Who is your dark horse in this year's Champions League?

[unitedfandoc]

Last season Dortmund made it to the Champions League final only to be beaten by Bayern. Not many people would've bet on them going that far into the tournament. Who do you guys think will over-achieve in this season's competition?

 

[adrian]

I think Napoli will be a pleasant surprise this year! They have a very strong team and are practically unbeatable when it comes to home matches. I think they might even reach the semifinals this year.

 

[petersos]

I have got to say that for me this season that will be Arsenal. They seem to have become really energized by the coming of Ozil who in the weekend set up all the three goals against Stoke. The wild card for me will have to be them. Remembering that in the return game last season against Bayern they beat them.

 

[unitedfandoc]

I have got to say that for me this season that will be Arsenal. They seem to have become really energized by the coming of Ozil who in the weekend set up all the three goals against Stoke. The wild card for me will have to be them. Remembering that in the return game last season against Bayern they beat them.

I agree with you on Arsenal. The only thing holding them back is their defense. They leak way too many easy goals and in the Champions League knockout stages, that could be the weak link that stops them from going deep into the competition.

 

[petersos]

I agree with you on Arsenal. The only thing holding them back is their defense. They leak way too many easy goals and in the Champions League knockout stages, that could be the weak link that stops them from going deep into the competition.

That is also what worries me in the Arsenal team. If Wenger could find a way of making that defense solid then they are unstoppable.

 

[Denis Hard]

Arsenal can't compete that well in the Champions league this time round.

First, if a small team such as West Brom almost beat them I don't see how they can battle against heavy weights such as Real, Bayern, Barcelona. . .to name but a few. IMO, If Arsenal does make it past the group stages [which would be very lucky] then quite definitely they won't get past the knock-out stages.

 

[caparica007]

Arsenal and Napoli are good bets to surprise, if they manage to edge Dortmund what I doubt. Benitez has an eye for eurocups and Arsenal lacks consistency (except this year), but can have the brilliancy to make some good results against stronger teams.

 

[Denis Hard]

Should Arsenal convincingly beat Dortmund even if it's 1-0 but just as long as they outclass them on the field, I'll be convinced they have the quality to proceed to the quarter finals but not beyond that. . .

Let's not forget that when Arsenal had one of their best squads, they didn't win the CL even after making it to the finals. It's like they have a jinx. . .

 

[caparica007]

I think it's necessary luck to win the CL, just look at Mourinho for example, he won it at Porto and Inter, but not Real and Chelsea who are stronger in theory...

 

[Denis Hard]

Sometimes it's luck. Sometimes it's how good you are at cheating and other times it's having that extra player [the ref] to help you out. But this season's CL will be interesting to watch because there are no clear favorites. . .

 

[caparica007]

I think Barça and Bayern are probably the stronger candidates, I don't see many team being able to beat them, but other teams might appear strong too. Porto is disappointing me at the moment.

 

[Oakster]

Bayern seems like the stronger candidate by far, no one comes close in my opinion.
As for a dark horse, maybe Arsenal, but only if they strengthen the squad in January.