Champions League Fall Preview

You may have begun to notice that “The Grandeur” has a fancy of doing preview articles. You are also probably beginning to wonder why that is, so here is your answer. Why talk about a sporting event tomorrow when you can talk about it today, so here we go.
Less than two months after the Italian triumph at Germany 2006, European football (or soccer for the ethnocentric among us) is back in the swing things. The domestic leagues have already kicked-off and the UEFA Champions League begins next week. That will be our focus as we preview all eight groups and look at the other numerous storylines.
The biggest story of the close season has definitely been the match-fixing scandal in Italy. Several teams including Juventus, Milan and Fiorentina, lost points before the season even started and some even got the boot to Serie B most notably the “Old Lady”. Clubs around the continent said “That’s a bummer, but thanks for your players.” No other clubs in the country look to be a threat to the cup.
Chelsea continues to keep the transfer market off balance with their purchases of Michael Ballack, Ashley Cole and Andriy Shevchenko. Jose Mourinho side will still be the odds on favorites to maintain their Premiership crown but will have to find another recipe to achieve that same success in Europe. Elsewhere in England, Sir Alex seems to have really gone off the edge these past few years with Man U over his relationships with his players and well, everything else. It’ll be a surprise if they make much of a stir.
Barcelona are the defending champions of the Champions League title and they are definitely a trendy pick again this year. Ronaldinho has to perform better than he did at the World Cup because the club’s success depends on his performance. But with the knowledge of how to win the cup and the savvy additions of Lillian Thuram, Gianluca Zambrotta and Eidur Gudjohnsen they have to be the favorites.
Rivals Real Madrid also did well to get Fabio Capello as their gaffer and their signings of Fabio Cannavaro and Ruud van Nistelrooy. But they still have some serious issues to resolve before I’ll consider them serious contenders.
In Germany, Bayern Munich have a shiny new stadium and that’s about it. They look to maintain their four year streak of unimpressive performances.
Now on to the picks.
What is with UEFA always pairing Barca and Chelsea together? Anyway, they’re too good for Group A. Next.
Group B looks to be the “Group of Death.” But those gritty Germans and Italians know how to grind out results: Inter and Bayern Munich.
Liverpool and PSV have both performed well in Europe these past couple of years. They should get through Group C without too much fuss.
Group D is probably the most intriguing. Valencia and Roma are probably the best but this has some craziness possibilities.
It seems to a race for second place in Group E with a much-improved Real Madrid the favorites. Lyon seems to be the best equipped to advance with their recent pedigree in the competition.
Group F as the looks of great unpredictability about it with all four clubs in rather weird times. But Manchester United and Benfica seem best suited to survive a group that could have plenty of surprises.
Arsenal and Porto are the best two teams in Group G and they’ll probably advance. The other two have a chance to advance but they’ll have to play well.
Group H is definitely the “Group of Weak.” A wounded Milan is without doubt the best of the lot and should advance with relative ease. The rest wouldn’t survive in any other group, but since someone has to advance, Lille will go by default.
Hope you’re excited about Matchday 1 on September 12/13. Be sure to return in February when the knockout round of the Champions League is previewed. Until then, avoid the flairs and enjoy the action.