Oscar Shines Brightly in Chelsea FC Starting Debut

In his Chelsea FC debut, Oscar celebrates one of his two goals in their 2-2 Champions League draw with Juventus. (AP Photo)

In terms of this year's UEFA Champions League, the pressure may be greatest on Chelsea FC. As the reigning champions of Europe, they must overcome history if they hope to repeat this year as champions. Since 1990 and the beginning of the Champions League era, no club has managed to successfully defend their European crown.

Chelsea's title defense began with their greatest competition in the group stage. In recent years, Juventus has emerged as the class of Italian football in Serie A. It was Chelsea that got on the scoreboard first with a pair of first half goals (more about those is forthcoming). Juventus answered with one goal to pull within 2-1 at halftime.

As Chelsea tried to hold on for the crucial victory, they set back defensively. However, poor decision making and play allowed Juventus multiple opportunities to comeback. The Italians took full advantage in the 80th minute when Fabio Quagliarella scored the equalizer. Juventus had chances to score a winner, but the final whistle sealed a draw for both sides.

While it is easy for Chelsea to be disappointed by the result, there were certainly a number of positives that emerged from the game. The foremost being the emergence of a blossoming star. Oscar is one of the young superstars coming out of Brazil ready to burst onto the international scene. Just 21 years of age, the midfielder has a world of potential in his footballing prowess.

When acquiring Oscar for a cool 25 million pounds, many openly wondered if Chelsea had panicked and overpaid for a young talent that only had potential to accomplish great things. Making his club debut as a starter, Oscar left little to doubt that he is ready for the big stage. His first goal did benefit from some good fortune when his shot deflected off a Juventus player and into the net.

Only two minute later, Oscar's second goal was the result of pure skill and the talent he has been blessed with. His beautiful strike didn't even grant Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon a hope of saving it. The goals weren't the only thing that caused Oscar to shine brightly before his peers, supporters, and viewers around the world. His play all over the field was superb to say the least.

When writing about Oscar's performance, ESPN.com's Phil Lythell described it as follows, "The strike (first goal), though, filled the youngster with confidence and his second goal a couple of minutes later was a thing of beauty, leaving everyone in Stamford Bridge wide-eyed and open-mouthed. His tricks and flicks were all measured and to the benefit to the team, every backheel purposeful rather than indulgent. Given room to operate, he began to dictate Chelsea's forward momentum and became the central figure in the home side's display."

Chelsea did have to settle for a draw with Juventus. However, regardless of how they play in the Champions League, they have witnessed the emergence of a new star. Oscar is not only loaded with potential, but is capable of making a significant impact immediately. It will be a joy to get to watch him mature and grow with both Chelsea and his native Brazilian national team.

Real Madrid Stuns Manchester City with Late Goals

Real Madrid's Christiano Ronaldo celebrates his game-winning goal in their comeback win over Manchester City. (Pierre-Philippe Marcou)

In the UEFA Champions League group stage, it could be argued that no team could use a big win more than the two powerhouses pitted in this matchup. Manchester City, the reigning English Premier League champions, got off to a rough start in its title defense. Despite winning both of their home games, they have had to settle for draws in their two road matches, the latter coming at Stoke City. With expectations high as ever this season, that simply isn't going to cut it with management and the supporters.

Real Madrid, a perennial  European football power, has struggled to begin their season as well. Through four La Liga games, they are a mere 1-2-1. Losses to teams like Getafe and Sevilla are unheard of for Real Madrid. With the star power they have throughout their roster, European dominance is expected from the Spanish side.

As Manchester City and Real Madrid took the field for a Champions League group stage match, both knew the importance of getting off to a good start. While both teams racked up great scoring opportunities throughout the first half, a common problem continued to plague both sides. Neither one could find a way to score the goals they ought to.

