The victory against Inter was not backed by a vintage performance but served as a reprieve for Ciro Ferrara who is under intense pressure from the tifosi to bring glory back to the Old Lady following a summer spending campaign which included the signing of Brazilians Diego and Felipe Melo for considerable sums.

Dunga tries to look confident after hearing Brazil's WC draw

Dunga and co could be in for a tough time in the group stage of the World Cup in South Africa next year. Group G consists of Brazil, Portugal, Ivory Coast and North Korea and will not be an easy ride for the South Americans.

Remember Raymond Domenech starting a furore before the Ireland vs France playoff by purportedly calling the Irish, England's B Team.

Well, Dunga has thrown it back at Brazil's former colonizers calling them their B Team because of the number of naturalized Brazilians in the Portugal team.

Group B at the 2010 World Cup is not another one of my "Groups of Death" (don't worry...I won't call ALL of them a "Group of Death") but it is slightly intriguing because I think here we can take into account inner passion over straight-up-soccer-skill.

You got Argentina, Nigeria, South Korea, and Greece.

Group H at World Cup 2010 is quite funny:

Spain, Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. I hope the Swiss, Hondurans and Chileans have fun playing for second place in this group because, as the title suggests, Spain is the only Brazil-proof team in the Tournament.

Honestly, that's who I want in the final anyways.

This is the first in a series of posts entitled Best World Cup Players Of The Decade. The idea is to take each World Cup decade and critically evaluate the teams and players before honouring one player for his performances during the tournaments.
The 1930s
Three tournaments were held in the thirties, the inaugural one won by Uruguay (1930), and the other two by Italy (1934 and 1938).

Just over a week ago, we were eleven points behind Chelsea, six behind United, and with a tough trip to Anfield looming, some were predicting that Villa, City and even Spurs would rise above us while our injury situation careered from bad to worse.

Fast forward three games in nine days. Chelsea have picked up five points from a week containing two home bankers and a trip to struggling West Ham, United have lost twice, City were humiliated by Spurs and have sacked Mark Hughes, and Spurs themselves managed the comedy moment that is losing at home to Wolves.

England draw US, Algeria and Slovenia, while Brazil are in the Group of Death.
Some quick observations
Group A is excellent for the French. Win it and they could face a weakened Argentina in the last 16. Maradona's team won't have it easy in Group B.
Group E will suit the Dutch very well.

Here it is. The second most anticipated match of the season so far.

When Barcelona came a knocking we slammed the door in their face.

That was a day that showed that this season Valencia were back and a force to be feared.

Barca left with their pride bruised and battered and even they had to latter admit they got pretty lucky to escape without their first loss of the season.

Twenty years after the most painful defeat in the history of Brazilian football in the World Cup final of 1950, Brazil and Uruguay were again facing each other in the semifinal of the World Cup in Mexico.Both South American teams were strong, although the Brazilians had captivated the world with its beautiful style as they had cruised themselves to the final.

Juventus' crash in the Champions League, that is to say the biggest failure in history of their playing in Europe is the result of many things; the club lost its identity in the last few years and the thing that best depicts the big fall are the Brazilians in the team.

It was no coincidence that the players from Brazil avoid coming to one of the biggest clubs in the world.

Former Italy coach Arrigo Sacchi has drawn parallels between Milan and Inter, claiming the Nerazzurri are ahead on every level thanks to Jose Mourinho.

In his final end of year column in La Gazzetta Dello Sport, Sacchi spoke of the similarities and differences between both sides.

STARTERS
The reason given for Portland having fake turf in their new stadium is that they will be sharing the place with Portland State Universities football team. So much for soccer specific or the Timbers being the primary tenant.
MLS
Frank Dell'apa on his blog Soccer Confidential tells us about the great coaching success happening right now for 2 former New England Revolution favorites - Leonel Alvarez and Mauricio Wright.

Good morning all. I hope your enjoying this Christmas Eve (and aren't in that group of millions who will be scouring for late Christmas gifts.)

Things have slowed down a bit on SBI as you can tell, but we will have some gifts of our own in the coming days in the form of a new MLS Draft Big Board, an MLS Mock Draft, and some more Q&A answers.

Good morning all. I hope your enjoying this Christmas Eve (and aren't in that group of millions who will be scouring for late Christmas gifts.)

Things have slowed down a bit on SBI as you can tell, but we will have some gifts of our own in the coming days in the form of a new MLS Draft Big Board, an MLS Mock Draft, and some more Q&A answers.

Before there was Pele, there was Alcides Ghiggia. Before there was Brazil, there was Uruguay. And before Brazil became champions, there was heartache.

The heartache felt was in 1950, directly after the final. A final held on home soil, in Rio de Janiero, at the mecca known as the Maracana, and a final they lost despite being heavy favorites.