Champions League Winning Nationality?

tommihird

Personally, I think there are three countries in the running that could possibly provide a Champions League winning team.

IMO, these are England, Italy and Spain.

England
Personally, I think Everton will be eliminated in the first group stage, and Manchester United and Arsenal in the knockout stages. Chelsea and Liverpool have the best chance in England I think, and one or even both of them should be in the Semi-final or even the Final.

Spain
Spain is a very tricky one to call this year. Barcelona and Real Madrid will be there or thereabouts, but the other contenders(should they qualify) may struggle. Villarreal rather like Everton got to the CL based on a good defence, and the odd spark from Juan Roman Riquelme. They will struggle to get past the group stage after losing Reina to Liverpool. Real Beits have undoubted quality with people like Joaquin in the team, but like Villarreal, they may struggle in the CL.

Italy
AC Milan and Juventus will be obvious contenders again. AC milan have easily the best squad in the world, and as long as they play like they can, they should reach the final. Juventus and Internazionale should reach the last 8, however Udinese may struggle. They were a surprise top 4 team last year in Italy, and should they qualify for the group stage, they will have to work hard after losing quality players such as David Pizarro(the club captain last season).

Elsewhere, clubs like FC Bayern always have a good chance, aswell as PSV and Benfica. However, I can't see the winner coming from outside the top 3 coefficient countires, and I think glory beckons for AC Milan or Chelsea this year.

city4eva · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 7:43 pm Post subject:

This will be Chelski's year in my oppinion, the Italian clubs will be there come the final rounds as they usually are but Chelski have a strong squad and if they have a striker who can bang them in then i cant see anything stopping them.
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The Panthers on the prowl.

tommihird · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:06 pm Post subject:

city4eva · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:12 pm Post subject:

I have a feeling Crespo may be able to do it for them this season. I dont understand why they have not yet bought a prolific striker and keep buyind defenders and midfielders when they are very strong in those two departments.
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The Panthers on the prowl.

tommihird · Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2005 8:29 pm Post subject: