Top Teams of the Season 8-11

11. Atletico Madrid

Last year Atletico had an experienced keeper, this year they try their luck with Spain's greatest goalkeeper talent, Asenjo. The question is whether he is ready to taking responsibility for a team that rates as high as Atletico Madrid.
In defense, it is somewhat unclear. Tough Perea is no longer first choice; he has also been used as a right back. Parea is one of the fastest defenders but lacks offensive qualities to play right back. However, Valera returned to the club after being on loan, neither of the two right-backs possesses the qualities required of a right-back at top level in Spain. In the middle Ujfalusi will be a favorite to start in the middle with experience from Fiorentina, HSV and more than 50 caps for his nationalteam. The last place the 33 years old Juanito and Pablo will fight over. Both are aggressive and have extensive experience in La Liga and the Spanish national team. But by moving Perea on the right side Atletico miss a player with speed who can stand by Pablo or Juanito. At left is Antonio Lopez, a player who is both a good when attacking and defending. He have good crosses, and offer much in attack but is still very disciplined when defending. Substitute is not bad player, Pernia with his fierce shot and free kick. Madrid can also use Lopez as a left winger if they want to use Pernia a left back. In midfield, there are more than enough quality. Paulo Assunção and Juarado are the favorites to start center. Paulo will take responsibility for the defensive work while Jurado will take care of the offensive. Juarado had a great season when he was on loan at Mallorca, 9 goals and 10 assists. His firsttouch, technique, and not least passes were last season a joy to watch. On the bench, Santana who can play defensive, offensive and as right midfielder. Raul Garcia likes the most the offensive role, but can also play as defensive midfielder. But one of Spain's greatest talents Camacho is also on the bench and the question is how much playing time this boy will get. Last year should have been the year that he would gradually be used as a starter, but we saw several times that Camacho was not included in the match days squad. Camacho is a bright tough midfielder who plays simple when he have the the ball. Last year did not help much with his confidence. The struggle to get playing time at midfield at Atletico Madrid is much tougher than last season. If Camacho is not included, this will probably be his last year in Madrid. On the wings Atletico have, Simao who can play on both sides, is fast and good at getting in the crosses. Scores also good number of goals. One of the many good wings produced in Portugal. Reyes is also brought back after being on loan to Benfica. The question is whether there is much left in Reyes? On top Atletico perhaps have one of the world's most dangerous duo. Forlan and Aguero! A total goals scored well over 40 goals last year. There were questions about Atletico would manage to hold on to these two strikers. Both are technically good, Forlan, however, one of the world's best finishers within the box, but still have a very good long shot. Both are fast and difficult to predict. Aguero also have a incredible acceleration with and without the ball and is very good at dribbling. Otherwise, fast Pongolle is a very good substitute. He can also play as wing, but is best as strike. In Atletico, there is much quality. But you miss a formation where you can fit more of the great profiles on the field.

Profile: Forlan
Will either fly ore never take off: Aguero

10 Liverpool


There has been much trouble in Liverpool, especially off the field. Liverpool have plenty of experience in their team and also some young good prospects. Goalie situation looks very good. Two good goalkeepers. Reina is first choise and Cavaleieri is a good backup. Right-back Johnson will be clear first choice a very good buy by Benitez. Degen is also back after long injury, but anyway he will be far away from any starting 11. At the left back it is very exciting. Dossena fighting hard to come into the World Cup squad of Italy, he offers nothing special offensively. A strange move by Benitez to replace Riise with Dossena. Insua, however, my favorite. Full of potential, an exciting player who's going to be a great player if he is taken care of and gets to play himself into the starting 11. Next one is Aurelio, who also can play left midfield. One time, one of Europe's most exciting left back. Typical Brazilian back. Offer much creativity, joins the attack as much as possible, but weak in defense.
In the middle looks very good. Ayala is a young player who we'll likely to see some of the future. Carragher possesses a world of experience and will lead the defense. Big giants Kyrgikos and Agger will fight with Skrtel to take a seat next to Carragher. Something Benitez must have in mind is that Carragher and Kyrgikos are over 30 years, however, Agger and Skrtel are both 24 years. Should Agger or Skrtel be put on the bench too often, Liverpool will lose a player who would offer much in the future especially now that the money bag is closed in Liverpool. In midfield, Alonso is gone, but Aquilani is brought in. A great buy again from Benitez. Very similar to Alonso in the style of play, great passes, nice shot, extremely good at reading the game. But still a big risk, Aquilani is often injuired so it is hard to build the tactic around. Mascherano is one of the best players in his position. Lucas is one year older and will continue to grow, fighting also to get to World Cup 2010. The offensive midfielder role, both Benayoun playing in the legend or Gerrard. On the left side, is the great struggle between Riera, Babel and Benayoun who also can play the edge. All 3 are very different players. But Benitez is likely to move Benayoun on the left. On the right-hand side, Kuyt is favorite to take place. No typical winger, but one of Benitez's favorites. El Zahr also expect playing time this year. So it will be fun to see the great talent will get some space in this team. On top Liverpool has one of the world's best goal scorers, Torres. Torres could be out of a game entirely and suddenly wake up and win the match on his own. But rather on the bench is not much quality should Torres get hurt. Liverpool's game is built around some great players. But should these players be injured Liverpool will struggle to deal with difficult times. Should the big players also have a bad season Liverpool will really be hurt. They are vulnerable and have too small width in their squad to be any higher on this list.

