The Forecast reviews the revised Designated Player rules before delving into a truncated Week 2 fixture list.
SSN is a digest of the day's soccer/football/futbol articles with a focus on the top European leagues and the United States National Team. Below, you’ll find links to articles and video, as well as additional features and commentary. We locate the top news of the day so you can stay updated with ease.
Friday, April 02, 2010
Friday MLS Forecast
The Forecast reviews the revised Designated Player rules before delving into a truncated Week 2 fixture list.
Premier League Predictions: Five matches that will decide the title
As Manchester United look to claim a record fourth consecutive Premier League, and Chelsea and Arsenal try to stop them, Telegraph Sport looks at five key clashes that will decide the title.
England: Premier League Weekend Previews & Predictions
A Wayne Rooney-less Manchester United lock horns with title rivals Chelsea in what promises to be a decisive clash in terms of where the Premier League trophy is destined come the end of the season.Elsewhere, a potentially fatigued Arsenal host Wolves, fourth-placed Tottenham make the trip to the Stadium of Light, Burnley meet Manchester City, Liverpool face a must-win game against Birmingham while struggling West Ham tackle Everton.
Preview I
Preview II
Manchester United vs. Chelsea: Preview I /Preview II
Lawro's Predictions
Spain: La Liga Weekend Preview
Real Madrid will attempt to ensure they head into next weekend's mouthwatering showdown with Barcelona on top of the standings by recording their 12th successive Primera Division win when they take on Racing Santander on Sunday. With the two Spanish giants locked on 74 points, it is Madrid's stunning goalscoring that is currently giving them the slight edge, with their tally of 81 goals from 29 games being 10 more than Barca and giving the capital club a +2 goal difference over their arch rivals.
Italy: Serie A Weekend Preview
Fiorentina will look to continue their recent resurgence and revive their European claims when they face Parma at the Tardini stadium.AC Milan, meanwhile, have claimed just two points in the last three games.
The Rossoneri, who are two points behind Roma, take on Cagliari in Sardinia.
Palermo go into Saturday's Sicilian showdown at Catania looking to consolidate the fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot.
They are three points clear of Napoli, Juventus and Sampdoria.
Germany: Bundesliga Weekend Preview
Schalke host Bayern again this week, and Bremen head over to Dortmund for a pivotal match in the race to finish in the top five.
Saturday
Eintracht Frankfurt –
Freiburg – Bochum
Schalke –
Nuernberg – Mainz
Stuttgart – Borussia M’gladbach
Koeln – Hertha Berlin
Sunday
Wolfsburg – Hoffenheim
Hamburg – Hannover
Preview
The Week That Was
This was the week in which Diego Maradona had face surgery following a dog attack, Jose Mourinho declared he dislikes Italian football, Gary McAllister was signed for a pint of John Smiths bitter and the media ran riot on April Fool's Day.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
UEFA Champions League: Wednesday's Reports & Fallout
Internazionale Milan 1 - 0 CSKA Moscow
Milito nets key winner
Nick Szczepanik: Slight advantage Mourinho
Player Ratings
Arsenal 2 - 2 Barcelona
Kevin Palmer at Emirates Stadium
Kevin McCarra: Arsenal fortitude memorable
Patrick Barclay:
Chance to progress even with injury woe
Phil McNulty: Arsenal survive Barca siege
Richard Williams: Cesc selfless to the end
Oliver Kay:
Nou Camp not lost cause for Arsenal
Paul Hayward:
Barca live dream but let Arsenal escape
Fabregas, Gallas, Arshavin Injured
Player Ratings
The View From the Back Pages in England
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
UEFA Champions League: Wednesday's Previews & Additional Nuggets
Who: Arsenal vs. BarcelonaWhat: CL Quarter-Final First Leg
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: Emirates Stadium, London, England
U.S. TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Preview I
Preview II
Sid Lowe: Cesc faces Dream Team he left behind
Kevin McCarra: Arsenal need grit to advance
Amy Lawrence: Song finds the right rhythm
How to Beat Barcelona: Three managers who did it
Who: Internazionale Milan vs. CSKA Moscow
What: CL Quarter-Final First Leg
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: San Siro, Milan, Italy
U.S. TV: Fox Soccer Plus
Preview I
PreviewII
Preview III
Mourihno: Italy hates me
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas picks Barcelona's greatest goal
Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas has described Marc Overmars' goal during Barcelona's 3-1 victory against Liverpool at Anfield back in 2001 as the best the Catalan club has ever scored.
Roman Soldier: Roma Believes In A First Scudetto In Nine Years
Goal.com's Roman Soldier, Vince Masiello, sees the Scudetto line in sight for Roma following their weekend win over Inter...
