| Posted by | Message |
hendersonshands 
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:03 pm)
1) Barcelona - 15 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses so far in La Liga. They're a machine that has already scored 54 goals in league play so far.
2) Bayern Munich - Slowed down a little since their hot start but 9 points clear in the Bundesliga going into the winter break. They have the best or the second best midfield in the world right now and have only given up 7 goals in league play so far.
3) Juventus - Clearly the best team in Italy right now. Solid defensively, only given up 10 goals so far in league play and have the maestro Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings. I'm also a big fan of Claudio Marchisio.
4) Borussia Dortmund - A lot of people will disagree with me here but they have been the best team in the Champions League so far this year and have recovered very well in the Bundesliga after a slow start. They're 13 points behind Bayern Munich but I think they'll comfortable secure 2nd. The Marco Reus/Mario Gotze combination is starting to click and with Lewandowski, they're great to watch going forward.
5) Manchester United - The best team in England. Robin van Persie was a great buy and their attack has been fantastic -- their defense has been less than stellar though. If they can fix their defense, they may be able to make a run in the CL.
Best player - Lionel Messi, really not even a debate here.
Most underrated - Thomas Muller, 9 goals and 7 assists in the Bundesliga. Probably Bayern Munich's best player thus far.
Most overrated - Hulk the transfer fee Zenit shelled would suggest that he's a top-5 player in the world which isn't even close.
Water and fruit snacks.
|
| Back to top | Share on  |
LSUSOBEAST1 
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2008
25722 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:06 pm to hendersonshands)
I would flip United and Dortmund. Spot on otherwise.
Avocado
This post was edited on 12/17 at 9:07 pm
|
| Back to top | |
hendersonshands
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:08 pm to LSUSOBEAST1)
I honestly think the gap between Dortmund and United is bigger than Juventus and Dortmund. That may be because I've only really watched United in Champions League but I haven't been overly impressed.
|
| Back to top | |
WarSlamEagle 
Washington Fan
Golden State Warriors Fan
Member since Sep 2011
12454 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:10 pm to hendersonshands)
I'll go with Beast's list.
Chicken tacos.
|
| Back to top | |
LSUSOBEAST1
LSU Fan
Member since Aug 2008
25722 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:13 pm to hendersonshands)
I disagree. I've made it a point to watch a bunch of Dortmund's Bundesliga matches and have been severely disappointed (doesn't take away from their form in the CL). United is gelling and are a fricking steamroller with Rooney and RVP on the pitch (12-0 with 7 goals each - not sure if that is just league play or not).
|
| Back to top | |
joey barton
TBD Fan
Member since Feb 2011
5538 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:15 pm to hendersonshands)
Over the past half season, I'd agree with that. This second, I'd consider ranking United higher. They can now field a serviceable back line.
Underrated: I would (not seriously) consider Anderson for the 20 minutes that he was healthy and in form.
3 buck chuck
Southwestern snack mix
This post was edited on 12/17 at 9:16 pm
|
| Back to top | |
hendersonshands
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:17 pm to LSUSOBEAST1)
You may be right. I haven't watched them enough to argue with you about it. Just going with what I've seen.
This post was edited on 12/17 at 9:19 pm
|
| Back to top | |
glassman 
USA Fan
The Golden Rectangle
Member since Oct 2008
83403 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 9:37 pm to hendersonshands)
I think your 5 are currently the best in Europe with only Barcelona's spot assured.
|
| Back to top | |
Draconian Sanctions
LSU Fan
San Francisco 49ers Fan
Member since Oct 2008
28270 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 10:06 pm to hendersonshands)
1. PSG
2.-5. irrelevant
|
| Back to top | |
wm72
New York/Roma
Member since Mar 2010
3114 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 10:30 pm to hendersonshands)
I think as far as CL form / prospects go, I'd agree with this as a current "power ranking".
Bayern has looked incredible when I've seen them so far.
