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As yet another year of fantastic football action draws to a close, it is time to look at where our favourite teams go from here. The Christmas break enjoyed by most leagues across the continent is a time for introspection and planning, with the January transfer window set to open in a matter of days.Regardless of whether managers will choose to delve into their budgets this time around, there will be plenty of sleepless nights, as the coaching staff bring their heads together in assessing apparent weaknesses or predicting imminent ones. We take a look at what may be going through the minds of these men, with ten of the top teams in Europe under the microscope. Here’s to another year of jaw dropping football action.
#10 AS Roma
Determining Romas weaknesses may well be an exercise in futility, as so often this is done keeping in mind the expectations harboured of a team. And Roma appear to be meeting all their expectations this season, even if the Champions League exit was underwhelming, to say the least.
That Bayern Munich can walk away from Rome with a 7-1 win should tell you all you need to know about how far this team has to go to consider itself serious contenders in Europe. But, on the whole, it may well turn out to be a blessing in disguise, with the sole focus being on the league. With the title race certainly not a foregone conclusion after Contes departure from Juventus, this could well be Romas year.
Still, weaknesses persist. Goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis, 37, has looked off the boil since signing a contract extension, and a strong signing in that department is certainly warranted. Ashley Cole has been a disaster since his much-touted move from Chelsea; nowhere close to the dependable, if significantly slower full-back we saw just last season. Mattia Destro was a revelation last season, but looks woefully short on confidence in front of goal this time around.
The wingers in the 4-3-3 Rudi Garcia employs do not offer much in the way of protection for their full-backs, which could explain why Cole has looked so out-of-depth so far. The Italian league is not home to the most scintillating wing play around, however, so Roma are well placed to ride over concerns over most of the teams they will come up against. As such, a couple of reasonable additions in the January window could well see club legend Francesco Totti lift the Serie A title come May.
#9 Juventus
Antonio Contes shock departure may well come to haunt Juventus in the months to come. One can argue that it already has. With Argentinian starlet Juan Iturbe looking set to join Juventus in the summer, Contes departure saw the youngster make the move to title rivals Roma. The Romans are hot on the heels of the Turin club this time around as well, and it will be interesting to see how Allegri handles the expectations of the fans.
For his part, the former Milan man has stuck by the 3-5-2 that served Conte so well in his three seasons at the club. One could argue that Conte himself was forced into the formation considering the options he had. What is obvious, however, is that the system does not hold up in Europe, with Conte himself flattering to deceive in the continents premier club competition.
The current Italian manager left Turin owing to these concerns, with the board unable to provide him with the financial support he required to take Juventus to the next level. Their ex-managers demanding nature may well come to define Juventus season even after his departure, with squad members calling Allegri a far more relaxed character. Ultimately, it all comes down to what Allegri himself expects from his first season at the club.
Will he be brave enough to change the style of play, and risk progress in Europe for domestic success? Conventional wisdom suggests he will look to regain the bare minimum of the league title, before harbouring hopes of European success next season.
And that scenario presents its own set of problems. Arturo Vidal has looked nothing like the world-beater he was just last season, while question marks remain over Paul Pogbas future at the club. There remains a huge dependence on Carlos Tevez. Higher expectations are certainly required to keep their premier talents at the club; failing which they will all but hand the edge to a rising Rome. They must look to Bayern Munich for inspiration a team that is a major player in Europe despite hardly any sustained challenges domestically.
#8 Bayern Munich
Pep Guardiola has been playing his own little game of footballing chess this season, obsessed as he is with the humiliation at the hands of Real Madrid last season. His tinkering with the formation on that occasion played a big role in the defeats (across both legs). His solution to the problem you guessed it, even more tinkering.
Watching Bayern play, can, at times, resemble a moving, breathing art form; with players interchanging and combining to breathless effect. The high point of the season, of course, was the 7-1 thumping of Roma, with Bayern playing what looked to be a 2-7-1 that morphed into a couple of other formations as the game progressed. Rome may well have been left in ruins that day, but the lack of a stable game-plan may well come to cost the Bavarians again.
