Champions League

[fester]

Good article from The Guardian

Last May, as the sun warmed the roof terrace of Chelsea's training complex at Cobham and the chefs put on a barbecue, the glinting Premier League and FA Cup were passed around the staff as nonchalantly as the relish. Carlo Ancelotti was entitled to feel content with all he surveyed. A convivial end of term celebration crowned a debut year in England that could scarcely have been bettered.

The obvious supposition is that the pressure is on for the Italian to improve this season, to somehow enhance his opening act in the months of intense competition to come. That can only equate to one heavyweight calling: the Champions League. It was the four European Cups on Ancelotti's CV (two as a player and two as a coach with Milan) that leapt off the page so there is no reason to assume that the powers at Stamford Bridge are not expectant on that score.

But Ancelotti is a smart and experienced enough football man to know that however much the club's owner, Roman Abramovich, might hunger for a European coronation, however keenly Chelsea's fans might trade another domestic prize for the big one, and however desperate John Terry and his cohorts are to put an end to the gallingly close shaves, the maximum he can guarantee them is his best effort. No more. The rest is down to the Champions League gods. And they clearly do not believe anybody has a divine right to their blessing.

Just look at where a couple of past winners with glowing European pedigree kicked off their continental adventures this season: Liverpool travelled to Skopje to take on Rabotnicki in the Europa Cup qualifiers. Juventus dropped into Dublin to play Shamrock Rovers. What they wouldn't do even to have a shot at aiming for a grand occasion with the Champions League music ringing in their ears at Wembley next summer.

Every season there are a handful of super-strong favourites, yet it is anyone's guess which of them will prevail. Over the past decade, some 14 different teams have reached the final. There have been eight different winners. Only Milan and Barcelona have hoisted the trophy more than once.

Ancelotti is far too shrewd to deliberately or overtly focus his resources during this campaign on the Champions League. The risk of disappointment in a notoriously fickle competition is too great. The field is too strong. The margin of error is too slim.

Just ask Real Madrid about expecting certainties from this competition. They outspent the national debt of several countries this time last year on Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká and Karim Benzema in a bid to give themselves the best chance possible of a fairytale 10th European Cup, won at their home stadium, the Bernabéu. They duly bombed out in the round of 16 for the fifth season running. Now they have installed José Mourinho – the hottest plotter around in terms of this particular tournament – to see if his magic wand will do the trick.

The cult of the coach has perhaps never held quite so much store in Europe's elite tournament. Mourinho made sure of that last season, to the extent that some of the outstanding contributions of his players were a little overshadowed come the curtain call against Louis van Gaal's Bayern Munich in Madrid. Despite the expectation that Mourinho alone can conjure in a flash a ruthless team from the ornate ingredients at his disposal, Real's recent history of blighted hopes in this tournament really should have taught them not to expect a guaranteed miracle. Not that they will be able to help themselves. They will be powerless to resist catapulting their thinking towards another date with the trophy they feel like they part-own.

But let's be honest, no matter the club, the coach, the footballing talent, no one with any sense can go into a season with all their eggs in the Champions League basket.

Mourinho knows the competition is as strong as ever. It took him three years at San Siro, as well as a generously supportive board, to weld together a team capable of taking on everything Europe could throw at them. Having said that, as Van Gaal demonstrated by guiding Bayern to an impressive renaissance, and Pep Guardiola showed the previous year by launching Barcelona into the history books, alchemy can happen quickly with the right blend of quality, unity, inspiration and fortune.

What is changing is the ability of the top teams to challenge on all fronts. Last season Internazionale, Bayern and Chelsea mounted an assault on the Champions League while winning the double at home. Barcelona came close alongside a successful defence of La Liga. The most powerful clubs are setting a heck of a standard, by showing it can be done to go hell for leather on both the domestic and European scenes. Once upon a time, the treble was such a mythical achievement you would be lucky to witness it once in a generation. We have just seen it done two years running.

Anyone thinking about loading extra demands on Ancelotti would do well to swallow a dose of perspective. Chelsea are hardly the only club who hanker after the Champions League like the holiest of grails. It is certainly no lower on the agenda at Barcelona and Real Madrid, at Manchester United, Bayern Munich,Milan and, naturally, at the club where it is now on show – in the trophy room of the holders Inter.

The fact that it is too competitive a field to pick a favourite is part of what gives the Champions League its allure. Mourinho was not wrong when he announced that it was a higher level than the World Cup before Inter's triumph. The only thing we can be sure of from this edition is that a handful of excellent teams, marshalled by first-rate managers, will end up disappointed.

I always used to think that once a team got the the CL quarter final stage then it became a bit of a lottery. Eight very good teams with little between them, it came down to a decision here, a bit of good fortune there. In the last couple of seasons it's getting more difficult to get out the last 16 stage as there are now probably 12 teams that have a chance of going all the way. So, target the EPL and the last eight of CL and then hope the God's are with you!!

