PSV 1 - 0 Arsenal

Arsenal's insistence on doing things the hard way was highlighted yet again as they picked a rather inopportune time to slip to their first defeat of 2007. Despite marginally outshooting their Dutch opponents overall and arguably dominating the first half they left the Philipstadion nursing a 1-0 defeat. PSV, missing half their top striking partnership in the form of an injured Jefferson Farfan, made the most of their opportunities and sealed a good win over their opponents from London. Despite leading the Eredivisie there has been a lack of imperious authority about PSV's performances since the start of the new year. This win should serve as a filip for reigniting the dominance that saw them soar in 2006 and race to a handy lead in the race for domestic honours.

On a day when their attack was a little disjointed, their talismanic rearguard came through with flying colours. Brazilians Gomes, in goal, and centre-half Alex, gave a clinic on positioning and snuffing out attacking threats as they ensured Arsenal's attack kept another clean sheet. Gomes' close range stop from Thierry Henry's turn and shot was crucial in setting the tone of the contest and he ensured that no one and nothing got past him. On the one occasion that Tomas Rosicky's shot eluded him, Carlos Salcido cleared off the line. In a nutshell that summed up the performance for Arsenal. Ronald Koeman managed to get an off colour PSV team to perform much better than the sum of it's parts. PSV might not dazzle and destroy but can make the odd period of dominance pay off in spectacular fashion. A quality oddly lacking in their opponents on the day.

Admittedly the game was unremarkable and Edison Mendez's strike, from 25 yards out, was comfortably the pick of the day's goals. Yet if Arsenal's season extinguishes itself in the next 2 weeks, games like this will surely serve to highlight their weaknesses. Their complete lack of consistent attacking inventiveness around the box has come back to haunt them time and again yet there seems to end in sight. Against Blackburn one could argue that a wall of 7 defenders around the 6 yard box made things very hard. But PSV offer more optimistic fare and there was plenty of space for Arsenal to push through. Yet the space around the backline was wasted and there was a worrying lack of urgency to the proceedings.

Emmanuel Adebayor, strangely off-colour, was left on for the whole game when a more enterprising approach would surely have replaced him with Jeremie Aliaderie from the bench. In the event Wenger resorted to throwing on the clumsy Julio Baptista who only served to confirm that his future lies away from the Gunners. Thierry Henry's morbid mercurialness plumbed new depths as he seemed to give up and not care once his first 2 shots didn't go in. His pathetic claims of being hit in the face when he was pushed was matched only by his general apathy to the cause. Wenger needs to take a stand. For every game that Henry plays brilliantly, there follows a spate in which he's unremarkably rubbish. This is not captaincy material.

One only look at Timmy Simons's game to see how far hard work and grit gets you when the chips don't fall your way. Along with a seemingly evergreen Phillip Cocu, they managed to keep a much more gifted Arsenal midfield at bay the whole game. With Salcido and Manuel Da Costa putting in solid shifts at the the back, PSV strove to ensure that when they were in the ascendancy, for the first part of the second half, they got results. Crucially, Mendez's arrival for Aruna Kone's layoff, was a couple of yards away from Gilberto. Positioning was the defining aspect of this tie.

Still, this tie is far from over, Arsenal can easily overcome this deficit at home - but they have to be wary of conceding away goals off counter-attacks despite dominating - the hallmark of their season so far. Arsenal will be wary of a repeat of their elimination at the hands of Valencia in 2001 - on away goals despite winning 2-1 at home (albeit in the first leg). And Farfan should be back - PSV will look to seal the deal.

There's life in this corpse yet
Real 3 - 2 Bayern

It is decidedly ironic that the 2 worst teams remaining in the draw should serve up the best game of the round. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have won the competition 13 times between them but are outside bets for this year's title. Both are in need of new personnel, retooling and a fresh approach. Whereas Bayern have already replaced their coach, rumous emanating from the Bernebeu suggested that Real were about to do the same.

In the event, both teams got down to play some serious ball and served up a trully thrilling contest. Raul's opener came from the sweetest move of the night as a through ball from Ruud van Nistelrooy (of all people) found Raul beyond Bayern's creaking backline. The latter's finish was clinical more than clean and for the upteenth time this season, Bayern had been opened up by some clever pacy passing. Daniel van Buyten's lack of positional sense (or lack thereof) and unease against pace has surely come to signify his possible departure from the Bayern starting XI once a genuine contender emerges.

Lucio on the other hand is a hard working defender who, for all his limited ability, never has a really rank game. His arrival to meet Willy Sagnol's free kick, unmarked was completed with the easy header into Real's net for the equalizer. One felt Real were ripe for the taking. However, David Beckham of all people ensured that Real had plenty left in the tank. 2 set piece plays - one a corner and the other a free kick - found Raul and van Nistelrooy respectively. 2 scrappy finishes later Real were leading 3 - 1. If Gonzalo Higuain had converted after being sent clear by Beckham, Real may have sealed the game early in the second half. In the event, Higuain missed, got substituted and Fabio Capello lost his nerve. Not happy with having brought on the defensive midfielder Michael Salgado for Higuain, he then took wingback Roberto Carlos off for a pure defender in Raul Bravo. Carlos had earlier taken out Owen Hargreaves, who suffered another ankle injury - Manchester United will watch developments closely no doubt.

Eventually, Bayern came back strongly, Van Bommel's shot from outside the box, eluding Casillas, was the least they deserved. The jury may still be out on Gonzalo Higuain but I've made up my mind - he's not that good. In time he may become an above average forward in Spain but at present he's out of his depth. For Bayern, Lukas Podolski and Roy Makaay were typically anaemic for the upteenth time this season. Claudio Pizarro, who came on for the former, shone briefly but did little to convince that he can carry Bayern's attack. Unable to work themselves into games, Bayern's attacking corps need to be euthanised sooner than later. Bastian Schweinsteiger was notably anonymous, hounded throughout by Fernando Gago, who was preferred to the diabolical Emerson, in the Real backfield. Whereas his contribution outshone his compatriot Higuain's, Bayern will not be quaking in their boots for the return leg. For Real it is a damning indictment of their lack of personnel that Beckham, who leaves at the end of the season, was their attacking fulcrum.

Even though Real won, the 3-2 scoreline would, at best, be described as pyrrhic. In a week's time they return to Bavaria.

