UEFA Roundtable: A Midseason Look Into The Four Major European Leagues, UCL
Well, I went through this whole thing before, but thanks to the fantastic editor who messed with this article without my approval, I have to redo my whole introduction.
I will simply say that midway through this season, there is a lot to debate about. There are surprises and disappointments abound in the four major leagues in Europe.
I have compiled an elite group of Bleacher Report Columnists, each a writer for a different club or league as well as a couple freelance football writers. They each answered a series of questions regarding the season thus far.
The columnists are:
Roberto Alvarez-Galloso
Saura Bhattacherjee
Gabe Lezra
Ivan Soldo
Manuel Traquete
Callum D'Souza
Samrin Hasib
Andrew Jordan
I will also be answering the questions provided.
Let's get started.
Who Is the Most Impressive Team in England’s Premier League Thus Far?
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Roberto- The most impressive team is Manchester United thanks to the presence of Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez. Hernandez has had a meteoric rise in the club since he was acquired from Chivas of Guadalajara.
His period with the club, including the UEFA Champions League, earned him the Manchester United Best Player of the Month award for October 2010. At the present rate, this team is the one to watch for the EPL.
Saura- No doubt Chelsea, except for the few minor stumbles in recent weeks.
Gabe- This is a tough question: it’s hard to decide whether I’m more impressed by United’s undefeated start to the season (albeit with seven draws!), Chelseas’s fantastic +19 goal differential, or Spurs’ performances in Europe.
It’s also important to mention teams like Sunderland, who have lost fewer games than Chelsea or Arsenal (and boast the extravagantly fun-to-watch Asamoah Gyan), and Bolton, who have been steadily rising into contention for a spot in Europe.
Though I’m tempted to give a shout-out to Spurs, who I think are a scrappy team with a lot of potential (especially with a rejuvenated Rafael Van der Vaart, a former Madridista), I’m going to have to go with United.
They look extremely solid in the back, have a feisty, never-say-die attitude, and have the ability to win even when they aren’t clicking on all cylinders. It’s hard to underestimate the importance of those intangibles, and I think United has them in spades.
Ivan- Chelsea is like a machine that keeps destroying everybody, but lately their key players have been injured and of course they started to lose against minors…I am also surprised to see Bolton and Sunderland being ranked so high for now.
Manuel- Manchester United. Being unbeaten in all competitions at the end of November is always an excellent feat, but it becomes even more unbelievable when you do it without your star striker (Wayne Rooney) and with an injury-plagued squad.
Now with Rooney back, Manchester United have everything it takes to win the Premier League and challenge for another Champions League title, their third under the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson.
Callum- Bolton easily. Owen Coyle’s done wonders, and their form shows.
Samrin- Not a single team has done well consistently in the EPL so far, but Arsenal has provided us all with good games here and there. Also, Arsenal is perhaps ready to challenge for the title and not fade away like the past two seasons.
Andrew- The most impressive side in the Premier League this year has to be Manchester United.
Despite the Wayne Rooney fiasco and numerous injuries, they are still unbeaten, which is extremely surprising.
Me- The most impressive team has to be Manchester United. Though I am extremely impressed with Sunderland, Bolton, Newcastle, and even Blackpool, United are back and ready to challenge for titles on two fronts once again.
Despite Rooney being injured and earlier in the year dealing with the allegations against him, Fergie's men continue to get results each time they step on the field.
I don't believe they'll pull an 03/04 Arsenal and go unbeaten, especially with competition from Europe, which is wide open, but I think United will beat out Chelsea for the title.
Who is the most impressive team in Spain’s La Liga thus far this season?
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Roberto- Real Madrid has been raising eyebrows since Jose Mourinho became the coach. He has led the team in impressive wins, even though his temper gets the best of him. Real Madrid has also remained impressive secondary to the greatest plays by Kaka, X. Alfonso, and Iker Casillas.
Saura- Barcelona.
Gabe- I mean, it’s pretty hard not to choose Madrid right? Aside from Hércules, who have been astoundingly good so far—they beat Barça in the Nou Camp and Sevilla at home—Madrid has been the most impressive team in Spain by a long margin.
