Having come so close to reaching the Champions League final last season, La Liga title holders Real Madrid (7/2 Champions League 2012/2013 outright) have a great chance of claiming the European crown in the prestigious competition next season.
The men from the Santiago Bernabeu were denied a place in the final in the cruellest of circumstances, as they went down in the dreaded penalty shootout to eventual runners-up Bayern Munich. Manager Jose Mourinho has committed his future to Real and with that assurance, the club and the players will be even more determined to win the title for their Portuguese tactician, who has a wealth of experience in the tournament.
Star striker and arguably one of the players of the European Championships, Cristiano Ronaldo, proved on the big stages on Poland and Ukraine that he is a formidable opponent. With the former Manchester United striker playing some of his best football, Madrid will certainly be serious contenders for the biggest prize in club football.
Real’s arch rivals Barcelona (7/2 Champions League 2012/2013 outright) will have something to say about that, after they lost their Champions League title to surprise package Chelsea. Pep Guardiola has left the club and it will be interesting to see how his replacement Tito Vilanova will do as manager of a team that has enjoyed so much success over recent seasons.
Barca were somewhat found out last term, as their impressive passing game was undone by some ardent Chelsea defence in the semi-finals of the competition. The lack of a ‘Plan B’ from the Catalan outfit was a major criticism of the team and that is something they will have to address if they are to snatch back their European crown.
Chelsea (12/1 Champions League 2012/2013 outright) will have a massive challenge ahead of them to keep the Champions League trophy in the cabinets at Stamford Bridge beyond next summer. The final of the lucrative competition this time around is at Wembley Stadium, as it prepares to host the showpiece event for the second time in three years, as a celebration of the 150th year of the Football Association. This will certainly be a massive incentive for the Blues, who have a decent record at the national stadium.
The loss of Didier Drogba, who was a key figure in bringing the European crown to The Bridge, will be a massive blow and the likes of Fernando Torres and Daniel Sturridge must fill the void. Chelsea look like they will have strengthened their squad significantly by the end of the summer but it’s hard to see them pulling off the same heroic victories to win the title this time around.
Premier League champions Manchester City (7/1 Champions League 2012/2013 outright) are obvious favourite to fly the flag for England in the Champions League this coming season, and for good reason. Manager Roberto Mancini and his men are a year older and a year wiser and with their star-studded squad they will certainly be there or thereabouts come this business end of the tournament.
With the likes of David Silva, Yaya Toure in the midfield and Argentine duo Carlos Tevez and Sergio Aguero up front, you can write off City in the Champions League at your peril.
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