August 31, 2010 - 6:09 pm

The Teams

Inter Milan (defending champions)

They may be champions of Italy, but can they continue their reign as European Champions? Considering that they were the first Italian team is history to get a treble of Serie A, Coppa Italia & UEFA Champions League in the 2009 – 10 season, we think so!!

Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho has left Inter Milan to manage the best team in Spain. With nine Champions League titles already under their belt, can Jose take them to their tenth?

Tottenham

Spurs go into their first ever Champions League campaign following last season’s fourth-place finish in the UK Premier League. Can Manager Harry Redknapp take them all the way? He was recently heard saying that “We’ve still got work to do. There are a couple of positions where we could just make ourselves that extra little bit better.”

Our friend David Ginola also used to play for them too!

Bayern Munich

They were the losing finalists of the 2009-10 season and current champions of the German cup. However, they haven’t taken an International title since 2001 – will this drive them to the top of the Champions league?

Lyon

They have appeared in the UEFA Champions League eleven times and, during the 2009–10 season, reached the semi-finals of the competition for the first time after three previous quarter-final appearances. Has the most popular football club in France got what it takes to win this season?

The Players

Ronaldo (Read Madrid) Portuguese

New father, Ronaldo, was named player of the year for the Champions League in 2008 and is famous for being the most expensive player in football history after being transferred to Real Madrid for £80 million. Will he continue his successful career or be distracted by fatherhood this season?

Lionel Messi (Barcelona) Argentinian

Olympic gold medalist Messi, has been dubbed the greatest footballer in contemporary football history and compared with the legendary Diego Maradona. Can he lead his team to victory?

Wayne Rooney (Manchester United) English

Rooney showed the world a lackluster performance in this year’s World Cup whilst playing with his native England. Despite this and fears over injury, can Rooney make amends and improve his performance this season?

David Villa (just joined Barcelona) Spanish

With a great performance in this year’s World Cup, Villa has now scored more World Cup goals than any other player in Spain’s history. He is often compared to Raúl and is definitely one to watch out for.

Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milian) Dutch

Helping the Dutch reach the final of this years World Cup and assisting in the first goal in the Inter Milan victory in last season’s Champions League, will surely give Sneijder a surge of confidence. Can he help his team reign supreme again?

UEFA Champions League Fact Box

  • The UEFA Champions League is the richest club football competition in the world.
  • Before 1992, the League was known as the European Cup and was a straight knock-out competition
  • Organised by UEFA since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe
  • Over 100 million people watch last year’s final on TV
  • The competitions’ all-time top goal scorer is Raúl with 66 goals in 132 games
  • Memorable games include:
  • Liverpool 3-3 Milan – Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties (2005 final). Liverpool came from 3-0 down, to 3-3
  • Man United 4-3 Real Madrid (2003 quarter-final second leg) – Ronaldo was given a standing-ovation for his performance.
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