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Throughout its history, the world of football has been witness to some truly amazing names lining up on the same side of the pitch. There have been numerous occasions where clubs form teams with top quality players in all departments. But just as often as these players gel together to attain success, they also fail miserably. On paper, a team may seem unbeatable but on the field, it may falter when it really matters. We take a look at 5 great club teams on paper that failed on the field.Note: Only teams from the 21st century have been considered.
#5 Inter Milan 2011-12
It took only two years for Inter to disintegrate from treble winners to a team that struggled for a Europa League place. It didn’t turn out this way because of a lack of talent – oh no, this team still had a fantastic group of footballers. But as was the case with many others before them, that particular group of players failed to put together anything worth commending.
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Prior to the first kick of the season, Inter had tried to make a statement of intent, signing World Cup Golden Ball winner Diego Forlan. Although the Uruguayan was now 32, he was expected to be a replacement for Samuel Eto’o. Apart from Forlan, coach Claudio Ranieri still had the bulk of the treble winning squad of 2010. But for reasons probably only known to Ranieri himself, this dream lineup failed to get him results. Inter spent most of the first half of the season languishing near the relegation zone.
In March, Ranieri was sacked and under his successor, Inter went on to finish a ‘respectable’ sixth.
Notable players: Julio Cesar, Maicon, Lucio, Samuel, Chivu, Nagatomo, Zanetti, Stankovic, Cambiasso, Sneijder, Guarin, Milito, Forlan, Zarate, Pazzini.
League Position: 6th
Performance in Cup: Quarterfinals
Performance in Europe: Champions League round of 16
#4 Bayern Munich 200607
Talking about quality all over the pitch, the Bayern Munich squad of 2006-07 had it all. Speed, power and intelligence could be found in plenty. Last but not the least, there was a proper mix of youth and experience – from the veterans Kahn, Scholl and Salihamidzic to the youngsters Lahm, Schweinsteiger and Podolski.
The 20-year old Podolski was a new arrival from FC Koln, having just been named the World Cup’s Best Young Player. Leading the attack was the prolific Roy Makaay, who was accompanied by two other accomplished names – Pizarro and Santa Cruz.
It could have been wonderful but unfortunately coach Felix Magath and his men got it all wrong. Magath got the sack at the end of a season that saw Bayern miss out on Champions League qualification. General manager Uli Hoeness reportedly described the team as ‘the worst in a decade’, although we can be sure he wouldn’t have said so at the start of the season. In the years that followed, the Bavarians would recover but 2006-07 will remain a season everyone at the club woud like to forget.
Notable players: Kahn, Sagnol, Van Buyten, Lucio, Demichelis, Lahm, Scholl, Van Bommel, Salihamidzic, Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger, Makaay, Podolski, Pizarro, Santa Cruz
League Position: 4th
Performance in Cup: Third round
Performance in Europe: Champions League quarter-finals
#3 AC Milan 2008-09
After winning two Champions League titles in five years, AC Milan suffered a dip in form, finishing in 5th place in 2008. The next season, the management was determined to avoid a repeat and brought in seasoned names including big signing Ronaldinho and their former star striker Shevchenko. It all added to an already talented squad that had the likes of Kaka, Maldini, Pirlo,Seedorf, Inzaghi and the exciting youngster Alexandre Pato in its ranks.
There was much optimism going into the first game but all of it disappeared as the season unravelled. Star defender Nesta was ravaged by injury, playing only one league match all season. The returning son Shevchenko failed to score in 18 league matches. Although the mid-season arrival of David Beckham on loan from LA Galaxy helped improve the spirits, the final league table saw Milan finish 10 points behind city rivals Inter.
Nevertheless, it is fascinating to contemplate what might have been. How awesome would it be for a striker to play in front of such a highly talented midfield?
Notable players: Dida, Jankulovski, Maldini, Nesta, Kaladze, Zambrotta, Pirlo, Seedorf, Beckham, Gattuso, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Pato, Inzaghi, Shevchenko
League Position: 3rd
Performance in Cup: Round of 16
Performance in Europe: UEFA Cup Round of 32
#2 Barcelona 2007-08
Considering, the assortment of talent in the team, 2007-08 was a very disappointing season for Barcelona. With an unbelievable attack comprising of Ronaldinho, Messi, Henry and Eto’o, Barca was supposed to ease their way to the title, but it didn’t quite work out that way.
Ronaldinho’s waistline increased while his performance went on the downward curve. Henry, who had arrived with huge expectations, failed to make an impact. Eto’o and Messi, on the other hand, had their seasons curtailed by injuries. In defence, the ageing Lilian Thuram did not have a memorable final season. The Catalans ended up in 3rd place, 18 points behind champions Real Madrid.
For all the gloom, 2007-08 was also a season that signalled the end of an era and the beginning of another at the Camp Nou. Champions League winning coach Frank Rijkaard bid farewell, to be replaced by reserve team coach Pep Guardiola who, to put things mildly, would go on to do pretty well in the years to come. Guardiola sent Ronaldinho packing and remodelled the team around Messi – it would prove to be a masterstroke.
Notable players: Valdes, Zambrotta, Milito, Puyol, Thuram, Abidal, Yaya Toure, Xavi, Iniesta, Deco, Ronaldinho, Messi, Bojan, Eto’o, Henry
League Position: 3rd
Performance in Cup: Semifinals
Performance in Europe: Champions League semifinals
#1 Real Madrid 2003-04
To say that Carlos Queiroz had an embarassment of riches to choose from while managing Real Madrid would be an understatement. In the 2003-04 season, Real president Florentino Perez had assembled a lineup that would make most managers drool with envy. It wasn't for nothing that the team was labeled Los Galacticos.
What else can you say when Zidane and Luis Figo are joined by Beckham and Ronaldo? At the back, there was Roberto Carlos. Then there were local boys Raul and Casillas who were no lesser names themselves.
At the end of the season, however, fans could only look back in shock as the team ended without any titles to show for its quality. On the way, the expensively assembled Galacticos suffered 10 losses, some at the hands of teams put together on shoestring budgets – it was humiliating, to say the least. A final chance for silverware did come in the Cup final, where they ended up losing to Zaragoza in extra time. In retrospect, the Galactico policy may have been a marketing success, but in footballing terms, it was a massive failure.
Notable players: Casillas, Roberto Carlos, Helguera, Pavon, Bravo, Salgado, Zidane, Cambiasso, Guti, Figo, Beckham,Ronaldo, Raul.
League Position: 4th
Performance in Cup: Runners-up
Performance in Europe: Champions League quarter-finals
