Spidey alive in Naples

Sixteen years on from his 'They've killed Spiderman' rendition, Walter Zenga is back with a vengeance. Signor Bandini reports...
Napoli caught in the glare of Spiderman's mischievous smile

Germans living in the past

There's disquiet in Bundesliga stands as the enthusiasm of the Ultras threatens to spill over. Herr Honigstein reports...
Are German fans really turning against modern football?

Santander race on

For the first time in 70 years there's a reason to watch Racing, even if their bid for a Champions League spot blew up this weekend. Señor Lowe reports...
Santander are finally at the races

Spanish Debate: A Very Spanish Run-In

Only in Spain could the league leaders stumble to a draw and actually increase their lead at the top of the Liga. Ewan Macdonald looks at the run-in still to come...

2007/2008 Spanish Primera División
CLUB	GP	W	L	D	PTS	GD
Real Madrid	31	21	7	3	66	35
Barcelona	31	17	6	8	59	31
Villarreal	31	18	8	5	59	13
Atlético Madrid	31	16	10	5	53	17
Racing Santander	31	14	9	8	50	5
Sevilla FC	31	15	13	3	48	18

Americans in England: Two Steps Back

Goal.com USA's Matthew Braine wraps up the week that was for the Americans in the EPL.

David Bentley Profile

Blackburn and England's David Bentley on Beckham, David Cameron and his strange obsession with plug sockets
The secret life of a footballer

Champions League: Early Talk

The Sunday Telegraph's Patrick Barclay assesses this week's Champions League games while Stewart Robson talks tactics ahead of the Liverpool vs. Arsenal return leg
Arsenal must risk all for a repeat of '89
Jose Reina targeted as Liverpool's weakest link

Benítez has recent history on his side for Anfield return - and that crowd too
Fábregas warns of Liverpool's 12th man - the fans

If Fenerbahce get past Chelsea on Tuesday they will return home as national heroes
Shock victory unites Turkey

A Change of Tactics

Past

Gabriele Marcotti sees a change in tactics as the tried and trusted 4-4-2 formation is slowly becoming a thing of the past
4-4-2 exits through the evolving door



Future

EURO NEWS

Barcelona failed yet again to close the gap at the top of the table and could finally have allowed Real Madrid to escape and claim their second consecutive title
Wasteful Barcelona Fail Again

Arjen Robben is finally beginning to pay back some of the £24m Real Madrid invested in him last summer. He brilliantly made the goal that helped the champions to another precious point in their battle to retain the title
Real title defence boosted by Robben's mazy magic

Porto claimed their third successive Portuguese league title in stylish fashion on Saturday after crushing Estrela Amadora 6-0 at home
Porto clinch third successive title in style

Patrick Vieira and Mario Balotelli gave Inter a 2-0 win at Atalanta to restore their four-point lead at the top
Inter beat Atalanta to regain four-point lead
Genoa fan stabbed after defeat at Roma

Girondins Bordeaux take a major step towards direct qualification for Europe
Bordeaux close in on Champions League

England: Premier League News

Outspoken Sunderland manager Roy Keane has reopened old wounds with former club Manchester United by accusing them of betraying him
Roy Keane accuses Man Utd of betrayal

Manchester City are lining up a speculative move to bring former World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, to Eastlands
City target Ronaldinho to swap Barça for Eastlands

The England striker has given the strongest indication yet that he plans to leave Liverpool at the end of the season
Crouch is ready to fly from Anfield

Arsene Wenger has admitted that his Arsenal squad is looking a little thin as the season wears on, but has defended his transfer policy and youth focus
Wenger Defends Transfer Policy

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly From Last Weekend

England: FA Cup Semis

Joe Ledley's sumptuous volley was enough to take Cardiff to their first FA Cup final since 1927
Wheel of fortune turns for Cardiff

Harry Redknapp showed his tactical acumen as Kanu's goal earned him a return trip to Wembley
Redknapp is so much more than ’Appy ’Arry

David James: It will be strange playing in another Cup final - particularly so, given that we haven't yet dominated a match in the competition
A dream return to Wembley - but not quite the way I expected

Russell Kempson sampled the atmosphere as two of football's less-fashionable clubs came face to face at Wembley Stadium
‘Venue of Legends’ welcomes mere mortals

England: Premier League -- Sunday's Games

Manchester United showed a rare frailty and Boro's Brazilian striker was the one to profit
Ferguson’s men dig deep in snow as Alves lifts gloom

David Pleat: Gareth Southgate is rapidly demonstrating that he boasts the qualities to thrive at the top level
Southgate's bold approach betrays a quick-developing tactical brain

