Manchester United, Chelsea & Arsenal all set for their 'Italian Job'

It's England v Italy - the Premiership v Serie A in the last 16 of the Champions League. Intriguing fixtures with the tinker man, Claudio Ranieri returning to Chelsea, the scene of some disgusting football conduct. Arsenal and Roma do battle once more; two excellent footballing sides lock horns in a tie that has all the right ingredients to be one to remember. But the tie of the round has to be Premiership, European and World champions Manchester United versus Scudetto winners Internazionale.

Its Fergie v Jose - let the battle commence. Looking at Roma against Arsenal, I think this will be an extremely entertaining tie, with Arsenal coming through a tough Roman test. Although Roma can play some breathtaking football and even taking into account their 3-1 demolition of Chelsea, they have been extremely inconsistent this season. Coupled with the attacking threat posed by Adebayor and Van Persie alike, the gunners will be too strong for the Giallorossi. Arsenal have had their problems as well, but in Arsene Wenger they have a manager who can reassure young inexperienced players and steady the ship. Destiny, it can be said plays a part in the Champions League and with the final being held in Rome, there will be plenty of Romans who feel their side have enough quality to achieve this goal and give The Eternal City's favourite son a night to remember.

An altogether more interesting tie waits in the shape of Juventus against Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri returns to the club that shamelessly sacked him four and a half years back with a Juventus side in sparkling form. Only 2 months ago, Ranieri was on his last legs and dismissal was only one game away, but he masterminded two victories over Real Madrid and embarked on a magnificent winning run, only losing to Inter (courtesy of a dubious Muntari goal). Chelsea on the other hand has been slipping up at home recently and are not performing as many thought or expected they would. Luis Felipe Scolari is under increasing pressure to galvanise a stuttering side, and with an apparent lack of funds to strengthen in January, his attacking options seem a bit light.

Scolari, in my opinion is tactically naive and Chelsea only have one way to play, with the wing backs an irreplaceable cog in the Brazilian's machine. If Juventus realise this, just as the rest of the premiership have, they will most certainly take control of the tie. Juve though, do seem to lack a bit of quality and seem to grind out results through sheer hard work, but with Buffon and the other injured players back they will have enough to see the Chelsea threat. I do believe some will call that ‘Karma.'

Jose Mourinho has started the mind games already, apparently, "Zlatan Ibrahimovic is better than Cristiano Ronaldo." A statement sure to fire up the Portuguese Ballon d'Or winner and one which I do not agree with, despite my admiration of Ibra-cadabra's unquestionable talents. Images of Jose rampaging down the touchline in 2004 will surely be in the forefront of Sir Alex's mind in the lead up to this clash and with only one victory over a Jose Mourinho managed team in 12 attempts, Sir Alex will no doubt be going all out for a convincing victory.

The key will be in my opinion Zlatan Ibrahimovic, when he plays, Inter play. Mourinho will prepare thoroughly as he always does, but Zlatan is a special player who can change games and win matches single-handed. Inter's back line may be a point of weakness United can exploit, but having only conceded 11 goals in Serie A this season, it is not a handicap they will be worried about. Manchester United should have enough attacking options and creativity to overhaul a sturdy Inter defence. Coupled with a defence of their own, that is more than capable of repelling Inter's attacking menace, I cannot see past United.

Putting my neck on the line and making such predictions the final score stands at 2-1 to the premiership... Just. All the games have their own story and are equally intriguing. Only time will tell if I am a new-age soothsayer.

Can Beckham prove the catalyst that AC Milan so desperately need?

With David Beckham the new AC Milan number 32 officially unveiled to the AC Milan fans on 21st December before the Milan, Udinese fixture. I ask- what effect the veteran England midfielder will have on an ailing Milan side?Arriving with Senor Beckham is a new level of media attention not seen in Milanello for a number of years. His talents are unquestioned and with a glittering career behind him, playing for two of the games giants, he returns to Europe, from the USA to join a third.

Milan at this point are in a somewhat disaffected state, ravaged by injuries to key players, losing ground in the title race, struggling in Europe and a with string of unconvincing performances, there have been calls of crisis. Can Beckham drag this fallen giant from the depths just as he did during his final season with Real Madrid?

