UEFA Champions League 10/11 Preview - Group's A-D

Group A

Inter Milan

Last Season: Champions League Winners, Serie A Winners

Manager: Rafael Benitez



Key Man: Wesley Sneijder

Stadium: Stadio Guiseppe Meazza, Milan, Italy

Last year’s winners have had a slow start to their season this year, but with a new man in charge, its no real surprise. Inter have the same squad which won the trophy last season, the only change being Jose Mourinho’s departure to Real Madrid, with Rafael Benitez taking over at the helm. Benitez of course won the Champions League with Liverpool in his first season in charge.

Best Starting 11:

4-3-3



Werder Bremen

Last Season: Europa League Last 16, 3rd in the German Bundesliga

Manager: Thomas Schaaf

Key Man: Marko Marin



Stadium: Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany

The very fluid and impressive German side have been a mainstay in the Champions League group stages for the past few seasons. Blessed with an array of technically gifted yet gritty players, they surpassed Sampdoria in the qualification round. Look out for talented 21 year old Marko Marin, as well as fellow German’s Tim Borowski, Aaron Hunt and the tricky Zlatan Ibrahimovic style Austrian Marko Anautovic.

Best Starting 11:

4-2-2-2



Tottenham Hotspur

Last Season: 4th in the Premiership

Manager: Harry Redknapp



Key Man: Gareth Bale

Stadium: White Hart Lane, London, England

The North London club compete in their first ever Champions League campaign, and deservedly so after beat Manchester City to 4th spot in the Premiership. A solid yet attacking side, have the man motivator Harry Redknapp in charge, while the inform and highly talented Gareth Bale paired with Luka Modric will cause any teams in Europe problems. Most impressively for Spurs would be their array of forwards including Jermaine Defoe, Peter Crouch, Roman Pavlyuchenko and Robbie Keane.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



FC Twente

Last Season: Eredivisie Winners

Manager: Michel Preud’homme



Key Man: Bryan Ruiz

Stadium: AFAS Stadion, Alkmaar, Netherlands

This free flowing attacking Dutch side will not be a easy to beat as people may think. Formidable at home, boss Michel Preud’homme took over from the departed Steve McClaren this summer and has the talented Bryan Ruiz attacking from the left to get the goals, while 29 year old free kick specialist Theo Janssen and the experienced Denny Landzaat form the engine room in midfield.

Best Starting 11:

4-3-3



Group B

Olympique Lyonnais

Last Season: Champions League Semi-finals, Ligue 1 2nd Place

Manager: Claude Puel



Key Man: Yoann Gourcuff

Stadium: Stade de Gerland, Lyon, France

The French superpower were beaten semi-finalists last season, and its widely believed that if any French side is too collect the Champions League title, Lyon are the best equipped side. A squad boasting a strong and healthy French influence including the likes of star goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, left back Aly Cissokho and the inspirational Yoann Gourcuff who made the switch from Bordeaux last season, combined with talented players such as Lisandro Lopez, Miralem Pjanic and Kim Kallstrom, mean Lyon could be the dark horses this year.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Benfica

Last Season: Portugeuse Liga 1st, Europa League Quarter-finals

Manager: Jorge Jesus



Key Man: Pablo Aimar

Stadium: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal

The best way to describe the Portuguese champions would be some-timish. They have undoubted quality, but do not seem to make it far in major competitions. This year around they will look to get out of the group and ruffle a few feathers. Oscar Cardozo and Javier Saviola up front have more than enough European pedigree, while 30 year old iconic playmaker Pablo Aimar will pull the strings. Benfica’s two centre backs; David Luiz and Luisao are fundamental to the Portuguese sides’ challenge.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2 Diamond



FC Schalke 04

Last Season: 2nd Bundesliga

Manager: Felix Magath



Key Man: Manuel Neuer

Stadium: Veltnis-Arena, Gelsenkirchen, Germany

The Bundesliga runners up last season have a very different array of talents in their side, with over 18 different nationalities in their squad! Some of the most impressive names on that list include German goalkeeper, and club captain; Manuel Neuer. He had a great World Cup and is expected to be vital if Schalke are to make it from the group. Many continental football fans remember Schalke relying on striker Ebbe Sand to get their goals, now they have the legendary Raul to call upon, paired with deadly Dutch finisher Klaas-Jan Huntelaar who looks to get his stuttering career back on track.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Hapoel Tel Aviv

Last Season: Israeli Premier League 1st, Europa League last 32

Manager: Eli Guttman



Key Man: Vincent Enyeama

Stadium: Bloomfield Stadium, Jaffa, Israel

An unknown quantity at this level, as they make the Champions’ League group stages for the first time, after knocking out Salzburg in the previous round. Nigerian goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama had an impressive World Cup and is the clubs penalty takers, (scoring 8 times in 84 matches) so keep an eye for him. Hapoel will rely on Israeli striker Itay Shechter to get the goals, having scored 22 goals in 34 appearances last season.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Group C

