Happy Friday and welcome to the Golazo Starting XI newsletter! I’m Roger Gonzalez, keen for what must be a wild weekend of international soccer ahead. Thanks for joining us. Let’s get started, shall we?
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📺 On Paramount+ or CBS Sports Network
All times Eastern
Serie A action
⚽ Cremonese vs. Lecce, Saturday, 9 a.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Roma vs. Empoli, Saturday, 12 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Sassuolo vs. Atalanta, Saturday, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Spezia vs. Napoli, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Torino vs. Udinese, Sunday, 9 a.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Fiorentina vs. Bologna, Sunday, 12 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Inter Milan vs. AC Milan, Sunday, 2:45 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
Scottish Premiership
⚽ St. Johnstone vs. Celtic, Sunday, 7 a.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Network
FA Women’s Soccer League
⚽ Leicester City vs. Manchester City, Saturday. 6:30 a.m. ➡️ CBS Sports Network
⚽ Tottenham Hotspur vs. Chelsea, Sunday. 7:30 a.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ West Ham vs. Arsenal, Sunday. 7:30 a.m. ➡️ Paramount+
Argentine Primera Division
⚽ Newell’s Old Boys vs. Velez Sarsfield, Friday 6 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Tigre vs. Rosario Central, Friday, 6 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Arsenal Sarandi vs. Estudiantes, Saturday, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Sarmiento vs. Barracas Central, Saturday, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Belgrano vs. River Plate, Saturday, 5:15 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Argentinos Juniors vs. Racing Club, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Lanus vs. San Lorenzo, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Independiente vs. Club Atletico Platense, Sunday, 3 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Boca Juniors vs. Central Cordoba de Santiago, Sunday, 5:15 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Atletico Tucuman vs. Talleres, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Godoy Cruz vs. Colon, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
⚽ Union vs. Instituto, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ➡️ Paramount+
📺 What else we’re keeping track of
⚽ Club World Cup second round: Seattle Sounders vs. Al Ahly, Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
⚽ Premier League: Tottenham vs. Manchester City, Sunday at 11:30 a.m.
⚽ La Liga: Barcelon avs. Sevilla, Sunday at 3 p.m.
⚽ The Forward Line
🇺🇸 American soccer history will be made
We are just sooner or later absent from what is going to be an incredibly remarkable day in the history of American soccer. For the first time ever, an American team will play in the FIFA Club World Cup 🏆. The competition is already underway, but Major League Soccer side the Seattle Sounders will debut in the competition Saturday when they face Al Ahly from Egypt. Certain, it may not be the most intriguing matchup on paper, boasting teams from leagues that don’t seem to be regarded as among the finest on the earth, but it’s just so fantastic that the Sounders have even gotten to this point.
Final season, they whip Pumas from Mexico in the Concacaf Champions League to earn a berth at the Club World Cup, which is being played in Morocco. They became the first American team to ever win the competition, breaking a streak of 13 straight seasons where a Mexican team had won it. But that Mexican dominance stretches back further. Prior to the 2008-09 season when the competition was once renamed, it was once called the Concacaf Champions Cup. A Mexican team had won it once a year since 2006. An American team hadn’t won that since 2000 when D.C. United did it, but even Costa Rica had more titles with Alajuelense and Deportiva Saprissa claiming the crown in the following years. So, winning the CCL was once a enormous deal.
Now, Al Ahly played in the first round and pounded New Zealand club Auckland City, 3-0. Seattle will be reasonably favored in this one, but since it is currently MLS preseason, how sharp will they truly be?
This game for the Sounders, alternatively, comes with fairly the possibility — a spot in the semifinals to face what is widely regarded as the biggest club in soccer history, mighty Real Madrid.
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🔗 Midfield Link Play
🍕 Inter Milan vs. AC Milan watch party in Boston on Sunday!
One of the vital biggest rivalries in world soccer will write its latest chapter on Sunday in the Derby della Madonnina as Inter Milan face AC Milan. It is a battle between the final two Serie A champions, two of the biggest clubs on the earth, and two teams having a look to spice up their momentum heading into what is going to be a critical stretch of the season. Our crew from Calcio E Cappuccino will be in Boston at Ducali Pizzeria in the north end for an awesome watch party!
To reserve a spot, click here.
As for the game itself, both teams are chasing leaders Napoli and both are still alive in the Champions League, which you’ll be able to watch on Paramount+.
