UEFA Champions League 2013: How do the teams stack up?

With the 2013 Champions League all set to kick off, there are a lot of questions on everybody’s minds. Will Bayern Munich be the first team to retain the trophy? How will David Moyes fare in his first Champions League Campaign? Those are just a few questions on everybody’s lips, but let us take an in-depth look at the five things that everybody is looking forward to.

Will the German uprising continue?

Marco Reus of Dortmund challenges Arjen Robben of Bayern Munich

Last year saw over 85,000 people turn up at Wembley to witness the first ever all German European Cup final. Bayern Munich ended up with the trophy, but not before they were presented with a stiff challenge from Borussia Dortmund. This year again, both teams look very well placed to repeat the same, or, in the case of Dortmund, go one better.

Last year, Bayern won the treble and, now, with Pep Guardiola at the helm, nothing short of lifting the trophy in Lisbon, come next May, will be considered a successful year. With the Super Cup already in the bag and in a group that doesn’t look too deadly, Bayern will be expecting to ensure safe passage pretty soon.

Having had their star stolen from them in the summer, Dortmund have spent wisely and their new signings have eased in effortlessly. They are in red hot form, with five wins out of five in the Bundesliga and will be looking to take the group by storm. That is easier said than done, with Arsenal, Napoli and Marseille in their group, which certainly merits claims that it is the “Group of Death”.

Under new management, how will the top Premier League clubs fare?

David Moyes: Can he handle the UCL?

The top three clubs in England are all under new management as the Champions League kicks off. Whilst Jose Mourinho and Manuel Pellegrini have considerable amount of experience managing in the biggest competition in club football, David Moyes will get his first taste of the action as he leads Manchester United onto the pitch against Bayer Leverkusen on Matchday 1.

Moyes will certainly be looking to go further than what his predecessor managed, last time and will have his task cut out, as he tries to go through from a difficult group.

One of the main reasons why Manuel Pellegrini was given the nod was because of his proven ability to go far into the competition with not-so-fancied clubs. His track record meant that he should, theoretically, flourish with the abundance of riches available at City.

The least he will be required to do is get them out of the Group stage, which, even with their embarrassment of riches, haven’t been achieved till now.

Finally, the “happy one” will certainly be looking to mark his return to the Blues with the one trophy that he didn’t claim, the first time around.

Will Real Madrid finally clinch La Décima?

Gareth Bale and Ronaldo: Can the duo take Real Madrid all the way?

With an attacking trio of Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Isco leading the charge, not many defenses will have the wherewithal to withstand the relentless onslaught. And whilst their defense does look shaky, they might very well, not have any need for it. After all, when you have the world’s most expensive and most paid players in Bale and Ronaldo, leading the charge, you really don’t need much else.

The arrival of Carlo Ancelotti might prove to be a master stroke. In him, Real have a manager whose European pedigree, speaks for itself. After all, you don’t win two European Cups as both player and manager without being half decent at what you do. And he might prove to be the final piece in the Jigsaw as Los Blancos look set to break the curse and finally bring home ‘La Décima’.

Will Arsenal get out of their group, this time around?

Can Arsenal go through yet again?

Arsène Wenger’s remarkable record of not just qualifying for the group stage, but also getting out of them is unparalleled. For each of the last 13 seasons, Arsenal have managed to navigate a safe passage from the group stages, but that record will definitely be under threat this time around. Even with the deadline day acquisition of Ozil, the squad doesn’t inspire too much confidence and that might well turn out to be their undoing in the “Group of Death”.

Whilst last year’s runners up, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli look like they might well be their greatest threat, it would be foolish to discount Marseille, who they face on Wednesday at the Stade Vélodrome. With the squad already depleted by injuries, Wenger will be assessing his side’s chances after every encounter. And if they do go through, the resultant confidence boost might well propel both their domestic and European challenge.

The Italian clubs looks quietly confident

Will the Italian teams surprise everyone?

There are only three Italian clubs in the Champions League as it kicks off and all of three of them couldn’t be in more differing positions. Whilst Juventus would have been delighted with the draw, the same cannot be said for the other two sides. Under Antonio Conte, Juventus have been a joy to watch and with every major European team under new management this time around, it might very well be the year the Bianconeri have been waiting for. They have maintained their squad, whilst also adding some bite to their attack, which was found wanting last year.

Napoli, under Rafael Benitez, might prove to be the surprise package of the tournament and have a very good chance of going a long way in the tournament, if they manage to get out of their group. Even with the loss of Edinson Cavani, the Neapolitans look strong and look set to make an impact on the European stage, for the first time in their history.

Last, but not least are AC Milan. Whilst they don’t look very impressive and are in a group containing the Spanish and Dutch champions, the return of the prodigal son “Kaka” might well see them through the group. And in a one-off game, they are a match for anybody and will be hoping to add another European crown to their kitty.