Why the Champions League will be open and more competitive than previous years

Not many would have disagreed with Arsene Wenger. His observation seemed spot on, his assertion quite right on the money. For the 2013-2014 Champions League season, Bayern Munich were the favourites.

In fact, as Wenger aptly put it, they were the super favourites.

And that truly showed in the opening rounds — especially against Manchester City. At the Etihad Stadium, Bayern Munich out-passed and outplayed the Citizens. It seemed then as if the Bavarian club was on course to achieve the unachievable. Maybe, they could become the first club in the Champions League era to defend the European Cup.

But laboured wins against Arsenal and Manchester United in the knock out rounds brought about a sense of

Changing Times : Manuel Pellegrini

Manuel Pellegrini — one of football’s purists

Manuel Pellegrini is a man of quiet authority but immaculate intellectualism. The Chilean is thus one of the few football purist intelligentsia still around. His love for football to be played in a certain way – the attacking way – oozes out from all his teams.

What however contradicts him is that his teams rarely produce such tantalizing displays when required to.

Before his 4-1 demolition of Manchester United in the

Final day drama

Arsene Wenger celebrates at the end of the Premier League season *** image courtesy of zimbio ***

The excitement surrounding the final day drama hinges on that great illusion that everything comes down to one game.

Indeed, when much is at stake coming into the final game, the idea that a whole league season will be determined by one game does not seem all that unlikely. Relegation dogfights, title races, and of late, European positions when stretched as far as the final day bring that all encapsulating feeling that one game will determine everything.

Of course, that is not the entire truth. As Arsene wenger alluded to before his side

Mancini sacked as Man City change philosophy

Time is up for ZRoberto Mancini *** image courtesy of zimbio ***

The sad irony is that exactly a year after that infamous Aguero moment, Roberto Mancini is no longer Manchester City manager.

A lot can happen within the space of 12 months. The 13^th of May, 2012, will forever be remembered in Manchester City’s history as the day the 34 year long League drought was finally broken. 93:20 of the game against QPR will resonate. Aguero had made City champions of England, and Mancini was the man at the helm.

13^th May 2013 tells a different story. At 10:22pm GMT, the statement was realesed. Mancini was sacked.

It speaks volumes of the unforgiving nature of football management. Mancini had not done all that wrong. In fact, his record is exemplary for a club that had not tasted victory in years. Champions League qualification in his first full season, coupled with an FA Cup then a League title in the following season. That however did not matter once

Did Sergio Aguero win the Premier League for Manchester United?

Could this be the moment that defined this season’s title race? ** image courtesy of zimbio**

93:20.

It was in that exact minute and second that last season’s Premier League title race was ultimately defined. As it signalled the end of the Premier League season, celebrations ensued. Relief was clear for all to see. History had been made. Manchester United had been denied. Manchester City were champions.

That may not be the story any

English clubs in the Champions League

The most coveted trophy in European Club Football *** image courtesy of bbc ***

The tide may be shifting. Since 2004, at least one English club has reached the semi-final of the Champions League in every season since. In fact, in 2009, 3 of the 4 semi finalists were English. Only 2004 and 2010 saw them not having a finalist. In 2005, 2008 and 2012 they won it.

This has meant that England’s UEFA co-efficient has been relatively high. The UEFA co-efficient system is what determines how many clubs qualify for the Champions League from each country. England’s high co-efficient means that UEFA grants them 4 spots, the maximum that any association can have. They, along with Spain and Germany, are the only countries to have this.

That has also meant that for fans of English Premier League, the Champions League has become a matter of right. Familiarity has bred expectation.

The money it provides also means that mere qualification for it is now almost considered a trophy.

Mancini’s back three in the Champions League

Roberto Mancini issuing instructions ***photo courtesy of zimbio***

In Italy, it’s back in fashion. Three at the back is the in thing. And in a country blessed with the fashion sense of Milan and Rome, the in thing usually gets paraded around, adored, envied then ultimately imitated. Almost everyone seems to be doing it now. Antonio Conte is doing it at Juventus. Walter Mazzari has been doing it at Napoli. Francesco Guidolin the same at Udinese. And even the national team manager, Cesare Prandelli used it at the Euros. Against the world champions no less.

Roberto Mancini wants to be next.