Roma Face Difficult Month Ahead

It would be hard to deny AS Roma the honor of playing the most exciting football in Europe thus far. An argument can be made that they are not playing the best football - look back at the last two results for proof - but at times their attacking is so overwhelming to the opposition I feel like I am witnessing the next Serie A champions.

The draws against Juventus and Fiorentina were huge disappointments. Had just one of those results given Roma full points they would have a bit of breathing room atop Serie A heading into the Saturday clash with reigning champions Inter Milan. Instead, there are questions being raised about the ability of this side to finish matches. They gave away the second goal in each of the past two matches with under 10 minutes to play. For a club with legitimate championship aspirations that is unacceptable and if the trend continues it will be their downfall.

That being said, the match this weekend is the biggest in Europe. Inter Milan were pre-season favorites to repeat, but they have come out flat this season and a dismal result in their first Champions League match has many wondering what kind of side Inter really are. Roma meanwhile were cruising until the Juventus and Fiorentina draws and a look at the next 7 matches reveals if they are to make a challenge for the Serie A title or will end up settling for a 2nd place finish and deep Champions League run.

To begin, the Inter match is going to be massive for them. Totti and Perrotta will be back in the lineup after being rested against Fiorentina. Totti is the best player in Europe right now. I don't doubt that for a second. Giuly has been every bit as outstanding many thought he would and with Mancini back in the fold coupled with Aquilani having a bust out season this attack is second to none.

But the following Tuesday, October 2 Roma must travel to Old Trafford and face Manchester United. While this is not a must win match in order to advance out of the group it will serve as a harsh reminder to last season's disasterous 7-1 thumping. Pressure will be there not to repeat that performance. More so than simply coming away with a point. On current form though I suspect Roma are the better side and could essentially lock up a knock out round appearance with a win at Old Trafford. The following weekend they face a tricky match at Parma before welcoming a very organized (and well supported) Napoli to the Stadio Olimpico on Sunday, October 21.

Just two days after Napoli they see Sporting Lisbon visit the Stadio Olimpico for a Champions League match. Depending on the outcome against Manchester United, this could very well end up the must win situation that Roma will be keen to avoid. Were Roma to suffer defeat in England, pressure will be immense to get 3 points. Sporting Lisbon could well be a spoiler in this group. A draw at home would cause mass panic.

On October 28 they must travel to AC Milan. Milan are not in good form, but that match is a month away and it will be a hotly contested fight. At this point I can assume everyone will be healthy and available, but honestly, it is easy to predict that there will be some injuries during this difficult stretch. Matches played at this level between such competitive sides always results in injury blows. On October 31 there is the Rome derby. Yes, that is correct. The month of October ends with Roma having to face Lazio mid-week following the AC Milan encounter.

There is no top club in Europe that must endure this difficult of a stretch of matches this early on in the season. If Roma come away from the Serie A matches with 10-12 points I think they will be very satisfied. Anything less and there could be problems in the Eternal City. If Roma grab more than 12 points I think they will march on to win Serie A. The talent is there and manager Luciano Spalletti seems to be the man with the plan to bring trophies to the club. If Roma manage 4 points or more from the two Champions League matches they should expect to be fighting for a top of the group finish.

There is no time for the Roma players (or supporters) to catch their breath over the next month. It will be grueling, exciting and very revealing about just how quality this side are.

Russian Oligarch Spends Millions to Stop Boring Football

The carefree attitude Jose Mourinho has displayed with this departure indicates he knows that an Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink or Juande Ramos will not have any greater luck with managing Chelsea under Roman Abromavich. Grant is part of Abromavich's inner circle and will execute whatever orders given no questions asked. He is the ultimate lackey. He will not hoist a single trophy for Chelsea unless it is as a guest aboard one of Abromavich's yachts in the coming years. I would not be surprised if Chelsea have a better shot at winning the UEFA Cup over the next 3 seasons than the Champions League, Premier League or FA Cup. Putting the pieces of this very expensive side back together is going to be a task far greater than anyone can believe.

Fabio Capello's name has come up as often as any other potential replacement. However, he was let go of at Real Madrid for playing boring football en route to winning La Liga. Sound familiar? He may be the only manager in the world right now that can come close to being Mourinho's equal. Consider they've both won domestic titles in different European leagues, both have won the Champions League, both manage their sides to be well organized and workman like, and both are looking for a job. Capello's ego is not quite as large as Mourinho's but I promise you it is large enough to create instant problems with the Chelsea owner.