2003 - Milan 0 - 0 Juventus (Milan win on penalties)

I had a hangover from the night before as I settled into my buddy's leather sofa to watch this. The Milan Inter semi-final had been tense and the evil empire of Juve loomed large in the final.

My first thoughts as the game kicked off - wow the pitch at Old Trafford looks beautiful, flat, smooth and well manicured. Juve looked less so - seemingly more intent on keeping Sheva and Rui Costa underwraps and stifling Milan than going out and actually trying to win the match. Shevchenko DID score and I will always maintain that it was a goal - but strangely it was ruled offside - rubbish. In retrospect I can try and attribute some of it to Moggipoli but I doubt his influence reached that far into the game. Gattuso was his usual bulldog self, bulldozing everything that moved in a jailhouse shirt. One shot from him from within his own half had to be palmed away by Buffon. Trezequet hung around in the box and off the backline waiting just waiting for a scrap. He got none. At the other end Inzaghi ran and ran and ran some more but did nothing. Once Ambrosini came on for Rui Costa I knew it was going to be penalties.

That livened things up and fittingly Sheva stroked home the winning spot kick. Everyone celebrated, I was finally fully awake - albeit in a warm fuzzy way. At this point hilarity ensured. Christian Brocchi, who hadn't played the final and had done precious little the whole tournament, grabbed the trophy and paraded it around Old Trafford as if he had singlehandedly won the damn thing. The bemused looks on Maldini and Inzaghi's faces were priceless - not to mention the one of pure joy on little Christian's face. I laughed so hard. I'm still laughing right now.

2004 - Porto 3 - 0 Monaco

First Arsenal somehow managed to lose 3-2 to Chelsea in the QF. Then Milan had let Depor wallop 4 past them to lose 5-4 in their QF. My dream Arsenal - Milan final was off. So, needless to say, I was more than a little disenchanted at watching Porto take on Monaco. I was still pining and had little interest in watching either. But watch I did and I was glad for it afterwards.

It was a good final. Porto manhandled Monaco. Their forward pressing, defensive coverage and all round organisation too much for Monaco. And they had Deco. One moment I remember was, Maniche of all people, dekeing out both Ludovic Giuly and Jerome Rothen in the middle of the park before passing the ball off to Deco who proceeded to dazzle and deke some more. From start to finish Porto were all over Monaco. From start to finish I kept thinking of Arsenal and Wayne 'blooming' Bridge. Watching Chelsea now it's hard to believe that a Mourinho coached team can actually play like this. I knew Deco would be off (he went to Barcelona); I didn't expect Giuly to join him.

This final was special in that it is the only final we'll ever see again that featured 2 teams from outside the established group of 14 big clubs. And for that, it should be remembered.

2005 - Liverpool 3 - 3 Milan (Liverpool win on penalties)

Wow - what a final. Arguably the best Champions' League final in terms of sheer excitement and goals. Once Maldini scored I had this creepy feeling that the game would taper off and die an effete death. Then Crespo scored. And scored again. 2 swift finishes from some sweet midfield passing. I had this warm feeling inside and decided to go back to work after halftime - having taken a late lunch

Halftime ended, I thought, 'you know what? 10 more minutes'. Then Gerrard scored. I thought 'you know what? let's just wait till the end'. Then Smicer scored and I got this sinking feeling. How that ball went in I'll never know. And then Gerrard crumpled easily in the box and I knew Milan were fooked. Alonso muffed the shot but Milan were static on the rebound and he rushed to convert. Thereafter I could not believe how Dudek kept out Milan and especially Sheva's shot at the end of extra time. There has never been such all round defensive ineptitude in a final and never will be again.

Penalties were nerve wracking and once Smicer converted his kick, I knew the comeback was complete. As circular as things are in football - 2 years after scoring the winning penalty, Shevchenko missed the decisive one this time.

2006 - Barcelona 2 - 1 Arsenal

The trick to English clubs winning the Champions' League final is to spot the opposition a goal or three and then mount a comeback. Arsenal obviously missed that class because instead of handing them a goal advantage they let Barcelona go a man up and then actually took the lead.

After having waited my whole life to see the Gunners reach the final I was determined not to let Lehmann's sending off spoil my mood. Playing 1-0 down with 11 men seemed a lot worse than leading 1-0 with 10 once Campbell got his head onto the end of Henry's free kick and scored. I was ecstatic. But I will admit it was a dive by Eboue. Still Rooney's dive cost us our unbeaten run and Barca dive plenty so I wasn't unduly morally shocked.

Beating the best team in the world with 11 men is hard enough - beating them with 10 is nigh impossible. Atleast we held out for 75 minutes. Arsenal were better in losing than many teams are in winning and we battled and fought right to the end. If Henry had taken his chance when he turned in Eboue's cross things would have been over much earlier.

I actually thought the opening goal would be enough but once Larsson came on he changed things. First, Samuel Eto'o scored a good goal at the far post. I felt Almunia should have gotten something onto it as he was in position but hey it's Eto'o. Belletti's goal though was a shocker - it went off the inside of Almunia' leg. What the bloody hell. Perhaps it would have been better if Lehmann had stayed on.

Still I couldn't complain - Barcelona had beaten us fair and square and it was a good final I guess. I was proud of Arsenal. I knew they'd be back.

1995 - Ajax 1 - 0 Milan

Frustrating. Not only were Milan never in top gear the whole season, losing out to Juventus domestically, they were always a little off the pace in Europe - and they still reached the final. Patrick Kluivert had been the difference between the sides in the group stage and was the only player Milan could not really shackle.

Inevitably, it was Kluivert who scored in the final as a young vibrant Ajax beat a rather limp Milan. My favorite, Savicevic didn't play, Boban was off colour and Baresi was a yard too slow all night. Louis Van Gaal had unleashed his brood on Europe and in retrospect it was a very good Ajax team that beat Milan that night. They passed around very well and their movement off the ball was too much for Albertini and Donadoni to handle. It would be another 9 years before Milan made it back to the final.

When it rains it pours: this time I got to see the Cup Winners' Cup final and this time Arsenal proceeded to lose in rather farcical circumstances. David Seaman would go on to get get lobbed and beaten from distance several times in his career - this was arguably the most high profile. if 1994 was my zenith as a football fan, 1995 was definitely the nadir.


1996 - Juventus 1 - 1 Ajax (Juventus win on penalties)

When the white feather, Fabrizio Ravanelli, scores, his inevitable celebration is a 'I told you so' run towards the coach with his finger pointed. He didn't do that here despite scoring from the spot as Juventus surged to a lead.

