Group A: Champions League

[Joga Bonito]

1 Tottenham Hotspur FC
2 FC Internazionale Milano
3 FC Twente
4 SV Werder Bremen

The announcers today were going on and on about how magnificent it is an achievement finishing atop this group. I for one believe that is bollocks.

Going into the tournament, Inter, Champions of Europe, Twente, Champions of the Netherlands, and Bremen, who finished 2rd in Germany Germany. Seemed tough enough, but the reality is:
Inter, currently sitting fifth in the Serie A under Rafa Benitez who if he doesn't start pulling off results will surely face the sack;
Twente, currently second in the Eredivisie with a poor defensive record and recently losing to some average teams;
and Werder Bremen, sitting tenth in the Bundesliga without their star playmaker Ozil.

The reality is Tottenham were up against a diminished Inter side who under Benitez have looked very poor, not even comparable to a league-winning side, Twente, a strong Dutch team experiencing some poor form and not a huge threat, and Werder Bremen a mid-table average German side.

Yes they may have been impressive going forward but if they actually think they will be able to concede three goals against a team of Twente's standards and make it out of the Round of 16 they are mad.

So what do you think? Group A over-rated, or hats-off to the Spurs?

 

[SambaStyle]

Both

Inter wont finish 5th, they'll pull it together and finish top 2 or 3. Beating them still deserves respect.

 

[adammck]

Credit to em, they better enjoy it now because they wont be there next year

 

[Schalker]

1 and Bremen, who finished 2rd in Germany Germany.

"finished 3rd" guess thats what you meant and what is right.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Spurs are the original Rags - the minute they did the double some hacks couldn't contain themselves. They disappeared for decades, occasionally appearing pre-season with news that, yet again, this was Spurs' season. They got it right last season and it might be some time before the hoo-haa dies down. The hacks have been given a gift, too, in the person of 'Arry - the media darling.

 

[richardtheref]

I agree that initially Spurs looked to be in a tough group but it hasn't panned out that way.

Inter - Benitez has took them from european champions to looking very average in 5 months. Looks as if he may be replaced any day now.

Twente - McLaren obviously clicked this lot had gone as far as he could and jumped ship. Also the Dutch League is probably as poor as it has ever been at present.

Bremen - I have a friend who is a season ticket holder and he said as soon as Silvestre was appointed club captain the writing was on the wall and he thinks that they will not be far from relegation this year.

However, well played Spurs and looking at their potential opponents for the last 16 i think they will have no problem making the last 8.

 

[waspish]

The more I watch Tottenham the more they remind me of Keegans teams attack attack can't defend. twitcher has no idea on tactics! All he knows is let's attack......

 

[Numptyed]

Spurs have done well IMO, I said in another thread they are the Blackpool of the CL. To say they haven't played in it before top of the group is a great achievement who ever your opponents are.

 

[Tricky_Trev]

Ignoring our hatred for Spurs for a moment, it's a very good achievement to top that group, even though Inter have Rafa and not Mourinho. I'd be buzzing if we'd have done it. It's their first time in the Champions League and they've topped their group, ahead of the holders. You can't knock that, imo.

 

[the goats backside]

I think if it was us we would be creaming