Our resident Italian giornalista, Francesco Porzio, gets you in a position for the game, sharing why it is this sort of massive contest for each and every.
Porzio: “Inter Milan are in a better shape in comparison to their city rivals, particularly since they won 3-0 in the final Derby della Madonnina on Jan. 18. in the Supercoppa Italiana. That match won Simone Inzaghi his third trophy since he was once appointed in the summertime of 2021. Alternatively, even as he won two Supercoppas and one Coppa Italia, he missed the chance to win the Scudetto final season and also missing the final two Serie A Derby della Madonninas. Inter Milan want to win this game whether they still need to have a even the faintest of hopes to catch Napoli in the title race, considering that the Nerazzurri are currently second in the table,but thirteen points in the back of Napoli. Defender Milan Skriniar might start the match and play for the first time in front of his fans after he signed a pre-agreement with Paris Saint Germain for the summer”
And here he’s on defending champions AC Milan.
Porzio: “AC Milan are coming off of a very difficult month as the Rossoneri conceded 18 goals in seven matches. In the final two games. AC Milan missing 4-0 against Lazio before a 5-2 defeat at home against Sassuolo final Sunday. Those two defeats put more pressure on the position of coach Stefano Pioli, who is now supported by the club but definitely needs to find a way to cause the team back together as soon as conceivable. The Milan derby has a new added meaning since final season when AC Milan won the Scudetto with the final match of the year, managing to defeat city rivals for the title after a fantastic and surprising run that started one year ago when Oliver Giroud’s brace in a win against Inter started Milan set the tone for the stretch run.”
We are hoping if you’re in the Boston area, that you’ll be able to sign up for the crew for what is going to surely be a blast. Now, there’s no word yet where there will be any ranch involved (Seriously, are you able to consider the fantastic persuasive powers we will have to have to even get Alessandro Nesta to check out this), but one object we will be able to probably agree on — ranch does not belong on high-quality pizza.
And now let’s get to a couple links:
🔗 PSG’s Kylian Mbappe is injured, likely out of the Champions League first-leg conflict vs. Bayern Munich.
🔗 Jonathan Johnson breaks down your entire transfer deadline day winners and losers.
🔗 James Benge breaks down Arsenals’ transfer moves as they chase a title.
🔗 Francesco Porzio looks at why Juventus’ season may just be salvageable.
🔗 Alex Morgan spoke to CBS Sports approximately what year two could be like for the San Diego Wave.
🔗 With the transfer window over, Chuck Booth broke down some American moving (or nearly moving) in Europe.
🔗 House of Champions: It’s Friday, that means it’s weekend preview time.
🔗 Manchester United’s Mason Greenwood has rape charges dropped.
🔗 In Soccer We Accept as true with: Sounders’ USMNT midfielder Cristian Roldan joins the show.
🔗 Megan Rapinoe is back on the USWNT roster in time for the SheBelieves Cup.
🔗 And be mindful, all your soccer needs — from Champions League to Serie A to NWSL and so a lot more — are to be had on Paramount+. Try one month for free by the use of the code: SERIEA.
💰 The Back Line
💵 Best bets
We’re searching for intrigue the next couple of days. All odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook and all times U.S./Eastern.
Premier League: Chelsea vs. Fulham, Friday, 3 p.m.
💰 THE PICK: Boh teams to score (-115) — Certain, Chelsea haven’t conceded in their final two games, but they conceded in their four preceding, including two to Fulham back on Jan. 12 in a loss. The Blues’ attack figures to have a better showing than the 0-0 draw against Liverpool final time out, and it is a big game for both teams. Fulham can stay firmly in the race for European qualification with a win, while the Blues want to start a winning streak to have any hope of qualifying for Champions League. Fulham have also conceded in their final four. Follow SportsLine’s best bets on this Premier League showdown here. La Liga: Mallorca vs. Real Madrid, Sunday, 8 a.m.
💰 THE PICK: Real Madrid (-135) — Los Blancos are coming off a comfortable win against Valencia, and while there is the injury concern to Eder Militao, this is still a match they must win on the Road. Mallorca haven’t scored more than a goal in a league game since November, while Real are the highest-scoring team in Spain, averaging over 2.0 goals per game. Yes, Los Blancos do have the Club World Cup coming up, but that’s hardly a competition you rest players in.preparation of as you mighr for the Champions League. And regardless, this team has more than enough depth. Follow SportsLine’s best bets for all of the weekends biggest soccer matches here.