| The final four are set for the Champions League. Which team is the favorite to take home the trophy? Here is how the final four rank heading into the contest.
4. Atletico Madrid In reality los Colchoneros could easily be in second place on this list. The team took down Barcelona with minor difficulty in the quarterfinals and looks poised to win the Spanish League crown in a few weeks. Diego Simeone has proven himself an apt manager and has gotten his top players to buy into his system. The major hesitation is experience at this level. While the team did win the Copa del Rey, one cannot forget that Atletico was trounced by Real Madrid earlier this season in the Copa del Rey semifinals. Who knows how the team does against other sides with superior talent or brilliant managers like Jose Mourinho? 3. Chelsea Jose Mourinho managed to win the quarterfinals almost on his own. His brilliant tactics won the day even though his team was rather mediocre over the course of two legs against Paris Saint-Germain. |
Who knows how bad the injury of Eden Hazard will effect this team moving forward. More importantly, can its strikers continue to score in key moments. The Demba Ba goal on Tuesday was great and all, but the result came from luck, not from superb performances from the three strikers. Chelsea can definitely win the tournament, but is the side really as good as the other two teams above it?
2. Real Madrid
Los Blancos are currently playing their worst soccer of the year. The team simply has not looked as good as it did prior to losing 4-3 against Barcelona. That defeat seemed to suck some energy out of the squad and the result has been a slumping club. Carlo Ancelotti has failed in this tournament before and it will be his job to right the ship in the final rounds.
While the defense remains sloppy, there can be no doubt that at their best, Madrid is a monster offensively and could easily outscore anyone of the remaining clubs. The injury of Cristiano Ronaldo could potentially hurt this team in the long run, but there is no reason to believe that Real Madrid cannot win this tournament.
1. Bayern Munich
They are still the defending champions and the team most likely to reclaim the crown. Pep Guardiola has taken a great team and made it better; though not without its weaknesses. The last few weeks have been tough for Bayern and overall the team looks more beatable than it did a few weeks ago. Just ask Manchester United. The passing game is getting predictable, but as United can attest, this is far from a one-dimensional squad. When the going gets tough with the tiki taka this is a side that, unlike Barcelona, can switch to a quick game on the flanks. This is the most dangerous side in the tournament.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
