C'mon Barcelona!

Today at home in the Nou Camp - got to get 'er done against Arsenal!

Impending UEFA Crackdown on Big Spenders

The Times of London sounded the alarm back in November with this article and now it appears imminent that UEFA will restrict the big spending habits of some of Europe's richest clubs.

In a 60-page plan being worked up at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, clubs would only be able to spend only what they earn and not be allowed to take on large debts (and operating at a loss) to fund player acquisitions.

The entire effort is an attempt by UEFA president, Michel Platini (pictured above), to end what he calls "financial doping" – in which wealthy owners underwrite huge losses, and transition to a system where clubs can only spend what they earn.

These proposals, which UEFA intends to bring online 2012, will permit owners to fund losses for a transitional period but under close scrutiny by the governing body. Initially losses of up to €45 million would be acceptable in the three years up to 2015. After that, the number will drop to €30 million over the next three years, with UEFA finally reaching a point where clubs are breaking even.

It seems these proposals are intended to fulfill two objectives. First, the ensure the solvency of Europe's biggest clubs to ensure their financial survival in tough economic times and secondly, to level the financial playing field in the European game; bolstering competition and making the leagues more attractive to fans who are tiring of seeing the same handful of clubs win all the trophies.

While much of the attention in the English language press has focused on the Premiership clubs, the need for these new rules is most starkly displayed in the Spanish Primera, where club revenues average €72 million but average net debt is €860 million - the kind of ratios we're used to seeing in failing Wall Street banks, not big football clubs.

Will these new rules have the desired effect or will clever owners find a way to circumvent them, by (for example) funding player bonuses through advertising schemes, etc? Or, will the big clubs. with broad brand recognition, continue to outpace the smaller clubs in revenues and stay on top? Only time will tell but its obvious that you won't see much change on this until the 2018-2020 timeframe when the policy (if it survives) is fully in effect and operating through two full transfer cycles.

Ibrahimovic To Barca?

The transfer season arms race at the top of Spanish football continues as today's Gazetto Dell Sport and Marca indicate Inter striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic may be heading for FC Barcelona in a 42 million euro deal. Its reported that Barça President Joan Laporta and Inter Boss Massimo Moratti came to an understanding on the transfer during a meeting last night in Milan.

It is also being reported that Barca striker Sammy Eto'o may be heading to Inter as part of the deal to acquire the the 27 year-old Swede Ibrahimovic, who is currently in Los Angeles training with his Inter teammates.

Ibrahimovic, who scored 25 goals last season for the Italian champions, would add to the Spanish and European champion's already potent offense and make an ideal striker to play off the world's best supporting striker in Lionel Messi.

There remains a chance that Chelsea could still swoop in make a grab for Ibrahimovic and even Moratti admitted on Sky Italia last night that , "We need to wait to see what the player wants."

Champions League Predictions: Let The Bands Do The Talking III

Its been awhile since we've asked some musicians to help out with Champions League predictions so here we go!

Barcelona - Chelsea

What does Chelsea need to do to Barca to beat them in the Nou Camp?



...and get on the outside - fast!

What does Barcelona need to do to hold off Chelsea's streaking Florent Malouda, the dogged determination of Frank Lampard, and the ever-dangerous striker Didier Drogba?




Prediction: Barcelona 3: Chelsea 1

Manchester United - Arsenal

How does ManU need to come out early to break the hot streaking Arsenal's confidence?





And how does the young Arsenal side need to approach this match against the Red Devils?



Prediction: Arsenal 2: Manchester United 2

Atletico Madrid Comes From Behind To Top Barcelona 4-3

What a difference a year makes!

Almost a year ago, seven goals were scored in the springtime Barcelona -Atletico Madrid match, six by Barca, one by Atletico. Tonight, seven goals were scored in the match except this time, four were by Atletico and three by Barcelona. Atletico's come from behind win against the mighty Barca will go down as one of the top matches in the Primera this year.

This year:



Last year:


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Champions League Review: Let The Bands Do The Talking

Instead of my own commentary on the results of this week's Champions League matches, I'll let some fine bands do it instead.

Bayern Munich 5 - Sporting Lisbon 0:




Chelsea 1 - Juventus 0


*Everyone knows the Gallaghers are huge City fans but this one just seemed to fit.



