Another footballing weeekend concluded with some highlights, lowlights, and WTFs. Just watching what I watched, here's a quick rundown of it all.
THE GOOD
Manchester
Not just United for their win, but for City in their effort to rescue a point, three times. And if you would have put another 5 minutes on the clock, it wouldn't have come as a shock if the blue side of Manchester got a 4th. Nonetheless, the two hooked up for an all-timer of a Derby.
For Manchester United, it was a confirmation of their supremacy as the best team in the city. It was the seemingly ageless Ryan Giggs leading his team. It was Wayne Rooney setting the tone with the early goal. It was confirmation that Darren Fletcher deserves to be in the discussion of most valued United players just like Rooney and Nemanja Vidic. And lastly, it was pure theater that Michael Owen would win the game for the Red Devils.
For Manchester City, it was validation. This in defeat, with their win over Arsenal last week, signalled their arrival as a legitimate threat to win silverware. Whether you like the "break the bank to build a team" approach or not, you have to acknowledge that City are a title contender this season. There are still some issues in defense, but they have the attacking power to hang with anybody. How many teams do you know can say they scored 7 goals playing Arsenal and Manchester United back to back?
Chelsea
Carlo Ancelotti's men needed a statement win. 3-0 against a Tottenham side that was desparate for redemtion after last week's loss to United is just what the doctor ordered. The new boss has pushed all the right buttons to date. 6 for 6 in Premier League play now. They did this under Jose Mourinho in the '05-'06 season and went on to win the title.
Barcelona
Maybe the most jaw-dropping 42 minutes they have produced yet. 4 goals in that span against an Atletico Madrid side that is no pushover. They could have easily hung 10 Saturday if they didn't go into neutral. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is proving my theory from a previous blog correct. And Andres Iniesta has hardly played much.
*if you want to keep score from that blog, here you go: Ibrahimovic 3, Eto'o 2. Strictly league play and not Europe or Cup play. Ibra also has a game in hand.
Juventus
Continuing to take care of business. 12 out of 12 in Serie A so far, and only one goal conceded in those four games.
Bayern Munich
Three wins on the trot now in Bundesliga and four straight overall.
Bordeaux, Lyon, and Marseille
The three French representatives in the Champions League are all unbeaten in their first six matches in Ligue 1. The French top flight could go down to the wire this season.
THE BAD
Stuttgart
Exactly 2 out of possible 12 points in their last four matches. For a team that boasts players like Pogrebnyak, Khedira, and Hleb, they are struggling for goals at the moment. A 2-0 home loss this weekend to at the time cellar dwellers Koln will not inspire confidence.
Tottenham
Recent pantsings to Manchester United and Chelsea show just how far they have to go to contend with the big boys in England.
Atletico Madrid
Only one point from their first three La Liga matches, a disappointing 0-0 draw with APOEL Nicosia in the Champions League, and the 5-2 blast they took from Barcelona has manager Abel Rosina on the hot seat (if he hasn't been sacked already).
THE FUGGLY
Craig Bellamy
Potentially the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde of football. Proves his quality and that he deserves a regular place in the Manchester City first 11 with 2 of the better goals of the weekend, and follows it up with striking a fan who invaded the pitch, while the fan was restrained by police.
Portsmouth, Xerez, Grenoble, and Atalanta
At the foot of the Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, and Serie A respectively. They have played a combined 19 matches in league play, and have a combined zero points. Also, they have been outscored 39-6 combined.
Monday, September 21, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
European Top 25 as of 9.18.2009
With a round of UEFA Champions League and Europa League fixtures out of the way it's time to break down the top teams in Europe.
I compile my rankings based on a combination of current form and quality in the team, not who will finish the best at the end of the season. This time of year you will see a lot of movement on this board. So here's my first shot at it:
1. FC Barcelona
Generous of me because: it really isn't. No shame in going to the San Siro and getting a result at Inter. Lost in all their possession and attacking power is the fact they have yet to concede a goal this season. 0 allowed in 4 matches in all competitions.
2. Chelsea FC
Cruel of me because: They have done everything they have been asked to do so far this season. Perfect record in all competitions.
Generous of me because: The teams they beat aren't that big a deal. The needed come from behind wins against Hull, Sunderland, and Stoke. If they are a living, breathing, Champions League contender, then they get more than one goal on a not-as-strong-as-they-use-to-be Porto side.
3. Real Madrid
Cruel because: They have won every match they have been asked to play in to date. On star power alone, they could top this list.
Generous because: Should a top three concede 2 goals against FC Zurich? There are still enough issues in defense that do not convince me they can make a deep run in Europe.
4. Bayern Munich
Cruel because: This is not the same Bayern team that opened the Bundesliga season. 11 goals in the last three matches in all competitions show the value of signing Arjen Robben and bringing Ribery back from injury.
Generous because: What happens when Bayern have to deal with a more organized team? Could they really beat either Juventus or Inter? And if I have them this high, it means I have already forgotten about the loss to Mainz.
