer, Roma, Sampdoria and Napoli all improved and AC Milan came out of nowhere, at the last minute, to snatch up Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Robinho.  A sixth Scudetto on the trot will be difficult, to say the least.  Making matters worse, they’ve been drawn into one of the tougher groups in the Champions League.  In Milan, this year, there will be no rest for the weary.

Tottenham Hotspurs‘ fortunes, ironically, owe much to the squad selection of former Inter and current Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho.  Not only did Spurs reach a literally last second deal with the Castilian giants, to claim the unwanted Rafael van der Vaart (notice the Special One’s tendency to dislike anyone named Rafa), but Mourinho’s recruitment of German attacking mid Mesut Ozil has put a crimp in Bremen’s ability to challenge for the second group spot.

Harry Redknapp, as he prefers, has no end of attacking options and so the injury to Jermaine Defoe is more of an inconvenience. Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchencko, Robbie Keane, Gareth Bale, van der Vaart, Nico Kranjcar and Luca Modric should make the England striker’s absence bearable.  It’s the back end that’s lagging for the London lads.  Ledley King’s knees will never be 100%, Jonathan Woodgate is doing a better Owen Hargreaves impression than the man himself, Michael Dawson is out for 8 weeks and while new signing William Gallas may shore things up in the early doors, it’s only a matter of time before he starts grating on nerves.  He’s done that wherever he’s played, on either side of the Chunnel.

Werder Bremen instantly missed departed Mesut Ozil, being thrashed by Hoffenheim to open their Bundesliga campaign.  They did rebound with a 4-2 home victory over Lukas Podolski’s FC Köln, though.   Tim Wiese, Per Mertesacke and Torsten Frings can do better in the back but, up front, Claudio Pizzaro, Hugo Almeida and young Marko Arnautovic will be lost without someone to provide service.  If Marko Marin can make the transition to the inside, playing at the tip of the 4-4-2 diamond, the mourning period for Ozil may be short.

Last season, Steve McLaren rediscovered his managerial mojo, after a disastrous spell as England boss (is there any other kind?).  Leading cash strapped FC Twente to a domestic double, their first, Steve-o held off Martin Jol’s attempt to re-establish Ajax,PSV& Feyenoord’s rule over the Eredivisie, after AZ Alkmaar had cast them down in 09.  Trouble is, he’s off to Wolfsburg to take the next step in his recovery.  Michel Preud’homme leads the Tukkers now and they’ve started out well domestically.  This group is a tall task, however, especially with limited personnel.

Analysis: Benitez may have a lot ahead of him but I can’t see him tripping out of the blocks.  Inter should win this group and even if they do slip, it should only mean a more difficult opponent in the round of 16.   Bremen and Spurs will fight for the second spot but I’m tipping Spurs.  The Germans have more experience and are stronger in the back but Redknapp’s crew are too fast, too many and too hungry.

Group B

Two seasons ago, Felix Magath drove Wolfsburg from obscurity to the summit of the Bundesliga, before moving to Schalke 04.  Magath, is a direct, no-nonsense manager, who looks to surround himself with reliable people.  That may be why Kevin Kuranyi is now plying his trade in Moscow, rather than Gelsenkirchen.  Raul is now the talisman, to be supported by late transfer Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.  Christophe Metzelder anchors the back line and German #1, Manuel Neuer is the man between the posts.  It may take a little time for the new squad to gel but if they can, they will be difficult.

Claude Puel has become used to the revolving door at Olympique Lyonnais.  The top players, like Karim Benzema and Florent Malouda aren’t usually around for long, so the former Lille manager has gone back to what he knows, building a solid, cohesive squad that can compete with anyone.  Last year that philosophy paid off with a terrific run to the Champions League semi-finals.  This year, with the addition of Yoann Gourcuff’s midfield creativity to Jeremy Toulalan’s solid holding capabilities, Lyon should be a more balanced squad.

This is the type of group that Benfica can exploit.  The Portuguese giants, twice winners of the Champions League, as always, have a solid team, though not spectacular by continental standards.  With Fabio Coentrao, Luisao and Maxi Perreira at the back, defence can become attack very quickly.  Up front Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola provide a danger to any goal.  Pablo Aimar is the tip of a diamond shaped midfield which, while not as polished as some, does play well as a unit.   Manager Jorge Jesus will want to make a quick start in the group, with his two main opponents still working out the kinks.

The other three clubs in the group may be wary of each other but if they let up against Hapoel Tel Aviv, they’ll be in for a shock.  The one time Asian champions are starting to make their mark in Europe.  Last season, they won their Europa League group before bowing out to Russian sensations Rubin Kazan.  This year, they’ve qualified for their first Champions League group stage.  Somewhat hampered by a very strict Homegrown Rule (no more than 5 foreigners on any squad), the Israeli’s are nonetheless very game.

Analysis: There are so many ifs in this group that it’s very difficult to nominate a winner, or even a loser, out of the top three.  With eyes closed and fingers crossed, I’ll go with Schalke and Benfica to advance, mostly on the basis of their managers’stronger and more recent championship pedigrees.  I also think Lyon might feel some effect from the current French national malaise, making them more susceptible to lapses.

Group C

The Premier League looks to be even more competitive and Chelsea have roared out of the gate.  So, even the contrary Sir Alex Ferguson has to be happy with Manchester United‘s draw.  Not only should it be favourable from a competitive standpoint but the travel destinations are also advantageous, with two Mediterranean sunspots and a quick hop up to Glasgow on the itinerary.

