From left to right: Roberto Di Matteo, Alex Ferguson, Roberto Mancini and Luciano Spalletti. (Getty Images)

As the end of another UEFA Champions League campaign draws to a climactic close, it’s traditional to assess those that stood above others with their contribution of exceptional performance, inspired tactics and delivery of dramatic moments.

The ritual of placing an outstanding player or masterful manager on a pedestal to marvel at their achievements is an annual exercise of adulation, but there is a flip side to the tale of the season that this ignores.

Tradition, according to Christian scholar Jaroslav Jan Pelikan, is “the living faith of the dead”, and so - with this thought as a guiding light - this column will focus on the negative and malfunctioning instead. Namely, which manager failed most to live-up to their pre-season goals? After all, this is the question that preoccupies the myriad of club owners across Europe. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Ben Wyatt; CNN Digital Sport Producer
Filed under: Football

Which of these five players has been the 2012/13 Champions League's MVP? (Getty Images)

After 124 games and 355 goals, there are only two teams left standing in the European Champions League.

Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund managed to navigate their way through an intense group stage and six dramatic knock-out stage matches to reach the final, scheduled for May 25 at Wembley.

Since there is still plenty of time to look ahead to the Battle of the Bundesliga, I have decided instead this week to take a look back at what has been an exhilarating season and pick my Most Valuable Player of the competition. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Anchor, Pedro Pinto
Filed under: Football

For the first time, a deutsches derby will decide who is the best club side in Europe. (Getty Images).

With its youth system, strong national team, and financial prudence as well as the entertaining style of football employed by both the country's international side and its top clubs, it's not difficult to understand why Germany has been branded a soccer success.

And it is. Just not as much as we perceive it to be. Yet.

While the march of Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund to Wembley has been thrilling to watch, it's too early to tick the box marked "Era of German domination." Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Alex Thomas, CNN World Sport Anchor
Filed under: Football

Jurgen Klopp, Jose Mourinho, Arsene Wenger and Carlo Ancelotti could all be on the move. (Getty Images).

No sooner had the final whistle blown on the semifinal victory by Borussia Dortmund over Real Madrid, than speculation swiftly turned to whether this was also the final whistle on Jose Mourinho’s career at the helm of the Spanish giants.

Never one to miss a trick in tantalising the press, the self-dubbed "Special One" shaped the narrative of the media response to the defeat by suggesting in post-match interviews that he “might not be” in charge of Los Meringues next season.

“England,” he stated, “is where I know … I am loved. I know I am loved by some clubs, especially one.” Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Ben Wyatt, CNN World Sport Digital Producer
Filed under: Football

Owen Hargreaves played for Bayern Munich before moving to Manchester United in 2007. (Getty Images).

Owen Hargreaves is a former England midfielder who lifted the Champions League trophy twice during a glittering career.

On Thursday, the former Bayern Munich and Manchester United star made his debut for the CNN Football Club. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Digital Assistant Producer, Tom McGowan
Filed under: Football

Borussia Dortmund's Mario Gotze will be playing for Bayern Munich next season. (Getty Images).

"Almost impossible." That's how former German international striker Oliver Bierhoff described the task his country face in trying to win the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

On the evidence of last week's Champions League semifinal first legs, Bierhoff is mistaken.

Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund could both capture continental glory after four-goal hauls against Barcelona and Real Madrid respectively, but the big winners look set to be the German national team.

A look through the starting line ups for both Bayern and Dortmund reveals an array of young, exciting, vibrant, German talent which must have national coach Joachim Low licking his lips. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Digital Assistant Producer
Filed under: Football

Brad Friedel has spent 16 years playing in England's top division. (Getty Images).

Brad Friedel has become part of the furniture in the English Premier League, spending 16 years in the division with a host of top clubs.

On Thursday, the formidable Tottenham Hotspur shotstopper made his debut for the CNN Football Club. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Digital Assistant Producer, Tom McGowan
Filed under: Football

Does Luis Suarez's lofty status mean he should set a better example? (Getty Images).

English Premier League footballers have it pretty good. They are rich, famous and idolized by millions of fans around the world.

It would be fair to say they are reaping the rewards of all the work done by English football officials over the last 21 years in making the nation’s top flight the most marketable and profitable soccer product on the planet.

However, as the Luis Suarez case showed this past weekend, the increased money has brought increased scrutiny, and that means players need to realize they have a responsibility to act in a professional manner. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Anchor, Pedro Pinto
Filed under: Football

Stan Collymore played for Liverpool and England during his career. (Getty Images).

Stan Collymore forged a reputation as a formidable English Premier League striker before building a career as one of Britain’s most recognizable football broadcasters.

On Thursday, the former Liverpool and England goalscorer made his debut for the CNN Football Club. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Digital Assistant Producer, Tom McGowan
Filed under: Football

Josep Guardiola oversaw a period of domestic and European dominance for Barcelona. (Getty Images).

Bayern Munich have clinched the Bundesliga title in record time, reached the semifinals of the European Champions League and the German Cup, and yet they are preparing to say goodbye to manager Jupp Heynckes at the end of the season.

Considering how well the Bavarians have done this year, we have to ask, do they really need Pep Guardiola? I say no they don’t.

Whatever way you look at it, Bayern have had an amazing campaign. Domestically, they are on course to set new league records for victories and points. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN World Sport Anchor, Pedro Pinto
Filed under: Football