This week on Forza Futbol Mando and Hannah review the latest from Serie A and La Liga. We also discuss this weeks UEFA Cup action. Get the whole episode here, direct download here or subscribe in iTunes. Check out ForzaFutbol.com!

AC Milan's David Beckham reacts against Reggina during their 1-1 draw 07/02/09 (by Reuters) I went to McDonalds today for my morning coffee and sitting down with the local newspaper was hoping to read in the sports section about the world's biggest derby happening this weekend. I was however greeted instead with continued news on, 'Beckham won't be staying in Milan' as LA Galaxy president Tim Leiweke closes transfer talks.

The article release was of course a knee-jerk reaction on the part of a North American daily lacking in European football expertise, and relying instead on wire services for page fill, when a derby story line would have been more entertaining. Susy Campanale of Channel4 Football Italia had the better angle on all of this with her 'Going Beck-wards' story, as Becks and company will have their focus on tomorrow's Derby della Madonnina.

For the moment, Galaxy handlers have to settle down and wait it out until after the Milan derby for the serious offers to come through as this story ain't over by a longshot. It does Major League Soccer and LA Galaxy no good in attempting to force a settlement right now but when an offer does come through for consideration, I'm sure Beckham will probably have to give up some of his own bobbles to make it all happen.

It's clear Milan won't pay the Galaxy their total asking price during this financial crisis, as both parties have taken a hard line with the "it's business only" approach and that is reasonable. Contrary to earlier comments made by Beckham as he expressed his desire to stay at Milan, this will not be left up to clubs and lawyers but to David Beckham. If Beckham wants to make this move complete ultimately he will have to help make the financial settlement which will enable that final transition away from the Galaxy.

How troubling is all this to Diavolo fans?

How troubling is all this to Diavolo fans who are now warming to the Englishman and more importantly, how troubling to his new teammates? It was after all, only days prior the club was dealing with reports of a mythical offer by Manchester City, for their star playmaker and favorite son Kaka. That bit of reporting might just have disrupted some very important domestic league matches with all the attention creating unwanted tension in the dressing room. Now, this weekend, there are even higher stakes to consider when the Milan city derby takes center stage. As It is highly unlikely Kaka will play due to injury, Beckham becomes an even more important option to a Milan lineup short in the midfield.

Inter versus Milan is one of the biggest games in European football. I've been looking forward to this and what else Serie A will have to offer in the coming month. With 85,000 cheering tifosi at the San Siro the Milan derby has a unique atmosphere found in only a few other venues.

When Inter and AC Milan meet tomorrow it will be the 270th encounter between the two city rivals a long way from that first encounter of 1908. Over the years there has been a repeated struggle for dominance by one club over the other yet the overall head to head results are still split fairly equally with the slightest of advantage to AC Milan with a record of 106 wins, 72 draws and 91 loses to Internazionale.

This time round Mourinho and crew are definitely looking for satifaction after losing this season's opener 0-1 to a Ronaldinho finish as Inter defenders Burdisso and Materazzi would both receive red cards later on in that encounter. Inter atop Serie A look to be the stronger side for the moment and much is at stake as the race for the scudetto could hinge on the outcome tomorrow. The current leaders have an 7 point advantage over second place Juventus but with AC Milan only a point behind Juventus, another loss to Inter's city rivals would be like losing an addition 6 points.

Don't miss any of the Derby della Madonnina action, starting Sunday February 15th at 2:30 pm EST

By Kevin Walker

ForzaFutbol.com 

Forza Futbol’s Mando talks to Andy Mitten author of Mad For It. Get the whole episode here, direct download here or subscribe in iTunes.

 

Gol TV strikes again ladies and gentlemen. Rather than getting a bit of Spanish classicism from the best league in the world, I get stuck watching U-20 South American kids; which I’ll say is perfectly good if you like living in that head space where you watch a player and wonder whether he’ll be any good in 4 years, when you barely remember him, but right here right now you just wonder why you’re bothering to watch sub standard football.

So rather than watch Real Madrid at a decent hour, I’m watching it at 1 in the morning right before bed. Some reflections early on:

• Soria is a very small venue to watch a first division game. I wonder if they can build a sustainable model of top flight football at Numancia with that small stadium?
• Fernando Gago continues to be late reacting to the ball and continues to come in late for tackles. He’s no Fernando Redondo, no matter what people say about resemblances.
• I don’t like to criticize people covering games, but Phil Schoen on Gol TV made me laugh when he mentioned the great players that Real Madrid have in their “cantina”. No wonder they all play sluggishly.
• Wesley Snejder is a great talent but there’s something wrong with him still. He should have waited to make his comeback. He’s great on the set pieces but he’s lost a step in the run of play.
• Numancia don’t play like a promoted side looking for a break. They dominated possession in the first half and should have scored off the header by Javier del Pino.
• The first goal, the record breaking one by Raul, was set-up by a darting inside run by Robben who layed it off to Higuain who shot, it was blocked and Raul poached it. Nice form for a guy who doesn’t have the skill anymore of a quality support striker but isn’t physical enough to really handle the #9 role all by himself. The forgotten man though was Lass. It was he who won the ball for Robben, who I assume realizes that if he stays by Lass, he’ll get the ball soon enough.
• The second goal was typical Robben. He may not be Lionel Messi but he’s the only player they have that can break a man down all by himself and he showed it. Higuain comes close, but this is the real failure of Pedja Mijatovich, he continues to bring in players that have no business wearing the classic white shirt.

The story of  the match was Raul’s reaching for Alfredo DiStefano’s club record for goals. “It is a beautiful thing”, he remarked to himself primarily, as DiStefano was nowhere to be found. I realize he’s getting on in years but Don Alfredo’s been a constant presence there for decades. I wonder if there’s a bit of crankiness there for a man known for his crankiness. Wouldn’t surprise me. That's Real Madrid.

Aupa: La Liga

This week on Forza Futbol Mando and Hannah are joined by Gene and Kevin in a Serie A Round Table. Together we discuss what is going on in the world of Serie A. Get the whole episode here.

This week on Forza Futbol Mando, Elisa and Hannah review the latest from Serie A and La Liga. We discuss Real Madrid and Roberto Mancini as well as predictions.

This week on Forza Futbol Mando, Elisa and Hannah review the latest from Serie A and La Liga. We also Talk predictions and go over last weeks Champions League and UEFA Cup games.

This week we discuss the Sicilian and Madrid derby. We also talk about Club Atlético de Madrid and their UEFA problem. We take the Ballon d’Or “short list” and make it really a short list. All that and so much more on this weeks episode of Forza Futbol.

This week on Forza Futbol we look at week six in Serie A and La Liga. We also discuss the Azzurri call ups from the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.

Love him or hate him Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the worlds best strikers. He can create something from virtually nothing. If you haven't seen his most recent magical moment you need to see his goal from Saturday against Bologna. An amazing back heal from behind the defender. Just amazing.