United’s attack looks more diverse, after Wayne Rooney carried the whole load last year.  Young Javier Hernandez has fit right in and Dimitar Berbatov has rediscovered some form.  Rooney, despondent after a poor World Cup is beginning to look like himself again.  In midfield, Paul Scholes is experiencing some deja vu, pulling the strings like a far younger version of himself and Ryan Giggs continues to play as though he has a painting, a la Dorian Gray, safely hidden somewhere about Old Trafford.  If either should falter, young Darron Gibson is more than ready to step in.  With Chris Smalling and Jonny Evans also coming along, Rio Ferdinand’s chronic back and knee problems are only a minor concern.  Rather than a challenge, the group stages are more of a welcome respite for Fergie’s charges.

Unai Emery’s Valencia are not what they were with the David’s, Villa and Silva.  They are younger.  Beyond that, if their 3-1 La Liga debut at Malaga is any indication, nothing much has changed. Aritz Aduriz has been brought in to help Joaquin Sanchez provide leadership but Ever Banega and Juan Manuel Mata will have to be bled on the march.  There is bound to be some adversity along the road and the measure of the young guns will be taken in how they respond.  Still, los Che have to fancy their chances of sliding in beside United, for the second qualifying spot out of the group.

The Old Firm showed some hints of agoraphobia in the last campaign, as both Celtic and Rangers crashed out of Europe spectacularly.  Unlike Tony Mowbray, Walter Smith was able to exert some damage control on the domestic front, and the blue shirts won the Scottish league going away.  With some key members of the squad, Maurice Edu (USA), Madjid Bougherra (Algeria) and Vladimir Weiss (Slovakia), having been tempered in the crucible of the World Cup finals, and 40 year old captain David Weir receiving his first call up for national duty in some time, Smith is hopeful his side show more competitive fire during this year’s travels.

Having claimed their first Turkish Super Lig title, relatively unknown Bursaspor are the wide-eyed tourists of Group C.  The Green Crocodiles’heads will surely be turned when visiting such storied venues as Old Trafford, Mestalla and the Ibrox, especially with their squad largely homegrown.  It will be in the hands of well travelled Argentine Federico Insua, who has played in the top flight at home, as well as Mexico, Spain and Germany, to keep his teammates minds on the task at hand, else tears will be shed.  Like as not, however, the most enjoyable parts of their travels are going to be before the referee blows the whistle.

Analysis: I don’t want to shock anyone but United will win the group.  The Glaswegians will challenge Valencia for the right to move on but I think they’re the more likely of the pair to drop points to the Turks.  With just a quick jaunt across the Med to face the minnows, the Spaniards will be much less out of their element.  Sadly, Bursaspor’s first appearance in the Champions League will not be a Turkish delight.

Group D

If anything, Barcelona have it easier than United.  None of the three clubs in this group pose a real threat to the Catalans, even though they were surprised last year by Rubin Kazan.  You can best believe, however, that Pep Guardiola will have his players chewing on that bone as they make a return journey north.

Barca have a slightly different look this year.  Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s power game never meshed in the Nou Camp and he’s back in Milan, albeit with AC, rather than Inter.  Thierry Henry and Rafa Marquez, no longer up to the pace, have taken up teaching positions in the Big Apple. David Villa is a much better fit with Lionel Messi and Liverpool escapee Javier Mascherano adds some steel to that sublime midfield corps.  And Pep is still stalking Cesc Fabregas!

Athens giants, Panathinaikos, have developed a cosmopolitan flavour.  There is the French strike pairing of Djibril Cisse and Sidney Govou,  Spaniard Luis Garcia and Brazil’s Gilberto da Silva in the midfield.  Malian Cedric Kante and another Frenchman, Jean-Alain Boumsong are in defense.  Yet, their best player might be homeboy Sotiris Ninis.  Young, quick and clever, the Greek now has some World Cup experience, to boot.  Even with all the veterans around him, he reminds doubters that theTryfilli have an eye for the future.

Jesper Gronkjaer, still swift at 33, leads FC Copenhagen.  The Lions are Danish champions two years on the trot and seven times for the decade.  Unfortunately, that dominance hasn’t translated to the European stage.  Plain and unassuming, the Danes must play perfect football to have a hope of progressing in this group but they are a well balanced unit, capable of taking a result.  If they put in enough hard working shifts, they just might be see a nice payoff at the end.

With former Newcastle standout, Obafemi Martins still looking to open his account, five games into his Rubin Kazan career, the two time Russian Premier League holders are sitting four points behind Luciano Spaletti’s Zenit St. Petersburg.  Zenit are a traditional power, while the Kazan club has a journeyman history in the lower levels of Russian and Soviet leagues.  It’s a classic case of speed v power, puncher v boxer, Rocky Balboa v Apollo Creed and, at the moment, Gurban Burdiyev’s Rubies are taking it on the chin.  Where’s Burgess Meredith when you really need him?

Analysis: Another unimaginative pick for you, as Barcelona waltz through the group.  I’d like to think that Panathanaikos’experience will see them through, as well.  It’ll be tough, though, especially if Rubin Kazan can find a goal scoring touch.  Copenhagen won’t necessarily bring up the rear, as 2nd through 4th will be a toss up, but they don’t look to have enough to progress.

Group E

Bayern Munich began last season struggling to recover after sinking to the depths of 2nd place in the ’09 Bundesliga campaign.  Such are the expectations of the league’s flagship club that anything less than leading the fleet is abject failure.  Dutch master Louis van Gaal was tasked with restoring the Bavarians to their accustomed place.  Once he removed the mutinous Luca Toni, the club charted a course to overtake Bayer Leverkuesen atop the table.

