Sizing Up the Champions League Prospects: Part 2

In the second part of this article I look at Groups E to H from the UEFA Champions League and assess the chances of those teams who have qualified for the knock out rounds beginning in February next year.

Group E

Barcelona, winners of the 2005-06 tournament, qualified from their group without losing a single game. Holders of some of the most exciting attacking players on the continent, any team drawn against them will have to be well organized and defensively capable to succeed. The likes of Iniesta, Xavi, and Messi complement each other brilliantly, and along with the return from injury of Eto'o and Deco they will hope that Ronaldinho and Henry can both find the kind of form they are capable of to help a push to reclaim the Champions League title. Barça can be drawn against any group runner up aside from Lyon.

Lyon themselves qualified on the last match day thanks to a 3-0 away win against Rangers. They left it late but the undoubted quality of their young attack, led by Benzema and Ben Arfa, show that the French champions are still a force in Europe to be reckoned with. Although not tipped as a big favorite for the title this year, they are capable of very good football and the likes of Kallstrom and Juninho Pernambucano are potential match winners on their day. They will face a group winner other than Barcelona but are more than capable of making life difficult for any team.

Group F

Manchester United qualified with ease from their group, winning five and drawing only the final meaningless game. When attackers such as Ronaldo, Tevez, and Rooney are on form there are few teams capable of matching the intensity and pace of United's attack, but equally the ever impressive Vidic commands and controls the defense and makes the Red Devils difficult to break down. Few teams will relish being drawn against United but the fact is they have continually underachieved in Europe for a giant of the modern game, their last final appearance coming back in 1999. They can be drawn against Schalke, Olympiacos, Celtic, Lyon, or Fenerbahce.

Roma secured their passage to the knock out stages to ensure three Italian teams make up the final 16. Although they are always a threat to play against with some very good players, Roma somehow always seem less of an obstacle than other Italian teams. They will hope for better fortune than last season when they were annihilated by Manchester United in the quarter finals, but I would not tip them to go much further again. They can play Porto, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Sevilla in the first knock out round.

Group G

Inter Milan seem to be many people's tip to finally go all the way this season. A strong squad boasts many excellent players and they have a young and talented manager in Mancini. Like Roma they seem to usually fall at some point and never realize their potential, but they will be confident of building some momentum if they get a kind draw for the first knock out phase. Any runner up aside from Roma and Fenerbahce can play Inter.

Fenerbahce will be one of the lesser fancied teams to win the tournament, but are not a team many sides will enjoy playing. A good home record is imperative if they are to harbour ambitions of achieving anything in this season's competition, and they will rely on experience of players such as Roberto Carlos and Alex to lead them through. They can face any group winners except Inter Milan.

Group H

Sevilla won the UEFA Cup in 2006 and 2007 and this season take a big step up in trying to taste victory in the Champions League. Their group presented few problems to them, but the loss of manager Juande Ramos will be a bitter blow. Their chances for success in this competition may depend on which players they keep hold of in the January transfer window, with rumors circling that any or all of Alves, Kanoute, Fabiano and, Navas might be on their way. They play well and that will cause problems for any opposition. Inexperience may count against them though in the high pressure stakes of the Champions League. They can play any group runner up apart from Arsenal.

Arsenal were beaten finalists in 2005-06 and aim to go one better this time around. Their squad is not as young as some people insist on reporting and the likes of Hleb, Rosicky, Gallas, and Toure have a wealth of experience between them. One of the most attractive footballing sides in the world on their day; a lot will rest on the shoulders of  central midfielder Cesc and his ability to keep scoring and creating goals. One thing Arsenal may struggle with is the size of their squad. Injuries to a couple of attacking players may see them lose their rhythm and struggle to adapt. They can play Porto, AC Milan, Real Madrid, Barcelona, or Inter Milan in the next round.

So there we have it, 16 teams fighting it out for the right to be crowned the cream of European football—four teams from England, three apiece from Spain and Italy, and one each from France, Germany, Turkey, Portugal, Greece, and Scotland.

Most of the 16 are capable of beating any other team on their day. It remains to be seen which two will battle it out for supremacy in Moscow come May 2008.