2007-2008 UEFA Champions League [R]

As impressed by a similar thread on another teams forum, I have decided to open one up now; let's hope this thread has lots of staying power, especially as the Champion's League actually begins

Heres my opinions, right now, of the big teams (beware the wall's of text):

RM: Well, I don't know what to say. So many posters who are not RM fans (in our forums) have been coining us as favourites (lots of Dutchmen in this, hehe ) to take out both the La Liga (Barcelona anyone? In that case, Valencia, Sevilla and Atletico too?) and the Champion's League.

My opinion? Well, we are now stacked to pieces with lots of talent, and removed quite alot of deadwood (some defenders and Emerson comes to mind), and replaced highly influential players (RC, Beckham) with talented youth who loosely fit in (Drenthe, Robben, also Heinze). While you can argue this means we have depth in spades, you can also argue the huge number of players who could probably command 1st team places on other big teams will not be happy with bench time.

However, we have recruited wisely, lots of youth, and seemed to have retained our team mentality we procured on the way to our 30th title last season, while gently implementing in the newcomers. To be honest, I can see us going quite far in the competition, it has been far too long, Schuster may be new but he has guile and is a wily old fox (Getafe 4-0 Barca, anyone?). I can see us riding lots of luck, but also steamrolling teams, almost always against the odds.

We have a squad of 'Galacticos' now, not just afew superstars which result in the team falling apart when they are injured/tired/ego'ing. Especially after watching our attacking performance against Atletico, where we went behind quite freakishly in the first minute, before coming from behind to win 2-1. Predict: Semi Finals

Barcelona: The 'Fantastic Four' has alot to live up to this season, and the scary thing is there is next to no reason why they cannot mesh together (Henry has never been a technical slouch), but the realistic (and equally scary impression) is that usually only three of them will be fielded as a time, ensuring there is a monster on the bench that can be subbed on, ready to rip through tiring defenses.

Likewise, defensively they have strengthened, and also El Puyol will be back from injury around the time the CL gets abit more serious, meaning they will have that X factor of leadership he provides just when it gets more important. Of course, players like Henry, Eto'o, Ronaldinho, and Messi can all change a game singlehandedly.

To be honest, I expect a HUGE battle for La Liga supremacy this year. But I can also see this Barcelona team losing 4-0 in the Champion's League in the 75th minute, only for FR to sub off Oleguer for Henry/Messi to come on, and for Barca to win 5-4. In all seriousness. Predict: Semi Finals

Manchester United: To be honest, I never considered Manchester United final material last season, especially as hysteria built up as they beat ze Roman's 7-1. Of course, in the Kaka/Real Madrid-obsession craze I clamoured for a Kaka inspired ACM victory, and Kaka duly obliged, engaging in a destructive and equally divine performance, leading to an inspirational rout. I apologise. ACM are scum.

Man Utd probably deserved at least the finals spot, rather than giving a team of old men one last hurrah; thankfully ACM have rested on their laurels this summer because of their CL win, which will prove fatal later in the season.

This season, Rooney and Ronaldo one year more mature, meaning we should see more repeats of their greater abilities in the pressure cooker of high level CL games (argubly Rooney is getting very close to that, Ronaldo was showing more than just glimpses), and they have depth in spades, as well as seasoned performers (like Hargreaves). Should be very interesting to see how they play their cards in the later stages of the Champion's League, considering theyll have Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal breathing down your backs. But of course, you may have enough depth to cope. Predict: Semi Finals

Valencia: Definitely have a 1st XI that can cope with any other team in Europe, especially if they all stay healthy; in saying that, they have bought quite strongly, and should be able to cope relatively happily with afew key injuries. However, in saying that, I don't think their squad is big enough to cope with both La Liga and the CL, meaning some hard decisions will be made as the later stages of the season start to become more and more important.

And also, as they will be battling on two fronts, injuries to key players (David Villa, who I rate highly, also David Silva, David Albelda, and possibly Marchena to name afew pillars of their first XI) will derail their attempts to do well in either. Predict: Last 16

Sevilla: A highly rated team by all and asunder, which play with a magnificant open and fluid attacking style, equally adept at bringing it to the opposition, or adopting a highly clinical counter attacking style (3-5 @ Madrid, Bernabeu, anyone?). However, I am relatively cynical of them achieving ultimate success (that is, the finals), due to the continued unhappiness of Mr. Alves, as well as one game I clearly remember; last season when Madrid went to their stadium, they played a not so aesthetically pleasing game of diving, time wasting and whinging. Hugely unimpressive.