I'd put more stock in Real Madrid's CL prospects than Manchester United's though but I also thought Man City would beat Ajax.
|
| Back to top | |
glassman
USA Fan
The Golden Rectangle
Member since Oct 2008
83403 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 10:51 pm to wm72)
quote:
I think as far as CL form / prospects go, I'd agree with this as a current "power ranking".
The draw is what is going to be interesting. One of these top five will not make it to the final 8.
|
| Back to top | |
wm72
New York/Roma
Member since Mar 2010
3114 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 10:59 pm to glassman)
quote:
The draw is what is going to be interesting. One of these top five will not make it to the final 8.
\
Agree. Especially with Real in the second pot and I wouldn't really want any of Shaktar either.
Even considering poor recent form Arsenal or AC Milan aren't going to be cakewalks. Nor will Porto.
As uneven as the groups were this year, the round of 16 may offer more good match ups than usual.
Anyone after Barca and Bayern are very susceptible to bad draw in the round of 16 but Real may be the only bad draw for either of them.
|
| Back to top | |
Bho 
Kentucky Fan
In DB10_AFC's Head
Member since Dec 2007
20860 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 11:04 pm to wm72)
1. Barca
2 Bayern
3 Atletico Madrid
4 Juventus
5 Celtic-They Belong. 
ETA:Ambien and Mt Dew
This post was edited on 12/17 at 11:05 pm
|
| Back to top | |
PTBob 
Southern Miss Fan
Hattiesburg
Member since Nov 2010
1468 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 11:08 pm to glassman)
Your list is pretty good. Haven't gotten to see Bayern play a whole lot but when I have I've been impressed.
I would bump Juve to 5th and slide BVB and United up, however. I just don't think the Italian league is very good this year and when I've watched Juve, i just haven't been amazed.
|
| Back to top | |
HumbleNinja 
Michigan Fan
Ann Arbor
Member since Jan 2011
1884 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/17/12 at 11:25 pm to PTBob)
2 of those top 5 are shaping up to be my 2nd and 3rd favorite clubs behind Tottenham, so it will be very exciting to watch the CL shake out.
I'd go with original list with the Man U BvB switch as well.
This post was edited on 12/17 at 11:26 pm
|
| Back to top | |
hendersonshands
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/18/12 at 1:38 am to Bho)
I don't see any way Atleti is in the top 5. Yeah they've had a good year but they just got curb stomped by Barca. None of the teams I listed would lose that game 4-1.
|
| Back to top | |
BleedPurpleGold
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2005
11948 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/18/12 at 1:48 am to hendersonshands)
I think Juve could replace United. Its sort of a tossup for me, really. I've actually watched them a few times this season, and at points Juve can be a fricking wrecking ball.
This post was edited on 12/18 at 1:49 am
|
| Back to top | |
hendersonshands
LA-Lafayette Fan
Univ. of Louisiana Ragin Cajuns
Member since Oct 2007
97955 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/18/12 at 2:01 am to BleedPurpleGold)
I'm actually nervous about Bayern in the CL. Boateng got red carded last game and Badstuber is out for a few months. They're going to have to get creative with the defense, possibly Javi back at center back if Gustavo heals up and can play center mid. Bayern has been very impressive but they are not bullet proof, especially with the lack of depth in the back now.
I'm excited for the draw.
|
| Back to top | |
BleedPurpleGold
LSU Fan
New Orleans
Member since Apr 2005
11948 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/18/12 at 2:40 am to hendersonshands)
quote:
I'm excited for the draw.
I had to run some errands during the Dortmund match so I miss the injury with Badstuber. How many months? With a lucky draw, will he be back in time for the meat of the knockouts? What about picking someone up in the window?
|
| Back to top | |
tigerfan88
LSU Fan
Member since Jan 2008
2186 posts
| re: Rank your top 5 clubs in Europe right this second (Posted on 12/18/12 at 4:36 am to hendersonshands)
1. Dylan
2. Dylan
3. Dylan
4. Dylan
5. Dylan
|
| Back to top | |