Manchester United

Last Season: Premiership 2nd, Champions League quarter-finals

Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson



Key Man: Paul Scholes

Stadium: Old Trafford, Manchester, England

It’s a wonder how Sir Alex Ferguson has only guided Manchester United to two Champions League titles in 18 seasons. However Manchester United is one of the best teams in Europe and are certainly capable of challenging this time round. Star striker Wayne Rooney will be leading the line once again, while Dimitar Berbatov is returning to form and the side are backed by the evergreen Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Valencia

Last Season: 3rd La Liga

Manager: Unai Emery

Key Man: Juan Mata



Stadium: Mestalla, Valencia, Spain

Valencia lost both David Villa to Barcelona and David Silva to Man City, while Carlos Marchena joined Villarreal. With this calibre of players leaving, it would seem fair to believe that Valencia’s challenge would be dismissed. However boss Unai Emery signed Roberto Saldado from Getafe, Albert Costa from Montpellier and Ricardo Costa from Lille to add experience and quality to the squad. Second place is up for grabs in this group, while Valencia are undoubted favourites.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Rangers

Last Season: 1st Scottish Premier League, Champions League Group Stage

Manager: Walter Smith



Key Man: Madjid Bougherra

Stadium: Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland

Scottish champions Rangers have had financial troubles over the last few years, not allowing them to strengthen their squad for Champions League campaign. However sometimes this isn’t such a bad thing, as the squad grows a stronger nucleus and players achieve a greater understanding of each other. It’s this team work and work ethic that Rangers will need if they are to make it out of the group, or into the EUROPA League.

Best Starting 11:

5-4-1



Bursaspor

Last Season: Winners of Turkish SuperLig

Manager: Ertigal Saglam

Key Man: Ozan Ipek



Stadium: Bursa Ataturk Stadium, Bursa, Turkey

A somewhat surprise title winner last season, they compete in their first ever Champions League. An unknown quantity at this level, they will have to continue their great form in order to cause a few upsets in this campaign, although EUROPA League qualification would be more of a realistic option.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Group D

FC Barcelona

Last Season: La Liga Winners, Champions League Semi-Final

Manager: Pep Guardiola



Key Man: Lionel Messi

Stadium: Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain

A semi final defeat last season, was somewhat seen as a failure for the Catalan club. Now; Barca left licking their wounds, will be looking to win back the Champions League trophy. Yaya Toure left for Man City, Zlatan Ibrahimovic went to AC Milan, Henry and Marquez both went the MSL, and Chygrnskiy returned to Shaktar Donetsk, while Spanish striker David Villa joined from Valencia, Javier Mascherano joined from Liverpool and Adriano joined from Sevilla. Barcelona are still as strong as ever and are the favourites this time round.

Best Starting 11:

4-3-3



Panathinaikos

Last Season: Greek Super League Winners, Europa League last 16

Manager: Nikos Niaplias



Key Man: Djibril Cisse

Stadium: Athens Olympic Stadium, Athens, Greece

The Greek champions have made a few interesting signings this season in order to compete in this year’s competition. In comes Sidney Govou, Jean Alain Boumsong and former Liverpool attacker Luis Garcia to add Champions League experience to the likes of Djibril Cisse and Gilberto Silva.

Best Starting 11:

4-2-3-1



Copenhagen

Last Season: Danish Superliga Winners, Europa League last 32

Manager: Stale Solbakkan

Key Man: Jesper Gronkjaer



Stadium: Parken, Copenhagen, Denmark

The Danish champions are another team returning to the Champions’ League group stage. The highly organised side will look to compete with Panathinaikos directly for second spot. They will rely on former Chelsea winger Jesper Gronkjaer for creativity, while Dame N’Doye is the man who will look to get the goals.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2



Rubin Kazan

Last Season: Russian Premier League Winners, Champions League Group Stage, Europa League last 16

Manager: Gurban Berdyev

Key Man: Carlos Eduardo



Stadium: Tsentralnyi Stadium, Kazan, Russia

Rubin Kazan will be the least fancied team in the group; however they have it in their make up to surprise and upset the big boys. Their home form will be vital if the to cause these upsets. Look out for gifted winger Carlos Eduardo who made his name at Hoffenheim in Germany, made the big money move to Russian giants, while former Newcastle and Inter Milan striker Obafemi Martins leads the line.

