With Lyon’s domestic and European dominance, who realistically has a chance to challenge them in 19/20 season?

Olympique Lyon fans beat drums during the Women's Champions League match between Lyon and Wolfsburg at Stade de Lyon on March 29, 2017 in Lyon, France.

(March 28, 2017 - Source: Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe)

The UEFA Women’s Champions League is currently underway and there is one question hanging in the air when it comes to Europe’s biggest club competition. Over the years, Olympique Lyonnais has sustained its position as a dominant force in women’s football, it can easily be said that they are the most prolific team in the world today. Who would be able to match Lyon and take over the European crown? Is it even possible with the current heavyweights that constitute Lyon’s squad? What they have managed to achieve puts them amongst the greatest teams in the world. This team is arguably the most accomplished team in women football as we speak. They are the most feared and sought after team in the world, loved and revered for their game and their championship values.

Why is it difficult to beat Lyon?

Years after the UEFA Women’s Champions League was formed, there are still only a few teams that can go against this formidable squad. The world’s finest players want to play for the team, as a result, they have a talent pool of incredible players such as the Norwegian Ada Herderberg and England’s Lucy Bronze who have been key in the team. This dominance has resulted in Lyon being a team that others look up to. Some have called them the best team assembled in history and this is not to exaggerate and sensationalize the feats that Lyon have been able to achieve in France and Europe. While winning the European Cup is an accomplishment that most teams dream of, Lyon have consistently had the reigns both domestically and in Europe. Once again, few teams can claim such a record and not even teams in the males’ game. The greatest thing to watch about Lyon is the consistency, for fans, it’s satisfying to know that your team is going to be consistent.

“If we needed another example of Vivianne Miedema’s greatness and as a dominant figure on the pitch, the Netherlands’ all-time top goalscorer is this season’s UCL top goal scorer ahead of the aforementioned Ada Hegerberg, netting 10 goals in 4 matches of the competition so far.  ”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

Vicky Losada of FC Barcelona conducts the ball under pressure from Delphine Cascarino of Olympique Lyon during the UEFA Women's Champions League Quarter Final 2nd Leg match between FC Barcelona Women and Olympique Lyon Women at Mini Estadi on March 28, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

(March 27, 2018 - Source: Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe)

Lyon Factsheet

Olympique Lyonnais Féminin was formed in 1970 in the historic city of Lyon and since then has risen in leaps and bounds with record-breaking accolades spanning both domestically and in European football. OL have an astonishing seventeen domestic French league titles to their name. Maintaining that top position can be attributed to their dominance which has attracted the best players and continues to be the place of choice for the world’s most talented players. When the Ballon D’Or award was finally set to be awarded to a woman for the first time, six women from the team were nominated namely, the brilliant Lucy Bronze Amandine Henry, Saki Kumagai, Dzsenifer Marozsan, Marta, and Ada Herderberg who eventually walked away with the prestigious award. The Norwegian has recently smashed another record by becoming the all-time top goalscorer with fifty-two goals in fifty UEFA Women’s Champions League games. Lyon have also claimed their most recent player accolade, the 2019 UEFA Women’s Best Player Award which went to defender Lucy Bronze, the fourth Lyon player in the last four years to receive this prestigious award. Award after award has helped serve as evidence to the fact that they are just the greatest team in the world right now. The facts have it that Lyon is not only highly successful in the women’s game but also in comparison to the achievements of male teams that have been around for much longer.

 However, the top teams that have the potential to knock Lyon from European dominance include:

 PSG

We cannot talk about any rivalry in France that is more prominent than that of PSG and Lyon. Although OL has won most of the titles in Division 1 Féminine, PSG has always been next in line. In the last 9 seasons in the domestic league, they have managed to lose only two games. In France, PSG are two-time cup winners and no strangers to the UCL, making it to the finals in 2015 and 2017 losing to Frankfurt and Lyon on the respective occasions. PSG have a team that has a wealth of experienced, captained by 41-year old veteran Formiga. Similar to their male counterparts, PSG Feminine have a young star, Marie-Antoinette Katoto who was last season’s Ligue 1 top goal scorer and with five goals in the tournament so far. A controversial decision by France head coach Corinne Diacre to leave the 20-year-old striker from the 2019 World Cup squad raised eyebrows, with Diacre explaining that the PSG striker was not meeting up to 100% of her talent. Katoto has continued to be the key in PSG’s domestic and European campaign this season.

isa Evans, Emma Mitchell and Kim Little of Arsenal Women celebrate with the trophy after the WSL Continental Cup Final between Arsenal Women and Manchester City Ladies at Adams Park on March 14, 2018 in High Wycombe, England.

(March 13, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Arsenal

Coming back from a five-year hiatus from Champions League football, the energy that they have been bringing to the games in the Champions League has been electric. They won last season’s Super Cup and are currently the only English team to qualify for the 2019/20 UWCL quarter-finals. Arsenal are former UCL champions themselves, lifting the cup in 2007. The current campaign has started off well for the Gunners, with a brilliant showing in the recent round of sixteen showcase against Slavia Prague whom they beat 13-2 on aggregate. Arsenal’s squad also has a good number of talents to boast of. One such major talent is the young Dutch phenomenon, Vivianne Miedema who is the heart of Arsenal’s attack with her spectacular goal-scoring abilities. She’s quickly becoming one of Europe’s most valuable players at just the age of 23. If we needed another example of Vivianne Miedema’s greatness as a dominant figure on the pitch, the Netherlands’ all-time top goalscorer is this season’s UCL top goal scorer ahead of the aforementioned Ada Hegerberg, netting 10 goals in 4 matches of the competition so far.  Another Dutch player and Arsenal’s top woman is Jill Roord, the 22-year old midfielder who joined the North Londoners this summer from Bayern Munich after two years in the Bundesliga. After being drawn on the same side as Lyon in the Quarterfinals, it is likely that Arsenal will meet Lyon in the semi-finals if they go through past PSG.

 Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg achieved a treble in the 2012-2013 season, winning the Bundesliga title, domestic cup and going on to win the UEFA Champions League. Stephan Lerch’s team holds the second-most consecutive wins in the UEFA Champions League finals after Lyon. The Bundesliga has been dominated by Wolfsburg, having won five titles in the last six seasons. The She-wolves are unbeaten in their domestic games and could go on to meet the French champions, Lyon in the finals. The pressure will be on Wolfsburg who have an anchor in Pernille Harder, an inspirational figure in the squad to lead them to a possible second-ever UCL title.

Dzsenifer Marozsan of Olympique Lyon battles with Isabel Kerschowski of VFL Wolfsberg and Babett Peter of VFL Wolfsberg during the Women's Champions League match between Lyon and Wolfsburg at Stade de Lyon on March 29, 2017 in Lyon, France.

(March 28, 2017 - Source: Christopher Lee/Getty Images Europe

Barcelona

Last year’s runners up could potentially face Lyon in the 2020 UCL final. In last year’s meeting, Barca was overwhelmed by a strong Lyon side that put four past their goal to win a fourth UCL title in a row during last season’s competition. The Spanish giants have four domestic titles to boast of in the Primera División. Barca’s team is so solid that as many as 15 of its players were called up to their respective national teams. Star player Lieke Martens who suffered an injury during the world cup is set to return to the field for the UCL quarter-finals. Barcelona faces another tough opponent in domestic rivals and current league champions Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 8.

Conclusion

Lyon has shown the world that they are a brilliantly assembled team that consists of the best players in the world; an unstoppable force and a formula for repetitive titles. Their unmatched dominance is just another example of why they deserve to be called the best team in the world. They have also shown that the women’s game should be paid attention to as they cease not to deliver performances that continue to garner them titles and a much-coveted reputation. It’s a difficult exercise to point which team has the potential to topple Lyon but as years go by, other teams are definitely getting stronger and making it harder for Lyon to retain their European dominance.

 The first leg of the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarter-finals will be held in March 2020 with the semi-finals happening on April 25-26 and May 2-3. Be on the lookout for more stories as the competition unfolds. 

EPL: Who is to blame for Manchester United’s current state?

Sir Alex Ferguson speaks to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Manager of Manchester United on the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between FC Barcelona and Manchester United at Camp Nou on April 16, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 15, 2019 - Source: Michael Regan/Getty Images Europe)

Manchester United have managed to collect nine points this season from seven fixtures, their worst start in 30 years. United have struggled in recent years and the 2019/20 season has started off with no signs of an improving situation at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have failed to win away from home since February 2019 and have been beaten by Cardiff and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford, with a recent loss to West Ham intensifying skepticism of any quick revival. Recent string of poor results have cemented the fact that the club is in a poor state of affairs and even club legend, Ole Gunnar Solskjær who’s at the helm, seems to also be struggling to get the club in order.

Finding a manager to fill the shoes of Sir Alex Ferguson

Manchester United was once the exact opposite of what it is now, cup titles and English Premier League dominance were the norm. The Red Devils are a shadow of their former selves with big spending on players and no clear direction. No manager has been able to replicate the astronomic success of Alex Ferguson who retired having won 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, and two UEFA Champions League titles. Alex Ferguson’s record with Manchester United surpasses any other manager in the history of the English Premier League. Since his retirement, four managers have attempted to take the mantle and six years on, the struggle to find a manager to take the Reds to their former glory is ongoing. The different managers after Fergie, have fallen way short in of his legacy.

“Ole Gunner Solskjaer has managed to get rid of players like Smalling who were perceived surplus to requirements but the move to get rid of Lukaku without a replacement, left a big gap in the attacking third that Rashford alone cannot fill and Daniel James although a highly talented player, he too is not on the level of the likes of Sergio Aguero and De Bruyne, a calibre of players that United need, to yet again compete with the best there is. ”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

Louis van Gaal manager of Manchester United celebrates with winning goalscorer Anthony Martial of Manchester United after victory in The Emirates FA Cup semi final match between Everton and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on April 23, 2016 in London, England.

(April 22, 2016 - Source: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images Europe)

Moyes, Van Gaal and Mourinho; Who messed up less?

Manchester United with David Moyes at the helm were a disaster. They finished seventh in the league after having won it the previous year. The former Everton manager, had huge shoes to fill at Old Trafford coming in straight after Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure. The general feeling was that he was just not the right fit for the team and unsurprisingly he swiftly exited Old Trafford. Louis Van Gaal’s services were quickly enlisted to replace Moyes after an impressive World Cup with the Netherlands in 2014. The Dutch initiated a rebuilding stage by bringing in new players to the squad. The biggest fee he paid for a single player was £44 million on Anthony Martial and more players who did not live up to the hype when they were signed included Memphis Depay, Angel Di Maria and Marcos Rojo. LVG’s biggest achievement was winning the FA Cup with the club but finished outside the top four in fifth. His unpopularity with players for his managerial style and tactics made it impossible for him to stay longer at United.