UEFA Champions League: Tuesday's Reports & Fallout
Bayern Munich 2 - 1 Manchester UnitedHarry Harris at Allianz Arena
Kevin McCarra: Olic winner sinks United
Kris Voakes: Last-gasp victory deserved
Paul Hayward:
Another late calamity for England
Oliver Kay: United given taste of own medicine
Rooney facing four weeks out
Player Ratings
Lyon 3 - 1 Bordeaux
Robin Bairner: Blanc's men beaten
Lyon determined not to relax after win
Player Ratings
Quotes & Chants of the Week
"I am very happy at Inter. I am not happy in Italian football - because I don't like it and they don't like me. Simple."
Jose Mourinho does his best meerkat impression to express his distaste with football Italia.
"In terms of finishing fourth, on that performance we wouldn't finish 44th."
A rueful Martin O'Neill following Aston Villa's 7-1 drubbing by Chelsea.
"The tracksuit top might be a decent souvenir but I doubt if my reading glasses would be any good to someone else."
Plymouth boss Paul Mariner, who threw his top into the crowd after returning to former club Ipswich, but forgot the glasses were in the pocket.
"His movement for his goal was unbelievable, he was at the right place at the
right time. I think he will play until he is 51. That is in two years."
Avram Grant on ancient striker Kanu, who showed there's life in the old dog by scoring the winner against Hull.
"Celtic can still win the Scottish Cup, which would take the gloss off what has been a poor season."
Roddy Forsyth after Celtic's 4-0 drubbing by St Mirren.
"He's got a head like a beach ball!"
Liverpool fans to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
"Let's all do the Wenger - la-la-la-la!"
Birmingham fans dance with arms held aloft and gaping mouth after Kevin Phillips' late equaliser against Arsenal.
The Rest
Jose Mourinho does his best meerkat impression to express his distaste with football Italia.
"In terms of finishing fourth, on that performance we wouldn't finish 44th."
A rueful Martin O'Neill following Aston Villa's 7-1 drubbing by Chelsea.
"The tracksuit top might be a decent souvenir but I doubt if my reading glasses would be any good to someone else."
Plymouth boss Paul Mariner, who threw his top into the crowd after returning to former club Ipswich, but forgot the glasses were in the pocket.
"His movement for his goal was unbelievable, he was at the right place at the
right time. I think he will play until he is 51. That is in two years."
Avram Grant on ancient striker Kanu, who showed there's life in the old dog by scoring the winner against Hull.
"Celtic can still win the Scottish Cup, which would take the gloss off what has been a poor season."
Roddy Forsyth after Celtic's 4-0 drubbing by St Mirren.
"He's got a head like a beach ball!"
Liverpool fans to Sunderland boss Steve Bruce.
"Let's all do the Wenger - la-la-la-la!"
Birmingham fans dance with arms held aloft and gaping mouth after Kevin Phillips' late equaliser against Arsenal.
The Rest
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
UEFA Champions League: Tuesday's Previews
Who: Bayern Munich vs. Manchester UnitedWhat: CL Quarter-Final First Leg
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich, Germany
U.S. TV: Fox Sports Net
Preview I
Preview II
Preview III
David Pleat: Key Clashes
James Skinner: Clash of different financial philosophies
Who: Lyon vs. Bordeaux
What: CL Quarter-Final First Leg
When: 2:45pm EDT
Where: Stade Gerland, Lyon, France
U.S. TV: Fox Soccer Channel
Preview I
Preview II
Paul Doyle: France united in fear & optimism
Kevin McCarra: Sir Alex Ferguson holds a winning hand despite shuffling his pack
The United manager has reacted to an enforced need to rotate his squad by delivering a masterclass in the deployment of resources.
Sid Lowe in Spain
There may have been only one goal in it but Real's Madrid derby win was painfully inevitable.
Real roll on as Atlético are crushed by their own inferiority complex.
Raphael Honigstein in Germany
Germany's coach Joachim Löw may have to recall the player who walked out in a strop two years ago - Kevin Kuranyi.
Kevin Kuranyi is a major headache for Joachim Löw – even the hair is better.
Paolo Bandini in Italy
Even the Tinkerman had to admit Roma can win the scudetto after beating Mourinho's Inter 2-1.
Claudio Ranieri completes Roma renaissance with win over Inter.
Tim Vickery in South America
The World Cup, then, is also the story of the unsung heroes and an excellent current example - an unsung hero in an unsung side - is Denis Caniza of Paraguay.
Champions League: Where Are They Now? The Bayern Munich And Manchester United Teams Of 1999
Ladies and gentlemen and the class of '99. Goal.com runs through the whereabouts of the protagonists in one of European football's most dramatic nights...
Americans In The UK: Hahnemann Stunts Everton And West Ham, Keeps Wolves Afloat
Marcus Hahnemann produced a pair of impressive performances last week, notching a clean sheet against the Toffees and giving a strong showing against the Hammers.