On the road, Manchester City was more than happy to sit back and defend. They would focus on using the counterattack to generate their scoring opportunities. Their strategy paid off in the 68th minute. Yaya Toure gained control of the ball and cut through the heart of the Real Madrid. He found substitute Edin Dzeko for the easy finish. Just like that, the visitors led 1-0.

That lead didn't last long. With Real Madrid pressing forward, Marcelo cut inside with the ball. He let a shot rip that was deflected off Manchester City's Javi Garcia and past goalkeeper Joe Hart for the equalizer. However, with the game winding to a close, it was the visitors who earned a free kick in the attacking third. Man City's Aleksandar Kolarov's kick curled through the box and into the net to put them back in the lead.

Even though there was only four minutes remaining in the game, there was still enough time for an attacking team like Real Madrid to answer. In the 87th minute, Madrid's Karim Benzema drove the ball into the box from the flank. His beautifully struck shot beat Hart for the equalizer. Suddenly, things were level pegging once again. However, the attacks didn't stop there as play went back and forth from end to end.

In stoppage time, Real Madrid tried to piece together one last strong attack. Christiano Ronaldo found an opening and let a long shot rip. It dipped dramatically as it traveled and scurried under the outstretched arms of Hart. As the final whistle blew, Real Madrid had come all the back to secure victory for themselves.

By scoring two goals in the last four minutes, Real Madrid dramatically changed the outcome of their match and group's momentum. They will look to build off this victory with sustained high levels of play. This is another disappointing result for Manchester City. After struggling last season in the Champions League, they need to try and put this defeat behind them as quickly as possible.

Notre Dame Joins ACC in All Sports Except Football

Notre Dame's men's basketball team has played in tbe NCAA Tournamnet five of the last six years. (Matt Cashore)

Conference alignments have resurfaced the face of college sports over the last several seasons. One school that has always distinguished itself from all of the chaos is Notre Dame. However, the free-thinking Fighting Irish aren't even immune from the changes anymore. On Wednesday morning, news broke that Notre Dame was joining the Atlantic Coast Conference as a full member with the excption of football.

Jack Swarbrick, Notre Dame vice president of and director of athletics released this statement, "We have monitored the changing conference landscape for many months and have concluded that moving to the ACC is the best course of action for us. We are able to maintain our historic independence in football, join in the ACC's non-BCS bowl package, and provide a new and extremely competitive home for other sports."

While this affects all men's sports, the two prominant one's are football and baseketball. As was already mentioned, Notre Dame does remain independent in football. However, the Fighting Irish are required to play five games annually against ACC opponents. This will only make ACC football more competitive and followed.

As far as basketball is concerned, the ACC may have just become the most dominant conference in the history of the sport. Notre Dame joins Syracuse and Pittsburgh as members set to join. The conference already boasted the likes of North Carolina, Duke, Florida State, N.C. State, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest. That is nine either current or former basketball powerhouses.

Notre Dame's move to the ACC also effects the landscape of women's collegiate athletics across the country. The biggest change is taking place in soccer. The Fighting Irish are the only team other than North Carolina to win at least three national championships in the sport. This move is equivalant of a team like Kansas joining the ACC in men's basketball. Speaking of basketball, it can't be neglected either. After all, Notre Dame has been to four Women's Final Fours since 1997. They won the national championship in 2001. Softball, lacrosse, and volleyball will all be effected as well.

The last major impact of this move is the further crippling of the Big East Conference. The conference has already been gutted by moves to the ACC and Big 12. With the addition of Notre Dame, the ACC currently has 15 members. Of course, the rumor mills are overflowing with speculation about the conference adding one more team. Georgetown, Louisville, Connecticut, and Rutgers are among the most likely candidates.

The ACC denies any supposed claims that are out there. However, the Notre Dame move seemingly came out of nowhere. College sports is drastically changing. This move reminds us that it all isn't over yet. What is for certain is that the ACC is now even more fully loaded than ever. It should be a fun conference to watch across the sports spectrum.