Weekend Recap

Published by William | Filed under Football (aka soccer)

After what was quite an exciting weekend of football, it’s safe to say that some of our burning preseason inquiries were answered. Or at least somewhat.


1.) Is Arsenal that good?


The Gunners lost a heartbreaker this Saturday and must be absolutely kicking themselves in the rear for giving the match away. With that being said, it is still tough for me to take a clear position on how they will finish this season. I think they are good and will certainly finish in the top 3 but I still am not convinced that they are strong enough defensively and even more so, strong enough mentally. The Diaby own goal was just horrifying. It really looked as if he meant to do it! I understand that these things happen from time to time but after watching the replay countless times, I’m not sure what he was trying to do. Oh well. On a bright note, Arshavin appears as if he has assumed the leadership position of this team. Aside from his brilliant long range strike in the first half, he really showed true signs of greatness in creating some of the chances that he did. Van Persie was also very impressive despite failing to find the net. His goals will come. All in all, I think Arsenal is good but I’m starting to lean towards Chelsea as the front runner for the league.


2.) Is Manchester United any good?


I think United showed that they are still for real this weekend against Arsenal. For starters, their defense is in my opinion, phenomenal, especially in the midfield. They were extremely disruptive and prevented Arsenal from playing their game, hence Arsene Wenger’s recent complaints. I will say however, that the refs were absolutely awful and the Red Devils will not get away with what they did on Saturday for the entire season, so I’ll give Wenger that. As for their performance in the scoring third of the pitch, they are certainly not as explosive as they were with Ronaldo, which goes without saying. However, Rooney has been brilliant and I feel, in Ronaldo’s absence, is much less tentative (not that he really was before). I don’t know if it’s that he was that much outshone when along side CR, but I am seeing a side of Wayne that I feel like I haven’t for the past two seasons.


3.) Will Real Madrid lose a game?


Well since I didn’t actually see any of the game this weekend, it’s tough for me to put in my legitimate two cents. But from everything I am reading and obviously, the score, they were not mind blowing in their La Liga debut. The defense seems to be a real issue for the new Galacticos and will need to tighten up if they are to actualize what they aspire to be. Ronaldo got another penalty which looks good on the score sheet but in my opinion, is a lame goal for his highly publicized debut. Just as how everybody claimed that it would take time for Man City’s new team to mesh before they show some results, I think the same is true of Real and maybe even more so with all of their star-loaded squad. Good news is that they got the win and there is a long season ahead for them to get it together.


4.) Who will prevail as the kings of Milan?


This one’s pretty clear-cut. Inter put a straight up ass whooping on AC Milan this weekend in their 4-0 derby embarrassment. I was a little thrown off by their disappointing 1-1 draw to Bari but now we might be able to accredit that to them looking ahead to Milan. Either way, Internazionale made a big time statement about their title defense. Meanwhile, the other team from Milan is looking as if they may be worse off than we thought. I don’t know if there is enough gas in Ronaldinho’s tank to carry this team by himself, even if we was able to bring back his ways of old. They need to sign someone and quickly if they wish to sell any seats at San Siro.