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

With Carles Puyol and Javier Mascherano out, much is expected of Gerard Pique. (Getty Images).

Carles Puyol is out. Javier Mascherano is out. All of a sudden, Barcelona have yet another defensive crisis ahead of a crucial Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain.

At a time when speculation regarding a big money move for Neymar continues to grab the headlines, is signing another forward really a priority at the Camp Nou?

Securing a top defender would be a better investment. Without one, future European campaigns could proves fruitless. Read the rest of this entry »

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

Albert Ferrer played for Spain, Barcelona and Chelsea. (Getty Images).

After taking to the pitch for both Spain and Barcelona, Albert Ferrer knows about performing under pressure.

But how did the former full back fare when he 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

Ruud Gullit (right), this week's guest on CNN FC, won back-to-back European titles with AC Milan. (Getty Images).

A European champion with club and country who was once crowned the continent’s finest player, Ruud Gullit’s pedigree in unquestionable.

Now the midfielder is adding the CNN Football Club to a CV which already boasts AC Milan, Sampdoria and Chelsea.

The mercurial Dutchman was in the studio to assess this week’s European Champions League quarterfinal ties, a competition he won twice as a player. Read the rest of this entry »

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

Ruud Gullit (right), this week's guest on CNN FC, won back-to-back European titles with AC Milan. (Getty Images).

How tough is it to win the Champions League? So tough that since the competition's format was changed in 1991, no team has won the trophy in consecutive years.

You may know that the last club to successfully defend its title was AC Milan, and that was a side which had some world class players in its ranks. I am talking about guys like Paolo Maldini, Franco Baresi, Ruud Gullit and Marco Van Basten among others.

As I prepare to interview Gullit on the CNN FC show this week, I decided to take a closer look at all the challenges clubs face in winning the competition these days, and I will tell you what, I don’t think any club will win back-to-back titles any time soon. Read the rest of this entry »

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

Former France, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur star David Ginola was a special guest on CNN FC. (Getty Images).

He is the former France winger who made himself a hero in Newcastle and north London. Now David Ginola will be answering your questions as he makes his debut for the CNN Football Club.

A flamboyant attacker who dazzled Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur fans with his gallic flair, Ginola was named the best player in England in 1999. Read the rest of this entry »

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

Andrea Pirlo is key to Juventus' chances of beating Bayern Munich. (Getty Images).

Watch the CNN Football Club every Thursday at 1700 GMT and join the the show's social debate on Facebook and Twitter.

Everywhere I look, everyone I talk to, has Bayern Munich as the favorites in an upcoming high-profile European Champions League quarterfinal clash with Juventus.

I honestly can’t believe it. In my book, the Italian giants will not only knock the Bavarians out of the tournament, but they could go on to lift the trophy at Wembley in May.

I have said it for a while and I will say it again: Juventus may be the most underrated team in Europe. Read the rest of this entry »

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

David Beckham's career maybe in its twilight but he is still a world beater in terms of earnings. (Getty Images).

Watch the CNN Football Club every Thursday at 1700 GMT and join the the show's social debate on Facebook and Twitter.

David Beckham may be coming to the end of his career but he is still a man who can top a league. France Football magazine recently published its list ranking the world’s richest footballers and according to the publication the midfielder earned over $46 million last year, more than the two maestros considered by most fans to be the best players on the planet: Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Few soccer superstars can boast the business clout of "Brand Beckham", but how has the former England captain been able to hold on to his appeal? How is he still making more money in endorsements as a 37-year-old player past his prime, than the finest footballers of the current generation? Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: CNN Sports Anchor, Pedro Pinto
Filed under: Football

Wayne Rooney played a bit part as Manchester United were beaten by Real Madrid (Getty Images).

Almost since its inception, the English Premier League has been lauded by many as the world’s greatest football division. Its mix of history, big-club glamor, international superstars, explosive on-pitch action and passionate fan support have combined to create a product that has fans in Singapore and Sao Paulo salivating as much as those in Salford, Manchester.

However, proving which nation has the strongest top league on Planet Earth is a tricky task; there are so many factors on which to grade them. Whether it’s average attendance at games, money spent on players, the rate of big teams losing to small, goals per game, the ratio of Brazilians per club or whether the Beckham family can be found on the terrace, the options and methods with which to rank such leagues are as endless as the time it takes to decide a new Pope.

Shining like a beacon of truth in this sea of confusion and befuddlement is the European Champions League, a competition whose allure and pedigree stands above all others in world soccer. It’s the elite club competition that has billionaire team owners, the smartest of tactician-managers and the world’s finest footballers straining every sinew to win. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted by: Ben Wyatt, CNN Sport Development Supervisor
Filed under: Football

Boris Becker will be swapping the tennis court for the CNN FC studio (Getty Images).

He is the youngest men’s Wimbledon singles champion of all time and a German tennis icon. But this week, Boris Becker is switching his attention from the court to the football pitch.

The Bayern Munich fanatic was Thursday’s guest on the CNN Football Club. The former world No. 1 was in the studio to discuss the week’s Champions League action, including his beloved Bayern’s last-16 second-leg match against Arsenal. Read the rest of this entry »

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