Italian Cup 3rd Round: Parma - Juventus 1-3

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Zebina, Andrade, Legrottaglie (46' Boumsong), Chiellini; Nocerino (59' Molinaro), Almiron, Tiago, Salihamidzic; Iaquinta (79' Palladino), Trezeguet
Subs: Belardi, Duravia, Castiglia, Esposito

Parma:
Castellini: 75' pen, awarded a penalty for a Zebina foul on Budan;

Molinari: 62', cross by Chiellini was headed in perfectly by Molinaro
Almiron: 73', Almiron got a free kick from just outside the penalty area; he took it himself and scored, his powerful shot smashing through the wall
Salihamidzic: 82', whose shot from the edge of the box was deflected by a defender into the net

I can't watch this game, so here is the update.

070826: Man Utd 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs

All it took was a moment of brilliance from a future Man Utd legend as Nani scored his first competitive goal for Man Utd.

My prediction went awry as the Man Utd defence totally exhibited a brand of defending that made Tottenham really happy as Berbatov proved to be a nuisance all night, which coupled with another poor night of offence, showed that Man Utd still needs to prove their title credentials.

In the end, Man Utd undeservedly came away with a victory.

The warning signs started in the first minute as Keane (after a marvellous back-heel from Berbatov) tried an audacious effort from 25 yards, but fortunately, the ball clipped the bar.

I hope this win will show that Man Utd needs to work on a Plan C, which certain Devils can do and that is long-range shooting eg. Scholes, Carrick and now, Nani. From my previous review, Plan B is about getting goals from corners and set-pieces.

Next up; Sunderland.

Serie A begins! Juventus returned with a BIG BANG

Serie A begins! Juventus returned with a BIG BANG.

Juventus 5 - 1 Livorno

SCV is not showing Serie A matches anymore, so I could not watch this game.

JUVENTUS: Buffon; Salihamidzic (74' Zebina), Andrade, Criscito, Chiellini; Nocerino, Zanetti, Almiron (79' Tiago), Nedved; Del Piero (60' Iaquinta), Trezeguet
Subs: Belardi, Molinaro, Camoranesi, Palladino

Trezeguet scored a faboulous hat-trick and new signing, Iaquinta, scored a brace in a storming victory.

As reflected in the line-up, there are numerous new faces signed in the summer who made their competitive Serie A debut.

I hope this win will propel Juventus to the place where they belong come the end of the season; the King of Serie A.

070819: Man City 1 - 0 Man Utd

Man Utd played this game without Ronaldo who began his first suspension after his red card in midweek, allowing Hargreaves a chance to make his debut. The team was otherwise unchanged.

The scoreline did not reflect Man Utd's performance, which in truth, though not convincing, they did at least deserved a draw. The goal scored by Geovanni came out of the blue and it was one of those annoying games when the team play crap football yet they are able to steal the win from more illustrious and masterful opponents.

As with against Reading last weekend, only one team turned up to play football. Man Utd, for the 3rd game had about 20 shots on goal and Kasper Schmeichel was having the game of his life in the Man City goal as his father, ex-Red and the legendary Peter Schmeichel looked on with pride though I am sure he was rooting somewhat for Man Utd too.

Micah Richards, a full-back for the last couple of seasons, had a storming game in central defence, shutting out Tevez effectively. Credit to Sven Goran Eriksson, manager of Man City, who probably took note of Portsmouth handling of the Argentinian in the midweek game.

Tevez had numerous chances to score and Vidic highlighted my previous match review as he crashed his header against the crossbar shortly after the start of the 2nd half. Sadly, that was the only real chance for Vidic to display his aerial prowess offensively.

It is still early days but obviously Man Utd has to start winning soon. Once they find their groove, hopefully it will kickstart their season. What I feel Sir Alex needs to do is to work on Plan B, and that is to rely more on corners and set-pieces.

There were a few moments in the game when the ball was centered in from the wings low instead of high, and to some extent, they caused some trouble in Man City defence, so the offence needs to work on when exactly to time their runs into the box when the crosses come in as such because aerial wise, Man Utd really does not have options.

There is still time before the transfer season closes, so a tall striker could and should be bought because the next time Sir Alex can buy such a striker would only be in January, and by then Man Utd may just be blown away from the title race. I won't even talk about the possibility relegation but as I said in my first match review, if teams were to play like Reading, and now Man City, relegation seems a possibility.

070815: Portsmouth 1 - 1 Man Utd

This was a game Man Utd was predicted to win, and again, try as they might, they yet again managed only a draw.

The game was similar to the one at the weekend in that Man Utd again had 20plus shots at goal, but different in that the opposition, Portsmouth, actually turned up to play football.

My favourite player, Carlos Tevez (other than Giggs and Vidic) made his full debut and he had a lively outing despite being deployed as a lone forward. The starting XI were as predicted but there was something wrong with the formation nevertheless.

As a whole, Man Utd have an excellent and stable defence, probably minus Wes Brown, though he did his part as a right back. However, a good defence can only do so much and needs the offence to score. The way Portsmouth scored came from a player (Benjani) who rushed in from deep, so it's hard to fault the Man Utd defence for not picking him up.

Scholes and Carrick are the best players right now in the central midfield (we have yet to see Hargreaves). They also are, as fans might know, very good at unlocking defence, and I felt they were under-utilised in the game.