The amount of hysteria surrounding Mourinho's departure proves what a major impact the manager had at Chelsea, on the Premier League and across Europe. Mourinho was given several million dollars yesterday and sent on his way. Personally, if I became several million dollars richer overnight, was considered the best on the planet at what I do and could essentially pick where I wanted to work next I would not go rushing to find employment. The ridiculous Spurs fans claiming "He's coming to us! He's staying in London! We're going to be given a new level of respect!" is laughable. As badly as I want him to stay in the Premier League I know he won't settle on Tottenham Hotspur. He's too big for that club and while it would instantly raise the level of competition between Chelsea and Tottenham to epic levels there are bigger projects to undertake.

He has a history with Barcalona which makes that club an obvious option coupled with their slow start this season in La Liga. He is probably 15 years away from really embracing the opportunity to manage Portugal. Inter Milan, Juventus and AC Milan will all seem likely to offer him unlimited control. But will having won the Champions League, having won domestic titles and league cups already take some of the luster off doing the same with another gigantic club? Would winning the Champions League with Juventus or Barcelona satisfy him? Another season, another trophy and life goes on. Seems a rather empty life when you get down to it. I'd almost rather be writing for Vein of Form the rest of my life. Almost.

Were he to win with another English club it might be sticking it to the folks at Chelsea, but other than Manchester United what club in England could really attract him? I think Mourinho should sit out a season and return to Portugal to manage at club level. I'm not well versed in that league's history but I have to think it would be exciting to see him tearing up Europe with a Benfica or Sporting Lisbon side rather than an Italian or Spanish side that has unlimited funds and access to any player in the world.

But let us not forget that the man is now very wealthy and successful. I cannot feel too bad for him. I can feel bad that we will be missing his sound bites, the rivalries he cultivated with Alex Ferguson, Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger. If you have the heart (I don't) you might feel bad for the Chelsea fans who must realize their season has come to a very early end.

Champions League Preview (Wednesday 09.19.07)

The Group E match featuring Barcelona at home against Lyon has lost some of its luster given both sides have not gotten off to the cracking start in league play most would have expected. Barca in particular have looked toothless in the attack despite the presence of Thierry Henry. With each French title won, Lyon appear less and less interested in that competition and more determined than ever to prove their worth in the Champions League. Neither side should be worried about advancing to the knock-out stage and staying healthy will probably be the #1 concern in what I expect to be a match played at a slower tempo than would be achieved were this an occasion that could actually send either out of the competition. In the other match, Rangers will host German champions Stuttgart. This appears - on current form - to be the Scottish club's best shot at earning 3 points. Playing at Ibrox is never easy for the away side and considering Stuttgart's poor start in the Bundesliga I think Rangers will rise to the occasion.

Prediction: Barca 1 - Lyon 1; Rangers 1 - Stuttgart 0


I am quite interested in the Group F fixtures today. Roma hosts Dynamo Kiev, and I fully believe this Roma side is ready for a special season. I love their close season moves and their current Serie A form has been stellar. My only concern here would be that the club may be looking ahead to a huge league match against Juventus on Sunday. However, this is at home and I think it will serve as a nice warm up for the weekend. Manchester United will be visiting Sporting Lisbon. The English champs did not play well on the road last season in this competition. Considering they too have quite the match on Sunday (against Chelsea) in what some are considering a title decider already I think United fans should be ready for disappointment tonight. Look for the Portuguese to use the Cristiano Ronaldo returning home story line to inspire them to full points!

Prediction: Roma 2 - Dynamo Kiev 0; Sporting Lisbon 2 - Manchester United 1

Italian champions Inter Milan will travel to Fenerbahce with last season's poor Champions League performance fresh on the brain. Turkey is always a tough place for clubs to visit and I expect Inter to have a fight on their hands. A couple of injuries will also add to their struggles tonight, but they have enough class in the attack to do away with Fenerbahce. The other Group G match has PSV Eindhoven hosting CSKA Moscow. Seems to me a lot of people think this is Inter and PSV's group to win. However, something about the Moscow club intrigues me and I like them to begin their way to the knock out round with a resounding win tonight in Holland. It won't be an easy task, but I have a feeling the Russian football federation is insistent that their clubs mark a serious arrival on the competition this time round and prove they can compete with the other big leagues.

Prediction: Fenerbahce 1 - Inter Milan 3; PSV Eindhoven 1 - CSKA Moscow 2

My oh my, is it about to kick off in London tonight! Without question the best fixture of the week is Arsenal hosting Sevilla. Forget the off pitch storyline involving Sevilla manager Juande Ramos' interest in managing another North London club (or is it the other way around?) these two have the ability to play the best attacking football on the continent. Arsenal are top of the Premier League table and Sevilla torched the competition last weekend in La Liga. I know both of these sides will advance and only hope the two times they hook up in the group stage nothing is held back. The other two teams offer opportunities for Arsenal and Sevilla to claim full points so I would love to see nothing held back tonight and some truly beautiful football unleashed. Group H also has Slavia Prague hosting Steaua Bucuresti tonight and to be honest I couldn't care less.

