Matty
Well-Known Member
A Club by Club assessment
Group D
Real Madrid – Record holder with nine Champion’s League/European Cup titles, Madrid are always a force in Europe, however this will be their tenth season without lifting the trophy should they fail. Mourinho has a plethora of talented individuals at his disposal, Ronaldo, Benzema, Alonso, Higuain, Ozil and Kaka to name but a few. As always though, with Madrid, it will be their ability to play as a unit that will define their success. Qualification from the group should be a formality, as group winners. You wouldn’t bet against Mourinho making Madrid the third side with which he has won the Champion’s League.
Lyon – Their stranglehold on the French League has fallen apart in recent seasons, following a record breaking seven consecutive titles it has now been three seasons since Lyon won the French League. This downturn in domestic success has been mirrored by a decrease in the quality of the Lyon squad, gone are the days of Essien, Malouda and Benzema, today Lyon fans have to deal with Gomis, Gourcuff and Michel Bastos. They still remain a dangerous side, but their chances of a prolonged run in the Champion’s League are less than previous seasons. A battle for second place should be their fate.
Ajax – Still living off past glories and their name, Ajax are a shadow of the 1970’s team. Last season’s Dutch title was their first in seven seasons which, when you consider the relative weakness of the Eredivisie, is a poor showing. Their current squad is a mish-mash of nationalities, with Dane Eriksen the pick of the bunch. Ajax have a chance of qualifying from the group stage, however it is more likely they will be dropping to the Europa League.
Dinamo Zagreb – Last season’s Croatian title was their sixth in a row and they are regular Champion’s League competitors. Their path to the group stage wasn’t without incident as they narrowly beat FC Malmo 4-3 on aggregate in the Final Qualifying round. Another side mainly populated with home-grown talent, their club captain Biscan will be most recognisable to English fans. They will battle hard but, ultimately, should fall way short of qualifying.
Group D
Real Madrid – Record holder with nine Champion’s League/European Cup titles, Madrid are always a force in Europe, however this will be their tenth season without lifting the trophy should they fail. Mourinho has a plethora of talented individuals at his disposal, Ronaldo, Benzema, Alonso, Higuain, Ozil and Kaka to name but a few. As always though, with Madrid, it will be their ability to play as a unit that will define their success. Qualification from the group should be a formality, as group winners. You wouldn’t bet against Mourinho making Madrid the third side with which he has won the Champion’s League.
Lyon – Their stranglehold on the French League has fallen apart in recent seasons, following a record breaking seven consecutive titles it has now been three seasons since Lyon won the French League. This downturn in domestic success has been mirrored by a decrease in the quality of the Lyon squad, gone are the days of Essien, Malouda and Benzema, today Lyon fans have to deal with Gomis, Gourcuff and Michel Bastos. They still remain a dangerous side, but their chances of a prolonged run in the Champion’s League are less than previous seasons. A battle for second place should be their fate.
Ajax – Still living off past glories and their name, Ajax are a shadow of the 1970’s team. Last season’s Dutch title was their first in seven seasons which, when you consider the relative weakness of the Eredivisie, is a poor showing. Their current squad is a mish-mash of nationalities, with Dane Eriksen the pick of the bunch. Ajax have a chance of qualifying from the group stage, however it is more likely they will be dropping to the Europa League.
Dinamo Zagreb – Last season’s Croatian title was their sixth in a row and they are regular Champion’s League competitors. Their path to the group stage wasn’t without incident as they narrowly beat FC Malmo 4-3 on aggregate in the Final Qualifying round. Another side mainly populated with home-grown talent, their club captain Biscan will be most recognisable to English fans. They will battle hard but, ultimately, should fall way short of qualifying.