[cfckeane]

We haven't had the best of luck in the Champions League in the last few years, maybe the gods don't like us!

[PloKoon13]

however keenly Chelsea's fans might trade another domestic prize for the big one,

I hate this assumption. My Dipper mate was sarcastically asking if I thought we'd finally win the top prize this season, and I responded that the Premier League would always be top priority, and the top prize for a Scouser is finding an unfinished bag of chips in the bin.

[sdsdsdsd]

I can't honestly see us contending for cl...barca and real madrid are too strong and are getting better and better each season...unfortunately I can't see any team in Europe challenging these 2 in the near future, shame tho cause cleague has always been my favourite competition, hopefully we will win it soon

[Liam]

We haven't had the best of luck in the Champions League in the last few years, maybe the gods don't like us!

I've always felt that God was against us. After all everyone else is.

[PloKoon13]

I've always felt that God was against us. After all everyone else is.

And what is an Irishman if he is not God-fearing?

[yorkleyblue]

from belfast

[BigIzz]

The CL is a crapshoot. The teams in the knockout rounds are all very close to equal. I still think Barca was the best team last year but they didn't win the tournament. If you play four rounds against equal opponents (supposing you have a 50% chance of winning a given round), mathematically you have like a 6% chance of winning the tournament. Even if you have a 75% chance of winning each leg (you don't though, no one does), you still only win it it 24% of the time.

One of the things that attracts me to football is the fairness of the league system compared to American sports and their playoffs. Every team, home and away and the best record is the Champion. That all goes out the window with the CL.

[TheWestwayWonder]

yorkley

I agree that the CL should never really be the priority for the season. It should always be focused on being the best team in England. A knockout competition which is in the hands of suspect officials and administrators is too much of a crapshoot to focus on to the detriment of other trophies.

To be the first London team to win it would be sweet, though.

[BigIzz]

To be the first London team to win it would be sweet, though.

Espically with the final in London. Maybe we can beat Arsenal or Spurs in the final.

[fester]

Espically with the final in London. Maybe we can beat Arsenal or Spurs in the final.

We're going to beat ManUre 3-1 in the final in a complete reverse of the Community Shield (which is after all a meaningless trophy as we didn't win it! ).

[Barry Bridges]

And this is exactly why I hate when people go "We have no chance in the CL unless we sign someone special" and things of the like!

Drogba isnt special? Lampard isnt special? Essien isnt special? ACole isnt special? Malouda as of late isnt special?

Look last 3 goes weve been in the final and lost on kicks due to a slip, weve been in the semifinals and were eliminated by the winner because of very dodgy reffing, and we got eliminated last year again by the eventual winners of the compeition...and again had the ref been on the ball a good chance we'd of gone through despite Inter playing better....that is our quality!

The only thing we currently lack is that little bit of luck, not some "special player". Im not saying it wouldnt hurt to aquire a "special player" but to say we have no chance without a new signing seems ridiculous in the light of who has knocked us out and how!

[gojo_ed]

Good article. A cup run depends on chance a lot more than the league. Who's to say who would have won the competition last year if we'd got a pen at the San Siro? The Inter defender would have been sent off and it would have been a much better outcome for us in all likelihood. I have a better feeling about this year than recent years, mainly because there doesn't seem to be as much expectation about English clubs dominating. A cup run is a cup run, margins are tiny as others have already shown. If we did reach the final I reckon being at Wembley would be great, a place where we've played well in recent years. If and when we finally win it, the feeling would be extremely sweet, although the league should always be the priority.

[bonetti]

The only 'Test' in the CL is when UEFA decide who's gonna win it

[PloKoon13]

Unfortunately I can't imagine any English clubs being able to beat Barca or Real Madrid this season, especially with the twelfth man whoever we play will inevitably have.

I'd imagine Inter will still be in the mix with Benitez in charge as well.

[MKBlue]

And this is exactly why I hate when people go "We have no chance in the CL unless we sign someone special" and things of the like!

Drogba isnt special? Lampard isnt special? Essien isnt special? ACole isnt special? Malouda as of late isnt special?

Look last 3 goes weve been in the final and lost on kicks due to a slip, weve been in the semifinals and were eliminated by the winner because of very dodgy reffing, and we got eliminated last year again by the eventual winners of the compeition...and again had the ref been on the ball a good chance we'd of gone through despite Inter playing better....that is our quality!

The only thing we currently lack is that little bit of luck, not some "special player". Im not saying it wouldnt hurt to aquire a "special player" but to say we have no chance without a new signing seems ridiculous in the light of who has knocked us out and how!

Good comment Barry, I'd much prefer to see a couple of the youngsters come through and make the grade than see the club shell out untold millions on big names.

Luck is the only thing that ultimately counts in a knockout tournament, after all when was the last time an unlucky team won anything?

We don't need a holy grail when it comes to silverware, any cup makes a good season and even a barren one could have it's upside if it's proved that the club is capable of rearing it's own talent.