For his part, Guardiola has the trust of the board and the adoration of his players. The rather tame hunting ground that is the Bundesliga means that we will truly see if progress has been made only on Champions League nights. For once, Dortmunds descent into oblivion has done Bayern no favours, seeing as they were the only team that could even attempt to challenge them.
They do remain vulnerable on the counter-attack, still and this is why it wouldve been fascinating to see Guardiola pit his wits against Klopp, whose side has played some of the most thrilling counter-attacking football in Europe over the years. Guardiolas full-backs tend to shore up the numbers in midfield (when the team is in possession) as opposed to bombing forward. The increased control in the central areas still leaves them open to quick, wide attacks, though.
They seem to have tided over their rampant injury concerns with a minimum of fuss, however- although it would be hard for them to break down teams in the absence of Thomas Muller. The German has a very innate understanding of how to create that which Bayern strive for almost religiously space. Losing him, although unlikely to prevent them from bulldozing their way to the domestic title, could well prove costly in Europe.
#7 Arsenal
The weaknesses in this team have been so obvious to the world for so long now that it seems almost a waste of time commenting on them. Arsenals lack of depth in defensive areas has been repeatedly exposed this season - and will continue to be, given Wengers stubbornness in dealing with the problem.
Per Mertesacker has been appalling in the absence of a quicker defensive partner, and the Germans motivation can be questioned in the aftermath of a few months that saw him become a World Champion. Callum Chambers has been run into the ground in the absence of Koscielny and Debuchy, with the Englishman lacking the pace to function as a full-time right back. Nacho Monreal has done the best he can, considering his very obvious limitations.
The same can be said of Mathieu Flamini, who is painfully limited technically. Arsenal have been caught out repeatedly by opponents recovering the ball quite cheaply from the Frenchman. The frankly absurd zonal marking system employed by Wenger absolves any of his players from the responsibility to actually defend set-pieces, and has resulted in dropped points against both Manchester City and Liverpool.
It stems from Wengers belief in the players in his team exercising their footballing intelligence a hopelessly nave belief that has been exposed ruthlessly time and again. A 3-0 lead against Anderlecht was thrown away by Aaron Ramseys (among others) stupidity in abandoning his defensive duties while searching for a headline-snatching goal. That level of freedom has been accorded to him (and others) by Wenger himself. While managers like Mourinho are alert to every little weakness, Wenger remains content to stand back and watch it all fall apart, once again.
This remains the most injury-prone team in the league. And while question marks have been raised about Wengers training methods, it may just be that he has consistently recruited slight, more technically inclined players who do not suit the Premier League. Case in point Mesut Ozil, although we certainly hope the last year has been an aberration.
Also, Gael Clichy, upon leaving the Gunners for Manchester City, was shocked that his new team-mates were sliding in for challenges during training sessions. A strict no-no at Arsenal, meaning Wenger has certainly been alive to the susceptibility of his players.
Their over-reliance on Alexis Sanchez could very well come to punish the Gunners, with the Chilean certainly the deciding factor on how high or low they finish this season. An injury to their talisman may well border on cruelty for sorry Gunners fans, who have endured all-too-familiar concerns for years now.
#6 Manchester United
When United were struggling through the early part of their season, Louis Van Gaal had asked us to judge him at the three-month mark of his tenure at Old Trafford. At that point, he had done enough to get a firm nod of approval from the supporters. The reading at the four month mark makes for even more pleasant reading, although familiar concerns remain.
Their need for a top-class defender remains, with the indecision of the stand-ins somewhat quelled by the return of Michael Carrick. So much so that Van Gaal did not trust Phil Jones and Chris Smalling on either side of a three man defence unless Carrick plays in the center.
The Englishman returned to his preferred central midfield role over the Christmas period, and United looked stable, if unspectacular, with McNair taking his place in the defence. The fact that Fellaini is now a big part of Uniteds quest to return to the Champions League underlines the lack of another physical threat in the midfield something that Van Gaal himself has admitted to.
Their last outing against Tottenham Hotspur was the first time that United fielded an unchanged line-up since November of last year, when David Moyes was in charge. While Moyes whims and fancies dictated that last season, Van Gaal has been forced to making them on account of injuries.
Their surplus of options when going forward, far from being a weakness, gives United a distinct unpredictability now that the players seem to be gelling and understanding each others games.
