Will Zidane be the first manager since Arrigo Sacchi in 1990 with AC Milan, to win back to back Champion League Cups? I didn't believed it until I saw real Madrid yesterday, but seeing how they defeated a strong Bayern side while they weren't even playing at home, its getting harder and harder not to favour them. Considering their record against Atletico Madrid in the CL, I feel like Juventus is the only team who could really endanger them seriously if they do get trough Bayern. What do you guys think?

Juventus seem hungry for the CL title. Their entire squad looks like they want it more than anything. I don't blame them. They've had domestic success for a long time, but it's the European success that has been slipping their grasp over and over. This will be the best chance they had in a while because they're fully capable of going toe-to-toe with Madrid/Bayern and Atletico, and can definitely beat Monaco/Dortmund and Leicester.

Juventus seem hungry for the CL title. Their entire squad looks like they want it more than anything. I don't blame them. They've had domestic success for a long time, but it's the European success that has been slipping their grasp over and over. This will be the best chance they had in a while because they're fully capable of going toe-to-toe with Madrid/Bayern and Atletico, and can definitely beat Monaco/Dortmund and Leicester.

@Amit

I guess the gulf of class between a giant like Real Madrid and a upper-mid table team like Arsenal is fairly obvious this season - especially with the Allianz results.

@Gonzi Well, they did improve from the season when they lost the final. They also never been a weak team for sure. They are so disciplined too, they are the perfect side to punish team who are in poor form. Juve deserve all the compliment they get in my opinion. Well, unless you compliment their new emblem, that doesn't deserve any praise IMO. XD

@Golazo I'm sorry but when its no broken, you don't go ahead and break it on purpose. :(

@Dynastian Have to say mate, I do think you might be looking Arsenal from a bit too high, they got spanked by Bayern but to be fair, their having one of the worst form I can think of at this time. Its not their talent or player wich is the problem either for me, its their mentality who is completely off. I do believe that even at their best however, they do not rivalize the best RM can offer but its true that momentum can make an huge difference in football and even a team like Arsenal could beat a team like Real Madrid or Bayern if thing did go their way. In sport, everything can happen and I'm not one of those who believe the best team alway's win. Not saying it doesn't take talent and great strategy to win trophy, but even in important game, that sometime won't be enough. :(

@Dynastian Have to say mate, I do think you might be looking Arsenal from a bit too high, they got spanked by Bayern but to be fair, their having one of the worst form I can think of at this time. Its not their talent or player wich is the problem either for me, its their mentality who is completely off. I do believe that even at their best however, they do not rivalize the best RM can offer but its true that momentum can make an huge difference in football and even a team like Arsenal could beat a team like Real Madrid or Bayern if thing did go their way. In sport, everything can happen and I'm not one of those who believe the best team alway's win. Not saying it doesn't take talent and great strategy to win trophy, but even in important game, that sometime won't be enough. :(

@Golazo Yeah, Muller if having a poor season this time around. Then again, its not a terrible one either. Hope he will pull out of it and get back to his usual level. :D

First of all, there is no 'curse' per se.

It's just simply difficult to win this competition back to back. It is extremely difficult to win it once, let alone twice in a row. Reason for this is motivation, willingness, and tiredness.

Once a team wins the competition, I imagine they must feel like they've conquered it all. They are the team to beat, the kings. The ultimate champions. Any coach will find it difficult, if not down right impossible, to motivate his players to the same thing again next year.

Not to mention, every other team that didn't win it will look to bolster their squad. So, to stay on top for the second year in a row will require even the champions to upgrade their team because the opposition will be better. And we all know that champions rarely ever do upgrade, in most cases they actually lose one or two players following a CL success because some players would want a different challenge.

All this combined makes it close to impossible to win the title back to back, with motivation I think being the main factor. Not to mention, being the holder will make every team out there work extra hard in an attempt to be the ones to dethrone you. It's very difficult to maintain that hunger for success in the second year, once you're already on top.

It's not a matter of some magical curse. European football has simply gotten so much better in recent years.

Now, will Real Madrid win it again? It's possible.

If Real do advance to the final, even with a draw, they will firmly be favorites to win the title - as they already are.
I have been following the odds after every match in CL, and there have been some fluctuations recently. Real Madrid was never the favorite, usually with the third best odds. First being Bayern, second Barcelona, and third Real. The fact that Real are the holders had something to do with this, along with Bayern just destroying everyone that got in their way.

