Here are a few matchups for today and tomorrow (not the complete list, because honestly I have no idea who some of the teams are):
Tuesday, Sept. 28
Arsenal travels to Partizan Belgrade. The stadium is difficult to play in (very noisy) and the fans are accustomed to lighting fires in the stand. The upside for Arsenal is that they don't have Almunia in the goal (he is "injured"). Fabianski will be filling in for the Spaniard.
Real Madrid will be in Auxerre, France. Auxerre made a run for the Ligue 1 championship last year but fizzled out in the last few weeks. Their season this year has started out abysmally...5 draws, 2 losses, 5 points (17th in the table). Not that RM have started out so well either. With their scattered play, Auxerre might have a chance to garner a point.
Olympique Marseilles will be at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea. If you remember last year, it was in Marseilles' match that Cristiano was injured by Souleymane Diawara, putting CR out for several months (although giving Souley a break, a wizard also claimed credit for the blow).
Marseilles won the Ligue 1 Championship last year and quite honestly I have no idea how they will play against Chelsea.
Wednesday, Sept. 29
FC Twente visits Spurs, who are on a major downturn after being hit by injuries and poor form. Again, I don't know much about Twente, but if Spurs can't do away with bottomfeeders in the EPL, I'm not sure how well they will do against others.
Barcelona vs. Rubin Kazan. The Russian squad put the sword to Barca last year and were partially responsible for the Catalan side's narrow escape from the group stage. I expect more fireworks, as Barca has declined a bit in form and are missing their liliputian talisman...you know who.
Werder Bremen vs. Inter. With Benitez in charge, I can't imagine that the defending Champions League champs will have any success at all. It's too early to say if they can overcome the loss of their "Special" manager to RM.
Lyon vs. Hapoel Tel Aviv. Lyon made a great run last year in the CL, with keeper Hugo Lloris being the star. Their form hasn't been the greatest to start the Ligue 1 season this year, but historically the Israeli sides have been gutted by just about everyone. A shoutout to Hugo as well...he's the father of a new daughter!
MANCHESTER UNITED VS VALENCIA. Playing at the Mestalla is tricky for anyone, and especially since the Spanish side is atop the La Liga table at the moment. They are without their two Davids; Silva and Villa, whom they sold to Manchester City and Barcelona respectively. So how is it that they are in such good form? Hmmmm. I want us to beat them, but for their La Liga form to continue...for several reasons. One, they have the best crest (aside from United's) of any club...LOVE THE BAT! Second, I would love for them or Sevilla or practically anyone else besides Barca and RM to win the league...but not the Champions League...that's for us!
This will be a strange match for me. I will be wearing my new United away kit...that happens to say VALENCIA 25 on the back. Weird!
Get well, Antonio!
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