Italy: Wednesday's Serie A League Preview + Tuesday Review

There are 17 places between them in Serie A but Juventus coach Antonio Conte has described Wednesday's visit of lowly Lecce as the most important match of the season. Juve, who were stripped of the 2005 and 2006 scudettos because of their involvement in the Calciopoli match-fixing scandal, could claim their first title in nine years should they defeat Lecce and AC Milan lose to Atalanta at the San Siro. Equally intriguing is the battle for the third and final Champions League (qualifying) place for next season after Udinese's 2-0 defeat of Lazio on Sunday night left those two sides along with Napoli and Inter Milan all sharing 55 points. Inter, who host rivals Milan and travel to Lazio in their final two games, face a tricky trip on Wednesday to resurgent Parma, while Udinese visit relegated Cesena and Lazio entertain Siena. On Tuesday, Napoli kept in the Champions League driving seat with a crucial 2-0 victory over Palermo, while Roma drew 0-0 at Chievo in Verona.

Preview

The Juventus roster when they last won the title in 2002-2003...

No. Position Player 1 GK Gianluigi Buffon 2 DF Ciro Ferrara 3 MF Alessio Tacchinardi 4 DF Paolo Montero 5 DF Igor Tudor 6 DF Salvatore Fresi 7 DF Gianluca Pessotto 8 MF Antonio Conte 9 FW Marcelo Salas 10 FW Alessandro Del Piero (Captain) 11 MF Pavel Nedvěd 12 GK Antonio Chimenti 13 DF Mark Iuliano 14 MF Cristian Zenoni 15 DF Alessandro Birindelli 16 MF Mauro Camoranesi 17 FW David Trezeguet

No. Position Player 18 FW Marco Di Vaio 19 DF Gianluca Zambrotta 20 MF Davide Baiocco 21 DF Lilian Thuram 22 GK Landry Bonnefoi 23 MF Rubén Olivera 24 DF Emiliano Moretti 25 FW Marcelo Zalayeta 26 MF Edgar Davids 33 DF Mattia Cassani 37 MF Matteo Paro 38 MF Alex Pederzoli 42 MF Marco Brighi 43 DF Daniele Gastaldello 44 FW Raffaele Palladino 45 MF Gerardo Clemente

Spain: Wednesday's Key La Liga Preview

Athletic Bilbao vs.  Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho's side can clinch the Primera Division crown with victory in the hostile surroundings of San Mames, regardless of Barcelona's result against Malaga.

Preview
Preview II

U.S. TV: GolTV at 4pm EDT

Fabrice Muamba returns to watch Bolton play Tottenham

Fabrice Muamba will watch the Premier League match between Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at the Reebok Stadium on Wednesday night.

England: Tuesday's Premier League Reports

Not happy campers...

Liverpool 0 - 1 Fulham
Chris Bascombe at Anfield
Andy Hunter at Anfield


Stoke City 1 - 1 Everton
Paul Wilson at the Britannia Stadium

Euro 2012 Focus: Spanish stars at risk of burning out

Xavi was exasperated.

"What did people think," the midfielder asked. "That we were going to win every game 3-0? I can't believe what I am hearing sometimes. Do you not realise how hard it is? Teams aren't stupid. We're European champions, they all pressure us like wolves. There isn't a single metre, not a second on the pitch. Always 10 men behind the ball putting pressure on."It's a quote that could well have come in the last 10 days. But it didn't. It came two years ago before the World Cup final. And it's perhaps a timely reminder of just how long Spain's Barcelona-based players have been chasing history on all fronts... not to mention how far-reaching the effects of fatigue and pressure - both physical and mental - may well be.

Stoke's Jermaine Pennant arrested for allegedly assaulting a woman

A Greater Manchester police spokeswoman said: "At approximately 3.30am on Sunday 29 April a woman was assaulted at a nightclub on Barton Arcade, Manchester city centre. A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of Section 47 assault."

John Brewin: United cannot paper over the cracks

When viewed through 20-20 hindsight, Sir Alex Ferguson's February suggestion that "I don't feel we're that far away from them" in reference to Barcelona and Real Madrid looks ever more ill-conceived. Fresh evidence suggests that Manchester United are not even close to Manchester City.

England: Tuesday's Premier League Previews

Liverpool vs. Fulham: Preview


Stoke City vs. Everton: Preview

Italy: Serie A Midweek Preview

The battle for the third and final Champions League qualifying spot in Serie A could closer with three rounds of games remaining. Napoli currently hold the precious position but the race is wide open as they are level on 55 points with Inter Milan, Udinese and Lazio. Napoli host Palermo at the Stadio San Paolo on Tuesday on the back of Saturday's 2-2 draw against Roma.

Preview

Sid Lowe in Spain

While José Mourinho's team await their fiesta, Rayo's 7-0 home thrashing by Barcelona leaves them clinging on in La Liga.

Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano: a tale of two ends of the same city.

