The Champions League features the best teams in Europe competing for the top award. Many of the top competitors from last year's competition are back again to try and take what they think is theirs. Here are the top 10 contenders at this year's competition.
10. Arsenal
The English side got drawn into arguably the toughest group of the competition and could find trouble climbing out of a group that includes the likes of Napoli and Borussia Dortmund. After a disastrous season opener against Aston Villa, Arsene Wenger's troops seem to be back to form, pulling off four straight wins while not conceding a single goal. The addition of Mesut Özil is a huge boost for the club as it provides Arsenal with an elite attacking midfielder that can not only set up goals, but can also score them. He will also take some pressure off Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey in the midfield. Arsenal could get out of the group in second place and could be primed for a deep run with Özil leading the way.
9. Benfica
The Portuguese side drew a rather easy group that includes the likes of Paris Saint-Germain, Olympiacos and Anderlecht. While none of these teams should be overlooked (especially not PSG), Benfica is a bonafide contender that is coming off a season that saw it make a deep run to the Europa League championship and the team has the experience for a deep Champions League run.
8. Paris Saint-Germain
The defending French champs are stronger this year with the addition of Edinson Cavani and could easily leave Group C as the winners. A year ago, PSG made a run to the quarterfinals where it stood up to Barcelona in a 3-3 aggregate through two matches. If not for the away goals, PSG may have been one of the four finalists in the tournament. The French squad is one to watch out for and could be a dark horse finalist this season.
7. Juventus
The Italian champs do not see themselves as contenders on the level of Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund but they should not be taken lightly. They are fortified by the acquisition of some offensive weapons this summer and could be a dangerous opponent for any of the top sides in the tournament. Of course, they have to get through a gigantic task that is Group B. Real Madrid will likely pose a titanic problem for them, but will also afford the Italian team a chance to measure where they are against the top clubs in the tournament. Galatasaray and Copenhagen will provided lesser problems, but difficulties still lie ahead for the Italians. If Juventus manages to get out of Group B, then the team could make a deep run in the tournament on confidence alone.
6. Manchester United
Manager David Moyes has yet to prove that he is the right man for the job. In just three weeks his team has gone from a dominating beast to a team unable to break a defensive trap set by Jose Mourinho's Chelsea. In the latest week of matches, United imploded against Liverpool and lost 1-0 despite dominating the second half. This United team may have some nice pieces but Moyes has not impressed. If he manages to get them going by the time February rolls around, he may have one of the top teams on his side and could make a deep run in this tournament. Robin Van Persie is a lethal scorer and Wayne Rooney will be motivated to prove he is still the top dog at the Old Trafford.
5. Real Madrid
The top five can all arguably compete for the top spot on this list, but Madrid starts off at No. 5 by virtue of the team's current lack of identity. The addition of Gareth Bale is sure to help the team in the long run but in the short term it will cause some identity problems. Where does Bale play? What happens to Angel Di Maria and Karim Benzema? Is Benzema really a solid striker option for this club in front of Bale and Ronaldo? Can Isco keep up the magic for a full season as Los Blanco's top central midfielder? What happens in goal between Diego Lopez and Iker Casillas? These questions will eventually be answered but whether or not they all yield positive answers for Madrid is yet to be seen. This team is undoubtedly a top contender, but may not be able to stand up to other teams on this list.
4. Borussia Dortmund
One should never bet against Jürgen Klopp, but the reality is that his club will miss Mario Götze this season. Dortmund will surely make a deep run in the tournament this year, but they will have to battle in a tough group that includes the likes of Arsenal and Napoli. Then there is the question of Robert Lewandowksi. Who knows if the Polish striker leaves during the January transfer window? If this happens, then the team could be in a dire circumstance heading into the knockout rounds. It is not completely out of the realm of possibility and the issue continuing to loom could ultimately hurt the stability of the club.
3. Chelsea
Anyone who watched the UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Bayern Munich knows that Chelsea is for real. The English side crashed out of the tournament last year as defending champions but made a deep run to win the Europa League. This season, Jose Mourinho is back in the dugout and is looking to win his third Champions League title with a different side. He has a relatively young squad that has proven itself defensively and offensively against the best teams. The season is still young and Mourinho already has Chelsea clicking on most cylinders. How much better can they get?
2. Barcelona
They did not get their elusive center-back this summer, but it is hard to say that Barcelona did not improve during the summer transfer window. The addition of Neymar is huge for the club offensively and the return of a healthy Lionel Messi to the Champions League provides the team with an upgrade better than any other. People seem to forget that this club lost to Munich without Lionel Messi at full health; this factor alone makes last year's run a fluke of sorts. Cesc Fabregas is off to a terrific start this season and Coach Gerardo Martino seems intent on resting top players early in the year to help them acquire sufficient stamina for the more intense games up ahead. Barcelona will be semifinalists again this year and could potentially make a run at the final if the cards fall right for them.
1. Bayern Munich
The defending Champions did not lose any major stars and added the likes of Mario Götze and Thiago Alcantara. Both are young and primed to help the squad in its ambitions of a repeat. Throw in the likes of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben who are hungry to repeat last year and you have a collection of players ready to prove they are still the best. New coach Pep Guardiola has the team playing a new brand of attacking soccer; Munich is still not at its best and has already claimed the UEFA Super Cup. Just imagine: how much better they will be once May rolls around? Munich is undoubtedly the favorite to lift the Champions League trophy next summer.
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