There were three unexpected sources for their success.  Ivica Olic’s emergence glossed over the tepid seasons of both Miro Klose and Mario Gomez.  Holger Badstuber’s steady play an versatility, on the left and in centre of defence, was key in covering for injuries.  Finally, Thomas Müller’s rapid ascendance, which extended to the world stage in the summer, compensated for the chronic injury issues besetting wingers Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben.  With all those players returning and the addition of Toni Kroos in midfield, there is no reason that Bayern shouldn’t realistically target Wembley as their final port of call in 2011.

AS Roma brought in their own managerial miracle worker, Claudio Ranieri, in ’09-10, and he put wind in their sails, as well as on their shirts.  Eclipsing an aging AC Milan and reeling in the heady Sampdorians, Roma put a scare into Jose Mourinho’s plans for total European dominance. Last season, the stumbling block was up front, with Francesco Totti slowing considerably and Ranieri’s gamble, in rescuing Luca Toni, proving a bad one.

This season, Claudio is again attempting to salvage a career.  The troublesome Adriano is back in the Serie A, where he has never seemed able to maintain a focus on his day job, much preferring the Italian nightlife.  If it all comes together, Roma will be contending for more than one trophy in spring.  If not, well, Ranieri best not think about that.

Swiss international captain, Alexander Frei, at 31, is back to wrap up his club career where it began, at FC Basel.  The cantankerous Frei, famous for spitting at Steven Gerrard  in the ’04 Euros, spent time at Rennes and Borussia Dortmund while simultaneously providing most of the Swiss offence under Ottmar Hitzfeld.   The other notable player in the Bebbi lineup is Ghanian right back Samuel Inkoom.  Basel, like Copenhagen, dominate domestically and feature a home flavoured squad.  Unfortunately, in Europe that stands them in as much stead as it does the Danes, which is to say not a lot.

Over the past four years, CFR Cluj have enjoyed great success in Romania and, with a motley collection of Euro travelers, haven’t done too badly in Europe.  Having won their second domestic crown and held onto the Romanian Cup, Cluj get another CL crack at Roma after having stunned them in 2008, 1-2, in the Eternal City.  It will certainly be tougher, this time around, as the Italians will be looking for a measure of revenge.   Stamford Bridge fans will well remember that the Romanians followed that victory up with a scoreless away draw, against the Blues.

Analysis: Both Bayern and Roma should feel relatively comfortable about making it out of this group.  They have more than enough quality to get the job done.  Should they take their superiority for granted, however, they’ll quickly learn that their two group companions can do more than make up weight.

Group F

Carlos Ancelotti brought Chelsea back to the top of the Premier League, where they hadn’t been since Jose Mourinho’s tenure.  The Italian even went the Portuguese one better by securing a domestic double.  That he did it with what was essentially Jose’s old squad didn’t seem to dampen his spirits.  However, Mourinho himself tempered Ancelotti’s ecstacy, winning both sides of their two legged CL tie.

This year Chelsea have launched their Premier League campaign with the power of a moon bound rocket and some of Jose’s recruits are not along for the ride.  Joe Cole, Michael Ballack and Ricardo Carvalho are all elsewhere.  Stepping into the gap are Florent Malouda, Branislav Ivanovic and Yossi Benayoun, as well as a healthy Michael Essien.  Also likely to be trusted with more responsibilities will be Salomon Kalou, Daniel Sturridge and possibly Gael Kakuta.  The foundations at the Bridge are still sound and crossing over into European glory may finally be the Blues’destination.

Didier Deschamps did not take the France job, preferring to remain at Olympique de Marseilles.  If les Bleus’performance at the Stade de France, a fortnight past, is any indication, Didier is quite happy not to be in former teammate, Laurent Blanc’s shoes, even with his own club’s mid-table start to the Ligue 1 season. OM didn’t make much noise in the transfer window, although Hatem Ben Arfa was very vocal in his eagerness to move to England.  He’s now at Newcastle but Andre-Pierre Gignac and young Loic Remy  are capable of picking up the slack.  The midfield is steeped in quality, with Lucho Gonzalez and Brandao leading the way.  Steve Mandanda captains from goal and el Gringo, Gaby Heinze is around to lend some sharp steel to the back line.  Don’t expect the French champs to remain merely average for long.

Glasgow born and Republic of Ireland international Aiden McGeady has arrived in Russia to change the forunes of the struggling Spartak Moscow club.  Sitting 3 points and 2 places out of European contention, Spartak need all the help they can get.  Brazilians Welliton (13) and  Ari (5) provide all of the punch but the anemic offence may be less of a worry than the the loss of defender Martin Jiranek to Birmingham City.  At the moment, domestic issues would seem to demand more of manager Valery Karpin’s attention than European concerns.

Another domestic giant who loses its way when traveling the continent is MSK Zilina, perennial Slovakian champions.  The Susoni, managed by Czech Pavel Hapal, are strictly a regional club.  Having played in all save one season of the young Slovak super-league, Zilina have either been champions (5x) or runners-up (3x) in half of them.   Almost the entire squad is made up of Slovaks or Czechs, barring just four players, one of whom is Bosnian.  It just goes to show you, that in a very small pond, even a minnow can be a big fish.

Analysis: If Chelsea don’t have virtually everything their own way in this group, I will eat my socks (I need my hat).  Marseilles should pick up the scraps with Spartak distracted and Zilina not a factor.