It can be argued Milan need a right-sided midfielder, Rino Gatusso had been deployed on the right side of a three man midfield, though he is not an attacking threat. The marauding wing back Zambrotta, provides the threat down the right. Ronaldinho drifts, Kaka is best played in the centre and Seedorf likes to cut in from the left, thus Beckham has a real opportunity to establish himself in the Milan side.

What can he offer Milan? Most people want players playing on the wing to take people on or to coin a phrase ‘beat a man.' Beckham is not this man, but he can deliver a ball into the penalty area like no one else, he doesn't need to beat his man. As a dead ball specialist, I don't think he will get an opportunity especially when arguably the worlds greatest dead-ball expert in Andrea Pirlo an automatic first choice in the same team.

He is apparently only there to keep his fitness up and remain in contention for an England call up, I am of the opinion he still wants to prove he can perform at the highest level, rising to this challenge is something I envisage he will most definitely do. His first experience in the San Siro was a fantastic one as Milan crushed Udinese 5-1 with Beckham and family in the stands. The Brand Beckham effect may be far reaching indeed.

The likelihood of him staying for the remainder of the season may be a point of debate with his loan contract ending on 30th June, but there is a gentlemen's agreement to release Beckham for the start of the MLS season, on March 9. He ‘quashed' this speculation when questioned on the topic, saying, "I'll enjoy myself and all, but I will then return to Los Angeles," said the midfielder. "Victoria has always liked Milan as a city and comes here for the fashion week. We're staying here for three months. That's it."

So his impact will be short, 10 games at most (if he leaves in March) but he could be the catalyst Milan are searching for and his work rate my rub off on a few of his new Milan teammates.

AC Milan: Revolution or Regression?

Having only won 2 games out of the last 8 in all competitions, and boasting worldwide talents such as Kaka, Ronaldinho and Andrea Pirlo, why have Milan struggled somewhat this term? After last night's 4-2 defeat to Juventus, which leaves the Rossoneri 9pts behind city, rivals Inter. Have AC Milan's Scudetto hopes been extinguished and where will they go from here?Questions posed by every Milan fan around the globe. After a summer of high profile signings most notable being Ronaldinho, the Milanese were expectant, with no Champions League to ‘distract' them from the main goal, an 18th Scudetto.

Carlo Ancelotti's side made hard work of the early season, struggling to win games but these were wins nonetheless. Trouncing Lazio 4-1 and the derby day victory papered over the cracks somewhat. Milan have struggled against the so-called smaller teams, and a last minute Inzaghi equaliser against Portsmouth saving il Diavolo's blushes.

Ronaldinho has been roundly criticised for his lack of fitness and apparently is ‘not the player he once was.' This seemed to be an almost daily headline in Gazzetta dello Sport. He has answered his critics, while not being as athletic compared to a couple of years ago, he has contributed 7 goals in 12appearances. Not the form of a so-called has been.

Milan have also been in the firing line for having an aging squad and a decaying defence. With Maldini, Favalli, Zambrotta and Kaladze all the wrong side of 30 and some closer to 40, it has been suggested this is the reason for the secretion of goals. However, the ‘Milan Lab' is world-renowned and is widely known to be the best fitness and injury prevention centre in football. Real Madrid have tried and failed to copy this model.

Then we come to the enigma of Kaka, a truly dazzling player and arguably the world's best. He has not been on top form so far this term, but without him Milan are somewhat impotent in attack. He is their main threat and creative force. Rumblings in and around the fashion capital are that he will be sold in the summer to finance a complete rebuilding of that aging back-line. This, in my opinion would be a complete disaster for the Rossoneri, as in such as short time he has become synonymous with the Milan brand and integral to the football club.

With all these issues and a terrible recent run the winter break cannot come fast enough for Carletto and with the media spotlight going to shine ever brighter, will Ancelotti survive another trophy-less season. Rumours are rife, coupled with the glare of brand Beckham; there is unease developing around Milanello. I feel change is coming.

Christmas: What is it all about?

