Ireland, Champions League, Top Scribes, Americans Abroad

Mega Tuesday!

Most Tuesdays are big days at SSN Headquarters. Today is no exception. Let's hit the ground running with the Podcast: We're live and unleashed for this edition of Football Weekly, recorded in front of literally squillions (well, 75) of fans in Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre. It's a wonder that Jimbo, Barry Glendenning, Rafa Honigstein and James Horncastle made it out alive. On our agenda: all the action from the weekend in the Premier League - not least Arsenal's victory over Liverpool and Cardiff's victory in the South Wales derby - and the return of the Champions League. With Manchester City hosting CSKA Moscow, Arsenal hoping to exact some revenge on Dortmund and Barcelona taking on Milan, it's quite a few days of European jiggery-pokery in store.

The Republic of Ireland has a new manager. Actually, a team of managers. Actually, Martin O'Neill and Roy Keane. Yes, Trap has gone and the men upstairs in Dublin reckon these two freaks are the best man (men) for the job. If nothing else, it'll be fun to watch. 

"You don't like something I do? Tough shit. I'll break your leg."

As mentioned, it is Tuesday, so that can only mean one thing. It's time for Gab Marcotti's Monday Musings. Today, Gab's musing on Lloris' health, Milan's misery and a close call for Real Madrid.

You know what? We haven't checked in with a bunch of Americans Abroad of late. Sure, we know what Bradley, Altidore, and Guzan are up to, but what about all the other guys? Guys like Mike Grella, Freddy Adu, and DaMarcus Beasley? Let's check in.

The Champions League returns today for Matchday Four. It's pivotal for a few teams in particular. Today's matches include Real Sociedad vs. Manchester United, Juventus vs. Real Madrid, and Manchester City vs. CSKA Racists. Here are some predictions of how things might go this afternoon (everything begins at 2:45pm EST), and here's a preview of the matchday's first eight games. CSKA fans are already in the mood, apparently...

Scribe Time!

Location: Italy
Headline: Torino and Italy given reason to smile by second coming of Alessio Cerci
Scribe: Paolo Bandini

Location: Spain
Headline: Derby days take centre stage in Spain
Scribe: Phil Ball

Location: Germany
Headline: Loan sharks - the future of football
Scribe: Uli Hesse

Location: Spain
Headline: Real Betis cap week from hell with 'mad' defeat to Málaga
Scribe: Sid Lowe

Location: Germany
Headline: Borussia Mönchengladbach in Kruse control as Hamburg fans get shirty
Scribe: Raphael Honigstein

Location: Brazil
Headline: Why a South American experiment could be a boost to Europe
Scribe: Tim Vickery

That's a fair amount of reading for you, eh? Well, spare a thought for Sligo Rovers who recently won the Irish Cup.

Onward!!

-SSN