UEFA Champions League 2011: Power Rankings Day 1

With mid-September now upon us, we really get into the heart of the European footballing season. The Champions League marks the arrival of the best competition in all of club sports, pitting the very best Europe has to offer on a grand stage.

At this point, everyone has a chance at the title. Even the little minnows who swam their way through qualification to reach the pond with the big fish are capable of throwing in an upset or two.

Optimism is high before the weary winter months set in and the Champions League becomes just another date on an already congested calendar.

The likes of Zagreb, FC Basel and Apoel really don’t pose a threat to the title, so instead I will focus only on the powers that have a true chance. Here are the power rankings of the teams from England, Spain, Germany, Italy and France after match day one.

Writer's note: These are power rankings. That means each team is assessed on a game-to-game basis and in accordance to their previous results. Since these are the first CL games, the team rankings are based purely on their performance in that one game.

17. Inter Milan

One of three teams from the leagues to suffer a defeat in the first match, they were by far the most embarrassed side. Their matchup was also the most favorable.

Trabzonspor is only there because Fenerbache was disqualified for match-fixing allegations.

If you want more of an idea of the type of team they were playing, just take a look at what the players were doing before the game. Many of them were on the pitch at the San Siro with their iPhones and cameras taking pictures like common tourists—which is what the result should have shown.

Not only did Inter Milan lose at home to a team that only is here because of a technicality, but they did so in unenthusiastic fashion. They peppered Trabzonspor’s keeper with shots, but he was on his game and rightfully was named man of the match.

The goal they conceded was a pathetic, lackadaisical roller that could have easily been cleared with the tiniest bit of effort.

Even though the stats and run of play said Inter deserved to win this game, their lack of effort and will suggested otherwise.

16. Villareal

The other loser from match day one, but given a little leniency in the fact that it was to Bayern Munich. However, a loss is a loss and this was a beatdown in relatively dominating fashion.

With a poor start to their La Liga campaign, the Yellow submarines were hoping that the Champions League would bring them some good fortune. Instead, they were put in arguably the most difficult group and forced to open against the most experienced team.

Tuesday’s loss to Bayern was not the 5-0 thrashing at the hand of Barca two weeks ago, but it was enough to make Villareal fans wonder what they could expect from their team this season. The Germans dominated play from beginning to end and should have had put more in the back of the net.

It is never good to lose your first game in this competition, but in this group, Villareal’s quest for the cup could be over before it really even began.

15. Valencia

Valencia is expected to get out of this group as the second team, but 0-0 draws to the low side Genk will not help them.

Losing Mata is definitely being felt around the Mestalla as that incisive attacking play that had the ability to unlock stout defenses is no longer present. Their game against Genk was not a complete bomb, but you could see frustration starting to boil over as they were unable to get a goal.

With four games over a span of 11 days, two of those being against Barcelona and Chelsea, the season does not get any easier from here. A point is a point, but the two dropped could factor heavily into whether they advance or not.

14. Lyon

The former French champions suffered in Amsterdam as they were unable to capitalize on a number of chances and instead would finish the game in 0-0 draw. Not necessarily the favorites going in, Lyon did little to help persuade critics in their favor.

The bold move of making Bafetimibi Gomis the only natural striker on the squad kept the hands of manager Remi Garde tied when looking for a sub to add something extra to a fledging attack.

In a group that also features Real Madrid, second place is pretty much the only thing up for grabs. While not out of the contest by any means, picking up three points in what will be a hotly contested race could have really done wonders for a team looking to regain their status as an elite European power.

13. Bayer Leverkusen

Leverkusen drew the short straw in group E, putting them up against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge for their first match. The runners-up in Germany last year were not rewarded for their domestic success.

The game marked the return of Michael Ballack to Stamford Bridge, who was honored before the match. By the time the game ended, Ballack would have wished he was back on the Blues.

The 2-0 result was worse than it seemed. Chelsea dominated the run of play and had it not been for some excellent keeping by Bernd Leno, the match could have gotten out of hand very quickly.

What will alarm Leverkusen and their fans is the minimal opportunities they had on Chelsea’s net. The defense held their own, but offensively they were nowhere to be seen. Only two shots on net is not enough when you are playing a team with this kind of firepower.

Luckily for them, they got their most difficult game out of the way early and can now focus on the sides they are expected to beat.

12. Marseille

A 1-0 in hostile Athens is usually a positive result, but fans will be disappointed by the play of last year’s French runners-up.

Plenty of chances came Marseille’s way, but all were squandered brashly and really made a mess of. Lucho Gonzalez’s goal was well deserved, however there were a handful of others that he should have put away and kept this game out of hand.

Right now, they are fortunate to be sitting on top of the table. But wasted opportunities like these against the other sides will surely come back to hurt them.

11. Arsenal

Arsene Wenger’s woes continue, as his side was unable to get a foothold on group F after a 1-1 draw to Dortmund. What is even more concerning is that they should be satisfied with that draw.

Dortmund moved the ball, had more chances and often looked like the better team for much of the match. Though it was in Germany, that is no excuse for a manager whose job is in the balance.

Nothing has been going right for them in England. The beginning of Champions League gave them a fresh start to try and figure out how to get some positive results.

Instead, they have just continued the same disappointing form as before.

10. Borussia Dortmund

Nearly everything that was said about Arsenal could be said about Dortmund. It is simply a matter of who you are a fan of. Going into the match, the two looked pretty evenly drawn and perhaps a 1-1 tie was the correct result.

However, just as Arsenal fans wanted more, so do the Dortmund faithful.