My starting 11:
Reina
Johnson - Carragher - Skrtel - Insua
Aquilani - Marscherano
Kuyt - Gerrard - Benayoun
Torres

Profile: Gerrard
Will either fly ore never take off: Aquilani

9. Manchester City

Last year was not the what the bosses in Manchester expected. For some there was also something unexpected that Hughes kept his job. This year, Hughes acted more correctly in the transfer marked. All players except Sylvinho have experience in the English Premier Leauge. This way there will be less risk, and the players need less time to adapt. With Shay Given in goal, it seems that City have one of the better goalkeepers in England. This will help them much in hopes of reaching top 4
City this year also have a very good defense. But a leader will lack in defense. Toure have a lot of experience, but he is not a big leader. Lescott is a strong player in defense but not a great leader. Toure and Lescott are two good players who fill each other very well, but the question is who's the boss? One other question is, what happens to Onuoha? One major talent that has plenty to offer England in the years, but does he have something to offer City? On the left side thing seems to be good, with the Bridge as a favorite and Garrido and Sylvinho as reserves. On the right side one of Britain's greatest talents Richards is favorite. Strong player and rapid, but lacks what is needed for a offensive rightback . He is also young, so the performances will vary much, so it is good to have Zabeleta ready on the bench.
Central midfield: Barry, Ireland and De Jong are the favorite players to play. But it's missing creativity. There is much running, muscles and determination. But a technical player who can fix it up or do the impossible with the ball is not to be found. Then comes a new quastion, what will happen with Johnson? City has been known for a very good academy, and this was giving good results. But City and Hughes have not shown particularly interest to these guys. Johnson is a great talent in England and deserves to be a part of this team as a good young star. Which it seems will not happen in City. On the sides, City have a lot to offer. Especially a lot of speed. Tevez, Bellamy, Petrov, Robinho and Wright Phillips has all the speed and technique. But beside Petrov they miss world-class crosses. Beyond Bridge and Petrov City misses a good crosser. The team have enough speed on the sides and will be very good on transitions, but will face hard time when the system is known. When oponents lies behind and the style of City is somewhat more exposed. If the crosses dont sit against oponent that defend well ,City totally depend on the wing players to do the impossible with the ball and not at least, a good and creative playmaker to try to break trough. Besides Robinhio City miss a world-class player who can round every defensive player and the great magician missing in midfield. It must also be asked one questioned the purchase of Santa Cruz. A target player who is so good in the box, what will City do with him when they dont not have players who can put him up in the desired situation. However, Tevez and Adebayor fits perfect for this position. There is also collected players who are known to cause poor morale in the dressing room. So it will be interesting to see if they manage to get out of bad times without any of the players damages the club's collective efforts.

My starting 11:

Given
Richards-Toure-Lescott-Bridge
Irland-De Jong-Barry
Wright Phillips-Adebayor-Robinhio

Profile: Barry
Make it or never fly: Tevez

8. Bayern Munchen

Bayern Munich has hired the right man for the job. Van Gaal have a particular play style. That will help Bayern for years to come. He can initiate a playing style that the club may live on for years to come. He is not a coach who is afraid to put stars on the bench. Bayern have generally a good team. One pair of big stars, some good young players who take the step up from their own academy. But the balance is missing. The team should be good enough to win Bundesliga, but one must not be deceived by names such as: Ribery and Robben. The team is far weaker than their goldenyears with players like Effenberg, Elber, Khan, Lucio, Ze Roberto, etc. The team has too many weak players and Van Gaal have a big task in front of him, to transform this team. In the goal Bayern have Butt and Rensing. Rensing has not devopled to be the new Khan, who many hoped for and Butt dont hold any top class level. In the defense Lahm is one of the best in his role as back, where Braafheid is a fullback that is safe. Does not offer much upward and secures back on track well. Van Buyten is a big, strong defender with good leadership. But lack technical skills and speed, which a defender should have when the team is fighting for gold. Demichelis fills him well, in terms of speed. But Demichelis also lack skills with the ball. therfore it will open up a place for young Badstuber. Breno is also one of the biggest talents in German football and should get his share of playing time. On the defensive midfield position Bayern have one of Europe's best players in this posisjoenn (Tymoshchuk) and have plenty of width if there is any injurey or bad of form. Otherwise, there is a lot stamine and work rate on the two midfield places stil empty. But the team lacks a creative player with good passing that can bind the team togheter. Van Bommel, Altintop and Ottl are all good runers. But the creative player such as: Sosa, Pranjic and Scweinsteiger are technical players. But far from any world class players in a top team in Europe. However Bayern have great quality on the wings. Robben and Ribery are perhaps the world's best duo and the team have plenty of substitutes for these players. At the top Van Gaal is missing a player who fits his style. Luca Toni, who lack technical skills to play the system required of Gaal. Olic is fast but far from a world class striker. Klose has the skill, but still dont score goals for the club team. Gomez is a young and fast player. He also had a very good season last year, it will be interesting to see how he devolp this season. Otherwise, Bayern`s Muller is a young good player who can play in many positions. But he is a young player and you can not build a team around him. He should have the least possible pressure on the shoulders and work his way up in peace.


Profile: Ribery
Will either fly ore never take off: Gomez