David Moyes's side played the way Derby have for the majority of this season: fearful and lethargic
Osman strike slices through the torpor

England: Premier League -- Saturday's Games

The much-heralded renaissance since the second coming of Kevin Keegan could be about to begin
Keegans dreams of new castle built on gold

Arsene Wenger's side have played some of the best football in England, but are likely to end empty-handed
Arsene Wenger must look at the bigger picture

The Blues narrowed the deficit by which they trail Manchester United to just two points
Avram Grant rues Jose Mourinho meddling

The winger was almost unplayable as Martin O’Neill's side reawakened their European ambitions
Ashley Young delivers in roaming role

Martin Taylor got a warm welcome on his return to action, but he had a day he will want to forget
Dean shows red again for X-rated chop

Blackburn manager looks to Europe while Ramos must be counting the days until he can shake up his Spurs squad
Mark Hughes dreams of Blackburn in Europe

The Fulham boss must instill belief in his players after they were brushed aside by Sunderland
Cottage looks dilapidated as Hodgson squanders inheritance

Zico Interview

The Brazilian legend who masterminded Fenerbahce's taming of Chelsea in the Champions League is preaching the same ideals he followed as a player; and his commitment to attacking football will not be compromised
Zico still a man of style

The Joy of Six: All-British European Ties

Brian Clough's rope-a-dope tactic, Rangers' bemulleted Godzilla and Anfield's bouncy castle - all feature in The Guardian's shortlist.

6. Ipswich v Aberdeen, Uefa Cup first round, 1981-82 (1-1, 1-3, agg: 2-4)
Sir Alex Ferguson's penchant for knocking English clubs off their perch did not begin with Liverpool. In 1981 Ipswich were the cock of the walk after winning the Uefa Cup the previous season, but Fergie's Aberdeen ended their defence in the first round. John Hewitt's away goal gave Aberdeen a 1-1 draw at Portman Road after Frans Thijssen's opening goal, and at Pittodrie they got off to a perfect start when a staggeringly witless piece of play from John Wark gave Gordon Strachan a penalty. Strachan converted, but when Wark equalised from the spot the tie was perched as precariously as Simon Adebisi's hat. But two delicious solo goals from the fearless left-winger Peter Weir, one with each foot, left the right-back Mick Mills with twisted blood and Ipswich with a collective bloody nose. Aberdeen, tonked the previous season by Liverpool, were now a significant force in Europe, and would be atop a perch of their own when they won the Cup Winners' Cup 18 months later.

Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview

Inter go to Atalanta, Juventus go to Palermo, Milan host Cagliari, Roma host Genoa and Fiorentina host Reggina.

Preview



Atalanta and her Golden Apples...

Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview

Leaders Real are out on the islands to face Mallorca, Barcelona host a Getafe side coming off a hard-fought draw in Munich and second-place Villarreal have a tough trip to Sevilla.

Previews



Mallorca -- how do you focus on football...??

England: Premier League & FA Cup Previews

Liverpool go back to North London to face Arsenal in Part II, Manchester Citeh host Chelsea, Manchester United are at Boro, Fulham host Sunderland and Spurs go to Ewood Park to play Blackburn. You can read more on this year's "romance" in the FA Cup in Alec's post below.

Previews
Act Two in Gunners - Liverpool Trilogy
Lawro's Predictions

The Insider at Emirates Stadium

A bit late on this one, but The Insider was at the Arsenal/Liverpool match and I always value his insight...and his food watch.

Little Left in the Arsenal

Taking a Bribe

Football and gambling go way back – back to the game's roots. But in the internet age of 24-hour betting, in a society where government endorses it and in an era of unprecedented wages, gambling has become the silent, corrosive force that threatens the sport
Tales of addiction that leave scar on the beautiful game
A newspaper has reported that a top-flight player deliberately got sent off during a game to wipe out a £50K gambling debt
Player 'fixed' game for £50,000

MLS NEWS

Obviously the new coach of the Chicago Fire is an avid reader of SSN. Yesterday Bobbie suggested Dennis Hamlett "...go to 3-5-2, send Chad Diesel to the bench and move Rolfe back to the forward line". I'm not sure if the formation was changed, but Diesel didn't even make on to the bench, and Rolfe was returned to the starting eleven. As a result Tomasz Frankowski scored two first-half goals to lead the Fire to a 4-0 rout of the New England Revolution. Nice call Bob.
Bobbie has written an excellent little review of the game in his comment below. Check it out.
The Revolution get burnt 4-0 by The Fire

First half goals from David Beckham and Landon Donovan earn the Galaxy the first win of the Ruud Gullit era
Beckham Scores as L.A. Beat San Jose
Andrea Canales Weighs In

