The group stage of the champions league has been concluded with absolutely no major surprises occurring with all the heavyweights progressing to the round of 16. It has been an entertaining round with a total of 276 goals scored; the most since 2002/2003.Here is a review of all the groups along with my pre-tournament predictions:
Group A
Prediction: 1. Inter, 2. Werder Bremen, 3. Tottenham, 4. FC Twente
Final Standing
1) Tottenham.. 11pts
2) Inter.. 10pts
3) Werder Bremen.. 6pts
4) FC Twente.. 5pts
This group turned out to be one of the most exciting groups with plenty goals being scored and Tottenham surprised us somewhat by finishing above defending champions Inter and in the process setting a new record for number of goals scored by a debutant in the group stages. Tottenham have been tipped by some to have a good run in the tournament but I have my doubts about that. Questions have now been raised as to whether Inter will be able to respectably attempt defend their title.
Group B
Prediction: 1. Lyon, 2. Schalke, 3. Benfica, 4. Hapoel Tel Aviv
Final Standing
1) Schalke.. 13pts
2) Lyon.. 10pts
3) Benfica.. 6pts
4) Hapoel Tel Aviv.. 5pts
No real surprise here with both Lyon and Schalke progressing. These are two teams that the big guns wouldn't mind facing in the next round.
Group C
Prediction: 1. Manchester United, 2. Valencia, 3. Rangers, 4. Bursaspor
Final Standing
1) Manchester United.. 14pts
2) Valencia.. 11pts
3) Rangers.. 6pts
4) Bursaspor.. 1pt
Group C finished as expected. Despite Manchester United scoring very few goals, they finished the group strongly and came very close to setting a clean sheet record. Valencia qualified fairly comfortably in the end but were given a slight challenge by Rangers midway the group stage.
Group D
Prediction: 1. Barcelona, 2. Panathinaikos, 3. Rubin Kazan, 4. FC Kopenhavn
Final Standing
1) Barcelona.. 14pts
2) FC Kopenhavn.. 10pts
3) Rubin Kazan.. 6pts
4) Panathanaikos.. 2pts
Pre-tournament favourites Barcelona faced little resistance in this group and the final standing was virtually already decided. I personally predicted that Panathanaikos would have made it to the next round, however it turns out that they wont even make it to the Europa League.
Group E
Prediction: 1. Bayern Munich, 2. Roma, 3. Basel, 4. Cluj
Final Standing
1) Bayern Munich.. 15pts
2) Roma.. 10pts
3) Basel.. 6pts
4) Cluj.. 4pts
This group finished exactly as predicted, and despite Bayern's poor domestic form this swason, they finished five points clear of second place Roma in the end and qualified weeks in advance.
Group F
Prediction:
1. Chelsea, 2. Marseille, 3. Spartak Moscow, 4. Zilina
Final Standing
1) Chelsea.. 15pts
2) Marseille.. 12pts
3) Spartak Moscow.. 9pts
4) Zilina.. 0pts
Another group that finished as expected. Chelsea fell just short of finishing the group stage with a 100% record when they lost their final game away at Marseille. Before the tournament Chelsea were tipped to be serious challengers for the cup, but at the present moment appear to be rather unsure of themselves especially away from home. They will definitely be hoping they can get back to their best by next February.
Group G
Prediction:
1. Real Madrid, 2. A.C Milan, 3. Ajax, 4. Auxerre
Final Standing
1) Real Madrid.. 16pts
2) A.C Milan.. 8pts
3) Ajax.. 7pts
4) Auxerre.. 3pts
Real Madrid were the only team along with Barcelona and Manchester United to finish the group stage undefeated. Not only that, but they finished with the best goal difference, the most points and with the largest point margin between first and second place. They appear to be serious challengers and will be a force to be reckoned with in the knockout stages. A.C Milan were second best and only just that.
Group H
Prediction:
1. Arsenal, 2. Shakhtar Donetsk, 3. Braga, 4. Partizan
Final Standing
1) Shakhtar Donetsk.. 15pts
2) Arsenal.. 12pts
3) Braga.. 9pts
4) Partizan.. 0pts
Probably the only real surprise of the whole group stage as Arsenal were expected to top this group with ease, especially with how they started the tournament by defeating their opponents convincingly after their first three games. In the end it turned out to be more of a battle with their qualification secured late in their final game.
Round Of 16
The round of 16 draw will be made in Nyon on 17 December.
The group winners will be away in the round of 16 first legs on 15/16 and 22/23 February and at home in the return matches on 8/9 and 15/16 March. No team can play a club from their group or any side from the same association.
