Top News

Where does barcelona rank among greatest

(China Daily)
Updated: 2011-05-31 07:41

REAL MADRID (ESP) 1955-1960

The first truly great European club side, Real Madrid won the first five editions of the European Cup to establish itself as the most glamorous team on the continent. Prolific Argentine striker Alfredo di Stefano and Hungarian playmaker Ferenc Puskas were the stars, scoring all seven goals in the 7-3 thrashing of Eintracht Frankfurt at Hampden Park in the 1959-60 European Cup final.

Star men: Alfredo di Stefano (ARG), Ferenc Puskas (HUN), Francisco Gento (ESP)

Coaches: Jose Villalonga (ESP), Luis Carniglia (ARG), Miguel Munoz (ESP), Manuel Fleitas (PAR)

Trophies: European Cup/Champions League 1955-56, 1956-57, 1957-58, 1958-59, 1959-60, Intercontinental Cup 1960, La Liga 1956-57, 1957-58

AJAX (NED) 1970-1973

The first team since Real to win three consecutive European Cups, in 1972 Ajax also became the first team since Celtic in 1967 to win a treble of the European Cup, its domestic league championship and its principal domestic cup competition. Coach Rinus Michels' revolutionary "Total Football" tactical approach - which saw players freely exchanging positions on the pitch - was the basis for the success.

Star men: Johan Cruyff (NED), Ruud Krol (NED), Johan Neeskens (NED)

Coaches: Rinus Michels (NED), Stefan Kovacs (ROM)

Trophies: European Cup/Champions League 1970-71, 1971-72, 1972-73, Intercontinental Cup 1972, UEFA Super Cup 1973, Eredivisie 1971-72, 1972-73, Dutch Cup 1970-71, 1971-72

LIVERPOOL (ENG) 1974-1985

After Bill Shankly took Liverpool from the foot of the second division to the pinnacle of the English game, his successor Bob Paisley went one stop further by guiding the Reds to European Cup glory on three occasions. An organic recruitment strategy saw Paisley replaced by another member of Shankly's famous Boot Room, Joe Fagan, who led the club to a fourth European Cup success in 1984.

Star men: Kenny Dalglish (SCO), Kevin Keegan (ENG), Ian Rush (WAL)

Coaches: Bob Paisley (ENG), Joe Fagan (ENG)

Trophies: European Cup/Champions League 1976-77, 1977-78, 1980-81, 1983-84, UEFA Cup 1975-76, UEFA Super Cup 1977, English First Division 1975-76, 1976-77, 1978-79, 1979-80, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84, English League Cup 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1983-84

AC MILAN (ITA) 1987-1994

Under coach Arrigo Sacchi, who never played soccer professionally, Milan developed a game founded upon the ultra-attacking principles espoused by Rinus Michels, with aggressive pressing of opposition players and a high defensive line key features. Dutch trio Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard were the core of a team that won European Cups in 1989 and 1990 before thrashing Barcelona 4-0 in the 1993-94 final under the guidance of Fabio Capello.

Star men: Marco van Basten (NED), Ruud Gullit (NED), Franco Baresi (ITA)

Coaches: Arrigo Sacchi (ITA), Fabio Capello (ITA)

Trophies: European Cup/Champions League 1988-89, 1989-90, 1993-94, Intercontinental Cup 1989, 1990, UEFA Super Cup 1989, 1990, 1994, Serie A 1987-88, 1991-92, 1992-93, 1993-94

BARCELONA (ESP) 2004-2011

Pep Guardiola's appointment as Barcelona coach in 2008 saw the project of slick, possession-based soccer that had begun under his predecessor Frank Rijkaard develop into something approaching an art-form. With Spanish World Cup winners Xavi and Andres Iniesta supplying the bullets for Argentine maestro Lionel Messi, Barca secured its place in the pantheon of Europe's great sides.

Star men: Lionel Messi (ARG), Xavi (ESP), Andres Iniesta (ESP)

Coach: Frank Rijkaard (NED), Pep Guardiola (ESP)

Trophies: European Cup/Champions League 2005-06, 2008-09, 2010-11, FIFA Club World Cup 2009, UEFA Super Cup 2009, La Liga 2004-05, 2005-06, 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11, Spanish Cup 2008-09.

China Daily

(China Daily 05/31/2011 page23)