Milan’s quest to repeat as champions of Serie A fell short due to a number of reasons, in particular the injuries which affected the squad and the demands of European football which drained the players.

The Rossoneri must address the following key concerns in order to be successful next season in Italy and Europe:

a) Ibrahimovic Factor: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been in fine form since his move from Barcelona prior to the beginning of last season. The fact the Rossoneri appear to be too dependent on his scoring and performances is another testament to his talent. However, depending too much on the Swedish star’s scoring and skills means teams can counter Milan by focusing on the temperamental striker.

b) Ineffective Attackers: Robinho scored a disappointing total of 6 goals in 29 matches in Serie A. That is unacceptable when talking about a forward who plays for a team competing for the championship. Antonio Cassano managed 3 goals before he was sidelined following the heart procedure. Cassano still managed to provide his teammates with 9 assists in just 15 matches played in the Italian league. The Rossoneri must sign an attacker who can take off some of the pressure from Ibrahimovic.

c) Alexandre Pato: The Brazilian striker has played in only 11 league matches this season. In the last three years, Pato has played in just 59 out of a possible 114 league games. Please refer to this article on Pato written back in March 2012.

d) Squad Quality: Milan might have a big squad but many of the bench players are either past their best or they have been mediocre in recent years. The Rossoneri must focus on getting quality players as opposed to just signing or keeping players to maintain a bigger squad.

e) Defenders: The defensive line is in need of reinforcements, in particular younger and upcoming quality defenders. Some of the veterans must be replaced as Gianluca Zambrotta and Mario Yepes can no longer perform at a high level on a consistent basis. Even the once reliable Alessandra Nesta can no longer be counted upon to perform consistently in both Serie A and the Champions League. At 36, Nesta is nearing the end of his career and he has managed to feature in just 16 league matches this season.

f) Veterans: The Rossoneri can be considered as one of Italy’s and Europe’s most experienced teams yet with savvy veterans comes old age and a number of concerns such as fitness and injury doubts. Gennaro Gattuso barely played, featuring in just 5 league matches, while Clarence Seedorf and Massimo Ambrosini played in just 18 and 22 Serie A games respectively.

Milan must sign a proven scorer and add some quality defenders as well as some talented midfielders to replace the older players such as Mark Van Bommel, Filippo Inzaghi, Yepes and Zambrotta who are all well into their 30s. Without taking the necessary steps to support Ibrahimovic and adding younger, promising and skilled players, the Rossoneri will struggle to meet next season’s challenges in Italy and Europe.

Juventus will finish on top of the league table regardless of the result of Week 38. The Bianconeri defeated Cagliari 2-0 while Milan lost 2-4 to Inter to confirm Juve as this season’s champions. Below is a list of the most important factors behind Juve’s triumph:

a) Andrea Pirlo: The Italy midfielder has been perhaps Juve’s most influential player this season. Pirlo is not outspoken and is not flashy, preferring instead to let his feet do the talking for him. The midfielder has scored three goals and provided 13 assists in 35 league games. His influence extends way beyond those stats since the majority of Juve’s attacking moves go through him.

b) Antonio Conte: Coach Conte has now won Serie A both as a player and a manager with Juve. His fighting spirit and determination as a player were crucial to his status as a captain of the club and now he has transmitted this mentality to the players. Conte has also learned from some of his mistakes and he can only improve next season and on.

c) No Europe: Juve did not have to worry about European football since the club finished seventh last season. Milan, the main competition, had to deal with the demanding Champions League fixtures, including having to play Barcelona on four occasions.

d) No Injuries: The Bianconeri have been relatively injury-free with only minor setbacks to players such as Simone Pepe, Andrea Barzagli and most recently to Paolo De Ceglie. However, none of these injuries forced a particular player to miss more than a couple of games. On the other hand, rivals Milan faced a plethora of injuries with important players such as Alexandre Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and Gennaro Gattuso as well as Antonio Cassano’s lengthy absence following his heart procedure.

e) Defensive Line: Juve conceded only 19 goals in 37 matches which is quite an impressive record. The club’s defense has been solid throughout the season with the exception of a few mistakes committed by Leonardo Bonucci as well as Gianluigi Buffon’s blunder against Lecce last week.

f) Midfield: It would be unfair to signal out one players from the midfield without mentioning the others. As such, credit must go (in addition to Pirlo of course) to midfielders Arturo Vidal, Claudio Marchisio and Simone Pepe. Marchisio and Pepe managed to score 9 and 6 goals respectively in the league while Vidal has been relentless with his runs, defensive and attacking efforts. Vidal also contributed with 7 goals to Juve’s cause in Serie A. It must be said Juve’s pressing game requires a tremendous effort and endless running from the club’s midfielders.

g) Transfers: The signing of Vidal, Pirlo, Mirko Vucinic and Stephan Lichtsteiner during the summer was crucial to building this successful Juve side. In addition, the mid-season move for Martin Caceres was a useful one since the Uruguayan is capable of performing in a number of positions. It must also be said that Juve also shipped out a number of players who were either ineffective or perhaps even damaging to the locker room. The Bianconeri loaned out Felipe Melo and Vincenzo Iaquinta while also dispensing of one of the fans’ least favorite players in the shape of Amauri.