The MLS All-Stars will take on West Ham United of the English Premier League in this season’s All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday
MLS All-Stars to face West Ham

EURO NEWS

Rangers' dreams of European glory took a knock when they drew a blank in this Uefa Cup quarter-final first leg at Ibrox
Lacklustre Rangers fail to break down stubborn Sporting

An Adrian Mutu goal wasn't enough for Fiorentina as PSV pulled one back through Danny Koevermans. It should now be an open game in Eindhoven after an intriguing first leg
PSV Snare Fiorentina Draw

German teams struggle: Bayer leak 4 against Zenit, Bayern let Getafe snatch a draw
Bayern held by Getafe, Zenit hit four in UEFA Cup

Having had as much as a week out of the spotlight, the father of Werder Bremen star Diego is at it again
Diego's Dad: Madrid & Arsenal Interested

Champions League: Aftermath

A Liverpool team energised by the Kop, will provide Arsenal with a difficult task
Forget Milan, Anfield's a different ball game

Fenerbahce striker takes a swipe at the manager of his former club, saying they have gone backwards since Jose Mourinho left
Kezman: Grant is no Mourinho for Chelsea

Dirk Kuyt: "Arsenal probably the best playing in Europe at the moment"
Kuyt flies close to the wind with Arsenal plaudits

EPL NEWS

Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

England defender misses Tottenham's last six games in an effort to get to the bottom of his long-standing problem
What a shock - Ledley King injured

Sir Alex Ferguson has been handed a double fitness boost with Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville both set to play a part in Manchester United's Premier League and Champions League run-in
Nemanja Vidic and Gary Neville boost United

Sir Alex Ferguson has only given England midfield player a peripheral role because of disciplinary issues
Hargreaves' timekeeping causes anger

Liverpool are considering appealing the additional two-game ban handed down to Javier Mascherano by the FA
Liverpool may appeal Mascherano ban

Stockport defender Jimmy McNulty could be fit to face Darlington on Saturday
McNulty set for Stockport return

England: Romance of the FA Cup - what a load of bollocks

An ex-girlfriend once told me I was about as romantic as John Major. Well this level of romance extends to the FA Cup. Barnsley against Cardiff isn't romantic, its about as attractive as a free ticket to Paris Hilton's new movie. The game could end 9-7, and it still wouldn't interest me. Let the poncy romance stay in the 3rd round where it belongs. WBA are a half decent side, though even they somehow managed to lose to Derby in the play-offs last year. They could knock out Pompey, leaving an all Championship final. God forbid. Cue an endless stream of journalists and pundits blabbering on about how great it is to see them get so far. Yeah, great until you have to actual watch he game. Give me ManU Vs Liverpool every year.

Sol Campbell hopes to use his knowledge of playing in FA Cup semis to guide Pompey into the final
Campbell banks on experience

Two Cardiff stalwarts are preparing for another trip to Wembley; for Cardiff's Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink it is one he feared would never happen again after the 2002 final
Jimmy Floyd ready for Wembley

The assertion of regional identity is at the core of Barnsley's collision with Cardiff on Sunday, even on such neutral turf as Wembley
Simon Davey proud of Welsh connection

MLS News

New England will be looking to continue their good start to the season, having destroying MLS Cup nemesis Houston 3-0, when they meet Chicago today. Chicago have been knocked out of the play-offs by New England in the past three years, so they'll be after a touch of payback. Yanks can catch the game, as well as LA Beckham's match against San Jose, on ESPN2.
Revs will need to quell Blanco's threat

Changes are already needed for the Galaxy, starting with Ruud Gullit's complex formation, says Martin Rogers
Galaxy in need of Ruud-imentary strategy
Galaxy and Quakes resume their rivalry

Euro News

Real Madrid, the world's richest club, has been forced to take out a loan of €30m (£24.5m) to cover day-to-day costs
Real Madrid count cost of David Beckham exit

Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas believes his side's next three matches will decide the title
Casillas eyes crucial three fixtures

Barcelona's injury problems look finally to be easing – with Deco preparing to make his comeback at the weekend and Lionel Messi due to return from his native Argentina
Deco and Messi set to reinforce Barça campaign

Klinsmann has added two more names to his coaching set-up for next season with the announcement that Walter Junghans and Nick Theslof will be part of his backroom staff when he succeeds Hitzfeld
Klinsmann’s Team Takes Shape

The Sporting Lisbon coach believes that a Uefa Cup triumph over Rangers can help turn around an indifferent season
Bento looks for a chance to save season

