FC Barcelona: Why They'll Fear PFC CSKA Moscow Instead of Real Madrid in UCL

FC Barcelona is advancing in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) and may consolidate its position after its upcoming match against Bayer Leverkusen. The possibility exists that La Blaugrana may (eventually) face Real Madrid in the UCL.

Barca facing CSKA Moscow is remote but anything is possible in the UCL. FC Barcelona may fear Real Madrid but the team that they should fear is CSKA Moscow.

The first reason is the rising star of CSKA Moscow who goes by the name of Pontus Wernbloom. The second reason is that CSKA Moscow is a surprise waiting to happen.

Pontus Wernbloom

Wernbloom stunned Real Madrid and Stadio Ludzhinki in Moscow with a last-minute equalizer. The skills of Wernbloom were the primary reason why CSKA Moscow signed him from AZ Alkmaar (for $4 million) in the beginning of 2012.

CSKA Moscow Surprises

While Wernbloom saved the day for CSKA Moscow, the team is known for its attacking game which weakens the defenses of the opposing team. CSKA Moscow is a tenacious team that surprises opposing teams during its match.

When Inter Milan thought it was going to defeat CSKA Moscow in its UCL match, Vasili Berezutski scored the winning goal. Berezutski used his head (with help from Aleksandr Caunas) to steer the ball into the top left corner of the goal post.

The result was that CSKA Moscow was considered to be one of the contenders in the UCL. The lessons to be learned is that all teams should never be underestimated even if the so called experts do that.

La Blaugrana is also aware of that lesson.