Preview: 2007-08 UEFA Champions League
First knockout round
Ajitpaul Mangat, Staff
The at times engrossing, but largely predictable group stage of the UEFA Champions League has once again proven that the best soccer in Europe is played in England, Italy and Spain. With those countries providing 10 of the remaining 16 teams, soccer fans are assured that the biggest teams, most gifted players, and best coaches will serve up another exciting and memorable first knockout round of the best soccer tournament in the world. However, while those countries dominate the headlines and publicity, there still remain a small group of clubs that hope to play spoiler.
Here are five things you should know before the knockout phase begins on Feb. 19.
A.C. Milan dominance
No team has experienced more success in the Champions League over the past five years than A.C. Milan, who have reached the final three times and won the title twice. Led by 2007’s FIFA World Player of the Year, attacking mid-fielder Kaká, and a veteran squad loaded with a wealth of experience, the illustrious club appears ready to challenge for a second consecutive Champions League title. But with age comes tired legs, complacency, and injuries (most notably: striker Alexandre Pato and defensive mid-fielder Gennaro Gattuso), all of which the defending champions are dealing with.
Looking to dethrone the incumbents from Italy is Arsenal. Although the London club lost in a heartbreaking final just two short years ago, Arsène Wenger, their manager, has revamped the squad with an emphasis on pace, agility, and youth. Led by their own superstar, central mid-fielder Cesc Fàbregas, Arsenal will look to exploit their opposition’s age, and nullify their experience, by playing a high-tempo, fast-break English Premier League style of play. In the end, look for Milan’s ball-control, counter-attack style of play to frustrate their youthful, inexperienced opposition, and prove triumphant over two exciting legs of soccer.
Cristiano Ronaldo on the big stage
After numerous years of exhilarating promise, Cristiano Ronaldo, Manchester United winger, has emerged this season as one of the best players in the world, regardless of country or position. There are few players who possess the entire package of blistering pace, adroit dribbling, accurate passing, passion for the game, and a prolific scoring touch that Ronaldo has thrillingly showcased this season in the English Premier League and knockout round of the Champions League tournament — impressively scoring a Golden Boot-leading 27 goals.
But the question remains: can he perform on the biggest of stages? Last season with a chance to take his team to the Champions League final, Ronaldo was able to score only one unremarkable goal in a devastating 5-3 loss to eventual winners A.C. Milan, and in the process was outplayed by his rival Kaká. He will have another chance this year beginning with defending Ligue 1 champions Lyon from France. Barring injury and with the Portuguese international playing at a special level of form, Ronaldo’s mercurial ego may be the only thing capable of stopping him this year.
Spanish soccer turnabout
The 2006-07 Spanish La Liga season has proven to be prophetic of a shift at the top of the Spanish soccer world; Real Madrid is there to stay, at the expense of Barcelona. Real Madrid has been able to make the leap by excising there past demons — the remaining previous generation Galácticos (striker Ronaldo and mid-fielder David Beckham) and coach Fabio Capello — and acquiring promising players that can fill key roles rather than aged veterans that can sell jerseys. Last campaign’s domestic success did not translate to the Champions League, but with the team largely healthy, and playing as a cohesive unit this season could very well be different.
Barcelona has gone the opposite direction due to key players under-performing (mainly attacking mid-fielder Ronaldinho) and a lack of team unity due to excessive squad turnabout and players undermining coach Frank Rijkaard, who appears to be on his way out at the end of the season. However, the 2005-06 Champions League winners still have one of the most talented squads in Europe and are capable of defeating any team on any given day. Real Madrid will play Serie A club Roma in what should be one of the best ties of the round, while Barcelona will face defending Scottish Premier League champions Celtic.
Battle of the tormented heavyweights
Two of the most storied clubs in European soccer — Liverpool and Internazionale Milano — will square off in a battle of the tormented. Liverpool have proven themselves to be masters of cup competitions winning the Champions League five times, most recently in the 2004-05 tournament, but the club has not been able to win a domestic title in nearly 20 years (last winning in 1989-90).
Inter Milan, meanwhile, have been extremely successful in the Italian Serie A —not losing a match in almost two years — but have not triumphed in this tournament since winning it in back-to-back years, 1963-64 and 1964-65. In this tie, Liverpool will look to their inspirational captain, mid-fielder Steven Gerrard, who like his club plays his best on the big stage, to win the all-important mid-field battle; while, the Serie A champions will lean on the prolific scoring exploits of Wunderkind striker Zlatan Ibrahimovi?, who is tied for the tournament scoring lead with five goals. Although Liverpool always seems to succeed in Europe, Inter Milan current form looks to be too strong for their opposition.
This year’s dark horse
Every year another underdog club dreams of being this year’s Porto (winners of the 2003-04 Champions League) — the team that shocks the world by coming out of nowhere and dethroning the soccer heavyweights. This year’s group of underdogs includes Portuguese club Porto, German club Schalke, Turkish club Fenerbahçe, and Greek club Olympiacos.
With the first two facing each other, one of them is assured a spot in the second knockout round, but Fenerbahçe and Olympiacos will be hard-pressed to defeat their opponents, Sevilla and Chelsea respectively.
Look for Porto, led by prolific striker Lisandro López, Argentina international mid-fielder Lucho González and dynamic winger Ricardo Quaresma, to advance to the next round and carry the mantle of this year’s dark horse.
