I would like to start by sending congratulations to both Arsenal and Chelsea for making the knock out rounds of the Champions League. This year has highlighted how close many teams are on any given matchday. That sounds like a film title but it is quite apt so I’m using it.
Apoel Nicosia reaching the knock out phase as group winners is proof of this as well as Inter Milan losing at home to Trabzonspor, Porto losing to Zenit St.Petersburg and even Bayer Leverkusen beating Chelsea, it is a season that has thrown up shocks all the way through.
There is talk that UEFA might investigate the Dinamo Zagreb vs Lyon match. Going into half time the French team were trailing 1-0 before equalising just before the whistle. 6 second half goals not only saw them thrash their opponents but qualify for the knock out rounds at the expense on Ajax. Why Dinamo Zagreb would want to lose so heavily and in doing so qualify their opponents is beyond me.
I still feel that the English League is the most competitive in Europe. You could argue that this season’s Champions League has mirrored any crazy weekend in the Premier League. But the best teams in Europe don’t play in England. Real Madrid have to be favourites before the draw is made. Unbeaten and with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly the only player capable of matching Lionel Messi’s goalscoring feats they are the team nobody wants.
Barcelona have fallen behind their Spanish rivals domestically and defensive problems which have circulated but not mattered for over a year now, doesn’t quite see them with the same fear factor. Some may question the need to sign Alexis Sanchez when defenders were needed more urgently.
Bayern Munich have tiptoed along quietly with the attention going to Spain and England. In my eyes a sleeping giant of European football, they have benefited from an excellent crop of German youngsters and I really think a German double could be on this season. Bayern Munich to win the Champions League and Germany to win Euro 2012. Wonder what the odds are on that this morning.
In Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea finally have a manager who may deliver the holy grail. OK he will ruffle a few feathers along the way but what Chelsea fan can complain on a morning where London holds England’s only Champions League representatives. It would be some feat to win it this year but a good run and some decent results will ensure the talented manager will stay.
If Arsenal can keep Robin van Persie fit, then they have the results against Barcelona last season to draw experience from and Wenger won’t fear any of the more fancied sides.
Both English teams can meet AC Milan in the last 16 and let’s be honest, you don’t choose to play a team with as much European experience and pedigree. I know there are those who will bang on about you have to beat the best teams to win a competition like this which is true. let’s not forget AC Milan were in Barcelona’s group and gained a positive result at the Camp Nou.
Manchester United’s failure to qualify will be much talked about but I was one of the few that didn’t think the group was an easy one. Benfica was always going to be two tough fixtures and Basle had good performances from previous encounters against United to inspire them. It was a group with to much pressure and maybe United under estimated their opponents. They have been lucky in one sense that they have qualified for the Europa League round of 32 as one of the better 4 third placed finishers from the Champions League group phase. This at least keeps them away from the Europa league group winners. The concern will be into next seasons campaign where United will need to reach the latter stages again to maintain their European ranking. Their win against Chelsea and the defeats against Barcelona will help but such a terrible group stage can not be permitted next season.
Introducing the neat little app that’ll pay you to view content tailored to your interests:
ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more.
Share this article