UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw 2015/2016

With the Champions League group stage almost upon us, here is my prediction as to how each group will pan out:

  

Group A – PSG, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo

Without doubt, PSG and Real Madrid lead the way in Group A. PSG have largely underachieved in this competition of late and Laurent Blanc will be hoping to turn the Parisian’s fortunes around. I fancy the Madrid to top the group, with PSG winning one of the matches against the Spanish Royals. As for Shakhtar, Douglas Costa will be sorely missed and Malmo won’t offer the top seeds much of a challenge as they are just happy to be welcoming European powerhouses to Sweden.

Group B – PSV, MUFC, CSKA, Wolfsburg

United fans have a reason to be optimistic about their chances in the group stage. The match against PSV will see Memphis Depay return to visit his former club. While it is a tricky group, United should be looking to win all their home games and sneak and draw or preferably a win at the away fixtures. Away, all games will test United through a mix of travelling, fearsome atmospheres as well as the decent players they will face. Undoubtedly, City have done their neighbours a favour in buying Wolfsburg’s best player. To qualify, I tip United, and Wolfsburg with PSV gaining the Europa League spot.

Group C – Benfica, Atletico, Galatasaray, Astana

Astana become the first Kazakhstan side to qualify for the Champions League, and will no doubt cause people to complain about the air miles they will rack up. Atletico will be favourites for this group and it will be an interesting affair for the second spot. Benfica are the Portuguese champions and we know about the pedigree of some of the Galatasaray players. Both sides endured dismal campaigns last year, finishing bottom of their respective groups. I tip Benfica to get second spot while the Turks will claim the Europa League spot.

Group D – Juventus, MCFC, Sevilla, B. M'Bach

Another ‘nightmare’ group for City fans that may not turn out to be that bad. Last year’s runners up, Juventus are yet to get off the mark in Serie A, recording two losses against Udinese and Roma respectively. Likewise, Monchengladbach are rooted to the bottom of the table, losing all three of their opening Bundesliga games. With City splashing the cash on some real talent, I think they will top this group and mount a real challenge towards the latter stages. I’m also tipping Juventus to progress while the German side struggle to be rooted to the bottom.

Group E – Barcelona, Leverkusen, Roma, BATE

Ready to defend their crown, Barcelona will be pleased with their group and I fully expect them to have qualification wrapped up with matches to spare. Roma have been disappointing in 2015 so far, winning just 11 of their games in all competitions. With Javier Hernandez on the verge of completing his move to Leverkusen, he will provide extra fire power to compete for a starting spot with Stefan Keißling. Although only two games in, Roma have started the season well and I would tip them for that second spot with Leverkusen in third.

Group F – Bayern, AFC, Olympiacos, Dinamo Zagreb

How many times over the last few years have Arsenal faced Bayern Munich in the Champions League? I think the qualification places already write themselves, barring a major upset. Bayern haven’t been the same side since they won the competition in 2013, and Pep Guardiola will be looking to prove to his doubters that he can win a Champions League without Lionel Messi. They will top the group, with Arsenal in second. While Arsenal have beaten the German champions injh Munich before, Wenger’s inadequacies in the transfer market leaves his side a long way off competing with the top European clubs.

Group G – Chelsea, Porto, Dynamo Kyiv, M. Tel-Aviv

Chelsea have had a poor start to the 2015/2016 campaign but should be confident about qualifying from their group. They have been handed a relatively comfortable group, which sees Jose Mourinho return to face the club that he won the Champions League with. Most people expect Chelsea to top, with Porto following behind. As for the other two, Dynamo have sought after midfielder Andriy Yarmolenko and Aleksander Dragovic while the Israeli side are under the stewardship of Jordi Cryuff and are looking dominant in the Israeli league. I’m predicting a Dynamo third place finish.

Group H – Zenit, Valencia, Lyon, Gent

Last but certainly not least, Group H. While it may not house any of the top European sides, it shouldn’t be taken lightly. Lyon have a fantastic set up in central France, producing some top talents such as Nabil Fekir and Alexandre Lacazette. Retaining that talent has led them to struggle to compete with the top sides in Europe. Similarly, Valencia have decent players within their ranks. New purchase Rodrigo will form a partnership with Alvaro Negredo while Pablo Piatti will pull the strings in midfield. Both Shkodran Mustafi and Aymen Abdennour will provide muscle at the back. It will be an amusing watch to see which side will come out on top.

