Weekend Round Up: World Football

Spain:

Really Real Madrid, did you need to spend all that money for a 3-2 result at home against weaker opposition?

That has been the story of the team for the past few seasons. Kaka had a few moments of brilliance, and Ronaldo looked decent (apart from some woeful free kicks he sent 20 rows back), and got on the score sheet with the penalty (I don't think Raul dove like everyone else).

I was surprised to see Benzema start, as Pipita Higuain was the club's top scorer last year, and a decent preseason certainly warranted a place.

Congrats to Lass, who I think is the only really intelligent signing made by Madrid the past two years. I was never impresed Arbeloa for Liverpool, and he was equally missing in action against Deportivo.

Albiol is a bit overrated as well. Everyone brings up how he won Euro 2008, but he was on the bench when his former Valencia teammate Carlos Marchena played with Puyol in the center of defense. I don't think he was the answer to a shoddy backline.

I must also say that I think Madrid made a mistake letting Robben and Sneijder go, as they were both dynamic for their new clubs this weekend. Another Madrid outcast (although rightfully so) Roberto Salgado had a hat trick for Getafe. Overall, I'd have to say former Madrid players looked better than the current bunch this weekend.

Madrid's second biggest team, Atletico Madrid, were completely whacked at Malaga 3-0. It was a really disappointing start for a team I have high expectations for this season. Nabil Baha scored a sensational overhead kick, and I have to feel for new goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo who was left stranded thanks to bad marking from two set pieces.

Another club in this season's Champions League, Sevilla, were skunked by a side who look to be in Europe's premier club competition next season, Valencia. Los Che made the breakthrough in the second half after Kanoute had been sent off for Sevilla.

Barcelona strolled to an easy win against Sporting Gijon without Messi, Marquez, Henry, Yaya Toure and Iniesta. While Messi left for South America early for Argentina vs. Brazil, his opponent in that match, Dani Alves, does not figure to start for his country, so he stayed and was Barca's best player.

Seydou Keita was also impressive, flicking on a corner for Bojan to nod home, before getting on the score sheet himself from Alves's cross. Zlatan Ibrahimovic capped a very poor night by opening his Barca account with a diving header after a Sporting player had flicked on another Alves cross.

With so many big names missing, I was forced to again be impressed by Barca's youth system. I know they still spend tons of money, but the heart of the team lies in the strength and deapth in the youngsters. Bojan, Pedro, Busquets, Jeffren, and Fontas all stepped in without missing a beat. Then again, almost anyone can look good with Xavi distributing the ball and dictating the pace of play like he did today.

Italy

The Derby della Madonnina started as a chippy affair and Milan looked the better side early, but that all changed. I was just as impressed with Jose Mourinho's signings as I was with Barca's youth system.

Diego Milito was in fantastic form, setting up two goals, one for new boy Thiago Motta, and another for Maicon, the man who keeps Dani Alves out of the Brazil team. Milito was able to open up his account with a penalty, won by yet another new signing, Samuel Eto'o.

At the back, Lucio (brought in from Bayern Munich) and Walter Samuel were dominant, allowing Maicon to bomb forward at will. In the middle of the park, Motta, Dejan Stankovic, and captain Javier Zanetti bossed Milan's aging group, allowing Mourinho's newest signing, Wesley Sneijder, to run rampant.

The Dutchman was unlucky to not get on the score sheet when he was denied by a fantastic flying save from Storari. Sneijder looks to be the trequartista Mourinho had been craving, and if he can remain in form, Inter will be tough to beat in Italy and Europe.

Saying Milan are in shambles would be polite. Gattuso is done. I thought this after the Confederations Cup, and this pathetic performance makes me solidify my stance. I know he was injured before he was sent off, but what a stupid and wreckless challenge it was.

Pirlo and Zambrotta (two other players who looked past it playing for their country this summer) were terribly disappointing as well. That Italian trio may look very good against the likes of Siena, but when it comes to playing at the highest level, for the National Team or against a big club like Inter, they don't have it any more.

Ronaldinho is another player who looks to be a shadow of his former self. Just like his Italina mates, he looked brilliant against Siena, but was completely useless against Mourinho's men.

In the other big game in Italy, Juventus used their new signings to beat Roma in Rome, 1-3. Diego was in sensational form scoring twice, and just like Sneijer, he is the ideal trequartista the top Italian clubs need. Felipe Melo looks to be another good signing and got off the mark himself.

The depth of Juve's side can be seen with the likes of Giovinco and Trezeguet on the bench. I think the bianconeri will be a thorn in the side of Inter all season, and may even edge them in the championship hunt.

Juve are certainly a dark horse in Europe as well. I think both Juve and Inter can help end the English domination in the latter rounds of the Champions League this season. The signing of Fabio Grosso is a great one for the Turin side. He may be a bit of a liability in defense, but I consider him one of the best going forward.

Fabio Cannavaro and Giorgio Chiellini look to be a formidable central pairing for both club and country. Grygera is coming into his own at righ back too.

Argentina

Boca Juniors were able to pick up all three points away at a very tough Lanus side. Although Boca continue to look inept defending set pieces, they continued to show their proficiency at taking them, even without injured specialist Juan Roman Riquelme, when Martin Palermo rose to head Mouche's corner into the net and secure a 2-1 win ten minutes from time.

I was especially pleased for Palermo, who was taunted and threatened by some of Boca's Barras Brava for saying that he would like to represent his former club, Estudiantes de La Plata, in the upcoming World Club Cup. As a fan of Boca I was a bit hurt when I read that Martin had said those things, but labeling him a traitor and threatening a true club legend is completely out of line.

All Boca fans know that Palermo is loyal to Estudiantes, as he never celebrates when he scores against them, but Martin has also been a great goal scorer and captain at Boca.  I am also aware that Palermo does not get on well with Riquelme, but the former Barcelona and Villareal star has made plenty of enemies on both sides of the Atlantic, so Martin can hardly be blamed. Boca fans, even the hooligans, should be applauding Palermo for yet another important goal for the club.

Boca will face a very tough test against top side Newell's midweek, when they will be without some of their key players who will be on international duty during this key World Cup week.

Morel Rodriguez and Julio Cesar Caceres, who opened the scoring against Lanus, will both be meeting up with the Paraguay squad, Gary Medel will be with Bielsa's Chile, and Sebastian Battaglia will be with Maradona's Argentina. Hopefully, Riquelme will be back to help ease the loss of four starters from this past weekend.

Another club who will be hurt by the international week will be Clausura champions and current leaders Velez Sarsfield. Striker Rodrigo Lopez has been called up to the Uruguay squad, while three defenders, Nicolas Otamendi, Sebastian Dominguez, and Emiliano Papa, have all been called by Diego Maradona.

Luckily, the Liniers outfit will have diminutive playmaker Maxi Moralez for their trip down to La Plata and a match against Gimnasia. Moralez made two goals and scored another as Velez saw off Arsenal 3-1 on Saturday.

River Plate were involved in a barn burner, topping promoted side Chacarita Juniors at the Monumental Sunday. Diego Buonnanotte scored a sensational free kick to open the scoring, but Chacarita battled back to take a 3-2 lead with thirty-five minutes to go.

Daniel Villalba pulled River even, before club great Ariel Ortega scored a wonder goal to win the match with an outrageous lob with three minutes left.