Stephan El Shaarawy: Milan's saviour?

In a so far frustrating season both on and off the pitch, the emergence of Stephan El Shaarawy has been one of the few things Milan fans have had to get excited about. Now with the versatile 20 year old, who can play in central midfield as well as in attack, improving seemingly game by game, one wonders just how far this exciting young talent can go.

 

The journey of Stephan El Shaarawy began in the town of Savona, where he was born to an Egyptian father (hence the name despite El Shaarawy playing for Italy) and an Italian mother. He had only just turned 16 when he made his debut for Genoa in the 2008/09 season, but he didn't truly arrive on the scene until he joined Serie B side Padova on loan for the 2010/11 season. The youngster's exciting performances helped the normally mid-table side finish in 5th place and only a few play-off wins off a place in Serie A.

 

Such excellent performances didn't go unnoticed as the mighty AC Milan sprung a surprise and took El Shaarawy off Genoa. His first season with the Rossoneri went better than many expected, with El Shaarawy, who had also been playing with Italy's U-21 side at points in the season, making 28 appearances in all competitions throughout the season.

 

But this season has undisputedly been El Shaarawy's breakout year. His international debut for Italy's senior squad came in August and he has had a superb start to the season, looking immensely sharp and lightning quick. Having played in 11 of Milan's 12 competitive games so far, El Shaarawy has consolidated his place in Milan's starting eleven, while his impressive scoring record of 6 goals, including one against Zenit St. Petersburg in the champions league have helped to increase the level of excitement around the young maestro. His dribbling ability and pace means he is rapidly becoming one of Europe's most feared attacking players and he has added a much needed dose of vibrancy to the Milan squad, with Nigel De Jong , Robinho and Kevin Prince Boateng not really offering any energy to the Milan midfield.

 

I am certainly predicting great things for Stephan El Shaarawy as at times this season he has looked absolutely unstoppable at times, and he has only just turned 20. One would think his levels of strength would improve and if it does he could be the complete package. Additionally, with both AC Milan and the Italian national team in a period of transition, I believe El Shaarawy with his lightning pace and top drawer technical ability can inspire and lead both his national and his club sides into further glory down the road. Then again, although Milan are still a major club around the world, their books still need balancing. The summer sales of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to PSG were out of a desperate need to, not simply to get a few million to add to their transfer fund. There are worries in Milan that if El Shaarawy continues to improve, eventually a super-rich club such as Manchester City or PSG could make Milan an offer they won't be able to refuse. However, for now the striker remains property of AC Milan and with his help he could be the man who leads the Rossoneri into a glorious future.

UEFA champions league game by game match day 3 preview

Group A

Porto v Dynamo Kiev

After a huge win at home to PSG in their most recent champions league encounter, Porto will host the Ukrainian side Dynamo Kiev hoping to make it nine points from nine. However, Dynamo Kiev will be looking to take all three points after they lost to PSG in match day one 4-1. Their win at home to Dinamo Zagreb last time out will give the Ukrainian side hope, but to get something from this game will be the desire of their coach Oleh Blokin.

Key clash: João Moutinho v Miguel Veloso

Dinamo Zagreb v PSG

Super rich Paris Saint Germain's second away game in Europe this season will take them to Zagreb as the face Croatian champions, Zagreb. PSG haven't won away in the champions league since 1998, but with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi in their ranks, they'll expect to get all three points and recover from their disappointing 1-0 loss against Porto last time out. Zagreb will have to get a result here, having lost both their opening games.

Key clash: Josip Simunic v Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Group B Arsenal v Schalke 04

When the champions league group stage draw was conducted, many expected these two teams to comfortably progress to the knockout stages. However after Schalke's disappointing 2-2 draw against Montpellier, the group is looking quite tight. After Schalke's 2-1 win away at Dortmund this past weekend, and Arsenal's 1-0 loss to Norwich, this game could be an unpredictable one. Expect fireworks

Key clash: Oliver Giroud v Benedikt Höwedes

Montpellier v Olympiakos

With two games gone both these sides have work to do if they want to progress to the round of 16. Montpellier's 2-2 draw away at Schalke however has given the French champions hope, especially considering how well they played against Arsenal in a 2-1 loss first time out. With both teams looking to win, this should be an interesting one.

