The most electrifying competition in all the football land returns today. Finally, the Champions League is here. The wait is over. It’s game time people.
There is much excitement and anticipation for the teams that are appearing for the first time. UEFA’s rule to allow league champions from smaller countries has only added to the beauty of this competition and with the added flavour of lesser known champions from Russia and the Netherlands, we have many David vs Goliath clashes to look forward to. So please welcome APOEL Nicosia, Maccabi Haifa, Debrecen, Rubin Kazan, Unirea Urziceni and AZ. This is it. Don’t get scared now!
Many of Europe’s elite teams are also competing for glory again this year including Real Madrid, Barcelona, Inter Milan AC Milan, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Juventus. But there are also some clubs that could be a force to be reckoned with in the near Champions League future. Could this be the year for team’s like Wolfsburg, Atletico Madrid, Sevilla, Fiorentina, Marseille and Lyon?
There’s no doubt this could be the most arresting year yet for Europe’s biggest and best competition. Ronaldo, Rooney, Kaka, Messi, Gerrard, Lampard, Fabregas, Arshavin, Ribery, Eto’o and many other elite players will be fighting for the ultimate trophy in football. Prepare to be intoxicated by their wizardry and passion. Who will dazzle the world with their feet? Which team will be victorious? Can you see any upsets happening in these first few games?
Welcome back Champions League football. We’ve been waiting for you…
Well already a few suprises here. I think the biggest one for me is Apoel Nicosia. WOW the underdogs got away with a draw again Athletico Madrid. This can go either way…. can be a fairy tale ending like Greece in euro 2004 or next game they will get thrashed 6-0.
I think the Champions League will be retained by Barcelona. They play amazing football and deserve it…but I could be proved wrong…could Chelsea grab it after the antics of last year agaisnt Barca? Can Arsene finally get what he has been craving for? or will the cash paid by Madrid pay off? Time will tell my money is on APOEL NICOSIA lol.
LOL! That’s very optimistic where APOEL are concerned. Great result for them in Madrid last night. Atletico are not an easy team at home and they have quality throughout. It’s great to see the smaller teams do well though.
It’s really hard to retain the Champions League trophy. I don’t think anyone has done this in the new format of the competition. Barcelona will find it tough, but I would never bet against them making it to the final. Real Madrid are on a mission. Their defense looks suspect, but if you can score 4 or 5 goals a game, then you give yourself every chance to win. But against the better teams, Real Madrid’s defense needs to get it together. We’ll see if money talks next May!
How lucky were Arsenal? A disastrous start to the game which gave their 3rd choice keeper heart failure. Neither of the goals were Mannone’s fault. For me once again Fabregas went missing and they lack that bite without Walcott, Arshavin and Van Persie. I think Arsenal are better when Arshavin and Van Persie play together. The Gallas/Vermaelen partnership which started off really well has faltered a little. More so on the side of Gallas. He had a horror show in Belgium last night! They really need that win.
If you guys were picking a dark horse to win it, who would it be?
Great result for Apoel Nicosia, they did well stop the current Pichichi holder in Forlan and not only that but the likes of Aguero, Simao and Maxi.
Barca will do well but you are right it’s hard to retain the trophy. Real look scary going forward and Ronaldo is on fire, woah! I see them having a better run in the competition which they haven’t done for a few years.
I think Chelsea will go far again, they look very organized and are playing with a togetherness, and with Ancelotti’s experience…I smell Champions League Final.
How fitting in the Arsenal game that the player who was banned got the winning goal, football writes it’s own story.
Who do you think will win it or go far?
If Real Madrid can play well in defense, I think they can go far this year too. They have so much fire power. Before things got started, I had Atletico as my dark horse because of how well Simao, Aguero and Forlan play together. I think they are a really good team. I see Chelsea doing the better of any of the British clubs.
What about an Inter Milan vs Chelsea final? Now wouldn’t that be lovely…
Inter Milan v Chelsea could be interesting, might be a tight defensive game, but has factors to spice it up, mourinho v Chelsea, mourinho v ancelotti. So could be good.
Not sure about athletic Madrid, they are good but I need to see them against big opposition, they have a good team, but we’ll see.
I would like to see Juventus step it up too, with the signing of Diego, great player, could boost them. If you’ve noticed these are all teams that have had history in the competition and need to reignite it.
We’ll see how the champions league pans out.
I’m really happy to see Juventus back in the Champions League. Diego was a great signing for them. He was so impressive at Werder Bremen.
The Mourinho and Chelsea story has not ended yet. I believe there is a twist to that tale and we could see it in this year’s Champions League…don’t you just love it!
Juve could be a dark horse, we’ll keep an eye on them. Yeah the mourinho Chelsea saga has more to come and it could be this season.
I love it.
Your posting today has helped you climb all the way to the top of the league. Lady Yid is knocked off the top for the first time this season. Perhaps you should consider being our next Round Up co-host!
Top of the league, nice. Lets hope I am consistent enough to stay there. That’s a very generous offer.
Im off the top spot. This must of been how Liverpool must have felt last year when Man U stole the spot. Congrats Jonesy.
Back to the Champions league im still sticking with Barca……….and…….Apoel nicosia. lol
LOL! That post just put you right back on top Lady Yid. And we’ve had some emails requesting an encore from you for the Round Up. You’ve also been received well on Facebook you see!! Look forward to chatting with you again on the wireless this weekend!!! Look out for the Diva squad coming your way.