SoccerBlogs

Szalai on Gunners' Radar

Arsene Wenger has identified Mainz striker Adam Szalai as a potential target for the January window, according to the latest round of Arsenal transfer news.

The Gunners recently dispatched Marouane Chamakh on loan to West Ham United and will also lose the services of their tricky forward Gervinho, who is set to represent Ivory Coast in the upcoming African Cup of Nations.

Holders Barcelona and AC Milan are the first two teams through to the UEFA Champions League round of 16, while Arsenal and Chelsea failed to pick up the wins they needed in order to assure progression to the knockout stages.

Milan were held to a 1-1 draw in Minsk by BATE Borisov, with Ibrahimovic getting the all important goal for the Italian champions.

Barcelona and Arsenal picked up their first Champions League victories of the season while Marseille made it two wins out of two after thrashing Dortmund.

Winners of the competition in three of the last six seasons, Barcelona were held to a 2-2 draw by AC Milan on matchday one, but turned in a clinical performance to win 5-0 at BATE.

AC Milan got the new season off to a dramatic start with a thrilling draw at Barcelona but there were opening victories for Marseille, Chelsea, Porto and APOEL.

Pato struck for AC Milan inside 25 seconds at Camp Nou, the fifth fastest in Champions League history and the earliest on any matchday one.

Just before you start firing off missives to us about how we promised not to ever cover this proper football news stuff, please note the following: the terms of our geek adoption scheme requires us to release the two crazies occupying the Mayhem & Fruit Beverages Suite for exercise at unannounced times.

The German Bundesliga kicks off MatchDay One of its 2011-2012 campaign Friday with a matchup between reigning champions Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV. With former German international Jurgen Klinsmann taking over the reins of the USMNT after Coach Bob Bradley was dismissed, and Bundesliga players Torsten Frings and Frank Rost joining MLS clubs in recent weeks, it's time to look at the league where all these players starred, and where Klinsmann coached Bayern Munich after taking the German national team to a 3rd place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

The German Bundesliga kicks off MatchDay One of its 2011-2012 campaign Friday with a matchup between reigning champions Borussia Dortmund and Hamburger SV. With former German international Jurgen Klinsmann taking over the reins of the USMNT after Coach Bob Bradley was dismissed, and Bundesliga players Torsten Frings and Frank Rost joining MLS clubs in recent weeks, it's time to look at the league where all these players starred, and where Klinsmann coached Bayern Munich after taking the German national team to a 3rd place finish in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

In the second part of three, Stoppage Time's look around the European leagues focuses on twelve leagues from Georgia to Montenegro via Germany, Greece and Italy.

GEORGIA

FC Zestaponi are looking forward to their first venture into the UEFA Champions League next season after winning their maiden Umaglesi Liga title with a six point margin over record champions Dinamo Tbilisi.

Bayer are looking to turn Group E on its end tomorrow night in Leverkusen. Current Bayer midfielder and former Chelsea boy Michael Ballack, for visual aid, demonstrates the effect the home side is seeking to have in the splashy photograph below.

Beat Street

But really, nevermind the hosts.

Tuesday is certain to be a special European night at Stamford Bridge. Whether or not the guest of honor plays a prominent role is up for suggestion.

This has been spoken of at length, but it bears repeating. Michael Ballack is returning to London. The old man the legend will be part of a quite good Bayer Leverkusen side that will be making its first trip to the Bridge since, well, ever.

If you are not fan of Bayer Leverkusen or a massive disciple of the German Bundesliga, Lars Bender may appear as an obscure name to you and this may be the first time you are also hearing the name ‘Werkself'. ‘Werkself' means "Factory Squad" and is a nickname for TSV Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

Following today's draws in the European club competitions one can't help but feel that there could've been some tastier matches upon the horizon going into the knockout rounds of each competition. Nonetheless the teams that do remain in each tournament will have their eyes firmly focused on the big prize.

Thiago Silva scored Milan's crucial equalizer in Barcelona on Tuesday

Concerns over FC Barcelona's defence continued after the first of this season's UEFA Champions League matches were played throughout Europe last night.

The defending Spanish and European champions had home advantage in their Group H encounter against AC Milan but were behind after just 25 seconds with Alexandre Pato scoring the fastest goal ever scored in the competition.

Hey, it's Michael Ballack. Long time no see.

Welcome back

Michael Ballack was highly admired around these parts during his time at Chelsea. We, like Carlo Ancelotti, felt he deserved a short-term extension with the club. I, for instance, offered the following after learning of the announcement of his departure in early June 2010.

Chelsea welcome the Canaries to Stamford Bridge for their first Premier League fixture on Fulham Road since 2004. Overconfidence should not be problem following a difficult yet somewhat fruitful start to the 2011-12 season but a win is clearly expected ahead of pivotal trips to the Stadium of Light and Old Trafford.