Good morning.
Saturday mornings are always interesting. Recovery from the week before, mulling over the midweek Champions' League and UEFA Cup happenings, while trying to predict and preview the weekend action. Oh yes, and there is the terrible hangover to deal with sometimes.
I considered starting another European Football blog - where I would talk about the happenings all over Europe - domestic leagues, domestic cups, UEFA CUP et al. Too much to talk about and not enough time. So right now, I'll use this blog to talk about the rest of Europe with respect to how they affect the Champons' League.
Midweek brought us to the halfway point in this season's Champions' League.
Yes, admittedly, some of the groups may essentially be wrapped up on Matchday 4, and thereby render Matchday 3 closer to the end than the middle, but I still consider this to be the the midway point because everyone has played 3 matches out of the total 6. Time for me to review, generalize and look forward.
There are 32 teams in the Champions' League. Here's my top 10.
1. Lyon
Perfect. 8 goals scored and none conceded, 2 wins out of the 3 coming away from home. Add in a sumptuous attacking display that comprehensively dismantled Real Madrid. Definitely the class of the Champions' League this season so far.
One can argue that their group is a bit week, however a team can only beat those in front of them. Every year Lyon lose one or two of their established starting XI to richer pastures, yet they come back seemingly stronger.
Dark horses perhaps, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them go very far this year.
2. Bayern
3 wins out of 3. No goals conceded, averaging more than 2 scored per game, they are perfect in a rather difficult group having played 2 away games.
The Germans have brought a quiet efficiency to what could have been a troublesome opening (See Inter).
Admittedly, Sporting were unlucky not to score, after Kahn played a blinder in net on Wednesday, and Inter seemed to have initially imploded, but Bayern have held firm, not been complacent and beaten the team put out in front of them on each matchday.
I am a little unconvinced of their ability to withstand a settled attacking outfit, that comes at them with 3 forwards (I look forward to their game today against Werder Bremen today) and for that reason alone I place them second - just off the summit behind Lyon.
Afternoon note - Bremen have just stuffed Bayern 3-1 in the Bundesliga.
3. Valencia
Another perfect start - 3 wins out of 3 - top of their group with a good goalscoring record as well.
However, imperious that they have apeared to be, they have conceded some sloppy goals at times and the 3 they have shipped so far besmirchs an otherwise flawless start to their Eurpoean campaign. The solid performances of their midfield though, make them feared opponents and if they top their group, which they should, few teams will fancy a tie against them in March.
In Villa they have one of the best and most consistent strikers in the World while boasting a solid, pedigreed core of experience and skill.
4. Chelsea
Yet another of the 3 out of 3 club - Chelsea seems to be clicking into gear just as the group stage starts hotting up. For all their impressiveness against Barcelona, it must be reminded they were pretty pedestrain at the start - their 3-1 away win against Levski flattering them somewhat.
For a team that has access to limitless funds and has blatantly stockpiled and unsettled the best talent in the World, the standards are that much higher. Chelsea, in my opinion, other than the game against Barca, whom we must admit were a little off colour on the night, have been par for the course. And for Chelsea, simply winning 2-0, without taking the breath away, is not enough.
Once the group stage concludes, they may well be the strongest looking team, but for now they're not.
5. Liverpool
Top of their group and still unbeaten, their reilience in the face of adversity puts them so far up.
Liverpool, will never overwhelm you with their firepower or wow you with their attaking play. They will however, be notoriously hard to beat.
For large periods against Bordeaux midweek, they were summarily outplayed, yet they held firm and snuck a winner. They dismantled Galatasary before 2 late goals undid the spectacle somewhat. Their draw at PSV, against arguably the best Eredivisie team of the last couple of years, was a show of intent, that reinforces my belief that Liverpool are harder to beat in Europe than many of the higher rated tems in Europe.
6. Manchester United
The last of the teams that sport a perfect record, United are yet to display any of the attacking verve or all-round solidity that made them once, one of the most feared sides in Europe.
Their 1-0 away win against a Benfica side was far from convincing. They beat Celtic, rather fortuitously, at home thanks to a dodgy penalty before filling their boots against Kobenhavn - arguably the weakest team in the Champions' League this year. Their group's lack of depth places them so far down.
Still, they have beaten the teams that they have faced and you are only as good as your last few results. Top their group they probably will, but convincing, they are far from at present.
7. Milan
Top of their group - unbeaten, despite playing 2 games away from home. Unbreached against Lille, one of the trickiest teams to face this year.
