Contenders for UCL title

We are at round three of the UEFA Champions League group stage. Let us have a look at the top six contenders for the title this year:

1 – REAL MADRID: They are the favorites for this season`s competition. They are favorites every time actually! They are the 9- time champions of this competition. Their team is a solid one with quality players littered throughout the squad. They have taken time to gel but have done a good job of it and now look like a team which can beat the crap out of its opponents. They have, in CR7, a match winner who continues to dazzle the footballing world with his efforts week-in, week-out. They have Iker Casillas. Has he ever needed any description?

Their midfield has Alonso, a playmaker par excellence, Khedira who is an unsung hero, Di Maria who is continuing his blistering start to the season and Ozil who is finding his form now.

They have a lot of injuries at the moment but those should clear up once the serious business starts. With urge, momentum and Jose on their side, one would back this team to make it to the semis at the very least.

2 – BARCELONA: The Blaugrana have won this trophy thrice in the past seven seasons. With the celestial El Messias in their side, you could be forgiven for thinking that winning all trophies on earth is their birthright! He has been fantabulous as he was last season and is winning close games for his side. He has already got 15 goals this season, not to mention match-winning assists. Perennial stars like Xavi and Iniesta are at their usual best and continue the good work into the new season which has seen Tito Villanova step into Pep Guardiola’s huge boots. They will be a big force as they always are and I expect them to make it to the semis this year as well.

However, they have made a huge blunder in the transfer market by not signing a top class centre-back. They were punished for this precise reason last season as they lost both the domestic title as well as the continental one. They have looked very shaky at the back this season and unless they do something in January, things could turn bad come the end of the season.

3 - JUVENTUS: The Bianconeri are top of Serie A and look the best Italian side by a mile. They have a solid line up and good quality players all around. They are very strong defensively and were effective in shutting out the likes of Hamsik, Cavani in the recent 2-0 win over Napoli. When your centre-halves (Caceres) and defensive midfielders (Vidal, Pogba) score match winning goals, you know you have the makings of a title winning team.

Their only Achilles heel is their forward line where they lack a top quality, 20+goals a season forward. Indeed, they are making efforts to recruit people like Llorente, but let us see if they get their man. They look good enough for a quarter final spot at the very least. But should they come up against a Madrid or a Barcelona, their lack of attacking options may hurt them. They are a resilient side as was shown when they came from a 2-0 deficit to get a highly creditable 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge. January may prove to be a defining month for their Champions league aspirations.

4 – BAYERN MUNICH: The Bavarians are the losing finalists from last year’s edition when they lost it at their home ground to Chelsea on penalties. They are expected to challenge for the title again this season. Their domestic season is off to a flyer and there are already talks of them taking a psychological stranglehold on the Bundesliga title. They have good quality players all around and have bought Javi Martinez from Bilbao in the summer window.

Mental weakness remains a stumbling block for this side. This was a major reason for their loss to Chelsea in the final last season, and it is only their performances in the big games, both domestically and abroad, which will show whether they have shaken off the cobwebs or not. I expect Jupp Henyckes’ side to go till the quarters for sure. Beyond that, the tie and their fortune will decide where they end up come May 2013.

5 – MANCHESTER UNITED: The Red Devils last won this trophy in Moscow in 2008. They’ve reached two finals since but were beaten soundly by Barcelona on both occasions (I hate writing this part). They have a strong squad and their attacking options are world class. The addition of Arsenal captain Robin Van Persie in the summer window has seen them add a top quality goal scorer to their ranks. He had scored 37 goals last year for the Gunners and already has 8 for United. His partnership with United’s talisman Wayne Rooney is blooming and is an ominous sign for defenses both in England and in Europe. Add quality wingers like Valencia, Nani, Young and the Japanese playmaker Shinji Kagawa and you have an attack which can change shape at will and can score goals in myriad ways.

The problematic part is the midfield and the defense. They rely too much on Scholes for ideas and lack a top notch ball winner, a leader in the middle of the park. Players like Dembele and Fellaini have made a mockery of their central midfielders. They need to get Darren Fletcher back into the side fast so that they can add the much needed steel to their midfield. And the defense needs to get its act together fast! It has looked shaky far more than usual and when a side like Stoke City starts giving the home side scares at Old Trafford, it is high time that things are tackled urgently.

Their injuries are easing up now and so by February when the knockout ties commence, they ought to have a fully fit defense. Their group is easy, so qualification shouldn’t be much of an issue. But top sides in the knockout stages punish your weakness remorselessly and unless United get their act together, they will once again miss out on an European title. They may make it to the quarters but things will get far tougher thereafter and their weakness may just see them lose out .

6 – CHELSEA: The reigning European champions have a star studded attack. Hazard, Oscar, Mata and Torres make many a blues fan drool and their expansive brand of football this season has shown a shift from their defensive strategies of last season. They have looked solid this season and have not lost a match as yet. They sit top of their league and would love to win the Champions League title on English soil this season.

Though their attack is in top shape, it is their defense which (you may brand me crazy for saying this!) is their weakness. They have shown signs of weakness at the back and good attacking sides like Madrid or United will undoubtedly look to pounce on such weaknesses. Gary Cahill and David Luiz have looked strong at the back but the pair are error-prone and do give the opposition chances. Cech, however, is in good form once again and at 30, is entering the peak of his career as a goalie. I would rate them as potential finalists only if the draw goes their way and they avoid Madrid or Barcelona in the semis (I know they beat the Catalans last year but flukes don’t happen forever).

In hindsight, all six sides would feel confident about their chances this year. Let us hope that we get a feast of top quality football, ending in a grand spectacle at Wembley in May.