The Dark Horses of Europe

There are certain clubs where many feel the time has come, for glory again. Having lain dormant, they have to challenge again for the title and become national champions. Here is a preview of the underdogs in the various national leagues all around Europe.

England: Arsenal
A team in transition, the majority say…’you don’t win anything with kids’, Alan Hansen says…well the Arsenal camp has come out with several statements of a great team spirit, epitomised in the late goals against Fulham, the battling successes against Sparta and Blackburn. The season is long and hard, but while fellow rivals underestimate the North London team, on the basis of their summer spending, which was one of Wenger’s bigger expenditures in his time in charge of the Gunners, I believe that they shall quietly challenge without any big names and a team ethic.

Liverpool shouldn’t really be considered as a dark horse considering their current squad quality and depth, but not having won the league since 1989-90 means there is a pressure on the Anfield side, and the lack of domestic success means they are a huge outsider to break the recent Chelsea, Manchester United monopoly.

Italy: Fiorentina
Having not won Serie A since the ‘Italian Job’ was released in 1969, the Florence club have assembled an side, which can challenge the Champions league spots and even have an outside chance for the title. Toni may have been sold, but the funds have been used to build a youthful yet talented side, with the prolific (albeit at youth level) Lupoli, along with the other outstanding Belgian talent of his generation in Vanden Borre and other potential stars, the club can surprise a few giants this year, especially with future star Pazzini, who scored the first hat-trick in the new Wembley.

Juventus, having returned from their Serie B exile, still have the experienced Nedved, Trezeguet and club captain Del Piero, along with a number of talented youngsters. Part of the upper hierarchy at the club has been overturned and a new beginning is imminent.

Spain: Villarreal
Riquelme is at the centre of a transfer conundrum. Having decided that he is not important enough to have a team built around him, the Spanish side instead decided upon a team ethos. Gone too, is the prolific Forlan (well in Spain anyway). Long term injury victims Pires and Rodriguez have returned, along with Rio Mavuba, to give the team a technical and physical style.

Having spent big via the sale of star striker Torres, Atletico Madrid has a great chance to break into the top four. An encouraging pre-season along with impact from signings Reyes, Simao amongst others, has added to the underachieving side flair and a strong work ethic. Is it enough to mount an outside title challenge? Time will tell…

Germany:
Who in Germany is capable of surpassing Bayern Munich? Well apart from the current Champions from Stuttgart, naturally Bremen or Schalke 04 are considered. Both have had title bids in recent years, both are considered dark horses since Bayern’s summer shock therapy, which cost them near to €80 million. Having bought from their rivals in Altintop and Klose, they have strengthened as well as weakening the outside bets. As the Bundesliga progesses, it will be evident who will form the supposed chasing pack, especially when Werder have already been slaughtered by the Bavarian machine.