Juve’s transfer campaign as well as the club’s hiring of Conte, the form of Pirlo and several other key players such as Vidal have been the major catalysts behind the club’s return to the summit. It will be interesting to see how Juve will manage next season with the demanding fixtures in the Champions League.

It will be very hard to manage both European and domestic football and it is doubtful the club can repeat this historic achievement of going 37 matches without a defeat in the league. This is due to the need to rest and rotate players to avoid fatigue and injuries while remaining competitive on all fronts. One can bet on Juve’s management and coaching staff to make the right decisions just as they did during this past summer.

Italian fans lived through a dramatic Match Day which concluded with Juventus winning the league title after bitter rivals Inter clinched a precious derby win over Milan.

At one point, both Juve and the Rossoneri were ahead meaning the title would not be decided until the final week of fixtures. However, everything changed after Inter’s Diego Milito completed his hat-trick with two penalties before Brazilian full-back Maicon ensured a memorable win for the Nerazzurri with a stunning strike from outside the penalty area.

Milan’s campaign has been affected by injuries along with a congested schedule which took its toll on an already weary and depleted squad. The Rossoneri have also been over dependent on star player Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swedish striker was again among the scorers as he registered both of Milan’s goals to take his tally to an impressive 28 goals in just 31 league matches. Unfortunately for the Rossoneri supporters, Ibrahimovic’s double was not enough and his team fell short.

As for Juve, this could usher a new era led by none other than former Bianconeri captain Antonio Conte who has done a phenomenal job in his first season as the coach in Turin. Conte might not be as savvy or experienced as some of the other Serie A coaches, but he made up for it with his work ethic, enthusiasm and his ability to instill a winning mentality in the Old Lady’s squad.

Conte made sure all the younger players and the summer signings new the value of wearing the Bianconeri shirt. The former club captain also showed faith in a number of players despite some rough stretches they went through.

For instance, Leonardo Bonucci made some costly mistakes in a number of matches yet Conte has continued to start him and Bonucci’s form improved with time. A more significant case is that of forward Mirko Vucinic who went through a tough series of matches when he was below par and did not score leading to some disgruntled fans questioning his role. However, Conte kept the faith in Vucinic and the Montenegro striker repaid the coach with some commanding performances, crucial goals and important assists.

A long season has ended with the Old Lady re-establishing herself as a force in Italian football while Milan and Inter must regroup and rebuild for the future. If Napoli can keep their star trio of Edison Cavani, Marek Hamsik and Ezequiel Lavezzi while adding a few quality players then the Partenopei can be a threat next season.

Juventus eased past Roma in a 4-0 home triumph to take advantage of Milan’s earlier slip, the Rossoneri barely managed a 1-1 home draw against Bologna thanks to a late Zlatan Ibrahimovic equalizer.

The Bianconeri are now three points ahead of Milan. Juve remain undefeated in the league and are still on course to achieve a precious domestic double if they can maintain this high level of intensity.

The win over Roma witnessed a quick double by Arturo Vidal who found the back of the net twice inside the first eight minutes of the match. Vidal has been one of Juve’s best performers this season yet the credit for this big win must be shared between the Chilean midfielder and forward Mirko Vucinic who had a hand in all of the four goals.

Vucinic assisted on the second and fourth goals while his pass led to the penalty won by Claudio Marchisio. Vucinic also passed to Paolo De Ceglie who crossed for Vidal’s first goal.

Juve’s remaining schedule appears to be easy on paper yet the Bianconeri have struggled at times when attempting to break the defensive walls setup by smaller sides. As for the Rossoneri, their schedule is not difficult either but it does have one tricky match against bitter city rivals Inter.

What must Juve do in order to retain their lead and win the league title?

1) Intensity: Juve’s players have been playing with such high intensity. This has left opposition players incapable of keeping pace with the Bianconeri attacks. If Juve keep playing at this intensity, then the smaller sides will have little if any chance to match the Bianconeri. Smaller teams have attempted to fight and work very hard in order to restrict Juve but the work ethic of the Bianconeri players has been phenomenal in recent weeks.

2) Vidal: Even prior to his double against Roma, the midfielder has been having a great first season in Turin and if Juve do win the title, the Chilean will be one of the decisive factors in this quest. Andrea Pirlo dictates the pace of the match and offers his teammates with scoring opportunities, but without Vidal his job would be much harder. Vidal covers so much space and often retrieves the ball to allow Pirlo the freedom to roam and cause havoc with his pinpoint passing.

