As Barcelona lifted the Champions League trophy at Wembley back in May, the rest of the football world could have been forgiven for questioning whether they would ever topple Pep Guardiola's slick squad. After all, even the harshest judge would concede that Barcelona, in Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, boast three of the top five players on the planet.
The task of ousting the Spanish giants got even harder over the summer as Guardiola signed Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, just adding to the attacking options at his disposal. Slight question marks remain over goalkeeper Victor Valdes and the defensive credentials of the back four - but Barcelona press so effectively that these are usually moot points.
And so, though no team has recorded back-to-back triumphs since the competition entered the Champions League era, Barcelona are understandably favourites to retain the trophy as the start of this season’s competition approaches.
But this is just the kind of challenge that the likes of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson will relish. Real Madrid and Manchester United - along with Manchester City - lead the pack looking to dethrone Barcelona and all three teams have the attacking threats to back up their claims.
Mourinho's men wasted little time making their feeling known during the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona as the second leg descended into a major scuffle. As was the case last year, much will depend on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has put the team on his back time and again, and the ever-improving Mesut Ozil. Real would also receive a huge boost if Kaka could turn back the clock and rediscover the form that made him arguably the world’s most coveted player five years ago. They will reach the knockout rounds comfortably, despite drawing Lyon and Ajax in Group D, but then the tougher challenges will come thick and fast.
Meanwhile, United's injection of youth over the summer strengthens their credentials. Ashley Young has settled instantly while Wayne Rooney looks on course for the best year of his career. The centre of midfield remains a concern, however, with Ferguson finding neither the destructive ball-winner nor the creative spark that would be so priceless in Europe. Progress from a weak Group C, containing Benfica, Basle and SC Otelul Galati, will be a formality and Ferguson will hope to be blessed with the kind of route to the final that United enjoyed last season.
The task of ousting the Spanish giants got even harder over the summer as Guardiola signed Cesc Fabregas and Alexis Sanchez, just adding to the attacking options at his disposal. Slight question marks remain over goalkeeper Victor Valdes and the defensive credentials of the back four - but Barcelona press so effectively that these are usually moot points.
And so, though no team has recorded back-to-back triumphs since the competition entered the Champions League era, Barcelona are understandably favourites to retain the trophy as the start of this season’s competition approaches.
But this is just the kind of challenge that the likes of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson will relish. Real Madrid and Manchester United - along with Manchester City - lead the pack looking to dethrone Barcelona and all three teams have the attacking threats to back up their claims.
Mourinho's men wasted little time making their feeling known during the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona as the second leg descended into a major scuffle. As was the case last year, much will depend on Cristiano Ronaldo, who has put the team on his back time and again, and the ever-improving Mesut Ozil. Real would also receive a huge boost if Kaka could turn back the clock and rediscover the form that made him arguably the world’s most coveted player five years ago. They will reach the knockout rounds comfortably, despite drawing Lyon and Ajax in Group D, but then the tougher challenges will come thick and fast.
Meanwhile, United's injection of youth over the summer strengthens their credentials. Ashley Young has settled instantly while Wayne Rooney looks on course for the best year of his career. The centre of midfield remains a concern, however, with Ferguson finding neither the destructive ball-winner nor the creative spark that would be so priceless in Europe. Progress from a weak Group C, containing Benfica, Basle and SC Otelul Galati, will be a formality and Ferguson will hope to be blessed with the kind of route to the final that United enjoyed last season.
To read the rest of the article, visit http://www.insidefutbol.com/2011/09/10/201112-champions-league-preview-barcelona-remain-team-to-beat/48820/
No comments:
Post a Comment