Ajax however, were better in this game and looked sharper with smooth passing and movement - hallmarks of the Louis Van Gaal style. Litmanen's leveller was the least they deserved but some smart tactical substitutions by Lippi ensured the balance slowly titled in Juventus's favour. Ajax attacked but Juve, featuring ex-Milan youth player Gianluca Pessotto, held firm and inevitably penalties were the order of the day.

Keeping in theme with Yugoslav players making a telling contribution to Champions' League finals, Vladimir Jugovic slotted home the winning penalty and Juventus won. Ajax has not made the final since. Kluivert went to Milan while most of the rest of the golden Ajax team slowly reunited at Barcelona under Louis Van Gaal.


1997 - Borussia Dortmund 3 - 1 Juventus

Quite simply Dortmund outclassed Juventus.

2 goals from an irrepressible Karl-Heinze Reidle who seemed to be about to score every time he got the ball and a late marker from Lars Ricken ensured Dortmund won the final with plenty to spare. Paulo Sousa turned out for the Germans against his old team who never really got going. The commentator was awful, reminding us time and again how Dortmund were lucky to have beaten Manchester United in the semi-finals - but there was nothing lucky about this. They pressed on the attack and defended deep. The only Juventus player who seemed up for it was Del Piero who, fittingly, scored a consolation to briefly revive the tie after Dortmund had shot to a 2-0 lead. Stefan Reuter made some telling tackles on Alen Boksic while Jurgen Kohler held the backline together with an efficient performance. A certain Angelo Di Livio played - I don't recall him doing one thing of note the entire game.

A very good game lots of playmaking, a fair smattering of goals. A new champion of Europe.

Oh btw, a year after helping Bordeaux beat Milan in the UEFA Cup, a certain Zinedine Zidane played this final - although I scarcely recognized him from the year before. Needless to say he was largely anonymous.


1998 - Real Madrid 1 - 0 Juventus

There was a strange media circus leading to this game. Everyone was constantly reminded about how this was to be the Spanish team's year - getting back the trophy that they owned early on in the century - way back when. Personally I couldn't care less who won. I wanted to see Zidane (Juventus), Roberto Carlos, Davor Suker and Pedrag Mijatovic(All Real) play.

The game was a tactical masterpiece, Raul and Mijatovic going wide whenever they got the ball, dragging Iuliano and Montero with them, out of position; Redondo pulling the strings in the midfield while Zidane danced all over the place looking to play either Del Piero or Inzaghi in, with French team mate Christian Karembeu in tow. Seedorf battled national team colleague Davids in a midfield scrapfest while Di Livio did .. well nothing. He never does anything anyway - his making way for Tacchinardi refreshingly welcome.

The small disappointment was not seeing Davor Suker start, but Mijatovic scored a clinical goal, getting behind Peruzzi (see Yugoslav players, Champions' League finals) and slotting home before he came off for the Croat marksman.

The media circus reached an apoplectic frenzy after the win - Real finally being crowned champions' of Europe after several decades, etc, etc. You should have seen Hierro's face.

Postscript:
Arsenal made 1998 super special - that's right, the double in spectacular fashion ! Wenger had truly arrived. You know I had to put this in.

1991 - Red Star Belgrade 0 - 0 Olympique Marseille (Red Star wins on penalties)

This was my first ever European Cup final.

I remember watching this with my dad and fittingly, an elderly Yugoslavian friend of the family. He was a real tome of club footballing knowledge. He assured me that the real name of the 'red team from Eastern Europe', as I called them, was a rather more unpronounceable Crvena Zvezda. Also the Pele who suited up for Marseille was not related to the Brazilian legend - but infact a Ghanaian ponytailed footballer prenamed Abidi. He also assured me that the best Yugoslav who played that game was not even on the side of the winners from Belgrade but infact on the bench for the French champions. I guess he was right, although Dragan Stojkovic, Pixie, did come off the bench for a small part of extra time. Then again, Dejan Savicevic did play the game for Red Star and in my mind was the best in show. (more on him later).

I've always loved penalty shootouts - it's my guilty pleasure. After the penalty shootouts of Italia 90, I was excited by the prospect of yet another one here - especially since the game was very boring. True to form it was another exciting shootout (is there ever one which is not?) and the unheralded team from Yugoslavia were European club champions. I will always maintain that this triumph was a prelude to that nation dominating football in the 90s - sadly civil war put paid to that dream.


1992 - Barcelona 1 - 0 Sampdoria

The eagerly awaited return of English clubs to the continental game was a damp squib for me - Arsenal lost to Benfica in the knockout rounds. Due to the lack of TV coverage I didn't get to see that match as it was only the mini-league stage onwards that was televised. Additionally, Milan didn't participate since Sampdoria won the Serie A title. Interestingly it was the Italian team that met Barcelona, the media darlings in the final.

The game was better than the final the year before. I remember Michael Laudrup dribbling a lot and getting nowhere and Lombardo heading a lot (that's probably why he's bald I reckoned) while Koeman won the game with a typically thunderous free kick. Thanks to the weekly coverage of Serie A matches I was more familiar with Sampdoria's team - goalie Pagliuca (whom I always felt looked like a preppy version of Sylvester Stallone), Attilio Lombardo, Gianluca Vialli and captain Roberto Mancini. I remember thinking, if only Milan had played they would have shown Barcelona up. Again, I would have to wait for this eventuality.

Later that summer teammates Koeman and Laudrup would meet on opposite sides in the European Championship semi-final. Laudrup's Denmark would prevail on penalties.


1993 - Marseille 1 - 0 Milan

The first Champions' League final but altogether anaemic for me. I was so excited to see Milan make the final. I didn't get to see them win back to back titles in 89 and 90, so for me it was like seeing them 'finally' making it there as opposed to 'returning to the final' that the media kept mentioning.

The game was tepid as Milan huffed and puffed but seemed very tired, drained no doubt from their Serie A championship season. Marseille seemed one step ahead on all occasions despite their talismanic striker and best player from the previous season starting the final on the Milan bench - Jean Pierre Papin. Roberto Donadoni, who seemed sluggish, eventually came off for the Frenchman but Milan could not find a way through. Basil Boli scored a first half goal and Marseille sat back and protected their lead. I was very disappointed. But I wouldn't be for long.....

It emerged later that Marseille had bribed some French team (Valenciennes I think) to throw their final league game so that they would be rested for the final. They were stripped of various titles and relegated. I greeted this news with no small measure of glee. Milan promptly bought Marcel Desailly from Marseille.


