So after a rather drawn out affair in Monaco the draw for the Champions League 2010/11 has been made. We didn’t get any huge stories like we have in past seasons, Jose Mourinho did not return to Stamford Bridge or Inter Milan, but the draw has thrown up some interesting ties with Group G particularly standing out. So who will make it to the last 16, will there be heartbreak for English clubs?
Group A: Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham, FC Twente
Holders Inter Milan are heavy favourites to emerge from this group in top position, and it will be a huge surprise if Rafael Benitez’ side do not make it to the next round. A trip to the Giuseppe Meazza is the kind of game Spurs fans have been waiting for and it will provide a tough test for Tottenham. The fight for second looks like a straight fight between Spurs and Werder Bremen, Spurs should have the edge on paper against a side who are not as strong as they have been in previous years, but the German side’s greater Bremen’s experience could just see them through. FC Twente were the Dutch champions last season but have lost Steve McClaren and are unlikely to make it, though they could pick up some crucial points at home.
Verdict: Inter and Werder Bremen. Europa League: Tottenham
Group B: Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Lyon excelled in the Champions League last season but also lost their domestic title, finishing second to Marseille. Lyon are a good side and have also added French star Yoann Gourcuff to their ranks this summer, they should top the group. Second should prove an interesting battle between Benfica and Schalke. Schalke finished a second in Germany last year and will be a tough proposition at home, Portuguese champions Benfica have lost star winger Angel di Maria but still have that little bit more quality and experience than the German side. Israeli outfit Hapoel Tel-Aviv will be lucky to pick up a point.
Verdict: Lyon and Benfica. Europa League: Schalke
Group C: Manchester United, Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor
Group C is quite an interesting one and could prove to be very competitive. Manchester United will be firm favourites to top the group but there could be a three way battle for second place. Valencia, despite the loss of David Villa and David Silva should have enough about them to qualify but Rangers will pose a threat at Ibrox and have strengthened this summer. Turkish champions Bursaspor are an unknown quantity, but they must be a decent side to finish above Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas, and they could prove to be a surprise bet.
Verdict: Man Utd and Valencia. Europa League: Bursaspor
Group D: Barcelona, Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan
With respect to the other teams this will be an extremely straight-forward group for Barcelona who barring a miracle will finish first. FC Copenhagen are probably the weakest side of the group, but the Danish champions could pick up some points at home. Panathinaikos and Rubin Kazan should be vying for second, Rubin Kazan won the Russian league for the second straight year last season and got a great win at Barcelona in the last Champions League campaign, but Greek champions Panathinaikos have greater experience and will be a threat.
Verdict: Barcelona and Rubin Kazan. Europa League: Panathinaikos.
Group E: Bayern Munich, AS Roma, Basel, CFR Cluj
This appears to be one of the less competitive groups and Bayern Munich and Roma will fancy their chances of progressing. Bayern are the more experienced side and have a bit more quality than Claudio Ranieri’s Roma, but the Italian side could do well this year. Champions of Switzerland and Romania respectively, Basel and Cluj will be battling for third with the Swiss side’s greater experience giving them the edge.
Verdict: Bayern Munich and Roma. Europa League: Basel
Group F: Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, MSK Zilina
Chelsea should not have too much trouble negotiating their way out of Group F, and it will be a shock if they don’t finish first. Slovakian champions MSK Zilina have made it to the group stage for the first time in their history, and will just be happy to be there. Spartak Moscow will be a difficult place to go and at home Spartak will fancy their chances against almost anyone, away though will be a different prospect and French champions Marseille have better players, and they should make it to the last 16.
Verdict: Chelsea and Marseille. Europa League: Spartak Moscow
Group G: AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre
Group G is the most exciting with European giants Milan, Real Madrid and Ajax all going head to head. Real Madrid were the team everyone wanted to avoid in the second pot and their games against AC Milan will be the most highly anticipated of the group stage. With Jose Mourinho at the helm, Madrid will be looking to do much better than they have done in previous years. Ajax and Auxerre will be hard pressed to progress, but it should be an interesting battle between them for third place.
Verdict: Real Madrid and AC Milan. Europa League: Ajax
Group H: Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, SC Braga, Partizan Belgrade
Arsenal face some long away trips to Eastern Europe, and the game in Donetsk will be a difficult one. However the Gunners should prove too strong overall and should win the group. The quest to qualify second will be a straight fight between Shakhtar and Braga. Braga finished an impressive second in the Portuguese league last year and knocked out Celtic and Sevilla in the knockout stages. Ukrainian champions Shakhtar meanwhile, are experienced European competitors and their Brazilian contingent gives attacking flair. Serbian champions Partizan Belgrade will be the whipping boys of the group.
Verdict: Arsenal and Shakhtar Donetsk. Europa League: Braga.
Do you agree? Give us your own verdict on the Champions League…
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