UEFA Power Rankings 7 February 2012 - The 90th Minute Soccer Blog

Below are my weekly power rankings for the top (8) clubs teams in UEFA. These rankings are a combination of their play in domestic and UEFA competitions.

The rankings haven't changed from the last (late January) as the top three remain the same.

African Cup of Nations (Group C), Gabon vs Tunisia (1pmET, Al-Jazeera Sports / Eurosport International):Tunisia and tournament co-host Gabon both won their first two group games and hence will advance to the final eight (while the other two teams in the group, Niger and disappointing Morocco, will go home).

AC Milan continued where they left off last Wednesday by beating Cagliari 3-0 at the San Siro yesterday to take them to within a point of leaders Juventus. Juve on the other hand were 2-1 winners over Udinese on Saturday.

Both wins see them pull clear of there nearest challengers Udinese and Lazio to set up a rather interesting conclusion to the league this season.

Serie A: Juventus campione d'inverno Di Raffaele Cautiero La diciannovesima ed ultima giornata d'andata del campionato di Serie A ha sancito che la Juve è campione d'inverno con il Milan distante solo un punto e le statistiche dicono che due squadre su tre che erano in testa alla classifica al giro di boa poi hanno vinto lo scudetto .

Chasing the Big Leagues Torino (Serie B) is a post from: Just Football

Tales from Tier Two is a new series on Just Football in partnership with @tiertwofooty, in which we assess the promotion chances of the clubs in tier two of Europe's major leagues at the midway point of 2011/12.

Host Kevin is joined by Serie A Weekly writers Owen Neilson and Ryan Ross to discuss all the surprises and events from the first half of the Italian Serie A 2011-12 season. Podcast topics include, Juventus, Milan and Inter, players like Jovetic, Klose, Djibril Cissé and Simone Pepe, a Best XI, and also a few words on racism in football.

guest writer Luca Cetta Looking to build from a start to the season in which they sit second behind Milan only on goal difference and remain the only unbeaten side in Europe's top leagues, January is shaping up to be an important month on and off the pitch for Juventus. During 2009-2010 Juventus lost three out of four in January, while last season's disastrous loss against Parma.

While Juventus are off training in the sun of the Arabian Peninsula, the front office is hard at work as the winter transfer window opens. As always, in Italy, the rumors are flying forth from the media, and while some names are pure speculation, there are a few players who will most likely be playing in Torino in the next weeks.

AC Milan defender Alessandro Nesta has no plans to retire soon.The veteran Italian defender who is now 35 made the startling remarks during an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.

Despite his numerous injuries over the years that have seen him missing lengthy spells of regular playing time, Nesta has no desire of quitting just yet.

Why the title race will become the battle of the mind games

Roberto Mancini knows all about squeaky bum time. In 2008, his Inter Milan team ­frittered away an 11-point ­advantage at the top of Serie A and went into the final game of the ­season needing to win at Parma to ensure the league title.

Serie A Weekly welcomes writer Luca Cetta to our pages Udinese and Juventus played out a 0-0 draw at the Stadio Friuli in Wednesday evening's early Serie A kick-off. The winner would go first, but in a match of few clear cut chances, Juve remains unbeaten while Udinese's home winning streak has come to an end.

Serie A leaders Juventus lost their hold on top of the table after settling for a barren draw with Udinese at the Stadio Friuli last night. The draws sees Milan pip Juve to top spot although both clubs remain level on 34 points.

There was some good news for Claudio Ranieri and Inter Milan as his side were big winners on the night beating Lecce 4-1 at the San Siro to move up to to 5th place.

PC or Mac, Jose or Pep, Marozsan or Cramer, Champions League or Scudetto, marmite or not marmite. All these great multiple choice just-tick-either-box-please questions that Western civilization has devised in a futile attempt to keep itself sane pale in comparison to the greatest dilemma of all; Alessandro Matri or Mario Balotelli.

