By Chia Han Keong

THE first wave of football teams who have qualified for next year's Champions League knockout rounds emerged on Tuesday.

Yet, one vital fact remained undetermined: the identity of the top team for Europe's elite tournament.

At the same group stage last year, eventual champions Barcelona were already steamrolling past their hapless opponents, creating an aura of near-invincibility in their march towards their title.

This year, it appears as if any club can be beaten - even traditional powerhouses such as Manchester United, Real Madrid and AC Milan.

Even mighty Barcelona became mere mortals, crashing to a shock 1-2 home loss to unheralded Russian side Rubin Kazan two weeks ago.

Real Madrid, which assembled a star-studded side in the off-season, with the primary ambition  of winning thiscompetition for a record 10th time, were also far from brilliant, as they failed to beat an ageing AC Milan side in both their home and away encounters.

Man United, champions in 2008, were among those who qualified for the knockout phase on Tuesday.

Yet, the manner in which they qualified - scrambling to a 3-3 draw against modest CSKA Moscow in the dying minutes of their home tie - exposed the frailties of the English club.

Ditto Chelsea, with their frantic 2-2 draw against AtleticoMadrid, as they let their lead slip away in the final minute against the Spanish hosts.

While it may be a case of these top European clubs doing "just enough" to qualify and reserving their best for the later stages, it does not bode well that they are exposing their flaws so soon amid this tough competition.

If they do not buck up quickly, these flaws could very well come back to haunt them.

hankeong@sph.com.sg

For more my paper stories click here.