While they have shown they can take it to the traditional powerhouses (this UEFA Super Cup will be very interesting), it is open to suggestion that they may resort to that particular lesser style in some instances. Also, if the unfortunate Puerta experiences the worse of his circumstance (ie. it is possible he may never be able to play football ever again), that will possibly shake the team somewhat. Predict: Last 8

AC Milan: As holders, they deserve some respect. And of course they have Kaka, a player who may be the best in the world today. But as I stated before, I feel their older players have maybe played one season too far, and they _really_ have not improved (Emerson?). Ronaldo may be the best striker in the world on his day, but just because his body load has become smaller, that does not mean the glass his ankles pretend they are not is gone. Trust him to be injured most of the season, and/or the crucial games of the CL, and Kaka will once again (most likely admirably) shoulder all the pressure of the team. Pato is too green to do anything relevant (while I rate him, I feel the hype has made his FAR too rated, especially for a 17 year old). If Ronaldo remains healthy, and does not become lethargic (hey, we all thought he was great initially, too! heh), they may make a prolonged run. Predict: Last 8

Arsenal: Despite lots and lots of people writing off this team, I feel the loss of Henry (similar to the loss of Torres for Atletico), will actually galavanise the team and make them a far greater force, as they play with much more emphasis on the team rather their a focus on a star player. Expect da Silva to become a huge hit, and van Persie to shake off the media attention and actually become some frightning hybrid of Bergkamp and Henry.

Expect a CL run similar to 2006. Predict: Last 8

Chelsea: A team you can never write off, the Chelsea of 07/08 is essentially the core team which made it to the Semi Finals of last years Champion's League, as well as Runners Up in the Premier League. But despite this, I just have an intuition the bubble of theirs has finally burst for some reason, and if they lose afew key players, they only have inferior players to pick up the slack, which really don't help anything. If Ballack and Shevchenko actually step up their game (which is probably to be expected), they could be challengers, as is especially demanded of them.

While I am huge fan of Malouda, I feel in losing Robben (to us, thankfully) they have basically taken out a possible different option in their game, to be replaced by another burly physical midfield player, which they have an abundance of (Essien, Lampard, Makalele, Ballack); Robben has a guile to his game that Malouda has not, despite the latters astonishing ability.

But this season could end in disaster, and equally disastrous for Chelsea, Europe-hungry Roman sacks an unfortunate Mou. Predict: Last 8

Inter Milan: Seemingly looking to dominate the Serie A for afew years to come, I can see this team also ripping apart their domestic league, losing their vital Serie A games to ACM, Juventus and Roma, before falling apart at a suprisingly early hurdle to another early CL favourite; expect lots of sore loser tendencies.

Despite it being their cenentary year, I cannot see them doing anything special with it; except possibly another domestic title against a rebuilding Juventus and an aging AC Milan. Predict: Last 16

AS Roma: Their 'success' last season (obviously overshadowed by their beating) was a mere blimp, and I don't expect them to do much more than to make up the numbers in the last 16.

While good play from their new pickups such as Guily and Cicinho will count for lots in the league, Totti inspiration can only take them so far against another top quality opposition, except it will happen earlier than the last 8. I do wish them well, if they get far, however. Predict: Last 16

Liverpool: Despite my affinity with Benitez because of his masterful removal of Barca from last years CL (thanks Valdez also) and the acquisition of one of my more favoured players (Torres, now I can follow him favourably because he isn't with Atletico; also fan of Villa), as well as the Spanish contingent, I don't enjoy his playing style, or Liverpool's; the chess style he enjoys can be about as fun as watching paint dry. In your eyelids.

But Benitez has acquired players of genuine quality (Zenden and Pennant in the CL Final, what the hell? Reminds me of a player like Traore in the CL Final in 2005, who played for .. oh wait) such as aforementioned Torres, but as well as Benayoun, Babel and the underrated Voronin.

Benitez is a master tactician, especially in Europe. I can see them going quite far, once again. Hopefully this time it is enjoyable watching his 'Pool side in any of the latter games. Let's see. Predict: Semi Finals

Lyon: Another team similar to Chelsea, in which their bubble has probably popped, as evidenced by their poor start in the Ligue 1. Juninho may be slowly losing his match dominating performances, but who knows? They have an uncanny knack of being forced to sell their best players, before replacing them with players who become European stars (as opposed to merely French stars) extremely quickly. If they finally put together an extremely strong CL run, for some reason, I can't say I will be suprised, despite my initial lowly expectations. Predict: Last 16

Thats my opinion piece/rant over. Enjoy.

 

Re: The Champion's League: The Contender's, the Flops, the Suprises. Post Here.

Sorry Horsey For some reason my rep button hasn't reappeared since the BS server rehaul, damn it ><

Also, adding to my opinions, I think we are in luck because our two recent enemies, Bayern and Juventus, are both not here

Madrid_Yank: interesting point about SAF; this year I think will finally confirm his status as a flop or not; the depth of his team means he should be able to extend a prolonged CL run.

 

Re: The Champion's League: The Contender's, the Flops, the Suprises. Post Here.

I wouldn't be suprised with some massive giant killings this year.