Group G

If this isn’t the group of death in the 2010-11 CL, it’s definitely the ‘Group of Champions.’ Real Madrid, although they haven’t won in 8 years, are, of course, the ultimate European champions, with 9 pieces of silver in the roomy Santiago Bernabeu trophy cabinet.  Jose Mourinho has come to town to lift that number into double figures and, to date, he has delivered wherever he has been.  His new signings indicate that he intends to leave Madrid as he has every other club, with a squad that can challenge for trophies long after he’s departed.  Mesut Ozil, at 21, replaces the creativity of 33 year old Guti and the injured Kaka.  Sami Khedira, 23, offers more pace than the 28 year old Xabi Alonso and a better attacking dynamic than Mahamadou Diarra, 29.  Finally, Angel di Maria, 22, will make defences think twice about shifting over to cover Cristiano Ronaldo.  Jose will blend the youngsters in slowly but the club has enough depth to compete on several fronts and to give domestic concerns to an aging Barcelona side.

With 7 European Cups on display at the San Siro, Silvio Berlusconi doesn’t like to be an afterthought.  So, before the transfer window closed, he orchestrated a series of deals that put AC Milan right back in the Serie A spotlight.  Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose pace and power should fit in well, is on a one year loan from Barca.  Robinho, lonely and homesick in England, now has no excuses with Ronaldinho and Alexandre Pato to lighten the dreary work day and, in Ronaldinho’s case at least, introduce him to the best nightclubs.  To make room and keep the books balanced, Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is now with Schalke.  Kevin-Prince Boateng adds strength to the midfield and Thiago Silva and Alessandro Nesta anchor the line.  With Gennaro Gattuso, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Mathieu Flamini and Onweyu Oguchi, there is depth and experience enough to let both Inter and Real know that this will not be an easy year.

As 4 time European club champions, Ajax round out the 20 championships crammed into Group G.  Without the depth or financing of Real or Milan, the Amsterdam side have to be rated as outsiders, yet if someone lets them get their foot in the door, they have the strength to force it open.  Maarten Stekelenberg back stopped the Oranje to the World Cup final with support from Andre Oojier, Gregory van der Wiel and Demy de Zeeuw.  With Martin Jol settled as manager, they’ll now look for club glory, as well.  Uruguayan Luis Suarez has pledged Ajax his future and wears the captain’s arm band.  He’ll mentor countryman Nicolas Lodeiro and the young Dane sensation, Christian Eriksen, from the unfortunately named hamlet of Middlefart.  Chemistry issues do arise with the presence of 7 time loanee Mido, providing attacking support.

French side AJ Auxerre are a fish out of water in their present company.  Fish maybe but not minnows.  Auxerre have risen to the upper reaches of  Ligue 1 in the past two seasons, finishing 3rd last year.  This is a workmanlike club, disciplined but lacking in starpower. Outside of France, its most familiar players would be forward Valter Birsa, of Slovenia, and the gritty Swiss defender, Stephane Grichting.  While not well known, their more famous opponents had best be prepared because, as any Ligue 1 side will gladly inform them, Auxerre aren’t shy about introducing themselves.

Analysis: The abundance of hardware in this group may stir up some nostalgia and pride, which could very well turn it into a group of death. Real, under Jose’s firm guidance will lay claim to the top spot. Luis Suarez has a way of showing up in big moments and making a difference as 49 club goals and one World Cup save will attest.  You can’t count Ajax out and AC Milan’s one weakness may be the continental naivete of its new manager Massimiliano Allegri.  Auxerre will make the others work but they are just too far out of their depths.

Group H

There’s a term in American slang for Arsenal.  Snakebit.  Just as they get rolling and have Chelsea and Man United looking over their shoulders, a key player is stricken with a critical injury.  Usually, as it is right now, that player is Robin van Persie but it’s also happened with Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri, Tomas Rosicky and the departed Eduardo da Silva.  Last year, United supporters were fretting over what would happen should Wayne Rooney blow a tire and be sidelined for a significant period.  That happens repeatedly to Arsenal in every campaign and it’s a major reason they haven’t collected any silverware in six years.  Still, a gimpy Gunner squad is more than capable of making their way to the elimination rounds from this group.

The Premier Leaguers will find a familiar face across the pitch when they meet up with Shakhtar Donetsk.  Former Gunner Eduardo, he of the broken leg while at the Emirates, is now the key man in the Miners set-up.  Brazilians Luiz Adriano and Jadson, the goalscorers in Shakhtar’s surprising 2009 UEFA Cup championship triumph over Werder Bremen are still around and still young (23 & 26 respectively).  Overall, the Ukrainian club likes to play an attractive passing game.  They’re not in Arsenal’s class when it comes to finesse but they do have a bit more grit.

Most of Braga‘s players share something in common with the club.  Short names.  In all, 17 of them have followed in the honourific tradition of Pele, Junior, Ronaldo and Kaka.  If you think you’ve deduced a large population of Brazilians in the squad, you’re correct, although one or two of them do have a second name, most notably George Lucas.  Meanwhile, manager Domingo Pacienca has to be hoping that no one tells the big boys in the group that his club are sometimes known as the Arsenalists.  He’ll have enough problems trying to get a result out of those two matches without any bulletin board material introduced into the mix.  May the force be with them.

One half of Eastern Europe’s greatest football derby, Partizan Belgrade, is back in the Champions League for the first time since 2003.  It was a tough battle for them to get here, too.  The final qualifying tie with RSC Anderlecht consisted of a pair of 2-2 draws, extra time and a penalty shootout, which Partizan finally won 3-2.  After that, the home and home against Red Star this season will seem like a romantic stroll in the park.  When they were last in the group stages, seven years ago, they were last in the group.  Not much is likely to change.

