Match Day 2 Day 2 (whoa!)

Another thing about the Inter-Rubin Kazan game yesterday: I had predicted Balotelli would be sent off against Barcelona but he only played like 10 minutes, so the fact he got sent off in the first CL game he started sort of makes me feel validated.

What I take away from today's games is how bad AC Milan and Atletico Madrid really are. I thought Milan would get a result at home but when I saw the game end 1-0 I didn't blink an eye. They are an old team with holes all over the park and a manager in way over his head (and I will admit I am surprised by this I thought Leonardo was prepared to make the leap). This is now 3 straight games were they have been outplayed by what should be inferior competition. AC Milan are unlike many other Italian teams in that they generally allow a manager time to find his footing. In 99% of other Italian clubs Leonardo would be looking at a must-win this weekend, but if the organization believes in him, and it seems like they do, he is probably going to get a chance to right the ship. That said they are zero percent of a threat at either League or Europe.

Atletico Madrid might be the shallowest big club in Europe. The professionals on their roster don't reach 20 and there is no sign of a willingness or ability to change this at window. Although the defense does look a bit better than last year there are major concerns in midfield and the overall managing of the ball over the course of 90 minutes. It can not be overstated how much better this team looks from afar do the individual skill and magic of Forlan and Aguero. In all honesty they should have finished mid-table last season. But with a spot in the CL come expectations and that makes us all shake our heads every time Atletico play. They had to make a GK switch when Roberto got hurt which makes a bad situation worse. Fortunately for them Sergio Asenjo, their real number 1 and one of the hottest young goalies in Europe, will return from the U-20 World Cup soon, although it may be too late.