TEAM AND PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

Every 2 weeks a team and a player is looked at in depth. We will look at a teams position in the league, evaluate their season so far and interview th particular manager about their performance so far. We will then look at a player from the team. We will look at his recent performances and evaluate the type of player he is and what his future is like. This is this first week and the team will be Brescia

Click the link below to go to recent spotlights

RED STAR / ZIKOS

BENFICA / RIVALDO

UDINESE / SARR

TEAM SPOTLIGHT

BRESCIA

PAUL BRYANT - FACT FILE

ABOUT BRESCIA

Brescia are currently sitting top of the second division with a very good chance of making it to the big time. The team isn't full of well established and quality names but it is the team as a whole that has gelled so well together. There is no doubt that if this club were to get into the top division they would sureley have to buy a few quality players to remain there. Manager Paul Bryant has managed to do an extrodinary job there considering they have little resources. Now from looking like a lowly division 2 side, Brescia look like a side ready for the challenge. One thing is for sure they will always give 100% and that could be valuable in the elite division. It will be interesting to see if they can A) make it in the top division and B) Stay there.

NAME Paul Bryant AGE 21 ROLE Brescia Manager NATIONALITY English HONOURS FA Cup. Lost in round 2. Lost to porto (3-2) League Cup Knocked out in round 3. lost in replay to Ath Madrid (2-1) League First full season in charge. Currently 1st in second division.

THE LEAGUE TABLE IN AND AROUND THEM (WEEK 13)

1st  Brescia - 30 pts, GD +13 2nd Ath Madrid - 30 Pts, GD +9 **************************** 3rd  Lazio - 27 pts, GD +8 4th  Celta Vigo - 20 pts, GD +1

Played: 13 Won: 9 Lost: 3 Drew: 1

Goals for: 28 Goals against: 15

INFO ON BRESCIA YOU MAY NOT OF KNOWN

Clean Sheets: 3 (Galatasaray, Sampdoria, Deportivo) Leading Goalscorer: James Brown (13 in 17) Most Man Of Matches: Fabio Rochemback (4)

Captain: Fabio Rochemback Penalty Taker: M. Marazzina Player Of Season So Far: James Brown for goalscoring record

PAUL BRYANT (BRESCIA) - INTERVIEW

1. Paul, What do you believe the key is to this years and Brescia success? Obviously winning games! lol seriously though, I believe a relatively strong squad throughout is the key, Ive never been one to just focus on attackers or anything like that. A team wins a game not two or three individuals. 2. What do you aim to achieve with Brescia? Well this season I aim to get promoted, hopefully as champions. Next season will be consolidation in SED 1 and hopefully a good cup run. Then I aim to build a squad capable of challenging for the SED 1 title. 3. Brescia haven't got, and i'm sure you'll agree, the strongest squad around. If you are promoted, will you be able to cope in the top divission? Yeah I agree that we dont have squad to match the likes of Inter and Juve in SED 1 but I do feel we have the hunger and desire to be the best so I have no doubt we can compete in SED 1. After all we have already beaten AS Roma in the cup this season and Barcelona in a friendly. 4. Wat is the atmosphere like in the dressing room and on the training ground? The atmosphere is brilliant. The whole team has gelled and we get down to the hard work whilst having a laugh on the training pitch. I believe this is one of the keys to our current league position. 5. The title race is still wide open. Do you think you and your players think you will be able to win the title and gain promotion? Yes we have the ability. We have a tough game away to Ath Madrid on week 17 and that could well decide the title. I have faith. 6. Do you fear that if James Brown stops scoring or gets injured, you will drop further down the table. No not at all. Especially over the last few games our gaols have come from a few of the other players, comandini has scored 8 this season as a winger and several other players have got a couple. 7. Will you be able to buy players in the near future or is the cash not there? Cash is not overflowing, but there is a small amount there for new players. Every team I have managed have operated on very little cash flow but I have still found success through shrewd moves in the transfer market and my tactics. 8. Do you fear the likes of Brown and Rochemback will be snapped up by bigger clubs? No. Ultimately I have final say on whether the players go anywhere so they wont be leaving unless I think its for the good of the team. 9. Is there any message you would like to give the loyal fans? Id like to thank them for their fantastic support, and I know we will repay them with promotion to SED 1.

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

FABIO ROCHEMBACK (BRESCIA)

NAME Fabio Rochemback AGE 20 NATIONALITY Brazilian GAMES PLAYED Played 8 scored 0 ATTRIBUTES SH - 68, PA - 99, SP - 66, CO - 99, RE - 78, AG - 99, TA - 60, HE - 69, IN - 95. HONOURS Finished 8th with Real Madid in season 3 Moved to Brescia in season 4, week 5..

Fabio Rochemback is another young Brazilian Prodigy. He applies his trade playing just behind a front two. Rochemback will often push on to make a third striker but will also track back if needed. With great passing, he often sets up a lot of goals. Rochemback pulls the strings for table topping Brescia and when he is on form, he's unstoppable. Rochemback started at Real Madrid where he wasn't used much and often only appeared as a sub. 5 weeks into the 4th season Brescia snapped up the young Brazilian, where Rocemback hoped to resurrect his carrer. He is now playing first team football for table topping Brescia. As a reward for his good performances he was rewarded with the captains arm band at the tender age of 20. It's a certainty that Rochemback is going to become a classy player and that could be proved if he comes across the elite next season.

FABIO ROCHEMBACK (BRESCIA) - INTERVIEW

1. How have you found it at Brescia since arriving from Real Madrid? Sorry My English is errrm not so good....I like lots. I was scared of going down a division, but its best as I am enjoying making good here and I think we will go up and have...how do you say it?...errm joy. 2. Did you ever consider it a step down after moving from Real to Brescia? I thinka may have answered that already? I went to see Brescia playing before I moved here and it was just like watching brasil so I had no doubts it was left...errm sorry right move for me. 3. How are you finding it settling down here in Italy? Its good I love the women, and the culture, I have even bought my self a Vespa scooter. 4. Do you feel you've adjusted well to this league? I I have been pleased withy my performance although I would like to have scored more goals but that will come with time. 5. Do you think that you personally have been playing the best football of your carrer? errm wat is this personally word? (interpreter steps in) ahhh sorry sorry, not my best but definately near my best yet...Im still young and still learning so hopefully I will improve. 6. Are you enjoying playing at a club that is playing well? Yes being top of league is very nice feeling, the morale here is great I think we can make love. 7. What do you attemp to achieve at Brescia. Do you think your team will be able to compete in top division? Yes I think we can, I would like very much to win some silverware so maybe the SED 2 title or a cup next season, if not Im sure we will settle into SED 1 fine if we can get promoted so I think we will reach our aim of winning SED 1 in a couple of seasons.