Analysis: Arsenal have been drawn into a group which, largely, likes to play the same open style that Arsene Wenger worships.  Since none of his opponents are Barcelona, he’s unlikely to be beaten at his own game.  That leaves one pass into the later stages for the other three sides to scrap over.  Despite the fact that Braga’s Brazilians outnumber Shakhtar’s almost 3-1, I’m going with the Ukraine.  They know how to get down and dirty when needed and that will make the difference.

..

The action gets underway in midweek and by Christmas, we’ll know who’ll be continuing their continental travels and who’ll have to be satisfied by redoubling their domestic efforts.  Enjoy the action and I’ll see you after the holidays, with the elimination round preview!

Like the Giro, the Scudetto is a long race with plenty of twists and turns. No sheep, though.

In preparation for the ‘Giro d’Scudetto,’there’s been a maelstrom of player and manager movement during the summer.  The departure of one man, however, has changed the landscape more significantly than the rest of the comings and goings combined.  Jose Mourinho’s move to Real Madrid, after capping his stay at Inter with a domestic double and his 2nd Champions League crown, has sparked title hopes at clubs across the country.

With the outcome seemingly less inevitable than it’s been for some time, the race for the 2010-11 Scudetto is a tough one to handicap.  I’m willing to give it a go, however.  So, read on to see how I think the field will shape up in the coming Serie A season.

..

The Maglia Rosa (Pink Jersey)

How Rafa imagines himself managing Inter.

Jose Mourinho is indeed gone from Internazionale, as is the cancerous Mario Balotelli.  Still, Julio Cesar, Ivan Cordoba, Javier Zanetti, Dejan Stankovic, Lucio, Thiago Motta, Samuel Eto’o, Wesley Sneijder, Sulley Muntari, Maicon, Nicolas Burdisso, Esteban Cambiasso, Diego Milito, Marco Materazzi, Walter Samuel and Goran Pandev all remain.  That’s a formidable squad.

Even Rafa Benitez may need more than a year to screw up this dynasty.  Then again, maybe not.  He’s doing his best to get Javier Mascherano in the squad, although Barca is on the verge of swooping for the unhappy Liverpool man.  I’m not sure how having the captain of the Diego Maradona All Star World Cup squad around would affect the attitudes of Cambiasso and Zanetti but I  can’t imagine it going over very well.   Giving their blessing to a young teammate Milito’s World Cup dream is one thing.  El Pibe’s chosen man on the pitch suddenly showing up to take over in midfield, is another matter entirely.

Trust will be an issue for the players.  Rafa is the polar opposite of  Mourinho.  The Special One bonded with his players and stood between them and the rest of the world.  He was a general.  Benitez is a politico, gravitating to power.

How everyone else sees it.

At Anfield, that power was with the supporters, rather than the absentee owners, or the players.  The Spaniard made every effort to ingratiate himself to the Kopp, often without regard for players, like Xabi Alonso.  Milan’s president, Massimo Moratti, is very much a presence not to be bypassed or usurped but you can bet Rafa will be looking to mark out his patch.

There’s little, if anything, of significance missing from Jose’s treble winners, yet one wrong step from Benitez may be the difference between Inter driving for five or watching Roma come up in the rearview and slip past them to claim the Scudetto.

The Challenger

Last season, Claudio Ranieri assumed command, early in the AS Roma season, replacing an ineffective Luciano Spalletti.  In short order, the former Chelsea boss had the Romans marching in step, steadily up the table, until they’d laid siege to Jose Mourinho and Inter Milan.  Ranieri didn’t have quite enough troops for the siege to break the Nerrazurri but it was a close thing.

Over the summer, they’ve acquired Brazilian star, Adriano, who, if he doesn’t drink too much of the stuff in the Eternal City’s nightclubs, will add some punch to Roma’s attack.  With Taddei and Mirko Vucinic streaking down the wings, the thundering left foot of fullback John Arne Riise and a midfield anchored by deputy captain, Daniele de Rossi, an effective Adriano might just be the final weapon needed to end Inter’s reign.

Ranieri has put the wind in Roma's sails.

Just in case, however, there’s young French international, Jeremy Menez, and the ancient talisman of the club, the tottering Francesco Totti.  The former Azzurri number 10 still holds the captaincy of his club, although Ranieri has gradually weaned him from a starting role to that of a 60th minute sub.  When he is on the field, his lack of pace has the same effect as a baseball pitcher’s knuckleball.  When you’re used to everything coming at you at a dazzling pace, an old man out for a pleasant stroll doesn’t really catch your eye, until it’s too late.

The Pursuit

Outside of Italy, clubs often take on the personality of their manager, influenced by his style. That’s not such a frequent occurrence in the Serie A, where coaches usually aren’t in town long enough to rub off on their charges.  Instead , Italian sides tend to emulate their owners.  Unfortunately for AC Milan, that means transforming into an aging squad with sharply declining abilities.  Much like their owner, the scandal beleaguered Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, they’re clawing to hold onto the shreds of what once was an imposing mantle of power.

The wealth is no longer there for Berlusconi to purchase whomever he fancies and leave it to managing director Adriano Galliani to sort out.  Now, to buy, the Red Devils first must sell; a problem when most of the merchandise on the shelf is either past its sell by date, or not yet ripe.   In the buildup to Match Day 1, rumours have been circulating that Zlatan Ibrahimovic and/or Liverpool’s Dirk Kuyt may be Milan bound.  Still, Milan must first generate the funds necessary to acquire either player.

Ronaldhino, you're sporting the physique of a 46 year old man. Namely me. Yours is a much better tan, though, if that's any consolation.