Best Starting 11:

4-4-2

Countdown to South Africa - Group A

Group A

South Africa

The Tournament hosts as well as the first ever African nation to do so. The Bafana Bafana had no qualifying process to go through, so on one hand should be a lot fresher than the other nations, but on the other the hand, the team haven’t had the necessary competitive experience of playing together. Home advantage is a major factor and the influence and experience of former Brazil national team boss; Carlos Alberto Parreira.



Manager: Carlos Alberto Parreira

He has manager 4 different nations at 5 different World Cup Finals (Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Brazil x2) and won the 1994 World Cup with the boys from Brazil.

Key Player: Steven Pienaar

The Everton winger has been excellent this season and needs to perform along with the likes of Aaron Mokoena, Benni McCarthy and Siyabonga Nomvethe. Pienaar has 46 caps for South Africa.

Best Finish: Group Stage

Mainly due to its History, the Country has been banned from many former tournaments, but of the two World Cup tournaments they have been to, 98’ and 2002’, the Japan/South Korea 2002 campaign was indeed their most successful points wise.

Prediction: 2nd Round

I believe they may just sneak through the group stages, mainly thanks to the home support. I believe a win against Uruguay and a draw against an underachieving Mexican side may get them through.



Mexico

The team from Central America qualified through the CONCACAF group by finish second in the behind the USA, and ahead of Honduras. The Mexicans have played in 13 Finals and South Africa will be there 14th.

Manager: Javier Aguirre

A former Mexican International, he played 59 times for his country scoring 14 times. He is currently in second spell in charge and coaches at his first World Cup.

Key Player: Rafael Marquez

The Barcelona played is a very versatile, being able to play both Central or Defensive midfield as well as a centre back. The 31 year old is of the upmost experience and has 88 caps. He is also one of the senior members of the squad along with the legendary Cuauhtemoc Blanco, 109 caps and Gerardo Torrado, 107 caps respectively.



Best Finish: Quarter Finals

Achieved their best finishes in both 1970 and 1986 World Cups, coincidently they were both held in Mexico. In 1970 they lost to eventual finalists, Italy. The 1986 was supposedly meant to be held in Columbia, but couldn’t go ahead due to economic reasons.

Prediction: Group Stage

I think the Mexicans will be slow starters and believe the South African’s will just creep in ahead of them. However don’t be surprised if the Mexicans end up winning the group!



Uruguay

The South American side nicknamed “La Celeste” (the Sky Blues) were the first ever winners of the World Cup Finals, all the way back in 1930 (held in Uruguay), and then won it again in 1950 (Brazil). However they haven’t came anywhere near as close in recent times.

Manager: Oscar Tabarez

The Uruguayan national has managed the side for the last 4 years, and taking them to their second World Cup. His managerial CV reads, amongst others, AC Milan and Boca Juniors.

Key Player: Luis Suarez

The Ajax hit man and Captain is a technically gifted player with an excellent record in the Eredivisie. His club side only just missed out on the league title this season, by only one point. He and other young players including Edinson Cavani and Sebastian Fernandez will need to link up well with the more experienced players such as Diego Forlan, Diego Lugano and Jorge Fucile in order to cause any sort of impact.



Best Finish: Winners in 1930 and 1950

Prediction: Group Stage

Can’t see the South Americans making it out of the group stages



France

When they reached their peak, they were an unstoppable force in the late 90’s. I fully expect the French to get over the heartbreak of the 2006 penalty shoot out defeat, by going far in this tournament also. Some say they shouldn’t be here, as they cheated against the Republic of Ireland, but by no means will they let this affect them now. No Zidane this time round, but with a big number of experienced players and gifted younger players, the French could go far.

Manager: Raymond Domenech

I’ve never personally been a fan of this man. He makes some stupid statements, outrageous player selections and some very strange tactical decisions. However he is now into his 6th year as coach, and led the France to the Runners-up place last time round, so has the competition pedigree. The French side only missed out on automatic qualification by one point from Serbia.



Key Player: Franck Ribery

A mixed season on and off the field this season, the former Marseille winger is one of the most cavorted and sought after players in World football, and the 2010 tournament is the stage in which he can shine.



Best Finish: Winners 1998

Held on home soil, players such as Emmanuel Petit, Zinedine Zidane, Barthez, Lizarazu, Leboeuf, Blanc, Thuram and many more all guided Les Blues to their first ever World Cup title. Some say it was a long time coming, but the French golden generation helped dismantle Mario Zagallo’s Brazil side 3-0, a team boasting the likes of Dunga, Aldair, Cafu, Bebeto, Rivaldo and of course “R9” Ronaldo.

Prediction: Quarter Finals

I fully expect them to banish any cobwebs and win the group with maximum points.



Stay tuned for Group B coming real soon