Arsenal 1 - AS Roma 0



Inter Milan 0 - Manchester United 0




Olympique Lyon 1 - Barcelona 1



*Yep Barca, you were Outshined.


Real Madrid 0 - Liverpool 1




Porto 2 - Atletico Madrid 2



Porto had something to prove and their comeback proved it well

Villarreal 1 - Panathanaikos 1



Perfect if you're Panathanaikos

Last Minute Champions League Predictions

If you're like me and could care less about the Oscars (and are already tired of hearing about it), tonight's Champion's League matches are arriving just in time. Here are my predictions:

Arsenal 2 - Roma 1. Roma's road form is weak in Italy and even worse when they travel to England. But, Roma are on a roll and won't go down easily.

Inter Milan 2 - Manchester United 1. This game is pretty evenly matched in terms of quality but The Special One has Sir Alex's number tonight

Atlético 1 - Porto 1. Atlético barely survives a Porto attacking flurry that nearly pulls off an upset.

Lyon 1 - Barcelona 3. Lyon will put up a good fight in the freezing cold Stade Gerland but Barca's quality will overwhelm the home side starting in the 65th minute.

Some Great Soccer Writing

As we do every now and then, its time to point out some of the great soccer writing out there these days.

Here is piece of brilliant writing by Rob Hughes on how after a terrible storm took the lives of four boys in Barcelona, the team gave the grieving city something to cheer about.

Also, this one is three weeks old but its still worth pointing out Brent Lathem's insightful article on Neven Subotic's decision to play for Serbia instead of the USA. Brent offers some perspectives few others have been privy to (including yours truly) which I've got to say has opened my eyes. So, In my humble opinion, Brent's piece is must reading for anyone who wants to know what happened.

And for you Liverpool fans out there enjoying the club's success after the doldrums of the 1990s, the Observer's Andy Hunter does a great job of examining the downfall of Kenny Dalglish in "The Day The Magic Walked Out Of Anfield."

If you want to nominate some great soccer writing you'd like us to feature, just drop us a line here.

Deportivo Takes Its Turn Behind Barcelona's Woodshed

Barcelona has taken another Spanish primera team behind its woodshed, crushing Deportivo La Coruna 5-0 in the Nou Camp. 5-0 is the kind of score you expect when playing your reserve team, or a lower level club during an off season friendly, not another team in one of the best leagues in the world. Yet Barca seems to be making a habit of it as they stretch their lead to an amazing 15 points in La Liga.

Thierry Henry and Sammy Eto'o scored a pair of goals each with Lionel Messi scoring one. Check out the highlights below.

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Ronaldo Named 2008 FIFA World Player of The Year

Tonight at Zurich's Opernhaus, Portugal and Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo was named the FIFA World Player of the Year, beating out Argentina and Barcelona's Lionel Messi, Brazil and AC Milan's Kaka (the 2007 winner), Spain and Liverpool's Fernando Torres, and Spain and Barcelona's Xavi (Euro 2008's Best Player).

As he presented the award, Pele remarked that at last year's ceremony when he handed the award to Kaka, he turned and shook Ronaldo's hand, telling him "next year I'll be handing it to you."

An emotionally charged Ronaldo dedicated the award to his family, his friends, teammates, and all those involved in his career.

Perhaps FIFA was tipping its hand before it made the announcement, having the Zurich Opera perform scenes from Handel's Rinaldo just minutes prior to the final award presentation.

The World's Female Player of the Year was also named; Brazil's Marta, winning for the third year in a row.

The winners of the FIFA Best Player Awards are selected by votes from the captains of all 208 member federations' national teams.

The winners of the 2008 FIFA Fair Play Award were Armenia and Turkey, who overcame years of enmity to play each other three times in 2008, including a September World Cup qualifier attended by both heads of state. These matches set the stage for both sides to begin a reconciliation process which continues to grow.

The FIFA Presidential Award went to the US Women's National Team for their contributions to the popularity and growth of the women's game around the world (not to mention their overflowing trophy case). Heather O'Reilly accepted the award on behalf of the team.

Barcelona-Real Madrid Recap

As you can tell, we're winding down for a few weeks but we'll keep our ear to the ground for any January transfer news out there.