Key clash: Konstantinos Mitroglou v V. Hilton

Malaga v AC Milan

An emphatic 3-0 destruction of Zenit St Petersburg on match day one surprised many at just how good Malaga can be. Away at Anderlecht, Malaga put in another solid performance winning 2-0 leading to many calling them favourites to get through group C. European giants AC Milan currently have 4 points and are slowly improving after a poor start to their Serie A campaign. With the exciting Malaga side hosting the experienced and adjusting Milan side this game could well be one of the best of match day three.

Key clash: Martin Demechelis v Robinho

Zenit St. Petersburg v Anderlecht

Pre match day one, there was a certain level of expectation surrounding Zenit St. Petersburg, heightened by their signing of powerful Brazilian striker Hulk. But with the Russian champions having  lost both their champions league games this season, this game at home to Anderlecht is essentially a must win. The Belgian champions got an impressive 0-0 draw at the San Siro first time out but lost at home to Malaga, meaning they'll need to try and win this.

Key clash: Hulk v Cheikhou Kouyaté

Group D

Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid

An excellent and fearless away performance away at Manchester City mean Borussia Dortmund will be going into this fixture with plenty of encouragement about their champions league hopes. Meanwhile, Real Madrid are now back to their best after a slow start to their La Liga campaign. They have won both their champions league fixtures so far too so they are in a great position to qualify from the "group of death". With Dortmund being the German champions and Real Madrid being the Spanish champions, this is a dream match that I'm personally very excited about.

Key clash: Mario Götze v Sami Khedira

Ajax v Manchester City

The always united and determined Ajax will represent a tough challenge for the premier league champions as they travel to Amsterdam needing three points to get their so far disappointing champions league campaign. Having lost both of their games so far, the Dutch champions are also needing a win or it could be a swift exit for Ajax.

Key clash: Christian Eriksen v Vincent Kompany

Group E

Shakhtar Donetsk v Chelsea

In form Chelsea will travel to Donetsk on Tuesday night in what will be a tricky game in the hostile Donbass arena. Both sides drew to have already drawn to Juventus and beat Nordsjaelland in their other group E games, but only one of the teams will be able to be on seven points at the end of the game. Shakhtar's Brazilian striker Willian allegedly nearly joined Chelsea both last summer and this, so many will be watching how he plays.

Key clash: Willian v John Terry.

Nordsjaelland v Juventus

Despite losing both of their champions league games so far, Nordsjaelland have impressed many with their passing moves and Juventus should expect a tough game at the Parken stadium on Tuesday night. The Danish side haven't yet scored a champions league goal, but they'll be determined to change that against the old lady. However, Juventus will be determined to get their first champions league win this season in what should be an interesting game.

Key clash: Jores Okore v Sebastian Giovinco

Group F

Lille v Bayern Munich

A shock 3-1 defeat against BATE Borisov last time out means Bayern Munich will need a result away at Lille to be in a strong position going into the next game. However, last season's runners up have had a superb start to the season domestically, winning all of their eight games played so far. Lille will be desperate for a win themselves though as a defeat would leave them on zero points after three games and essentially out of the competition.

Key clash:

Mathieu Debuchy v Arjen Robben

BATE Borisov v Valencia

Arguably more than any other team in the competition, BATE Borisov have shocked many by their performances in the champions league. With a team that is very similar to that of the Belarusian national team, BATE have won both of their champions league games so far by three goals to one, firstly against Lille then even more impressively against Bayern. Valencia currently sit on three points after losing 2-1 away in Munich, but 2-0 against Lille at the Mestalla. A win for BATE would put them on nine points and excitingly close to progressing to the knockout stages. Valencia are always dangerous however, so it won't be easy.

Key clash: Alexander Hleb v Fernando Gago

Group G

Barcelona v Celtic

Although both clubs are amongst the most famous and recognisable in world football, many people are fearing for Celtic as they travel to Spain to face the Catalan giants. If they are to take something from the game, Celtic will need to take advantage of a shaky Barcelona defence which conceded 4 in a 5-4 victory away at Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday. Barcelona are expected to win, and win emphatically but Celtic should not be underestimated after their 3-2 win against Spartak Moscow in match day 2.

