AC Milan Draw Barcelona in Champions League Group Stages

The Champions League this year has a very different feel to it. We have the omnipresent Barcelona who look ready to conquer the trophy yet again, now faced with AC Milan in their group of the Champions League group stages. While the past few seasons haven't been the best for AC Milan, the rossoneri have strengthened and seem prepared to make a strong run in Europe this upcoming season.

Along with the Spanish and Italian champions, Bate Borisov and Viktoria Pizen have been drawn together in Group H. So it seems that the Catalans and Milan should have few problems qualifying for the knockout stages of the tournament.

If there is a group of death from the draw, it would have to be the one composed of Napoli, Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Manchester City. All four sides have clear intentions on advancing to the knockout stages, and it looks to be a very tight battle for who will come out on top of the group. While maybe Bayern Munich have more experience in the competition, Manchester City can't be underestimated, and neither can Villarreal and Napoli.

The cup that everyone is after...

Here are all of the groups of the this season's Champions League:

Group A


Manchester City
Bayern Munich
Villarreal
Napoli




Group B


Inter Milan
CSKA Moscow
Lille
Trabzonspor




Group C


Manchester United
Sporting Lisbon Benfica
FC Basel
Otelul Galati




Group D


Real Madrid
Olympique Lyonnais
Ajax
Dinamo Zagreb



Group E


Chelsea
Valencia
Bayer Leverkusen
FC Genk


Group F


Arsenal
Olympique Marseille
Olympiacos
Borussia Dortmund




Group G


FC Porto
Shakhtar Donetsk
Zenit St. Petersburg
Apoel FC




Group H


Barcelona
AC Milan
Bate Borisov
Viktoria Pizen

There are some very tricky groups from this draw, especially Group F, where Arsenal will have to compete with Marseille, Olympiacos and the German champions Borussia Dortmund for qualification. Another interesting group is Chelsea's, as they'll be playing Valencia and the Blues's new signing, Juan Mata, will be facing his former side. And of course, the constant clash between Real Madrid and Lyon in Group D could be interesting, especially with Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb in the mix for qualification to the knockout rounds.


What are your thoughts on the groups? Which one will be the toughest? Will there be any surprise eliminations? Share your predictions, thoughts, and comments below!

Ajax Win 30th Dutch Eredivisie: Video

Ajax have claimed the club's 30th Dutch Eredivisie title wonderfully. The Dutch season was right down to the wire, with the final game between Ajax and Twente deciding who would win this season's Eredivisie. While Ajax were a point behind first-placed Twente in the table, a victory against last season's champions would seal the Ajax their 30th title.

Ajax won 3-1 in front of their fans, securing the Dutch Eredivisie title, and ending a seven year streak in which they hadn't been able to win the Eredivisie. Now, thanks to the coach, Frank de Boer, Ajax have ended that streak and can now add another star to their badge. Every star above their badge symbolizes ten titles, and now Ajax have three.

Below are the highlights of the title-deciding match between Ajax and FC Twente. A great compilation of Ajax's goals and celebrations, I hope you enjoy it.

Mark van Bommel Joins AC Milan In Free Transfer

Mark van Bommel has been called many things. While some call him, "the dirtiest player alive", others prefer to simply call him "scum". While normally I don't approve of these rude and often over-exaggerated names, in van Bommel's case I might make an exception. Last season the Dutchman amassed an impressive 111 fouls and 16 yellow cards in all competitions, yet never receiving a red card.

While van Bommel is an intelligent central midfielder, with a relatively wide range of passing, his overall style is what turns many people away from him. He tends to plow through his opponents: ramming through them, stepping on them, and using sly tactics to avoid more bookings than he should receive. If you were to categorize Mark van Bommel, you would probably have to put him into a category of his own: a provoking bone-cruncher.

Acting is part of van Bommel's vast repertoire of skills

Regarding the deal which has been signed, Mark van Bommel was released from his contract at Bayern Munich after specially requesting termination of his contract. The club was happy to tear up the player's contract, thanking him for the four years and a half of service, and letting him join AC Milan on a free transfer. Mark van Bommel's deal with AC Milan is six months long, a smart move by the rossoneri. The former Bayern player will be useful in case injuries continue to pile up, but he won't be around for long to drag down the club.

Mark van Bommel joins another newly-signed Dutch player, Emanuelson who arrived from Ajax for about 1.5 million Euros. While Emanuelson will have the shirt number 28, Mark van Bommel will wear the prestigious shirt number four, previously worn by Demetrio Albertini. 

While it's a little early to judge, we might get a chance very soon when AC Milan play against Sampdoria in the Coppa Italia. AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri says that it is likely that the new signings will play, giving them a chance to debut at the San Siro.

It's a strange transfer, probably one which will work out well for AC Milan in the end. What do you think? Share your comments below!

