As the European footballing season draws to a close in what has been another unforgettable year of drama, we head into the home straight in eager anticipation for both domestic and continental competitions.
Yet, when we skim our eyes over to the fixtures, we see a very drastic change from last season.
In 2010, Internazionale won the treble in an unbelieveable season under the “special one” in Jose Mourinho.
Inter swept all before them in Italy and globally with the Italian supercup and Club World Cup triumphs this season.
Chelsea overcame European disappointment to romp to a maiden English Double after scoring a record 103 goals in the league and missing almost the same amount of chances in the FA Cup Final on their way to 1-0 defeat of Pompey.
In Germany, “FC Hollywood” (Bayern Munich) went all the way in the the Champions League in making their first final since their triumph in 2001 but fell at the last hurdle in what could also have been a treble winning year, as the Bavarian giants did the League and German cup double.
Domestically, and in Europe, these triumvirate of teams dominated, winning nine trophies between them. Almost a year down the track, all three would lying if they didn’t want to rewind the clock to their glorious seasons from 2009/2010.
The Nerazurri, Blues and Bavarians all currently sit in third in their respective leagues with a title challenge all but over after disappointing seasons to say the least.
Even Chelsea at one stage were fighting to make it into the Champions League for next season.
It is truly a far cry from the history that was made last season.
Two managers in Louis Van Gaal and Rafa Benitez have already been given their marching orders while Carlo Ancelotti and Leornado are on the brink of being shipped out.
As clamours grow louder about the end of an era at both West London and the blue and black half of Milan, as well as a revolution being announced in Munich with big changes being mooted for all three in the summer.
This comes after five consecutive Serie A titles for Inter while Chelsea have won three of the last six EPL titles and a hat-trick of FA cup titles to go with five Champions League semi-finals in seven years.
As for the German team, they’ve been the perennial winners in Germany for decades.
Now, as we await the inevitable relinquishing of their titles and the subsequent return to power of some of some of the faded giants and new and hungry challengers in the Rossoneri, Los Blancos and Borussia Dortmund.
We see the continued dominance of Manchester United, and the Blaugrana, it has to be said this year, has involved the changing of the guard and handing over of the baton.
The season has features some telling clashes most notably the 3-1 hammerings handed out by the Gunners and Dortmund over Chelsea and Bayern as well as Inter’s two and three nil lashing as against the Old Lady and Milan.
It suggests that the pretenders of yesterday are now ready to take over from their conquerors.
A big overhaul of the teams are rumoured and that is very much necessary if these fallen titans want to return to the top of the game.
This year has proven once more that there are no certainties in football. One moment you could be on cloud nine while the next you’re barely floating. It is startling how not just one but three champions from last year find themselves in nearly identical positions 12-months on.
To long suffering fans of Dortmund, Tottenham, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Milan, silverware is not far off and big strides have been made in 2011 laying down the foundations for future success.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
My mate is a Avid Gunners supporter and I have discussed this in detail with him but the stadium was built in 2006 and it has been 6 years now without a trophy which is farcical, surely they would have won something during this time i mean this isnt Stoke City, it is Europes powerhouses. When Wenger adjusts or is sacked by someone who gets it right then Arsenal can be a real force with the spine of the team of Scshezny,Vermauelen, Sagna, Cesc, Song, Nasri, Walcott and Van Perise leading the way with important signings that fixes up problems at Cb, wide player and quality striker that competes with RVP to find a starting spot in order to keep him working hard.
Subrasub
Roar Guru
In fairness i do think that Inter Milan won't be seeing much success in the near future unless household changes are made as is the same for Bayern as they are already lining up changes. As for Chelsea their ageing squad could be mowed down very soon by a younger and more hungrier team such as Arsenal or Man city
Subrasub
Roar Guru
I would have to disagree with you that Hertha Berlin is the biggest team in Germany. I don't know if you mean by prestige or supporters but Bayern Munich and the usual suspects such as Leverkusen, Dortmund, Hamburg and Stuttgart are certainly bigger than Hertha. I do agree that it is highly competitive as a league collectively but once it comes to the cream of the crop Bayern really don't face much competition at all to be perfectly honest, just the relegation battling and mid table and european tussling is fascinating. It is Europe's highest scoring league and thus is a great spectacle but to say the British or Spanish leagues are the most watched leagues and are far more superior to the Bundesliga in terms of overall quality and would never be threatened by the bundersliga. Economics really isnt relevant in this case. Rather the wastage lies with Bayern, their spending capabilities compared to their domestic counterparts is quite ridiculous and to not win a trophy with the likes of Robben, Ribery, Gomez, Schweinsteiger, Lahm and Klose runny around for them is pretty woeful and really it would be complacency or sheer jadedness that would stop them from winning every year in the league considering only Stuttgartin 07 and Wolfsburg in 09 and of course Dortmund now have won the bundesliga in the last 10 years just to show Bayern's dominance o recent times
The Cattery
Guest
You have to cut Arsenal some slack. With the resources diverted to building their new stadium, they have gone through a period of relative austerity, and have tried to make do with what they have in playing personnel for a few years now.
The Recalcitrant
Guest
Inter paid the price for all those injuries early in the season, the new coach who was a dud and sustained success at such a competitive level is very hard. Even with billions behind you. Munchen is in a very competitive league, the most competitive in top level soccer. Was only a matter of time before they got whacked. To give you an idea how tough Bundesliga is, Hertha, which is the biggest club went down to Bundesliga 2(but will bounce straight back). Germany is twice the size of Britain and has the biggest economy in Europe by a mile so it only stands to reason it is so strong. It is only good old German conservatism that stop this league from being the biggest and best in all of soccer. It gets good results without the wastage you get in Britain and Spain. If only their countries were run better Germany would not need to bail them out like they are now. Arsenal is a joke. They are always building and never seem to win much. Sack Arsene and get Mourinho. He will get you all the successes you could desire without the cry baby story.
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think you could only say a new guard is in place if these new teams in hindsight start to dominate over the coming seasons, otherwise it is just a blip until some new club or an older one takes their place. In Borussia Dortmunds case, with a young team they could go far but have only their own mental strength to find to stay ahead of the pack for a number of seasons; their first test then was staying on top with so many games to play with such a big lead (which they should do). Conversely, Arsenal's fans seem to be getting a bit fed up with Arsene Wenger and are looking to him as the scapegoat for the lack of mental strength the team seems to show in winning positions, latter part of the season and finals.