Champions League Review: Three Teams, Same Result, Different Emotions

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So after the midweek Champions League Matchday Four round of matches, we have a much clearer picture of who has a chance of going through and whose Champions League dreams have been put a lid on, at least for this season.

Inter Milan’s victory over Dynamo Kyiv, coupled with Barcelona’s draw against Rubin Kazan, has added even more spice to what is fast becoming the group of death. The group table has a familiar look, with Inter and Barca on top, but there is just two points separating the four sides.

Rubin, especially, must be fancying their chances, having taken four points out of a possible six against the European champions. They now have their fate in their own hands. Four points in the next two games, and they are through.

Hard to believe that they were plying their trade in the Russian second division just 6 years back, before winning promotion in 2003. Their manager has been with them since 2001, guiding them to promotion, then champions of Russia, and now, into a team on the brink of getting through a group of heavyweights in the Champions League proper. Goes to show what a little bit of faith in the manager can do.

But my main point in this article will be the performance of three English clubs this midweek. While all three came away with draws (the other one was banging in four against AZ Alkmaar, but I will not focus on Arsenal in this article. Pardon me) they must have been having contrasting emotions at the end of the night.

While Chelsea and United could look to the knockout stages, Liverpool must be sweating and thinking where it is going wrong for them this season. A few reasons, if I am allowed to state them are—Rafa Benitez, Lucas, Voronin, and the unavoidable spate of injuries which have hit Torres, Gerrard and co. In fact, it is a testament to Torres’ special talent that he was such a handful despite being not fully match-fit.

As expected, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Arsenal are all through to the next round (or at least as good as through) while Liverpool’s Champions League dreams are hanging on a thread after yet another disappointing display where Lyon robbed them of three points right at the end.

Now, they HAVE to win their next two matches, and, given how hot and cold they have blown this season, there is no guarantee of that. But that is what separates truly great teams from the good ones, their ability to overcome the odds in the most adverse of situations, and we shall now get to see the Liverpool’s mettle for real.

It is a pity Liverpool have floundered in the Champions League this season, because over the years Rafa’s selection policy has made it ever so clear that Europe is where he puts all his eggs.

So failure to cross the first hurdle will constitute a disaster of gigantic proportions, and, given their financial plight (apparently they will have to offload some players to finance Pepe Reina’s new contract), it is something they can ill-afford, what with all the sponsorship and TV rights money they stand to lose out on. Their 1-1 draw leaves them desperately close to elimination, especially after Fiorentina defeated Debrecen.

Moving on, Manchester United, who played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow, has less to worry about, but they were minutes away from losing their proud unbeaten home record. I think what happens when you carry that kind of record is that it plays on the opposition’s minds as well.

CSKA were 3-1 up to 84 minutes before they conceded two in the last few minutes, and they would surely have lost if it hadn’t been for the superbly breathtaking masterclass served up by their impressive young keeper, Igor Akinfeev. I would be surprised if one of the big European clubs don’t snap him up soon, if not in January, then surely during the summer.

United, on the other hand, have defensive worries of their own. Ferdinand has been out of form for a concerning period of time, and Evans and Brown did not do a good job at Old Trafford. You only have to see the space that their forwards, Dzagaev and Krasic, got deep into United’s half.

Chelsea drew 2-2 with Atletico Madrid, who, quite frankly, are but a shadow of the club they have been in the past couple of seasons. The match also showed how important Kun Aguero is to the side. Why on earth he did not start seems preposterous to me and beggars belief. It also showcased how important Didier Drogba is to Chelsea.

Yes, the man has problems when it comes to his behavior, discipline, and keeping his balance (literally), but when you have the quality he has, you will cause problems for any defence.

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