Another side that while sitting atop their group have been far from convincing. Their opening 3-0 demolition of AEK was impressive but they then faded, with their static away draw to Lille, and their laboured home win against Anderlecht.
No doubt posessing one of the classiest team sheets in all of Europe, Milan have repeatedly flattered to deceive. How many more acts of sheer brilliance from Kaka and Pirlo can rescue them in the long term, one wonders. Their team continues to be less than the sum of their parts and come the knockout stages, they may well be tested. A bit like Liverpool - very hard to beat, but not that imperious going forward themselves.
8. CSKA Moscow
Another of the unbeaten teams. CSKA have played very well in punching above their weight in a tricky group. Very technical, organised and at home on any surface. Their goal is yet to be breached.
They may have been lucky to beat Arsenal last Tuesday, as a shocking decision by an inept linesman preserved their win, but overall, they were better for long periods against their more illustrious opponents. Also, they held Porto in Portugal while beating Hamburg at home. Both Vagner Love and Daniel Carvalho are two of the better finishers in Europe and their canny style can make them very, very tricky to play against.
They still have a fight on their hands to finish top of their group but can bask in the glory of emerging unscathed at the halfway point.
9. PSV
The last of the unbeaten teams whose away form has been brilliant. Europe is mostly about playing well away from home and their fightback against Galatasaray, after gong a goal down, was the stuff of legend.
They are settled, organised and posess quality in all the important parts of the pitch. Defender Alex has been one of the best in Europe while they have been a constant threat going forward despite losing their best attacker, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, to Celtic in the off season.
Liverpool have a fight on their hands for top place in this group.
10. Arsenal
Not quite the sweeping, defensively brilliant finalists of last year but still good enough to emerge from this group, possibly as winners, this time around.
They were unlucky to lose at Moscow - thanks to a dodgy linesman - but their campaign is yet to produce the smooth silken football that they are well capable of. Their perfomances, while never getting out of second gear, have still been classy. Nonetheless, it matters not how you play at home when conditions are setup for you but how you play away, when the conditions aren't.
Their crunch match away to Porto in two matchdays time should decide their group stage performance and possibly their final position.
------------------------------
Like every year, the cream is yet to rise, and come the knockout stages, we will finally get to see the best in Europe go head to head. That then, raises the question, why have a group stage at all ?
Money. It's always about money. (Somewhere Lazar Vracaric smiles)
Saturday mornings are always interesting. Recovery from the week before, mulling over the midweek Champions' League and UEFA Cup happenings, while trying to predict and preview the weekend action. Oh yes, and there is the terrible hangover to deal with sometimes.
I considered starting another European Football blog - where I would talk about the happenings all over Europe - domestic leagues, domestic cups, UEFA CUP et al. Too much to talk about and not enough time. So right now, I'll use this blog to talk about the rest of Europe with respect to how they affect the Champons' League.
Midweek brought us to the halfway point in this season's Champions' League.
Yes, admittedly, some of the groups may essentially be wrapped up on Matchday 4, and thereby render Matchday 3 closer to the end than the middle, but I still consider this to be the the midway point because everyone has played 3 matches out of the total 6. Time for me to review, generalize and look forward.
There are 32 teams in the Champions' League. Here's my top 10.
1. Lyon
Perfect. 8 goals scored and none conceded, 2 wins out of the 3 coming away from home. Add in a sumptuous attacking display that comprehensively dismantled Real Madrid. Definitely the class of the Champions' League this season so far.
One can argue that their group is a bit week, however a team can only beat those in front of them. Every year Lyon lose one or two of their established starting XI to richer pastures, yet they come back seemingly stronger.
Dark horses perhaps, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them go very far this year.
2. Bayern
3 wins out of 3. No goals conceded, averaging more than 2 scored per game, they are perfect in a rather difficult group having played 2 away games.
The Germans have brought a quiet efficiency to what could have been a troublesome opening (See Inter).
Admittedly, Sporting were unlucky not to score, after Kahn played a blinder in net on Wednesday, and Inter seemed to have initially imploded, but Bayern have held firm, not been complacent and beaten the team put out in front of them on each matchday.
I am a little unconvinced of their ability to withstand a settled attacking outfit, that comes at them with 3 forwards (I look forward to their game today against Werder Bremen today) and for that reason alone I place them second - just off the summit behind Lyon.
Afternoon note - Bremen have just stuffed Bayern 3-1 in the Bundesliga.
3. Valencia
Another perfect start - 3 wins out of 3 - top of their group with a good goalscoring record as well.
