Real good, but still not good enough

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The pundits in Madrid are going to be slobbering over a performance that saw Tottenham Hotspur put to the sword brutally for some time to come, but those who are not quite as enamoured with Real Madrid watched their game against Spurs in the knowledge that they failed to show a complete game that could help them defeat the likes of Barcelona or Manchester United in the future, with both of those sides far stronger defensively than Spurs were last night and who both have an immense counter-attacking unit that they could unleash against a defensively weak Real side that looked vulnerable at times even against the ten men of Spurs.

Sure, they have the offensive capabilities to really go for it when they have possession but they lack the defensive strength to show themselves to have the characteristics that previous Mourinho sides have displayed when they have gone all the way and won the Champions League. However, although they lack this, they may benefit from the fact that they will have the chance to face their greatest threat in the competition in the next round, rather than the final, as their likely opponents look to be Barcelona. However, before this can happen, they will surely see their defensive capabilities tested thoroughly by Spurs at the Lane as they look to play with no fear and with nothing to lose against Real. The Champions League betting odds suggest it could be an interesting game.

If they can progress as they are widely expected to, then they will subsequently need to show that they are good enough to beat Barcelona over two legs. Then, and only then, can the players hope to show Mourinho that they are good enough physically and mentally to go all the way to Wembley and pick up the Champions League trophy, making history for Mourinho in the process.

Do The Champions Have Enough Depth To Lift The Title Again?

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Chelsea have had a fantastic start to the season and there is no doubt that they are very much the title favourites at the moment. They also have an impressive goal difference of 21 from the first 7 games. However with the news that Yossi Benayoun is set for a 6 month stint on the sidelines do Chelsea have enough in their squad to win the title again?

So far this season Chelsea have been without Frank Lampard, John Terry and Alex with Jose Bosingwa also still out. These men have all been consistent performers in Chelsea shirts and although they do have strength in some positions others, particularly central defence, looks weak especially as they didn’t sign a central defender to replace Ricardo Carvalho who moved to Real Madrid in the summer.

It is by no means panic stations for Chelsea at the moment but if they are to compete in both the Premiership and the Champions League this season then their needs to be some squad rotation involved if the players are to last the whole season.

The Chelsea squad is considerably weakened from last year with Joe Cole, Michael Ballack, Deco, Ricardo Carvalho and Juliano Belletti all having left the club and the only summer arrivals being Ramires and Benayoun. Even though all of the players above didn’t play week in week out for Chelsea they were always quality options that they had to bring on that they no longer do.

The hope is that Chelsea are able to bring through some of their younger players to fill the gaps, however there has been very little young talent coming into the Chelsea team over the last few seasons so it s going to be a big step up for the youngsters.

If Chelsea can keep the majority of their first team squad fit then they are still in pole position for the title but with Manchester City in particular not far behind. and with a much larger squad of first team players, Chelsea can not afford to get complacent or pick up too many injuries otherwise they may not be able to retain the title this season. 

Written by Colin Hill, a sports blogger who writes about euro 2012 shirts.