In the meantime, in case you missed the Barcelona-Real Madrid game this weekend, you can't do much better than to check out Rob Hughes' recap of the match.

Barcelona Takes Another One Behind The Woodshed

Yes, the magic is back at Barcelona as they take yet another Primera team behind the woodshed for a spanking. This time it was Real Valladolid for six whacks. Gotta love the Sammy Eto'o hat trick plus one. Check it out here one of our partner sites Goal Junky.

Other notable thumpings so far this weekend include Slovan crushing Zlaté Moravce 6-0 in the Slovenian Superliga and Flora crushing Vaprus 6-1 in the Estonian Meistriliiga.

Just like my first sandlot coach used to say: it is a sin, to let so many in.

Barcelona: They're Ba-aaack!

After a few lackluster rebuilding years, Barcelona threw down a marker yesterday to prove they are once again a team able to win the Primera championship. Scoring five goals in the first 28 minutes, they demolished Atletico Madrid 6-1 at Nou Camp last night.

Goal scorers were Rafa Marquez, Sammy Eto'o (with two), Lionel Messi, Eidur Gudjohnsen, and Thierry Henry.

Watch them all here:

Thuram Retires Due To Heart Condition

France's all time most-capped player, Lillian Thuram, called an end to a distinguished career Friday afternoon at a press conference in Paris. The central defender was in the process of transferring from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain when a medical exam uncovered a heart defect which led to Thuram's decision to end a highly successful career.

He had considered trying to fulfill at least part of the two-year deal at PSG but the 36 year-old was talked out of it by his mother who had already lost one son to a heart condition. Reflecting on the decision, Thuram remarked that "There are family reasons which have also been taken into account," he said. "I wanted to be the Paolo Maldini of PSG but that has not been possible. It's sad to end a career like this."

Thuram was capped 142 times and was a key member of the French teams which won the 1998 World Cup and 2000 European championship. He most recently played for France in the Euro 2008 tourney. His 17-year playing career started at Monaco in 1990 before he moved to Serie A in 1996 where he played for Parma who he helped to win the UEFA Cup in 1999, and then to Juventus where he played on two scudetto winning sides. In 2006, he joined Barcelona where he stayed for two years before attempting to transfer back to France this summer.

Rumors out of Paris indicate Thuram will likely be offered a high profile position within the French Football Federation sometime before the summer ends.

Totti Hints At Azzurri Return

AS Roma captain Francesco Totto has hinted he may come out of retirement to help the Italian national team in World Cup qualifying. The 31-year old who was a member of the 2006 World Cup winning team had retired from international play due to the effects of grueling league, European, Coppa Italia, and international schedules. Now, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport:

"If I'm well and I don't have problems, it will be possible to address this issue in six months or a year." The main reason Totti appears ready to return is due to the return of Marcello Lippi, with whom he got along well in 2006.

At the same time Totti has ambitions for Roma, second place finishers in Serie A the past two years, to make a more concerted run at the Scudetto this season. To do so, he figured they need to make two more key signings. Roma had been hoping to bring Julio Baptista to Stadio Olimpico on a loan but Real Madrid did not agree to terms. Roma is in desperate need of a quality winger following the departure of Amantino Mancini for Inter. Without a dangerous winger, their 4-2-3-1 system is not potent enough to stay near the top of the Italian game, let alone win it all. The Giallorossi have their eye on several options at winger. One is Fiorientina's Mario Alberto Santana but the Viola appear to be counting on him to fulfill their own Champion's League aspirations this year.

Another is Chelsea's Florent Malouda who was a star for France and Lyon but has had trouble carving out his own role at Stamford Bridge. The English side may be willing to loan or sell him but there is a catch, another big club is also interested; Barcelona. If it comes to a bidding war, the deep-pocketed Catalans will have the edge over the Romans.

Finally, some Roman newspapers and radio commentators indicate that the most realistic option may be Atletico Madrid's Jose Antonio Reyes. The vagabond Reyes, after bouncing to a new club almost every year looking for more playing time, seems to be the odd man out at Atletico. Thus, a move into a starting role at Roma may be just what he, and the Giallorossi, needs.