However, imperious that they have apeared to be, they have conceded some sloppy goals at times and the 3 they have shipped so far besmirchs an otherwise flawless start to their Eurpoean campaign. The solid performances of their midfield though, make them feared opponents and if they top their group, which they should, few teams will fancy a tie against them in March.
In Villa they have one of the best and most consistent strikers in the World while boasting a solid, pedigreed core of experience and skill.
4. Chelsea
Yet another of the 3 out of 3 club - Chelsea seems to be clicking into gear just as the group stage starts hotting up. For all their impressiveness against Barcelona, it must be reminded they were pretty pedestrain at the start - their 3-1 away win against Levski flattering them somewhat.
For a team that has access to limitless funds and has blatantly stockpiled and unsettled the best talent in the World, the standards are that much higher. Chelsea, in my opinion, other than the game against Barca, whom we must admit were a little off colour on the night, have been par for the course. And for Chelsea, simply winning 2-0, without taking the breath away, is not enough.
Once the group stage concludes, they may well be the strongest looking team, but for now they're not.
5. Liverpool
Top of their group and still unbeaten, their reilience in the face of adversity puts them so far up.
Liverpool, will never overwhelm you with their firepower or wow you with their attaking play. They will however, be notoriously hard to beat.
For large periods against Bordeaux midweek, they were summarily outplayed, yet they held firm and snuck a winner. They dismantled Galatasary before 2 late goals undid the spectacle somewhat. Their draw at PSV, against arguably the best Eredivisie team of the last couple of years, was a show of intent, that reinforces my belief that Liverpool are harder to beat in Europe than many of the higher rated tems in Europe.
6. Manchester United
The last of the teams that sport a perfect record, United are yet to display any of the attacking verve or all-round solidity that made them once, one of the most feared sides in Europe.
Their 1-0 away win against a Benfica side was far from convincing. They beat Celtic, rather fortuitously, at home thanks to a dodgy penalty before filling their boots against Kobenhavn - arguably the weakest team in the Champions' League this year. Their group's lack of depth places them so far down.
Still, they have beaten the teams that they have faced and you are only as good as your last few results. Top their group they probably will, but convincing, they are far from at present.
7. Milan
Top of their group - unbeaten, despite playing 2 games away from home. Unbreached against Lille, one of the trickiest teams to face this year.
Another side that while sitting atop their group have been far from convincing. Their opening 3-0 demolition of AEK was impressive but they then faded, with their static away draw to Lille, and their laboured home win against Anderlecht.
No doubt posessing one of the classiest team sheets in all of Europe, Milan have repeatedly flattered to deceive. How many more acts of sheer brilliance from Kaka and Pirlo can rescue them in the long term, one wonders. Their team continues to be less than the sum of their parts and come the knockout stages, they may well be tested. A bit like Liverpool - very hard to beat, but not that imperious going forward themselves.
8. CSKA Moscow
Another of the unbeaten teams. CSKA have played very well in punching above their weight in a tricky group. Very technical, organised and at home on any surface. Their goal is yet to be breached.
They may have been lucky to beat Arsenal last Tuesday, as a shocking decision by an inept linesman preserved their win, but overall, they were better for long periods against their more illustrious opponents. Also, they held Porto in Portugal while beating Hamburg at home. Both Vagner Love and Daniel Carvalho are two of the better finishers in Europe and their canny style can make them very, very tricky to play against.
They still have a fight on their hands to finish top of their group but can bask in the glory of emerging unscathed at the halfway point.
9. PSV
The last of the unbeaten teams whose away form has been brilliant. Europe is mostly about playing well away from home and their fightback against Galatasaray, after gong a goal down, was the stuff of legend.
They are settled, organised and posess quality in all the important parts of the pitch. Defender Alex has been one of the best in Europe while they have been a constant threat going forward despite losing their best attacker, Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink, to Celtic in the off season.
Liverpool have a fight on their hands for top place in this group.
10. Arsenal
Not quite the sweeping, defensively brilliant finalists of last year but still good enough to emerge from this group, possibly as winners, this time around.
They were unlucky to lose at Moscow - thanks to a dodgy linesman - but their campaign is yet to produce the smooth silken football that they are well capable of. Their perfomances, while never getting out of second gear, have still been classy. Nonetheless, it matters not how you play at home when conditions are setup for you but how you play away, when the conditions aren't.
Their crunch match away to Porto in two matchdays time should decide their group stage performance and possibly their final position.
------------------------------
Like every year, the cream is yet to rise, and come the knockout stages, we will finally get to see the best in Europe go head to head. That then, raises the question, why have a group stage at all ?
Money. It's always about money. (Somewhere Lazar Vracaric smiles)
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