The Resurrection of AC Milan and Real Madrid

Image from Reuters UK

This article was written by Amr Samy, you can visit his site here, and his articles on EPL Online here.


AC Milan and Real Madrid have begun their Champions League campaigns winning 2-0. Bad performances by them last season brought a lot of criticism towards the two giants of European football. Real being knocked out by Lyon and AC Milan losing to Manchester United made them the laughingstocks of last sesson's UEFA Champions League. But this season AC Milan and Real Madrid seem to have different mindsets from last season.

Ac Milan defeated Auxerre 2-0 at home, they had good chances and scored two goals in three minutes. But we can't consider that this performance will make them go far in this tournament. Auxerre were proactive, they tried to score, and had two dangerous balls in the match. AC Milan didn't have a full control over the match and this needs to be fixed if in their next matches they want to defeat strong teams, and ultimately aim for the trophy. Ibrahimovic had a great performance and it was a good response to all who criticized him, but he must have consistency.

Real Madrid on the other hand had complete control in their match, they put in a great performance and won 2-0, a good result. They controlled the match and showed their skills with little trouble. Real played a good match under Mourinho and it's a good start for their first match in the UEFA Champions League this season. The team was offensively active, a lot of chances were created. And the most important thing that they were coming from different ways and players, that is what Mourinho added to Real Madrid. They will go far in this tournament if they stay concentrated and continue with performances like this one against Ajax.

AC Milan will face Ajax next Champions League matchday as Real Madrid will face Auxerre. They'll both have to win these matches as the next match they'll be facing each other. So if they can have six points before they face each other in the, they'll both be in a good position. And then we'll have a spectacle to enjoy when the two teams battle each other for the top spot on the group.

This article was written by Amr Samy, you can visit his site here, and his articles on EPL Online here.

Crouch hat-trick defeats Young Boys in Champions League qualifiers

Hat-trick finished with a penalty

While there have been rumors regarding a possible departure from Tottenham for Peter Crouch, it seems like those possibilities have faded ofter his hat-trick against the Swiss Young Boys. A resounding 4-0 victory from Harry Redknapp's Spurs which lets them move on to the group stages of Europe's elite competition. The aggregate of that tie was 6-3 for Tottenham Hotspur, who in the first leg lost 3-2 in Switzerland.

As for the other Champions League ties, here's the aggregate scores with the teams who will proceed bolded. And if the aggregate score is a draw, that means that the team proceeded thanks to away goals:

Zenit St. Petersburg - Auxerre 1-2
Rosenborg - Copenhagen 2-2
Sparta Praha - Zilina 0-3
Young Boys - Tottenham Hotspur 3-6
Dinamo Kiev - Ajax 2-3
Salzburg - Hapoel Tel Aviv 3-4
FC Basel - Sheriff 4-0
Partizan - Anderlecht 4-4 (finished with penalties)
Sporting Braga - Sevilla 5-3
Werder Bremen - Sampdoria 5-4 (finished in extra time)

Full of upsets and fantastic games, the best probably being Werder Bremen who at the return leg scored a late away goal to take the match to extra time, then they finished it off with another goal after having played badly for the entire match. A huge upset is Portuguese side Sporting Braga knocking out Sevilla, with an extravagant 4-3 win in Seville. We also saw Shevchenko score a penalty for Dinamo Kiev, but it was useless in the end because the Ukrainian sie was knocked out by Ajax.

Tommorow there will be a gigantic list of Europa League fixtures,and then there will be the draw for the group stages of both the tournaments. As soon as the draw happens, you can check here to find out the groups of the Champions League and the Europa League.

Beckham Goes Back to AC Milan, and more Transfer Rumors

Beckham returns to AC Milan

AC Milan have confirmed that David Beckham, currently playing for LA Galaxy in the MLS, will go back to the Rossoneri in January. David said this about his return to AC Milan.

"I had to give myself the best chance to play in the World Cup, playing on loan with Milan will help me do that. I enjoyed my last experience at Milan a lot and I can't wait to meet the team and the staff again. I thank Tim Leiweke and Bruce Arena for having given me this opportunity. I remain close to Los Angeles Galaxy and MLS and I care about football's development in America. Now I am completely concentrated on finishing this season in the best way with my club by winning the MLS Cup."

- David Beckham 




Quaresma back to Portugal?


It seems possible that Inter Milan's Portuguese winger, Ricardo Quaresma could return to Portugal on loan in January. It seems that Sporting Lisbona are interested in the winger, even though some wage fees are still a bit too high for Sporting. Quaresma has been out of the Portuguese NT for quite some time, and this move could bring back good form, and the 2010 WC to Quaresma.