Los Blancos are undefeated, boast the best goal differential in the league (a whopping +27!), and have only conceded six goals through 10 matches. Those are incredible numbers for Mourinho’s boys, especially considering that many of them only just met, and that they are still waiting for Kaká to come back from knee surgery.
It’s also worth noting that Barcelona has been almost as good so far—while they boast a relatively pedestrian 4-1-1 at home, they’ve been the best team on the road so far this season, with a remarkable record of 6-0-0.
They’ve also scored as many goals as Madrid (33), and have only conceded two more (8). The big difference between the two clubs right now—and they’ve been really hard to separate so far—is their styles: Madrid plays a more vertical, up-tempo offence, which necessitates a lock-down, secure defense; Barça plays a possession-based, flowing attack that doesn’t need as impregnable a defense because they almost always have the ball.
Both styles have been extremely effective so far this year, and I expect these two teams to run away with the Liga BBVA this season (as has been the case in the last few years).
Ivan- Real Madrid looks like a real club finally and hopefully they will finally go to the quarter-finals of the champions league. Also, I am pretty sure that they will win La Liga because Jose Mourinho did a fantastic job this summer when he bought Ozil, Khedira, Carvalho and Di Maria. Of course they got Cristiano Ronaldo, who is for sure the best football player today along with Messi.
Manuel- This one is very difficult to answer, as both Barcelona and Real Madrid have both been in rampant form. In the first few matches, Real Madrid was better, as a seemingly tired Barcelona squad dropped a disbelieving five points at home.
But now it’s Barcelona who’s been destroying every opponent, while Real Madrid have been struggling a bit in their away matches. With an irrelevant one-point difference, we’ll have to wait for next week’s Clasico to know which team will have the edge in this first half of the season.
Callum- Espanyol. They look impressive and boast some strong players.
Samrin- The team has to be Real Madrid. They are grinding out wins as well as thrashing some opponents. Barcelona will have a tough job defending their title this year.
Andrew- In La Liga, the most impressive side is still Barcelona.
They appear to be growing stronger as the season progresses, and I predict that they will beat Real in El Clásico.
Me- Obviously Barcelona and Real Madrid are the best in Spain and have are miles ahead of the rest of the teams in terms of talent (there is only a seven point gap between Barca and third place Villareal).
That being said, one can't help but be impressed by Espanyol's great start as well as the Yellow Submarines' incredible attack, led by Guiseppe Rossi and Nilmar (though I'd love to see Jozy Altidore start playing and scoring to see the New Jersey connection of Jozy and Rossi tearing up La Liga).
However, Real Madrid are most impressive for me. The past couple years, I think many of us would agree that we knew they would be very good, but that Barcelona would edge them out for the title.
This year, the club had a summer to remember. The additions of Mesut Ozil, Angel di Maria, and Ricardo Carvalho have worked out very well.
They also brought in 19-year-old star in the making Sergio Canales. Jose Mourinho is a great coach and his addition seems to have energized the club.
They are on top without Kaka, who is still not back from injury. Cristiano Ronaldo is having a season to remember, potentially one that will earn him another FIFA Ballon d'Or in 2011.
It is still early and only a one-point lead at the moment with the Clasico on Nov. 29, but to this date, Real Madrid have been most impressive in La Liga.
Who is the most impressive team in Italy’s Serie A thus far this season?
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Roberto- AC Milan secondary to the managerial tactics of Massimiliano Allegri and the discipline of players like Thiago Silva and Gennaro Gattuso.
Saura- AC Milan
Gabe- With the top four teams within six points of each other, this start to Serie A has been extremely contested, confusing, and entertaining. Because of this, it’s almost impossible to pick a team that has been particularly impressive: Milan look good at times, but seem lost on occasion; Lazio have been surprising, but perhaps not particularly impressive all season; Inter are having trouble dealing with their breakup with Mourinho; Juve still aren’t clicking; Napoli haven’t fared well against tough opponents (other than beating Roma); and Roma has been too up and down to merit being called “impressive.”
