Analysing the performances of Europe's top teams
We have completed the first part of this season, and there are very clear trends in the top leagues in the world i.e, England, Germany, Italy and Spain. The teams that lost out on the league are performing well, and as for the previous champions, they are not doing too well. We might see some surprises in next season’s Champions League draw. These are the following conclusions from the first half of the season.
United going strong, while City are going down, and Everton in the Champions League?
It’s clear that Manchester United have taken their last minute loss of the league to their cross-town rivals very hard. At the start of the season, they bolstered their offense with the likes of Robin Van Persie and Shinji Kagawa to add the variety to their attack. Since then, United have been scoring goals in threes and fours, with Robin Van Persie leading the top-scorers chart ahead of Luis Suarez. The only problem with United is their defense. Even if you score 4 goals, conceding 3 goals would do no good to your goal difference; something that United have been doing all season. And even when you can rely on RvP to get a few more goals, their defense can cost games, and I am surprised Sir Alex Ferguson has done nothing in this regard.
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: Robin van Persie of Manchester United looks on during the Barclays Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at White Hart Lane on January 20, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, for Manchester City, the losses of Eden Hazard and RvP might have proved fatal. Yes, they won the Premier League, but that doesn’t give you the license to sign the likes of Scott Sinclair and Maicon, who are downgrades to what Manchester City have at the moment. In fact, with Roberto Mancini getting out of Europe once again and his baffling tactics, along with his inability to manage the Mario Balotelli situation, means not only the manager’s job is at stake, but the entire Arabian era of Manchester City threatens to fall apart.
Rafa Benitez has blown hot and cold at Chelsea since Roberto Di Matteo’s departure, and it remains to be seen whether he can take Chelsea to third place. Tottenham and Everton have solid squads, but do they have the spark that takes them to Europe’s top competition? And as for Arsenal, can Arsene Wenger discover that radical changes in tactics are the need of the hour and do the necessary?
Bayern looking ahead to next season, Dortmund not out and is there a third power in Germany?
Bayern Munich have already taken steps to become the next Barcelona. How? By signing the man who took Barcelona to the top: Josep Guardiola. At the moment though, they are the example of a perfect club. A seemingly perfect set-up, atleast for the Bundesliga, having held the iron grip on the proceedings, they now look to go on a long run in Europe, starting against Arsenal. Mario Mandzukic and Javi Martinez have been hits for FC Hollywood and Jupp Heynkes.
Borussia Dortmund head coach Jurgen Klopp (R) applauds Dortmund fans after Borussia Dortmund drew 2-2 against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League Group D match between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund
To be fair to Borussia Dortmund, they did take steps to go for their third consecutive title under the ever-reliable Jurgen Klopp by signing former Dortmund hitman Marco Reus. But they also lost Shinji Kagawa and it seems they have something missing in their set-up which sees them trailing Bayern by 12 points. It remains to be seen whether they can make a comeback. Mind you though, they have genuine quality, having beaten Real Madrid and Manchester City.
Can Bayer Leverkusen hold onto the Champions League places or is it the season of Eintracht Frankfurt? Can Schalke restore their status among Germany’s finest? Find out at the season end.
Juventus going strong, Napoli cannot afford to lose stars and the demise of the Milan clubs
Juventus are the only top Europe team to be leading a table while having been previous champions. Their squad is the best in Italy by a long margin, and their focus seems to be on Europe, with a slightly tricky fixture against Celtic on their radar. Sebastian Giovinco seems to be the best among a group of signings which were from rivals like Udinese, as they seem to have a lead which no team could overtake.
TURIN, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Paul Pogba (L) of Juventus FC is challenged by Stefano Mauri of S.S. Lazio during the TIM cup match between Juventus FC and S.S. Lazio at Juventus Arena on January 22, 2013 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)
Napoli and Lazio may be 5 points behind Juventus, but their objectives at the end of the season would be to overtake each other. Napoli, in particular, wouldn’t want to lose out on Edinson Cavani, with Arsenal being the latest team to express an interest in him. So that would be another of Napoli’s objectives.
I, on the behalf of the footballing world, would like to express condolences at the demise of the Milan clubs. The teams are stacked with mediocre talent that won’t take them anywhere in Italy or Europe, and reduces Serie A’s value with the loss of Ibrahimovic and Sneijder. This gives the likes of Fiorentina a chance to establish themselves a place among Italy’s best.
Barcelona assured of La Liga, the Madrids playing catch up and Real Betis instead of Valencia?
There is no doubt that last season’s losses to Real Madrid hurt Barcelona. Along with Tito Vilanova’s appointment as manager and the arrival of Jordi Alba and Alex Song , Barcelona were on mission redemption and it has bore fruit. Even with the recent 3-2 reversal against Real Sociedad, Barcelona have been at their all-time best performances, and it has to do with Lionel Messi and his 91 goals in the 2012 calendar year. They must be thinking of the Champions League fixture against AC Milan now that they are 15 points ahead of principal rivals Real Madrid.
SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN – JANUARY 19: Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona shows his dejection after the La Liga match between Real Sociedad and FC Barcelona at the Anoeta stadium on January 19, 2013 in San Sebastian, Spain. Real Sociedad won 3-2. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The Radamel Falcao-led Atletico Madrid have also had a great start, but it’s just not been enough to beat Barcelona’s record. They must think of their future though, with debts piling up and the urge to sell their assets to make up for that. I believe they are a one-season wonder with Chelsea swooping for Falcao and their financial crunch.
Jose Mourinho seems almost certain to be sacked by Real Madrid after his controversial tactics involving the poor form of 35 million-man Luka Modric, the dropping of Iker Casillas along with their unjustifiable performances in the season. Cristiano Ronaldo’s situation hasn’t been resolved, and add to that a tough Champions League fixture against Manchester United next month, it looks like Real’s season is cracking up.
Real Betis and Malaga have been refreshing surprises this season, but can they hold on to Benat and Isco respectively? Can Valencia push out to their maximum in the second half to make a comeback? The footballing world just can’t be predicted. Make sure you watch out for these teams in the next few weeks.