With dominating possession, shots and home field advantage, they will be kicking themselves knowing they should have gotten out of there with a full three points.

This is probably the most evenly matched group of the entire tournament. Every game is an essential tossup. In this kind of situation, it can be very detrimental to drop points at home.

9. Lille

The reigning French champs dominated the game in every statistical category, getting 11 shots on goal and 63 percent of the possession. Moscow had only two shots on goal, but both found the back of the net.

Moussa Sow was all over the pitch and should have had a hat trick in the first half. But he was unable to connect on them, which would end up being the difference.

Lille had a two-goal lead on the Russians, but two defensive breakdowns was all the experienced CSKA needed to make them pay. Lille is a very young team and, for many of them, this is the biggest competition they have ever been in.

As the nerves settle down they should get better, but this was a bittersweet way to open their campaign.

8. AC Milan

A 2-2 tie at Nou Camp is an impressive result for any side. Milan will walk away from this knowing they got a crucial point. But the fact that those two goals were the only thing they ever showed in the way of threatening the Barca net shows that there is still some work that needs to be done.

Pato’s brilliant run in the opening minute got him a well deserved goal. However, this was far from the best back line Barca could put out there. The second was off of poor marking on a corner.

These are mistakes that will not repeat for Barca.

It was a big draw, but if they want to shock everyone and top the group, they will need to find ways to create more chances throughout the entire game.

7. Napoli

None of the top teams had a tougher test going into match day one than Napoli. They faced arguably one of the best teams in the world right now, who were riding a hot streak unlike any other. But Napoli stood strong in the face of their tough test and earned a 1-1 draw.

Many would argue that City deserved the win, but the highlights will show that it was actually a back-and-forth affair. Both teams had their opportunities to take the full three points and top the group.  They poked holes in that suspect defensive line and proved that there is a weakness in this team.

Going into Manchester, many thought Napoli would be the next in line at the slaughtering house that is Etihad stadium. Instead, they rose to the challenge and taught City that, at this level, there are no easy games.

6. Manchester City

Their first Champions League game in over 30 years went less than expected. With the immeasurable firepower that they have on the squad, it was hard to imagine that they could only muster a single goal.

The opportunities were plentiful, but so was the waste.

For the first time, this team actually looked like they could be beat. Their defense was prone to mistakes, their offense was not as smooth as normal and everything Aguero touched didn’t end up in the back of the net.

That fire they were riding through the Premier League may have not translated over into their first real test. This game more than any proved that Champions League is something different than the rest.

City will hope they can regain their footing quickly and get back on the pace they were on before.

5. Manchester United

Last year’s Champions League runners-up were lucky to escape their first contest this year with a tie against an inspired Benfica side.

Ferguson fielded not his strongest side as he looks forward to the clash this weekend with Chelsea, but still a team that should have gotten the job done. Instead, they found themselves outgunned in Portugal and almost conceding all three points on numerous occasions.

But we have come to learn to never question Fergie. His choice to start Ryan Giggs for the first time this season proved to be the move that would get them their tie. Some may argue a game like this should put them lower. But this is United football: They have a chance in every game no matter how well you play.

4. Bayern Munich

Going into Spain, Bayern would have expected a tough test from a Villareal side who needs to turn their season around in a hurry. Instead, they dominated play and earned themselves a big 2-0 win.

In what is arguably the most difficult group, Bayern got themselves to the top of the table early, giving them the advantage of holding their fate in their own hands from here on out.

The German giants have been on tear in recent weeks. They have won their last six games by an astonishing score of 20 goals to zero.

City comes to Munich in two weeks. Should they continue this amazing run of form through that game, they will surely be in prime position to take the group.

3. Barcelona

Not the result they wanted by any means, but playing with a depleted back line can give them somewhat of an excuse. As usual, they dominated the run of play for 88 minutes of the game. Unfortunately, that first and last minute are where Milan found their goals.

Messi was brilliant, Xavi was brilliant, Iniesta was brilliant, etc. etc. etc. But the fact remains that they did not do enough to get the win.

To their credit, no other top side played as difficult of an opponent in the opening match. With the knowledge that two mental mistakes led to goals, they can easily write this off as just not being their night.

There is little reason to panic at Nou Camp.

2. Real Madrid

Despite Zagreb’s most valiant of efforts, Real Madrid escaped the embarrassment of defeat through Angel di Maria’s goal—the only one of the match.

Madrid was in control throughout the game and never really looked threatened by the feeble attack of the Croatians, but they were also unable to break the deadlock for some time. Chance after chance was put wide of the net or saved by the keeper.

What truly made this a good game for Madrid was the fact that they were able to withstand the adversity. Not putting away your opportunities has the tendency of coming back to haunt you, but Madrid just kept pounding away.

Not the prettiest of wins, but a deserved one and proof that they can win in any situation.

1. Chelsea

Like United, Villas-Boas was fielding a lineup with Sunday's showdown at Old Trafford in mind. John Terry and Frank Lampard would both get a rest while David Luiz would make his first start of the season.

Luiz picked up right where he left off last season, making a darting run through the heart of the midfield and finishing with an inch-perfect, one-time curling shot. Leverkusen was never able to fully settle down in their own attack as Chelsea’s defense continues to be what gets them positive results.

But the two assists Fernando Torres got will alarm other teams. Should he finally begin to find the form he had at Liverpool, the attack of Chelsea may be feared as much as anyone’s.

Villas-Boas gambled with his starters, but it paid off in his first Champions League victory.

What Do You Think?

How would you rank the teams following match day one?