1994 - Milan 4 - 0 Barcelona

Ah what a night. There has never been such an annhilation in a Champions' League Final. I suspect there never be another like it. Barcelona was actually lucky to lose only 4 - 0 as Dejan Savicevic (yes him again) hit the post twice. Barcelona was the supposed 'dream' team, media darlings, expected to brush aside the meaningless opposition of Milan who were missing Baresi and Costacurta through suspension.

Right from start to finish Milan, playing in white, dominated. Dejan Savicevic aptly demonstrated why he was one of the premier midfielders in the world, setting up 2 goals and scoring one himself. Marcel Desailly surged forward to score a brace while Daniele Massaro notched the fourth. Barcelona came expecting a cakewalk but were swept aside by an imperious, and perhaps wounded, Milan. From a footballing perspective, the best final ever. 2 attacking teams going full throttle at each other. Milan destroyed Barcelona - Capello completely outclassed Cruyff.

What made this year (1994) doubly special was Arsenal beating Parma in the Cup Winners' Cup final! The only sad note was that I never actually got to see that game.

Part 2 of 2.

We're in the final home stretch leading up to the first legs of the knockout round, here's a look at where all the various contestants stand. The engines are revving in the pit lane and we're about to embark on the warm up lap - the last few matches before they square off Feb 20/21. Who's hot, who's not and who's still looking for a working clutch pedal - or in Lyon's case a functional healthy strikeforce. All stats since the new year and accurate upto Friday Feb 9 2007.

A little wobbly

Liverpool
4 wins 1 draw 2 losses over all. In 2 cup ties: 2 home losses.

While sailing along smoothly in the league, Liverpool's showing in cup play have been worrying. Although some of those defeats can be attributed to the surely departing Jerzy Dudek, Liverpool's positioning and closing down of opposing players was poor. The talisman that is Steven Gerrard may play out the rest of the season the middle but his performances are increasingly hit or miss - terrific when on song, rubbish when not. Surely carrying an entire team on his shoulders is beginning to take it's toll.

Benitez will no doubt refocus and motivate them for the game against Barcelona - especially with the Catalan's looking a little leaden footed themselves, but Liverpool lack few matchwinners if the team as a whole is playing badly.

Lyon
3 wins 1 draw 4 losses overall . 4 cup ties. 1 home win 1 away loss 2 away wins.

I would never have thought Lyon would lose back to back matches all season, leave alone being winless in 5 in all competitions. I wouldn't write them off yet, as their collective talent, skill and experience still makes them formidable, but they do look to be reeling. Add in the fact that they replaced John Carew, whom I rate as bruising, crushing, centre forward with a rather ropey Milan Baros (goal on debut notwithstanding). Lyon's style is fast, fluid and direct. Although Baros would fit in perfectly in that style, he will need some time to gel and is still short on form. Carew however represented a different approach which could have served Lyon well if things were to ever get tight. Especially since they're still a little short on strikers.

They did notch up 2 away wins though, albeit against lower level opposition. Still, Lyon need to get a few solid wins under their belt before they meet Roma.

PSV
2 wins 2 losses overall. In 1 cup tie: 1 home win.

Think Lyon, but on a smaller scale and in Holland. PSV are still clear the top in Eredivisie but they're lead is down to 5 points and have split their 4 games. It could just be start of the year jitters coupled with the fact that they have one eye on their tie against Arsenal. Then again, AZ Alkmaar did play play but PSV were at home. The game before they were comprehensively beaten at Roda. So something's definitely up, since upto this point PSV had won 18 out of 21 with only 1 loss.

Milan
3 wins 2 draws 2 losses overall. In 4 cup ties: 1 home win 1 home draw 2 away losses.

Milan have never quite shaken off the sloth permanently all season. It seems Kaka and Pirlo are encases in this sludgy ether that prevents them from breaking free. They are mired in midtable and came unstuck in their first real test in the Coppa Italia, losing to Roma. Judging by the distance that separates them from Inter, one would have felt Milan's best chances of silverware this season would have been the Cup. Losses at Arezzo and Roma put paid that dream however and surely Ancellotti must be nervily loooking over his shoulder whenever he sees Galliani.

When teams are a little static and seem to be going through the motions without getting tangible results, common sense dictates getting a player that can turn things around and fire them up. Not at Milan though, who acquired Ronaldo, thereby ensuring that they will stay mired in the mud, both metaphorically, and judging by Ronaldo's physique, literally.

Barcelona
4 wins 3 draws 2 losses overall. In 3 cup ties: 1 home win 1 away win 1 home loss.

Being defending champions and one of the best teams in Europe has it's own set of expectations. Barcelona has not met those, ridiculously high they may be. Getafe and Espanyol first showed them to be a little impotent up front while Osasuna and Zaragoza have ensured the Catalans have gone 2 complete matches without scoring. Despite Saviola's impressive return, and Iniesta's consistent performances, Barcelona are in a slumber and need to wake up.

If the desire in Rijkaard's fist when he punched out of a glass panel during their defeat at Espanyol, could be channelled into his team, Liverpool are doomed. On current form however, Liverpool look primed for an upset.

Porto
1 win 2 losses overall. In 1 Cup tie: 1 home loss.

Hard to spot much of a trend here since they've only played 4 times. I will say this. Losing at home twice in both games since the start of the year is not the perfect tonic for a long continental run. Getting knocked out of the Cup and then losing at home to lower-midtable Estrela Amadora (gotta love the way that rolls off the tongue though) would certainly have given coach Ferreira a few worries. The integration of Argentine defender Lucas Mareque and Colombian striker Wason Renteria needs to be completed soon as well.

They still have a few games before meeting Chelsea but the gulf in class seems to have widened since 2007 started.

Wheels coming off ?

Real Madrid
2 wins 2 draws 3 losses overall. In 2 cup ties: 1 home draw 1 away draw (lost on away goals).

When purporting (however self-proclaimed) to be the world's biggest club one one expects a certain amount of class to emanate from the so ordained. Real possess none. With the death of the Galactico culture, they have ensureed that they now possess a team that is neither very good and not even marketable anymore. Their behavior after being second choice to the MLS was more worthy of 7 year old playground pup whose been told to get off the swings than a global giant about to embark on a winning run in the Champions' League.