The Trawler: Saints back in the big time

Welcome to The Trawler, your weekly submersion through the teeming waters of life in the Championship, League One and League Two. You might be surprised what you find down there.

Americans Abroad

Everton won the battle of American stars easily, while several other Yanks fought against relegation and for European places.

Americans Abroad

MLS: Henry's hamstring injury a crucial blow to Red Bulls, More Snaps

From Thierry Henry's injury to Toronto FC's latest heartbreak, here are five thoughts from some of Saturday's MLS action ...

Paolo Bandini in Italy

A remarkable incident at the end of Udinese v Lazio rounded off the latest drama in the race for third place in Serie A.

Champions League chase hots up as ghost whistle blows Lazio off course.

Raphael Honigstein in Germany

The Bundesliga said 'auf Wiedersehen' to some big names on an emotional penultimate weekend in Germany.

Bundesliga farewells come early as Raúl and Ballack bow out.

England: Monday's Premier League Reports, Analyses, Fallout + Table

Manchester City 1 - 0 Manchester United

Henry Winter at the Etihad Stadium
Richard Jolly at the Etihad Stadium
Kevin McCarra at the Etihad Stadium
Phil McNulty at the Etihad Stadium
Daniel Taylor at the Etihad Stadium

Paul Hayward: Manchester power shift must send shivers down Ferguson's spine
Martin Rogers: Premier League Turned on its Head
Mark Ogden: Five Things We Learned

Player Ratings

Mancini Reacts to Ferguson Jibe

2011-12 Table
Team	GP	W	D	L	Pts	GF	GA	GD
Manchester City	36	26	5	5	83	88	27	61
Manchester United	36	26	5	5	83	86	33	53
Arsenal	36	20	6	10	66	68	44	24
Tottenham	35	18	8	9	62	59	39	20
Newcastle United	35	18	8	9	62	53	46	7
Chelsea	35	17	10	8	61	62	39	23
Everton	35	14	9	12	51	46	38	8
Liverpool	35	13	10	12	49	43	37	6
Fulham	35	12	10	13	46	45	48	-3
West Brom	36	13	7	16	46	41	47	-6
Sunderland	36	11	12	13	45	44	43	1
Swansea	36	11	11	14	44	43	49	-6
Norwich City	36	11	10	15	43	47	63	-16
Stoke City	35	11	10	14	43	33	49	-16
Aston Villa	36	7	16	13	37	36	50	-14
Wigan Athletic FC	36	9	10	17	37	38	60	-22
Queens Park Rangers	36	9	7	20	34	40	63	-23
Bolton	35	10	4	21	34	41	69	-28
Blackburn	36	8	7	21	31	47	75	-28
Wolverhampton	36	5	9	22	24	38	79	-41

Roberto Gotta in Italy

Football may not be as crazy as Roberto Mancini says, but most of the events surrounding it are. Take the race for the Scudetto between Juventus and Milan. Both clubs are among the biggest media darlings you could ever come across, yet both managers claimed in recent weeks either that "there are many who will be unhappy at our win" or that "we pushed on despite all the criticism".here's nothing new or heartrending about the us-against-the-world attitude, but it can get a bit ridiculous coming from certain quarters.

Although it seems Juve's Antonio Conte is finally getting the credit he deserves, the position of Max Allegri at Milan is more awkward: the crime of being knocked out by Barcelona and possibly finishing in second place in Serie A is not easily forgotten, nor forgiven, by those whose opinions count. Or at least that's what they believe.

Talk, talk, talk, and that's not a verbal version of Mancini's hand gestures at Sir Alex Ferguson on the touchline at Eastlands on Monday evening. Talk, and see what happens. Talk, and a cloud of words descends on facts and hides them from view - which of course has never prevented pundits and managers from talking even more.

Which leads us, obliquely, to another struggle that has been heating up in Serie A: the one for third place. This is the second consecutive season Italy will be awarded only three places in the Champions League, thus making the race for that final position in the table more appealing, at least at first glance.

Phil Ball in Spain

That was the week that was. Unfortunately I was in England for the majority of it, and am still there on a personal matter, writing this from the rainy north - slightly disabled in my ability to gauge the impact of the week's various events, culminating, of course, in the 'adeu' of Pep Guardiola, annoyingly reported by the English press as his 'adios', a Spanish word that belongs to the coach's second language and which misses the point of the man almost entirely.

The Fifth Official

Few of us like Monday (Tuesday) but The Fifth Official does, for it brings with it a chance for him to point the finger and laugh. Here he pulls out the pretty, the puzzling and the downright pig-ugly from a week brimming with potential victims.

England: Monday Night Football Previews & Insanity

Who: Manchester City vs. Manchester United

When: 2:45pm EDT

Where: Etihad Stadium, Manchester

U.S. TV: ESPN, ESPN3, ESPNDeportes

Preview

Preview II

Henry Winter: World's Gaze Focused on Eitihad Stadium
Martin Rogers: Clash could generate world-record audience
Daniel Taylor: A Manchester Derby Like We Have Never Known it Before
James Lawton: United Fear City Are Superior

Michael Cox: Tactical Preview

Tim Rich: Manchester: One city, two clubs, and a match like no other 

Another Happy Monday for United?

