Group Winners I - Chelsea, Bayern, Liverpool, Valencia.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Champions' League clubs in the round of 16.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Champions' League clubs in the round of 16.
CHELSEA
Weaknesses
Over reliance on Drogba in open play:
If the big Ivorian, who is enjoying an outstanding season, does not conjure up anything while the ball is in play, Chelsea seem unable to fashion a goal. Passing the ball off to Robben and letting him run at defences seems to have lost its effectiveness as well.
Over reliance on set pieces:
No one scores more frequently in big matches from set pieces - but these are typically hit or miss. If there is a paucity of corners or free kicks from decent areas - the Londoners are in a spot of bother.
Favour from referees:
Maybe it's the influence of the Russian rouble, maybe the pre-eminent stylings of a club trying to crash the G14 party or simply fear of upsetting them, but there's no denying that Chelsea, like many big clubs, routinely gets favourable decisions from referees and linesmen - perhaps more than others. It takes one strong referee and suddenly the decisions will seem to be going the other way.
Strengths
Consistency:
No one grinds out victories like they do. Despite the bland fare on offer on the pitch, rarely do more than 1 or 2 of Chelsea's players have an off night. And the rest (Lampard aside) routinely produce solid, efficient performances that do little wrong despite failing to inspire.
Set Pieces:
See weakness number 2 above. If you concede too many corners, free-kicks or throw-ins to the Blues, be prepared to concede too many goals as well.
Squad Depth:
Mourinho may be a few players off from having '2 established World class stars for every position on the pitch' - but he still has the most impressive armoury of depth charges to bring to bear on the opposition. Only Inter and Barcelona have comparable strength in depth.
BAYERN
Weaknesses
Over Reliance on Schweinsteiger:
A bit like France at recent International tournaments with Zidane, Bayern seem to rely too heavily on the interestingly surnamed German midfielder (it means pig climber in German apparently). They have impressive players all over the pitch but no one else seems to have the creative nous like Bastian. Give him the ball and unleash.
Attack is hit or miss:
Pizzaro, Santa Cruz and Makaay are deadly strikers on their day, capable of notching up a hat trick in 10 minutes - or of going 90 minutes with aimless or tepid shots on goal. Incapable of working themselves into games, Bayern's mercurial strikeforce may be their undoing.
Cannot break teams down:
Line up, form waves of defence and harry the ball carriers - Bayern will resemble orcs against the battlements in a children's movie. They'll keep coming but will be unable to unlock the gates.
Strengths
Good start:
Typically German, they start well, going straight at their opponents from the word go. No one seems to focus his troops pre-game like Magath, if their starts are anything to go by. In a 2 legged play-off tie, a good start in the opening leg is crucial.
Concentration:
They're boring on occasion, a bit toothless at times and generally tame - but they never make mistakes and have few, if any, defensive lapses. Efficient to the core, they stick to the task with classic determination and drive.
Never play badly as a whole:
A bit like Chelsea, they rarely have a bad game collectively. They may not have many good games either but Bayern will never lose the game to you - you have to beat them.
LIVERPOOL
Weaknesses
If Gerrard is off so are they:
Their captain is also their talisman, their performances inextricably linked to his onfield fortunes for the day. As peerless as he is at galvanising a team, there is no better example in modern club football of a sink and swim team than Liverpool. When he flops, the whole team follows ensuite.
Weak in the centre of midfield:
Once again, Gerrard cannot be everywhere, so, due to Momo Sissoko's injury, when Rafa Benitez deploys the captain on the right wing, there is a veritable hole in the centre of the park. For all their attacking nous, Xabi Alonso, Zenden et al cannot dictate the centre of the park while the rest of the midfield corps are an army of wingers.
Strengths
Strong defence:
Surprisingly, Carragher, Hyppia, Riise comprise as solid a defence as any in the continent. Made up of unremarkable internationals, it is consistently greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps Benitez brought over his defensive shtick that made Valencia one of the stingiest teams in Europe, perhaps Liverpool attacks with its defence, whatever it may be, this team is tricky to score against when in the mood.
Very good in knockout games:
On its day Liverpool is as good as anyone in the world, and while motivation and consistency are works in progress, no one gets up for a knockout game as the Reds do. Over the last 5 years few teams have been as impregnable over a 2 legged knockout tie. Barcelona beware.
VALENCIA
Weaknesses
Mercurial:
Some days they can destroy the best in Europe, Villa, Morientes, David Silva and Edu seemingly linking effortlessly to score at will. Other days they can lose at home to well.. Racing Santander. Entirely dependent on which team struts out on matchday, few teams remain an enigma like Valencia.
In fighting:
Flores may well be on his way out with the management and players converting the dressing room into the battle of the bulge. Mercurial they may be, there's no denying that team morale is an issue this term.
Joaquin:
I expected great things from the former Betis winger after his move to one of the bigger guns in Spain. He's been a sad disappointment - out of touch, out of place, inept.
Strengths
David Villa:
One of the best strikers in Europe. Equal parts finisher and creator.
Defence:
Albiol is an everpresent, Ayala is an evergreen. Valencia can keep attackers at bay like no one else. In crunch games, they have both the knowledge and the knack of taking the sting out of opponents' attacks.
Balance:
Deep, with equally qualified personnel all over the pitch and team bus - few teams are as balanced as Valencia. You don't just need multi-million dollar superstars to have an even team - just some competent footballers will do.