#5 Manchester City
It was a subdued after-Christmas atmosphere at the Etihad this year, with the teams resurgence slightly soured by the shock of a 2-2 draw against lowly Burnley. A win would have taken City to within one point of Chelsea at the halfway mark, and certainly quelled talk of the title belonging to Mourinhos men. As it is, Citys inability to go the distance will be held against them, although injuries have deprived them of their champion players.
Vincent Kompanys hamstrings have robbed City of their leader, with Mangala and Demichelis barely convincing as a partnership. Sergio Agueros blistering run of form was cut short by an untimely tackle that had the Argentine in tears. It has come down to Yaya Toure to practically drag the team along, although that presents as many problems as it solves.
Toures involvement in the African Cup of Nations notwithstanding, it is telling that the Ivorian is being used in a far less advanced role this season. His natural inclination to drive forward has certainly seen him deliver for City, but he leaves far too much space behind. Quick counter-attacks are a menace for any team that bosses possession, but City remain particularly vulnerable.
Funnily enough, crucial to the Eastlands clubs challenge may be their ability to hold on to Blues legend Frank Lampard for the remainder of the season. The veteran has been making all the right noises on the pitch this season - the man is an inspiration to Citys already decorated superstars.
It is also worth noting that while the spine of this team has remained intact over the last few years, their ageing squad is in desperate need of new faces that challenge the established stars. That kind of internal competition will only spur the champions in this team to prove themselves once againas they vie for a third title in four years.
They appear to be too nave to challenge on the European front just yet. It can even be argued that a prolonged run in Europe may well prove enough of a distraction to disrupt things domestically. Something that the been-there-done-that Mourinho will certainly not be worrying about, with his troops desperate to prove themselves to him. Man-management may not be one of Pellegrinis advertised strengths, but it will certainly be tested over the second half of of the season.
#4 Chelsea
The susceptibility to set-pieces is a near universal concern for most teams out there. But Chelseas able-bodied warriors are far more likely to cause damage at the other end, with John Terry enjoying a prolonged Indian summer in Mourinhos homecoming. The manager has been adept at hiding Terrys weaknesses, with Nemanja Matics near flawless displays providing sufficient protection ahead of the back four. It was no coincidence that his absence against Newcastle United saw the Blues lose for the first time this season.
In fact, pointing out a weakness in this team is incredibly difficult if Mourinho has at his disposal a full-strength team. Derby County boss Steve McLaren went so far as to say that a video of their weaknesses would last five seconds. As such, it would be prudent to take a look at the duo that has seen ascend from a solid, dependable team to one that plays some of the best attacking football in the league today.
Diego Costa and Francesc Fabregas have revolutionised the way this Chelsea team attack these days, and it is hard to see them maintain their edge in the absence of even one of the two. Didier Drogba, while an able deputy for the prolific Costa, can hardly shoulder the responsibility game-in, game-out. Loic Remy, for all his ability, is a very different kind of player, and boasts none of the strength and fight that Mourinho so prizes in both Costa and Drogba.
Fabregas loss would be even more difficult to endure, with his ability to run the game from the center practically priceless. None of the others in that Chelsea team can do what he does so irresistibly, and it is hard to see Chelsea stumbling if he was to have an injury-free season. With Chelsea serious players in Europe as well, lets just say that their Premier League rivals arent the only ones praying for an injury or two for the Blues. Imagine what Mourinho would have to say about that.
#3 Atletico Madrid
Watching Diego Costa tearing up Premier League defences will be particularly painful for manager Diego Simeone. The Brazilian-born striker was the perfect Simeone player fiercely competitive, battling to gain the slightest edge over the opposition.
His ability on the counter-attack allowed Simeone to set up the kind of team we identify with Atletico Madrid these days solid, working for each other, excellent at winning the ball back, and always on the lookout for the opportunity to break. His replacement Mario Mandzukic - while a fantastic player in his own right - offers significantly less pace and drive. This has allowed teams to push up and attack Atletico, knowing that the space left in behind is unlikely to be punished.
Another Chelsea recruit Filipe Luis has been replaced by Guilerme Siqueira, who has looked slightly off the pace. He was targeted in the derby against Real Madrid, with both Ronaldo and Bale double-teaming up against him - a ploy that was neutralised (more or less) by Kokes protection.
