5 Serious Contenders for the Champions League

The first legs of the Round of 16 matches in the UEFA Champions League provided few surprises.  

The biggest upset was the 1-0 victory of FC Basel over Bayern Munich.  But Basel has a strong track record in giant-killing, having taken four of a possible six points from their two matches with Manchester United in the group stage this year.

All of the major favorites left in the competition look on track to advance into the quarterfinals as the second legs commence this week.  

So, which teams are poised to make the run to Munich come May 19th?

Benfica

2011-12 UEFA Champions League record: 5-1-5

Key Matches: 2-2 vs. Twente (Away), 2-0 vs. Basel (Away), 2-2 vs. Manchester United (Away)

Current position in domestic league: Second

Benfica's famous eagle is flying below the title contender radar.  The legendary Portuguese club squares off in the second leg with everything to play for against Zenit St. Petersburg on Tuesday.  

The teams played the most exciting encounter of the first legs in frigid Russia. The 3-2 Zenit victory represents the only blemish on Benfica's 2011-12 UCL record, a competition that began for them in late July.

In the group stage, Benfica earned draws twice against Manchester United, while also defeating Basel 2-0 in Switzerland.

The proud tradition of Eusebio's club team is primed for a return to European glories.  Benfica's confidence starts with the touch-line guidance of Jorge Jesus and extends to their midfield maestro, the efficient Argentine Nicolás Gaitán.  

This is a team that, while constantly overshadowed by its Iberian rivals, can be something to reckon with either in or away from the menacing confines of the Estádio da Luz. 

AC Milan

2011-12 UEFA Champion's League record: 3-1-3

Key Matches: 2-2 vs. Barcelona (Away), 4-0 vs. Arsenal (Home)

Current position in domestic league: First

AC Milan seems to be playing their best football at just the right time.  In recent weeks against top-four league opponents, Milan beat Udinese and drew against Juventus (a game in which they were denied a clear goal by Sulley Muntari).  

But the wake-up call for Europe's last 16 that the seven-time European champions were ready to make a run at another trophy came when the Rossoneri dismantled Arsenal, 4-0, at the San Siro two weeks ago.  

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in the midst of a superior run of form, scoring from the penalty spot to cap the Arsenal blowout after setting up each of Robinho's goals on both sides of the halftime whistle.  He also notched a hat trick in this weekend's Serie A action against Palermo, taking his league tally to 18, tying him for first with Udinese's Antonio Di Natale.

Milan's experience at this level and their team depth could result in an unexpected run to Munich.

Robinho and Ibra have been combining fluidly up front.  Kevin-Prince Boateng is an additional threat behind the two strikers.  Milan shouldn't have to remind themselves of the perils of resting on a large goal advantage versus English competition (see the 2005 Champion's League Final) going into the return leg at the Emirates against an unpredictable Arsenal side.  

But progress to the quarterfinals and perhaps beyond seems plausible for this Italian outfit with a rich championship pedigree. 

Napoli

2011-12 UEFA Champion's League record: 4-1-2

Current position in domestic league: Fifth

Key Matches: 1-1 vs. Manchester City (Away), 2-1 vs. Manchester City (Home), 3-1 vs. Chelsea (Home)

Napoli's return to the European stage after a 20-year hiatus has energized a passionate fanbase.  Lying dormant for so long like the famous volcano that looms over its city and bay, Napoli has re-emerged with zeal reminiscent of the Maradona glory days.  

They've survived the Champions League's Group of Death while putting together a third straight solid season in the Serie A, with an offensive outlook that defies the long-held logic of the Italian game.

Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamšík form the potent offensive trio that have Napoli in the hunt for the third and final Champions League qualifying spot in Serie A.  More immediate concerns, however, center around this year's Champions League campaign.  

The Partenepoi head to Stamford Bridge, the second leg of their tie with Chelsea on March 14th, defending a 3-1 advantage.  Should they move forward, they can continue to count on fortress San Paolo's intimidating atmosphere as an added advantage, where they're undefeated in the UCL.  

While the Neapolitans aren't as deep off the bench as Real, Barcelona or even Milan, this is a dark horse team with potential to knock off one of the big names in the latter stages of this competition.

Barcelona

2011-12 UEFA Champion's League record: 6-0-1

Key Matches: 3-2 vs. Milan (Away), 3-1 vs. Bayer Leverkusen (Away)

Current position in domestic league: Second

Just in case you weren't keeping count, Barcelona has already collected three trophies this season. 

Three!  Before the winter break.

And they've earned themselves a shot at another in the Copa del Rey final against Athletic Bilbao on May 25th.  Of course, by then, Barça may have already defended their Champion's League title in Munich.

Standards being so high at the Nou Camp, if Pep's boys don't win the Champions League again, the year would likely be considered a disappointment.  The league is a lost cause since Barça has fallen 10 points off Madrid's torrid pace.  

But with the greatest player of his generation playing in the peak of his talented years, Leo Messi gives the Blaugrana a chance to once again win Europe's top prize.  

It's really an entire roster of immense talent and athleticism whose style mesmerizes and pulverizes opponents in the same stroke.  It seems difficult to understand how they've lost two and been held to draws in five games in La Liga, particularly when watching them pick apart opponents like Real Madrid on a few occasions as well as Milan in the UCL group stage. 

Real Madrid

2011/12 UEFA Champion's League record: 6-0-1

Key Matches: 2-0 vs. Lyon (Away), 3-0 vs. Ajax (Away)

Current position in domestic league: First

As close as you can get to an unstoppable force, Real Madrid is on an absolute tear this season.  

Their undefeated record in the Champions League was dealt a momentary speed bump with the last-minute goal in frozen Moscow that got CSKA a 1-1 draw in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie.  

In the group stage against Lyon, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb, the Madrileños won all six of their games, scoring 19 goals while only conceding two. Madrid's La Liga lead has ballooned to 10 points over Barcelona.  

Their average margin of victory is over three goals.  Their goal differential plus-64.  Cristiano Ronaldo leads the league with 30 goals, including that you-won't-believe-it-'til-you-see-it blind back heel against Rayo Vallecano.  

There's no questioning the quality of this side.  

There's talent to spare, and Mourinho's tactics have, for the most part, maximized the considerable assets at his disposal.  However, Madrid's biggest weakness and greatest rivals wear the same Blaugrana shirt.  

Despite Madrid's success this season, they've yet to get a victory over Leo Messi and company.  As good as they've been against nearly everyone else, against the Catalans, they've only managed to draw twice in five meetings.  

You have to wonder, if the two Spanish giants meet in the deeper phases of the continental tournament, can Madrid overcome the Barça obstacle?