Europa League, Champions League, Calcio Mercato

Europa League: All Italian sides go through

It was a good evening in general for the Italian sides in Europe. All three sides, Lazio, Roma and Genoa, have made it through to the group stages of the Europa League.

Elfsborg 1-0 Lazio, Lazio win 3-1 on agg
Lazio traveled to Sweden with a three goal advantage and looked to consolodate their decent form of late. Talisman Tomasso Rocchi should have put Lazio in front after 28 minutes or so in the first half, but his effort was saved well from six yards out. It was 0-0 at half time, but Elfsborg came out fighting. Lazio were content to sit back and absolrb pressure, but they did rely on some outstanding saves from young keeper Nando Muslera. Elfsborg broke the deadlock on 70 minutes with a headed goal, but despite being pushed back Lazio never really looked in any significant danger. Zarate was introduced and gave Lazio more ambition up front, but that did not last long as the outstanding wing back Kolarov was sent off for a dangerous tackle as tempers flared in Sweden. It finished 1-0, and was a timley reminder to Claudio Lotito that Lazio do need more midfield strength whether it be through dissenti Ledesma or the much admired Gaetano D'Agostino.

Roma 7-1 Kosice , Roma win 10-4 on agg
Roma absolutely ran riot in Rome tonight. The tie was dead after eight minutes during which Roma has scored three times, twice through Totti. It was 5-1 by half time after Alessio Cerci and Jeremy Menez added a fourth and fifth after Francesco Totti decided to un wrap some of his party piece tricks by supplying Menez with a checky back heel. Poor old Kosice did not know what had hit. For them it only got worse, as late on Riise added goal number six and Totti then completed his hatrick.

Odense 1-1 Genoa , Genoa win 4-2 on agg
Genoa completed a good end to a good start of the season by ensuring their participation in the group phase of the Europa League. This one was a lively game in Denmark in which the Danish side gave themselves a great chance of going through by taking the lead just before half time to put the Grifoni under pressure. Watching this, I admit, I was concerned for them. One goal more and Odense would be going through, but eight minutes into the second half Genoa confirmed their superiority. Domenico Criscito fired home a strong left footed shot from the left hand side of the D. Effectively that killed the game and it ended 1-1.

Elsewhere in the Europa League
Villareal confirmed why they are one of the favourites for this title by also running up a cricket score at home in Spain. Valencia are through as well as Everton, Fulham, Athletico Bilbao, Hamburg, Werder Bremen and Hertha Berlin. Ajax are through as well, but Aston Villa and former holders Zenit St Petersburg have crashed out tonight.

Champions League
The draw was made for the Champions league today, and an ironic one it was at that. Milan will face Real Madrid, Marseille and FC Zurich. So, Kaka will face his former employer in the Rossoneri. What reception will he receive at the San Siro? Inter have been group with Barcelona, Dianamo Kiev and Rubin Kazan. So, in another touch of irony Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to the San Siro quicker than he initially expected. Juventus have been grouped with Bayern Munich, Bordeaux and Maccabi Haifa in a more balanced group but one I expect them to top nonetheless. Fiorentina will make the trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, and will also play Lyon and Debrecen of Hungary. An interesting draw with many interesting permutations.


Calcio Mercato
Reports are eminating that Inter Milan have finally signed Dutch International creative midfielder Wesley Sneijder from Real Madrid. This is a great coup for them as the Ducth exodus continues at Madrid, with Klass Jan Huntelaar having already left for AC Milan and today glass man Arjen Robben reportedly having been signed fby Bayern. I will be watching how the Sneijder move developed, and it should be confirmed soon.