Turns out they're pretty rubbish in the league too. Acquiring the two Argentines Higuain and Gago may pay off in the future but at the moment they are still too raw. Raul and Ruud look rustier than usual and their pathetic return of 2 goals in 7 games since the new year won't send shivers down anyone's spine - even in the MLS.

Bayern Munich
1 draw 2 losses overall. No cup ties.

Which brings us, finally, to that other moribund excuse for an erstwhile continental giant - Bayern Munchen. How far have the mighty fallen. The truth is, they've been slowly rotting in the Champions' League for a few seasons but only now has their disease become terminal. Ironically, the only team that may be worse off then them are their opponents, David Beckham's Real.

Bayern are off the pace in the Bundesliga and their style of play is being prescribed for insomniacs from Bavaria to Bremen. The latter, may not need them anymore, judging by the daylight opening up between their team and Bayern.

Tragically, one of these 2 will live to go into the hat for the quarterfinals, whereas elsewhere 2 of Lyon, Roma, PSV and Arsenal will go home.

Part 1 of 2.

We're in the final home stretch leading up to the first legs of the knockout round, here's a look at where all the various contestants stand. The engines are revving in the pit lane and we're about to embark on the warm up lap - the last few matches before they square off Feb 20/21. Who's hot, who's not and who's still looking for a working clutch pedal - or in Lyon's case a functional, healthy strikeforce. (All stats since the new year and accurate upto Friday Feb 9 2007.)

Running Smooth:

INTER
6 wins 1 draw overall. In 4 cup ties: 1 home win 1 home draw 2 away wins.

It seems the only thing preventing Inter from officially claiming the Serie A title is the suspension of the domestic championship. Luckily for Inter the Champions' League is more resilient to fan violence and considerably better supported financially. If the only worries for Roberto Mancini come matchday is whom to omit from the bench, he'll be content. Keeping this squad motivated, hungry and focussed is trickier than it may seem.. especially when you consider that one of Europe's other form teams, Valencia, pose their hardest test this year in the round of 16.

VALENCIA
4 wins 1 draw 2 losses overall. In 2 cup ties: 1 home loss 1 away draw.

Whereas the minor blip in the league against Betis can be put down to an away day blue (not so rare) in the notoriously cut-throat Primera Liga, more worrying for Quique Flores will be the elimination at the hands of Getafe. Madrid's third team is one of the tightest defensive units in the league and more akin to Inter than anyone else Valencia will meet this season. The prognosis was not good. The Kings' Cup may not rank high on Valencia's list or priorities this season but the Champions' League surely does, anything less than 100% against Inter and their continental adventure could be over by the first week of March.

CHELSEA
7 wins 2 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 3 home wins 1 away draw.

The sludge in the engine remains, some may say in the bulky frame of Ballack. Their wins have been barely functional and hardly imperious - but they've still been victories - and the hallmark of a good team is the ability to grind out a win even when not on song. Chelsea have regressed in the year since they last got knocked out by Barcelona, but they still pose a potent threat to anyone left in the draw. Now, they've gotten their defence back, as a bonus, Ballack has been injured in an International friendly. If only we could all lose dead weight from the middle that easily.

MANCHESTER UNITED
5 wins 1 draw 1 loss overall. In 2 cup ties: 2 homes wins.

They are the form team of the Premiership at the moment - churning out victories with refreshing and often ridiculous ease. Larsson's acquisition have given them further depth up front and Saha's return will boost them further. Their team is firing on all cylinders and all parts seem to be gelling at just the right time - from Vidic at the back to Ronaldo and Giggs on the wings.

Ferguson's only worry will be United's lack of cutting edge against teams who are not afraid of playing at them. Their defeat at Arsenal was comprehensive and for the first half hour against Spurs they were definitely outplayed. Whereas teams in the Premiership often surrender after conceding the first goal to United, their opponents in Europe will show more fight and gumption - and none more so than Lille who they face first up. The away leg of a cup tie should prove an acid test of their credentials.

Having said that though, few managers would pass on trading up with Alex Ferguson right now.

LILLE
4 wins 2 draws 1 loss overall. In 3 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 away loss.

The only team besides Arsenal and Inter who have managed multiple away wins in cup ties this calendar year - a very good statistic to have. The significance of an away win cannot be overstated enough. Cup ties on enemy turf are the most intimidating matches a team can face during a season - winning then are arguably the most impressive of the a team's season.

Lille seem to care little for reputation and will plunge themselves into any tie with relish and zest. Like a pack of young huskies who know no fear, Lille's physical approach will ruffle more than it's fair share of feathers. The injury to Mathieu Bodmer however could prove to be a serious setback - one hopes he can return in time for United. He, more than anyone symbolises the all action style of Lille.

CELTIC
6 wins overall. In 2 cup ties. 1 home win 1 away win.

Solid, well oiled, robust - they just keep winning. Celtic have made dominating in Scotland look even easier than normal. The loss of Shaun Maloney shouldn't make much difference as Celtic have enough players to compensate for his absence, with Paul Hartley's arrival ensuring that the midfield corps retains its depth and threat. Their pace against Milan's aging backline should be crucial - however their lack of matchplay against quality opposition will be telling, Dumbarton and Livingston are a far cry from teams they will meet in Europe. The irony being that no matter how good their domestic form is - it's Milan's form that will decide the tie.

Celtic should make sure they never lose that winning feeling or that winning attitude. Their tie against Milan could not come at a better time and if they do not have to travel to the San Siro for the away leg, their chances may increase substantially.

ROMA
3 wins 4 draws overall. In 4 cup ties: 2 home wins 2 away draws.

They've been efficient rather than overpowering but they've added steel to their normally inconsistent performances. Milan may be limping a little right now, but Roma's victory over them in the Coppa Italia semifinals was still a good performance. 2 legged ties are often won by winning the home leg and holding out away. Roma have shown that they can do both. Their new found resilience and the fact that their opponents Lyon are in a slump themselves may make this tie tilt a little in their favour than before.

If Totti can keep his head and their midfield can swarm the opposition, progression is definitely on the cards. Their opponents look ripe for the taking.

ARSENAL
6 wins 3 draws overall. In 5 cup ties: 2 away wins 1 home win 1 home draw 1 away draw.

Unbeaten since the new year despite an injury list that seems to grow longer even longer every time they play. Arsenal seem to have welded grit, determination and resolve to their normally turbocharged frame. The gunners have never lacked the talent or skill to be successful in Europe but have now developed a clinical resilience that makes them harder to beat. Along with Chelsea, no one has played more times since the new year and just like their west London neighbours - are still unbeaten. More Importantly, no one has played Group Phase winners more often and crucially, beaten them.