Prediction: Arsenal 2 - Sevilla 2; Slavia Prague 1 - Steau Bucuresti 0

Champions League Preview (Tuesday, 09.18.07)

Group A could have the match of the day with Liverpool traveling to Porto. If Saturday's match against Portsmouth was further proof that manager Rafa Benitez has still to figure out how to field a proper side in the Premier League, this should be further proof he knows how to secure advancement in the Champions League. Look for 1-1 draw, but overall a very exciting match. Especially given that Fernando Torres will want to make his arrival on this stage immediately felt. Marseille hosts Turkish club Besiktas in a what should be the French club making an early effort to solidify their place in the UEFA Cup.

Prediction: Porto 1 - Liverpool 1; Marseille 2 - Besiktas 0

Expect plenty of fireworks at Stamford Bridge this evening...From the boardroom should Chelsea fail to brush aside Rosenborg. The Norwegian club ought to be a sure 3 points for all the other clubs in Group B. That being said, Chelsea's poor league start will only be magnified if they fail to cruise to victory tonight. Schalke hosts Valencia in the other match. I like Schalke to advance out of this group with Chelsea. And I expect them to take full points in the opening fixture.

Prediction: Chelsea 4 - Rosenborg 0; Schalke 2 - Valencia 1

Group C has a couple enticing match ups. To begin, the Olympiakos vs. Lazio match is quite important for the Italian side as they are not to be overlooked with a majority of the attention being paid to Real Madrid and Werder Bremen. If they can get full points traveling to Greece it sets them up early to be a spoiler to the other top clubs in the group. Speaking of which, if Real Madrid keep their current La Liga form in the Champions League it could be time to consider them a serious threat to conquer Europe. When I think of Real Madrid right now I think of one player: Wesley Schneider. The Dutchman has been phenomenal. Werder Bremen will be ready though. Surely this is a date they've had circled in the calendar for quite some time. But Madrid at home just seems a bit much for the Germans to overcome right now.

Prediction: Olympiakos 0 - Lazio 1; Real Madrid 3 - Werder Bremen 1

Holders AC Milan welcome Benfica tonight. Coming off a disappointing result over the weekend Milan will have to get things right in a hurry. Benfica are always difficult and I would not be at all surprised if they manage a draw in Italy tonight. The other Group C fixture has Celtic traveling to Shakhtar Donetsk. Despite being the opening match, it is crucial for Celtic to take 3 points in Ukraine tonight. Should they draw - or worse, lose - I would be willing to go so far as to say Celtic would have a very deep hole to climb out of. Celtic will be extremely tough at home and I could see them not losing a single match in Scotland during the Group Stage. But I also could see them losing big in Italy and Portugal.

Prediction: AC Milan 0 - Benfica 0; Shakhtar Donetsk 2 - Celtic 2

Implausible?

ESPN Soccernet writer Steve Davis is very upset about rumours getting started that David Beckham may go out on loan come January to an English club. So upset is Mr. Davis that he uses the words "hooey", "populist sentiment", "willy-nilly" and "implausible" in his headline. Yes, a writer getting paid by ESPN used the word "hooey". What is more concerning is that he thinks it is so far fetched that Becks would be loaned out.

Why is it so outrageous to think that Beckham, obvious to everyone now that his 100 caps is more important than winning 5 MLS Cups, would be willing to go play football in England when the January transfer window opens? And I don't even think England is his only option. There are plenty of clubs in Italy and Spain that would welcome his arrival not only from a marketing standpoint but from the fact that he can still perform at the highest level.

Look, all due respect to MLS, but the league is far below the level of talent that a player desiring to compete in the Euro '08 qualifiers or the actual tournement is looking for. Becks has done part of his job already: He has kept MLS in the newspapers and gotten people to attend matches he might appear in. Let him come back next season 100% and the league will continue to benefit. For now, let him go out on loan.

The Galaxy would be making a huge mistake if the player makes it known he would like to return to Europe in January and deny him that chance. First, it would be embarrassing to hold him against his will. Second, a postseason tour isn't going to be that lucrative. Once the club leaves US borders no one is going to care. It is clear to all that have watched the Galaxy play that they are a disaster. The man is a global superstar no question. But I have to hold a belief that there is some common sense in the football world that no one is going to pay to see him spray the ball around to a bunch of hacks.