If I had a gun to my head I’d go with Lazio, but only because it was cool to see them at the top of the table for so much of the year. I don’t like this choice, and might have to switch it to Sampdoria just because Antonio Cassano has been so much fun to laugh at this year. Did you hear he told Sampdoria’s owner that he was “old and fat?” Crazy!
Ivan- Lazio did fantastic job when they acquired Hernanes, the guy that was linked with Milan for like past 3 years. He brought the change to Lazio and he is a true leader. Napoli is the other team that impressed me while I am only little bit surprise to see my Milan being on the top of Serie A for now. Ibrahimovic is really a winner and I’m looking forward to see his great performances for many years.
Manuel- It has to be AC Milan, as they currently lead the table comfortably. That said, no Italian team has really impressed me and their weaknesses have been exposed in Europe. Milan are not sure to advance in their Champions League group, Juventus are struggling in a very easy Europa League and Inter Milan haven’t been impressive at all, especially being the defending European Champions. It might be too soon to tell, but it seems to me that Italian teams and the Serie A are weaker than ever.
Callum- Lazio-Second in Serie A and also upsetting some big names.
Samrin- It has to be Lazio. They are second in the table and have done the Serie A some good by staying with the big boys. They were top until AC Milan beat Inter Milan.
Andrew- In Serie A, Lazio are the most surprising side. They have improved greatly since their 12th place finish last season, and I didn’t think they would do this well.
It will be very interesting to see what will happen between them, Milan and Napoli for the rest of the season.
Me- Serie A has been very interesting this season. The top six will likely hold and take the European spots, but who will finish where no one knows. I like the hot starts of Lazio and Napoli, but not to be bias, it is hard to say that Milan have not been most impressive so far. I'd say Lazio are most surprising to be sure, but the way Milan are playing, especially of late, is outstanding.
It is important to remind everyone that Milan have not won Serie A since 2004 and only twice since the 1998 FIFA World Cup. In Inter's current run of five straight titles, they have never finished second. They have finished either third or fifth each year.
Their last major trophy came in December 2007, when they beat Boca Juniors at the Club World Cup to top a year which saw them win the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, and World Cup. Since then, nothing. They haven't reached the UCL Quarterfinals since 2007. It has been a run of hardship for the club.
However, Silvio Berlusconi's spending binge at the end of August combined with other moves during the summer has paid off. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is having an incredible season. He currently has seven league goals, two behind Cavanni and Eto'o. Pato, when healthy is also tearing the net apart, with six goals thus far this season.
The play of Robinho, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Clarence Seedorf, Mathieu Flamini, Massimo Ambrosini, Ignazio Abate, Thiago Silva, and Alessandro Nesta is also important to the club.
While complaints in recent years have been about age, new boss Massimiliano Allegri has found a way to combine some youth with experience and has his side three points ahead of Lazio and owning bragging rights at the San Siro, where they held off Inter for a 1-0 win with only 10 men for 30 minutes.
Milan are certainly favorites for the Scudetto. I also tip Ibrahimovic for Italian (possibly world?) player of the year this season and Allegri for the Golden Bench, again.
Who is the most impressive team in Germany’s Bundesliga thus far this season?
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Roberto- I have not been following the Bundesliga recently as I should have. Borussia Dormund is impressive, but not like Bayern Munich with Miroslav Klose.
Saura- Borussia Dortmund
Gabe- Well, I know what team hasn’t been particularly impressive: my beloved Raúl’s Schalke. They’re barely out of the drop zone, and they’re playing like dirt. Poor guy.
In all seriousness, it’s good to see Borussia Dortmund putting together such a fantastic season—they’re 11-1-1, with a fantastic GD of +23. Plus, they’re spreading the scoring around: they have five players with three or more goals, and only one with over seven.
I remember fondly a couple of games Madrid played against Dortmund in 2002-2003, including one moment when little Roberto Carlos jumped up and headed a ball over Jan Köller, the massive Czech forward—one of the funniest things I’ve seen in football.