[The Machine]

I can only see one winner of this season's Champions League: Real Madrid. I think that they now have the final piece of the jigsaw in the form of our former manage Joser Mourinho, who has spent very wisley in this summer's transfer market. It will be interesting to see though how Jose deals with the likes of Cristano Ronaldo and so on.

[sizzler85]

I dream of chelsea winning the CL . But , how to go far ? We all saw how Jose masterminded the Champions league with Inter last season . Winning the league is when you do your basics right . But to win the champions league , we got to do something different .

Against the likes of Real Madrid , barca , ManUtd , Inter , Bayern Munich etc., we must come up with ideas that can leave the other contenders sore . what is it that should be done differently ?

I personally feel , we must move the ball quicker , no useless long balls , new CL special formation etc., what do ya guys feel or what it takes to win the CL ?

[bonetti]

I dream of chelsea winning the CL . But , how to go far ? We all saw how Jose masterminded the Champions league with Inter last season . Winning the league is when you do your basics right . But to win the champions league , we got to do something different .

Against the likes of Real Madrid , barca , ManUtd , Inter , Bayern Munich etc., we must come up with ideas that can leave the other contenders sore . what is it that should be done differently ?

I personally feel , we must move the ball quicker , no useless long balls , new CL special formation etc., what do ya guys feel or what it takes to win the CL ?

A decision from UEFA

[wrayman]

But let's be honest, no matter the club, the coach, the footballing talent, no one with any sense can go into a season with all their eggs in the Champions League basket.

Somethings gotta give- look at last year (Mancs lost Shrek to injury playing CL + League Cup)..last year after Jose destroyed our hopes- we were able to get healthy & make a great run at the trophies- listing in importance

C League, Prem, FA, Carling/Beer- we usually use Carling to test the young boys-

Brings to interesting point Barry made above about the past 3 seasons- Acutually in past 5 or so weve lost to Scouse, United, Barca,& Milan....all winners and we were just as in any of those matches as ever-

I hear us knockin' on CL door

C'mmmmmmmonnnnn Chelseaaaaaaaa

Wrayman

[Andreas]

Would be fantastic to be the first London team to win it, especially since its being played at Wembley as well. I will just pray every night that we can go far from now on. It's about time we get it.

[Zola]

We have a team that is more than capable of winning the champions league.

More than capable.

In fact we have a great chance this year. Wait and see.

Edited August 16, 2010 by Zola

[jcm28]

We have a team that is more than capable of winning the champions league.

More than capable.

In fact we have a great chance this year. Wait and see.

Completely agree. Comparing squads, we aren't exactly inferior to the other big ones.

Barcelona's magic will rub off soon

Real Madrid is my only big worry because of jose

ManUtd im not sure about it

Inter are NOTHING without Jose as manager. They relied on their defense which will now suck under benitez.

Bayern are always difficult but since robben will be injures all the time then its doable.

Arsenal-please...

Watch this:

Cech

Bosingwa-Alex/Ivan-JT-Ashley

Ramires - Essien - Lampard

Anelka - Drogba - malouda

If I was any of those other teams I would seriously be ********* my pants when I see that.

Not to mention we might get neymar, but he's still too young.

[PloKoon13]

Completely agree. Comparing squads, we aren't exactly inferior to the other big ones.

Barcelona's magic will rub off soon

Real Madrid is my only big worry because of jose

ManUtd im not sure about it

Inter are NOTHING without Jose as manager. They relied on their defense which will now suck under benitez.

Bayern are always difficult but since robben will be injures all the time then its doable.

I'm not sure I agree with you here.

Barcelona have signed David Villa, and are going to be as strong as ever. Real will be far stronger due to the acquisition of Mourinho, especially defensively. Man Utd are always a factor, and Inter, the team who last season perfected the 4-2-3-1 are being managed by a defensive-minded manager who pioneered the 4-2-3-1 with Valencia using inferior players. I wouldn't write any of those teams off.

[sdsdsdsd]

Completely agree. Comparing squads, we aren't exactly inferior to the other big ones.

Barcelona's magic will rub off soon

Real Madrid is my only big worry because of jose

ManUtd im not sure about it

Inter are NOTHING without Jose as manager. They relied on their defense which will now suck under benitez.

Bayern are always difficult but since robben will be injures all the time then its doable.

Arsenal-please...

Watch this:

Cech

Bosingwa-Alex/Ivan-JT-Ashley

Ramires - Essien - Lampard

Anelka - Drogba - malouda

If I was any of those other teams I would seriously be ********* my pants when I see that.

Not to mention we might get neymar, but he's still too young.

Only problem with our team is that it is too predictable. Stop Drogba, stop Cole and ul pretty win 9/10 times providing that you have some sought of attacking option. i.e Inter last year...fast guys like neymar will help break down teams like Inter and Barca last year. Pace and strength are essential against quality teams like Barca who always control 60-65% possession.

Defensively we are quite good imo, we have the weapons to counter a messi/ronaldo, sometimes struggle against faster and athletic strikers