If a Newcastle or Aston Villa come calling the Galaxy should listen. Beckham knows he can still start for England and manager Steve McClaren knows he needs a healthy Beckham in his lineup. But McClaren also knows that Beckham will not be fit to compete at that level by facing the likes of MLS competition.

Really, Steve Davis, implausible? Didn't you rate Landon Donovan's 3 goals against Ecuador in a meaningless friendly as one of the greatest American performances ever? Talk about "out of left-field".

On a final note, in my Thursday post I predicted Brazil would score more on Sunday than the Chicago Bears. For those keeping track at home: Brazil 4 - Bears 3.

Will Brazil Score More than the Bears?

I have to hand it to US Soccer. They have definitely raised some eyebrows by branding this weekend's friendly between the United States and Brazil as the "Clash of the Champions". While this seems more apt of a tactic by the UFC when promoting an upcoming pay-per-view, it has worked in that most people were not aware the US soccer team is a champion of anything. In fact, several of my non-soccer snob friends emailed asking what exactly the US were champions of. Here is how a recent Instant Message exchange went:

Friend of Vein of Form: Hey, what is this Clash of Champions all about?

Vein of Form: US is playing Brazil at Soldier Field on Sunday.

Friend of Vein of Form: Right. What are the US soccer guys champs of?

Vein of Form: The Gold Cup. They won it earlier in the summer.

Friend of Vein of Form: What is the Gold Cup?

Vein of Form: The regional championship. Or CONCACAF. Kind of like how Europe is considered UEFA.

Friend of Vein of Form: I am now away from my computer. I will answer your message when I return.

Anyways, this "clash" in my opinion has the potential to get ugly. Keep in mind Brazil are just over a month away from beginning their World Cup qualifying for 2010 in South Africa. The players will be looking to impress manager Dunga as several "A Squad" players were left off the squad as a Brazil "B Squad" romped to the Copa America championship. Suddenly, Dunga seems to have blurred the line between what most fans and Brazil players for that matter assumed were his best 11.

If Brazil are in the mood on what is to be a cooler afternoon in Chicago with a chance of rain, they could have this match decided before the half. Consider that Ronaldinho, Robinho, Kaka, Daniel Alves, Gilberto Silva and Elano could all be on the pitch at the same time on Sunday. Vagner Love and Julio Baptista are additional options to start but they certainly are not bad options to bring on as substitutes. Brazil will want to put on a show. They will want every fan leaving Soldier Field in a new national team jersey - and I promise you it won't be the host nation that sells the majority of goods. Brazil are everyone's second favorite team and I have a feeling the allure of just seeing Brazil play will draw hundreds (if not thousands) of additional non-hardcore soccer fans. A majority of which could be easily swept off their feet with a single dynamic performance.

The World Cup in Germany showed us a Brazil operating at far less a quality than we have come to expect. But that is ancient history now. Should the US be able to get enough time on the ball to work quality chances on goal the glaring problem of having terrible finishing could still plague them. We saw throughout Gold Cup, Copa America and the recent friendly against Sweden that the Americans just do not have a knack for finishing and it is routinely damaging them during matches.

Clint Dempsey and DaMarcus Beasley have gotten off to good starts in Europe. Landon Donovan and Eddie Johnson remain puzzles at the international level. What is Davy Arnaud doing in the squad? And Josh Wolff has gotten a recall after falling completely off the map in Munich - and it isn't playing for that Munich.

I hope the weather is nice for the match. To see Brazil under sunny Chicago skies as the summer comes to an end is really a treat. I hope the Brazilians play epic football but the Americans hold their own and do not embarrass themselves en route to a 5th straight loss. The Americans don't look to have a true "best starting 11" right now. Bob Bradley's tinkering - while effective in bringing some new faces to the team - has appeared to only create confusion about who the truly talented players are. Nothing was answered over the course of 2 senior squad competitions this summer. The U-20s showed us that Jozy Altidore, Freddy Adu and Danny Szetela are great players for the future. But doesn't the future begin now? Aren't those 3 (along with U-20 and senior squad standout Michael Bradley) football professionals that deserve a shot in these friendly matches? Qualifying for South Africa isn't quite as near for the Americans but they have plenty more questions about the squad than Brazil does. And let's be honest, nowhere near the same talent top to bottom that allows for an error in player selection to go without real harm.

The match will be on ESPN2 at the same time the Chicago Bears take the field in their season opener (away at San Diego) so I doubt this will be a sell out. Considering how stingy the Bears defense looks to be and inept its offense - if Chicagoans want to see attacking football on Sunday a team from Brazil might be their best bet.