Ivan- Mainz, the club that came from the second Germany league is doing apsolutely great so far. I am very surprised to see teams like Stuttgart,Werder,Wolfsburg, Schalke and specially Bayern struggle so far in the season against minors. That Bundesliga is really one crazy league.
Manuel- It has to be Borrusia Dortmund, as they currently hold a 14-point lead over Bayern Munich. I still believe Bayern Munich might recover and win the Bundesliga with the amazing Robben back, but Dortmund have been impressive and they have very real chances of winning the league.
Callum- Mainz 05
Samrin- Dortmund is undoubtedly the most impressive side. They are a club made out of youngsters with a very energetic and entertaining coach, Juergen Klopp, at the helm. They have won 10 out of 12 league games and are seemingly running away with the title. Leverkusen, currently second, is the only team that has beaten them.
Andrew- Despite a recent slide, Mainz have been a real surprise story, especially when you consider that this their second straight season in the Bundesliga.
I don’t expect them to win the league, but still a great story nonetheless.
Me- When you look at Germany this season, there's no way you can overlook what Borussia Dortmund have done. Here's a club who has been relatively modest in the world of football since winning the Champions League in 1997.
This year, they seem poised to win their first Bundesliga title since the 2001-2002 season. Currently, they sit seven points clear of fellow shock Mainz and 14 ahead of always-favorite Bayern Munich.
It's been an international frenzy in Die Schwarzgelben's attack this season. Paraguayan Lucas Barrios, who remained at the club despite heavy interest from AC Milan, and Japanese youngster Shinji Kagawa have combined for 24 goals (13 for Barrios and 9 for Kagawa), with 15 of those combined in the Bundesliga.
Even this early on in the season, a 14-point lead is very difficult to overcome. That's four wins and two draws difference between Dortmund and Bayern. It will take a lot of magic from Arjen Robben's left foot and a horrible collapse at Signal Iduna Park for the Champions League runners-up to go top again.
Even now, I've got Borussia winning the Bundesliga.
What Team Is Looking Most Capable of Winning the UEFA Champions League?
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Roberto- Manchester United or Real Madrid
Saura- Real Madrid
Gabe- This is a particularly tricky question because winning the Champions is all about when a team is hot, and whether they happen to survive a whole season without any major, catastrophic injuries.
There are a lot of teams who have the capability to win the Champions this year; whichever one of them manages to survive the grind of the season without injury, has a few calls go their way, and plays the best when it counts will win the title.
All that said, here’s my top-10 list of teams that have a shot to win, from first to last: 1) Real Madrid [I think it’s our year—this team looks incredible, and Mourinho is a genius) 2) Barcelona 3) United 4) Chelsea 5) AC Milan 6) Arsenal 7) Spurs 8) Bayern 9) Inter 10) Valencia. We’ll know a lot more once the group stage gets sorted out, though, and these rankings are subject to change.
Ivan- Chelsea is my first favorite, of course, if injuries will avoid them. Then, I would say Arsenal because they really deserved to finally win the Champions League. Those two are my favorites. Realisticly I would say in this order: 1. Chelsea 2. Real Madrid 3. Barcelona 4. Arsenal
Manuel- I’d say that the two Spanish giants are the strongest contenders, and a Clasico at Wembley is definitely possible. These two clubs have slowly been building a monopoly of the best players in the world and are very strong this season.
That said, there are other teams who can spoil their plans: as I said before, Manchester United are looking good and, under Sir Alex Ferguson, they’re always a major contender.
Chelsea lack depth but with all their players in full fitness they look great. Plus, the physical nature of their game makes life hell for teams like Barcelona.
Inter Milan will also be very dangerous in the knockout stages: they might not be doing very good, but their players are very experienced and Rafa Benitez is a proven knockout master (2005 Liverpool anyone?).
Bayern Munich have reached the final last season and they kept their key players and their manager Van Gaal, so there’s reasons to believe that they will also be a strong contender. Other than these teams, there’ll probably be a surprise package making a deep run, like every year.
