Champions League Preview: Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United & Liverpool
A look at the four Premier League teams in the Champions League and their chances of getting out of their respective groups.
Group A
Chelsea, Barcelona, Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia.
Deemed the group of death, giants Chelsea and Barcelona have been drawn together with last season’s impressive debutants Werder Bremen. Sofia are considered to be one of the weaker sides in the draw.
Last year’s competition sparked yet more controversy between Chelsea and Barca, with Del Horno’s sending off providing the annual histrionics upon which the tie hinged. This year’s match up should be even more of a spectacle with new signings straight out of the top drawer from both sides in the form of Ballack and Shevchenko for Chelsea and Thuram, Zambrotta and Gudjohnsen for Barcelona.
Their original clash provided the true watermark for both teams in which all of the tactical misgivings of both sides were exposed. Their second encounter provided a far more tactically astute performance from Barca against a Chelsea side who were lacking attacking punch.
This year both teams will want to prove themselves as the kings of Europe and with Barca hell-bent on retaining the prestigious title, Chelsea are going to have a tough time displacing them. Expect on and off the field chaos if they are drawn together again in the knock out stages.
Werder Bremen’s players will inevitably have been buoyed by Germany’s sleek progression to the world cup semi-finals, and are assumedly quietly confident of providing an upset or two in the group stages. While most people expect Barcelona and Chelsea to progress from the group without a problem, I predict that one of those teams will slip up against the Germans, providing a window of opportunity for the underdogs to progress. Sofia will inevitably prove a stumbling block, as they have been cited as the whipping boys of the group. The reality of the situation is that they have quite a few established internationals in their squad who would love nothing more than the scalps of two of Europe’s top sides.
Group C
Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux, Galatasaray.
Liverpool’s success in the Champions League in 04/05 was capped by an unprecedented turn-around in the final, which proved that with the right attitude and organisation, you can achieve anything in football.
Last season’s competition saw them quietly dispatched early on in an unexpected fashion, so they will be more desperate than ever to prove themselves on the European stage. They have made some good signings over the summer, and the progression of their young players in Sissoko and Gonzales could determine just how far they will go in this campaign.
PSV are an ever present, talented and organised team who test the big sides every year, yet they never quite seem to have the cutting edge to be considered a true threat in the latter stages. Eindhoven will be hoping to improve on their success over the past few years. Bordeaux are one of the weaker sides in the competition, and aren’t expected to throw up any surprises in the group stages.
The notorious Galatasaray will inevitably add an extra spark to the group. While the players from the other sides may not be looking forward to the trip to Istanbul, the Galatasaray squad is particularly weak this year and shouldn’t pose a threat to PSV or Liverpool.
Manchester United, Celtic, Benfica, FC Copenhagen.
Manchester United will not be particularly content with the draw, Benfica have been tough opponents for English sides over recent years, and Celtic will take heed of Rangers’ progression to the latter stages of the competition last year.
Man Utd took the bold decision to sell unsettled striker Ruud Van Nistlerooy in the summer transfer window, and are looking to bolster their attacking options before the deadline hits. However, with the re-emergence of Ole Gunnar Solksjaer and Alan Smith from long term injuries, they are likely to have a spring in their step come the first qualifying game. With the indomitable talent of Wayne Rooney providing their main attacking threat, you would expect them to make it through the group phase relatively unscathed.
Scottish champions Celtic are a tidy, aggressive outfit, who have made some sensible purchases this summer and could well push for the second slot in this group. Jiri Jarosik has the invaluable knack of scoring unexpected goals at crucial moments, and could well be their saving grace in their progression through the group stage.
Benfica have been a competent and determined side over recent seasons, personified by their captain Petit. As previously mentioned they have been the stumbling block for the top English sides recently, and are likely to push for the top spot in the group.
Group G
Arsenal, Porto, CSKA Moscow, Hamburg.
Arsenal’s path to the Champions League final last year was littered with high profile victims. They faced the biggest Europe had to offer, and only succumbed to Barcelona in the final after they went down to 10 men. Arsene’s youngsters provided entertaining yet functional football which allowed them to dispatch of Juventus and Real Madrid in the knock out stages. Henry is convinced that his team can go that one step further this year and finally get their hands on the European cup. Judging by last years performances, you would not put it past them. I have a gut feeling that Arsenal will meet Chelsea at some stage in the knockout rounds, which would provide a real spectacle from a domestic viewpoint.
After FC Porto’s Champions league win in 03/04, and the exodus Mourinho, things have been difficult for the club. They have underperformed in Europe, and will be looking to amend this in order to prove themselves as serious competitors.
CSKA Moscow are always a tough team to overcome away from home, so expect them to provide a stern challenge to Arsenal, Porto and Hamburg.
Hamburg are apparently suffering domestically from the sale of key players in the summer transfer window, and aren’t expected to progress from the group stage.
The 2008 Soccerlens Awards: Nominate Your Favourite Football Sites Here
Discussion - No Responses