UEUFA Champions League 10/11: The 7 Contenders
Many people would say it's too early to say who will be lifting the famous trophy in the still relatively new Wembley stadium in London. However we can discuss which team's have started the season in good form and look like going all the way in Europe's premier football competition.
so without further ado lets discuss the seven main contenders....
1. Chelsea
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Why they will win it:
This Image tells you all you need to know about Chelsea in the Champions League, they've come close so many times but still have never lifted Europe's top prize. Chelsea's two biggest heartbreaks in Europe have come in the last two years firstly losing to Manchester United on penalties in the 2008 Moscow final. The next heartbreak a season later seconds remaining in their semi-final clash with Barcelona which they were winning before Andres Iniesta's last gasp stunning winner sent Barca through.
Chelsea are the Premier League champions and have a very strong experienced squad that have been playing together for a number of years now. Their desire to win the competition is as strong as ever particularly captain John Terry who his penalty miss in the 2008 final still haunts him to this day.
Why they wont win it:
Can Chelsea mentally win the Champions League after all the disappointments, do the Chelsea players think that they were just not meant to win it?. Difficult to say but there are more reasons they will win it than reason they wont Chelsea have to be one of the favorites.
Key Player:
Didier Drogba
2. AC Milan
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Why they will win it:
AC Milan last went all the way in 2007 when they got revenge over Liverpool for the miracle of Istabul. They may have an aging squad but Milan did invest in the summer in tried and tested talent in Zlatan Ibrohimovic and Robinho. Add those signings to the exciting Alex Pato and Ronaldinhio and the rossoneri have plenty of options going forward. Milan have appeared in three of the last 10 finals winning two of those, so they certainly have the know how.
Why they wont win it:
Milan are really in a transitional peroid and have struggled in the champions league since they sold Brazilian superstar Kaka to Real Madrid. Milan still need some more players if they are going to seriously contend. They still over-rely on the likes of Pirlo, Gattuso and seadorf.
Key Player:
Zlatan Ibrohimovic
3. Barcelona
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Reasons they will win it:
So many reasons but will start with the one name - Lionel Messi, simply the best player in the world has a taste of winning this competition and Barca will be amongst the very favorites again. Barca have added David Villa a proven goal scorer at every level. Barca have everything, just a case of getting the job done.
Reasons they won't win it:
Difficult to say anything here, maybe they have too many of the same player and not a tough enough in midfield.
Key man:
Lionel Messi
4. Bayern Munich
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Why they will win it:
Bayern got to the final last year only to lose to Jose Mourinhio's Inter Milan side in a one-sided final. Bayern will be desperate to go all the way this year and with talent in their squad such as Arjen Robben, Frank Ribery, Thomas Muller and Bastian Schweinsteiger Bayern are among the favorites after a great run last season.
Why they wont win it:
Many of Bayern's squad where involved in the later stages of the World Cup and have not had a sustained rest peroid over the summer.
Key player:
Arjen Robben
5. Manchester United
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Why they will win it:
Manchester United have been finalists twice in the last three years and the 2008 winners. Going forward there are not many teams as exciting as the eleven times Premier League Champions. The manager and players are vastly experienced in this competition, extra motivation will be a a final at the Wembley the scene of their 1968 Champions League truimpth.
Why they wont win it:
It's been a turbulent start to the season at Old Trafford with star striker Wayne Rooney announcing he wants to leave after six years at the club, do United have enough quality to go all the way again?
Key player:
Dimitar Berbatov
6. Inter Milan
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Why they will win it:
Inter are the defending champions and have more or less the exact same squad the main change over the summer was the departure of charismatic manager Jose Mourinhio to Real Madrid and the arrival of Rafa Benitez or recently got the axe at Liverpool. Milan certainly have the squad to go all the way and win the tittle and have all the confidence in the world after last years succses.
Why they wont win it:
Losing the manager was a big blow for Inter having to adapt to Benitez's tactics and management style may take time.
Key player:
Wesley Sniejder
7. Arsenal
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Why they will win it:
Arsenal play as attractive football as any club in the world and have a manager with one of the best reputations in the world in Arsene Wenger, although the one thing missing from Arsene's CV is winning the converted trophy. That gives Arsenal all the motivation they need to go all the way this year. Arsenal came close in 2006 in Paris where they where 1-0 up heading into the last 10 minutes only to see their dreams shattered by two late Barcelona goals.
Why they wont win it:
Do Arsenal have enough experience in their squad to go all the way many of the side that reached the final in 2006 have moved on. Arsenal will need to be stronger at the back this year to give themselves a chance at Champions League glory.
Key Player:
Cesc Fabregas
8. Real Madrid
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Why they can win it:
Real Madrid are the holders of the most European tittles having won the tittle 9 times. They have also signed a manager who has already won Europe's elite competition twice in what is still a relatively short career as a manager. Madrid have the best attacking options in Europe with the likes of Ronaldo, Ozil, Kaka, Higuain, Benzema and Di Maria.
Why they cant win it:
Real Madrid have struggled in the champions league for a long time now and will need to be much tougher this season to have a chance at glory again. Real Madrid's Achilles heel if you like over the last number of years without question has been their frail defence, in the Champions League you have to be able to defend tight leads. Jose Mourinhio is surely the man to put that right and has brought in Ricardo Carvalhio and Sami Khedira to help do that.
Key Player:
Cristiano Ronaldo
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