Callum- Chelsea. Once there casualties return, they will be a force in Europe.
Samrin- As far as capability goes, I have to say Real Madrid. I would have perhaps said Bayern but Real has faced stiffer opposition than the Bavarians. Also the Bavarians have a lot of catching up to do in their domestic league and their defence is quite leaky.
Andrew- Chelsea. They just seem like the perfect club to win the Champions League this season.
They have the talent, the final is in Wembley and after three straight disappointing seasons (each of which featuring an incident from Didier Drogba) I see them winning it all.
Me- This is a wide open race. The big powers of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Olympique Lyon, and others will make it a great last 16 and beyond. Realistically, it has to be said that Barcelona are the best team on the planet.
Despite Real Madrid sitting top in Spain heading into El Clasico, Barcelona's depth and firepower give it a huge advantage, especially in a two-legged, aggregate scoring knockout tournament like the Champions League knockout phase.
In order, I'd say the favorites have to be 1) Barcelona, 2) Manchester United, 3) Real Madrid, 4) AC Milan, 5) Chelsea, 6) Arsenal, 7) Bayern Munich, 8) Tottenham Hotspur. I leave out Inter because of their extremely poor form and injury plagued squad at the moment.
If they cannot recover and Tottenham win the group, it could spell danger for Inter in the last 16 and could provide an easier target like Valencia or Schalke for Tottenham in the next round. Despite Chelsea's dip in form, they are always a European threat.
After all the misfortune lately, from losing in penalties in the semifinals to Liverpool in 07, to John Terry's slip in the rain in the 08 Final penalty shootout, to Iniesta's long-range laser at the death in 09, to being overwhelmed by eventual champions Inter last season, it is only a matter of time before things go the Blues way.
Who is your player of the year (from any of the four leagues) this season?
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Roberto- My player of the year is Chicharito Hernandez.
Saura- Rafael Van der Vaart
Gabe- Wow. Because I’m a Real Madrid columnist, and do most of my work looking at Spain, it’s hard for me not to pick Cristiano Ronaldo. I mean, the guy has scored 14 goals in 10 matches in La Liga, and he’s the focal point of Madrid’s offense.
But, if I’m going to be a homer and pick CR7, I also have to pick Leo Messi. No matter how much I hope and pray that this aggravating young Argentine will just go far, far away, he continues to stick around.
He has been almost exactly as good as Cristiano through the same number of games, and he’s an electric player to watch. I just wish he played for literally any other team.
Ivan- Wesley Sneijder was really amazing last season and it would be pathetic if he doesn’t win the golden ball! Sure, Messi had a fantastic season where he scored 47 goals, but he had a poor World Cup.
Manuel- Lionel Messi! Do I even need to explain? No, but I will anyway. Despite an early injury he picked up at the start of the season, Lionel Messi has scored an absolutely ridiculous 22 goals and assisted nine in just 17 matches. It’s just unreal.
The Spanish players didn’t have a pre season and had to regain their fitness little by little, which meant that Messi had to carry the team for the first few matches. And he did it brilliantly, showing why he is the greatest player of this generation. There have been some other standout performers, but Messi has just been ridiculously good, as should be expected from him.
Callum- Samir Nasri. The Frenchman’s new consistent approach alongside moments of brilliance have made him a truly great midfieler.
Samrin- I can’t think of any one player; so I will name three: Borussia Dortmund’s Nuri Sahin and Mario Goetze as well as Arsenal’s Samir Nasri.
Andrew- This is a really tough question, but I am going with Gareth Bale for the 2010-2011 season.
Bale has been incredible in the Champions League this year, and is truly a fantastic player.
For the calendar year of 2010, it has to be Wesley Sneijder.
He won a treble for Inter and scored five goals in the World Cup, getting the Dutch all the way to the World Cup final where they nearly won.