3) Pirlo: The former Milan star has to be the season’s best pick up and when considering he came via a free transfer and deprived the Rossoneri of another creative force, it is easy to see why he is considered by many as one of the main reasons behind Juve’s return to the top of the table.

4) Defense: Juve’s defensive line has been immense this season with the club conceding only 18 times in 33 matches. There is no doubt Gianluigi Buffon is a great goalkeeper but his defenders have made his job much easier. Giorgio Chiellini remains an aggressive leader of the back-line while Andrea Barzagli must rank as one of the most shrewd transfer moves in Italy over the last two seasons.

Juve’s defensive prowess has been enhanced by the rejuvenated Leonardo Bonucci who is peaking at the right time. The addition of Martin Caceres during the January transfer window was a smart move while summer signing Stephan Lichtsteiner has solved Juve’s problems in recent seasons at the full-back position.

Having the right players alone will not lead to an impressive run of 33 undefeated league games. Coach Antonio Conte has done a tremendous job by instilling the Juve spirit and the grit which characterized his playing career into his squad.

The current Bianconeri appreciate the meaning of putting on the club’s shirt and have played as a unified team setting aside personal agendas in order to achieve the team’s ultimate objective which is to return to the top of Italian football. The next five matches will determine whether the players have enough passion and determination to overcome adversity and win Serie A.

Adidas has released a video trailer to promote the upcoming launch of AC Milan’s new home shirt for the 2012-13 season. Check it out above.

For the latest AC Milan shirts, kits and merchandise, visit World Soccer Shop.

The weekend in Italy and perhaps world football has been overshadowed by the tragic news of Piermario Morosini’s death during a Serie B match between Livorno and Pescara. The Livorno midfielder suffered a heart attack while playing against Pescara.

This tragic incident should serve as a reminder to everyone, whether players, football fans or people in general, that life is fragile and they must appreciate what they have while trying to make the best out of it.

Moving back to the Serie A race between Juventus and Milan, it must be said that the title is still up for grabs and either club could end up winning the Italian league. Juve’s toughest match will be at home this weekend when they host Roma while Milan’s trickiest encounter will come against city rivals Inter.

The Nerazzurri have struggled and been plagued by inconsistency throughout the season, but surely Inter’s players would not want the Rossoneri half of the city celebrating a league triumph knowing they have an opportunity to put a dent into Milan’s title hopes. Inter’s season has been a great disappointment so halting Milan’s progress might be the only bright spot for the Nerazzurri this season with the two rivals set to meet in the 37th round of the league. This could be a decisive fixture in terms of where the league title ends up.

Below are some of the key elements which appear to be in favor of a Juve title win:

1) Freshness: Juve seem to be the fresher of the two clubs with Milan struggling due to various injuries. Alexandre Pato has barely featured this season with injuries continuing to plague his career while veterans such as Gennaro Gattuso and Alessandro Nesta have had to deal with various injuries.

2) Lack of Injuries: While Milan have had to cope with injuries to Gattuso, Pato, Kevin-Prince Boateng and others, the Bianconeri have been relatively injury-free with minor problems sidelining Simone Pepe, Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Claudio Marchisio for a few games. On the other hand, the Rossoneri were also dealt a major blow when the influential Antonio Cassano was sidelined following a heart procedure. Cassano is gradually returning back to match fitness but he clearly has missed a crucial chunk of the season.

3) Coach Antonio Conte: Antonio is supposed to be the less experienced between the two coaches of Juve and Milan, yet his experience playing with the Bianconeri, his work ethic and dedication have infected his players. Juve’s players have displayed the grit and determination which once defined Conte’s playing style when he was the club’s captain. On the other hand, Rossoneri boss Massimiliano Allegri has used the excuse of the infamous “ghost goal” against Juve on a number of occasions which highlights both uncertainty and a lack of confidence in the club’s ability to finish the season strong. Allegri has seen a promising season unravel following the tough exits in Coppa Italia and the Champions League. Confidence in the Rossoneri camp might be low with the players giving a nervous display in their last fixture.

4) Undefeated: The Bianconeri remain undefeated with just 6 rounds left and this is the ultimate testament to the players and their ability to manage difficulties during matches. Juve is the only club still undefeated in Europe’s top 5 leagues (Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Manchester City, B. Dortmund, Bayern Munich and Milan have all lost at least one league match).

On the other side, there are some factors which could play in Milan’s favor to hand them the league title:

1) Schedule: After hosting Roma, the Bianconeri seem to have a fairly easy schedule but Juve’s players have struggled all season to score against the weaker sides and have dropped precious points against those teams. Juve still have to face Lecce and Cagliari, both clubs are at risk of relegation so those will be tricky matches. Milan do face relegation contenders but the Rossoneri have done better than Juve against the weaker sides.

