Soccer: Inter Milan Hammer Roma 4-1

Inter Milan showed no mercy to Roma on Saturday, smacking them down with a 4-1 score. The battle between the two giants was an exciting match to watch...until the second half drew on and as a spectator, I just wanted someone to stop Roma's bleeding. Inter dominated with 59% of possession and three more shots on goal than Roma (15 to Roma's 12), and generally played more aggressively and urgently as demonstrated by their 19 fouls to Roma's 13.

The loss will come as a particularly hard blow to Roma as they prepare to fight Manchester United, a match that will no doubt be heated whether both teams play in top form or not. In fact, following last season's debacle with 11 United supporters hospitalized and subsequent heightening of security for United fans in Italy, the match will be one to watch if only for the spectacle of the supporters. Roma will require regrouping and adjustment of attitude if they are to best Manchester United, who conquered them 7-1 last season.

Versus Inter, Roma were hampered by the loss of players due to Ludovic Giuly's red card for a hand ball against a shot on goal and Simone Perrotta's late injury after they'd used all their substitutions. Of course, any time a team faces a powerful rival with one or more men down, it's a greater challenge. But playing against fewer than 11 men doesn't automatically equal a win or better performance from the opposing team; whenever a man is sent off the field both teams need to change their strategies.

Inter played a primarily international team with periods of no Italians on the pitch. This concept has raised complaints from concerned parties in the English Barclay's Premier League. The occasional whisper--or outright cry--warn the introduction of too many international players into the league will result in the extinction of English talent. However, I feel Inter effectively proved an international-heavy team can get the job done, whether or not there were many Italians on the side. I'm hardly advocating the elimination of all native players in respective leagues, but it's not such a bad thing to diversify a team when they can bring in stellar talent from elsewhere, too.

For now, Inter Milan are at the top of the ladder, and we'll see if their talent can keep them firmly in that place as the season unfolds. Roma are in third.