EPL News

Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

Manager Roy Keane wants a £50m transfer kitty to take Sunderland to the "next level" next season should top-flight status be secured
Keane's plea for £50m on new players

Newcastle's chairman says that discussions about Kevin Keegan's transfer kitty will wait until league safety is assured
Keegan forced to wait for funds

Spurs could become the first English team to play a friendly in India after discussing a game against Kingfisher East Bengal
Tottenham making plans for game in India

Former Brighton player downs Chelsea

Deivid atoned for his own goal with a stunning winner to give Fenerbahce a one-goal advantage to take to Chelsea
Deivid strike sends Chelsea home with a headache

Chelsea’s frustration at losing a match they should have won was encapsulated by Frank Lampard storming off the pitch
Grant upbeat despite Lampard show of frustration

Lucky Liverpool

Rafa Beñitez must have sold his children to the devil to get so much luck in the Champions League. Not only did the ref suffer from momentary blindness when Kuyt dragged down Hleb, but Bentner decided to step in for Carra and clear Fabregas' shot off the line. That said, I thought Wenger made a mistake with his substitution. It wasn't difficult to see why he brought off Eboué, but when he brought on Benter he changed the formation. Hleb and Walcott had had an excellent ten minute spell but Wenger's change took them out of the game. It certainly isn't over for Arsenal but Liverpool don't need to score. Liverpool will be able to keep it tight at Anfield, limiting the space on which Arsenal thrive.

Visitors absorbed everything Arsenal threw at them after Dirk Kuyt's equaliser, and will believe they can reach next round
Dirk Kuyt puts Liverpool in sight of semis

Fabio Capello’s search for clues becomes a tough one as English occasion provides the platform for intense battle of Spanish wits
Gerrard offers reminder of home among foreign legions

Consistency of selection paid off for Rafa Benítez as Liverpool proved a point
Gerrard justifies Rafa's game plan

Champions League: Today's Matches

While Arsène Wenger is still in credit with Arsenal fans, defeat would heap pressure on Rafael Benítez
Fear of failure prompts a battle to be last man standing

Frenchman confident on the eve of the club's Liverpool trilogy, which he admits is the 'highest challenge' of his career
Arsenal can rule the world, says Wenger

Arsenal centre-back has said that nullifying the threat of Steve Gerrard is the key to stopping Liverpool
Kolo Toure: Stopping Gerrard key for Arsenal

Chelsea coach is willing to sacrifice entertaining football to ensure Champions League victory
Grant prepared to win ugly against Fenerbahce

Nicolas Anelka, once of Fenerbahce, warns his team-mates of treatment they can expect from Turkish club's fans
Anelka braced for brickbats on Istanbul return

Norman Hubbard on Portsmouth and Evergreen Harry

For a man who has long excelled at portraying himself as the impoverished underdog, Harry Redknapp faces an unusual challenge in a different location this coming weekend.

'Arry Redknapp: Renaissance man

Phil Ball Not in Spain

He's back in the UK but still offers his insight on Spain...and more.

Chaos Theory

No Torch for Bhaichung Bhutia

Bhaichung Bhutia has pulled out of the Olympic torch relay in protest at China's response to demonstrations in Tibet
India captain's Olympic torch protest

Spotlight on Rafa

Armando Beñitez - not Rafa's brother

Three years ago he was the brilliant tactician who guided his side to European triumph. But now? Having again failed to mount a serious title challenge, the Liverpool manager has abandoned his rotation system and goes into this season's final few weeks with everything to prove – starting at the Emirates tonight. Two of Britain's better journos, Sam Wallace and Martin Samuel, assess Rafa Benitez's position at Liverpool
What's it all about Rafa?
Liverpool at the crossroads: will it be greatness or disaster for Rafa?

Pizarro denies orgy

Chelsea striker and Peru captain has denied he drank alcohol and invited women to his hotel room during World Cup qualifying and dismissed his 18-month suspension from national side
Peru's Claudio Pizarro rejects charge

EPL News

Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL

Roy Keane's long-suffering club are set to attract some higher-profile players if, as looks likely, they survive relegation
Sunderland aspire to secure future

David Bentley admits his desire to be England's first-choice right-winger at the 2010 World Cup could end his Blackburn career
David Bentley geared up to leave Blackburn

David Moyes has to contend with a mounting injury list as he aims to get the challenge for fourth place back on track
Everton attempt to pick up the derby pieces

The war of words between Avram Grant and Sir Alex Ferguson has continued, with the Israeli branding the United boss 'a joke' for having no sympathy for Chelsea's fixture congestion
Grant And Fergie Do Battle Over Fixtures

