Hey mates! Great day today for European football and, since the sports journalist inside is never asleep, I thought we might take a look at the Champions League draw. Let's start of the group stage.
In the first group it's gonna be a tough battle. We have Porto, who are never an underdog, Dynamo Kyiv, who have been showing up in at least the final 8 of the Europa League these past couple of years, Paris Saint-Germain, who have become quite a respectable power in European football and Dynamo Zagreb who never gives up. This draw was really lucky for PSG in their return to top-notch football. But, they are known for their inconsistencies since they let the title slip away to Montpellier last season, and that's something that they won't be able to get away with against the likes of Porto and Kiev. But, with a bit of help from Zlatan, they should be alright. Porto should be along for the ride in second.
In Group B we have a case of dejavu. Just like last year, we have a group of Arsenal, Olympiacos, a German team (Schalke) and a French team (Montpellier). Unless newcomers Montpellier (who have lost a lot of firepower this summer like Giroud who went to Arsenal) are able to pull a rabbit out of their hat, we'll go with Arsenal and Schalke for this group.
The third group is a bit of an anything-can-happen situation. We have AC Milan, Zenith, Anderlecht and Malaga from Spain. It makes sense that Milan and Malaga would be pointed out as favorites, but when we're talking about a Milan side that lost Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Nocerino and Seedorf without making a single addition (with the exception of Pazzini), then we understand how things get complicated. If we add to that the fact that they are going up against the Russian champions who have been showing up in the group stages for the past several years and the Belgian champions who are capable for the best and the worst... we could get some excitement from this group.
But if you think that group is exciting, wait for group D! Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund! Four champions from four of the best championships across Europe! Of course everyone will be watching the Real Madrid-Man. City games! For this group, it looks like a done deal, but since I've seen both Dortmund and City's European performances, I'll say let's hold off for that second place just a little while longer.
Group E is a no-brainer. The champions, Chelsea, up against the likes of Shakhtar, Juventus and Nordjelland. It's nice to see the vecchia signiora back in the Champions League though. It just didn't feel quite the same without them. I'll be hoping they get second place in this group.
Group F has a flashback of the 2001 final where FC Bayern Munich faced off against Valencia. Joining them in the group will be Lille OSC Metropole and FC BATE Borisov from Belarus. Considering how powerful both last season's runners-up and the Spanish bats are, it will be nothing short of a shocker if Lille manages to sneak in between them.
Group G is similar to E. Barcelona is paired up with SL Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic. Portuguese football is on the rise these past few seasons so let's go with Benfica for second, keeping in mind that anything is possible with the likes of Celtic and any Russian team.
Group H is pretty much the same deal. Although Manchester United will have to be extra cautious against SC Braga, Galatasaray SK and Cluj, if they don't want a repeat of last season's shameful exit (knocked out by FC Basel). Considering that they'll be topping the group, second place might be going to Galata. The Turkish champions have been on the rise for quite a while now and have a team full of experienced players.
After all this is said and done, let's try and take a shot at this years champion, shall we? Even though the two Spanish gallants seem strong for yet another season, it doesn't look possible for either of them to be in the final. Mourinho's messed up locker rooms and Barca's new coach seem to be obstacles that they cannot overcome in front of stronger opponents. The English teams are looking good (with the exception of Arsenal). Robin Van Persie is adapting well to his new environment in United and City have the same solid unit from last year, so we expect them to come back stronger in this tournament. Chelsea may have lost Drogba and Anelka, but they replaced them in the best possible way! Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Brazilian midfielder Oscar are more than sufficient to cover up the losses. FC Bayern is also in top shape! With the addition of Mario Mandzukic and Javi Martinez among others to back up the efforts of Ribery and Robben, the Bavarians are more than likely to take home what they were so close to in last season's cliffhanger final. As for an upset, if Paris Saint-Germain can manage to create a good enough team, then they may have a shot at the final four of the competition. They have become quite stronger in the last two years and it would be refreshing to see some new faces.
Overall, this looks like Chelsea's tournament, at the moment. But this is so unpredictable that anything can happen. Which is why it's so fun to watch!