Then in came Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese’s stint in Manchester was a period of hope for. He brought vision and star power and players to the club, including United most expensive player of all time, Paul Pogba. The “Special One” spent two years at Manchester United and led the club best post-Ferguson, when they finished in the top two for the first time in four seasons in the 2017/18 season. During the summer transfer window, he spent £140.9 million on Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Romelu Lukaku, Paul Pogba as well as a free transfer of the majestic Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

During his time at Old Trafford, Mourinho won quite a number of trophies. The Community Shield, Europa League and the FA Cup. However, in the 2018/2019 season, they trailed 24 points behind champions City and struggled defensively. The tension between Paul Pogba and Mourinho soured and it had become clear that Mourinho was on his way out of Old Trafford.

Ed Woodard’s misplaced priorities

Ed Woodard is the executive vice president of the club and the key decision maker at Manchester United, the man who hires and fires managers. He has been blamed for making decisions that have set the club back years. When Mourinho wanted to find a centre back to replace Chris Smalling he needed the backing of Ed Woodard. If he had followed the instincts of Mourinho, someone whom he had hired and trusted to lead the team it could have been a different story for Manchester United under Mourinho in his second season with the club. Ed Woodard has spared no expense in rebuilding the team, investing large sums despite the unsuccessful campaigns and losing out on big payments by missing out on the UEFA Champions League. Salaries of Manchester United players like Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez who left to join Inter Milan on loan were the highest in the league. The downside of the exorbitant salaries is that some players like Sanchez who didn’t perform to the level that was expected, become more costly than they are actually worth. As the club continues to invest heavily into signing new players, a remedy that the club needs to finally bounce back, Ed Woodard has been in the process of attempting to overhaul the recruitment process and structure at the club. A top priority at the moment for the role of Sporting Director is Edwin van der Sar, who is the current CEO of Ajax. The Dutch club has been impressive in the past seasons and its leadership, the strategy is what Ed would like to see at Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho manager of Manchester United appeals as assistant coach Michael Carrick looks on during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on October 20, 2018 in London, United Kingdom.

(Oct. 19, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Hits and misses with signings

Man United have bought 29 players since Sir Alex Ferguson left. Some have been big assets to the club and the majority have failed to live up to their potential. One case is that of Alexis Sanchez who was signed by Mourinho, for a position that Anthony Martial had been excelling at. It was generally a bad idea that ended up costing the team a season without an effective left-wing player which Mourinho later realised and brought the Frenchman back into the picture.

If we look at players like Memphis Depay, he was not a good fit at Manchester United but has now become a star player in the French Ligue 1 with Lyon. Di Maria was also no good fit at the Red Devils and therefore lasted one year. Now at PSG, it is a different story. It is also understandable to blame van Gaal for failing to extract the potential from some of these players.

 The first player signed when Mourinho came in was Eric Bailly, a defender who has been inconsistent from the onset. He is a player that is prone to injuries and on the field, is prone to risky last ditch tackles that gift opponents, penalties. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is about the most exciting player United has had in the last four seasons and he was a free transfer to the team. What Ibrahimovic brought to Man United with his sharp and fast thinking on the ball as well as efficiency in front of the goal. Fred, who had a massive £60 million price tag, on the other hand has failed to impress at Old Trafford. The Brazilian has made only 29 appearances in 15 months.

Ole Gunner Solskjaer has managed to get rid of players like Smalling who were perceived surplus to requirements but the move to get rid of Lukaku without a replacement, left a big gap in the attacking third that Rashford alone cannot fill and Daniel James although a highly talented player, he too is not on the level of the likes of Sergio Aguero and De Bruyne, a calibre of players that United need, to yet again compete with the best there is. Troubles with Paul Pogba who wanted to move to Real Madrid this summer have caused some uncertainty for Man United with the Frenchman ultimately saying wants out of Old Trafford. Pogba is a big part of Man United and the most valuable player on the pitch. The question of him staying or going seems to be a question of his star power and value he brings to the club but his desire to leave might lead to more headaches for Man United going forward.

Manchester United manager David Moyes talks with Steve Round and Phil Neville during the Rio Ferdinand Testimonial Match between Manchester United and Sevilla at Old Trafford on August 9, 2013 in Manchester, England.

(Aug. 8, 2013 - Source: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Europe)

The verdict

Who really is to blame for the current state that Manchester find themselves in? The last six years have been a period characterized by an unclear strategy for the club, and players that have not flourished despite the impressive talents they brought to the club. The bulk of the blame must go to Ed Woodard for failing to support Jose Mourinho who had made steady progress to reviving the club’s title hopes. Mourinho despite his bad choices also made many good ones that brought the club some glory for winning a few titles. Some of the blame will also go on the different managers that bought in players that were too expensive for what they actually brought to the table.

It is commendable that OGS has also invested in young players that can help to actually rebuild the team with their talent and potential for a subsequent amount of time. Solskjaer has made some of the best acquisitions this season, signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Place, Harry Maguire and Daniel James. It is yet to be seen if the £80 million investment on the English centre-back was worth it or it is just another one of the wasted investments as we have seen so many times in the past. It’s still to be seen whether Ole could turn around the fortunes of Manchester in a way that is similar to what Jurgen Klopp did at Liverpool a few seasons ago and has now recently steered them to a UEFA Champions League title and are also currently favorites alongside Manchester City to win the league.

 Let us know what position you think Man United will finish this season?

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group D

Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus scores the opening goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Juventus and Club de Atletico Madrid at Allianz Stadium on March 12, 2019 in Turin, Italy.

(March 11, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Atletico Madrid vs Juventus- Wednesday 19 September 2019

Two European giants who haven’t hit the right form in the new season square-off. Atletico Madrid slumped to their first defeat of the La Liga season, a 2-0 loss to Real Sociedad while Juve were quite lucky to get a point at Fiorentina. Diego Simeone’s men will particularly be interested in getting one over Ronaldo and the Old Lady who knocked them out of last season’s champions league in the round-of-16 on a 3-2 aggregate scoreline. Wanda Metropolitano will likely be hostile to Ronaldo who mockingly returned a cojones celebration after scoring the three goals that saw Atleti out, and at the same time hoping their new star Joao Felix can stand-up to challenge the heroics of his aforementioned compatriot.

Bayer Leverkusen vs Lokomotiv Moscow- Wednesday 19 September 2019

Leverkusen vs Lokomotiv might be the most unpredictable fixture of the round. The Bundesliga giants have had a mixed start to the season, worse off a 4-0 loss at the hands of the Dortmund over the weekend that confined them to an 8th position on the log. On the other hand, the Russian Premier League side haven’t done bad at all, sitting just 3 points off the top after 9 games. They are actually very capable of leaving Germany with all 3 points. Former West Brom’s Grzegorz Krychowiak and highly rated Kai Havertz will surely form an interesting midfield battle.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group B

Lucas Moura of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Dele Alli of Tottenham Hotspur during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final second leg match between Ajax and Tottenham Hotspur at the Johan Cruyff Arena on May 08, 2019 in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

(May 7, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Bayern Munich vs Red Star Belgrade- Wednesday 19 September 2019

A battle of the Red Champions. Even though they are currently not on top of their respective German and Serbian League tables, the unbeaten defending champions have both enjoyed a decent start to their campaigns. Niko Kovac’s Bayern are clearly favorites to easily win this one at home though it must be noted that Red Star Belgrade who beat eventual champions Liverpool at home in last season’s UCL group stages, are quite capable of causing an upset.

Tottenham vs Olympiakos- Wednesday 19 September 2019

The other group B encounter looks like its decided before it has begun. Not many would want to visit the Tottenham Hotspur stadium right now after Crystal Palace were left for dead over the weekend. Four first-half goals saw them revive a sluggish start to a Premier League campaign that was suffocated by transfer window uncertainty. Momentum is on Spurs’ side who are now looking more like their best selves who made the 2018/19 champions league final but an unheralded Olympiakos who have enjoyed a perfect start to their own Greek league campaign, could be all that’s needed to derail them yet again.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group A

Lassana Diarra of PSG (19) and team mates look dejected in defeat after the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 Second Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid at Parc des Princes on March 6, 2018 in Paris, France.

(March 5, 2018 - Source: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images Europe)

Club Brugge vs Galatasaray- Wednesday 19 September 2019

After missing out on last season’s Belgian Pro League title, Brugge and their new coach Philippe Clement decided to reinvent themselves with a greater part of process seeming to be a combination of some of Africa’s football stars. The likes of South Africa’s Percy Tau, Nigeria’s Okereke and Senegal’s Mbaye Diagne and Diatta will line-up against a Radamel Falcao inspired Galatasaray side who haven’t had the best of starts in their Turkish Super Lig title defence.

PSG vs Real Madrid- Wednesday 19 September 2019

The pick of the group and undoubtedly the round features PSG and Real Madrid at Parc de Princes. Two giants not without a history and desperate to show the disappointments of the last season are behind them. They both got knocked out in the quarter-finals by Manchester United and Ajax respectively and have no smaller goal than winning the cup itself. Furthermore, there is a tantalizing prospect of getting revenge for PSG who were beaten 5-2 on aggregate by eventual champions Madrid in the 2017/18 UCL round of 16. It’s really an opening match with UCL final written all over it. We will be watching the Neymar vs Hazard battle, world-class forwards currently re-integrating into their sides with undoubtably talismanic abilities.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group H

The Ajax team celebrate victory after the UEFA Champions League Quarter Final second leg match between Juventus and Ajax at Allianz Stadium on April 16, 2019 in Turin, Italy.

(April 15, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Chelsea vs Valencia- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Probably the least predictable group. After a sluggish start to the 2019/20 Premier League season, punctuated by a 4-0 loss at Old Trafford and a 2-2 stalemate at home against promoted Sheffield United, Chelsea have peaked at the right time. Lampard’s youthful Chelsea who are under no pressure whatsoever to win anything this season mark a return to the UCL on the backdrop of an impressive 5-2 Premier League win over Wolves. Their opponents Valencia, were 2-5 losers to Barcelona in the same weekend. Logically, the Blues look like favorites but with the new gaffer at Mestalla desperate to win the community over, he will likely make every match and minute count.

