Pep Guardiola has achieved in one year, what many coaches spend entire careers striving for; perfection.
Last season Barcelona won every competition they entered, winning six trophies including the Champions League, La Liga and the FIFA Club World Cup.
But it wasn’t just the titles Barcelona won, it was the way in which they won them. Guardiola has created a brand of breathtaking attacking football that combines speed and guile in equal measures.
“Since I took the job our play has been marked by brave, attacking football,” said Guardiola.
“Sometimes we've been bold and, occasionally, I think we've played audaciously.
“It's a philosophy of football. Win or lose I want us to show who we are and what kind of football we believe in. I want my team to go out and be themselves.”
Now Guardiola is aiming to ensure that his Barca team go down in history as the greatest of all time, by retaining their titles.
The Catalan club are currently neck and neck with Real Madrid at the top of La Liga, while in the Champions League they are preparing for a mouthwatering quarter final tie with Arsenal. And with world player of the year Lionel Messi in even better form than he was at this stage of last season, it would be a brave man who bets against Barca winning back to back Champions League titles, a feat that has never been achieved before.Barca favourites to lift trophy
Barca, unsurprisingly, are favourites to win the Champions League, priced at 2/1, with Manchester United, the team they beat in last year’s final second favourites at 3/1. The Champions League draw has kept the two clubs apart and it is not possible for them to meet until the final.
But there are six other clubs who will be doing their best to spoil Barcelona’s attempt to make history. Inter Milan showed against Chelsea in the last round that they are serious contender for the Champions League crown, and should they beat CSKA Moscow in their quarter final, Jose Mourinho’s side will face the winners of the Arsenal – Barcelona tie in the semis. Inter are priced at 4/1 to win the Champions League
Bayern Munich cannot be ruled out of the running, the Germans will want revenge against Manchester United for defeat in the 1999 final and of course, there is the French contingent. Lyon and Bordeaux go head to head in the quarter finals, and although Lyon have more Champions League experience, it is Laurent Blanc’s Bordeaux who have really caught the eye this season and could be dark horses for the competition. Bordeaux are priced at 20/1.
But as the quarter finals get underway, neutrals and football purists will be hoping that Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona reap the rewards for their brave and bold philosophy. Champions League Outright Market:Tournament winner Barcelona 2/1 Man United 3/1 Inter Milan 4/1 Arsenal 10/1 Bayern Munich 11/1 Lyon 14/1 Bordeaux 20/1 CSKA Moscow 40/1BET NOW with bwin