Beyond the trees and lights, Beyond the bows and wrapping paper, Beyond the sounds of carolers and smells of gingerbread, Beyond the armloads of gifts and the grim reality of credit card bills, Beyond red-suit clad Santa’s and tiny angels adorned with tin foil halos, Ever wondered what Christmas was all about? Far from the glamorous festivities that mark today's celebrations, the first Christmas proved the humblest of events. 

   

A couple engaged, but not yet married, traveled to a distant city to pay taxes. Adding to the rigors of the journey was the woman's very-pregnant condition. Despite her state, she claimed to be a virgin and said the child she carried was the Son of God, not the product of any human relationship. How the tongues must have wagged in ancient Palestine! Probably they questioned her sanity. Certainly they challenged her morality. And they must have wondered about the intelligence of her husband-to-be. What sort of man would marry a woman about to have a child that was not his? 

     

Whatever the community thought, Mary knew the truth. Joseph initially doubted his bride-to-be's fantastical story, but an angel appeared to him one night and told him that the child was indeed God's and that his fiancée was pure and honorable, a suitable wife. After that night, Joseph needed no more convincing. Together, the couple made plans for their new life as one flesh, and for the addition that was soon to grace their family. That meant obeying Caesar and paying taxes. 

     

Yet when the twosome reached the city, they could find nowhere to stay. Every room in the city was taken. Mary's condition complicated matters. The child was ready to be born. And as any woman who has ever given birth knows, babies don't delay their arrivals because of inadequate facilities. 

     

Finding no other shelter, Joseph and Mary settled for a stable--a common barn filled with animals and the accompanying smells. The baby came, but no soft receiving blankets graced his skin.  No sterile crib awaited the squirming newborn. Mary did the best she could for her baby. She wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in the softest spot the barn offered--a trough filled with hay. 

     

Glamorous? No. 

     

Festive? Hardly. 

     

But glorious? Yes. A thousand times yes. 

   

 

You see, like any proud father, the infant's Father (God Himself) hastened to announce His Son's birth. Yet unlike any other father, He proclaimed the good news as only God could.

Without warning, the night sky over Bethlehem came alive. An angel split the night-sky, hovering over a pasture filled with shepherds. Fear gripped their hearts, but the heavenly visitor immediately spoke peace. 

 "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

     

Before they had time to regain their composure, similar creatures literally filled the sky. And angelic praise shattered the typical evening quiet. 

The shepherds probably didn't think twice. Who would have under the circumstances?

Abandoning their flocks, they headed back into Bethlehem. They didn't stop until they found the child about whom the angels sang. Then, there in the barn, they worshipped the newborn King.

That is the glorious event we do celebrate, every year on the 25^th of December.

With a tree bursting at the base with gifts so thoughtfully chosen, and decorated with such care and precision, it arrives. Has Santa been, kids everywhere rush from their bunk beds to see what delights await. The latest Power Ranger or Barbie doll? Parents across the country despair. After a typically chaotic present opening session the hard work commences. Turkey – DONE! In the immortal words of Gordon Ramsey.

Sitting round the overly crowded dining table with family members you wont see till next Christmas or Easter if your lucky, we gather round the television to watch the Queen’s speech, listening intently as we are given a message of hope and optimism for the future. Alternatively, as a growing number do, you can flick over to Channel 4 for an enlightened look at the years events, usually brought to you by modern cultural powerhouses namely Ali G or Marge Simpson.

Then, after consuming a years worth of calories in one sitting, a bloated kindred plunk themselves on the sofa and relax as Goldfinger or any other 007 that happens to be transmitted begins before the round of special episodes commence. A particular highlight for most is the yearly screening of ‘The Snowman’ a true Christmas masterpiece. Have we forgotten why we gather on this day?

I ask, on the days leading up to the monumentous day, while trawling round the shops looking for that perfect gift for your sibling, parent or significant other. Becoming increasingly annoyed by the endless repeating of Slade and Wizzard, combined with whatever a Z-list celebrity has decided to call an ‘X-mas’ song. Think about those less fortunate. After all this time of year is about giving, forgiveness and goodwill to all.

I wish you all a very happy Christmas.