Thursday, August 28, 2008

Champions League Draw Instant Analysis

First, the groups:

A
Chelsea
Roma
Bordeaux
CFR Cuj

Analysis: Dangerous Roma presents a threat to Chelsea at the top, but there's no stopping the Blues here.

B
Inter
Bremen
Panathinaikos
Anorthosis

Analysis: Mourinho's group is a breeze. Bremen and Panathinaikos battle for second behind Inter.

C
Barcelona
Sporting
Basel
Shaktar

Analysis: Barca draws well. Sporting may finally escape the group stage, having beaten Basel in the UEFA Cup last year, 5-0. Shaktar may have something to say there as well.

D
Liverpool
PSV
Marseille
Atletico Madrid

Analysis: Pretty tight fit here with Liverpool, PSV, Atletico and Marseille trading blows. This could come down to some tie-breakers.

E
Manchester United
Villareal
Celtic
Aalborg

Analysis: Aalborg guarantees three points for the remainder of the group. United favored with Villareal edging Celtic? Maybe?

F
Lyon
Bayern
Steaua
Fiorentina

Analysis: Bayern returns to the Champions League and hits formidable opponents at all turns. Lyon and Bayern cannot afford a slip.

G
Arsenal
Porto
Fenerbahce
Dinamo Kyiv

Analysis: Fenerbahce snuck into the final eight last year, but Arsenal and Porto may not permit this.

H
Real Madrid
Juventus
Zenit
Bate

Analysis: Interesting return to the Champions League for Juventus. Real Madrid gets in. Zenit and Juve will battle for second.

OBLIGATORY GROUP OF DEATH: D or F -- you choose. I'll say D.
UPSET BOUND TO HAPPEN: Zenit over Juventus for second in Group H; Sporting getting to the knockout stage.

2 comments:

Lonnie said...

Please e-mail at lonnie@championsleaguetalk.com, I'd like to discuss blogging in more detail.

Bibin said...

Come on, man,

Group H is undoubtedly the Group of death. Why? Moscow is the most difficult place to travel and Zenit with Arshavin will be difficult to deal at their place.