If the comeback win against United at home was stellar, their back to back wallopings of a Liverpool side at Anfield are surely the pick of the bunch. Provided Arsenal stay healthy and retain focus, a place in the quaterfinals seems likely.

Inter's time is coming.

In every championship season, there comes a moment that proves to be the definitive challenge for a team. Usually it's a match, sometimes it's a transfer, other times a press conference gone horribly wrong (Kevin Keegan anyone) or terribly well. Often this moment is preceded by smaller challenges, each an obstacle to greatness in themselves, each one slightly bigger than the one previous. But they are all preludes to that big, critical moment when the team in question must finally rise to the challenge and define their season - go on to glory or fall by the wayside.

On Feb 21, 2007, Inter take on Valencia at the San Siro. Two weeks later they meet again at the Mestella. For Internazionale, this tie, is the defining point of their season. If they can beat the Ches they may well go on to win the Champions' League in addition to the Serie A title.

So far, this season, they have disposed of Milan in the Milan derby with ridiculous ease, the 4-3 scoreline notwithstanding, banishing some demons from earlier hidings they have gotten in that fixture (a Maurizio Ganz inspired 6-0 win in May 2001). They have beaten erstwhile contendors Palermo as well as second placed Roma, both away from home. Those matches may have settled the issue on the domestic front, lending an inevitability to the notion that the Nerazzuri may indeed, finally win the title again. However, they cannot finish the season having fulfilled their potential and ambition if they do not come close to winning the Champions' League as well. This may well be their best chance. So far they have answered all the critics to lay the foundation for a memorable season. To that end the tilt against Valencia is more seminal than any other tie this season.

Arsenal's 2003-04 unbeaten season was forged in the heated cauldron of a premeiership season where more physical and better heeled teams sought to knock them off their perch with both brawny tactics and money. As much as the draws against Manchester United counted - notably the 0-0 draw at Old Trafford - Arsenal's crucial moment came when they went into the half time break down 2-1 against Liverpool, days after having been knocked out of both the Champions' League and FA Cup. On that occasion, Henry scored a hat-trick and singlehandedly dragged Arsenal back into the match and onto the league title, unbeaten, unconquered, invincible.

Likewise, Arsenal's league and Cup doubles in both 2002 and 1998 were sealed with comprehensive dismantlings of rivals United at Old Trafford both times - Overmars and Wiltord step forward.

Barcelona's first league title under Riijkaard and with Ronaldinho was cemented with a clinical win over arch rivals Real Madrid. Milan's unbeaten season in 1991-92 was based as much on the zero in the looses column as on the win over Juventus in the Del Alpi. United's treble win in 1999 had it's seminal moments aplenty - Dennis Bergkamp's missed penalty in the FA Cup replay and Winterburn's broken nose against Leeds, not to mention, Pippo Inzaghi putting Juve up 2-0 within 11 minutes in the Champions' League semi-final second leg. Heck even Porto's sublime treble season in 2004 had it's critical juncture, the tie against United in the Champions' League knockout rounds. The list goes on.

Teams have been there before, and winked, Arsenal versus Chelsea in the Champions' League Quarterfinals in 2003-04. Arsenal versus Manchester United, in the FA Cup semifinals in both 1999 and 2004. Inter, on the last day of the 2001-02 season. Milan, in the second leg against Deportivo in the Champions' League in 2003-04. Eternal French Champions' Olympique Lyon, when they contrived to lose to Milan in the Champions' League quarterfinals last year.

Quite simply, Inter, must hold their nerve.

If, Inter do go on to complete a most unique unbeaten league title (their matches against Milan and Roma seem to be the only obstacles on that course) and add to that the Champions' League, they would have replaced the demons in the trophy cabinet with some pretigious silverware. And as a Milan and Arsenal fan, I will be the first to congratulate them.

Game on then

BARCELONA
Weaknesses
Attacking corps is mercurial this year:
Ronaldinho is still lethal and capable of sheer brilliance on occasion but he is still mostly start stop. Deco can follow a brilliant game with 2 lacklustre ones, while Giuly is not the same as he was at this stage last year. Larsson ? Oh yeah - he's at Man Utd via Helsingborgs.
No finisher:
Which leads me to the main point about Barcelona's attack - Eto'o is injured. They have no one to put the ball in the back off the net.
Not cynical enough:
There's a lot to be said about the cynical foul in midfield 45 yards from goal - Bayern, Inter, Manchester United and Real have all made it into an art form. Barcelona seem to have lost it. Potential attacks often become probable goals as a result.
Strengths
Depth:
Another one of the deepest squads in Europe - helped inevitably by Juventus' firesale. One of the most skilled and talented teams in the competition. Mourinho must be secretly envious.
Experience:
They won last year... and then added Zambrotta and Thuram. Many of the senior players have been around for ages both at Barcelona or in the latter stages of European competition. Rijkaard is an old hand at all this.
Explosive attack when on fire:
If Barcelona are in the mood - expect fireworks. They will light up any defence for some scorching scores in an exhilarating display of attacking intent. The question is - does this attitude help as much in the latter stages of a 2 legged tie ?


INTER
Weaknesses
Belief:
Perenially bridesmaids when it comes to the bigger competitions, their lack of killer instinct stems as much from a lack of belief as from a lack of ability. If they are to triumph they must go about exorcising demons as much as make tackles in the opposing half.
Concentration:
Inextricably, they can all fall asleep - letting a team they have dominated for most of the match back into it. Mancini must work on keeping this group motivated, focussed and on the ball - in more ways than one.
Strengths
Stankovic:
You read it here first - Europe's most underrated midfielder this season. No one else has played as well for as long as he has this season. A bit of an underdog, you'll never hear him being mentioned in the 'Best midfielder in Europe' discussions - but this season he has really come to life. The former Yugoslavia has featured many players who have played crucial parts in winning the Champions' League - Milan's Savicevic in '94, Juventus' Jugovic in '96, Real's Mijatovic in '99, the whole flippin Red Star Belgrade side in '91. A good bet for Inter's Stankovic in '07 to join that list.
Balance:
Inter are equally blessed with finishers, playmakers, stoppers, wide men, wingbacks, centre halfs, tacklers, set piece specialists as well as cynical goaders who can annoy the bejesus out of opposing stars - Materazzi.
Depth:
If required, Inter's second string can handily beat most sides. Alvaro Recoba and Solari don't even make it to the bench most days - remember them?


