Serie A Season Preview

Normally the sight of a man wearing nothing more than his underwear in public is reason for concern.

Surely the authorities should have taken this miscreant into custody for lewd behaviour, or at least instruct him to put his clothes back on. However, security and police just sat back and watched the entire spectacle unfold as fans ran onto the field and stripped Juventus captain Giorgio Chiellini in joyous celebration after clinching thescudetto with one match to spare.

A week later, Juventus Stadium was filled to capacity and ready to celebrate the club's 28th domestic championship -- though, by the club's count it was number 30, failing to recognize the two titles that were stripped from them by the Italian Football Federation following theCalciopoli scandal in 2006. Arguments aside, Juventus topped the table last season with an undefeated record, winning 23 of 38 matches. It was a monumental achievement.

To read more of my preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/23/seriea_italy_juventus_milan_intermilan/

Bundesliga Season Preview

Heads weighed heavy in the hands of the defeated. Teary eyed and exhausted, the look on the players' faces was all too familiar.

Although, the league was lost weeks before, Bayern Munich watched Borussia Dortmund lift the German Cup following a lopsided result that secured a domestic double for the back-to-back Bundesliga champions. It was another stark reminder of the Bavarian giants' place in the new order.

One week later, the agony was amplified even further as Bayern lost the Champions League final in the friendly confines of their own Allianz Arena, falling just shy of making history by losing on penalties. Overall, the 2012 campaign was filled with heartache and disappointment for Jupp Heynckes' side.
A new season kicks off this weekend, and the 50th anniversary of Germany's top division will be celebrated with much fanfare and optimism by the 18 clubs competing for the title -- though Bayern and Dortmund are the favourites to battle it out once again for domestic supremacy.


To read the rest of my season preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/21/bundesliga_germany_dortmund_bayern/

EPL Season Preview - Part Two

The beauty of the English Premiership is the competition.

Critics can point to the fact that only five clubs have ever lifted the title in 20 years, and all but one hailed from outside London or Manchester -- and was 18 years ago.

But the drama and entertainment is not segregated only at the top of the pyramid, where lucrative European places are up for grabs. The stakes at the other end of the table are just as valuable.

The rewards might not be as glamorous as the explosions of fireworks and confetti raining down from above that accompanies every trophy raise, though, the financial ramifications are monumental for the smaller clubs. The fear of relegation looms large, as does the hope of breaking into the top half and beyond, albeit an inconceivable concept at best.

To read the rest of my season preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/16/premiership_england_epl/

EPL Season Preview - Part One

It was the most thrilling ending to a Premier League campaign since its inception 20 years ago, the pendulum of momentum swaying right up until the final whistle.

As the seconds ticked away at Etihad Stadium, the mood inside was one of anxiety and disbelief amongst the 60,000 supporters packed within its walls. Manchester City was on the verge of letting the title slip through its fingers, with their rivals Manchester United restlessly awaiting the outcome over 200 kilometres away and ready to celebrate a record 20th championship.

With the seconds ticking and City a goal down, only a victory would see the blue side of Manchester burst into joyous celebration. In two minutes everything changed, as Edin Dzeko tied the match before Sergio Aguero sent the home crowd into delirium by scoring the thrilling match winner in injury time that crowned Manchester City champions. Even the losers joined in on the celebrations, as Queens Park Rangers managed to avoid the drop despite defeat. Hollywood could not have written a better script.

To read the rest of my season preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/15/premiership_england_epl_machester_chelsea/

La Liga Season Preview

As the curtain fell on an entertaining, though somewhat predictable 2011-12 La Liga season, a new champion emerged, ending a three-year reign of arguably the greatest club team in football history.

Real Madrid won its 32nd league title by a nine-point margin, claiming the prestigious honour behind enemy lines at the Nou Camp through a 2-1 victory that effectively ended Barcelona’s hopes of a fourth consecutive championship. Jose Mourinho guided his side to numerous single season records that included 100 points, 121 goals scored, a plus-89 goal differential, 16 away wins and a total of 32 overall victories. The season was a colossal success for theMadridista’s.

The Pep Guardiola era did end on a positive note as Barca lifted the Copa Del Rey by thoroughly thrashing overachievers Athletic Bilbao in convincing fashion. It was los Leones’ second cup final loss in a matter of weeks following a hammering in the Europa League final against Atletico Madrid, confirming the Spanish capital’s monopoly of domestic silverware in 2012. It was Atletico’s second European trophy in a three year span.

To read the rest of my season preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/14/la_liga_spain_barcelona_real_madrid/

Ligue 1 Season Preview

The south coast of France has long since nursed their champagne hangover after Montpellier shocked the country by claiming its first Ligue 1 title.

It was a miraculous finish to a spectacular 2011-12 season, one that saw the eventual champions defying the odds to earn a place in French football history.

But with the cork about to pop on another campaign, it should be noted that a sizeable shift in power has drastically altered the very foundation of the French league. The emergence of Paris Saint-Germain as a European super club has taken shape, overshadowing the festivities and making the chances of a photo finish similar to last season unlikely.

The upcoming Ligue Un season brings with it a number of interesting narratives besides the Parisians’ anticipated dominance. Lille will try and cope to life without the services of Eden Hazard while balancing their domestic ambitions and rigours of Europe. Montpellier will attempt the unthinkable and defend their title without the fire power of a key contributor.

Marseille is primed to avenge a disastrous mid-table finish that brought with it a change in direction. Even seven-time champions Lyon is a club in transition and looking for redemption after a poor season by its relatively high standards.

One thing is certain: the French league has raised its profile and is receiving a lot of positive press. In the long run everyone benefits with the bar being significantly raised.

To read the rest of my season preview click on the link below...

http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/2012/08/08/lige_un_france_psg/