2) Ibrahimovic Factor: Zlatan Ibrahimovic has already managed to score 23 goals and assisted on another 9 goals in just 26 matches. The Swedish star has often carried the Rossoneri whenever they needed goals the most. Ibrahimovic might have a reputation of failing to score in the big matches, but there is no doubt he has been a winner where ever he played. He has won league titles with Juve, Inter and Milan as well as Barcelona.

3) Experience: While Juve appear to be the fresher and fitter of the two sides, the Rossoneri have the edge when it comes to experience with players such as Ibrahimovic, Nesta, Clarence Seedorf, Mark van Bommel and Gianluca Zambrotta providing plenty of it. Milan won the title last season so the players are aware of what needs to be done in order to triumph in the league.

4) Talent: This has been mentioned on a number of occasions by pundits and followers of the beautiful game alike, but it must be mentioned again: the Rossoneri have superior individuals when compared to the Juve which is a more harmonious unit. Robinho, Ibrahimovic, Seedorf and Boateng all have the talent and set of skills to turn the result of a match in Milan’s favor.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family, teammates and friends of Piermario Morosini, the Livorno midfielder who tragically died today after suffering a heart attack on the field in a Serie B game against Pescara.

As can be seen from the video footage below, Morosini collapsed on the field while playing for Livorno. The on-loan midfielder from Udinese unsuccessfully tried to get up after receiving medical treatment. Morosini was then taken on a stretcher and placed in an ambulance. Sadly, the 25-year-old died on the way to the hospital.

As a result of the tragic death, all games in Italian soccer (including Serie A) were suspended this weekend.

Morosini’s death comes less than a month after Fabrice Muamba collapsed on the pitch for Bolton in the Premier League. Similarly to Muamba, a defibrillator was used to try to resuscitate Morosini.

Serie A could be in danger of exploding in scandal once again, and this time the damage could be even more lasting.

To recap, earlier this week Atalanta defender Andrea Masiello was arrested on charges of match-fixing while playing for A.S. Bari in 2011.  While Masiello was the only once arrested, police are also investigating eight other players in connection with this scandal and have focused their attention on five different matches from last season.  Of particular note to the authorities was Bari’s 2-0 loss to Lecce where Masiello had scored an own goal in the 80th minute that was rather dubious at the time.  The year had been one of discord for Bari and they essentially had been doomed to relegation by the middle of the season, but Lecce was in a fight to stay up in Serie A so the 2-0 win was a huge boost to their fortunes.  The investigators have recently expanded their look into other teams as well, including a Siena-Chievo match this season.

It is rather naive to be shocked by this incident, as anyone who follows Italian soccer knows the game has a documented history of suspect deals where relegation-doomed clubs help out their neighbors in the standings.  In fact, Joe McGinniss wrote about just that in his popular book The Miracle of Castel di Sangro, where the team he follows begins to behave suspiciously at the end of the season as soon as they are safe from relegation.  It is also very naive to assume Italian soccer has always been totally above board; after all, it has only been six years since “Calciopoli” rocked Serie A and demoted the champions to Serie B. But this scandal is very different from rigging referees, and the reason why could seriously damage Italian football for the next decade or so.

But first, I want to detour for a train of thought about the team itself.  Long-time readers know that I have an affinity for Bari due to my ethnic heritage and just recently I was given my first Bari jersey as a birthday present.  I followed the team through a miserable season last year and despite U.S. TV never showing a second of Serie B footage, I have done my utmost to track this lovable band through their up-and-down season in the second division.  Even though I knew Italian soccer had a dark side, and it could strike anywhere, this scandal was depressing to me.  It was bad enough that ownership didn’t give a care about fielding a competitive last season and ran the club cut-rate, but this scandal pushed me over the edge.  No one in the club cared for the fans, their reputation, their city, their heritage.  While I will always chant “con il mare negli occhi e il sol nel cuore, Bari ti giuriamo eterno amore”, it will always now be with a lump in my throat.

What will be the immediate results of this scandal?  Recent history is a guide.  The “Calcioscommeese” scandal of last season in Serie B saw Italian international Cristiano Doni suspended for three and a half years, with numerous others also suspended.  Atalanta was also docked six points at the beginning of this season, their first in Serie A, but have survived thus far to settle mid-table.  The assumption currently is that this recent confession is a continuation of that scandal.  The Doni incidents, however, took place in Serie B while the Masiello incident took place in Serie A.  Depending on what matches were arranged, this could have had a huge impact on European spots and relegation, no small matter with the new Lega Calcio contract making playing in the Italian top-flight more lucrative.  Depending on the outcome, expect Bari to be dropped a division and Lecce to also be sent to Serie B (although they are currently sitting in the Serie A relegation zone), as well as points docked and divisions dropped for other teams involved (including, it is rumored, Lazio).

