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It’s here at last – Champions League night! And I know that as soon as one hears these words, Tony Britten’s epic “Champions League theme” plays in their minds.
This Champions League season is special, more so than usual, because it follows what has been the best Champions League season in the last few years.
The 2012/13 edition of the marquee event played out in the most spectacular fashion, culminating in the memorable all-German final between arch-rivals Bayern München and Borussia Dortmund at Wembley, where Munich emerged victorious. Though, unlike most seasons, it wasn’t only about the final; a host of other matches contributed to making it a season to remember.
The undeniable romanticism that is inherent in the notion of the underdog who defies all the odds, overcomes all the barriers and thwarts his opponents to claim victory, was evident in Borussia Dortmund’s run to the final. Yet alas! They were not able to make it the perfect fairy tale, as they lost out to Munich on the final hurdle, in what was a most engrossing match.
Apart from the final, however, there were matches such as the group stage encounter between Celtic and Barcelona at Celtic Park, in which the hosts emerged shock 2-1 winners; thanks largely to an inspired performance by Victor Wanyama. The titanic clash between Bayern Munich and Barcelona was expected to be a tense affair, with the winner expected to make it through by a very tight margin; but what ensued over 180 minutes of football was anything but, as Bayern emerged 7-0 winners.
Another shocker was the Borussia Dortmund vs Real Madrid match – the score after 180 minutes was 4-3, but it was much easier for the Germans than the score implies; after all, they did rout Madrid 4-1 in the first leg. Others, such as the matches between Manchester United and Real Madrid, Dortmund and Málaga, Bayern and Arsenal, Spartak Moscow and Celtic were absolute crackerjacks.
Fans must be salivating over the prospects of this season, as the winds of change have been sweeping over Europe. Manchester United, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Bayern Munich, among others, have new men at the helm this season, and this will definitely add spice to the matches.
New managers will hope to leave a mark
For United’s new manager, David Moyes, Europe represents the pinnacle of footballing challenge thus far. The closest the Scot managed in getting to Europe’s premier competition was when Everton qualified for a Champions League spot in 2005/06. But the dream ended before it began as Everton lost 4-2 in the qualifying rounds against Villarreal, due to an incorrect decision by the linesman.
At Chelsea, Jose Mourinho will be looking to prove to the world that his stint at Madrid, which can be described as a roller-coaster ride at best, has taken nothing away from the “Special One”- or is it the “Happy One”, nowadays? Never mind. Pep Guardiola will be looking forward to adding to an already glittering C.V. with Bayern Munich, having inherited a treble-winning squad from former manager Jupp Heynckes.
And for Carlo Ancelotti, the challenge will be to get Madrid back to the pinnacle in Europe, after a barren run of 12 years, having last won it in the 2001/02 season. Though, the Italian tactician will appreciate that it is not going to be a walk in the park, with what the other behemoths of Europe not expected to roll over for Los Blancos.
The challenge awaiting Barcelona boss Tata Martino is a different one altogether. The little-known Argentinian takes over from Tito Vilanova, after the latter was forced to quit football over health issues, and he will have to inspire the Blaugrana after their poor showing last season. Many of the Barça players will remember the mauling at the hands of eventual Champions Bayern Munich all too well.
Though not one of the favourites, Rafael Benitez’s Napoli will certainly look to upset the status quo of the European elite this season; and they certainly have the required players for it. The canny Spaniard has added well to the squad following the expected departure of Edinson Cavani to big-spending Paris Saint-Germain, with Gonzalo Higuaín, Dries Mertens, José Callejón, Pepe Reina and Raúl Albiol moving to the Stadio San Paolo. The traditional “big boys” of Europe would do well to look out for the Partenopei.
But managers apart, quite a few players will be looking to make their mark too this season. The usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi apart, one expects that Robin van Persie would be chomping at the bit this season. Last time around, van Persie’s excellent league form did not translate to the European stage, and that is something the Dutchman would be looking to address.
Robert Lewandowski will be looking to make this his year again, in what seems to be his final year at the Westfalenstadion. The Polish hitman will be looking to make his Dortmund exit in style, and what better way to do it than winning Europe’s biggest prize?
A contender for the “dark horse” tag will be Stefan Kießling. The German striker, playing for Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen, was the top scorer in the Bundesliga last season, and he’ll be hoping that he can make his mark on Europe too. Players such as Wayne Rooney, Mesut Özil and Gonzalo Higuaín will look to prove themselves this season; Rooney for United under Moyes, Özil and Higuaín at their new clubs.
So, to end it off, what does this season offer? All we can do is but hope; hope that this season too will wow and enthrall us as only the Champions League is capable of doing.
Here’s to hoping for another spectacular season!