FIFA Piggy Bank

Fifa has a £400m contingency fund in case the stadiums aren't ready in time for South Africa 2010
Fifa sets aside £400m for World Cup collapse

Champions League: Yesterday's Matches

Ronaldo showed great courage to put his head where most jinky wingers would not put a foot
Ronaldo proves he has a head for heights

Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi is refusing to write off his team's chances of reaching the Champions League semi-finals, despite their 2-0 defeat at the hands of Manchester United last night
De Rossi: Roma can still surprise Man United

Roma midfielder David Pizarro has launched a scathing attack on Cristiano Ronaldo, describing him as big-headed and arrogant following the 2-0 defeat to the Red Devils
Pizarro: Ronaldo Is An Arrogant Big Head

An early goal from Bojan Krkic gave Barcelona a slender first-leg lead in Gelsenkirchen
Bojan gives Barcelona the edge

Schalke defender Heiko Westermann was left fuming last night when the referee failed to award his side a late penalty at the Veltins Arena that would have given the Königsblauen a chance to get back in the game
Westermann Slams Ref After Barca Defeat

Broken China?

With disillusioned supporters more interested in the European game, the Chinese season kicked off amid ongoing talk of dirty tactics
Same old story for Chinese football as suspicions of corruption linger

Ahoy Matey!

Fiery Palermo President Maurizio Zamparini has launched a scathing attack against English clubs, labelling them as “pirates” due to their practice of poaching Italy’s best youngsters
The English Are ‘Pirates’ Roars Zamparini

Sad Spain

There is panic among the ranks of Spanish fans over the apparent decline of their top-tier teams. Señor Lowe reports...
The one-time league of stars now facing dark night of the soul

Mexico: Sanchez Fired

Former Argentina national team coach José Pekerman is thought to be one of the front runners for the vacant Mexico position following the sacking of Hugo Sanchez on Monday
Pekerman In Frame For Mexico Post
Mexico fire coach Sanchez after 16 months

EPL News

Premier Shorts: Today in the EPL
Nicky Butt served some familiar compliments to Newcastle's manager following their timely win against Tottenham
Butt hails the 'Keegan effect'
Tottenham defender believes the whole squad are playing for their futures at the club following their 4-1 home defeat by Newcastle
Jonathan Woodgate ashamed of Spurs rout

Let me make you an offer...

Fabio Capello's England assistant Franco Baldini was the subject of an extraordinary Mafia-style threat in a Rome court yesterday
Capello's No 2 subjected to 'Mafia threat' in Italian court
England manager could face criminal charges after he was accused of withholding information in a corruption Rome trial
Fabio Capello embroiled in corruption case

Champions League: Tomorrow's Matches

Considering his impact in his debut campaign in England, 'El Nino' is an apt nickname for Liverpool striker Fernando Torres
Torres gives cutting edge
Anfield co-owners may refuse to sit together at the Emirates tomorrow but the players are united for the challenge ahead
Gerrard says Liverpool can overcome civil war
All Cesc Fabregas seems to desire, in a rare antidote to the hysteria over an all-English quarter-final against Liverpool, is to face his former club again in the Champions League final
Cesc Fabregas dreams of Barcelona rematch
Joe Cole arrived in Istanbul reveling in the prospect of facing two of his enduring heroes
Zico and Roberto Carlos excite Joe Cole
Fenerbahce full back Roberto Carlos has fired a warning to Chelsea that they face “the Turkish Real Madrid” in Istanbul for in their Champions League quarter final tie
Roberto Carlos: We Are The Turkish Real Madrid

Champions League: Today's Matches

ROMA Vs MANCHESTER UNITED
Sir Alex Ferguson considers his current Manchester United side his "best ever"
United relishing the chance to light up Rome
Ferguson says winger could win European Footballer of the Year if he fires United to Champions League victory
European glory can seal prize for Ronaldo
UEFA said Rome could be stripped of next year's Champions League final if fan violence recurs in the Italian capital
Uefa warns Roma as fears mount
SCHALKE Vs BARCELONA
Ronaldinho goes AWOL in Barça's hour of need
Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard was in defiant mood as he spoke out ahead of his side's Champions League quarter-final first leg meeting with Schalke 04
Rijkaard Comes Out Firing
Schalke trainer Mirko Slomka believes his team are facing Barcelona at the ideal time to cause an upset as the two sides prepare for their Champions League quarter final clash
Slomka: Barcelona There For The Taking

Quotes and Chants of the Week

"Gary Neville is the club captain but has been injured for the best part of a year now - and Giggsy's taken on the mantelpiece."

Rio Ferdinand is clearly having a hearth while describing the Manchester United captaincy.
Quotes of the week