5. Juventus FC
Cruel because: This could be the best team in Italy by season's end. Diego has been a revelation for them, and Del Piero and Amauri have yet to get on the scoreboard.
Generous because: If you rate Juventus this high, then Bordeaux should be up here on the strength of tying the Old Lady in Turin. Is this team really ready for Europe?
6. Manchester United
Cruel because: They are traditionally slow starters to the season and so far just one loss in all competitions. Don't underestimate that win at Besiktas in the Champions League, it is very hard to win in Turkey.
Generous because: What will this team accomplish when they play a stronger center of defense? Arsenal and Tottenham have had issues in that area for years so it's always a great matchup for the Red Devils. Would Berbatov have that kind of success against Lucio from Inter? We'll know more when they have to deal with Toure-Lescott on Sunday.
7. Inter Milan
Cruel because: They demonstrated that they could hold the European Champions goalless, and the arrival of Wesley Sneijder has provided some much needed playmaking.
Generous because: it shouldn't be. If this team plays to what it's capable of, it could end up in Madrid in May.
8. Manchester City
Cruel because: They have answered every test thrown at them, including a 4-2 win over Arsenal. This might be the best team not in the Champions League.
Generous because: Arsenal is really the only good team they have beaten in this stretch thus far, we'll know more after the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
9. Bordeaux
Cruel because: Unbeaten in French Lige 1 and showed they'll be a threat in Europe with their away draw at Juventus. Yoann Gourcuff is a legitimate talent.
Generous because: Their wins are against Lens, Sochaux, Nice, and Grenoble. Yippee!! Would this team really beat Liverpool or Arsenal?
10. Lyon
Cruel because: 5 straight wins in all competitions and quietly put together a quality side. The trio of Lopez, Gomis, and Pjanic are more than making up for the losses of Benzema and Juninho.
Generous because: Like Bordeaux, there hasn't been much of a test in France yet. The win over Fiorentina is nice, but a little more substance is needed if they're to be ranked higher.
11. Tottenham
The Liverpool win is all of a sudden starting to look really good. We'll see how morale-crushing the Man United loss was.
12. Liverpool
Beginning to hit their stride after crushing Burnley. On the other hand, that win over Debreceni was waaaaayyyyyy too much of a struggle.
13. Hamburg
Crushing and killing everything in their path in Bundesliga (15 goals from their first 5). But if they are this good, they shouldn't be taking a 3-0 pantsing at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
14. Genoa
100% record in Italy and Europa League. Included are wins over Roma and Napoli. Proving that last season's run wasn't a fluke.
15. Valencia
2 for 2 in Spain including a 2-0 win over Sevilla.
16. Arsenal
Dropped this far for their loss at Manchester City, and that they needed an offside goal to pull level with Standard Liege before beating them. Are they really this bad without Arshavin?
17. Sevilla
Put right that loss at Valencia with 4 on Real Zaragoza and opening their Champions League with a win over Unirea Urziceni.
18. Milan
Inter might do that to a lot of teams this season with Sneijder in the mix. Bounced back nicely winning at Marseille in the Champions League after an unforgiveable draw at Livorno. Still waiting to find out what identity this team will have.
19. Bayer Leverkusen
Great start to the Bundesliga season, unbeaten in their first five including wins over Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg.
20. Aston Villa
Quietly climbing up the table after that miserable start which included losses at home to Wigan and getting bounced from the Europa League.
21. Sampdoria
Played 3, won 3. Pazzini and Cassano will give opposing defenses fits this season.
22. Marseille
Unbeaten in France this year including a draw with Champions Bordeaux, and outplayed Milan in stretches in the Champions League before losing 2-1.
23. Olympiakos
Not a typo. Opened with a 1-0 over AZ Alkmaar in Champions League and off to an unbeaten start in Greece. There is a nice mix of talent and veterans in this team.
24. Rangers FC
Unbeaten in their first four in Scotland and getting a draw at Stuttgart midweek, proving they'll be a tough out in Europe.
25. Schalke 04
10 out of 15 points to start the Bundesliga campaign but the real tests are coming up.
So there you have it for this week. I'll update again next week. What do you think? Hit me with your thoughts.
I compile my rankings based on a combination of current form and quality in the team, not who will finish the best at the end of the season. This time of year you will see a lot of movement on this board. So here's my first shot at it:
1. FC Barcelona
Generous of me because: it really isn't. No shame in going to the San Siro and getting a result at Inter. Lost in all their possession and attacking power is the fact they have yet to concede a goal this season. 0 allowed in 4 matches in all competitions.
2. Chelsea FC
Cruel of me because: They have done everything they have been asked to do so far this season. Perfect record in all competitions.
Generous of me because: The teams they beat aren't that big a deal. The needed come from behind wins against Hull, Sunderland, and Stoke. If they are a living, breathing, Champions League contender, then they get more than one goal on a not-as-strong-as-they-use-to-be Porto side.