Currently, the only new blood is Ghanian international Kevin-Prince Boateng, on loan from Genoa.  Hopefully, Boateng will provide a direct link to the young Brazilian, Alexandre Pato.  As well, noted hip hop impresario Ronaldhino has committed his professional future to the club.   That may be a boost, if he can trim off some of the pounds acquired at the beach, while the rest of his compatriots were toiling in South Africa.

Even with Jose Mourinho no longer across the hall, Milan will find it tough to mount a challenge for the Scudetto. Under new manager, Massimo Allegri, they’ll be fighting off the likes of Juventus, Napoli and Sampdoria for the final Champions League place.

Juventus’ recovery from the infamous 2005 match fixing scandal has been slow and, to date, incomplete.  Yet , this could be the year they reclaim their Champions league place.  That prediction does come with a bucketful of ifs, however.

€40,000 per tackle? Madre Dios! If I just breathe on someone, it could cost me a day's wages.

If Gianluco Buffon stays healthy.  If Felipe Melo gets over his horrendous World Cup.  If Vicenzo Iaquinta, Alessandro del Piero and David Trezeguet can draw enough strength from their aging limbs to carry the scoring load for one more season.  If Diego doesn’t bolt at the last minute, for the Bundesliga.  If World Cup sensation Milos Krasic doesn’t turn out to be a flash in the pan.  If Alberto Aquilani, on loan from Liverpool, can rediscover his form and pull the strings in midfield.  And, of course, if Mauro Camoranesi is still willing to make a tackle without first seeking the permission of his attorney.

The Old Lady has enough talent to challenge Milan for a trip to Europe but are carrying enough baggage to get stuck in traffic, along the way.

The young Argentine has the potential to tilt the Serie A on its axis.

Napoli were a surprise in last season’s Scudetto, featuring a trio of dangerous forwards.  Twenty-three goals split between World Cup stars Marek Hamsik, of Slovakia, and Italy’s Fabio Quagliarella, as well as Argentine starlet Ezequiel Lavezzi’s eight strikes, forced opposing defenders to keep their heads on a swivel.  This season, they’ve upped the ante by adding yet another star of South Africa, Uruguayan Edinson Cavani, on loan from Palermo.  Anchoring the line is Cannavaro, not Fabio but his lesser known younger brother, Paolo.

Since film producer Aurelio de Laurentiis brought the club back from the dead, after its 2004 bankruptcy, they’ve doggedly risen up through the Serie A table, all the way to 6th position last year.  One gets the feeling de Laurentiis won’t be happy until they’re once again considered true contenders for honours in Serie A.

Rumours have it that Cassano actually prefers a five iron, as his weapon of choice.

Sampdoria surprised many with their torrid start to the last campaign.  For a time, they stood above even Inter on the table.  Dizzying heights, indeed.  Ultimately, they showed enough staying power to end up 4th, consolidating a place in the Europa league group stages.  Giampaolo Pazzini’s 21 goals certainly had much to do with the good fortune of Genoa’s 2nd club and his performance will again dictate their destiny in the upcoming competition.

The other main factor will be the contribution of Antonio Cassano. the club’s veteran second striker, aka Italy’s Craig Bellamy.  His mercurial reputation saw him left off Marcelo Lippi’s woeful World Cup squad, where his more positive attributes were sorely needed.  If he can hang onto his sanity for another season, Sampdoria may again do some damage, despite their expanded schedule.

The Peleton

Despite a disappointing 11th place finish in the league table, Fiorentina enjoyed a healthy romp through Europe last season, putting paid to Liverpool and only succumbing to eventual Champions League bridesmaids, Bayern, after some very questionable officiating went against them.  The purple clad Tuscans look a strong outfit but there are challenges facing them.

Fiorentina hopes that Prandelli's rise to the Azzurri doesn't signal a decline for them.

Manager Cesare Prandelli has left to assume the reins of a rebuilding national side.  His replacement is Serb Sinisa Mihajlovic, late of Catania and Bologna, where he finished 13th and 17th, respectively.

The addition of Mikael Silvestre, from Arsenal, is just as uninspiring but backline mainstay, Per Kroldrup has signed a 2 year extension to remain in Florence.  Up front, the load again falls on 15 goal man, Alberto Gilardino. As well, vice captain and number 1 keeper, Sebastian Frey, cannot be feeling too comfortable with the arrival, from Celtic, of Artur Boruc.

No longer in Europe, Fiorentina should fare better this year, if Mihajlovic can soothe the nerves of his inherited players and make good use of his own recruits.  Should he not, the Serie A managerial merry-go-round will surely make an early stop in Tuscany.

Rossi is ushering in a new era in Palermo.

While the rest of the world was watching the World Cup, Delio Rossi was enjoying a month long marathon of The Nanny, if the way he’s been cleaning house in Palermo is any indication.  Gone are Simon Kjaer, Edinson Cavani and Mark Bresciano, the latter in the autumn, if not winter, of his career.  Rossi’s spring cleaning has freed up space for Argentine sensation Javier Pastore to blossom and for an influx of younger players to begin cultivating top flight careers.

Spearheading the youth movement are two starlets from Argentine clubs, Rosario Central fullback Santiago Garcia and Boja Juniors central defender Ezequiel Munoz.  As well, Rossi has recruited Matteo Darmian and Kamil Glik for the back line, midfielder Pajtim Kasami, strikers Mauricio Pinilla and Massimo Maccarone, and goalkeeper Giacomo Brichetto.  Maccarone, the only Serie B player to feature for the Azzurri first team, is going to be relied upon to compliment captain Fabrizio Miccoli’s goal scoring prowess.

Di Natale is hoping his squad backs him up this year.

With so many changes and European fixtures adding to the burden, it will be difficult for Palermo to repeat their 5th place finish from ’09-10, much less improve upon it.