The new regulations for the Champions League groups have thrown up some interesting ties, who do you think will top the groups?

FC Midtjylland Surprise Lacklustre Southampton

The European dream is over for Southampton as Danish outfit FC Midtjylland overcome the odds to send the seaside team crashing out of the competition.

In the opening exchanges, Southampton did have chances. Jose Fonte had a diving header cleared off the line within 5 minutes. It was excellent defending from the Danish side but the Saints really should have broken the deadlock.

Southampton had the majority of the possession, but were unable to capitalise as their passing was often too slow and laborious. Midtjylland were able to get organised behind the ball which made it difficult for Southampton to break down. Steve Davis had an excellent chance after a chest down by Pelle around the 20 minute mark but his shot was straight at the keeper.

It was FC Midtjylland who broke the deadlock after a sloppy pass from Jay Rodriguez found Bach-Bak. The right back centred the ball for Duncan to nip in front of the Southampton defender and finish the ball past Maartin Stekelenberg in nets. The first half performance was pretty poor from Southampton. They lacked conviction in any move they tried and eventually paid due to some slack defending.

The Saints started the second half brightly and, unlike the first, they moved the ball about quicker. Both full backs were able to get beyond their man however the final ball often disappointed. Southampton didn't have many clear cut chances during the match and I cannot recall any in the second half. Starting the season more sluggish, it's back to the drawing board for Ronald Koeman.

As the game drew to a close, Southampton were leaving gaps at the back in order to pursue the goal to send them into extra time. To be expected, Midtjylland countered but were unable to extend their lead. Jose Fonte had a nightmare, making countless mistakes and allowing Duncan to steal in front of him for the goal. Southampton did have a handle ball appeal dismissed by the referee and replays show that it really should have been a penalty.

Southampton are in need of a decent result at the weekend against Norwich in order to build confidence up and break the bad rut of results. With Koeman rumoured to be in the market for Virgil Van Dijk, he is a solid player, winning Celtic's player of the season in his first year. A disappointing performance from Ronald Koeman's men that will need plenty of work if they are to reach the heights of last season again and have another attempt at reaching a European group stage.

Transfer Round Up #6

I'm back with more opinions on the transfers in this window. Today I look at Brendan Rodgers' new attacker as well as looking in Italy for the latest deals.

Christian Benteke – Aston Villa to Liverpool - £32m

The purchase of Christian Benteke by Brendan Rodgers may signal the end of the failed experiment with Mario Balotelli. At £32m Benteke didn’t come cheap, but he will offer a lot more than Balotelli. It may also suggest a change in tactics with this signing, particularly as the Belgian international won more headed duels than any other player last season with 187, despite missing 9 league games. On the other hand, he did have the worse pass accuracy of any other Villa player last season with 67%. Benteke will be a hit on Merseyside one way or another and will be sure to be more consistent than last season’s attackers.

Arda Turan – Atletico Madrid to FC Barcelona - £23m

Under more of a ‘registration ban’ than a transfer ban, Luis Enrique has once again dipped into the transfer market in order to strengthen his already top quality Catalan side. Turan is a great signing and his consistency is probably his biggest asset. He is equally adept in defence and attack, completing 2.01 successful tackles per match as well as creating 1.31 chances per match. While he is not known for his goal scoring abilities, his expert dribbling ability can unbalance any defence given any space behind the defence. It’s a great signing but he is unfortunate to spend the first half of the season on the sidelines.

Geoffrey Kondogbia – AS Monaco to Inter Milan - £21

Not a lot was mentioned about this transfer in the media, partially because it doesn’t involve any British team. It is a very good acquisition from Roberto Mancini and I am really surprised any English side did not try and get him. The energetic box to box player will bring various skills to Milan. With Mancini often opting for a slow possession based game, Kondogbia will regularly be used to initiate attacks from the back. His combative style is further emphasised with the amount of interceptions he averaged last season, 2.48 per game. He is an excellent young player that a few Premier League sides really could have benefitted from having in their team.