Mancini in line for Red's job


It seems that if Rafael Benitez looses the upcoming games against Lyon, and then Birmingham City, the spaniard will be forced to leave. The replacement? it seems that Roberto Mancini could be the man for the job, already having dominated in Italy winning three Scudetto's in a row with Inter Milan, Mancini could bring back the powerful Liverpool side that we all know exists.




Chelsea preparing to buy Villa


Even though Chelsea have been banned, and are unable to buy players until January 2011, it seems that the blues are preparing a 33 million pound bid for Spanish striker David Villa. Currently at Valencia, the spanish club has been in heavy debt because of bad management, it seemed that many of their key players would leave last summer, but Valencia was able to keep them from the interests of Barcelona and Real Madrid. Now, Villa could leave for England, and if he leaves, David Silva could be next.




United plan Suarez signing


Manchester United have been eyeing Ajax's Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. It seems that the red devils are preparing a 40 million Euro bid to buy Ajax's wonder-boy, Suarez is only 22, and he could be the player that makes everyone forget about the Ronaldo era.

Major European Leagues Wrap Up: Arsenal Defeat Tottenham 3-0, and Ajax Destroy Arch-Rival Feyenoord 5-1

This week included two gigantic matches in world football, the North London Derby, Arsenal against Tottenham, and Ajax against Feyenoord. Pellegrini is a bit safer at Madrid, and Benitez is moving up the spots in the sack race. While Inter escape to the top of Serie A, seven points above second place Juventus, Portsmouth start getting the three points needed to start moving up the Premiership table.

*Eredivisie Special*


Ajax claim an important victory over their arch-rival Feyenoord, a demolishing 5-1 victory with Babovic being sent off in the 43rd minute leaving Feyenoord in ten men, then in the 89th, Van Dijk is sent off, leaving the losing side in nine men for the glamour finale by Suarez, who scored the final goal in the 5-1 victory.

Barclay's Premiership

In England, Fulham are able to overpower a weakened Liverpool side that at the end of the match, only had nine men on the field, Degen and Carragher both sent off with direct reds. Portsmouth get three crucial points even if they remain last in the table, Portsmouth carried by a super Dindane who claimed a hat trick in a 4-0 win over Wigan. Arsenal claim the North London Derby over Tottenham with a hearty 3-0 victory at the Emirates, Van Persie getting a brace and Fabregas scoring one to sink Tottenham Hotspur's top four dreams. A huge match between Burnley and Hull City ended 2-0 for Burnley, Phil Brown seems to be leading the sack race even though as he said, "My players are one million percent behind me." A brace by Alexander allows Burnley to rise up to tenth place. After a 4-0 win over Bolton, Chelsea can now say that their past four games in all competitions have been won by at least a four goal difference. Sunderland and West Ham face off and finish off with a 2-2 draw, with a player from both sides being sent off, West Ham went in front with two goals in the first half, and Sunderland came back well to claim the single point needed.

Serie A


In Italy, Napoli come back in style against Juventus, winning 3-2 at Juventus' home. Trezeguet and Giovinco take Juventus up 2-0, but a wonderful brace by Hamsik, and a goal from Datolo brought Napoli back to win 3-2. Amauri was sent off after being subbed on with a direct red because of a rough challenge against De Sanctis (Napoli Goalkeeper) and what could be described as a "verbal confrontation" with some Napoli players also ended his good form. A controversial 0-0 between Sampdoria and Bari causes Antonio Cassano to come out with statements against the fans, the Italian said if the fans continue their poor attitude, he would leave Sampdoria. Inter Milan cruise to the top of the table with seven points clear of the second place Juventus thanks to a 2-0 win over Livorno, a goal by Diego Milito started the scoring, and then Maicon ended the match with another goal for the Nerazzurri. AC Milan get an important win over Parma, 2-0, with a brace by Borriello, and Ronaldinho getting both assists, AC Milan are ready to welcome Real Madrid to the San Siro during the midweek.

La Liga


In Spain, Barcelona slip with a 1-1 draw against Osasuna, an own goal by Pique in injury time stole two points from the Catalans. Pellegrini looks to be a bit safer on the Real Madrid bench thanks to a 2-0 win over Getafe, a brace by Higuain will hopefully give the needed morale to Real to go to the San Siro and beat AC Milan, with Ronaldo or not. Villareal start banging in the goals, a 5-0 victory over Tenerife lets The Yellow Submarine move up to thirteenth place in the tables. Quique Flores has not changed the bad results that Atletico Madrid have been getting, a 1-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao leaves Atletico in 18th place. Valencia who could sell some of their key players in January win 1-0 over Malaga, letting them stay in the much needed fourth place which allows them to enter the Champions League Qualifiers next season.


This week was full of comebacks, reassuring results, and killer losses, what do you think of this week's matches? Comment below!