PSV
Weaknesses
Shaky backfield:
As solid as Alex is at anchoring the backline, PSV are a little weak in other places. Addo and Da Costa are not quite the imposing centre half, Reiziger is a spent force and Kromkamp, though adept, is not quite continental material. In front of them, PSV lack a true, shielding defensive midefielder like Makalele and Vieira.
Attack is still thin:
True, both Kone and Farfan score often but are both a bit like ex-player Kezman - good against rubbish teams but rubbish against good teams. Kluivert is on lifesupport and Tardelli not in the same class. Their attack is competent but not proficient.
Strengths
Balance:
In a perverse thumb in the face of the big chequebook cowboys of Europe, PSV has quietly assembled a squad with decent balance. No one is a true world beater - not anymore, anyway - but everyone is within a level or two of each other. Whereas some of the bigger teams drop noticeably when several first teamers are out, PSV seem to have a whole raft of made-to-order middling talents ready to plug the gaps without a depreciable change.
Equally deadly off setpieces and open play:
PSV has had to develop it's gameplan to suit every eventuality. They can hurt you off deadballs as well as prove quite proficient at sticking the ball in from open play. Very well organised, their movement and teamwork is fundamental to their gameplan.


ROMA
Weaknesses
Inconsistent:
Maddeningly mercurial at times, they can beat table toppers on one day and then promptly drop points to basement dwellers the next. Coach Luciano Spaletti has to work on keeping this team from switching off.
Inexperience:
Panucci has won it all a couple of times before while Totti, De Rossi and Perotta won the World Cup with Italy this summer. The knockout stages of the Champions' League however is a different ball game. Their team has never been required to play 7 ties against the best in Europe over 3 months before. Other than Totti and Panucci, few even know how to.
Strengths
Discipline:
No red cards so far, one of the fewest yellow card tallies, this Roma team keeps things clean for the most part. For a team that features De Rossi and several young midfielders who like to get stuck in, this is very impressive indeed.
Totti:
Seemingly better with every passing season - he's lead scorer in the Italian league. Absolutely deadly from attacking positions, he seems to find new ways to score every week. If inspiration is required - Roma look to him.
Deep midfield:
Lots of up and coming stars mixed with some established internationals - Roma's midfield features loads of players who can tackle, pass well and score - some like Taddei and Mancini, spectacularly so. Leeds United once made it to the semifinals with an army of enthusiastic midfielders - perhaps Roma can bond around the old heads of Totti, Tonetto and Panucci and do the same.

Group Winners II - Lyon, Manchester United, Arsenal, Milan
Strengths and weaknesses of the Champions' League clubs in the round of 16.

LYON
Weaknesses
Lack solid defensive midfielders who can lock a game down:
With Essien and Mahamadou Diarra gone in successive seasons, and Alou Diarra and Toulalan a bit green in that regard, the Lyonnais seem a little threadbare in the defensive-hachetman category.
Lack of depth up front:
Outside Wiltord, Fred is injured, Carew is injured, Govou is a converted right winger and Benzema is a young whipper snapper.
Strengths
Balance:
Like Valencia, they have quality all over the pitch, and haven't spent a fortune acquiring them.
Wingers:
Malouda, Govou, heck even Eric Abidal can all tear down the sideline and cross the ball or turn on the burners and cut into the box. Ominous and deadly.
Juninho:
Best dead ball specialist in Europe. One of the best passers, can dribble and shoot from distance. Give him the ball and expect magic.
Experience of Houllier:
Monsieur Gerard took Liverpool to the UEFA Cup and dreamt of the Champions' League. He may very well realize that dream with Lyon. Very experienced when it comes to knockout ties.


MANCHESTER UNITED
Weaknesses
Lack of depth:
Performance wise, one of the best starting XIs this year. But outside the first XI the likes of Kieran Richardson are poor substitutes - pun totally intended.
Weakness in midfield:
A bit like Liverpool - their midfield is weak; when Scholes is injured or out of form, it's decidedly wretched - a gaping hole.
Strengths
Saha's balanced attack play:
More than just the gunslinger he was initially purchased to be, Saha's muscular, selfless approach brings other players into the game and spreads the ball like Ruud never did. United's attack is reborn this year with the Frenchman playing as a forward playmaker.
Speedy wingers:
Ronaldo is on fire this year, replacing his profligacy with some deadly shooting while still being one of the fastest players on the right side of the park. On the other flank, Giggs is still around, mesmerising defenders with his pace and dribbling skills.
Vidic:
Quiet, unspoken and unperturbed, Vidic, more than Rio, Neville, Brown or Heinze is the reason for United's defensive solidity this year. The young Serb is immense at the back while knowing in some corners as well. Arguably, Man U's shrewdest buy in the last 18 months.


ARSENAL
Weaknesses
Cannot defend setpieces, rarely score off them:
No one is worse off defending setpieces than Arsenal. The marking is abysmal, the movement chaotic. Ironically, setpieces are often the only time opposing teams can get a shot at them. It doesn't get a lot better at the other end as Arsenal waste more set pieces than others.
Not direct enough when attacking:
Passing pretty patterns is fine while in the middle of the park to get around the logjam of bodies, but in the final third a more clinical, direct method of getting the ball into the box and to the foremost attacker is required.
Lack of tacklers:
Lots of artists, passing wizards and plenty of pace. Flamini and Toure aside, not enough players who can slide across the deck to dislodge the ball from an opponents grasp. In tight matches away from home, this is often crucial.
Strengths
Speed on the counterattack:
Less then 5 touches and the ball is often in the opposing net. As seemingly uncommited Arsenal's defending can be on occasion, it is a setup for the speed with which they will sting you on the return. Opposing defences who venture upfield, you have been warned.
Excellent passing game:
No one passes the ball as well as they do. Balletic in movement yet deadly in it's delivery, Arsenal's passing will convert a harmless situation into a goalscoring chance in a heartbeat - while involving half their team.
Fabregas:
The best emerging midfielder in the game. Arguably, the best passer of his generation. Look to him to unlock any team.