Paulo Dybala – Palermo to Juventus - £22m

The partnership Paulo Dybala formed Franco Vazquez last season was unbelievable. The little Argentine netted 13 goals in 35 appearances last season on his way to becoming one of Palermo's hottest properties. Creating 61 chances only Vazquez created more for the Scillians this season with 68. Dybala will replace Carlos Tevez who moved to Boca Juniors earlier in the transfer window and he can certainly replace his goals. Like Tevez, Dybala will drop into the holes allowing his strike partners Alvaro Morata or Mario Mandzukic to move into the space created. Billed as another Sergio Aguero, this has the makings of another cracking signing from Max Allegri.

Jordy Clasie – Feyenoord to Southampton - £8m

In order to replace the departed Morgan Schneiderlin, Ronald Koeman has looked to his native lands and found Jordy Clasie. Football Manager enthusiasts will know all about the young Dutch international whose playing style has seen him labelled the ‘Dutch Xavi’. At only 24 years of age, he made 111 league appearances for Feyenoord and is already a fan favourite in the Netherlands. He won more tackles than any other Feyenoord player last season and also played more passes than his teammates, even while maintaining an 83% completion rate. He isn’t Morgan Schneiderlin, but I’m still looking forward to seeing how the player fares in the Premier League and he definitely is the player to replace the Frenchman.

Southampton may not receive an instant impact from Jordy Clasie but he is one to take over from Schneiderlin in the long term. Christian Benteke is a very good signing for Liverpool and he showed what he can do against Bournemouth on Monday night. Kondogbia is terrific signing and it amazes me why Arsenal did not try and purchase him. As for Dybala, he is a perfect replacement for Carlos Tevez at Juventus.

Christian Benteke sees off plucky Bournemouth

With adjustments made to the offside rule at the start of every season, it's hardly rocket science to predict that there would be at least one occasion in which the officials get it wrong. Christian Benteke put in a tremendous shift as his side collect all three points at Anfield. 

Bournemouth thought they had made a magical start when Tommy Elphick had headed them in front only for the referee to blow for a foul on Dejan Lovren. The south coast side had made the brighter start and looked as if they wanted to take the game to Liverpool. Callum Wilson had the beating of Lovren on several occasions but this tailed off towards the end of the half.

Front men Wilson and King persisted all night and were keen to stamp their mark on the game as where Gradel and Ritchie down the flanks. Bournemouth were getting men down the flanks to great effect and this seemed their most likely way to scoring a goal. 

Eventually Liverpool began to get a foothold in the game Phillipe Coutinho starting to get on the ball and dictate the play. Dropping into pockets of space, Bournemouth found it hard to get close to the Brazilian and he started to create chances. Liverpool were using their alternative route to Benteke well with the Belgian winning 7 out of his 9 aerial duels in the first half.

The deadlock was broken through the new man who pounced on a cross from Jordan Henderson to score his first goal for Liverpool. While the goal may have been awarded under controversial circumstances, it will be a great weight lifted from the Belgian's shoulders. Henderson went close minutes later, with a dipping shot from 30 yards that grazed the cross bar. As the first half progressed, Liverpool began to dominate more and more as Bournemouth dropped deeper and invite more pressure and were in need of a lucky break to boost their confidence. Coutinho had a glorious chance to double the home sides lead but he scuffed his shot wide. Bournemouth were unfortunate to be a goal down. 

At the start of the second half, Bournemouth had to be the first side to strike and, similar to the first half, they started the most lively. Not getting many shots on target in the first half, Howe had instructed his side to shoot more in an attempt to test Simon Mignolet in nets who had very little to do. Bournemouth continued to push for an equaliser and Matt Richie's half chance on the hour mark smashed the upright. A goal would give the visitors the confidence and switch the momentum. Bournemouth were creating chances through the middle with the midfielders overlapping.

70 minutes saw the introduction of Roberto Firmino to raucous applause as he made his Anfield debut. While Liverpool were somewhat comfortable, a second goal was required to drain Howe's men mentally. They had an excellent chance to do so on the counter when Benteke broke the line and found Coutinho but his poor first touch enabled Charlie Daniels to get the block in. 

Benteke caused problems for the Bournemouth centre back pairing all night long and nearly doubled his tally in the dying embers with his close range shot cannoning off bar. The Belgian's hold up play was exemplary and he could hardly have started his home debut in better fashion.