There is, however, a more sinister element to this scandal and it is the possible influence of outside forces.  Blame for the scandal and payments to Masiello are being placed on the Bari ultras, the local mafia, and even a Balkan gambling ring known as “The Gypsies”.  It is one thing for the clubs to be conspiring among themselves to fix matches, but if there are outside forces that are influencing the outcome of Serie A results, this is a very serious matter.  I suspect if it is found that gamblers have been influencing critical games, then UEFA will have to step in and try and police the Italian league.  What will this mean for Champions League and Europa League spots?  Who knows.  But if the worst is realized and multiple games have been thrown due to gamblers, Serie A will be crippled like never before.  Fans will have no faith in results, which inside Italy may not be a big deal but is a major deal for attracting non-Italian viewers to Serie A.  UEFA will have to treat Italian teams with suspicion and could hurt their qualifications for lucrative tournaments.  And the Serie A brand, which is slowly recovering from Calciopoli, would be set back for years.

For the sake of all Italian soccer fans, let’s hope this was a few knucklehead players trying to make a little extra dough and nothing more organized.  Because the result could be catastrophic.

Twenty-two athletes, two goals, and one ball. In England, commentators refer to it as, “A Funny Old Game,” though for many that statement is far from sound. The game is football, futebol, or in America, soccer. While Americans fervently follow gridiron, basketball, and baseball, none of these games have changed international history or altered how society functions like soccer has. Therefore, its influence on modern history must not be undermined.

Benito Mussolini, the Fascist leader of Italy from 1925-1943, used the second World Cup as a platform to secure power. His fellow totalitarian General Francisco Franco, of Spain, saw soccer as a way to bolster control of his Fascist state. More recently, Saddam Hussein and the beautiful game proved to be detrimental to the nation’s prosperity. Since the surge of football’s popularity in the early to mid 1900s, extending through the present day, the beautiful game was integral to the success of dictatorships, including those of Benito Mussolini, General Francisco Franco and Saddam Hussein, as they utilized the sport, as a political catalyst to control society, gain prestige, and portray a positive image to the world.

In 1863, a group of Englishmen prescribed the first official rules for the game of football, thus establishing the Football Association. Originally a rugby-like sport in which players dribbled the ball down the field without thought, the game developed into a sophisticated yet simple fixture. Over the next 70 years, the British spread soccer to the ends of the earth, though the best football was played in Argentina and Uruguay. The two nations fought for international supremacy throughout the 1920s and settled the score at the first World Cup in 1930. Uruguay played hosts and defeated the Argentines in the final to claim victory, but neither nation competed four years on. The Great Depression of the early 1930s crippled the economies of each nation, making it financially impossible for players to travel to the host nation.

Cue Benito Mussolini: The man who believed that Italy needed one man, more intelligent than commoners, to turn the country into a world superpower. Mussolini took control on October 8, 1922. The new dictator used his Blackshirts to impose authority, as the brutal police force could keep people in check. However, Mussolini knew that the Italians could not be silenced forever, thus he found an activity that they all enjoyed. To exploit the minds of his people, he used soccer as propaganda. Known as calcio, “The Leader” lifted moral and brought a “feel good factor” to those under his reign, including himself.

Mussolini used the terraces and his nation’s youth to install his power. Il Duce saw the stadium as a cathedral. It was the one place where people united to drive on one cause. Therefore, Mussolini began to build an arena in 1926, as the Littoriale was erected in Bologna. The city’s team incurred success, leading to the construction of the Giovanni Berta in Florence. In addition, Mussolini strived to bring back the glory days of the ancient republic‘s muscular athletes. Thus he created the Fascist Youth, a program strongly based around the principles of discipline and organization. Uber Gradella played for Lazio, a football club in Rome, from 1939-1948, as a goalkeeper. In the BBC documentary Football and Fascism, the Italian said that he was, “indoctrinated and brainwashed,” along with other Youth members, for whom only soccer remained.

With his soccer theatres and influence in place, Il Duce was honored with the privilege of hosting the second FIFA World Cup. Italy 1934 was a concrete opportunity for his rule to gain popularity on a massive scale. A former newspaper editor, Il Duce was able to harness the power of media with exceptional grace. His press secretary equivalent, Lando Ferretti, created the Order of Journalists to control the information distributed to the Italian people. In fact, the writers themselves were better known than Mussolini’s prized eleven. The papers gave the people much pride, as only positive news was comprehended by them, thus they felt they were part of an immaculate and superior society. Mussolini furthered this overweening attitude, saying, “With the Deuce one is never lost; neither will we lose today,” before England drew 1-1 with Italy in 1933. Tying media and sport into politics, the perfect storm for Mussolini to get the willful backing of the Italian state was conjured.

