And as soon as they were announced, even those more used to online baccarat would have felt even more comfortable about the chances of United. Manchester City probably had the toughest group and it was always going to be a challenge for them to qualify on their competition début.

 

As it turned out, however, neither had enough to make it through their group in the end, and instead it was just Chelsea and Arsenal left to carry the hopes of a nation. Two clubs with precisely zero European (Champions League) titles to their name. Without wanting to be a prophet of doom – that does not exactly instil the greatest amount of faith in the chances of 2012 seeing an English winner.

 

Perhaps I am being a little harsh here. Both of these sides are very capable on the European stage, and although you might not want to pin your hopes on them based on history, they will certainly feel they have as good a chance as anyone of winning it.

 

Unlike Bayern Munich and Barcelona, neither Chelsea or Arsenal are expected to win their domestic league at a stroll. In fact, you could argue that both of them are already out of contention. That leaves the Champions League as the best piece of silverware either of them could hold out any hope of winning, so perhaps they will now put their all into that. Ask any of their fans – that will be the one they really want right now.

 

Looking at their draws for the last 16, neither of them have been given impossible challenges. Arsenal face AC Milan, who will be tough to beat, yes, but Italian football is not what it once was, and they will fancy their chances. Chelsea take on Napoli – the masters of Manchester City's downfall. If Villas-Boas gets his tactics right, though, his side should have the necessary experience and quality to beat them.

 

The real problem they face is beating Barcelona or Real Madrid if they ever come up against them. Put simply, they are the best two sides in club football at the moment, and will surely be favourites to win the tournament. Despite this, they are both beatable, and if Chelsea or Arsenal come up against them, they must surely believe that they have what it takes to beat them.

 

Whether they will or not, remains to be seen – as does the question of whether they will even get to face them. What is true, though, is it is going to be a huge challenge to win the Champions League for these two. But who knows? They can certainly dream.