In the first group it's gonna be a tough battle. We have Porto, who are never an underdog, Dynamo Kyiv, who have been showing up in at least the final 8 of the Europa League these past couple of years, Paris Saint-Germain, who have become quite a respectable power in European football and Dynamo Zagreb who never gives up. This draw was really lucky for PSG in their return to top-notch football. But, they are known for their inconsistencies since they let the title slip away to Montpellier last season, and that's something that they won't be able to get away with against the likes of Porto and Kiev. But, with a bit of help from Zlatan, they should be alright. Porto should be along for the ride in second.
In Group B we have a case of dejavu. Just like last year, we have a group of Arsenal, Olympiacos, a German team (Schalke) and a French team (Montpellier). Unless newcomers Montpellier (who have lost a lot of firepower this summer like Giroud who went to Arsenal) are able to pull a rabbit out of their hat, we'll go with Arsenal and Schalke for this group.
The third group is a bit of an anything-can-happen situation. We have AC Milan, Zenith, Anderlecht and Malaga from Spain. It makes sense that Milan and Malaga would be pointed out as favorites, but when we're talking about a Milan side that lost Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva, Nocerino and Seedorf without making a single addition (with the exception of Pazzini), then we understand how things get complicated. If we add to that the fact that they are going up against the Russian champions who have been showing up in the group stages for the past several years and the Belgian champions who are capable for the best and the worst... we could get some excitement from this group.
But if you think that group is exciting, wait for group D! Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax and Borussia Dortmund! Four champions from four of the best championships across Europe! Of course everyone will be watching the Real Madrid-Man. City games! For this group, it looks like a done deal, but since I've seen both Dortmund and City's European performances, I'll say let's hold off for that second place just a little while longer.
Group E is a no-brainer. The champions, Chelsea, up against the likes of Shakhtar, Juventus and Nordjelland. It's nice to see the vecchia signiora back in the Champions League though. It just didn't feel quite the same without them. I'll be hoping they get second place in this group.
Group F has a flashback of the 2001 final where FC Bayern Munich faced off against Valencia. Joining them in the group will be Lille OSC Metropole and FC BATE Borisov from Belarus. Considering how powerful both last season's runners-up and the Spanish bats are, it will be nothing short of a shocker if Lille manages to sneak in between them.
Group G is similar to E. Barcelona is paired up with SL Benfica, Spartak Moscow and Celtic. Portuguese football is on the rise these past few seasons so let's go with Benfica for second, keeping in mind that anything is possible with the likes of Celtic and any Russian team.
Group H is pretty much the same deal. Although Manchester United will have to be extra cautious against SC Braga, Galatasaray SK and Cluj, if they don't want a repeat of last season's shameful exit (knocked out by FC Basel). Considering that they'll be topping the group, second place might be going to Galata. The Turkish champions have been on the rise for quite a while now and have a team full of experienced players.
After all this is said and done, let's try and take a shot at this years champion, shall we? Even though the two Spanish gallants seem strong for yet another season, it doesn't look possible for either of them to be in the final. Mourinho's messed up locker rooms and Barca's new coach seem to be obstacles that they cannot overcome in front of stronger opponents. The English teams are looking good (with the exception of Arsenal). Robin Van Persie is adapting well to his new environment in United and City have the same solid unit from last year, so we expect them to come back stronger in this tournament. Chelsea may have lost Drogba and Anelka, but they replaced them in the best possible way! Eden Hazard, Marko Marin and Brazilian midfielder Oscar are more than sufficient to cover up the losses. FC Bayern is also in top shape! With the addition of Mario Mandzukic and Javi Martinez among others to back up the efforts of Ribery and Robben, the Bavarians are more than likely to take home what they were so close to in last season's cliffhanger final. As for an upset, if Paris Saint-Germain can manage to create a good enough team, then they may have a shot at the final four of the competition. They have become quite stronger in the last two years and it would be refreshing to see some new faces.
Overall, this looks like Chelsea's tournament, at the moment. But this is so unpredictable that anything can happen. Which is why it's so fun to watch!
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