As casual observers naturally because our beloved SSL is not participating - but in the early stages there is the posibility of facing whoever is knocked out in the early stages of the CL in the EL.

Anyway, today is Arsenal - Udinese and tbh, I'm somewhat torn between who I'd prefer to see win. On one hand there is the fact that, unlike most teams in the Serie A, I don't hate Udine (or at least I hate them least) and I do like di natale. And there is the Italian FIFA ranking to consider. On the other hand, I don;t think it's sour grapes tbh, but I kind of want them to lose because they have simply sold off everyone and done little to strengthen the team ( as many of us predicted on this forum). I guess I want people to realize that Lazio would have been a much better CL entry. Also, there is the issue of Arsenal being a tougher potential opponent in the EL than Udinese. boh?

Good post and I feel the same way that Lazio would have been a better opponent for Arsenal.  That being said, UEFA co-efficient trump all and unfortunately I have no choice but to pull for Udinese.

If there was ever a time that Arsenal was weak it is now.  Losing their Captain Fabregas, as well as Eboue a regular in their midfield to the Giants of Turkish spending $$Galatassaray$$, and now with Nasri rumoured to move on as well they are almost in an identical situation to Udinese going into the match.  Wenger is a fantastic manager however and that's where Arsenal still hold the most over Guidolin and Co.  Not to mention how many years straight they have represent England in the Champions League.   

Italian teams in general never fare well in England so like the majority think, Arsenal will win tonight, but the Play-off as a whole is a tottally different argument.  We'll just have to wait and see on that one.  Gervinho upfront with Bedtner can't be better than Di Natale Floro Flores.

For me it has to be udinese have to go through, for 1, the more teams from the shitty EPL out of europe the better,2 to bring the italian ranking for europe next season. Udine mighty have a chance with arsenal, players leaving and uncertainty at the club.   

Agreed very unlucky so far. Udi look much stronger than I thought they would.

As long as their goal rate @ home stays the same as last year it should make for an interesting tie.  Still a shame they didn't grab a goal tonight.  Leg 2 will definitley be interesting to watch. 

Is this reincarnation or just a spirit?

Well well well how's this for a colossal cock-up. Inter cannot play Forlan in CL games until January b ecause he played a match for Atletico on Aug 4. They almost put him on the list (which would have meant a colossal fine).


p.s. Zarate moves up in the pecking order - see he's doing better already! 

It was a woeful team effort by Inter, you can point the fingers anywhere really but when Milito misses sitter after sitter then there's no way to legislate for that. Zarate was dreadful against Palermo and looks out of his depth. 

Napoli were great however and Milan did well in this round, not all doom and gloom for Serie A. Still fancy Inter and Milan to make it through and Napoli could well to IF they win their home games.