Despite the compact nature of last year’s Serie A table, it’s difficult to believe that Udinese finished 15th.  With Antonio di Natale’s 29 strikes, the support of Antonio Floro Flores and young Chilean starlet Alexis Sanchez, there was no dearth of scoring.  As Switzerland’s Gökhan Inler held down the midfield and partnered with Simon Pepe, Ghanian Kwadwo Asamoah and another Chilean, Mauricio Isla, the Little Zebras should have done much better.

Pepe has been loaned out to Juventus, Ghanian John Mensah to Granada and youthful French defender Mohamadou Sissoko to Scotland’s Kilmarnock.  New manager Francesco Guidolin knows he has the guns to shoot it out with almost anyone.  Now he just has to teach his charges to do it from proper cover.

In 15 appearances last season, Valeri Bojinov led Parma with 8 goals.  You might think that ratio would earn him more playing time, this season.  Unfortunately, Hernan Crespo has arrived at the ancient il Tardini, after a short spell in Genoa.

Crespo's flowing locks have been cut off but Parma is hoping the same doesn't hold for the flow of goals.

The 34 year old Argentine is far younger than the venerable stadium he will call home and the club is banking on him still having some spryness in his step.  If Crespo can lead and Bojinov follow, the Crusaders may be making plans to invade the Europa League, a year from now.

The Genoa Cricket and Football Club have long had a revolving door installed in the clubhouse.  They develop exciting young talent, such as Diego Milito and David Suazo, to sell to the big clubs.  Both to influence the youngsters and maintain competitiveness when they depart, the side also regularly takes in aging veterans of note.  Hernan Crespo, on his way from Inter to Parma, stopped off to contribute 5 goals in 16 appearances, last season.  This year’s big brother is former Roma and Bayern star, Luca Toni.

Rocchi is determined not to let anything rain on his century parade.

With players not always in permanent residence, goal by committee is very much the norm.  Rodrigo Palacio’s 7 led the squad in ’09 and he is back for more.  At the opposite end, Portugal number 1, Eduardo, backstops the club.

Last year, il Grifone were a comfortable 9th in the table and will likely finish the new campaign in the same neighbourhood.  After all, they are in the business of buying and selling players, not collecting trophies.

Lazio’s goal-scoring tandem of Sergio Floccari and captain Tommaso Rocchi will be getting some support in midfield, with the addition of Aussie Mark (don’t call me Marco) Bresciano, from Palermo.  The 33 year old Rocchi will be especially motivated,  as he was limited to 6 goals, a year ago, bringing his total for club to 89.  At the outset of ’09, he publicly stated his desire to become the 5th Lazio centurion, intentionally switching to the number 9 that 3 of the other 4 had worn, including the legendary Giorgio Chinaglia.  If Rocchi can enjoy a resurgence, Lazio might move into the top half of the table, after their 12th place finish in ’09-10.

Gillet was a major part of Bari's success in '09.

Bari were a major surprise, last season, finishing in 10th, having just earned promotion to the top flight, after championing the Serie B, in 2008-09.  As per usual, with a selling club, not much investment has been made to fortify their advances.  Five new players have come into the squad, all on loan, but the responsibilities on the pitch lie at either end, with acrobatic keeper and captain, Jean-Francois Gillet and the 14 goal scoring Brazilian, Barreto.  There is a lot of fight in this Adriatic seaside club, so it’s not so likely that they’ll fall victim to the sophomore blues.  Still, they’re not a threat for a European place.

The port city where football was first introduced to Sicilians by British sailors, Catania, has fallen into the habit of importing the game.  Italians make up only half the squad, very unusual for a less than elite Serie A squad.  Fully a dozen of its players are Argentine, a contingent led by striker Maxi Lopez.  He may see more time, this year, with Uruguayan Jorge Martinez now at Juve.  With Guisseppe Mascara also having an eye for goal, Marco Giampaolo’s side should have enough in attack to remain safely in the middle of the standings.

The Stragglers

Pellisier would like to see another gentleman, or two, come to his aid in Verona.

For 9 of the last 10 years, Chievo have led a quiet life in the mid to lower end of the Serie A table. During that time they have endured some tremoulous moments attempting to avoid the drop, especially in the ’08-09 campaign.  Under Domenico di Carlo, having picked up just 9 points in the first 17 matches, they suddenly found their stride, picking up results against Juve, Inter, Roma and Genoa to propel them out of danger.  This season looks to be another stressful one, as they rely heavily upon captain Sergio Pellissier, whose 11 goals were 1/3 of the team’s anemic ’09-10 output.

Last season, the strike partnership between captain Marc di Vaio and Brazilian veteran Adailton helped Bologna to narrowly avoid relegation.  Adailton has moved on to Romania and it will be up to a younger replacement, most likely Uruguayan Henry Gimenez or the Greek Peter Crouch, 6’5″ Vangelis Moras, to supply the necessary ammunition to keep the Rossoblu in the top flight.

At Cagliari, new manager, Pierpaolo Bisoli has moved over from newly promoted Cesena.  He’s acquired the effervescently named Robert Aquafresca, on loan from Genoa,and a pair of young Brazilians, Nene and Jeda, to supplement Alessandro Matri’s finishing.  Daniele Conti, the son of Roma legend Bruno, is the captain and midfield anchor.  Look for pacy young defender Francesco Pisaro to get some more minutes in the back.

Bisoli hopes to take the Sardinians away from the relegation zone, this year.  If their spirit, as evident in a recent unfriendly with Sicilian side, Palermo, is any indication, his charges are ready for the fight.

