Champions League Outright

[finchy]

Outrights are not the markets I will place my money on, but I just would like to share some thoughts on this season's Champions League contenders. Who will get it?

If you ask me this question, I'd like to say Liverpool, as a fan. But this season I am not that convinced about their performance in the European Cups. Now their primary goal is the Premiership and the Premiership only after 18 seasons without the domestic title. Now Liverpool has the squad to give it a try, and they will focus on it. Champions League stays in the background, so I don't consider Liverpool clear cut favourites here. Quarter or Semi-Final maximum to my mind.

What about Chelsea? Three seasons in row they fail to reach even a final, even though every season Maurinho sets his sight on this particular trophy. As every years, Chelsea are among the favourites, but I'm not convinced that they will accomplish their errand this season either. I doubt Maurinho's manager abilities, as the squad is too dependable on certain players like Terry, Drogba and Lampard(actually the only three players I really pay respect to from Chelsea). To have SO MANY millions for selection, and still be TOO dependable on some players does not speak in favour of the manager... For me, Chelsea have the best players, but not the best squad. They are not that strong as a team, and many of their stars don't have SPIRIT in them. So I think that they may reach the final, but I really doubt they win it. They don't have the attitude for such a game - to play with heart.

Manchester United, the runners-up in the bookies evalutation, are strange to me sometimes. They trash Roma with 6 goals difference, but they couldn't match Milan in last year's semi-final. Against fellow big-grands they are not that much of a threat and I see them being outplayed by an Italian team again. Though if they face Barcelona, which would be a game I'd really expect to see, I think they will get it. But it's all just speculation.. Where will United be, depends too much on the draw..

Barcelona have a bit of Chelsea's syndrome, but still they I am more favourable about them than about Chelsea. In terms of player prices, they are close to Chelsea, but this doesn't mean they win it. Liverpool with twice cheaper players than the Spaniard's outclassed them last season. Semi-final for sure, but maybe not something more?

My opinion about Real Madrid quite coincides with my view on Chelsea. They have many stars, but I've always referred to them just as a team with a lot of money.

I don't think that Milan will win yet another Champions League, but I'd think twice when it comes to Inter. The latter have an impressive squad, and show impressive results and just look stable. They are my favourites for this season(although I hope my prediction is not correct, as I dislike Italian football )
And whether Arsenal will be able to sneak between those grands without Henry and with their young squad, one cannot be sure. But I like them as team politics, and I hope they reach one of the last stages.
And French Football in face of Lyon? No, I don't think they are a match for Spanish, English and Italian grands in the elimination phase. Quarter final maximum.


To sum up, my brain tells me Inter, but my heart is in the first place for Liverpool and than for Arsenal.
Of course much depends on the draw and the particular situations, but this is the way I see things from this quite early point of view.

What do you think about it?

[finchy]

Obviously my attempt to initiate a discussion isn't successful.
Come on people, wake up, share your view..

[catalinho07]

Just saw this topic. Definately Chelsea won't win CHL this year, especially after the weak start against Rosenborg which led to Mourinho's leaving.

Liverpool have a good chance, especially with the new signings, but didn't convice me in the game with Porto, but they had only 10 playes after the stupid tackle made by Pennant.

Manchester United started good this CHL Campaign with a win over Sporting Lisabona, and who do you think the scorer was? Cristiano Ronaldo, ex Sporting Player.

Barcelona started very well their campaign with a clear win over French champions, Lyon with 3-0. They have a very good chance to win CHL this year, after they were eliminated early by Liverpool.

Arsenal are a 'terrible good' team, a fact seen in the crushing victory over Sevilla, with 3-0. I think they will reach at least the semi-finals.

Milan, the CHL trophy holders, started with a win over Benfica, and I think they will reach at least the semi-finals.

Inter Milan are still disappointing. I have to disagree finchy but I don't give them any chances, maybe they will go further from the Group Stage but that's all.

Another team that I think will make a nice figure is Rome which started with a easy victory over Dinamo Kiev, 2-0 scoreline.

Who will win CHL? I think the favourites are Barcelona, Liverpool, Milan, Arsenal and maybe Manchester United.

[ciaozz]

Barcelona is too much strong, don't remember where they were so strong ever.. and with this young players + Anri now.. if thay don't win this year it will be a big acting, or a bookie influence Fenerbahce will be surpriese, Arsenal and Man Ut are strong.. pitty Bayern Munchen isn't there this year, i think thay are fantastic now but pity..

[finchy]

One really cannot be sure what will happen, even after the first games are over.
But what I really hope for is that we see in the last eight these teams:
Liverpool, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Inter, Milan, Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Because what I like about Champions League is when there meet the big teams - where not only players are involved, but tradition and old rivalry