The people’s game, a simple recreational activity was brought to its fascist zenith at Italy 1934. The host’s XI were among the best in the world. They breezed through the group stage, demolishing the U.S. 7-1 in the process. However, the Italian side was less convincing, as the competition progressed. Mussolini was there to cover for his lacking team to ensure they would win the “Copa Il Deuce.” The dictator handpicked each referee for Italy’s matches, which became evident in their quarterfinal match with Spain. Reports state the match’s officials were fired upon arrival for their poor performance. In the semi-final, Italy slated to take on the Wunderteam. Led by Hugo Michel, the Austrian side is considered one of the best ever to play the game. Mussolini had no fear of defeat after having the young Swedish referee, Ivan Eklund, over for dinner on the eve of the match. The two are said to have spoken about “tactics.” Josef Bican of Austria told the BBC, “Michel knew the games were rigged,” as did the rest of the team. Eklund clearly favored Italy. Bican noted that he played a ball down the right flank, which the official headed out of Italian territory. With the official on their side, the Italian’s win at all-costs strategy proved effective. Video from the match shows Austrians blatantly fouled, while play was allowed to continue. Similar to the football teams immaculate behavior, the Italians began to believe that the regime could do no wrong.

In the final, a young Czechoslovakian team having paraded to the competition’s climax, were primed to take “Copa Il Deuce” out of Italy. To ensure victory, Ivan Eklund was invited by Il Deuce for another “tactical talk,” in addition to a VIP box meeting hours before kick-off. Italy won the match easily; thus Mussolini had pulled off the perfect propaganda stunt. As a result, the world saw Italy as a unified nation full of joy after their emphatic victory. People celebrated the triumph in the streets, though unknowingly supporting the dictator and his fascist regime. These citizens were stuck in a bubble, in which they worshipped a media mogul. What made the scheme so brilliant was its “truth.” There was no air of uncertainty around football, as the masses saw who beat whom. The dictator’s regimented and technically brilliant side progressed to win the 1936 Olympic competition followed by the 1938 World Cup. To say Mussolini’s World Cup was a turning point in the regime’s success would be a great understatement, as the victory brought pride to Italians, thus the team’s success through the leader brought them unbridled love for their country, allowing Mussolini to rule until 1943.

Il Duce did not limit his fascist ideals to Italy, as he supported General Francisco Franco in the Spanish Civil War, which spanned from 1936-1939. The general defeated a weak Communist Party, and in essence was Spain’s leader before his official victory. Football’s governing body recognized the RFEF (Spanish FA) of Franco in 1937, two years before the world credited him with leading the massive Iberian nation. (FIFA recognizes Palestine as a country. Is this a sign of things to come?)

Franco’s nationalized sport according with the actions of other dictators. Santiago Bernabeu, a member of Real Madrid C.F. from his teenage days until his death, supported Franco‘s fascism. The rebel returned from France to aid Franco in battle. Being the disciplined individual he was, the rebel said, “The spectacle of a few sweaty youth must disappear and give way to a youth that is healthy in body and spirit.”  The Spanish dictator followed this path by creating the DND (Delegacion Nacional de Deportes de Falange Espanola Tradicionalista y de la JONS), a state run organization centralizing sport, which recommended that before each match, revolutionary chants of the war, such as, “Arriba Espana!” and “Viva Franco!” be echoed throughout the terraces.  To further his ego and supremacy Franco renamed “Copa del Rey” (Spain’s domestic football tournament) to “Copa del Generalisimo,” coinciding with Mussolini’s self-centeredness, which saw him put his nickname on the World Cup trophy. To further his domination of Spanish football, the famous red shirts were scrapped, in favor of a fascist blue strip, thus showing off Spain to the world as a united right-wing nation.

Upon Franco’s eccentric victory in Madrid, he made the city his own. When he arrived, one his first actions was to replace the entire board of Real Madrid with fascist allies. Despite a stadium in shambles, Franco saw the club through toward European supremacy. The Catalan were hardly on board with Franco’s policy. Barcelona’s regional contingents were last to be conquered in the civil war. Their liberal attitude took to the pitch, as a free-flowing F.C. Barcelona XI were one of the most feared sides in all of Spain. Much to their distaste, Franco made the club’s stadium, Les Corts, “Fascist,” to deplete all Catalan pride. When the 1943 “Copa” reached the semi-final stage, Barcelona was drawn against Real Madrid, presenting the perfect chance for Franco to put the Catalan to bed. In the first leg Barcelona drubbed Real 3-0 in the east. The regime’s control of the media showed in the morning papers, as Madrid journalist Eduardo Teus wrote that the Barcelona, “crowd had shown dishonor and disrespect to the nation,” at Les Corts.

The return leg, at the Chamartin, may be the most violent and politically charged sporting event to ever occur. The streets were extraordinarily hostile, as Franco’s officials handed out free whistles, encouraging people to rally against their rivals. Angel Mur, Barcelona’s team masseur recounted the events saying, “We had to change our hotel and even then we didn’t leave it all evening because we were convinced we would be lynched.” The word “lynched” emerges as most powerful word in Mur’s quote, and the Goldblatt‘s entire work. The mobs outside the team hotel displayed the forced hatred of those in Madrid for the Catalan.

