Football Special Report: UEFA Champions League- The contenders (Part 4)
7-AC Milan
AC Milan has a very rich European history. The Champions league seems to bring out the best out in the team. Milan have strengthened their squad this year with the signings of the talented, Robinho and Ibrahimovich.
Milan has had problems with the goal keepers in the recent history. Flavio Roma seems to be doing well this season though. The defence is led by the ever present Alessandro Nesta, he has been a great servant to the Rossoneri. Milan has an aging defence but
they make up for age with experience. The likes of Zambrotta and Oddo have a huge amount of experience. Milan traditionally like all Italian teams is very solid at the back.
The Milan midfield has some of the all time greats in it. Ronaldinho, Pirlo and Seedorf have done it all. All 3 are very special with the ball at their feet. Despite their age, they still can be unstoppable on their day and win a match via individual brilliance.
Gattuso and Ambrosini do the dirty work and are full of running. Both are very profound at breaking up the momentum and flow of the opposition. If the Milan midfield can stay fit and live up to their reputation they can easily go all the way.
The Milan strike force is quite brilliant. Pato is a Brazilian sensation who has earned rave reviews from fans and players alike. Pato has been compared to the legendary Brazilian striker Ronaldo. Robinho is another Brazilian who can destroy the opposition
through his brilliant runs, shots and crosses. Probably the biggest star amongst the strike force is Zlatan Ibrahimovich. He is immensely gifted and a true match winner. If these mercurial talents fail to deliver, the Rossoneri can always fall back on the
ever reliable Inzaghi.
On their day, Milan can beat any team with the range of superstars. Many doubt that the aging squad will reach Wembley. Only time will answer if Milan are good enough or not.
8-Arsenal
Arsenal is one of the best young teams in the world. Arsene Wenger has managed to build a side that many giants of Europe fear.
Arsenal’s defence is a question mark. Apparently, they have been unable to secure the services of a world class goal keeper. The central defence looks a little fragile with the young Vermaelen leading the line. The full back area is not of concern. Sagna
and Clichy are brilliant both going forward and defending. They can create havoc for the opposition via their great over lapping runs down the touch lines.
Arsenal has a very talented midfield with the likes of Fabregas, Nasri and Arshavin. Fabregas is one of the top midfielders. He has great passing range and can also run with the ball. Nasri is very similar; he links up with the strikers very well and makes
some exquisite runs. Arshavin is one who likes to run at defenders and is never afraid to shot. Alex song provides the stability in the middle with his strong physical attributes and hunger to retrieve the ball. When in full flow the Arsenal midfield is magnificent
to watch.
The strike force is better this season with the addition of Chamakh. He is an out and out striker, something Arsenal was lacking last season. If Robin Van Persie can recover from injury Arsenal will be a very hard side to stop. It seems Wenger works on a
theory, “if you score 4, we will score 5”.
If the young Arsenal team can work together and become physically stronger then they may be able to lift the 1 trophy that has eluded them. Wenger would love to win a winners medal so that he cam proudly say, “I have done it all”.
Perhaps
Perhaps someone else might win this trophy other than these 8 contenders. The UEFA Champions league is very unpredictable and anyone can beat anyone on a given day.
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