Stoke City's Jermaine Pennant charged with drink-driving

"At about 5.20am on Sunday April 29, police were called to Cross Street to reports a white BMW collided with a silver Audi. "The driver of the Audi went to hospital for treatment. "He was treated for a minor injury to the back. He has been discharged."

Monday MLS Breakdown

Thierry Henry's injury exacerbates New York's injury problems Henry will spend at least a few weeks on the sidelines with a right hamstring strain, plus a look at some of the other action from Week 8.

England: Premier League Weekend Reports, Analyses, Teams of the Week

Stoke City 1 - 1 Arsenal
Joe Lovejoy at the Britannia Stadium
Graham Chase at the Britannia Stadium


Wigan 4 - 0 Newcastle
Paul Wilson at the DW Stadium
Jonathan Liew at the DW Stadium

He scores when he wants...

Norwich City 0 - 3 Liverpool
Paul Doyle at Carrow Road

Tottenham 2 - 0 Blackburn
Jeremy Wilson at White Hart Lane
Kevin McCarra at White Hart Lane

Chelsea 6 - 1 Queens Park Rangers
Dominic Fifield at Stamford Bridge

Five Things We Learned


Team of the Week
Garth Crook's Team of the Week

Italy: Serie A Weekend Review

Juventus moved a step closer to the Serie A title with a thumping 4-0 win at struggling Novara. Mirko Vucinic got two, opening and completing the scoring, while Marco Borriello and Arturo Vidal were also on target as Juve retained their three-point lead over AC Milan at the top. Second-bottom Novara are almost down, though, this defeat leaving them eight points from safety with three games left. AC Milan maintained their challenge with a 4-1 victory at Siena. Udinese joined Napoli, Inter Milan and Lazio in a four-way tie on 55 points after beating the Biancoceleste 2-0 with goals from Antonio Di Natale and Roberto Pereyra.

Review

Spain: La Liga Weekend Review

Real Madrid stayed on course for their first La Liga title in four years as they cantered to a 3-0 win over Sevilla. But Barcelona's 7-0 win at Rayo Vallecano in the late kick-off means the title race will run at least into midweek, with Madrid still seven points clear of their arch-rivals with three games remaining. Madrid will officially be crowned Spanish champions for the 32nd time if they defeat Athletic Bilbao in Wednesday's 36th round of fixtures, regardless of the result of Barca's game against Malaga.

Review

John Duerden: Kagawa the Toast of Asia

Germany has great beer but Japan is not far behind with Sapporo, Asahi and Kirin all crisp and cool. Just like Shinji Kagawa who last weekend was able to enjoy the huge tankards of ale on the pitch as he celebrated a second successive title with Borussia Dortmund. When served with a league winner's medal, any beer in the world would taste great. Among fans of the German champions however, there is a growing fear that the Japanese international is about to drain his glass, say "cheers" and head to a new party (that's enough - ed). After just two seasons in the Bundesliga, Kagawa has established himself as one of the league's top players. That is some achievement for a 23 year-old who arrived from Cerezo Osaka in the summer of 2010 unknown to European fans and most Asians after just a dozen games in the top tier of the J-league. Japanese fans knew though.

Phil McNulty on Roy Hodgson: He's not Harry Redknapp but...

Roy Hodgson – among other things – suffered for not being Kenny Dalglish during his failed tenure at Liverpool. The Football Association must hope their choice as England manager does not suffer similarly for the crime of not being Harry Redknapp. In the eyes of Liverpool fans, Hodgson paled miserably in comparison to Dalglish after Anfield’s icon, a serial collector of silverware as player and manager, was overlooked in favour of the man who had just taken Fulham to the Europa League Final in 2010. As soon as the FA’s official move for Hodgson was announced on Sunday evening the comparisons with Redknapp, previously the prime contender and the so-called “People’s Choice”, began. And not many were flattering.

Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal from Cologne this summer

German striker Lukas Podolski will join Arsenal from Cologne for the start of next season for an undisclosed fee. The international started his career at Cologne in 2002 and joined Bayern Munich four years later before returning to his first club in 2009.

Roy Hodgson and England: Talks to start with the FA

Roy Hodgson is set to start talks with the Football Association on Monday and is expected to be appointed England manager within 48 hours. The FA says the West Brom manager, 64, is the only person it has approached about succeeding Fabio Capello.

Off the Ball

Off the Ball never rests in its mission to scratch around the underbelly of professional football to find the most bizarre, humorous and inexplicable stories. This week, an Italian referee dislocates his shoulder awarding a free-kick, increasingly desperate Blackburn fans grow Gael Givet beards to avoid relegation, the Dutch rile Euros-hosts Ukraine by claiming all their women are beautiful and Gary Neville has a 'scoregasm'.