Ajax vs Lille- Tuesday 18 September 2019

On the other hand, last season’s surprise package and semi-finalists are looking like themselves again despite losing key players such as Mathijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong. Ajax are sitting pretty on top of the Eredivisie after 5 matches and will welcome Lille OSC. A surprise package in the French top flight last term who finished second behind champions PSG. It’s really Ajax vs the probable “new Ajax” of the new champions league season.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 1): Group G

Lyon vs Zenit St Petersburg- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Zenit St Petersburg and Lyon meet in the Lyon Olympic Stadium for the third time in the competition, having played each other on two previous UEFA clashes in which Zenit took the win on both occasions. After winning their seventh title in the Russian Premier League, Zenit St Petersburg are possible last 16 contenders despite being the underdogs. Lyon came third last season in the French Ligue 1. With a tally of 15 goals last season and 5 already in the new campaign, Moussa Dembélé should be the player to watch. Lyon’s other top goal scorer Memphis Depay is at the top of his game with an impressive start to the season securing four goals and one assist. Zenit also have former Barca forward and summer signing Malcolm in their ranks to help their cause.

Benfica vs RB Leipzig- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Unbeaten in the Bundesliga, Red Bull Leipzig go head to head with Portuguese side Benfica in a group G clash, in Lisbon. RB Leipzig tops the league ahead of Dortmund and is in impressive form, recently frustrating champions Bayern Munich to a 1-1 draw. Their star striker, 23-year-old Timo Werner scored 16 goals and managed seven assists in the Bundesliga last season. Joao Felix’s move to Atletico has left a gap in the Benfica attack though Pizzi is expected to play a vital role in this campaign, who scored 13 times and served up 18 assists in 34 matches.

Maxwell Cornet of Lyon celebrates after scoring his team's first goal with his team mates during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between Manchester City and Olympique Lyonnais at Etihad Stadium on September 19, 2018 in Manchester, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe)

UEFA Champions League Preview(Matchday 1): Group F

Lionel Messi of Barcelona celebrates with teammates after scoring his team's third goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final first leg match between Barcelona and Liverpool at the Nou Camp on May 01, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(April 30, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Dortmund vs Barcelona - Tuesday 18 September 2019

Barcelona will head to Germany for their first group clash against Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday evening. Barca face the Black & Yellow without injured captain Lionel Messi who has been ruled out by Ernesto Valverde due to a calf injury. The Spanish giants are appearing in their sixteenth consecutive UEFA Group Stages and boast a better record against Dortmund in previous ties. Ousmane Dembele will also most likely not start this clash after being ruled out for five weeks due to a hamstring injury while Frenkie de Jong and Antione Griezmann will make their UEFA debuts for Blaugrana. Dortmund have no significant injuries to lament of and a win against Messi-less Barca could catapult them towards a probable top of the group finish. Dortmund’s star player Paco Alcácer who has scored 5 in 4 league games this season should relish possibly heaping misery on his former employers.

Inter vs Slavia Prague- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Czech side Slavia Prague drew a difficult group with Barcelona and Dortmund. They start their campaign against Inter Milan. This will be the Czech side’s second European campaign while Inter Milan is fairly seasoned. It’s a tight group, but Slavia has shown that they deserve the spot by winning the domestic league and the double in Czech Republic as well as remaining unbeaten in their last 22 matches. The match will be played at home for Inter where they’ve been historically more successful against Czech teams. Inter qualified after finishing fourth in Serie A last season ahead of AC Milan and currently at the top of Serie A with Juventus trailing. Antonio Conte’s Inter were the last Italian team to win the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2010 under then boss, Jose Mourinho.

UEFA Champions League Preview(Matchday 1): Group E

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool battles for possession with Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between SSC Napoli and Liverpool at Stadio San Paolo on October 3, 2018 in Naples, Italy.

(Oct. 2, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Napoli vs Liverpool - Tuesday 18 September 2019

The controversy surrounding the state of Stadio San Paolo has been a cause of major concern before a big UEFA League group stage clash between Napoli and Liverpool. Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti flagged the issue in a statement calling out the Naples municipality on the unfinished renovations at the stadium that could also include the dressing rooms. Naples start their campaign with a monster of an opponent, reigning champions Liverpool and Premier League table toppers with a shining perfect record. The encounter will be a replay of last season’s Group C clash between Liverpool and Napoli, which was a close tie marginally decided in favor of the Reds. Fortunately for Napoli, the condition of their stadium does not reflect the current state of the squad which has made a big comeback in recent years. Napoli has the potential to serve us with a hard-fought UCL game as one of the inform Serie A teams who actually finished second in 2018/2019.

Red Bull Salzburg vs Genk- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Genk’s new signing Paul Onuachu is expected to play a vital role in the team’s success in the UEFA League campaign as they start their campaign against Red Bull Salzburg. The Nigerian international joined the Belgian champions for a fee of around €6m and scored his first goal in their 2-1 defeat to Sporting Charleroi. Onuachu will assist Mbwana Samatta, the Tanzanian striker who has been the star player for the Belgian Pro-League team. Genk face a challenging opponent in the Austrian champions whose manager Jesse Mersch has been making an impressive impact at the club. The American joined the club in April, and has to led the team to a record-breaking start to the season, with 7 wins in 7, a form that could help RB Salzburg to make an impact in Europe. Genk who have not had as good a kick-off to their domestic campaign will only hope that their talented forwards will come to the party. It’s really the Belgian vs the Austrian champions. Who will reign supreme?

Which of the newly promoted clubs from the Championship have the best chance of staying up?

ROBERT MUGABE’S PASSION

This week marks the passing and mourning of one of the most popular figures on the face of the earth. A Pan-African hero in the eyes of some and stubborn villain to others, rightfully polarizing opinions because of his reign as Zimbabwe’s President and audience arresting remarks. Pleasantly or unpleasantly. One bit of Mugabe’s less polarizing characteristics was his passion for the game of football. He once shared about his allegiance to Barcelona and Chelsea, also citing that whenever his team scores, he would also be scoring at home; kicking everything much to the disgruntlement of his surviving wife. In the same spirit of polarizing opinions, let’s look at a matter which will always be a subject of contrasting opinions but a joy to unpack and rediscover.

Of the English Premier League’s three promoted teams; Aston Villa, Norwich City and Sheffield United, who will likely survive the relegation chop and retain their place amongst the top 20 football clubs in the country?

Teemu Pukki of Norwich City is blocked by Trevoh Chalobah and Gwion Edwards of Ipswich Town during the Sky Bet Championship match between Ipswich Town and Norwich City at Portman Road on September 2, 2018 in Ipswich, England.

(Sept. 1, 2018 - Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images Europe)

HOW THEY MADE IT

Surprisingly for some, the Claret and Blue Army were the side that wasn’t guaranteed automatic qualification from the Sky Bet Championship amongst all three. Villa finished 5th in the 2018/19 Championship season, marginally making the top 6 and gaining a guaranteed play-off spot. They had to take the longer route to secure qualification, beating West Brom over a two legged semi-final before confirming their return to the Premier League for the first time since 2015, with a 2-1 win over then Frank Lampard’s Derby County.

It wasn’t any easier for Norwich and United who were persistently consistent throughout the whole campaign to secure first and second place finishes respectively, ahead of a pack of other 23 Championship clubs who are as competitive as they come. All gunning for those promotion places. Norwich were crowned champions after a remarkable run that saw them finish 5 points ahead of second-place Sheffield United and their Finnish star-man, Teemu Pukki who terrorised defenders, walking away with the top goal scorer award for his 29 goals.

Why don’t we look at each of these sides in depth to understand how they play, what exploits are being hinted at by their 2019 summer transfer window business and getting to know the players on their rosters that we should keep tabs with.

“ Most importantly, the sides who will still be able to grind out results when the momentum and cheers of attaining Premier League promotion fades, because it will, are the very same teams who will avoid the chop.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Dean Smith manager of Aston Villa during a press conference at Villa Park Stadium on October 15, 2018 in Birmingham, England.

(Oct. 14, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

ASTON VILLA

By any standard, Villa have been the most outspoken side of the three, majorly for their rich history and summer spending spree. With a resume of a top Premier League side adorning their history records that includes 7 top flight titles, 7 FA Cups, a European Cup now famously known as the Champions League amongst many others; it becomes difficult to understand why the Villa Park residents got the chop in the first place. For a sense of scale, they have won 5 more top flight titles than Tottenham, amassed over their rich 144-year history. But that’s a story for another day, a Mugabe refresher has surely been an enough history lesson for the day. Let’s look at their tactics and play fortune teller at their overall chances in the 2019/20 Premier League season.

Dean Smith was appointed Villa Manager in October2018 and went on to win them promotion in the same season for the first time in 4 years. Smith is the man they have retained for the English job to ensure survival in the top flight, at least this year. Their opening match against Tottenham gave an idea of what they are trying to do; stay humble, defend as unit, keep the big guys at bay and try to hit them on the counter. An age old tactic which works, well sometimes. Another key component of their style of play is their 12th man, the Villa fans who are relishing a return to the Premier League. They quite honestly almost turned the Tottenham Hotspur stadium into Villa Park. As a result, a superb grit for the day with heart on sleeves, Villa opened the scoring through McGinn and looked poised to get something from the game before individual mistakes costed them late on to inspire a Spurs 3-1 comeback victory. For a significant spell in the match, Smith’s boys had the 2018 UEFA Champions League finalists on the ropes. They’ve obviously picked up a few more points since then, staying humble against “superior” opposition and taking the game to mid-table sides such as what they did at Selhurst Park against Crystal Palace. Their expensively assembled squad is yet to fully sync but early signs signal they had a plan in almost curling out all the players that earned them promotion and bringing in over 11 more in the summer. Let’s explore how they did it.

Transfer business

The new owners who took over in 2018 really outdid themselves and put it out for all to see that they mean business. Villa were the 2nd biggest EPL spenders in the summer, splashing a total of over £144.5m for over 12 players. Only the two Manchester Clubs spent more, albeit for a less number of players. Their observable style of play suggests that they are not really trying to outplay everyone, but just having enough quality in the right areas to hit the big boys on the counter, enough experience and character to stay on the grind for the extremely demanding 38 match Premier League season. They brought in players from all around Europe with top flight experience that include Egyptian Trezeguet, Zimbabwean Marvelous Nakamba, Douglas Luiz from Manchester City, former England goalkeeper Tom Heaton from Burnley, Tyron Mings from Bournemouth amongst many others. Villa also retained the sought offer services of budding English talent, Jack Grealish who’s been tasked to captain the side in the new season. It remains to be seen whether overhauling almost the entire team was the wisest thing to do given the example of Fulham who did virtually the same thing, spending almost as much money but still guaranteed a chop, ahead of all others. It takes time to build proper team chemistry or else a side will always look less than the sum of its parts. Fulham learned that the hard way in the 2018/19 season and Villa fans would be hoping that won’t befall them.

