With the Champions League beginning today, I felt it was only right to write an early preview of each group
Group A
Group A consists of Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge, and the one and only Paris Saint-German(PSG). Off the bat, I can automatically say that PSG is going to win this group. Like I said in my last article, PSG made so many impressive acquisitions this summer to the point it’s hard to not see them make a mark in the Champions League. After PSG, this is where everything becomes a bit dicey. Manchester City on paper has the second most formidable team in this group, but with the likes of RB Leipzig, I don’t expect Man City to have it easy. Leipzig tends to always upset the big-name teams year in and year out. Then there’s Club Brugge, who I just can’t see winning a single game.
Overall Assessment: PSG finishes on top in this group, followed by Manchester City.
Group B
Group B, which I consider to be the “group of death”, consists of Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, FC Porto, and AC Milan. This group is the “group of death” in my eyes because when comparing each teams’ history and current squad, they all have the capabilities to win. Atletico Madrid is coming off a domestic league championship and has a strong attack with the likes of Griezmann and Suarez. Liverpool won the Champions two seasons ago and are about to have their key defender Van Dijk return. FC Porto has an aggressive team that tends to complete the major upset(Ex. Knocking out Juventus). Finally, there’s AC Milan who is lead by the goal-scoring machine Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Overall Assessment: While this group may come down to goal differences, I see Atletico Madrid prevailing on top followed by Liverpool
Group C
Group C consists of Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Besiktas, and Sporting Lisbon. There really isn’t much to say about this group. Dortmund and Ajax play at a higher level than Besiktas and Sporting Lisbon. I don’t think Lisbon and Besiktas are bad, but when you compare them to Dortmund, they can’t say they have a player like Erling Haaland or even Marco Reus. Even then, when you compare them to Ajax, they can’t say they have a player like Sebastien Haller or David Neres.
Overall Assessment: Dortmund might lose to Ajax, but they’ll finish on top of this group followed by Dortmund
Group D
Group D consists of Real Madrid, Shakhtar, Inter, and Tiraspol. Just like Group C, there isn’t much to say about this group. Shakhtar and Tiraspol both don’t have the quality of coaching and players that Real Madrid and Inter Milan have. When looking at Real Madrid, you’re looking at a team that has the most Champions Leagues titles of all time. They have young and hungry talent and a coach who knows what it takes to win. Followed by Real, there’s Inter Milan. While they did lose their lead goal scorer Lukaku, they still have a phenomenal team with the likes of Latuaro Martinez and Joaquin Correa.
Overall Assessment: Real Madrid finish atop of this division followed by Inter
Group E
Group E consists of Bayern, Barcelona, Benfica, and Dynamo Kyiv. With Barcelona losing Messi, I expect Bayern to win this group easily. After Bayern, I think this group can become a toss-up between Barcelona and Benfica. Like Porto, Benfica always finds a way to pull the major upset, and with how Barcelona lost their key player, I wouldn’t be shocked if they do that this year. After Barca and Benfica, there is Dynamo Kyiv. I personally don’t expect much out of them due to their lackluster team.
Overall Assessment: Bayern finish atop of the group, followed by Barcelona
Group F
Group F consists of Manchester United, Villareal, Atalanta, and Young Boys. With utmost confidence, Manchester United is going to win this group. United was able to acquire the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo this summer. Many people believe he is “Mr.Champions League” thus, making Manchester United favorites in the tournament. After Manchester United, this group becomes really competitive. Villareal is coming off a Europa League championship, Atalanta is a team that always makes it past the group stages, and Young Boys can shock people at times whether it be a draw or a win against a big team.
Overall Assessment: Manchester United finish atop the group followed by Villareal
Group G
Group G consists of Sevilla, Salzburg, Wolfsburg, and Lille. In my opinion, the teams in this group are quite lackluster except for one. Sevilla is a team that is subpar in the Champions League, but outstanding in the Europa League, Salzburg tends to always get eliminated, Wolfsburg is just like Sevilla where they are subpar, but then there’s Lille. Lille in my eyes has the best shot out of everyone in this group because not only are they the respected champion for their domestic league, but they have some of the best young talents in the world.
Overall Assessment: Lille finish atop of the group followed by Sevilla
Group H
Group H consists of Juventus, Chelsea, Malmo, and Zenit. Personally, I think this is a two-team group. Juventus and Chelsea are the powerhouses of this group, and I just can’t see Malmo and Zenit competing with them. Chelsea are the reigning Champions League champions, and they just acquire the goal-scoring machine Romelu Lukaku. On the other hand, Juventus just lost Ronaldo but brought back Max Allegri. Max Allegri was one of their former coaches that actually brought Juventus to the Champions League final.
Overall Assessment: It pains me to say this as a Juventus fan, but I think Chelsea prevail at the top of this group with Juventus following them in second
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