The Rest
Americans On The Continent: European Push
Carlos Bocanegra earned his sixth start in a row and Rennes grabbed their fourth win on the trot, defeating Le Mans 3-1 to continue their late surge towards a Europa League place.
The Rest
England: Monday's Premier League Report + Table
Manchester City 3 - 0 Wigan Athletic
Carlos Tevez treble gives Manchester City victory over 10-man Wigan
| March 30, 2010 | P | Pts |
| Manchester United | 32 | 72 |
| Chelsea | 32 | 71 |
| Arsenal | 32 | 68 |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 31 | 58 |
| Manchester City | 31 | 56 |
| Liverpool | 32 | 54 |
| Aston Villa | 31 | 51 |
| Everton | 32 | 49 |
| Birmingham | 32 | 45 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 32 | 41 |
| Stoke City | 31 | 39 |
| Fulham | 31 | 38 |
| Sunderland | 32 | 35 |
| Wolverhampton Wanderers | 32 | 32 |
| Bolton Wanderers | 32 | 32 |
| Wigan Athletic | 32 | 31 |
| West Ham United | 32 | 27 |
| Hull City | 31 | 27 |
| Burnley | 32 | 24 |
| Portsmouth | 32 | 13 |
Uli Hesse in Germany
In 1979, Felix Magath repeatedly suffered painful defeats at the hands of a five-year-old boy by the name of Florian Jacoby. Quite understandably, this dampened Magath's enthusiasm for the new game. He had already stopped showing up for practice at the Hamburg club he'd joined the previous autumn, now he would also quit the extra training sessions conducted by Florian's father.
Phil Ball in Spain
Interesting to be in Barcelona, the day of the Madrid derby and the day after the city's more famous team (with apologies to Espanyol) had won a difficult looking match (0-1) over the water in Mallorca. Not that they were too interested in such matters at the Cornella El Prat, out on the southern outskirts of the city. It's a five-minute drive from the airport, but it costs an arm and a leg by taxi because of the minimum charge of €20, wherever you choose to go. In a light-hearted protest to the driver, I make the point that you would expect nothing less from the Catalans, upon which he tells me that he's from Andalucia. Ah, the globalised world!
Monday, March 29, 2010
Five things we learned from the Premier League this weekend
West Ham attempt to arrest their decline, Chelsea end their bad moment and Arsène Wenger goes postal.
World Cup 2010: Sven-Goran Eriksson thrilled to be Ivory Coast coach
In his first interview since being appointed to the job, Eriksson said: "I am extremely happy and very excited. The Ivory Coast is a good football nation with a lot of good players - it couldn't be better.
More than 40 arrests after East Lancashire derby
Police have arrested more than 40 football supporters following the East Lancashire derby.
Blackburn Rovers beat Burnley 1-0 at Turf Moor on Sunday afternoonCharlie Davies Targets Return In Three Weeks
"These next three weeks are very important and I think after that I’ll be back," Davies said in a press conference with his club, Sochaux. "I’ve got all the range of motion I need to play, that’s not an issue. As for now I’m just working on the strength, so I can shield off defenders on the field, but everything is good. Right now I’m just working on getting fit, so I’m not dead while I’m playing, and getting my strength up."
Monday MLS Breakdown: New York Discovers Red Bull Arena Was Worth The Wait
New York fans waited 14 years to move into their own digs. After visiting Red Bull Arena on Saturday night, Kyle McCarthy declares the arena was well worth the wait.
Italy: Serie A Weekend Review
Luca Toni struck in the second half to lift title-chasing Roma to victory over Serie A leaders Inter Milan. The result left Roma in second place and just one point behind four-time defending champions Inter with seven games remaining. AC Milan's title challenge stuttered once more on Sunday as they were held to a draw at home to struggling Lazio.
Spain: La Liga Weekend Review
Real Madrid returned to the top of the Primera Division after recovering from a half-time deficit to defeat local rivals Atletico.
Barcelona became only the second team to take points off Real Mallorca at their Ono Estadi this season.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's 63rd-minute strike - his third of the week - proved to be the winner.
England: Premier League Review & Reports
Arsenal let two points slip in the title race as both Manchester United and Chelsea enjoyed convincing victories ahead of their crunch meeting. Elsewhere, fourth-placed Tottenham recorded a fifth straight win, Fernando Torres helped inspire Liverpool, the pressure continued to mount on West Ham boss Gianfranco Zola while Iain Dowie claimed his first win as Hull City's football management consultant.REVIEW
Chelsea 7 - 1 Aston Villa
Kevin Palmer at Stamford Bridge
Liverpool 3 - 0 Sunderland
Andy Hunter at Anfield
Bolton 0 - 4 Manchester United
Joe Lovejoy at the Reebok Stadium
Birmingham 1 - 1 Arsenal
Stuart James at St. Andrew's
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