Key clash: Cesc Fabregas v Victor Wanyama

Spartak Moscow v Benfica

Neither of these two sides have had the best of starts to their champions league campaigns but for different reasons. Spartak Moscow lost to both Celtic and Barcelona 3-2, showing evidence of a leaky defence. On the other hand, Benfica are yet to score in the champions league, and they were beaten comfortably 2-0 by Barcelona last time out.

Group H

Manchester United v Braga

Although they are one of only seven sides to have won both of their champions league fixtures so far, Manchester United are yet to have hit their best form in Europe this season. The visit of Braga on Tuesday will represent a tough challenge for the Red Devils, as it did for Galatasaray three weeks ago, when Braga won 2-0 thanks to goals by Ruben Micael and Alan. As United will remember from last year's horrible champions league campaign: underestimating lesser opposition could cost teams dear.

Key clash: Jonny Evans v Éder

Galatasaray v CFR Cluj

Galatasaray have had a disappointing start to their champions league campaign, losing both of their two games played so far, 1-0 to Manchester United and more surprisingly 2-0 at home to Braga. Romanian side Cluj have had a decent start, however, winning 2-0 away at Braga and giving Manchester United a very difficult game in what turned out to be a 2-1 loss. For Galatasaray, a loss would be disastrous, and a win is needed. After their last champions league away result, Cluj will be full of confidence, but can they thrive in the immensely intimidating Türk Telecom arena?

Key clash: Aldin Yilmaz v Ivo Pirlo.

EPL: How have the newly promoted teams faired so far?

When Southampton, Reading and West Ham respectively got promoted to the premier league all three clubs knew that they would have a battle on their hands if they wanted to stay in the "big time". Speculation surrounded all three clubs, would they be like the Derby of 2007/2008, who endured an absolutely torrid season or would they, be more like the Swansea of last season and impress those who doubted them. Now with seven games into the season, (or in Reading's case six) it is now time to judge how well each promoted team has started.

Southampton

Although they currently sit fourth from bottom, elements of Southampton’s game have impressed many people in the footballing world.

They've gone on the offensive in virtually every single game so far, with players such as Jason Puncheon, Ricky Lambert and Jay Rodriquez all performing impressively. However, their defence has let them down, having conceded twenty goals already this season. Southampton have already played both of last season's top two, Manchester City and Manchester United, losing 3-2 against both sides, both due to late goals after the Saints led. In many ways, these matches have summarised Southampton's start, plenty of attacking intent and prowess, but defensively, far too weak.  Their matches have proved to be entertaining, but with such a leaky defence, Southampton's first premier league campaign in seven years, could be very brief indeed.

Reading

Brian McDermott's side are currently one of only three sides who are currently winless in this season's premier league campaign so far. However, three draws against Stoke, Newcastle and most recently Swansea have given the Royals some hope. Before the season, many pundits believed that one thing Reading needed to do if they wanted to stay up was to make the Madjeski stadium a fortress. So far, although they are yet to win a game, only Tottenham Hotspur have won at the Madjeski, while Reading themselves have managed to score a respectable four in three games there, and eight in their six premier league matches, including two away at Chelsea, in an eventual 4-2 defeat. With Pavel Pogrebnyak already having four goals to his name so far this season, it shouldn't be too long before Reading break their winless streak, and when they do they could very well do more than simply stay up.

West Ham

Out of all three of the promoted sides, the hammers are arguably best equipped to deal with the top flight due to the wealth of premier league experience in the squad. Now having played seven games, the East London side have looked generally good upon their return to the league they were relegated from just two seasons ago. The loan signing of Andy Carroll from Liverpool has looked to be a good choice, with Carroll impressing on his debut against Fulham, rekindling his relationship from his Newcastle days with Kevin Nolan. Although they have showed signs of defensive frailties, particularly in their 3-0 loss away at Swansea where James Collins and James Tomkins were run ragged by the Swansea attack, the hammers fans will generally be pleased with their side's performances and results this season. Now with Andy Carroll back fully fit, and Mohammed Diame, Kevin Nolan and Mark Noble all looking industrious in central midfield, I see no reason why West Ham can't finish well clear above the relegation zone this season.