Me- Let me start by saying that for 2010, it has to be Wesley Sneijder. I wrote an article on this before the World Cup Final and remain firm to the belief. You can read my opinion at http://bleacherreport.com/articles/417569-flying-dutchmen-sneijder-should-be-player-of-the-year-robben-close-2nd
But the question focuses on the 2010-2011 early favorite for the award. I can think of three players to shortlist for the award. Here they are in order:
1) Lionel Messi. Come on! Need it be argued? After a poor World Cup, Messi has come out firing on all cylinders for Barcelona. Even after an early injury, he has scored 23 goals in 18 matches! 23! Don't forget he also has nine assists for Barcelona's incredible attack. Last season in 53 matches he had 47! He's already almost halfway to last year's total! Come on!
At 23 years of age, Messi could retire now among the best of all time. In a couple years, I may be ready to call him one of the three best of all time and we'll be having a new debate: Pele, Maradona, or Messi.
2) Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo has been almost equally as good for Real Madrid this season. Ronaldo is smashing a hole in the net with 18 goals from 19 matches. He too has also played helper at times, picking up six assists for the Galacticos.
Ronaldo's play has been phenomenal and his second season at the Bernabeu looks as if it will be even better than his first. Maybe this year, a trophy is a realistic possibility. It looks like a great possibility that if one of the Spanish giants wins La Liga, the other will win the Champions League.
3) Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I'm surprised none of my colleagues have mentioned the giant Swede. After moving to Milan from Barcelona this summer, Ibracadabra has been truly incredible.
After a nervy performance on his debut when he missed a penalty off the post against Lecce, which looked like a failed Right Bumper shot on FIFA for XBOX 360, the star has found his form.
He has 11 goals from 17 matches, including four in five in the Champions League. The latest of his goal against Auxerre (the club he scored his first Milan goals for in September) propelled Milan into the last 16 of the Champions League.
Without Ibra and his fantastic finishing, Milan are not top of the Italian table. His crowning moment has to be the cool and calm penalty he converted right in front of the Curva Nord against Inter in the 1-0 derby win.
What club is most surprising to you this season (any of the four leagues)?
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Roberto- Manchester United secondary to Hernandez.
Saura- Blackpool
Gabe- Well, I’ve been particularly surprised by the way that some of the teams that I expected to be towards the top of their respective leagues have tanked so far this season: this is particularly true of Schalke, who have an incredibly dynamic striking duo in Huntelaar and Raúl; and of Liverpool, who were absolutely atrocious to start the season.
The good news for both of these teams is that there are signs of life—the Reds have started to turn things around in their last couple of matches, and Schalke is no longer in the relegation zone of the Bundesliga.
It’s also been cool to see some of the extremely surprising results so far: in particular, Barcelona 0-2 Hércules, and Chelsea 0-3 Sunderland. Considering the way the Blues and the Blaugranas have played at home over the past few years, these results are absolutely shocking. It’s especially encouraging to see young, inspired teams that aren’t afraid of the big teams in the league—good on ye’ Sunderland and Hércules.
Ivan- Mainz and Lazio. The reason is simple: nobody didn’t expected to see them on such high position so far.
Manuel- Dortmund, hands down. As for negative surprises, I’d have to say Inter Milan, Liverpool and, to a lesser extent, Bayern Munich.
Callum- Bolton. Coyle’s magic has surprised all.
Samrin- Two clubs have surprised me this season: Mainz and Lazio. Mainz came out of nowhere and took charge of the Bundesliga table for seven match days. They are still tied for second with Bayer Leverkusen. Lazio have been very impressive and very few would have expected them to top Serie A.
Andrew- I have to say that Blackpool are the most surprising side this year. They have played their hearts out, and Ian Holloway has become one of my favorite managers.
I hope they stay up in the Premier League.
Me- I'm going with Bolton Wanderers as my surprise team. What a job Owen Croyle has done with that team this year. I have to show love to American Stuart Holden, who is showing his qualities as one of the many talented young American midfielders.
He has been a big part of Bolton's success this year. Of course, no one has been bigger for Fulham than striker Johan Elmander. Finnish goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen has also been a big part of the Trotter's success this year.
