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Every now and then, football throws up a real surprise package whether its a team, a player or a match, there is always room for a shock along the course of a season.However, the key draw for football fans is the fact that the heavyweights are always in competition with each other; they nearly always crop up with a gargantuan battle of physicality, witand determination. That said, the story of a former heavyweight fighting to reclaim their place among the best in the game remains one of the most compelling attractions in the game today.This season, the early rounds across the board have shown that there are quite a few big clubs, who have experienced a dip in fortune over the past few years, who look ready to get closer to their illustrious past, and not all of them are as obvious as you might think.Whether it has been in the Premier League, Dutch Eredivisie, Serie A or elsewhere, there have been quite a number of clubs vying for success in a bid for revival.So, lets take a look at five prime examples.
#1 Inter Milan
Impressive in the Italian top flight so far this campaign, the Nerazzuri have battled hard to claim their spot at the summit – whether or not they manage to stay there for the remainder of the campaign, however, remains to be seen.
Their opener against Atalanta towards the end of August was a terrific start, and they have done well to pick points up with regularity ever since then, something their fans will hope continues as less than a fad and more of a healthy habit.
Blowing off the cobwebs of the last few seasons which saw them struggle to find form, they were a shadow of their former selves and a real far cry from the club which won so many trophies and accolades. Indeed, it has been over five years since they last won a domestic trophy and four since they were led to a thrilling – and successful – European finale by Jose Mourinho.
Last season, they wound up finishing eighth in the league table, miles behind the all-conquering Juventus who snatched a terrific double, but their victory over A.C Milan in September has gone some way to easing those wounds. Of course, many have pointed to the Old Lady’s failures as part of the reason behind Inter’s recent good form, but that would be a real injustice because the Milanese club have been terrific in their own right so far with Stefan Jovetic in particular providing plenty of threat up front.
Could this be their comeback season? That’s debatable, but it will certainly be entertaining watching them try to make it happen.
#2 Borussia Dortmund
When Jurgen Klopp departed Signal Iduna Park, it was with a heavy heart that Die Schwarzgelben watched him leave. What’s more, it left them open to more scrutiny and uncertainty than fans can’t even bear to remember.
It’s well known that Dortmund are one of the most widely celebrated teams, not just in Germany but in Europe and their critics were more than a little sympathetic with their plight. However, their unexpected failings caught almost everyone by surprise, especially their former manager who seemed to have little tactical response to their shortcomings. Now, though, they look reborn under Thomas Tuchel and whatever fears that had plagued them, seem to have eased significantly in recent weeks.
At present, the Dortmund supporters are happy with how the current crop of players are doing. Competing at the top of the Bundesliga table, they look fearless and clinical in attack, something their 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen certainly attests to, and they are growing in confidence with every passing match.
As a unit, they have looked secure which is a real improvement on their problems from the 2014-15 campaign, but it’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang who has stolen much of the limelight with a number of key goals already this season.
The “Yellow Wall” is taller than it has been in months. Fans everywhere will hope it maintains its solid foundations as the games roll by.
#3 Celtic FC
Once upon a time, Celtic were the self-made kings of Europe.
Coasting along in the European Cup long, long before it was rebranded as the Champions League the current Scottish champions enjoyed some hugely successful seasons back in the 1960s and 70s. Winning a memorable quadruple in 1967, that particular Hoops side are often remembered as one of the best the globe has ever seen, and they are also one of the few teams to win the genuine continental treble.
Although they have continued to clean up on the domestic scene, their endeavours against the superpowers of football have been void of real prosperity since they finished as runners-up in the UEFA Cup back in 2003.
That said, Ronny Deila’s men have already shown some terrific skill and heart in the Europa League this season and there is real hope from many quarters that they will get close to those highs this season.
Drawing 2-2 with a fantastic AFC Ajax side in their opening group game, it was refreshing to see them play with such conviction.
All eyes on their next European clash with Fenerbahce, then.
#4 Villarreal CF
They might not have had the best start to their Europa League journey, with a 2-1 defeat to Rapid Wien but it’s fair to say that Villarreal have been harking back to their old selves since the start of the domestic season, and with so much time to kick on with yet more good displays, the “Yellow Submarine” look so sharp it’s easy to see why they’ll maintain a steady course in the coming months.
Jostling with Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, they have outshone Barcelona near the top of La Liga with some scintillating performances and have lain the perfect foundations for what could prove to be a relatively successful campaign.
It’s far too early to say with any certainty whether they will add to their trophy cabinet in the 2015/16 installment, but Marcelino Garcia Toral has transformed them into a well-drilled machine so far.
Add this to the fact they have already experienced a tremendous amount of joy in Europe’s second-best competition (they were semi-finalists in 2004 and 2011) and they will be hungry to emulate – or even build on – that, especially considering the fact it now acts as a backdoor into the path towards “Ol’ Big Ears.”
#5 Manchester United
Manchester United fans are not used to waiting for silverware, it’s just not their forte.
The last few seasons have certainly tested their patience, but there have been signs that the Red Devils are set to get back on course. With fans slowly starting to see the fruits of Louis Van Gaal’s labour, it’s been encouraging to see them rediscover some of their winning mentality. Playing better than the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal, their development might very well be just the start of a good patch, but it has hinted at something more long term.
The Stretford End are tempting fate with their renewed optimism, but it’s hard to blame them for getting excited, especially with new star striker Anthony Martial banging in the goals up front.
On the downside, they did lose their opening UCL fixture against PSV Eindhoven but the way they have been progressing, United are sure to have more fluidity the next time they line out against VFL Wolfsburg in their upcoming group stage clash.
Who knows? This could be the year they end their seven-year wait for European glory.