Verdict: Before they were relegated in 2015, Villa had stayed in the Premier League for 24 years. The club and the fans probably feel they belong there. Despite their summer spree, at best, I see Villa doing just enough to stay in the top flight. Their recently assembled squad need a significant amount of time to vibe and play as a proper unit.

Norwich City Head Coach Daniel Farke celebrates victory after the Sky Bet Championship match between Norwich City and Leeds United at Carrow Road on April 28, 2018 in Norwich, England.

(April 27, 2018 - Source: Stephen Pond/Getty Images Europe)

NORWICH CITY

They were deserving 2018/19 champions in the Sky Bet Championship. A total points tally of 94 is no joke and one that was achieved through sheer determination and team spirit. Premier League history hasn’t however been very kind to the Canaries, always coming in and almost immediately booted out every time in recent years. Above many other things, their survival hopes will mainly be a test of their mentality and maturity to compete at the highest level. They clearly have the quality and experience in all the right places to do well, evidenced by a 1st position finish in the Championship were they outcompeted teams such as Villa, Middlesborough, Leeds, West Bromwich Albion, Sheffield United amongst many others. They will need to live beyond their previous relegation chop demons but up to that mantra they chose for themselves upon winning the Championship, “we are Premier League.” In their opening EPL match, they hardly couldn’t have had a more intimidating opponent than the European champions, Liverpool. The Canaries showed a little bit of naivety by trying to match Jurgen Klopp’s men play for play and found themselves 4-0 down by the stroke of half-time. Whatever Daniel Farke said to them during the break worked. A more disciplined and collected approach saw them frustrate the Reds, and pulled one goal back through Teemu Pukki to ensure the match finished 4-1.

Norwich can match anyone on their day as we saw in their nail biting and narrow 3-2 loss to Chelsea at Carrow Road. We have also seen them blow away NewCastle by a 3-1 scoreline, showing great dynamism going forward and putting it on plain tables that they mean business.

Transfer business

The Canaries actually spent the least amount of money amongst all the 20 Premier League teams in the window. A total expenditure of just £1.1m saw them bring in Sam Byram, Daniel Adshead and Josip Drmic permanently while Ibrahim Amadou, Ralf Fahrmann and Patrick Roberts signed on loan. It doesn’t look like that kind of budget would be enough to help them to stay up. However, their strength remains the team chemistry and fighting spirit that was a major ingredient in gaining promotion. Farke’s men managed to more or less retain that crop of players and provided they are not harboured by injuries on some of their key players, they still have enough quality to cause anyone problems and stay put in the English top flight. One player they will surely be hoping will be fit throughout the whole campaign is the Finnish forward Teemu Pukki, who just cannot stop scoring at the moment. He shook-off the Premier League feeling and brought forward his golden boot winning form to the top flight. The 29-year-old has now scored 5 goals in 4 matches and pretty much amongst the league’s top marksmen.

Daniel Farke’s boys probably have Wolves as a great inspiration to what they are trying to achieve. Nuno’s men attained promotion in the 2017/18 in the same circumstance as Norwich after winning the Championship, remained a bit conservative in the transfer market and pushed themselves to secure a 7th place finish, earning passage to some elusive continental football in only their first season. That doesn’t obviously happen all the time but Norwich could surely be asking the why not questions.

Verdict: They will also do just enough to stay alive in the Premier League. History has taught us that the ability to score goals could be slightly more important than just avoiding to concede in the race to EPL survival. The Canaries have shown early enough that they have goals in them, if they can keep it tighter at the back, they will be more than fine.

Chris Wilder manager of Sheffield United looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday at Bramall Lane on January 12, 2018 in Sheffield, England.

(Jan. 11, 2018 - Source: Nathan Stirk/Getty Images Europe)

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Despite a long and considerably wealthy history worth telling to even more generations to come, the Blades had stayed out of the Premier League the longest amongst the three. They last played in the top flight in the 2006/07. It is the same club that gave African players such as the Zimbabwean Peter Ndlovu, the chance to make their names bigger at the grandest stage. They quite fairly have been the least spoken of amongst the three promoted teams. Firstly, because a Championship title win obviously granted Norwich a greater audience and so did Villa’s play-offs matches. Early signs from their opening Premier League matches suggest that they are all about that old-school shoulder to the wheel grind. The Blades seem not to be trying to outplay or out manoeuvre anyone but just doing the basic things of defending, staying compact and scoring very well. Their patience was rewarded with an opening day point won at Bournemouth after they scored late-on to brings the scores to a 1-1 stalemate. Chris Wilder’s boys picked up their first 3 points at home to Palace in a similar conservative way of playing, using their fans’ passionate support as a clutch to be more composed going forward and neatly tucking away their chances.

Transfer business

Dejection for players of Sheffield United during the npower League One, playoff final between Huddersfield Town and Sheffield United at Wembley Stadium on May 26, 2012 in London, England.

(May 25, 2012 - Source: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images Europe)

It was quite decent for a side that just gained promotion. A bit more reasonable than the lavish way of Villa nor the extremely stringent Norwich way. The Blades splashed a total of £43m to bring in players such as the former Bournemouth forward, Lys Mousset, Phil Jagielka from Everton and Oliver McBurnie from Swansea They also held to quite a number of their Championship players which virtually make them fall in the category of Norwich as far as squad depth and team chemistry is concerned.

Verdict: They seem the least likely to stay up amongst the three for me. I am not entirely convinced they have enough goals in them even though their defensive work is quite commendable.

WHEN THE NOISE FADES

Key to the trio’s survival hopes is the ability to turn up week-in and out with a mentality worthy of the Premier League, not just trying to survive. Most importantly, the sides who will still be able to grind out results when the momentum and cheers of attaining Premier League promotion fades, because it will, are the very same teams who will avoid the chop.

Who do you think will most likely stay up?

How can La Liga grow their audience as a league?

Players and officials line up prior to the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on May 6, 2018 in Barcelona, Spain.

(May 5, 2018 - Source: Alex Caparros/Getty Images Europe)

This is La Liga Santander

La Liga is one of the most recognizable leagues in football and over the decades, it has maintained a strong presence on the global stage. Home to the world’s biggest clubs, Spain’s top-flight division attracts the most sought after players with ambitions of title hopes and the recent record signing of Eden Hazard from Chelsea is a perfect example. La Liga clubs have consistently shown their dominance in Europe with the most sought after trophies and titles finding a permanent home in Spain. Spanish clubs have raked up the highest number of European titles; 18 UEFA Champions and 11 Europa League titles, while also having the highest number of Balon d’Or winners, 22 in total. This Europe’s acclaimed league also attracts huge numbers in viewership as fans tune in to watch football played at one of the highest levels. Even in the midst of all the successes of teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid, the league has trailed behind the Premier League in viewership rankings. Hence the governing body’s seeming mission to grow it’s the audience and attract millions of more spectators to follow Spanish football globally.   

“La Liga has ventured into this area, piloting a free Facebook service for Asia in 2018 that has made La Liga easily accessible for millions of Facebook users. ”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

Borrowing lessons from the EPL

Barcelona and Real Madrid instantly come to mind as the most successful teams in La Liga and Europe. The clubs have a dominating presence in the league and retain the bulk of football supporters domestically and internationally. The reputation and status of Barcelona and Madrid pull some of the world’s best players to the La Liga and most players dream of playing at Camp Nou and the Santiago Bernabeu during the course of their careers. These two teams, along with Manchester United dominate global replica shirt sales every year. The competition between the two clubs has also contributed to the league’s appeal; El Clasico is the most popular game in any given La Liga season and in club football worldwide. While this dominance has gained La Liga a decent following, the monopoly held by Barcelona and Real Madrid has also posed some disadvantages in the growth of the league. The highly competitive nature of EPL attracts a broader audience whereas in Spain, Barcelona or Real Madrid usually interchange the number one spot. This intense competition is just one of the things that the English League has gotten right.

 a) Language barrier/opportunity

Two Barcelona fans enjoy the pre match atmosphere prior to the La Liga match between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Camp Nou on May 6, 2018 in Barcelona, .

(May 5, 2018 - Source: David Ramos/Getty Images Europe)

There are other aspects of the EPL that La Liga could replicate to get the essential viewership numbers up. For example, the Premier League’s presence in the English speaking world remains a key reason behind why it enjoys the title of the most-watched league around the globe. As a widely-used language of communication in many parts of the world, English offers a massive advantage for the EPL. Commentary and analysis are predominately in English which has allowed for the easier penetration of the English Premier League into the football cultures of various regions.  Spanish however, has a much smaller speaking population than English outside Spain and South America. As a result, La Liga has traditionally focused on attracting the European and South American market.

 Building a similar culture and connection with the audiences globally is one of the core challenges for the Spanish League. They have attempted to remedy this with some success. Recent efforts from the league have targeted less penetrated regions where they have spearheaded the idea of delivering La Liga content that fits into the context of each area. As a result, La Liga has invested in gathering data on how the audience reacts and using that to design content and marketing that fits into the cultural context.

 b) Bringing La Liga to their doorsteps

Furthermore, La Liga has also begun to hit the ground with tours outside Europe. Pre-season tours where Premier League clubs hold matches and tournaments outside England have become a part of the league’s traditions — considering the lack of visibility outside Spain for La Liga, this tactic is crucial for clubs that are less at the forefront; clubs like Valencia and Espanyol have not gained a significant following outside of Spain. Playing more league games outside of Spain and allowing players to meet fans in their home regions would increase La Liga’s visibility and ultimately its global audience.

Real Madrid supporters celebrate as their side scores the opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on May 2, 2008 in Madrid, Spain. Barcelona won the match 6-2.

(May 2, 2009 - Source: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images Europe)

 Pioneering new ways of streaming live matches

Gaining more visibility outside Spain is a step in the right direction to get more people tuning into the live matches, which is a more significant win for the league. Streaming services which are spiking due to the increase of video streaming platforms such as Facebook, become one of the obvious next step for football leagues. La Liga has ventured into this area, piloting a free Facebook service for Asia in 2018 that has made La Liga easily accessible for millions of Facebook users. Asia is undoubtedly an important market for the Spanish League to gain a large following they need to increase the global viewership. Switching to internet-based streaming is a smart move by the league since internet usage in the region is amongst the highest with over half a billion users and data costs among the lowest.  Facebook currently holds exclusive rights to stream all 380 matches in the La Liga India and South-east Asia. It’s easy to see this model thriving in North America and Africa as well.

