It has been a superb Matchday in a long time, and one that may change the course of the Champions League this season. Some shock defeats and some shock leaders in groups now mean the next 3 matchdays will be as important as ever.
Group A
Not all good players make good managers, but certainly, some crappy players, especially in their late years, make useless players but great managers. Laurent Blanc is one of them. Bordaeux sit on top of Group A with a weird win over Bayern München. Ciani scored at both ends, a guide for an own goal and then a super back flip for the equalizer. Müller made 2 stupid tackles and he was off, while Van Buyten pulled Chamakh down and received his marching orders. Butt tried to be a playmaker and ended up giving a penalty which he saved, followed by another one at the end. Juventus won at home by a single goal against Maccabi and are second, while Bayern rue their bad luck in third position. It’s going to be a fight till the end of the round for qualification spots.
Group B
Manchester United put one foot in the Knock-out round after they beat CSKA Moskva at in Moscow. It’s the first time they have beaten a Russian opponent in Russia, and it was Ramos’ first loss at the Luzhniki Stadium since he took over. United look good for Sunday’s clash at Anfield, after resting some key players and substituting some others early. Wolfburg had to be content with a draw against Beşiktaş, after a good performance by the Turkish side. United and Wolfburg look favorites to qualify from this group in that order, unless Wolfburg’s trip to Moscow turns sour or Beşiktaş make some improvements fast.
Group C
AC Milan puller a rabbit out of a hat and beat Madrid at the Bernabéu. Kaka could get one shot on target and Madrid missed Ronaldo, which seems hard to understand given the “stars” they claim to have. Dida’s mistake gave Madrid the lead, but a stunner from Pirlo and 2 from Pato meant Milan go level on points but second on goal difference. The Galacticos badly need Ronaldo back, and if Beckham comes to Milan in January, that will only make them stronger. Zürich could not keep their run going, losing to Marseille at home to a Heinze goal. This is a tough group and a slip for any team may spell doom. This is a group to watch out for the next 3 matchdays.
Group D
The most straightforward group of all, Chelsea and Porto seem to book their place in the Knock-out stage after wins on Wednesday. Athletico can only blame themselves for their dismal form in Europe and the La Liga.
Group E
Losers of the Matchday, Liverpool should now agree to the fact that without Gerrard and Torres, they make a crap team. Benayoun and Mascherano cannot make up for the absentees, as their form is all but sporadic. With four losses on the trot and a massive game on the weekend, Liverpool can only hope for a better result. They have done miracles in the past and they still have a chance to go through unless they screw up themselves. Buy some strikers Reds, Ngog is not a backup for Torres. Lyon are top with 3 wins and Fiorentina won a close encounter against Debreceni and went second in the group.
Group F
Shocker of the Matchday was provided by Rubin Kazan as they stunned the holder at the Camp Nou. Barcelona can find peace in the fact that Ibrahimović finally started scoring in Europe. But that’s where it ends. A super strike from Ryazantsev and bad luck with the goal post in the end meant that Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev and Rubin Kazan are all at 4 points each. Inter seem to misfire at every game after they drew against Dynamo. Mourinho will certainly have his critics if they fail to qualify. Ibrahimović seems to have left his mark of dismal performances in Europe and rampant results in the Serie A.I have no predictions for this group yet.
Group G
Sevilla seem good and through as other teams in the groups fight off each other for secong spot. Rangers were aweful, losing at him to Unirea Urziceni, while Sevilla demolished Stuttgart in Germany. We can look at the runner-up on Matchday 6, till then - no predictions.
Group H
Arsenal could only draw after a late goal from de Silva snatched a draw for Alkmaar. Olympiacos beat Standard in Greece and they can take comfort along with Arsenal that the other 2 teams are pretty bad to challenge for a spot in the next round.
| Comments |
|
