2010 European Soccer / Football Preview

The summer of 2010 was certainly a lot clammier than 2009, only Manchester City really splashed out the big bucks this year. However AC Milan’s last second move for Ibrahimovic has completely shaken up European Football and Javier Mascherano going to Barcelona completes their squad.

EPL

The EPL title is Chelsea’s to lose. They might not have improved much, but neither has United, Arsenal, or Liverpool. Chelsea is the most consistent team in the EPL and only a long Champions League run will hurt their chances for this title.

1. Chelsea - This could be their best shot ever at winning both the EPL and Champions League.
2. Arsenal – Picking Arsenal is always some what of a gamble, but each year they’re right in the hunt.
3. Manchester City – The only reason we didn’t pick them to win it, is because they have too many egos to gel in one season. Balotelli will go down as the greatest signing in history of football, and on paper hey have as much talent as anyone.
4. Man United – Things could get crazy if Man City is able to over take them. We just don’t have a good feeling about United this season.

The Rest – Liverpool will still be adapting to a new coach, don’t be surprised if this season is one to forget. Tottenham will be too busy with the Champions League. With Man City and Liverpool focusing heavily on the EPL title, there is little chance for any other teams to break the top four.

Serie A

Serie A might have the most competitive top 10 teams in any league in recent memory. So many teams will have a chance at the Champions League this campaign.

1. Inter Milan – They have an awful lot of talent, but you have to wonder if Milto and Sneijder can match what they did last season. Look for a lot more goals from Eto’o this year.
2. AC Milan – Everyone is down on them, but we expect the Ibra deal to be done, which will either totally change the team for the better or hurt it long term. If they can stay healthy, you have to like their chances with that offense.
3. Juventus – We’re not a fan of the 4-4-2 system. With the players they have it’s probably the wrong formation. With so many stars on one roster it could be a combustible situation in Turin. However they might have the best second string squad in the world.
4. Napoli – After a few years of build up Napoli finally has a Scudetto contending team.

The Rest – There are five other teams who could finish in the top 4. Starting with Roma, but they could be hurt by a decent Champions League run. Genoa has had the best transfer campaign in Serie A and is just about everyone’s darkhorse. Palermo will be in the mix to the end as it’s tough to go to Sicily and win. Florentina, without the European Leagues to worry about could be surprise contenders.

La Liga

This campaign could be more of the same as Real and Barc look miles ahead of the competition. Jose Mourinho has a simple mission, and that’s to win the league title and Champions League, and of course beat Barcelona at all costs. The real question for fans in Spain is if any other team will be able to step up and mount some type of challenge.

1. Real Madrid – Real have enough fire power to win the La Liga. However can the Special One handle so many stars?
2. Barcelona – The Mourinho mind games will cause them to slip up in league play.

Germany – It should be all Bayern again this year. However look for German teams to struggle a bit in European competitions. However Juventus Wolfsburg with Dezko and Diego could be a force.

France – Marseille will look to retain their title. Lyon will have a chance thanks to picking up Gourcuff.

Europa League

It might be the hardest trophy to win, and this year it will have some definite star power. We believe the winner should get an automatic bid into qualifying for the Champions League the following season. Juventus are the favorites, followed by Man City. Liverpool could shift their focus to this trophy especially if their Premier League chances look bleak. Also keep your eye on two up and coming Italian team, Napoli and Palermo.

Champions League

The most important annual trophy in the world of sports, is also one of the hardest to defend. However this year the bottom 16 teams aren’t that strong. We know this is the Championship of Europe, but they’re ton of teams with knock-out stage talent sitting on the sidelines. Maybe even magnified this year, there are only a handful of teams capable of winning this trophy. Starting at the top, I think you need to look at Chelsea, Inter Milan, Barcelona, and Real Madrid. However it probably will take Jose Mourinho two years to build the European contender he wants. Right now I’m not sure they have the defense to win this trophy, however with their attack they just might outscore everyone. In less the rest of La Liga can get it together and challenge Real or Barc, these teams have an advantage in the Champions League.

Inter will not go out easy, but they have a tough schedule with the World Championships and Serie A, not to mention a new coach. Chelsea have as good as chance as anyone, and they might have some extra focus this season.

