The Superleague's First 16 Candidates

Juventus (Italy)

Achieved a notable landmark last season with their 25th Serie A title, but only after a row over favouritism from referees that culminated in scuffles in parliament.

Milan (Italy)

It is easy to see why Sergio Berlusconiwould want his club in a European super league. Last term the red and blacks finished so low (10th) in Serie A that they failed to qualify for Europe.

Internazionale (Italy)

The blue and blacks are now very much the top dogs in the city of Milan, having come a close second to Juventus in last season's Serie A to claim a place in the European Cup

Manchester United (England)

Their anticipated long-term dominance of the English game was interrupted last season by the resurgence of Arsenal.

Arsenal (England)

It took a Frenchman, their manager Arsene Wenger, to restore the Gunners to the summit of the English game and secure the League and FA Cup double last season

Liverpool (England)

Third place in the Premiership was not enough last season, for the Anfield hierarchy, which has brought in the experienced French coach, Gerard Houllier, to work with Roy Evans

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Second place to surprise champions Kaiserslautern last term has brought the Bavarians another crack at the European Cup, which they won three years in a row in the 1970s

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

The club from the Ruhr emerged from the doldrums to win the Bundesliga in 1995 and 96 and, the following year, the European Cup

Paris St-Germain (France)

Another club that has not qualified for this year's Champions' League by right: they only finished eighth last term in a French League campaign

Olympique Marseilles (France)

Probably the most scandal-ridden club in Europe. The wealth of the entrepreneur Bernard Tapie helped them win the European Cup in 1993

Real Madrid (Spain)

The club with the most glittering history on the continent: seven European Cup triumphs, including last season's prize to add to five in a row between 1956 and '60

Barcelona (Spain)

The reigning Spanish champions can boast arguably the best support in Europe but have a long way to go before they can catch up with the record of their bitter rivals, Real Madrid.

Ajax (Netherlands)

The runaway Dutch champions last season (for the 27th time), which was their first in the continent's most futuristic club stadium: the Amsterdam Arena

Panathinaikos (Greece)

Contenders more because of their support and potential than their record, last season's Greek League runners-up have won their domestic title 18 times but never a European title

Benfica (Portugal)

Distant runners-up to Porto in the Portuguese League last season, Benfica have a proud history (30 domestic titles and two European Cups) but a chaotic present

Anderlecht (Benfica)

The biggest team in Brussels have been overshadowed by less fashionable provincial clubs in recent years and won the last of their 24 Belgian titles in 1995