There’s no denying that La Liga is the home of champions and championships, exquisite football and the biggest names in the game. The potential for La Liga to become the most-watched league is undoubtedly there and amplifying La Liga’s presence in regions that have not historically been a priority is the right strategy for Spain’s top league. While La Liga attempts to dominate global viewership rankings, for now, Spanish clubs should continue to dominate where it matters most, on the pitch.

How have Atalanta become Serie A Giants?

"I'm convinced, I'm going to wake up to find none of this is real," twitted one Atalanta admirer back in 2017. La Dea were shockingly sitting 5th on the Serie A standings, a club that had been relegated in 2003, 2005 and 2010; only managing a top 10 finish once in the decade. Fast forward two years, the exploits of the Bergamo club have proven to be by no means a fluke but properly institutionalised through agreeable structures. They finished 3rd behind Juve and Napoli in the 2018/19 season and we will make their UEFA Champions League debut this season. But how did they do it? Why them? Let's take a quick journey back into time.

“...that’s exactly what Atalanta have done and there’s nothing miraculous about their rise. It’s simply the old-age formula of #people #product and #process.”

— Dennis Takaendesa, FirstTouch Africa

Atalanta BC coach Gian Piero Gasperini controls the ball during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Pescara Calcio at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on March 19, 2017 in Bergamo, Italy.

(March 18, 2017 - Source: Marco Luzzani/Getty Images Europe

The nervous night

Just a few games into his Atalanta job, then 59-year old Giani Piero Gasperini had lost 4 of his 5 opening matches in charge. To make matters worse, his next opponent were to be Napoli, the Naples residents who are never shy to take the game to anyone. In Gasperini's mind, it wasn't only about his poor start at life in Bergamo but the past demons haunting him over a job lost at Inter Milan by reason of a similar run of results. A second consecutive sack was looming and Gasperini himself later admitted the dreaded possibility, "I was on the verge of being sacked, it's true," speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Prior to what could be his last match in charge, he threw caution to the wind and made some drastic changes to his formation which he communicated a night before the match to the club President, Percassi. The latter all of sudden had more time in the night than he had planned, with his eyes determined to disallow the eyelids from closing them as he peered into the most likely unpleasant future, savouring the dawning unsavoury moment over and over again. Thankfully, the gamble paid off. The youngsters which include Roberto Gagliardini that Gasperini blooded that day, saved his job and Percassi a few more hours of sleep as Atalanta registered an unlikely 1-0 over Napoli. The victory was so big that thousands of fans welcomed "The Goddess," at the Bergamo airport. A revolution had started and a few years more, we continue to write about it.

Minnow turned giant

South Africa's first democratically elected president Nelson Mandela once remarked that, "every now and then, a generation is called upon to be great. You can be that great generation." The current crop of Atalanta players are certainly living up to the late Pan-African's reflections. To understand how far they've come even more, picture the Premier League's Bournemouth or Burnely for instance, with their modest budget and presumably keen eye on home grown talent. If they were to maintain such a strategy and progressively break into the EPL's top three ahead of some of the so-called big 6 teams, that would be fairly considered as an unlikely miracle right? That's exactly what Atalanta have done and there's nothing miraculous about their rise. It's simply the age old formula of #people #product and #process.

Papu Gomez and Musa Barrow of Atalanta BC celebrate the 0-2 goal scored by Musa Barrow during the serie A match between Benevento Calcio and Atalanta BC at Stadio Ciro Vigorito on April 18, 2018 in Benevento, Italy.

(April 17, 2018 - Source: Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images Europe)

People

Getting the right people for the right job is an indespensible ingredient anywhere. That's exactly what La Dea, "The Goddess," did in appointing Gasperini in 2016 and most importantly showing enough faith and patience to let him do his job when results went side-ways. It is reported that in his first few games in charge where wins were a scarce commodity, club President Percassi descended upon the Atalanta players in the gym and frankly shared he was all they got. They just had to shape up or shape up. “I have no doubts about Gasperini. He is our manager, the best manager possible, and untouchable. So now let’s see what you want to do about it.” – Antonio Percassi's comments as reported by L’Eco di Bergamo at the time. This was in contrast to what had happened at Inter not long ago when Gasperini was sacked after barely 6 matches in charge. His methods were clearly not modern enough for Inter who were looking to challenge Juve for the Scudetto. As luck would have it, Atalanta under Gasperini finished above Nerazzuri in the 2018/19 Serie A season. The appointment of Gasperini was the master stroke and the wild card which eventually led to him to find more people in the form of blooding youngsters who are mostly of Bergamo descent and have gone on to take the La Dea badge, up high with the best there is. Gasperini was quoted by Gazetta dello Sport back in November 2016 as having said this about their recruitment:

“...the club is serious, the structures ideal, the fans passionate, and I have already seen interesting players in the youth sector. The project is clear and focused on those players in the academy: on building really strong identification with our region. An Atalanta styled after Athletic Bilbao, maybe without reaching quite those excesses – because if there is a good kid who doesn’t speak with a Bergamese dialect I’d take him all the same …”

All these people have massively enabled the ‘Queen of the Provinces’ to build a product in the form of a results based style of football we are now celebrating today.

Duvan Zapata of Atalanta celebrates after scoring the equalizing goal during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on December 26, 2018 in Bergamo, Italy.

(Dec. 25, 2018 - Source: Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe)

Product

Below is a typical 3-4-3 formation that Atalanta have been using during their remarkable rise, albeit with a few tactical tweaks here and there when the wisdom of Gasperini finds it prudent. It's almost the same formation that has become synonymous with Antonio Conte after his 2016/17 Premier League title win with Chelsea. Three ball playing center-backs are flanked by two full backs on either side who become attackers, delivering crosses into the opposition box when in possession and can quickly switch to defensive duties to form a back-five when under attack. They always have a congested midfield of three players, whom the most advanced one in their set-up against SPAL and in most cases being Pasalic. Upfront are two forwards, the infamous skipper Papu Gomez who has given so much to the side and Colombian international, Duvan Zapata. Summer signing Muriel also gives Gasperini's side more options going forward. More interestingly, Gasperini prefers to play with a pseudo number 10. Pasalic's role in the team is hardly distinguishable to that of the other two midfielders and most of their goal-scoring opportunities come from the flanks. Summatively, this formation allows Gasperini's side to attack as a team and defend as one, making great use of the numbers rather than banking on any kind of individual brilliances. They move like a pack of wolves and unlike the criticism that Conte received at Chelsea for being too defensive, Atalanta's dynamism is sometimes too spontaneous for any opponent to counter. They have become the masters of the 3-4-3 formation.

Duvan Zapata of Atalanta BC celebrates his goal with his team-mates during the Coppa Italia match between Atalanta BC and Juventus at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on January 30, 2019 in Bergamo, Italy.

(Jan. 29, 2019 - Source: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Europe)

Process

A 2015 report by the Swiss based CIES Football Observatory cited Atalanta as having the 8th best youth academy in Europe's top five leagues. They have been super deliberate in the appointment of youth coaches who expertly scout mostly local talent and systematically grooms it to feed the senior side. Just like Eredivisie's Ajax Amsterdam, no wonder they hardly feel the heat when some of their most promising stars are snapped up by the more affluent sides. Atalanta have built a self-sustaining system and institution that doesn't rely on any individuals. When Ivorian international Franck Kessie left for AC Milan for example, he was never missed and the same goes for Mattia Caldara who was snapped by Juve and many others.

2019/20 Champions League dice

Most special, this season marks Atalanta’s first appearance in the UEFA Champions League since the tournament’s rebranding. They had only played in the 1963-64 European Cup. Drawn in group C against Manchester City, Dinamo Zagreb and Shakhtar Donetsk, they are the underdogs on paper given their lack of experience on the biggest stage in recent times. One thing we have however learnt is not to count them out on anything. I predict they will do enough to narrowly progress into the round of 16, registering an upset against City. La Dea will kick-start their UCL campaign away at Zagreb in Croatia on the 18th of September.

Looking ahead

The Serie A still pretty much remains Juventus’ stronghold, who have won 8 titles on the spin. They are miles ahead of their closest competitors such as Inter Milan and Napoli financially, and if anyone is going to get one over them – they would need to come in with a different strategy. Atalanta have been on that path, causing the Old Lady a few problems when they met and if their progression is to continue, it may not be now but definitely a matter of time before La Dea get their hands on a Scudetto.

How will Atletico Madrid fare in their new era?

No Griezmann, no problem for Atletico

Antoine Griezmann of Club Atletico de Madrid holds his daughter Mia during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on May 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

(May 11, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Atletico Madrid is firmly into a new era after long-time Los Rojiblancos talisman, Antoine Griezmann vacated the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium for Camp Nou in a wholesome €120 million deal. Atletico would have preferred to hold on to Griezmann, who has been the club’s top scorer for 5 years. The club's strong disapproval of the secret negotiations that the Frenchman had with Barcelona before sharing his imminent departure with his employers vividly communicated their stance. However, the move was an inevitable one and long time coming as the world cup winner had already expressed his intentions to move in 2018. Besides Griezzy, Atleti have also unpacked crucial players during the transfer window that include Rodri, Lucas Hernandez and veteran defenders, Diego Godin, Juanfran and left-back player Filipe Luis. It all marks the end to an entirely different era, one that was Atleti's most successful spell led by Diego Simeone. The voids left by the departures will not be an easy task to fill but who better to take a stab at it other than the Diego Simeone.

As so often happens when a key player leaves a club, it becomes a challenge to find a player who can fill in the monumental role that they played, case in point, arch-rivals Real Madrid and Ronaldo. Atletico Madrid would then presumably struggle to replace the Frenchman and other players who have been instrumental in Atletico's success in recent seasons. However, Los Rojiblancos need to prove that the contrary is true, that the future post-Griezmann Atletico would be promising and that new players can rise to the occasion to continue the standards that Simeone has wonderfully set for himself. A tough ask, perhaps, but new signings are looking the real deal having already bolstered Atletico's confidence who could actually be ready for their first La Liga title since the remarkable 2013/14 triumph. Despite the odds, Atleti's newfound confidence looks to drive the campaign this season. Their performance in the first three games of the season shows that Atletico is hungry for a La Liga title. Exciting times lie ahead for Atletico Madrid as they launch their post-Griezmann title chase.