Leading the newcomers, the Giallorossi have popped in for another quick visit to the top flight.  Pulling a ‘West Brom,’Lecce have bounced right back into Serie A, after having been ignobly relegated in 2008-09.  Beyond their newly appointed manager, the venerable Luigi di Canio, late of Queens Park Rangers, nothing much has changed for the club.  Nor have they done a lot in the transfer market, to improve their chances of hanging around for a while.  Expect them to continue emulating the Baggies, by not overstaying their welcome in the 1st division.

Brescia will return to the San Siro this season but they won't be bringing their own legend with them, this time.

In their 90 year existence, it’s been rare for Brescia Calcio to spend consecutive seasons in Serie A.  Their last such period was their greatest.  The talismanic ponytail of Roberto Baggio spent its final competitive years with the club, from 2000-01 to 2003-04, and through the skills of the man attached,  they actually accomplished an Intertoto Cup runners-up medal in ’01.  In 2005, however, after his final season, ‘Baggio’s Brescia’were quickly relegated.

Other famous players have used Brescia as a stepping stone, in their early careers, including Pep Guardiola, Gheorges Hagi, Luca Toni and Andrea Pirlo.  With the retirement of Luigi di Biagio, after their promotion, the current group is left without a Baggio (of any variance) to guide them.  That’s not a good omen, but youngster Andrea Carracciolo will be looking to make his step up to Serie A permanent.  If he impresses, he may achieve that but for his club to also remain, more help than his will be needed.

***In a late development, just hours before this posting, Brescia have reached out for that help, bringing Alessandro Diamante back to Italy.  Having languished on the bench at West Ham,  for the past 12 months, the 27 year old striker, purchased for €2.2M, will likely be thrust into a leadership role with his new club.

Situated about an hour from Bologna, the Bianconera (yes, it’s yet another black and white kit in the Serie A) of Cesena are making their 1st top flight appearance since the ’91 season.

Although Massimo (pictured here with Piacenza) is a manager now, he remains as fit as Ronaldhino.

The new manager in town is Massimo Ficcadenti, whom you may remember as being the prize in the Verona/Reggina tug-of-war, ‘ in 06-07.  After Reggina finally won the right to his services, they promptly sacked him for failing to produce a victory in his first 10 matches.

Ficcadenti will be relying on former Velez Sarsfield and Atalante central defender, Maxi Pellegrino, acquired from the Italian side as partial compensation for Ezequiel Schelotto, to anchor the line.  Veteran Ghanian international Stephen Appiah and Schelotto, remaining with Cesena on loan, will patrol the mid-field.

This season marks their 2nd consecutive promotion, a surprisingly strong surge for the tiny club.  It was masterminded by the departed Pierpaolo Bisoli.  Whether or not his upward move, to Cagliari, suggests his former club has reached or exceeded its capabilities remains to be seen but don’t expect too much from them.

....

In 2009-10, Sampdoria was the rabbit that set the early pace, only to be run down in the final sprint by Inter and Roma.  This season, promises to be a tight finish again between the latter two clubs but perhaps with a different result.  The rest of the league was a whirlwind throughout the campaign, with clubs rising and falling throughout.  The mid table standings were so crowded that any little slip could have been devastating, as Juve eventually found out.

There is every indication that this year will be just as competitive.  Catch every match you can,in the race for the Scudetto, but, whatever you do, don’t blink…

...You never know what you might miss!

Fluminense is considered the club of aristocracy in Rio, mainly because some big shots that rule the game in Brazil are supporters of the “Tricolor”, including João Havelange. The club from Rio was having a bad season, with a last place stand on the table. When October came, Fred’s game started to show up in Maracanã, and Fluminense is now two points behind rival Botafogo, in a fight against relegation, with consecutive wins, some of them against some top placers like Cruzeiro, Atlético Mineiro and Palmeiras.

As far as Palmeiras is concerned, they also are having a year to remember. During half the championship they held on to the first place, and as a consequence, looked like an easy pick to win it all at the end. However, a single win out of the last seven games, plus losses to all four teams currently at the bottom of the table, simply shattered the dream of the “palestrinos” that now have got to see São Paulo and Flamengo battle for the title, with just three rounds before a champion is crowned.

In the same manner that Fred is currently one of the main reasons for Fluminense’s surge, Vágner Love’s poor performance is always mentioned by Palmeiras fans. Midfielders Diego Souza and Cleiton Xavier are being accused by teammates of focusing exclusively upon transfers to European clubs by the end of the year. Nonetheless, Palmeiras’ bad moment can be credited mainly to the defensive players’ performance. Also, the inconsistency of the team managed by Muricy Ramalho hurt their chances beyond recovery. At the other end, Fluminense’s sub-20 star Maicon is proving he is worth all the hype and talented midfielder Dario Conca is the ‘maestro’ of this year’s cast.

In common, these teams have only one thing: ups and downs. This means that now Palmeiras has to pick up the pieces and try to stay among the top four by the end of the Championship to get a place in next years’ Copa Libertadores. Meanwhile, Fluminense is still battling relegation; they will play the finals of the Copa Sudamericana, on a vengeful match against Ecuatorians’ LDU, which beat Fluminense last year in a thrilling Libertadores’ final at Maracanã.

2009’s Campeonato Brasileiro has been an emotional roller coaster ride. Some fans are disappointed, some are relieved, some are hoping for the best: São Paulo’s fans are pretty chatty these days as they look forward to getting one more trophy added to their gallery. Or not. Adriano’s Flamengo may grab the title after all. As someone else has already said, “The game isn’t over until it’s over”.

Photo by www.fluminensefc.com.br.