Going into the Champions League group stages, there were likely a great deal of football bets
placed on Premier League powerhouses Manchester United and Manchester City reaching the round of
16. But after flubbing a group that appeared to be a relative stroll, United are now looking ahead
to the Europa League, and their archrivals are doing the same.
Photo by nikefutebol
1. Manchester City will benefit from this experience
Regardless of the wealth spent on this team, this is City's first outing in the Champions
League. Only a handful of players in the squad have participated before in Europe's elite
competition.
Only two more rounds of the group stage of the Champions League remain, and for quite a few
teams, that means the margin for error is slim to none.
Over the final two match days, there are a number of important games that will determine how
things shake out. Several of Europe's elite, like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, who boast the
tournament's leading scorers in Lionel Messi and Mario Gomez, are in favorable positions heading
into their last two matches, but there are also a couple of notable few who still have some work to
do to keep alive their quest to be the best.
The Golden ball has released their shortlist of players of which one will be chosen as the
undisputed best player for this past year. Yet, as it's been the case for a couple of years now,
the shortlist raised more questions than provided answers.
The list, which is chosen by France Football Magazine, has always had its critics although as of
late, it has attracted more widespread criticism than ever before.
The UEFA Champions League resumes tomorrow night as the fourth matchday of the group stage gets
underway, and there are several teams that could clinch a place in the round of 16 if results go
their way this week. It should be no surprise that the top three teams in Champions League
statistics in regards to goals scored are all in that bunch, in Barcelona (9), Real Madrid (8), and
Chelsea (8).
As the race for spots in the knock-out round intensifies, we take a look at the crucial fixtures
which are likely to decide who will be advancing and who will be exiting Europe's premier club
competition.
Highly-flying Manchester City will be looking to book their advancement to the next stage when
they travel to Italy on 22nd November.
Ryan Giggs rightly is held in the highest regard by all true fans of the game, yet the question
remains whether he is past his sell by date. Certainly if one were to look at the facts and see he
has already scored two goals this season than the argument may seem ludicrous. However, his
performances this season have been marked with a sense of sluggishness and downright
complacency.
European action takes center stage next week, as next week will mark the halfway point of the
group stage of the Champions League.
While there is much to be decided between now and the last round of group stage fixtures in
early December, several teams, including a couple of Europeís elite, are already facing matches
that they can ill afford to lose or even draw if their ambitions are to stay intact.
September 15 was the kick-off for the group stage of the Europa League. The Europa League isn't
the most popular competition for some in the Premier League. Harry Redknapp isn't thrilled to be in
the Europa League. I think it's very fair to say he doesn't like it since he thinks it will
interfere with his quest to achieve Champions League football next season.
The Good: Thiago Silva snatched a point for Milan It was a typical Barcelona match. The Spanish
champions passed the ball around the pitch with ease, albeit after conceding a very untypical-Barca
goal in the first minute. They scored two ...
Ever since being transferred to Chelsea in last January's window, the one universal opinion on
Fernando Torres is that he hasn't lived up to his previous form. He's on a drought, a severe one at
that, scoring one goal last ...
Let me begin by clarifying that I am a Manchester United supporter, so I obviously hate City. But
to ignore them would be akin to sitting at home watching TV when the boy you hate next door is
having a ...
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Photo by ????? [ AKA Gilyo
Let me begin by clarifying that I am a Manchester United supporter, so I obviously hate City. But
to ignore them would be akin to sitting at home watching TV when the boy you hate next door is
having a party for celebrating his selection to the national football team.
Wembley Stadium is a great venue. Step out of Wembley Park Underground station and there it is.
Looming large over the long walk down to the bowels of the stadium. It is something special when
the final is at Wembley. ...
Wembley Stadium is a great venue. Step out of Wembley Park Underground station and there it is.
Looming large over the long walk down to the bowels of the stadium. It is something special when
the final is at Wembley. So if you get the chance to stroll down the walk, why not take a look at
the new Champions League exhibition?
