Thoughts on the UCL 2008 Draw
The draw's been made and the world's best football competition is ready to kick off well and proper. Here's what I think will happen. Cue widespread panic and pandemonium, debate and dissension.
Group A (Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas):
Expect Liverpool to easily win the group without really overpowering anyone. Watch for Peter Crouch to be dropped after every game in which he scores off a new body part and Rafael Benitez to preach solid defense after scoring first in an away game. Tricky Porto to come second with Lucho Gonzalez and Lisandro Lopez pipping Djibril Cisse, Mahamadou Niang and gang to the runners up spot. OM's Samir Nasri and Karim Ziani to impress before moving to Lyon in the close season. Besiktas to show up.
Group B (Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Rosenberg):
If the infighting at Valencia continues, Chelsea wins the group at a canter and Schalke perhaps edges Los Ches into the UEFA cup. If Valencia stay united and start strong, they may even beat Chelsea into second place. David Villa's temperament is crucial. So is the fitness of Chelsea's centre halves. Schalke to thump returning Rosenberg in both games to avoid the wooden spoon.
Group C (Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos):
Very open although Real are probably favourites - their strength in depth taking them through despite some hiccups from tricky trips to Rome and Bremen. Werder and Lazio will resemble dueling gunslingers in some close thrilling games with Diego and Tomasso Rocchi trading goals. Strong enough to hurt each other but not enough to damage Real. Olympiakos to represent for Greece's annual Champions' League spot.
Group D (Milan, Shakhtar, Celtic, Benfica):
Milan are easy favourites, with Shakhtar perhaps nicking second place in a scrapfest with Celtic and Benfica. Yes, I said it, I pick Shakhtar to be the dark horse of the tournament. Benfica seem to be a fading force and Celtic will not relish trips to Italy and Ukraine while trying to catch Rangers domestically. Obvious Fantasy Tip: Ricardo Kaka.
Group E (Barcelona, Stuttgart, Lyon, Rangers):
Barcelona to ease to top place, Stuttgart in second and Lyon to end their glory years with a long run in the UEFA cup. I can't see Rangers shaking up the other 3. Barcelona have too many forwards, Lyon too many midfielders and Stuttgart has one less Altintop. Lyon's Karim Benzema to lead group stage scoring charts for a while. If fit, Stuttgart's Artur Boka and Barcelona's Eric Abidal present an interesting contrast of pacy attacking left backs.
Group F (Roma, Manchester United, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kyiv):
Depending on Roma's defensive temperament, Francesco Totti's eccentricity and United's inconsistency away from home, a toss up between those two for first place. Look for United needing to win their last game to go through and winning 4-0. Sporting, shorn of Nani, still have enough quality to threaten the top two without unduly troubling them; see them lock up 3rd place.
Group G (Inter, PSV, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce):
Inter should easily win this but have an uncanny habit of making things tricky for themselves especially if they have another nightmare start like last season. PSV to finish in second without making anyone really notice and CSKA to go to the UEFA cup. Daniel Carvalho to score a rather fortuitous goal off a set piece at home. Fener to showcase aging erstwhile stars Roberto Carlos and Stephen Appiah and lesser lights Mateja Kezman and Diego Lugano.
Group H (Arsenal, Sevilla/AEK, Steaua, Slavia Prague):
Arsenal should win this but look for them to start with 4 draws - conceding or scoring late goals - before winning their last two. All said, if Sevilla make it through, their games against the Gunners should be crackers with plenty of goals, fast passing and dribbling. Look for last year's emerging star Nicolae Dica at Steaua to score a few belters while helping his side into the UEFA cup. Slavia have already exceeded expectations by making it this far while depriving of Ajax their bi-annual slumber fest versus Arsenal.