MILAN
Weaknesses
Defence is slow, old and prone to mistakes:
Nesta, while healthy, is a shadow of his imperious past, Maldini too feeble and prone to mistakes, Cafu is slow and sloppy, Janukolovski repeatedly flatters to deceive and Costacurta is - wait for it - 40 years old.
Attack is inconsistent:
Inzaghi has died a natural death as a goalscorer, his ugly tap-ins notoriously absent, Gilardino is too mercurial and unlucky when on song, Sheva is missed while Ricardo Oliveira is yet to settle.
Over reliance on Kaka and Pirlo:
Give them the ball and hope for the best. If they are closed off - so is Milan. Gattuso can win only so many balls - he needs someone to create with it.
Strengths
2 of the best attacking midfielders and dead ball specialists in the game:
Ironically, one of their greatest weaknesses is also their main strength. If you had Pirlo and Kaka in your side, you would also be totally reliant on them.
Deep Squad:
Lots of players, lots of experience, plenty of bodies to throw at fixtures.
Experience:
They won in 2003 with virtually the same core while other players have gotten close to the summit with other clubs. Gattuso and Ambrosini have notched up over 50 games in Europe. Old timers like Maldini and Costacurta have been around since the glory days in the late 80s and early 90s. That's a mother'load' of experience.

Group Winners I - Chelsea, Bayern, Liverpool, Valencia.
Strengths and weaknesses of the Champions' League clubs in the round of 16.

CHELSEA
Weaknesses
Over reliance on Drogba in open play:
If the big Ivorian, who is enjoying an outstanding season, does not conjure up anything while the ball is in play, Chelsea seem unable to fashion a goal. Passing the ball off to Robben and letting him run at defences seems to have lost its effectiveness as well.
Over reliance on set pieces:
No one scores more frequently in big matches from set pieces - but these are typically hit or miss. If there is a paucity of corners or free kicks from decent areas - the Londoners are in a spot of bother.
Favour from referees:
Maybe it's the influence of the Russian rouble, maybe the pre-eminent stylings of a club trying to crash the G14 party or simply fear of upsetting them, but there's no denying that Chelsea, like many big clubs, routinely gets favourable decisions from referees and linesmen - perhaps more than others. It takes one strong referee and suddenly the decisions will seem to be going the other way.
Strengths
Consistency:
No one grinds out victories like they do. Despite the bland fare on offer on the pitch, rarely do more than 1 or 2 of Chelsea's players have an off night. And the rest (Lampard aside) routinely produce solid, efficient performances that do little wrong despite failing to inspire.
Set Pieces:
See weakness number 2 above. If you concede too many corners, free-kicks or throw-ins to the Blues, be prepared to concede too many goals as well.
Squad Depth:
Mourinho may be a few players off from having '2 established World class stars for every position on the pitch' - but he still has the most impressive armoury of depth charges to bring to bear on the opposition. Only Inter and Barcelona have comparable strength in depth.


BAYERN
Weaknesses
Over Reliance on Schweinsteiger:
A bit like France at recent International tournaments with Zidane, Bayern seem to rely too heavily on the interestingly surnamed German midfielder (it means pig climber in German apparently). They have impressive players all over the pitch but no one else seems to have the creative nous like Bastian. Give him the ball and unleash.
Attack is hit or miss:
Pizzaro, Santa Cruz and Makaay are deadly strikers on their day, capable of notching up a hat trick in 10 minutes - or of going 90 minutes with aimless or tepid shots on goal. Incapable of working themselves into games, Bayern's mercurial strikeforce may be their undoing.
Cannot break teams down:
Line up, form waves of defence and harry the ball carriers - Bayern will resemble orcs against the battlements in a children's movie. They'll keep coming but will be unable to unlock the gates.
Strengths
Good start:
Typically German, they start well, going straight at their opponents from the word go. No one seems to focus his troops pre-game like Magath, if their starts are anything to go by. In a 2 legged play-off tie, a good start in the opening leg is crucial.
Concentration:
They're boring on occasion, a bit toothless at times and generally tame - but they never make mistakes and have few, if any, defensive lapses. Efficient to the core, they stick to the task with classic determination and drive.
Never play badly as a whole:
A bit like Chelsea, they rarely have a bad game collectively. They may not have many good games either but Bayern will never lose the game to you - you have to beat them.


LIVERPOOL
Weaknesses
If Gerrard is off so are they:
Their captain is also their talisman, their performances inextricably linked to his onfield fortunes for the day. As peerless as he is at galvanising a team, there is no better example in modern club football of a sink and swim team than Liverpool. When he flops, the whole team follows ensuite.
Weak in the centre of midfield:
Once again, Gerrard cannot be everywhere, so, due to Momo Sissoko's injury, when Rafa Benitez deploys the captain on the right wing, there is a veritable hole in the centre of the park. For all their attacking nous, Xabi Alonso, Zenden et al cannot dictate the centre of the park while the rest of the midfield corps are an army of wingers.
Strengths
Strong defence:
Surprisingly, Carragher, Hyppia, Riise comprise as solid a defence as any in the continent. Made up of unremarkable internationals, it is consistently greater than the sum of its parts. Perhaps Benitez brought over his defensive shtick that made Valencia one of the stingiest teams in Europe, perhaps Liverpool attacks with its defence, whatever it may be, this team is tricky to score against when in the mood.
Very good in knockout games:
On its day Liverpool is as good as anyone in the world, and while motivation and consistency are works in progress, no one gets up for a knockout game as the Reds do. Over the last 5 years few teams have been as impregnable over a 2 legged knockout tie. Barcelona beware.


VALENCIA
Weaknesses
Mercurial:
Some days they can destroy the best in Europe, Villa, Morientes, David Silva and Edu seemingly linking effortlessly to score at will. Other days they can lose at home to well.. Racing Santander. Entirely dependent on which team struts out on matchday, few teams remain an enigma like Valencia.
In fighting:
Flores may well be on his way out with the management and players converting the dressing room into the battle of the bulge. Mercurial they may be, there's no denying that team morale is an issue this term.
Joaquin:
I expected great things from the former Betis winger after his move to one of the bigger guns in Spain. He's been a sad disappointment - out of touch, out of place, inept.
Strengths
David Villa:
One of the best strikers in Europe. Equal parts finisher and creator.
Defence:
Albiol is an everpresent, Ayala is an evergreen. Valencia can keep attackers at bay like no one else. In crunch games, they have both the knowledge and the knack of taking the sting out of opponents' attacks.
Balance:
Deep, with equally qualified personnel all over the pitch and team bus - few teams are as balanced as Valencia. You don't just need multi-million dollar superstars to have an even team - just some competent footballers will do.