2010/2011 Top European League Teams Round-up

Spain La Liga

Barcelona <4-3-3>

Valdes
Alves Puyol Pique Maxwell
Xavi Mascherano(Busquets) Iniesta
Messi Villa Pedro

Comment: Barc possess six of the Spain World Cup final starters and there is no question they remain the team to beat in Spain as well as in Champion League. Not only does the team has some of the most skillful players in the world, most of them have played together for both clubs and nations and developed great understanding. Ibrahimovic has been a mis-fit in the team and eventually was loaned to AC Milan. David Villa's arrival will bring the a top class goal scorer back to the team as Ibrahimovic has failed to fill the void left by Eto'o last season. As Henry has begun his new football adventure in America, Bojan may be given increase chance to kick-start his football career in back-up striker role. Mascherano arrived before the transfer deadline to fill the void left by YaYa Toure but could still face stiff competition from the continuous improving Busquets who had an impressive World Cup this summer.

Real Madrid <4-2-3-1>

Casillas
Ramos Caravalho Pepe Marcelo
Khedira Alonso
C.Ronaldo Ozil(KaKa) Di Maria
Higuain

Comment: Similar to his first year with Chelsea and Inter Milan, Mourinho made sure he has bought in quality players at several important positions: a reliable CB (Caravalho), an effective DMF (Khedira), a quality AMF (Ozil) and a skillful winger (Di Maria). This has always been Mourinho's winning formula. With these new additions, Real has a more balanced and deeper squad, with the likes of quality players Albiol, Diarra, Canales, Van Der Vaart, Benzema contributed from the bench. Kaka is nursing long-term injury that could keep him out for 3-4 months and young German sensational playmaker Ozil is ready to fill his place and it's hard to tell if Kaka can re-gain his starting spot upon his recovery. The one area Mourinho still wants to improve is the striker position. While Higuain has had great scoring record with the club and Benzema is aiming to have a revival 2nd season with the team, Mourinho has been targeting someone like Drogba to complete his potential title winning side.

Italy Serie A

Inter Milan <4-2-3-1>

Cesar
Maicon Lucio Samuel Zanetti
Motta (Stankovic) Cambiasso
Eto'o Sneijder Pandev
Milto

Comment: Benitez is in loss-loss situation. Last season, Mourinho has achieved the Treble for Inter Milan and it's simply impossible to reach new height, let alone matching similar level of achievement. Benitez now takes over a highly quality and efficient team developed by Mourinho with all the winning elements in every position in the team, the question is if the players may have lost their hunger for winning after last season ultimate success. Benitez did not make many changes other than selling the young Italian sensation FW Balotelli to Manchester City for crazy 30M! Inter does not have much weakness at the moment, but I have a feeling that Benitez may make some awkward and improper changes, just to show that he is superior to Mourinho. In the end, he may find not changing anything is better than inputting his silly idea. I never have trust in Benitez but Inter Milan is still too strong for not winning the Serie A.

AC Milan <4-2-3-1>

Abbiati

Bonera Nesta Silva Antonini

Pirlo Ambrosini

Pato Ronaldinho Robinho

Ibrahimovic

Comment: Two massive transfers before the trade deadline could make AC Milan become the most improving team this season. Ibrahimovic and Robinho may have failed to impress in Spain and England respectively, both could find new life in Italy Serie A, especially given Ibrahimovic's past successful experience in Serie A. These two skillful world-recognized stars could team-up with Ronaldinho and Pato to become one of the most fearful attcking combination throughout the Europe! The team still needs to get in more new-blood as they still contain too many ageing veterans such as Nesta, Pirlo, Gattuso, Seedorf, Inzaghi, Zambrotta, but with the exception of Nesta and Pirlo, they do not have to start every game like the past. Defense is still suspectful as Milan still could not afford injury to Nesta. The team is still lacking of strength in depth compared to Inter Milan but could finally fight with them all the way for Serie A title this season.

Juventus <4-4-2>

Buffon

Motta Bonucci Chiellini Grosso

Krasic Aquilani Melo Pepe

Amauri (Quagliarella) Del Piero

Comment: Juventus is going through a wholesale change as they attempt to rebuild their depleted team after failing to obtain a Champion League spot. Sampdoria manager Delneri arrive to replace Blanc while veteran CB Cannavaro, winger Camonersi and Brazilian playmaker Diego have all left. To rebuild their defense, Juventus acquire new Italian international RB Motta and CB Bonucci. To improve option up-front, Italian international FW Qualiarella was acquired from Napoli to give the ageing but always brilliant captain Del Piero a breather. Juventus will carry on their old-fashioned Italian tactics 4-4-2 with emphasis on attack through the wing with the arrival of rising Serbian winger Krasic and Italian international winger Pepe. Yet, the key of the team could be the performance of Brazilian international DMF Melo, who had a very disappointing debut season with Juventus last year, as well as Liverpool flop Italian playmaker Aqualiani. While there is no question regarding to their talent, they must turn around their horrible season last year to lead Old Lady for their determined revival. With so many new players coming in, it's natural for the team to take excessive time to gel together. While league title quest is too demanding for the team, a Champion League spot should be their aim.

AS Roma <4-4-2>:

Sergio

Cassetti Juan Mexes Riise

Menez Pizarro De Rossi Vucinic

Totti Borriello (Adriano)

Comment: Under manager Spalletti, Roma has been the closest challenger for Inter Milan during their Serie A domination period for the last few seasons. In reality, Roma never came close as they never have transfer budget to strengthen the squad. Roma has had a skillful and creative midfield with De Rossi,Pizarro,Taddei, but never have a decent striker to partner Totti up-front. After the failing experiement of playing veteran Toni as Totti's partner last season, Roma has signed veteran Brazilian forward Adriano and Milan Italian striker Borriello. Both are hopeful of providing some fire-power up-front but it's hard to see Adriano get back in top shape any time soon. The back-line is still seriously short in depth. Although a full-strength Roma can give Inter and AC a challenging game, the current Roma squad does not have the depth to fight for the league title.