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On a good night it is the most mesmeric and enthralling show the world has to offer, on a bad night it is the same. The anthem is rousing, the talent on show is godly, and the crowds, you have to see to truly believe the bacchanalia they are wrapped in. It is the Champions League, and it is back to make us fall madly in love again, with the game we rightly call, the beautiful game.The Champions League kicked off last week and with it, it brought a barrage of questions that it always does. Who will dominate? Which minnow will make a strong showing? Who will be the top scorer? But the question that has dominated most in recent times is, will the English teams rise again?The English teams’ dominion over club football is on the wane. Some have even ventured to tag them as also-rans. Can they shed that tag this season? Here’s a look at what can be expected from the English giants this season.
#1 Arsenal
The kings of North London have failed to inspire in recent seasons. A spark of brilliance is often followed by two of mediocrity. The current season has seen the manager haggle over the tactics trying to fit his best players into a starting line-up, it hasn’t worked very well. The better players are under performing and the injuries have made themselves known earlier this time around. The performance against Dortmund was an amalgamation of all these factors. The worst part of it all, we’ve seen this before.
Arsenal, now, have to negotiate their way through a treacherous group with tricky away fixtures to Galatasaray and Anderlecht to look forward to. It looks like another second place finish for Arsenal this season which will again bring a tough fixture in the first knockout round. It is hard to fathom the Gunners gunning past the round of sixteen this time around.
Prediction: Round of 16
#2 Chelsea
This is the most formidable Chelsea team in quite some time, even more so than the team that won the Champions League in 2012. They attack with panache, and with the same grit are capable of parking the bus. Mourinho is as shrewd as ever and is one of the few managers with the experience of winning the tournament. While other teams are still getting accustomed to changes in management and playing staff, Chelsea have managed to bed in their signings with a verve unseen.
The likes of Fabregas and Diego Costa have immediately become integral to the team and are wreaking havoc on the opposition. Chelsea are by far the most ferocious English team in the Champions League and anything less than an appearance in the final would be a let-down. There are some serious credentials in that team and Mourinho should be able to lead them to glory.
Prediction: Winners
#3 Manchester City
The champions of England have endured a torrid time in the Champions League and have failed to replicate their Premier League exploits on the biggest stage. Their lack of experience has been a key factor but with the last two seasons, the players have grown in stature and so has their knowledge about the Champions League. They are not to be trifled with.
The last few seasons have been a learning curve for the players and they’re learning has been done as a team which should work in their favour in a group which contains the likes of Roma and Bayern Munich, but they don’t look ready as yet to take over the best in Europe. Another few seasons perhaps, before they can truly be considered among the European elites, but this is going to be another year of learning and making mistakes. Having said that, a quarter-final is still the least they should aspire to.
Prediction: Quarter-finals
#4 Liverpool
The Merseysiders are back, after five long years of frustration and disappointment, they’re back where they belong. The tremulous times of Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish are but a distant memory. Brendan Rodgers has moulded this team into a unit that is not only effective, but entertaining as well. However, problems still persist. The defence is still a concern despite the purchase of Dejan Lovren from Southampton and the lack of experience is also a big concern.
The defence has been found wanting on many occasions already this season and a repeat of such comical defending could be hazardous to their Champions League ambitions. A lot of the players have no experience of playing in the Champions League, often this can be offset by an experienced manager, but Rodgers himself is new to this surrounding. Liverpool have an easy group and should be able to qualify, despite the threat posed by Real Madrid. The last sixteen is the minimum Rodgers’ team should aim for, but there is no reason they can’t go further and in to the quarters.
Prediction: Quarter-finals