Franco’s XI would have to make up the three goal deficit to go through to the final. The general sent Jose Escriva de Romani, the Director of State Security, to the Catalan locker room give FCB “instructions,” surely threatening punishment if they beat Real. Mur portrayed the volatile stadium, saying, “During the game our goalkeeper was so petrified of being hit by missiles that he spent most of the game as far forward from the goal as possible, allowing Madrid players to strike at the net from all directions.” Real Madrid made up the three goal deficit without a problem, running the Catalan out of Madrid with a 11-1 win. Madrid went on to win the Copa, helping the fascist regime maintain power.

After several years behind the scenes, Santiago Bernabeu came to forefront of Spanish politics and sport, assisting in the general’s tinted agenda. The ex-footballer venerated Franco, building a new stadium, in which, “The Valley of the Fallen” was built for recognize deceased members of the nationalist movement. Bernabeu would not stop there, as his reign saw Madrid lift six European Cups, 16 league titles and three Club World Cups. The hallowed ground now bares his name.  Bernabeu played a key role in putting the Madrid outfit in position to be named FIFA‘s, “Club of the Century.” The dictation of society by Franco and Bernabeu saw people respect the regime, keeping it in power through 1975.

Saddam Hussein took charge of Iraq in 1980, using football to earn the respect of those he ruled. His ego boosted Iraqi football, as the little known “Saddam Olympics,” celebrated Hussein’s birthday. The football team was the only piece of unification among those in the divided country. Sponsored by the Iraqi-Russian Friendship Society, the nation was able to compete at a higher level, leading to their nine cup victories in the 1980s. The squad died off as Hussein upped his rule, when he left the team to his psychotic son.

Uday Hussein described as a “pervert,” lacked the qualifications to lead one of the world’s greatest sides. It is truly a shame that the father-son partnership did not realize the potential their side had, as the nation could have attained greater fame and positive recognition, had the team run itself . Uday, with his paralyzed lower body proved to be as tough as his father. The brutality, brought upon those he felt were sub-par can only be described as inhumane. Players who survived the high pressure life of the national team described Uday’s faults in great, yet disturbing detail. One punishment involved beating the sole of a footballer’s foot, until it was no more, before dragging the victim to a drainage pipe, where he was dropped, so that his wounds would be purged with toxic liquids. Other practices included sending players to prison. According to James Montague’s When Friday Comes: Football in the War Zone, the son kept a torture device used to “rip open a man’s anus,” in the IOC Headquarters. While Uday’s men were sensational, it is tremendously disheartening that the dictatorship held them from achieving more.

Hussein’s biggest error may have been his decision to put Uday in charge of his country’s first team. For small countries such as Iraq, a strong footballing side enforces a positive image about the globe. Cameroon, known for being the “Indomitable Lions,” has been thwarted by the dictatorship of Paul Biya for decades. Biya allowed his team to play, so that the international community was so mesmerized by the nation’s talent, thus slipping under the world’s radar. Had Saddam let his team prosper, the “Sons of Iraq” could have led to a gilded unity under Hussein. The case study of Biya’s Cameroon shows the extent of the error Hussein made. Few are aware of Biya’s lengthy rule, though many know of Saddam’s.

Football, the last symbol of Iraqi unity, helped society get through a horrific string of decades, with more ominously looming. Huthyfa Zahra, a modern football artist said, “During the wars, in the nineties, there were bombs above us, and we were playing the streets. Because we didn’t have anything to do.” This powerful statement portrays the atmosphere of isolation felt in Iraq and football‘s power as an outlet of expression. Zahra sees the 2003 toppling of Hussein as a catharsis for the game in the “Cradle of Man” as he said, “We are much better now, because the players play without fear now. If you don’t feel comfortable, you can’t play.” Football was oppressed by the regime, as the people were, but now both have been left to prosper. From 1980-2001, Iraq’s winning percentage was fifth best amongst all FIFA competitors, at a staggering .692 rate, outdoing superpowers England and Spain. In 2007 the “Lions” won the Asian Cup and finished 4th at the 2008 Athens Olympics. Recently progressing in World Cup Qualification for 2014, under Brazil legend Zico, it is likely that the “Land Between Two Rivers,” could lift the Juelz Rimet trophy by 2030.

The Italian regime, Franco’s fascist state, and Saddam’s dictatorship exemplify the essential effect of football on society and politics alike. Just months ago, a riot at a match in Egypt resulted in the death of more than 90 spectators. The “ultras,” (hooligans to Americans) attacked a group of fans as a result of political disagreement, amongst the newly liberated nation. Sport is often dismissed by those in the academic realm. Intellectuals fail to see the importance of athletics in relation to political and social events. The styles of play reflect the atmosphere of leadership and the culture of the period, thus the discipline of Mussolini’s side, nationalization of Franco‘s Madrid, and free-flowing play of the post-Hussein era. Commentary phrases “Simply sensational,” and “Absolutely brilliant,” not only describe ingenious goals, but also define football’s ultimate effect on human history.