Joao Felix of Portugal in action during the UEFA Nations League Semi-Final match between Portugal and Switzerland at Estadio do Dragao on June 05, 2019 in Porto, Portugal.

(June 4, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Joao Felix, the embodiment of Atleti’s new era

When you lose your crucial striker and highest goal scorer for the last five seasons, the struggle to find an equally good player that would seamlessly fit into the position in the present market, would be real. For a fee of €126 million, Joao Felix has proved to be a brilliant substitute for Griezmann in the attack. The young attacking midfielder is a creative and powerful forward, and there are few players in Europe today who have the potential to change the fortunes of an entire team more than Atletico's record signing João Félix. The Portuguese teenage sensation is of a calibre of his own with tremendous talent and ambition, who has been touted by former Uruguayan striker Diego Forlan, that he could help Atletico lift the title this season, while some think he's a future Balon d'Or winner. It's not far fetched to think that he holds the key for Atletico. In his breakout season at his former club, Benfica; he was vital in securing the Portuguese title, scoring 15 goals and served up 11 assists in 21 games. On the hunt for an attacking forward this summer, Atletico put up a cool €126 million; the biggest spend in Atletico history for the teenage sensation. It is a sign that Atletico is looking to invest in the future, rebuilding for a new era with a young player, one with more silverware. He is the perfect fit for the new look Atletico that Diego Simeone is building and central to this would be to develop the talented teenager's abilities that will carry Atletico forward. 

Diego Simeone believes that the greatest quality that Joao Felix has is the quick adaptation and versatility added to that, a strong desire to become better. Watching him play, deciphers why Los Rojiblancos would choose to break the piggy bank for this phenomenal talent. At just 19 years old, he has enough talent that shows potential to become the best in Europe. The move has also benefitted the young player as he tries to make a name for himself. In pre-season he scored three goals in 5 matches and had 4 assists, a more than impressive start.

 Are Atletico ready to be crowned champions?

Diego Simeone's squad is showing early signs of title form, posting three wins in three. It is more significant that while Los Rojiblancos have a solid footing this season, rivals Barcelona and Real Madrid have struggled to swoop their first three matches. Real Madrid are still battling with the departure of Ronaldo and despite purchasing an amazing arsenal of players coming into the season including Chelsea top man, Eden Hazard, they have not gotten into a recognizable dominant form. Atletico have also finished above their Madrid neighbors in the last two seasons coming into this new campaign. Public scuffles between Real boss Gareth Bale and injuries that have sidelined Hazard, Eder Militao, Rodrygo signal troubling time for people's champion, Zinadine Zidane. In the first three matches, Atletico have looked sharper and more organized than the squad at Bernabeau.

 Similar sluggish start for Barcelona has strengthened a title contention for last season’s runner ups. If not, there are still many opportunities for Atletico to grow, managing to push past Barcelona. Atletico looks like a more organized and confident side going into this season. The last time Atletico posted a perfect start as they have this season, was in their near-perfect title chase in 2013/14.

Assessing Los Rojiblanco's current squad

As a unit, Atletico is a solid squad that is youthful with some experienced players in the line-up such as Diego Costa. The Spaniard will lead in front alongside Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix. Costa’s performances, instinct and aggression are a set of skills that can make him highly influential for Atleti if the 30-year old were to perform at his highest this season. Alvaro who is on loan from Chelsea until 2020, where the plan is for him to sign on to the Los Rojiblancos permanently also completes a trio that has the potential to cause havoc in Spain and Europe once the UCL starts.

Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid chats with Diego Simeone, manager of Atletico Madrid after Godin's last home match for the club at the end of the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Sevilla FC at Wanda Metropolitano on May 12, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

(May 11, 2019 - Source:/Getty Images Europe)

Simeone’s men also have a lot of talent to work with in the midfield, with the signing of Marcos Llorente from Real Madrid and Hector Herrera who will bring creativity. Ghanaian international, Thomas Partey who scored a crucial goal against Eibar in their third league match will become increasingly important after the departure of Rodri, proving more and more that he is a critical figure in the centre of the park.

Alteti are looking very different at the back this season, owing to the departures of Juanfran, Diego Godin and Filipe Luis. Simeone brought in Spanish defender Mario Hermoso from Espanyol for a €25 million fee to join the duo of Stefan Savić and Jose Giménez in central defence. Hermoso will play a vital role in the strengthening Atletico's defence while, former Tottenham right-back Kieran Trippier hopes to revive his title-winning ambitions on the continent.

 Conclusion

Atletico might be entering into a new era in their club history, but there they come into it blazing and ready to rise to the occasion. The player to watch is undoubtedly Joao Felix, the name that is buzzing in Madrid at this moment, the biggest reason for this newfound excitement and interest in what Atletico has to offer. The talented teen is set to reach peak form at the club where Simeone will develop and finesse his skills. The future for Atletico looks young, focused, ambitious and ready to dominate Spain.

 What do you think could be the biggest roadblock for Atleti this season?

“Diego Simeone believes that the greatest quality that Joao Felix has is the quick adaptation and versatility added to that, a strong desire to become better. Watching him play, deciphers why Los Rojiblancos would choose to break the piggy bank for this phenomenal talent.”

— Margaret Mandeya, FirstTouch Africa

2019/20 EPL Breakout Stars of the Season: Which lads could feel more at home?

Here is our list of some of the most promising, rising football stars in England. We believe they’re going to make their names bigger in the 2019/20 season.

Rhian Brewster of Liverpool controls the ball during the International Friendly match between Sydney FC and Liverpool FC at ANZ Stadium on May 24, 2017 in Sydney, Australia.

(May 23, 2017 - Source: Matt King/Getty Images AsiaPac

1. Rhian Brewster, England

Age: 19

Club: Liverpool

Position: Centre forward

He is yet to make a debut appearance for the European champions but the young forward is about as talented as they get. He scored 20 goals in 23 appearances for the England U-17 side, also winning the Golden Boot for scoring the most goals when the Three Lions won the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017. He is probably one of the reasons why Dominic Solanke was moved on by Liverpool to Bournemouth. Ahead of the 2019/20 season, Liverpool manager in Jurgen Klopp suggested that both the Chelsea Academy graduate and Chamberlain would be like new signings. Behind Mane, Salah and Firmino in the pecking order, it may take a while before Rhian gets some consistent game time but when the time comes, best believe he would lace up for the occasion. The kid was born scoring goals.

2. Joseph George Willock, England

Age: 20

Club: Arsenal

Position: Midfielder

Joe Willock of Arsenal runs with the ball during the Joan Gamper trophy friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(Aug. 3, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Inarguably Arsenal’s best player in their pre-season ahead of the 2019/20 Premier League campaign. No wonder Unai Emery has picked him in the Gunners starting line-up in the first few games, in what Joe has described to be a special “time for his family,” which boast of quite a number of footballers including his two brothers. The Arsenal youth academy graduate made his senior debut back in 2017 and now looks more likely to become a regular first team player. You should see how he was shoved off the ball by Jonjo Shelvey in Arsenal’s opening EPL at Newcastle, only to pick himself up and shoved Shelvey even better much to the delight of his gaffer, Unai Emery. So much hunger and fight in the young lad whom we will surely hear even more of in the time to come.

 3. Domingos Quina, Portugal

Age: 19

Club: Watford

Position: Attacking/Central Midfielder

 The Guinea Bissau born starlet was made in the Benfica, Chelsea and West Ham football academies, once attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs that include Arsenal before being snapped up by the Hornets in August 2018. Quina is a powerful and very technically gifted player who has a few long range strikes in his locker. He has represented the Portuguese youth teams, that is the U-17 and U-19 sides with whom he won the UEFA European Championships in 2016 and 2018 respectively, making the team of the tournament on both occasions. After making his debut Premier League appearance for Watford in December 2018 against Manchester City, the 2019/20 might be the season we see even more of him.

 4. Mason Mount, England

Age: 20

Club: Chelsea

Position: Midfielder

Domingos Quina of Watford (2L) celebrates after scoring his team's second goal with team mates during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Reading and Watford at Madejski Stadium on August 29, 2018 in Reading, England.

(Aug. 28, 2018 - Source: Clive Rose/Getty Images Europe)

 One of the distinguished beneficiaries of Frank Lampard’s youth revolution at Chelsea. Mount, who’s Chelsea through and through by reason of growing up in their academy, had quite successful loan spells at Dutch Eredivisie club, Vitesse in the 2017/18 season and Sky Bet Championship side Derby County in the 2018/19 campaign under the management of you guessed who, Frank Lampard. At Vitesse, Mount was a hit scoring as much as 14 goals in 39 matches and made the Eredivisie team of the season. After scoring 8 goals in 35 appearances at Derby, you can surely understand why Lampard was quick to recall him when he got the Chelsea job. The young midfielder who can play centrally or on either wings has already scored 2 Premier League goals in his first 3 senior appearances for the club and honestly looks very comfortable in his skin. This won’t be the last we will hear of Mount.

 5. Benjamin Johnson, England

Age:19

Club: WestHam United

Position: Defender

Ben Johnson is another product of the West Ham academy. He began his playing career as a forward player but gradually evolved to become a full-back. Ben was first named on the West Ham bench against Manchester City in 2017 and then made his Premier League appearance February 2019 away at Manchester City as a left-back. He is probably one to be the Cityzens’nightmare quite soon. With Pablo Zabaleta leaving at the end of the season, he will become on the readiest options to edge his name as a first team regular for Manuel Pellegrini’s side.

Mason Mount of Chelsea in action during the Premier League 2 match between Chelsea and Everton on April 21, 2017 in Aldershot, England.

(April 20, 2017 - Source: Ben Hoskins/Getty Images Europe)

 6. Mason Greenwood, England

Age:17

Club: Manchester United

Position: Centre forward

 Remember how Marcus Rashford arrived on the scene? Bruce Willised the armageddon with a brace on his debut. Well, Greenwood didn’t but quite a number of things have been said about him already. Some have called him, the new “Robin Van Persie,” and his manager, Ole has spoken at length about his versatility up front and ability to kick the ball with his right just as he can with his left-foot. “He is almost what you’d call 50-50, maybe 51-49 left footed,” the United boss said. Greenwood became the second youngest player ever to play a European club game when he came on for Ashely Young away at PSG in the 2018/19 campaign when he was still 17 years and 156 days old. With Lukaku and Sanchez off to Inter, he remains the most direct back-up option to Anthony Martial upfront and the 2019/20 season could be where he establishes himself at Old Trafford.

