Here is a rundown of the past two days at the Champions League. And because I have been really into predictions lately, I will make a stab at who will advance from each group.
Group A
Chelsea made a nice statement coming out of the gate with a new manager. They have been known for their tough defense in the past and it looks like the offense may finally have caught up.
The biggest disappointment of the group has to be Roma. After a late run last year, Roma fell disastrously at the hands CFR Cluj-Napoca, 2-1.
Cluj surprised a lot of people and unless Roma can rebound they have an outside chance of advancing.
Prediction: Chelsea and CFR will advance.
Group B
Werder Bremen was a big disappointment for me, as they could not produce anything against the weakest team in the group.
Inter asserted themselves as the strongest side in the group, but didn't do enough to prove to me that they have serious championship aspirations.
Prediction: Inter and Panathinaikos will advance.
Group C
Barcelona finally got through the early season fog that they were mired in. Sure it was only Sporting, but it was a win and that should do good things for Pep's squad. I expect this to launch them forward in La Liga as well as the Champions League.
Basel was a disappointment for me but this is a real lightweight group that Barcelona should dominate. Sporting got lucky to be placed in this group.
Prediction: Barcelona and Sporting will advance.
Group D
Liverpool pulled this game out of nowhere. I really expected more of them but a win is a win.
The team to beat in this group, though, has to be Atletico who looked fantastic against PSV. Aguero is a superstar in the making and the rest of this team is physical, skilled and built to succeed.
Prediction: Atletico and Liverpool will advance.
Group E
Wow. Talk about the boring group. Not a goal was scored between these four teams and the group remains wide open.
Villarreal proved the most to me today when they held the defending champions scoreless at Old Trafford and created the best chance of the game—without their two best strikers.
While this group is completely up in the air, I expect Villarreal and Manchester to assert themselves in the next games.
Prediction: Manchester United and Villarreal will advance.
Group F
Lyon made a huge move coming back from two goals down with less than 20 minutes remaining. This makes the group that much more exciting.
Lyon and Fiorentina are going to have to battle it out for the second spot in the group behind Bayern Munich who looked impressive but should do better in the coming games.
Prediction: Munich and Fiorentina will advance.
Group G
Porto made a giant leap to the top of the pile in Group G. Their dominating performance over Fenerbahce was impressive.
Arsenal, on the other hand, was less than impressive in a last-gasp tie with Dynamo Kiev. Kiev played them tough but Arsenal really struggled.
I expect to see more from Arsenal when they return home and continue the group stage.
Prediction: Arsenal and Porto will advance.
Group H
Real Madrid did not score as many goals as they should have, but they did control the game well against BATE.
Juventus also looked good as they fought for a good win against a tough Zenit side.
It will be great to watch these two titans clash later in the group stage.
Prediction: Real Madrid and Juventus will advance.
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