3. Real Madrid
Cruel because: They have won every match they have been asked to play in to date. On star power alone, they could top this list.
Generous because: Should a top three concede 2 goals against FC Zurich? There are still enough issues in defense that do not convince me they can make a deep run in Europe.
4. Bayern Munich
Cruel because: This is not the same Bayern team that opened the Bundesliga season. 11 goals in the last three matches in all competitions show the value of signing Arjen Robben and bringing Ribery back from injury.
Generous because: What happens when Bayern have to deal with a more organized team? Could they really beat either Juventus or Inter? And if I have them this high, it means I have already forgotten about the loss to Mainz.
5. Juventus FC
Cruel because: This could be the best team in Italy by season's end. Diego has been a revelation for them, and Del Piero and Amauri have yet to get on the scoreboard.
Generous because: If you rate Juventus this high, then Bordeaux should be up here on the strength of tying the Old Lady in Turin. Is this team really ready for Europe?
6. Manchester United
Cruel because: They are traditionally slow starters to the season and so far just one loss in all competitions. Don't underestimate that win at Besiktas in the Champions League, it is very hard to win in Turkey.
Generous because: What will this team accomplish when they play a stronger center of defense? Arsenal and Tottenham have had issues in that area for years so it's always a great matchup for the Red Devils. Would Berbatov have that kind of success against Lucio from Inter? We'll know more when they have to deal with Toure-Lescott on Sunday.
7. Inter Milan
Cruel because: They demonstrated that they could hold the European Champions goalless, and the arrival of Wesley Sneijder has provided some much needed playmaking.
Generous because: it shouldn't be. If this team plays to what it's capable of, it could end up in Madrid in May.
8. Manchester City
Cruel because: They have answered every test thrown at them, including a 4-2 win over Arsenal. This might be the best team not in the Champions League.
Generous because: Arsenal is really the only good team they have beaten in this stretch thus far, we'll know more after the Manchester Derby on Sunday.
9. Bordeaux
Cruel because: Unbeaten in French Lige 1 and showed they'll be a threat in Europe with their away draw at Juventus. Yoann Gourcuff is a legitimate talent.
Generous because: Their wins are against Lens, Sochaux, Nice, and Grenoble. Yippee!! Would this team really beat Liverpool or Arsenal?
10. Lyon
Cruel because: 5 straight wins in all competitions and quietly put together a quality side. The trio of Lopez, Gomis, and Pjanic are more than making up for the losses of Benzema and Juninho.
Generous because: Like Bordeaux, there hasn't been much of a test in France yet. The win over Fiorentina is nice, but a little more substance is needed if they're to be ranked higher.
11. Tottenham
The Liverpool win is all of a sudden starting to look really good. We'll see how morale-crushing the Man United loss was.
12. Liverpool
Beginning to hit their stride after crushing Burnley. On the other hand, that win over Debreceni was waaaaayyyyyy too much of a struggle.
13. Hamburg
Crushing and killing everything in their path in Bundesliga (15 goals from their first 5). But if they are this good, they shouldn't be taking a 3-0 pantsing at Rapid Vienna in the Europa League.
14. Genoa
100% record in Italy and Europa League. Included are wins over Roma and Napoli. Proving that last season's run wasn't a fluke.
15. Valencia
2 for 2 in Spain including a 2-0 win over Sevilla.
16. Arsenal
Dropped this far for their loss at Manchester City, and that they needed an offside goal to pull level with Standard Liege before beating them. Are they really this bad without Arshavin?
17. Sevilla
Put right that loss at Valencia with 4 on Real Zaragoza and opening their Champions League with a win over Unirea Urziceni.
18. Milan
Inter might do that to a lot of teams this season with Sneijder in the mix. Bounced back nicely winning at Marseille in the Champions League after an unforgiveable draw at Livorno. Still waiting to find out what identity this team will have.
19. Bayer Leverkusen
Great start to the Bundesliga season, unbeaten in their first five including wins over Hoffenheim and Wolfsburg.
20. Aston Villa
Quietly climbing up the table after that miserable start which included losses at home to Wigan and getting bounced from the Europa League.
21. Sampdoria
Played 3, won 3. Pazzini and Cassano will give opposing defenses fits this season.
22. Marseille
Unbeaten in France this year including a draw with Champions Bordeaux, and outplayed Milan in stretches in the Champions League before losing 2-1.
23. Olympiakos
Not a typo. Opened with a 1-0 over AZ Alkmaar in Champions League and off to an unbeaten start in Greece. There is a nice mix of talent and veterans in this team.
24. Rangers FC
Unbeaten in their first four in Scotland and getting a draw at Stuttgart midweek, proving they'll be a tough out in Europe.
25. Schalke 04
10 out of 15 points to start the Bundesliga campaign but the real tests are coming up.
So there you have it for this week. I'll update again next week. What do you think? Hit me with your thoughts.
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