 8. Adrian Bernabe, Spain

Age:18

Club: Manchester City

Position: Midfielder

 Competing with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, David Silva and Bernado Silva; it doesn’t make a lot of sense to envision such a youngster breaking into the champions’ squad. But if anyone can, it will actually be Adrian. There is a reason why Guardiola brought him to the Etihad in the summer of 2018 and that’s reason enough to believe the highly gifted Spaniard could make his name bigger in England. The Barcelona and Espanyol youth product could be one of City’s ideas in replacing the veteran Spaniard, David Silva who will depart at the end of the season.

 There you have it, seven of the best youngsters to defy age in this new Premier League season. Who you got? Did we miss anyone?

2019/20 Serie A Breakout Stars of the Season: Who will light up Italy?

Italy has them too, many others. Here are five of some of the wonderkids who could make major inroads in Italian football this new season.

Matteo Gabbia of Italy U18 celebrates after scoring the goal 1-1 during the international friendly match between Italy U18 and Slovenia U18 on August 11, 2016 in Codroipo near Palmanova, Italy.

(Aug. 10, 2016 - Source: Giuseppe Bellini/Getty Images Europe)

1. Matteo Gabbia

Age: 19

Club: AC Milan

Position: Midfielder

 He represented Italy at the 2016 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and then joined Milan’s youth Academy where things escalated quickly for him, getting a call by the head coach Vincenzo Montella into the senior team. We are looking forward to see what the youngster will bless the Series A with and this season might just be the one for him, playing with like minds in the youthful Milan squad.

 2. Eljif Elmas

Age: 19

Club: Napoli

Position: Midfielder

 The Macedonian joined Napoli on the 24th of July of 2019. In 2017, he was the youngest player in the Macedonia U21 team that went to Poland to represent the country in the U21 European Championship. It’s not every day that you hear of a player of Macedonian decent playing in a top league such as the Serie A, unless they are a rare find. Eljif is such a one.

 3. Ebrima Colley

Age: 19

Club: Atalanta

Position: Midfielder

Eljif Elmas of Fenerbache SK during the match between SL Benfica and Fenerbache SK for UEFA Champions League Qualifier at Estadio da Luz on August 7, 2018 in Lisbon, Portugal.

(Aug. 6, 2018 - Source: Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images Europe)

 Born in Serekunda, Gambia, Ebrima is part of the Gambian national team. He is currently spreading his wings in Italy where he has been playing for the Under-19 squad of Atalanta since the 2017-18 season. Colley is at the best place for young talent in the ranks of Atalanta whose recent rise to the top is hugely attributed to like players. Playing alongside fellow Gambian in Musa Barrow, best believe he is in a conducive environment for growth.

 4. Sandro Tonali

Age: 19

Club: Brescia

Position: Midfielder

He was part of the Italian national squad that made it to the finals of the U-19 UEFA European Championship where they lost 4-3 to Portugal. That should be a testament of how much talent Sandro is about to unleash in the Series A. He has been recognized in the media for his energy, co-ordination and technical qualities that enable me to achieve the most with his right foot. He won the Series B footballer of the year in 2018 and this year, he will compete with the best of Italy with the renowed Mario Balotelli on his side

 5. Luan Capanni

Age: 19

Club: AC Milan

Position: Forward

 Some of us might have last seen him at Lazio and not know that he signed a contract with Milan on the 20th of August 2019. Before that, he was at Flamengo and Corinthians. He holds both Brazilian and Italian citizenship and he is hoping to represent the Italian national football team in future. That’s Milan’s second on this list, after Gabbia. They are surely planning the stuff of legends with the young blood.

2019/20 Absa Premiership Breakout Stars of the Season: Which players could blow?

Fans during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on October 26, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa.

(Oct. 25, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

Here’s some names for you to remember. Seven of the Absa Premiership’s hottest prospects and future stars that could light up the 2019/20 season.

1. Teboho Mokoena

Age: 22

Club: SuperSport United

Position: Midfielder

At his age, he is already part of the South African national team. He made his debut appearance for Bafana Bafana in 2016 and has since made about 50 appearances. Teboho scored the winning goal in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers for South Africa against islanders, Seychelles.

2. Phakamani Mahlambi

Age: 21

Club: Mamelodi Sundowns

Position: Attacking Midfielder

He started his career with Bidvest Wits and has been blazing since then. Of note, he suffered a medial collateral ligament and took some time off the field of play. In 2017, he signed for Al Ahly, making him the first ever South African to play in Egyp. He has since returned home for the champions and remains one of the reasons why Pitso’ side remain acclaimed for their squad depth.

3. Justin Shonga

Age: 22

Club: Orlando Pirates

Position: Forward

The Zambian player was signed by the South African Bucs in 2017 from Nkwazi FC, a club back in Zambia. So far he has scored 4 goals in 23 ABSA Premiership appearances. Put aside his age, Justin “the Sheriff” Shonga is one of the deadliest attackers in the league, ask the defenders. He has however been a subject of speculation in the summer with Tanzania’s Simba FC reported to be interested in the Zambian international.

Siyabonga Nkosi of the Chiefs celebrates after the Nedbank Cup Final between SuperSport United and Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium on May 25, 2013 in Durban, South Africa.

(Dec. 31, 1999 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

4. Gift Links

Age: 20

Club: Cape Town City F.C.

Position: Forward

He was with Al Assiouty in Egypt where he made 11 appearances. He was called for the Bafana Bafana squad and gave a splendid performance. That caught the eye of his current team which then offered him a more permanent post and a return to South Africa, his homeland. Not many are as technically gifted as the 20-year-old.

5. Siphesihle Ndlovu

Age: 22

Club: Orlando Pirates

Position: Midfielder

After Maritzburg, he was caught in a dilemma between Mamelodi Sundowns and the Bucs. He eventually decided to side with the stars in black and white because he was apparently attracted by their style of play. Ndlovu signed a contract that will bind him to the side for the next three years and SA is waiting in anticipation to see what the voted 2018/19 midfielder and young player of the season has to offer in the long-term.

Fans during the Absa Premiership match between Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on October 26, 2013 in Soweto, South Africa.

(Oct. 25, 2013 - Source: Gallo Images/Getty Images Europe)

6. Sipho Chaine

Age: 22

Club: Bloemfontein Celtic F.C.

Position: Goalkeeper

Chaine grew up in Bloemfontein and playing for Celtic has always been his dream. At Celtic, he aims to wear the number one jersey. He appeared in this year’s MTN 8 and hugely earmarked as one of the most promising football talents in the country.

7. Sibusiso Mabiliso

Age: 20

Club: Amazulu

Position: Defender

The ABSA Premiership player is one of the youngest players in the league which has an average age of 27 years old. The age advantage has made the player one of the most solicited players in the league. It’s true that defenders are like wine, they get better with age. Mabiliso however happens to be a rare taste.

Are we witnessing the resurgence of the Italian Serie A?

Gianluigi Buffon (L) and Matthijs de Ligt (R) of Juventus are seen on arrival at the stadium prior to the International Champions Cup match between Juventus and FC Internazionale at the Nanjing Olympic Center Stadium on July 24, 2019 in Nanjing, China.

(July 23, 2019 - Source: Getty Images AsiaPac)

Can the Serie A really become more competitive?

Often considered to be one of the top five leagues in the world, conversations about the Serie A have continued to escalate in recent times. The attention towards the league has been vastly heightened by the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo at the start of the 2018/2019 season. Ronaldo’s arrival has somewhat caused some more traction and attracted more players to come to Italy to compete. Now, with another Serie A season already here, one can’t help but wonder whether the upcoming season will be a matter of same champions, just a different season, or will the other teams step up to finally dethrone Juventus off their title. Furthermore, much will be expected from the Italian teams, particularly those participating in the UEFA Champions League, as they will be looking to bring home the trophy which has remained elusive for Italian teams for the past nine seasons. Below we have a look at the evolution of the league and possible outcomes from the new season.

One player can make all the difference

It is without a doubt that the Serie A has been gradually developing. One might be fooled to think that the league is not growing as Juventus continue to be the favorites to win every title on offer. However, that aside, one can argue that the league is growing for a number of different reasons. It is easy to underplay the effect that Ronaldo’s signing has had on Juventus and even the league. The best players are attracted to other top players, it makes the league better and more competitive. Firstly, the arrival of one of the top two best players in the world in Cristiano Ronaldo shows the progressive nature of the league, as well as its ability to attract high quality players to the top flight. Undoubtedly, Ronaldo’s arrival in Italy has had many ripple effects for the league, many of which are positive. His arrival has further attracted more big name players with the likes of Matthijs De Ligt, Romelu Lukaku, Aaron Ramsey, Danilo, Diego Godin and even the veteran Franck Ribery, just to name a few. The presence of more quality players in the league will improve the competition for the league title amongst the teams, bring in more merchandise and TV money as well as provide fans with high quality football entertainment. Therefore, reasons or factors such as the above are proof of the league’s growth.

Juan Cuadrado (L) of Juventus is challenged by Marten De Roon of Atalanta during the Serie A match between Juventus and Atalanta BC on May 19, 2019 in Turin, Italy.

(May 18, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

How ready are the Serie A’s top sides in challenging for the Champions League?

Juventus

​Many expected that the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus would help the team finally bring the Champions League title back to Turin, but the Old Lady’s misfortunes in the tournament continued as they were put to the sword by Ajax Amsterdam in the quarterfinals of the tournament last season. Nevertheless, the main agenda for the new season is no different for this Juventus side as the UEFA Champions League title remains the ultimate goal for them. To this end, the team has made a number of changes in a bid to ready the squad for the new Champions League season. In a move that is surely to change the team’s style of play, Juventus brought in Maurizio Sarri to replace Massimiliano Allegri who left at the end of last season. The team has further been quite busy in the transfer market, signing Aaron Ramsey and Adrien Rabiot to beef up the midfield and improve the creativity in the belly of the park. Furthermore, Juve has also strengthened the team’s defence with the capture of one of the most sought after signings of the summer in Matthijs De Ligt, as well as the swap deal involving the signing of Danilo who came in place of Joao Cancelo. Combine that with the experience of Gianluiggi Buffon, as well as the presence of seasoned players like Ronaldo, Higuain and Mario Mandzukic, Juve surely have the ammunition to go all the way and win this season’s Champions League. But team depth is not the only puzzle to glory. The arrival of Maurizio Sarri is an interesting factor that can have an upside and downside. Others are worried that Sarri could take some time to settle in at Juve, and his new players may initially have problems adapting to his methods. The 60-year-old has no experience of winning top-flight titles, although he did lead Chelsea to Europa League glory last term. It therefore remains to be seen whether Sarriball will provide the right tonic and help finally bring the Champions League title to Turin for the first time in 23 years.

