The beginning of the 2012/13 UEFA
champions’ league group stage is nearly upon us with many football fans in the
world buzzing with excitement. As we head into the match day 1 fixture there
are many questions on the lips of football fans across the globe. Can Chelsea
become the first team in the champions league era to retain the trophy? Which
teams will progress from each group? Whose skills will set the football world
alight? In this article, I'll be giving my thoughts on various aspects of this
season's UEFA champions league.
Favourites- Real Madrid
Ever since Jose Mourinho became the real
Madrid manager back in the summer of 2010, many pundits and fans have been
predicting the Spanish champions to win Europe's biggest prize. Now in previous
years, I personally haven't predicted Madrid to win the tournament, but this
year I think it's their time. After winning la Liga for the first time since
the 2006/07 season, last season that winning feeling finally returned to the
Spanish capital. Now with a team strengthened by the summer signings of Luka
Modric and Michael Essien, plus with the usual stars of Cristiano Ronaldo,
Fabio Coentrao and Mesut Özil among others, real Madrid could well be the side
that lifts the trophy at Wembley in May.
Whipping boys- FC Nordsjaelland
Although the champions league features some
of the world's best teams and players, there are always a few teams who are out
of their depth. In previous years, we've seen the likes of MSK Zilina, Dinamo
Zagreb and Otelul Galati struggle to gain even one point and this year, I fear
for Nordsjaelland, the Danish champions. Seeing as the club only came into
existence in 2003, this will be Nordsjaellands first venture into European
football's elite competition and in a group that features the Italian champions
Juventus, Shakhtar Donetsk with star striker Willian and the European champions
Chelsea, it could be a swift exit for Nordsjaelland. What won't help, their cause
is the fact that they'll be playing their home games at FC Copenhagen's Parken
stadium, as their own is too small to reach UEFA regulations.
Dark horses-Galatasaray
After four years without winning the
Turkish super Liga, finally Galatasaray won the title in May this year. A lot
of this success has been attributed to the work of manager Faith Terim. With
their infamous "welcome to hell" banners that greet the opposition
upon arrival, their fanatical support and squad which mix youth and experience
well, games against Galatasaray will be difficult for any side. In a group
consisting of Manchester United, Braga and CFR Cluj, it won't be easy for the
Turkish champions to progress, but if they do, they could go a long way in this
tournament.
Key player: Selcuk Inan
Top scorer-Lionel Messi
Although the Argentinian didn’t win the
‘’best player in Europe’’ award for his work last season, Lionel Messi will once again spearhead
Barcelona’s attack as they set out to win their third champions league in five
seasons and I believe he’ll do so while scoring more goals than anyone else. Of
course, the likes of Robin Van Persie, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mario Gomez amongst
others will be in the running for the top scorer award but Messi could well
have field days against Celtic, Benfica and whoever else Barcelona face on
their European campaign.
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