This added defensive responsibility on the young Spaniard is a cause for worry considering that most of Atleticos creative exploits come down to him and the Turk Arda Turan. Antoinne Griezmann has not yet found his best form, although things have been looking up in December.
Crucially, a team that relies on its physicality and appetite for a fight may well find that appetite waning as the season reaches its business end. There is an expectation in the air today, with supporters confident that Simeones men will once again punch above their weight. Their mental resilience and ability to shoulder such expectations will determine how their season pans out. Heres hoping for another reminder to the world that there are some things money cant buy even in the world of football.
#2 Barcelona
As it so often is with the best of teams, their weaknesses can only truly be diagnosed when they come up against their rivals such is the gulf in class between the top teams and those that make up the numbers.
This seasons first El Clasico certainly showed us where Barcelonas lie and the answer was quite shocking. Their midfield! Xavis decline has put in turmoil so much of the good work that Barcelona have done in the last decade or so, that it has become difficult for a succession of managers to truly start afresh.
Sergio Busquets has looked increasingly to Javier Mascherano for leadership, and the Argentine is one of the rare bright spots in this team, regardless of the position he starts in. Another Argentine has been dropping deeper and deeper in hope of service, so much so that he has now been designated as the chief playmaker.
And while the sight of Messi pulling the strings is by no means a step down, it does negate (to an extent) the fantastic work he does higher up the pitch. Barca came home after being bossed off the pitch by PSGs robust midfield trio (Matuidi, Veratti and Motta), and Real Madrid truly put them out of their misery a little while later.
Ivan Rakitics rather sudden loss of form after a whirlwind start to life in Catalonia has been perplexing, perhaps stemming from a lack of consistent support. Elsewhere, familiar weaknesses remain, with Barcelonas slight-of-frame heroes outmuscled when it comes to defending set-pieces.
With Jordi Albas and Dani Alves propensity to attack, teams have looked increasingly to swift counter-attacks to get in behind and exploit space. Pair this with the fact that the team hardly operates with any orthodox wingers, and it is easy to see why attacking from the flanks remains the best bet to achieving a result against the Catalans.
The on-going identity crisis and the lack of a long-term game-plan means that there is even more of a burden on the front three to consistently deliver results. All in all, multiple concerns for new boss Luis Enrique, who has a long way to go to live up to the expectations of the Camp Nou faithful.
#1 Real Madrid
The capital club has been the team to watch in 2014, and seem to be going from strength to strength of late. But even as Cristiano Ronaldo lounges off the coast of Dubai for Christmas, manager Carlo Ancelottis famous eyebrow will be arched in a pensive mood. His tactical genius has been founded on clarity and understanding of what his players can deliver, so it is not immune to what they cannot.
The double pivot of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric was imperious in its functioning, at least until the Croatian suffered a long-term injury. Sami Khedira and Asier Illarramendi have been used alternatively to varied results, but it is apparent that this Real Madrid team even at full strength lacks the bite and bark required.
This lack of physicality was exposed in their early season defeat at the hands of local rivals Atletico Madrid. This match brought to attention another weakness defending against set-pieces. Iker Casillas indecision has been apparent for a while now, and the team itself has struggled against units that take pride in the physical side of the game.
Their dependence on Ronaldo is only too natural any team would be. However, it would be interesting to see how they cope without the services of Karim Benzema. The Frenchman has gone from being one of the most derided figures at the Bernabeu to being a celebrated one in a relatively short space of time. His withdrawn role as a striker is crucial to the goal-crazy Ronaldo, while his interplay with the likes of Isco and Kroos has been a joy to watch.
The team has been riding a wave of momentum that began with the El Clasico win late in October, with Casillas himself looking much more like his old self since then. But Ancelotti, for one, will be all too clear on what needs to improve. Xabi Alonsos intelligence and Angel Di Marias drive were crucial in delivering La Decima, and their departures cannot be discounted so easily.
Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola admitted to a tactical hash-up in the wake of his teams capitulation against Madrid in last seasons Champions League. And with Bayern looking ever more menacing this time around, Ancelotti should be careful not to return the favour.