This was mostly due to the (presumed) fact that Nani had the ball more often than most of the Man Utd players combined. As a result, we see him hogging the left wing more often than we see Ronaldo on the right. It was only in the last half hour that Ronaldo proved effective as he played more centrally despite this being foreseen in the first half. Nani is Ronaldo in Ronaldo's first year; tricky but not effective. Thus, I am surprised Ronaldo didn't exert his usual influence.

Giggs played a competent game as the 2nd striker but he marked this game with a few uncharacteristic awry passes.

Tevez was unfortunate to come up with 2 very excellent (tall) Portsmouth defenders. Yet, he managed to give me (and others) a glimpse of his undoubted talent with a great knee-down control before volleying over in the 2nd half. He also played a part in Man Utd's 1st goal of the season.

I wonder what would have happen if the two strikers had switched roles. Giggs is not really the tallest player, but at least, he is much taller than Tevez.

The unfortunate part is that Man Utd lacked a tall player who can dominate the aerial attack and they play normally on the ground. The occasional occasions when they play the high ball is normally from clearances from the defence and also from the wings. In set-pieces e.g. corners and free-kicks, they have at least Vidic to rely on.

Speaking of corners, Man Utd should really take advantage because this is where they can have Vidic in offence and when playing against stubborn defence. The corners are woefully awful and Giggs gave me the impression he is not interested at all in taking corners. In fact, it was the same against Reading too.

I wonder what will happen if Man Utd had played with a taller striker, or at least if Giggs and Tevez had swapped roles. The sub, John O' Shea, could have been utilised in the role too, as he possess such the necessary build in question.

Whatever happens, Man Utd have got to have a plan B, and that is mainly to make use of the dead ball situations.

Ronaldo was sent off, so he will miss the next 3 games. Despite this, Man Utd still have some good players to replace. Maybe Hargreaves or Anderson will get their chance.

I will like to compliment Martin Crainie who was making his debut because of injury to Sol Campbell. He really shut down Man Utd's offence more often than I will have like.

070812: Man Utd 0 - 0 Reading

If all the teams were to play like Reading against the Devils, then we will be relegated to the Championship league for sure.

Steve Coppell & Reading came up with a defensive rearguard performance that will have done my favourite national team, the Azzuri (Italy), proud.

We had lots of chances (25 shots) to kill the game but it was one of those days when you can throw a rock at at an egg and the egg still won't break.

I don't agree with the "expert" analysts that Man Utd needs an out-and-out striker i.e. Van Nistelrooy because we won the League last season anyway without having a recognised striker for the most part of the season.

It proved again last night as almost the entire team had shots on goal. We look good. The defence had nothing much to do. The midfield (and offence, as the front two strikers are not really strikers) was somewhat overhitting their crosses but they were crosses. There were abundance of jinking runs and slight shimmies and lots of brilliant individual flair.

Nani replaced Rooney at half time who was injured (later scanned and proved that he will be out of action for 2 months at least) by Michael Duberry, and he too made a decent impression though I felt his passing needs lots of work because he kept underhitting them.

I am not too sure of the subs' bench. Fletcher, O'Shea, Pique and Nani was there. Fletcher is not Carrick and O'Shea is not getting his favoured central defence role and he is also not Carrick, and definitely not a striker as how Fergie deployed him last night. I did not really think about it before but Mourinho (Chelsea manager) suggested a good idea to have 7 on the bench instead of 5. It will have come in useful last night.

I hope all teams don't play like that when they visit Old Trafford because it will prove to be a gargantuan effort for us to retain the title.

070811: Sunderland 1 - 0 Tottenham Hotspurs

The EPL began at 7.40pm Singapore time today.

Sunderland won a close match 1-0. It was an entertaining match, despite the lack of more goals. I was rooting for Sunderland, because of Roy Keane, and they were deserving winners in the end at the Stadium of Light. Michael Chopra started to justify his 5mil move scoring the match winner deep in injury time and sending Roy Keane (manager), Niall Quinn (chairman) and the home fans into rapturous celebration.

I had caught the game from the 35th minute onwards, and Sunderland looked every bit Premiership quality throughout all areas of the field. They are definitely in their element and based on this game, the signs look seriously promising for them to stay in the Premiership.

There was a moment in the game that impressed me when the Sunderland defence failed to clear their line properly in the 70+ min, but they didn't panic and was composed and confident, unlike most defence of other teams that I have watched. They were also confidently passing the ball around and the right winger, Carlos Edwards, look like a man to watch this season.

Darren Bent was introduced for his debut EPL game for the Spurs since his move from Charlton, in place of Tainio in the 60+ min, meaning Totteham played a 4-3-3 formation. Despite this, because of Zokora, they never threatened the Sunderland goal, who had Premiership debutant, Craig Gordon, in goal. Gordon is a recent record British transfer signing (for a GK @ 9mil) from Hearts of Scotland.

Tottenham played poorly and honestly, I do not know why they chose Zokora to start the game in place of Huddlestone, who volleyed a sumptious strike (that was saved) with his first touch after coming on as a substitute late on in the game.

Martin Jol, manager of the Spurs, seriously need a definite starting XI before tinkering with the formation and players later on in the season. The defence is well-marshalled enough with Anthony Garnder and debutant, Younes Kaboul, in central defence. The offence definitely oozes quality with 5 top strikers, at which time only 2 can play, so I'll probably suggest Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane to continue leading the line. The midfield will be good enough minus Zokora.

Now, for Newcastle and Bolton. I am rooting for Newcastle. Tyneside should be happy Sam Allardyce is their manager. They look like dark horses this season. Allardyce is, of course, facing his old club. I predict a Newcastle win with Alan Smith (sorry you didn't make it Man Utd) probably scoring!