Ronaldinho: Getting His Mojo Back

Over a year ago in a column for Soccer Times, I recall noting that the great players like Ronaldinho were starting to burn out due to a non-stop season of club, European, and international matches - not to mention the promotional tours that reduce any off time to recharge. In Ronnie's case, we watched him degrade over time until it reached a point where some said he had "fallen out of love with football."

This summer, he apprears to be getting his mojo (and fitness) back under the supervision of Brazilian national team fitness coach Paulo Paixao. This week, Paixao spoke about the superstar who is currently working to get ready to play in the Olympics - something his club (Barcelona) is not happy about.

"He is very happy and motivated." "He has rediscovered his joy, and is once again the Ronaldinho we all knew."

"He has been very cooperative in the work we are doing to improve his physical form, and take him back to his best."

Ronaldinho is aiming to represent Brazil in the Olympics (as an overage player), motivated it seems to prove something to both Barcelona and Brazil boss Dunga who has left him off the national team roster. If Ronnie plays in the Olympics, it means he'll miss club's Champions League qualifiers at a time when Lionel Messi will also be unavailable to the Catalan side.

All the while, speculation continues about whether Ronaldihno will transfer to AC Milan, Manchester City, or remain at Barcelona. Regarless, a Brazil side led by a healthy and motivated Ronaldihno will be sure to make the Olympic soccer tournament more enjoyable for fans, but less so for opposing teams.

Real Madrid, Barcelona In The Hunt For Drogba

As the transfer wheels turn, new and exciting scenarios continue to unfold. With Barcelona seeming to fade in the race to sign Russian phenom Andrei Arshavin (probably bound for Stamford Bridge), they are now in the hunt for Chelsea's Didier Drogba. But wait, their arch rivals Real Madrid have alreadt been courting the Ivory Coast international and appear to have the upper hand thus far. Barcelona has already spent €77 million on transfers for the 2008/09 season and may be near their limit.

That said, Drogba is a personal friend of Barça's Sammy Eto'o and the club has deep financial reserves so its too early to count rhe Blaugrana out of the running. The club was also in the running for Arsenal's 25-year-old striker Emmanuel Adebayor, but the Gunners' price tag for him is identical to Drogba's (but whose proven abilities are not nearly the same). With 80 goals in four seasons at Chelsea (which has him under contract though 2010) and an estimated price tag of €45 million, only the biggest clubs will be in a position to bid for Drogba.

There was much speculation that the 30-year-old Drogba was heading to Inter Milan, where he would be reunited with former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho but the recent Spanish interest appears to have changed the game. Last week Drogba's agent, Pierre Frelot, stated that a move to Spain could be an attractive proposition. Expect the bidding war to be fierce.

Ronaldihno To Man City? Don't Hold Your Breath

There is a reason they call this the silly season. Brazilian superstar Ronaldihno, currently with FC Barcelona, has been linked with AC Milan, the LA Galaxy (which no one took seriously), Chelsea, and now Manchester City is being mentioned. AC Milan boss Silvio Berlusconi is ready to sell the family silver for Ronnie and only one club can probably outbid him, Chelsea. He does does not fit their style, a lesson they should have learned from the purchase of Michael Ballack. Its doubtful Manchester City can come up with the $40-50 million transfer fee and still have resources left to meet his salary demands. So, look for Ronnie to be wearing black and red this fall.

Ronaldihno in Talks with LA Galaxy? Doubtful

The Spanish sports daily Sport is reporting that the LA Galaxy have made an offer to Barcelona to buy Brazilian star Ronaldihno for a 3-5 year deal paying nearly $30 million (18 million Euros) per year. With $48 million being the minimum transfer fee Barcelona would accept, its hard ti imagine MLS could outbid the deep pocketed AC Milan, which has been pursuing Ronaldihno for the last year. Even if it did, they would have a difficult time justifying sending him to the LA Galaxy, where truckloads of money are already being spent on David Beckham. If anywhere, a player like him would go to New York.

According to Sport, Ronnie's agent (and brother), Roberto de Assis, will be meeting with Galaxy officials in Houston in the next few days. Since MLS negotiates player contracts, this statement smells fishy. Thus, the whole rumor is hardly plausible and only seems intended to put upward pressure on the pay package AC Milan has on offer.