If you start thinking about tier two teams, you have Bayern, Man U, Arsenal, AC Milan and look for Roma to be a surprise outfit. With the Champions League it always comes down to the draw in the knock out rounds, so we’ll find out.

Contenders – Chelsea, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Real Madrid

Line 2 – Bayern, Arsenal, Man Untied, AC Milan, Roma, Marseille

It should be an entertaining season, and don’t forget to the check out our bi-weekly World Soccer / Football Club Rankings

New World Soccer / Footbal Club Rankings

Our New World Soccer Club Rankings for 1-18-10 are out.

To Celebrate here is a little Samba courtesy of Ronaldinho from 4th ranked AC Milan

2009-10 European Football Preview

The European Football (Soccer) Leagues are just starting their 09-10 campaigns. The group stages of the Champions League are scheduled to begin September 15th. This summer saw three of biggest stars in the world change teams, with Cristiano Ronaldo Kaka, and Ibrahimovic all joining new teams in Spain. It looks to be a very interesting and entertaining year across the continent. Here are the 2009-10 RizzoSports.com Football predictions.

Spain (La-Liga)

1. Real Madrid – The amount of money Real spent this summer was mind-boggling. They’re built with one objective in mind, and that is to over take Barcelona. Well some people are worried about them getting all these superstars to gel, we think they’ll be motivated to defeat Barcelona, and that will be enough for the Title.

2. Barcelona – Everyone will be gunning for them this season, but it’s hard to repeat, of course there is only one way to go from here. They’ll finish close to the top, and far ahead of #3.

3. Villarreal - Spain is seriously Madrid, Barcelona and that’s it. 10 teams could fight for the third and fourth spots, we'll guess and go with Villarreal.

4. Atletico Madrid – Will Aguero take a step forward or backwards – we’ll see.

England (Premier League)



1. Chelsea – The biggest news from Chelsea this summer is the arrival of coach Carlo Ancelotti. This team has a ton of veterans and they look hungry for the League Title. We think they have it wrapped up with games to spare.

2. Manchester City – That’s right City, not United. It’s a risky pick trust us, but City have the advantage of only focusing on the league title. Adebayor will be prove to be the signing of the summer in England.

3. Manchester United – The departure of Ronaldo will be too much to make up in just one year.

4. Arsenal – It seems like all the experts are picking Arsenal to be out of the top four and Liverpool to win the title. Well don’t trust them, in a dramatic finish, the Gunners are too much for Reds and take the fourth spot, again.

Italy (Serie A)

1. Juventus – It will be a title chase for the ages in Italy, but Juventus will emerge on top. Deigo will be the star man, and with a midfield that has the likes of Melo, Sissoko, Marchisio, and Camoranesi, who needs to worry about the defense. Last time I checked Buffon was still in goal, and look out for a monster year from Iaquinta.

2. Inter - One of the greatest runs in Serie A history will come to an end this season, which is funny because this might be the best Inter team yet.

3. Roma – Roma is not deep, but their first eleven awfully strong when healthy. If they stay healthy the can do great things, and finish third.

4. AC Milan – Milan will reinforce their squad in January with a couple of big transfers. They’ll hold off Napoli and Palermo for fourth.

Germany – The German League has been stellar recent in years, but they take a step back this year, as Schalke wins the title over defending champs Wolfsburg. While Bayern struggles through the season.

France – It’s Gourcuff and Bordeaux on top followed by PSG. Lyon takes a step backwards and all the French teams struggle in the Champions League.

Champions League – It’s so difficult to pick a winner, since the Champions League comes down to the draw, especially the first round of match play. I think there are only five teams who can win it.

- Real Madrid – All they have to do is live up to their potential. We still think the circus atmosphere around the team will be to much, and they won’t make it to the final.

- Juventus – Certainly the surprise pick, but Diego will prove he’s (brace yourself) every bit as good as Messi, and lead Juventus to the final.



- Barcelona – The Champions League has to be the hardest trophy to win back to back, and for that matter alone it’s tough to pick them of the the Trophy. However wouldn’t Barcelona vs. Inter be the dream final this year.

- Inter – Last we picked them to win it, and they didn’t but if their defense can stay healthily, they might just finally win this thing.

- Chesela – They are probably the safest bet to win it. A veteran squad should finally hoist the trophy they've been aiming for for years.