The greatest aspect of top-level European competition is the opportunity to witness contrasting footballing styles face one another; pleasingly, despite the globalisation of football and the increased movement of players and coaches across borders, obvious differences remain between Europe's best leagues.

The obvious example from this week's set of Champions League fixtures is the clash between Borussia Dortmund and Juventus in Turin on Tuesday night. Whereas some of the second round ties are frustratingly...

With Liverpool 1-0 down against Bolton in their FA Cup replay in early February, it seemed logical for Brendan Rodgers to introduce Daniel Sturridge for an underperforming Joe Allen with 20 minutes to go.

Steven Gerrard and Jordan Henderson were already on the pitch in the middle, while Rodgers had Alberto Moreno to play on the left and any one of Raheem Sterling, Fabio Borini or Philippe Coutinho who could move to the right side in their 3-4-3 formation.

Rodgers, though, made a more subtle yet...

In a team packed with the world's most revered superstars, it feels slightly strange that Karim Benzema is Real Madrid's undisputed first-choice centre-forward.

It's not that Benzema isn't a fine footballer; he's just not a genuine superstar. This is a club that relishes big-name players more than any other, routinely buying the World Cup's best performer (Ronaldo, Fabio Cannavaro, Mesut Ozil, James Rodriguez after the past four) because there's a fetish for the glamour of big signings.

Real's...

The past season, Atletico Madrid came within minutes of shocking the world and winning a Champions League trophy. They were leading through regular time in the final against rivals Real Madrid, and it took an injury-time equalizer (and three extra-time goals) to end the dream. This was no fluke run; Atletico's quality shone through in the group stages, where they were unbeaten, and of course in La Liga, where they took the title.

Is it possible to identify another Atleti who could have a similar...

The Champions League round of 16 kicks off on Tuesday, and ahead of the return of European club football's elite competition, ESPN FC is asking -- and answering -- a series of "burning questions."

In this penultimate article, Michael Cox assesses the chances of the three remaining Premier League clubs to claim Europe's biggest prize this season.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BURNING QUESTIONS

- Hunter: Can Real Madrid successfully defend the trophy?
- Horncastle: Is this underachieving Juventus' biggest test yet?
- Marcotti: Will a previous winner manage another triumph?
- Cox: Which English club has the best chance of glory?
- Honigstein: Are Bayern Munich ready for another title?

In light of the latest bumper television deal for the Premier League, one of the questions raised has been, given the imminent resumption of the Champions...

Liverpool's 3-2 victory over Tottenham on Tuesday evening was one of the games of the season in the Premier League so far, with two young, high-tempo sides attacking with freedom and pressing intensely when they lost possession. Ultimately, however, the lack of control on display illustrated why they remain outsiders for the Champions League places.

Liverpool's victory was great for the race for the final two Champions League spots, which, assuming Chelsea and Manchester City don't dramatically collapse,...