Addio scudetto, l'Inter pensa all'Europa programmando il futuro Di Mauro Giordano Con la sconfitta contro l'Udinese, l'Inter rinuncia definitivamente alla lotta per lo scudetto e si appresta a vivere il secondo campionato anonimo dopo l'abbuffata di titoli del 2010. L'eredit di Mourinho sta pesando molto, probabilmente più del dovuto, ma è la triste realt che devono constatare i tifosi

The international week is finally over, thankfully, and now we can again focus on what really matters; the Serie A. And more importantly Milan's bid to retain the Scudetto. The Rossoneri are without doubt the form team in Italy right now after five wins in a row and eighteen goals scored in the process.

Inter Milan captain Javier Zanetti is relishing the prospect of linking up with Argentine compatriot Carlos Tevez in January as speculation rises over the future of the unsettled Manchester City forward.

Tevez enjoyed a remarkable run at Eastlands, leading City to FA Cup glory in a season where many considered him to be the club's best player.

Serie A champions AC Milan have cooled down talk of Chelsea star Didier Drogba joining the club. Drogba who is out of contract with Chelsea next summer, has been consistently linked with a move away from the bridge.

Now, however, Milan Vice President Adriano Galliani has cooled down talks of the Ivorian star joining the 7 time European champions.

Love him or hate him, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is undoubtedly one of the best strikers in the world. The Swedish International has in the past few weeks been in the spotlight for revealing personal details about his professional relationships in some of the world's biggest clubs.

Ibrahimovic who is scheduled to launch his autobiography in the next few days, continued with his shocking remarks on Wednesday during an interview with La Gazetta Dello Sport.

We will mourn the loss of Antonio Cassano for the rest of the season. Although, I do reserve some hope that we will see him before we claim a second consecutive Scudetto and an eighth European crown in May at the Allianz Arena after we beat Barcelona 3-0. How I wish. Just like a depressed [...]

by Adam Bate

There are many over-used and misleading phrases in football and "one-man team" is surely right up there. In 1969-70, Cagliari had a quality side. Players such as Ricky Albertosi, Pierluigi Cera, Comunardo Niccolai and Angelo Domenghini all played for the Azzurri. And yet, the simple and remarkable fact remains Gigi Riva won the Scudetto for Cagliari.

Napoli – Juve: sfida scudetto o semplice tappa d'avvicinamento? Di Paolo Esposito Ci sono partite che solo a nominarle tornano alla mente centinaia di ricordi, recenti e remoti nel tempo. Ci sono partite che valgono tanto, quasi e più di un derby. Ci sono partite che, nel significato che incarnano, vanno al di l del calcio.

As expected, the Rapids season ended last night. It was always going to be an uphill battle and the mountain just got too steep.
Colorado started 6 regulars, 2 backups, and 3 reserves and Kansas City took full advantage. On a free kick in the first half they found the open area that Drew Moor normally fills, and Palguta failed to fill last night.

Gazzetta dello Sport Milan, everyone for Cassano There is talk of a small stroke, but he's now better Napoli wait for Hamsik goals and skills Golden Ball, there is just Inter left Marotta: "I quickly want a leading Juve in Europe" Baldini on Luis Enrique: "We're united" Ballardini says no, Cesena wait for a yes from De Canio Tuttosport Conte's Scudetto Forza Cassano Go.

In the past, Lazio have always been lacking the final step to reach the "big" Serie A clubs. While the club has always been competitive under Claudio Lotito's control, they have never managed to push into the highest echelon of Italian football/soccer. Yet this season it seems that Lotito has created the perfect team.

Former Milan midfielder Andrea Pirlo made the move to Juventus this summer on a free transfer in what should be his last contract with an elite club. Pirlo now joins an exclusive list of players who have represented Italy's three most prestigious clubs, Inter, Juve and Milan. In fact, Milan's Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the only other active player who has worn the shirt of the three clubs.

Max Allegri has said that this game is a title decider. While I do not subscribe to the belief that Roma are contenders for the Scudetto this is still, undoubtedly, an important match. This not to say Roma will not be difficult opposition because they always are especially at the Stadio Olimpico. This is highlighted [.

Brazil and AC Milan striker Robinho is confident that his side has what it takes for them to win the Champions League and Serie A this season. Robinho who recently returned from a lengthy injury lay off by scoring a goal in their 3-0 win over Palermo, was speaking to Sky Sport Italia.