For the first time this year, Real Madrid has the best odds for outright winner. It will all come down to Zidane and how well he motivates his players.

Every Real Madrid fan, including myself however, watches this season of Champions League in a .. detached manner. That is what the past 2 decades have conditioned all fans to do. If your team is the holder, you will not win it. It's best to be as indifferent as you can in the competition. However, this season, if we do advanced to the semis on Bayern expensive, it'll be hard not to be excited. We'll easily be the strongest team left. So why not? Zidane and CR are well known history makers.

First of all, there is no 'curse' per se.

It's just simply difficult to win this competition back to back. It is extremely difficult to win it once, let alone twice in a row. Reason for this is motivation, willingness, and tiredness.

Once a team wins the competition, I imagine they must feel like they've conquered it all. They are the team to beat, the kings. The ultimate champions. Any coach will find it difficult, if not down right impossible, to motivate his players to the same thing again next year.

Not to mention, every other team that didn't win it will look to bolster their squad. So, to stay on top for the second year in a row will require even the champions to upgrade their team because the opposition will be better. And we all know that champions rarely ever do upgrade, in most cases they actually lose one or two players following a CL success because some players would want a different challenge.

All this combined makes it close to impossible to win the title back to back, with motivation I think being the main factor. Not to mention, being the holder will make every team out there work extra hard in an attempt to be the ones to dethrone you. It's very difficult to maintain that hunger for success in the second year, once you're already on top.

It's not a matter of some magical curse. European football has simply gotten so much better in recent years.

Now, will Real Madrid win it again? It's possible.

If Real do advance to the semi-final, even with a draw, they will firmly be favorites to win the title - as they already are.
I have been following the odds after every match in CL, and there have been some fluctuations recently. Real Madrid was never the favorite, usually with the third best odds. First being Bayern, second Barcelona, and third Real. The fact that Real are the holders had something to do with this, along with Bayern just destroying everyone that got in their way.

For the first time this year, Real Madrid has the best odds for outright winner. It will all come down to Zidane and how well he motivates his players.

Every Real Madrid fan, including myself however, watches this season of Champions League in a .. detached manner. That is what the past 2 decades have conditioned all fans to do. If your team is the holder, you will not win it. It's best to be as indifferent as you can in the competition. However, this season, if we do advanced to the semis on Bayern expensive, it'll be hard not to be excited. We'll easily be the strongest team left. So why not? Zidane and CR are well known history makers.

First of all, there is no 'curse' per se.

It's just simply difficult to win this competition back to back. It is extremely difficult to win it once, let alone twice in a row. Reason for this is motivation, willingness, and tiredness.

Once a team wins the competition, I imagine they must feel like they've conquered it all. They are the team to beat, the kings. The ultimate champions. Any coach will find it difficult, if not down right impossible, to motivate his players to the same thing again next year.

Not to mention, every other team that didn't win it will look to bolster their squad. So, to stay on top for the second year in a row will require even the champions to upgrade their team because the opposition will be better. And we all know that champions rarely ever do upgrade, in most cases they actually lose one or two players following a CL success because some players would want a different challenge.

All this combined makes it close to impossible to win the title back to back, with motivation I think being the main factor. Not to mention, being the holder will make every team out there work extra hard in an attempt to be the ones to dethrone you. It's very difficult to maintain that hunger for success in the second year, once you're already on top.

It's not a matter of some magical curse. European football has simply gotten so much better in recent years.

Now, will Real Madrid win it again? It's possible.

If Real do advance to the semi-final, even with a draw, they will firmly be favorites to win the title - as they already are.

I have been following the odds after every match in CL, and there have been some fluctuations recently. Real Madrid was never the favorite, usually with the third best odds. First being Bayern, second Barcelona, and third Real. The fact that Real are the holders had something to do with this, along with Bayern just destroying everyone that got in their way.

For the first time this year, Real Madrid has the best odds for outright winner. It will all come down to Zidane and how well he motivates his players.

Every Real Madrid fan, including myself however, watches this season of Champions League in a .. detached manner. That is what the past 2 decades have conditioned all fans to do. If your team is the holder, you will not win it. It's best to be as indifferent as you can in the competition. However, this season, if we do advanced to the semis on Bayern expensive, it'll be hard not to be excited. We'll easily be the strongest team left. So why not? Zidane and CR are well known history makers.