Rodrigo Bentancur (L) of Juventus and Nicolo Zaniolo of Roma compete for the ball during the Serie A match between Juventus and AS Roma on December 22, 2018 in Turin, Italy.

(Dec. 21, 2018 - Source: Tullio M. Puglia/Getty Images Europe)

AS Roma

AS Roma are in another period of transition under new manager Paulo Fonseca and the Portuguese boss is imprinting a new style upon them. The Giallorossi did poorly for their standards last season and finished sixth. Furthermore, the team waved goodbye to one of its greatest legends in Daniel De Rossi, leaving the team with a huge void to fill in terms of leadership and overall quality in the team. This season, Roma bolstered its defense with the acquisition of Leonardo Spinazzola and Gianluca Mancini. In addition, Bryan Cristante, who enjoyed success at Atalanta is expected to spearhead the midfield. Having had one of the most porous back-lines in Serie A last season, the team has also brought in a centre back, Gianluca Mancini from Atalanta who has big shoes to fill following the departure of Manolas. Moreover, the team should be pleased by the news that Edin Dzeko’s future is now sorted and the player is staying put for another season. AS Roma also received a further boost last week when Italian midfield sensation Nicolò Zaniolo penned a new five-year deal with the club. All in all, Roma’s primary focus will be fighting for a top four position and perhaps a round of sixteen qualification in the Champions League in the season following the current one.

“Juventus hired Sarri to guide them to Champions League glory, while Inter brought in the services of another former Chelsea coach in Antonio Conte. AS Roma captured the services of former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paulo Fonseca. Only Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli and the highly impressive Gian Piero Gasperini, who led Atalanta to third position, remain unchanged.”

— Siphosethu Thwala, FirstTouch Africa

Supporters of Inter Milan during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final First Leg match between Inter Milan and Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on April 20, 2010 in Milan, Italy.

(April 19, 2010 - Source: Claudio Villa/Getty Images Europe)

Inter Milan

Inter seem to have taken serious measures to help the team get back to challenging for league honours. Firstly, the appointment of former Chelsea coach in Antonio Conte to replace Luciano Spalletti by the board is a statement of inten. Next to this, Inter snatched the signing of former Man United forward, Romelu Lukaku, beating rivals Juventus to his signature. Furthermore, the Nerazurri have also been able to add some experience defensively by signing former Atletico Madrid defender in Diego Godin who boasts loads of years of Champions League experience. The team further acquired the services of Nicolo Barella, Valentino Lazaro, Stefano Sensi and now imminently Alexis Sanchez, all who are expected to play a big part in this reinvented Inter squad this season. With Conte at the helm, this Inter team will most certainly be challenging for league honours and they seem to be one of the sides that can push Juventus all the way for the title.

Napoli

Napoli’s defence looks solid as a rock after their summer capture of Kostas Manolas from Roma. The Greek international will form a formidable centre-half partnership with the dependable Kalidou Koulibaly as coach Carlo Ancelotti plots to bring the league title to the city for the first time in 29 years. Napoli’s transfer window has been the quietest of the big teams in Serie A, but that doesn’t mean they were unsuccessful. The signing of Kostas Manolas gives them one of the world’s most formidable center back pairing. The rest of the world already had to deal with Napoli’s elite attack, but now they’ll also have to find ways to score against a defence that features Manolas and Kalidou Koulibaly. That will be an unbelievably difficult task for any team. That move, coupled with the continued development of young talents like Fabian Ruiz, Alex Meret, and Arkadiusz Milik should make them a formidable opponent for anybody next season. Should we even mention the arrival of the dynamic Hirving Lozano?

Atalanta

The undisputed surprise packages of the 2018/2019 Serie A season. Atalanta finished third last season, the best ever in the club’s history. The pessimist out there would argue that the only place to go for them this season is down. Contrary to this, the optimists see an opportunity for more success. Most attribute the club’s success in recent times is to the team’s ability to produce youth players in abundance. Atalanta, however, have also gotten older and more experienced. In addition to striker Duvan Zapata, Gian Piero Gasperini’s men feature several newcomers in strikers Luis Muriel and midfielder Rusian Malinovskyi. This will allow the team to remain competitive both in the league and the Champions League group stages that begins next month. With their attack stronger than ever, there’s no limit to this team’s potential as they continue to shock teams across Italy. Many believe that the departure of young central defender Gianluca Mancini left a huge vacuum in their back-line that hasn’t been properly filled as of yet. Though Atalanta have been almost inactive in this transfer window, the fact that they kept a talented core together should be enough for Gian Piero Gasperini’s men to have a decent run in their maiden appearance in Europe’s biggest tournament.

Atalanta BC coach Gian Piero Gasperini looks on during the Serie A match between Atalanta BC and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Atleti Azzurri d'Italia on October 7, 2018 in Bergamo, Italy.

(Oct. 6, 2018 - Source: Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images Europe)

Luring in the best gaffers

There has been a considerable number of coaching changes in the Serie A this off season. Interestingly, four of the teams that finished in the top six last year appointed new managers. Juventus hired Sarri to guide them to Champions League glory, while Inter brought in the services of another former Chelsea coach in Antonio Conte. AS Roma captured the services of former Shakhtar Donetsk coach Paulo Fonseca. Only Carlo Ancelotti at Napoli and the highly impressive Gian Piero Gasperini, who led Atalanta to third position, remain unchanged. These factors are likely to be key and become a determining factor regarding who walks away with the Serie A title come May 2020.

On paper, it looks likely to be a three-horse race for the honours this season with perennial runners-up Napoli as well as Inter, likely to push Juventus all the way. With more world class players being drawn to the league each passing season, the attractiveness of this league is moving at lighting speed. Now with all said and done, this Serie A campaign might just be one of the most exciting in years and better still, the only way for this league seems to be all the way up! Who’re you’re vouching for?

Bundesliga Breakout Stars of the Season: Which players are poised to have breakout seasons?

Here is our list of some of the most promising rising football stars in German. We believe they’re going to make their names bigger in the 2019/20 season.

Jann-Fiete Arp of Hamburg celebrates after he scored a goal to make it 3:1 during the Bundesliga match between Hamburger SV and VfB Stuttgart at Volksparkstadion on November 4, 2017 in Hamburg, Germany.

(Nov. 3, 2017 - Source: Martin Rose/Bongarts)

1. Jann-Fiete Arp, German

Age: 19

Club: Bayern Munich

Position: Centre forward

 Robert Lewandowski has been the best of them, still is. The leading foreign scorer in German football is 30 years old now and there’s no better time to start looking for his successor than now. Bayern Munich have done just that by signing Fiete Arp from Hamburger SV. He might have scored only 3 goals in 35 appearances since his Bundesliga debut in 2017 but his demeanor and style of play suggest he is a future Germany national team star. The 2019/20 campaign will be his debut season with the champions.

 2. Ademola Lookman, England

Age: 21

Club: RB Leipzig

Position: Winger

Tim Weah #11 and Josh Sargent #13 of the United States celebrate after a goal by Sargent in the second half of the friendly soccer match against Bolivia at Talen Energy Stadium on May 28, 2018 in Chester, Pennsylvania. The United States defeated Bolivia 3-0.

(May 27, 2018 - Source: Mitchell Leff/Getty Images North America)

Premier League or Nigerian fans are familiar with this one. The witty winger who finished high school as an A student in England started getting noticed at Charlton Athletic before being snapped up by Everton in 2017. His appearances at the Toffees were limited despite his electric pace and slick dribbles. It all started to make sense when a loan move to RB Leipzig in 2018 revived his good old Charlton Athletic scoring self, bagging 5 goals in 11 matches. Over the summer, the German club relentlessly pursued a permanent move for the young forward and got their man. The youthful RB Leipzig side could be where he finally makes his mark and it might even be more bitter-sweet for a section of the Nigerian fans who felt hard done by when he turned down the opportunity to represent the Super Eagles. The 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup winner is still yet to get a senior international England call-up.

3. Dejan Joveljic, Serbia

Age: 20

Club: Eintracht Frankfurt

Ademola Lookman of Everton looks on during the Premier League match between Everton FC and West Ham United at Goodison Park on September 16, 2018 in Liverpool, United Kingdom.

(Sept. 15, 2018 - Source: Alex Livesey/Getty Images Europe)

Position: Centre forward/ Winger

 Frankfurt just loves them Serbians, don’t they? Out goes Luka Jovic to Real Madrid and they sign another one for €4 million. Dejan will be making his Bundesliga debut in the new campaign and after getting it right on Jovic, there is no reason not to believe Eintracht are also spot on the young striker. He made his name at Serbian top flight team, Red Star Belgrade scoring 11 goals in 21 appearances between 2016-19. To understand his style of play, think his compatriots Jovic, Aleksander Mitrovic and Argentine Mauro Icardi.

 4. Josh Sargent, United States of America

Age: 19

Club: Werder Bremen

Position: Centre-forward

Dawid Kownacki of Sampdoria celebrates after scoring the second goal of his team during the Coppa Italia match between UC Sampdoria and Spal at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on December 4, 2018 in Genoa, Italy.

(Dec. 3, 2018 - Source: Paolo Rattini/Getty Images Europe)

Scored his first Bundesliga goal on his debut as a 76th minute substitute, with his first touch in December 2018 for Bremen. What a way to introduce yourself to the world. The Missouri groomed player became a subject of scouting by some of Europe’s elite clubs during his youth days and appearances in tournaments such as the 2016 Nike International friendlies. He got his move to Werder Bremen in January 2018 and featured for their U-23s before his senior debut. When you consider Timothy Weah, Chris Richards, Cristian Pulisic and now Sargent, you would be forgiven for getting excited about the future of USMNT.

 5. Dawid Kownacki, Poland

Age:22

Club: Fortuna Dusseldorf

Position: Centre forward

 At 16, the Polish fans called him, “the new Lewandowski.” In July 2017, Italian Serie A club Sampdoria signed him on a 5-year deal and then later on loaned him to Bundesliga side Dusseldorf in January 2019 with an option to buy. After a slow start to life in Italy with only 5 goals in 35 matches, Dawid has scored 4 in 10 since moving to German. He looks like he is rolling back his youth years when he bagged an astounding 25 in 33 for Poland’s youth teams. The Pole was named in the nation’s 35-man preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. The 2019/20 is a big season for him and we will be watching.

 There you have it folks, that’s just five youth stars we will be keeping a keen eye on. Who are you looking forward to watch? Let us know in the comments.