Milan only managed a point after a 1-1 draw at Catania but the Rossoneri remain on top of the league standings by two points despite Juventus recording an impressive 3-0 win over Napoli.

On Paper, Milan’s schedule is much easier due to two main reasons- the Rossoneri will play 6 of their final 8 matches at the San Siro, including the away clash against city rivals Inter, and have no matches left against top 5 sides. Playing Inter will likely be Milan’s toughest fixture left since the Nerazzurri will be desperate to to not only beat their neighbors but also to deprive the Rossoneri from glory in Serie A.

On the other hand, Juventus must still host Lazio and Roma while a trip to Palermo might be tricky. The Bianconeri have obtained better results against stronger teams but this does not mean beating both Lazio and Roma will be an easy task. Both capital clubs are battling for the precious third spot which allows for competing in the qualifying stages of the Champions League. Juve still have to play Cesena, Novara and Lecce with all three clubs in the relegation zone and expected to drop down to Serie B. Nevertheless, the Bianconeri have struggled to break the defensive lines of weaker sides so these three clashes could turn out to be tougher than expected.

Against the visiting Partenopei, Juventus managed to secure a morale boosting win as the final score could have seen the Bianconeri win by an even bigger margin. For coach Antonio Conte, the positives from the clash are too many to count but some of his decisions remain questionable such as starting with Marco Borriello in attack. The striker who is on loan from Roma does not seem to be on the same wavelength as any of the other attackers on the squad. Borriello showed a lack of understanding with Mirko Vucinic before he was subbed by Conte and during his time on the pitch, Marco barely linked with Vucinic.

When club legend Alessandro Del Piero and unpredictable substitute Fabio Quagliarella were introduced by the coach, the two immediately changed the complexion of the match and showed a more decisive touch around the penalty area. It is true the duo were able to take advantage of Napoli pushing forward in an attempt to achieve a draw, but Borriello looked ineffective and seemed very unlikely to find the target even if given the opportunity to finish the match.

In future matches, starting Alessandro Matri would be the ideal option unless Conte wants to use Quagliarella and then bring on Matri. Quagliarella seems to be inching closer to his best after looking sharp against Napoli. Conte must also use Del Piero in late game situations not because he is a legend but due to the fact he adds another dimension to Juve’s approach with his set of skills, passion, inspiration and experience. Del Piero has been in fine form in recent matches and it might be time for Conte to give him more playing opportunities. Del Piero can be useful if he is brought on during the last 30 minutes with the team in need of a goal.

The Bianconeri appear solid on the defensive end and do not need to make any major changes to their lineup except for giving Simone Pepe the chance to regain his early season form and providing Martin Caceres with more playing time. Caceres appears to be more relaxed and fresher than Stephan Lichtsteiner who might be better served if given a break this weekend or the next one.

As for Milan, the club remains in a solid position considering the ease of the remaining fixtures and the fact that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has produced the goals whenever the Rossoneri were in desperate need of a breakthrough. The Rossoneri received good news with talented forward Antonio Cassano edging closer to a comeback following the heart procedure. Cassano was in fine form prior to the surgery and his return will serve as a boost to the squad even if he cannot perform a full 90 minutes every match. His presence provides coach Massimiliano Allegri with more options and means the Rossoneri can rely on a talented player who is capable of changing the result of a match with his passing and skills.

Cassano is still the leader in one category for Milan with 7 assists in just 9 Serie A matches. He will be similar to a new signing since he has not played in 2012.

Milan’s experienced side, with veterans such as Clarence Seedorf, Alessandro Nesta and Christian Abbiati to name just a few, has the edge over the Bianconeri who will rely heavily on Andrea Pirlo, ironically allowed to leave by Milan during the summer.

The presence of Ibrahimovic gives Milan another advantage since the Swedish star relishes the challenge of winning another Serie A title and is more than capable of delivering the goals as shown by his impressive tally of 22 goals in just 24 league appearances. The Rossoneri have coped well despite the injuries to some key players. Alexandre Pato and Kevin-Prince Boateng have missed many matches and there are others such as Nesta who have missed their fair share of games. This shows the quality and depth of the squad at the disposal of coach Allegri.

Finally, Milan’s hope of retaining the league title will be better served by an exit from Europe since overcoming Barcelona this week will likely require considerable mental fortitude and physical energy from the Rossoneri. The longer the Rossoneri remain in Europe, the more the likelihood that fatigue, injuries and other concerns can have a negative effect on the league run. While Milan have been dealing with a congested schedule, the Bianconeri have been able to focus on Serie A and do not have to worry about the Coppa Italia at this stage since the final against Napoli is scheduled a week after the end of the season.