August 25, 2011
It’s that time of the year again, as the 32 teams involved in the Champion’s League are selected for group play.
A: Liverpool, Juventus, Stuttgart, Lech.
The financial crisis has Liverpool needing to stay alive as long as possible in the Champion’s League, with each game worth potentially millions of dollars. Look for them to rise to the occasion, while a dogfight breaks out for the second spot, with it most likely going to Juventus, who have added Mirko Vucinic up front to go along with the defense anchored by Giorgio Chiellini and Gianluigi Buffon.
B: Olympique de Marseilles, Genoa, Fenerbahçe, Moscow.
A tight group, but Olympique de Marseilles and Genoa should have enough quality to proceed. Marseille could be a dark horse to make some noise in the tournament: much depends on how teenage Czech starlet Vaclav Kadlec works up front with veteran Nicolas Anelka.
C: Atletico Madrid, HSV, Metalist, Litex.
With Angel Di María and Michael Carrick supporting the attack of Giuseppe Rossi, Falcao, and Diego Forlán, the Spanish side should have a walk. HSV can consider themselves fortunate with the draw, as in several other groups they would be hard-pressed to progress; here, however, they should find themselves up to the challenge. Expectations are especially high for their Peruvian phenom Gary Martinez’ debut in the spotlight of European football.
D. Real Madrid, Everton, Rosenborg, Unirea Urziceni.
Unless Everton collapse entirely, look for them to move ahead along with Real Madrid in what is easily the weakest of the groups. Both teams have too much quality to stumble with Madrid, as usual, struggling to find enough playing time to go around for their squad.
E. Barcelona, Celtic, Paris Saint-Germain, Besiktas.
Barcelona has to be considered one of the favorites to win it all and, despite a spirited go from Celtic, Paris Saint-Germain should advance as well.
F: FC Bayern, Panathinaikos, Manchester City, FC Salzburg.
Manchester City should be able to turn their talent into results here, but the second spot is wide open. It should be Bayern’s to lose, but the German side has been decidedly unimpressive to date.
G: Chelsea, Fiorentina, Anderlecht, AS Nancy Lorraine.
Chelsea should top the group, but none of these teams are pushovers. Still, Anderlecht has to be seen as the weakest of the four, while the race between Fiorentina and ASNL may come down to the final matches.
H: Inter, Ajax, Braga, Rubin.
A fascinating group: Inter look vulnerable for the first time in years, Ajax is struggling to replace the scoring acumen of Luis Suárez (although two youngsters, the Brazilian Guilherme and the Serbian Miralem Sulejmani, are emerging as viable options), while both Braga and Rubin have enough talent to cause an upset. I expect Inter and Braga to move on, but it really could be any two of these clubs.
MKNN 