Weaknesses
Over reliance on Drogba in open play:
If the big Ivorian, who is enjoying an outstanding season, does not conjure up anything while the ball is in play, Chelsea seem unable to fashion a goal. Passing the ball off to Robben and letting him run at defences seems to have lost its effectiveness as well.
Over reliance on set pieces:
No one scores more frequently in big matches from set pieces - but these are typically hit or miss. If there is a paucity of corners or free kicks from decent areas - the Londoners are in a spot of bother.
Favour from referees:
Maybe it's the influence of the Russian rouble, maybe the pre-eminent stylings of a club trying to crash the G14 party or simply fear of upsetting them, but there's no denying that Chelsea, like many big clubs, routinely gets favourable decisions from referees and linesmen - perhaps more than others. It takes one strong referee and suddenly the decisions will seem to be going the other way.
Strengths
Consistency:
No one grinds out victories like they do. Despite the bland fare on offer on the pitch, rarely do more than 1 or 2 of Chelsea's players have an off night. And the rest (Lampard aside) routinely produce solid, efficient performances that do little wrong despite failing to inspire.
Set Pieces:
See weakness number 2 above. If you concede too many corners, free-kicks or throw-ins to the Blues, be prepared to concede too many goals as well.
Squad Depth:
Mourinho may be a few players off from having '2 established World class stars for every position on the pitch' - but he still has the most impressive armoury of depth charges to bring to bear on the opposition. Only Inter and Barcelona have comparable strength in depth.
BAYERN
Weaknesses
Over Reliance on Schweinsteiger:
A bit like France at recent International tournaments with Zidane, Bayern seem to rely too heavily on the interestingly surnamed German midfielder (it means pig climber in German apparently). They have impressive players all over the pitch but no one else seems to have the creative nous like Bastian. Give him the ball and unleash.
Attack is hit or miss:
Pizzaro, Santa Cruz and Makaay are deadly strikers on their day, capable of notching up a hat trick in 10 minutes - or of going 90 minutes with aimless or tepid shots on goal. Incapable of working themselves into games, Bayern's mercurial strikeforce may be their undoing.
Cannot break teams down:
Line up, form waves of defence and harry the ball carriers - Bayern will resemble orcs against the battlements in a children's movie. They'll keep coming but will be unable to unlock the gates.
Strengths
Good start:
Typically German, they start well, going straight at their opponents from the word go. No one seems to focus his troops pre-game like Magath, if their starts are anything to go by. In a 2 legged play-off tie, a good start in the opening leg is crucial.
Concentration:
They're boring on occasion, a bit toothless at times and generally tame - but they never make mistakes and have few, if any, defensive lapses. Efficient to the core, they stick to the task with classic determination and drive.
Never play badly as a whole:
A bit like Chelsea, they rarely have a bad game collectively. They may not have many good games either but Bayern will never lose the game to you - you have to beat them.
LIVERPOOL
Weaknesses
If Gerrard is off so are they:
Their captain is also their talisman, their performances inextricably linked to his onfield fortunes for the day. As peerless as he is at galvanising a team, there is no better example in modern club football of a sink and swim team than Liverpool. When he flops, the whole team follows ensuite.
Weak in the centre of midfield:
Once again, Gerrard cannot be everywhere, so, due to Momo Sissoko's injury, when Rafa Benitez deploys the captain on the right wing, there is a veritable hole in the centre of the park. For all their attacking nous, Xabi Alonso, Zenden et al cannot dictate the centre of the park while the rest of the midfield corps are an army of wingers.
Strengths
Strong defence:
Surprisingly, Carragher, Hyppia, Riise comprise as solid a defence as any in the continent. Made up of unremarkable internationals, it is consistently greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps Benitez brought over his defensive shtick that made Valencia one of the stingiest teams in Europe, perhaps Liverpool attacks with its defence, whatever it may be, this team is tricky to score against when in the mood.
Very good in knockout games:
On its day Liverpool is as good as anyone in the world, and while motivation and consistency are works in progress, no one gets up for a knockout game as the Reds do. Over the last 5 years few teams have been as impregnable over a 2 legged knockout tie. Barcelona beware.
VALENCIA
Weaknesses
Mercurial:
Some days they can destroy the best in Europe, Villa, Morientes, David Silva and Edu seemingly linking effortlessly to score at will. Other days they can lose at home to well.. Racing Santander. Entirely dependent on which team struts out on matchday, few teams remain an enigma like Valencia.
In fighting:
Flores may well be on his way out with the management and players converting the dressing room into the battle of the bulge. Mercurial they may be, there's no denying that team morale is an issue this term.
Joaquin:
I expected great things from the former Betis winger after his move to one of the bigger guns in Spain. He's been a sad disappointment - out of touch, out of place, inept.
Strengths
David Villa:
One of the best strikers in Europe. Equal parts finisher and creator.
Defence:
Albiol is an everpresent, Ayala is an evergreen. Valencia can keep attackers at bay like no one else. In crunch games, they have both the knowledge and the knack of taking the sting out of opponents' attacks.
Balance:
Deep, with equally qualified personnel all over the pitch and team bus - few teams are as balanced as Valencia. You don't just need multi-million dollar superstars to have an even team - just some competent footballers will do.
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