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.
Real Betis striker Ruben Castro admits his side face a tricky proposition against Levante on Sunday. Betis are one point clear of Barcelona at the summit with 12 points from five matches although Pep Guardiola's reigning champions are looking ominous and are basking in the glow of their Champions League romp against BATE Borisov on Wednesday night.Quiniela
Juanfran's late equaliser saved Atlético Madrid from another dispiriting defeat as they claimed a 1-1 draw at Rennes in Group I of the Europa League.
Current Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is known to favour two things above all else for his club. Firstly, the Russian billionaire wants the Blues to play attacking football, while he is also keen for them to pick up European silverware. In 1971, the Blues must have been a vision of perfection in his eyes as they had landed the European Cup Winners' Cup and began their defence of the trophy by beating Jeunesse Hautcharage 21-0 over two legs, with the second an incredible 13-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Tottenham and Lazio will both be looking to record their first wins in the Europa League group stage when they take to the field on Thursday. Italy's other representative Udinese travel to Glasgow to play Celtic in Group I, while La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid will hope to bounce back from last weekend's 5-0 loss at the hands of Barcelona when they travel to play Rennes. Stoke, Fulham and Birmingham will also look to fly the English flag on Thursday in their respective groups.
Save of the week - Joe Hart
A brave Arsenal side held on to their half-time lead to record a 2-1 victory over Olympiacos in their Champions League Group F encounter on Wednesday. Chelsea did not enjoy such luck at the Mestalla against Valencia in Group E, after Frank Lampard's second-half strike was cancelled out three minutes from time by Roberto Soldado from the spot. Lionel Messi scored twice as Barcelona claimed their second consecutive 5-0 win and three points in Group H after outclassing hosts BATE Borisov in Minsk. Also in Group H, AC Milan had to work hard to dispatch Viktoria Plzen at the San Siro, waiting until the 53rd minute until Zlatan Ibrahimovic finally broke the deadlock from the penalty spot.
Manchester City have suspended Carlos Tevez after it was alleged he refused to appear as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat by Bayern Munich. Tevez, 27, who said the dispute was a "misunderstanding", is banned until further notice for a maximum of two weeks while the club investigate.
Holden made his first appearance in club colours since rupturing knee ligaments in March during last week's Carling Cup victory over Aston Villa.
However, a routine follow-up operation has since revealed cartilage damage which will keep the USA international sidelined for an extended period.
Arsenal go in search of their first win in this season's UEFA Champions League group stages when they host Olympiakos, while Chelsea face what on paper looks like a difficult match in Valencia. Arsenal's group rivals, Marseille and defending Bundesliga champions Dortmund, meet in France, with Didier Deschamps' home side grateful for the chance to ignore domestic form which has taken just one win in eight matches. Barcelona began the defence of their European crown with a 2-2 draw against old rivals AC Milan and Pep Guardiola's men will now expect to collect their first three points in Group H when they travel to BATE Borisov. Following their draw at Camp Nou, Massimiliano Allegri's Italian champions, Milan, host Czech minnows Viktoria Plzen at the San Siro.
The two key figures in Chelsea's 4-1 win over Swansea City on Saturday weren't on the pitch at the final whistle. They weren't even in sight of it, Fernando Torres having been sent off and Frank Lampard having left the bench a couple of minutes from the end. In their respective narratives is bound up the story of the new Chelsea that is beginning to emerge.
Top 10 Tevez Excuses
Carlos Tevez refused to play for Manchester City in their UEFA Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich as Ashley Young saved Manchester United in a six-goal thriller against Basel. Real Madrid and Lyon enjoyed comfortable victories in Group D, while Napoli overcame Villarreal and Benfica defeated Otelul Galati. Inter Milan continue to thrive under Claudio Ranieri after victory away to CSKA Moscow, with Trabzonspor and Lille sharing the points in their Group B meeting.
Tottenham was recently given local planning permission to build a new stadium on an industrial site just north of its current ground at White Hart Lane.
Nick and Carol argue over a text...
The owners of Carling beer have opted not to renew their title sponsorship of England's League Cup.
The Denver-based Molson Coors Brewing Company has been sponsoring English football's second-tier knockout competition for 14 seasons.
This Wednesday, Brazil host the second leg of the modestly entitled 'super-classic of the Americas' against Argentina - an old tradition which has now been brought back.
One central midfielder who is surely set to make a reappearance with the national team is Michael Bradley, who is settling into a starting role with Chievo Verona in Italy after being in limbo for the start of the European club season. After becoming the first American to play in Serie A since Alexi Lalas in 1996 (Oguchi Onyewu was with AC Milan more recently but never made a league appearance), Bradley had his most influential game in helping set up both of his team's goals in a 2-1 victory over Genoa over the weekend.
As if on cue, a few days before his old adversary Sir Alex Ferguson chastised television's growing influence over football, Claudio Ranieri was striking one for the sport over the medium by relinquishing his duties as Rai - the Italian state television - analyst. The 'Tinkerman' instead, accepted Inter Milan's offer of a 21-month contract to serve as a replacement for Gian Piero Gasperini, who was forced out after only three Serie A matches, none of them a win.
