In case you missed it, the Champions League kicks off this evening. Whilst many of the group games have a whiff of inevitability about them, every game counts and it is a long road to the Bernabeu in May. So who are you backing to pick up Europe’s most coveted club title? The Football Blog tries to predict the unpredictable.
With any kind or prediction, it’s difficult not to start with the holders, and Barcelona have started the season like they mean to go on. In spite of his astonishing transfer fee, Zlatan Imbrahimovic looks to have made a positive impact and they should be in the mix come the business end ot the tournament. Questions have been raised about the small size of their squad however, something which may have an impact as their season goes on.
They are in Group F with Inter Milan (the two meet at the San Siro on Wednesday evening), and Jose Mourinho’s men look like they have the best chance of the Serie A sides involved. Mourinho knows what it takes to win the tournament and his side have also started strongly domestically. It’s hardto forget how little they troubled Manchester United in last season’s knock-out phase however, and the quarter-finals could be their limit.
Of the English sides, Chelsea are the team most have tipped to have the best chance of lifting the trophy. Fortune has not favoured them in recent seasons, but in Carlo Ancelotti they have a manager with a recognised pedigree in the competition. However, you do have to wonder how badly they will be affected by their transfer ban and the loss of players to the African Cup of Nations.
Reaching the final two years in a row is no mean feat, and Manchester United will be looking to make it three in a row. The question is, how will they cope against Europe’s elite without Cristiano Ronaldo? They seem to be learning how to play and win without the mercurial Portuguese star, and they could hit peak form when it matters.
Another team learning how to play without a key player from last season is Liverpool. The loss of Xabi Alonso has impacted them more than most had imagined and much will rest on how well Alberto Aquilani fits in upon his return from injury. This tournament is Benitez’s speciality though, so the Anfield side’s chances can’t be written off.
Arsenal have been giving off mixed messages so far this season. They crushed Everton on the opening day, but have since gone on to lose to both Manchester clubs in quite different fashions. A lack of depth and experience in their squad means they will do well to repeat the semi-final appearance of last season, although Wenger is not new to defying the odds.
In spite of the strength of competition outlined above, The Football Blog is predicting that Real Madrid will be crowned champions of Europe in their home city in May. Quite simply, they have an incredible array of players at their disposal and the depth of squad to challenge on all fronts.
Whilst not looking completely unstoppable in La Liga so far, they have won both their games and are starting to gel. You can but wonder what they might do in the January transfer window, and even if people argue they bought their way to the title, they really should be there or thereabouts.
As ever, your thoughts and predictions are welcome? Do you think Real Madrid can win the Champions League? Or do you see the trophy going elsewhere?
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