...not Barcelona, I think. Despite being a Barca fan, I'm realistic enough to see that out of the three Spanish teams competing Valencia probably have the best shot at it.
Why? Real and Barca have both proven that they can't beat quality opposition this season, at least so far. If that doesn't change soon, then obviously they'll be knocked out. Valencia on the other hand have gotten good results against the likes of Barca and Roma, are in great form and probably feel unbeatable right now.
The counter-attacking tactics employed by coach Quique Sanchez Flores are well suited to a knock-out competition, and their water-tight defence should stand them in good stead to advance far.
7 comments:
Linda,
Though Barca and Real did not have a great start to this season Champions League campaign, it is too early to predict who will win it this season.
From my opinion, Valencia have a good team but is this team good enough to clinch the Holy Grail of European football? Even Roma or Bayern have an equal shot. We'll just have to wait and see.
However, I'll be happy to see an Argentinian player (whichever club that is) lifting the trophy.
Just to let you know, I've found out that a Kiwi by the name of Sean Marks plays in the NBA. I guess he must be huge in NZ.
John
Malaysia
Hi John,
I'll admit I wrote that post in a fit of pessimism. Not that I dislike Valencia - I'd rather they won than Real - but Barca's chances look increasingly slim with the injury to Eto'o.
On an Argentinean-related note, that may mean that Saviola will be playing quite a lot of games. Here's hoping he becomes the goalscoring machine he was for River Place once again.
Valencia have a large squad, which is always good, but they're prone to internal problems (kind of like Inter), so maybe they'll collapse by themselves. Roma's squad I think is too small, quality-wise, to go all the way. But we'll see, I guess.
I would love for an Argie to lift the trophy again (after Leo Messi last season). So that means Barca, Spartak (not likely, I know), Anderlect (similarly unlikely), Valencia, Inter, Manchester United...anyone I'm missing?
Yeah, Sean Marks is fairly well known, but funnily enough not as well known as Pero Cameron because he's away so much and sometimes can't get back to play for NZ.
Linda,
If there's one team that I would like to see them winning is Inter. My reason is of course has to do with Javier Zanetti, whom I believe has given so much for both club & country but yet there's not many titles to his credit.
John
Malaysia
I always want Inter to do well because so many players important to Argentina play their club football there. But they seem to have a lot of internal trouble that they can't control. Most big clubs have internal conflicts, but manage to suppress them in the public eye. Inter can't seem to.
On Zanetti, though, I think he's a great guy and a great player. What a shame if he's never called up for Argentina again. You're right, he hasn't won enough for a player of his calibre.
Hi Linda,
Heard that Heinze was injured in the Newcastle game. Thats really bad news considering how important he is for us. I hope its not a long term considering that he just returned from one.
Also I'm pretty worried about Tevez and Masherano at West Ham. I really hope that their situation will not be the same as it was for Middlesboro in the 90s. At one time the Tyneside club had Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli on their team and in the end the club was relegated.
By the way, did you watch the AFL Grand Final last Saturday?
John
Malaysia
Hi John! I was away for the weekend so coming back to be greeted by the news of injuries to Crespo and Heinze is really not a good experience. He won't be out for too long I think, so that's good.
I'll be posting more about Tevez and Mascherano soon, because it really is worrying. Their performances aren't stable, everyone's blaming the club's problems on them, and it's just not a good situation for two 22 year olds to be in. The way it's going now, the Middlesboro story you mentioned may just repeat itself. Before all this nosedived, when I heard the Mascherano to Juventus rumours I said 'no way, not to Serie B' but now I'd rather he went there.
I was on the road when the AFL final was on, so I didn't get to see it. But seeing as this is NZ and everyone's obsessed with rugby, I'm sure highlights will be easy to find.
Its not how good any teram has started,its how any team finishes..Football is all about finishing..
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