5 Pivotal Factors to Decide Champions League Group C
Atletico Madrid will be favorites to win Group C in this season's UEFA Champions League, but what of the other three teams in the section?
Benfica received a top seed after winning the Portuguese league last season, while Galatasaray are regular participants in Europe's top club competition. Astana, on the other hand, are making their first appearance—and making history in the process.
Here B/R highlights five pivotal factors that could decide Group C.
Group C Fixtures
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Sept. 15
Galatasaray vs. Atletico Madrid
Benfica vs. Astana
Sept. 30
Astana vs. Galatasaray
Atletico Madrid vs. Benfica
Oct. 21
Atletico vs. Astana
Galatasaray vs. Benfica
Nov. 3
Astana vs. Atletico
Benfica vs. Galatasaray
Nov. 25
Astana vs. Benfica
Atletico vs. Galatasaray
Dec. 8
Galatasaray vs. Astana
Benfica vs. Atletico
Frequent-Flyer Miles
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It was inevitable in hindsight.
Benfica, the Champions League group-stage team based farther west than any other, landed in Group C with Astana, the Champions League group-stage team based farther east than any other.
How far apart are they? According to Google Maps, 7,349 kilometers (4,566 miles) separate Benfica's Estadio Da Luz and Astana Arena. In comparison, Beijing is nearly 2,000 kilometers closer to the Kazakh club's home stadium.
This is no minor issue. Each of those teams will have to plan 10-hour flights to and from their opponent's city. Such an itinerary will present a physical challenge for any person, even excellently conditioned professional footballers.
But while Benfica, Atletico and Galatasaray will each have to make one taxing trip to Kazakhstan (let's leave aside for a moment how absurd it is that a nation that borders China plays in UEFA), Astana will have to make three to play each of their group-stage opponents.
How will the teams manage the journey? How will the players handle such long flights? Will any team gain an advantage from covering so many miles in such a short amount of time?
Sorting out travel plans might just be one of the most important factors in Group C.
An Updated Atletico
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After winning La Liga and reaching the Champions League final in 2013-14, Atletico Madrid took a step back last season, finishing third in the league and departing the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage. Attrition took a toll in the summer, with Arda Turan, Mario Mandzukic, Toby Alderweireld, Mario Suarez and others leaving the club in the transfer window.
But don't count out Atletico yet. Manager Diego Simeone did some shrewd business, signing Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto to help shoulder the attacking load. Defender Stefan Savic and winger Yannick Ferreira Carrasco also joined, but more importantly, midfielder Koke and forward Antoine Griezmann remained at the club.
Despite the big-name departures, Atletico actually appear stronger on paper this season. "Secondary stars have been thoughtfully replaced, while emerging youngsters and returning loanees should fill in the gaps," noted Kevin McCauley at SB Nation.
Atletico's combination of experience and talent should be enough to win the group. No other team in Group C can match Los Colchoneros on both. But if there is a concern, it's that Atleti face a tough trip to Galatasaray on Matchday 1. A trip to Istanbul is rarely easy, and Gala will be hoping to start off the group stage with a strong statement of intent.
Following that game, however, Atletico have home matches against Benfica and Astana, which should give Simeone's side the perfect opportunity to pile up the points.
The Fight for 2nd?
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Atletico are clear favorites in the group. Newcomers Astana will be long shots. Thus, Benfica and Galatasaray could be set to compete for second place and a spot in the knockout stages.
Both teams have negative factors going against them.
Benfica lost several key players in the transfer market. In addition, former coach Jorge Jesus left the club for Sporting Lisbon after winning the Portuguese title last season.
Galatasaray, meanwhile, did not win a group game in last season's Champions League, finishing at the bottom of Group D with just one point.
Regardless of all that, both clubs should be able to beat Astana. Assuming Atletico take first place in the group, the matches between Benfica and Gala should decide second place.
Galatasaray host Benfica on Oct. 21, the third matchday. The return game comes just under two weeks later in Portugal. If one team can take four points from those two matches, they will probably finish second.
Benfica's Slow Start
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After a summer of change, Benfica started the season slowly.
The campaign began with a 1-0 defeat to Sporting in the Portuguese Super Cup. Following an easy win over Estoril to start the league season, the Eagles lost 1-0 at Arouca.
That shouldn't be entirely surprising. Ten players left the club over the summer, with 12 coming in. In addition, Benfica have a new coach in Rui Vitoria.
However, things have started to turn around. A late Jonas winner gave Benfica a 3-2 win at home to lowly Moreirense before the international break, and they demolished Belenenses, 6-0, on their return to action.
Still, Vitoria will need time to find his feet with the squad. The question is whether Benfica will be ready for Champions League football by the middle of September.
More Than Just a Novelty?
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At this point in their European history, Astana are a novelty. No Kazakh team had ever qualified for the Champions League group stage before this season, and doing so just six years after the club's formation is nothing short of miraculous.
But once the novelty wears off, Astana will have to pull off another miracle to remain in the competition—or even to finish third and drop to the Europa League.
Simply put, it's a long shot. Astana will be pleased to have reached this point, and anything more would be an unexpected bonus.
"In every match our opponents will be favourites, but we have to do all we can and put in 100 percent effort," Astana coach Stanimir Stoilov told UEFA.com. "We want to go through—we'll play our natural game."