It was a great celebration that was long overdue for the red half of the San Siro. With Kevin-Prince Boateng doing his best impression of the late Michael Jackson, Milanisti cheered wildly as their beloved team was presented with its 18th Scudetto, and first since 2003-2004. Fast-forward only a month into the new campaign, and Milan find themselves in unfamiliar territory.

The international break gives us a chance to take a look back at this early part of the Serie A season and see what we can take from it. Five game in to 2011-2012 and only one thing is certain, and that is nothing is certain. While it may be a bit early to pass judgement, what we can say is that this season's scudetto is there for the taking.

Inter versus Napoli was supposed to be a beautiful night of football. It was supposed to showcase two top sides in Serie A who had represented Italy proudly in Champions League midweek. It was supposed to be a battle between two teams potentially challenging for the Scudetto. It was supposed to be a beautiful night of football.

Claudio Marchisio scored two late goals to lead Juventus to an impressive 2-0 win over Italian champions AC Milan in tonight's highly anticipated Serie A clash.

Italy international Marchisio clinically finished past Christian Abbiati in the Rossoneri goal to give the Old Lady a well deserved lead at the Juventus Stadium with only three minutes of regulation time left.

Inter – Napoli: tra sinergia e competizione a San Siro c'è aria di Tricolore Di Paolo Esposito Alla Scala del calcio va in scena un anticipo che profuma d'alta classifica. Inter e Napoli, a detta di molti addetti ai lavori, saranno due tra le squadre che fino all'ultimo si giocheranno lo scudetto.

After a quite incredible week which saw Internazionale coach Gian Piero Gasperini lose his job just three games into the Serie A season, one thing is abunduntly clear in the world of Italian Football the Scudetto is definitely there to be won.

For the first time in a long time, there is no clear front runner to win the league and there is a growing belief that one of as many as 7 or 8 different clubs could be crowned champions at the end of the season.

Milan entered this new season as clear favourites to retain the Scudetto they won back in May. Yet, after three matches played in total, two in the Serie A and one in the Champions League, things have not gone quite to plan. The Italian champions are still without a win in the new campaign after [...

Like him or hate him, you better respect Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede has celebrated domestic silverware every single year since 2006 and tonight's Serie A opener will begin his quest for a sixth straight league title.

Ibrahimovic, who celebrated winning the Scudetto with AC Milan last year following three years of glory with city rivals Inter as well as a La Liga title won with reigning European champions Barcelona, is confident that Milan remains the team to beat in Italy.

Dicen que los equipos que dirige José Mourinho mejoran en su segunda campaña. Es de sobra conocido que en sus segundas temporadas en Oporto, Chelsea e Inter se alzó con el título de Liga.
Obviamente, y tras una jornada disputada, sería muy absurdo pensar que el Real Madrid, ciñéndose a este dato, va a arrebatar el campeonato al Barcelona, pero tras la victoria en La Romareda, el equipo blanco suma un dato para llenar de optimismo a su afición.

The first half of this season will be crucial for Milan. The club has every intention of retaining the Scudetto while an improved run in the Champions League is greatly desired too. To be successful on both fronts, ensuring qualification to the knockout round in Europe needs to be achieved before Christmas in addition to [.

Overview At the start of last season many did not expect Milan to challenge for the Scudetto. That was, at least, until the club secured the services of Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the eleventh hour of the transfer window. Luciano Moggi, for all the criticism regularly aimed at him, spoke prophetically when he said that "thanks to him (Ibrahimovic), the title race will be between Milan and.

É una Juve da battaglia! Di Antonio Sollo Andrea Agnelli-Marotta-Conte.Nel segno di questi tre uomini,che la nuova Juve sta costruendo le basi per tornare e restare ai vertici nei prossimi anni.Duro e deciso e' stato l'attacco che il giovane Agnelli,ha sferrato ai vertici del calcio italiano,nella conferenza stampa di via Veneto.

Manchester City can't stop Manchester United or Chelsea - originally posted on Soccerlens.com

It will definitely be a busy season for Manchester City and a welcome one too. They earned their spot in the top four last season and they will be looking to keep it and try their luck against the giants of Europe in the UEFA Champions League.