Eddie Howe can take many positives from tonight and look to build on them as they look to secure their Premier League status for next season. It was a professional, but not flashy performance from The Reds. Christian Benteke's performance is a major plus, but there are improvements needed to be made in defence.

Pedro Saves Barca’s Blushes

FC Barcelona secure their 5th title in quite extraordinary fashion. The match had everything, free kicks, goals galore, abysmal defending and transfer-listed Pedro coming off the bench to score the winner.

The European Super Cup did not start slowly as an exquisite dead ball strike from Ever Banega put the Europa League winners in the lead on 2 minutes. Marc-Andre Ter Stegen was positioned almost on the post which made Banega's job easier. Taking nothing away from the strike his positioning was dubious to say the least.

While goals from dead ball situations are rare to say the least, we were treated to another brace from Lionel Messi to give Barcelona the lead. Similar to Ter Stegen, the Sevilla keeper was almost on the post. For his second, the keeper could not have done anything about. It has been certainly a dead ball masterclass offered up by both sides, too bad we will probably not see another free kick for about another month.

Barcelona dominated the half, blighted by a few counter attacks from Sevilla. Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu were able to pick Ivan Rakitic, Messi and Iniesta out allowing them to turn and run at the defence. Sevilla's midfield needs to do more defensively or else they will ship more goals.

Kevin Gamiero had an excellent chance to level the game on 40 minutes but his scuffed shot couldn't find the back of the net and Iborra couldn't capitalise. On the stroke of half time Suarez beat the offside trap but his shot only found the keeper and rebounded clear. He regathered the ball and centred it for Rafinha to score. Sevilla’s high defensive line was exposed.

After half time, Sevilla hadn't learnt their lesson and Suarez capitalised on a sloppy pass from Benoit Tremoulinas. Sevilla were the makers of their own destruction. However, Jose Antonio Reyes was able to score Sevilla's second and was helped by non-existent marking from the Champions League holders and offered a glimmer of hope to Unai Emery’s side.

Coasting at 4-2, Barca took their foot off the gas. Mathieu found himself on the wrong side of Vitolo and dragged him down inside the box. Kevin Gameiro cooly slotted the penalty home with 19 minutes to go. Barcelona could have been out of sight but Sevilla capitalised on Barcelona's loss of concentration.

The third gave Sevilla confidence and as they pushed more men forward their risk was rewarded after more shoddy defending allowed substitute Immobile to turn Marc Bartra who found Yevhen Konoplyanka for the tap in. I find it hard to believe for a side who was 4-1 up and cruising comfortably for 50 minutes to capitulate and concede 3, but I suppose that is football.

Extra time saw the introduction of Pedro Rodriguez and I suppose it was written in the stars that he would score the winner in what looks like is his last ever appearance for the Catalan side. His 115th minute goal was the exact same time he scored in the 2009 final to beat Shahktar Donetsk. Despite the muted celebrations, his goal won Barcelona their 5thEuropean Super Cup equalling AC Milan’s record with 5.  

A truly magnificent game for the neutrals proved an excellent way to ring in the new season as this season’s curtain raiser. Barcelona have the Spanish Super Cup first leg at the San Mames Stadium while Sevilla have 9 days to patch their defensive woes before they begin the season at Malaga.

Transfer Round Up #5

After a week away, I'm back to bring you 5 more transfers from across Europe. Feel free to leave your opinions on the transfers in the comments or via the various social media outlets.

Bastian Schweinsteiger – Bayern Munich to Manchester United - £14m

Louis Van Gaal strengthens his midfield with the signing of Bastian Schweinsteiger. Having missed 25 Bundesliga games in the last 2 seasons, I don’t see the German World Cup winner nailing down a first team spot, but infact rotating with Michael Carrick. I’ve stated for The Big Interest how this signing will not just benefit the side on the pitch, but alsoon the training ground as he will help all the youngsters as they grow. Schweinsteiger brings the winning mentality something which United have lacked since Fergie left. Making his debut off the bench on Saturday, the first movement the German did was to look up and see what was in front of him, more of which is needed for Manchester United. A very good signing for Manchester United.

Arturo Vidal – Juventus to Bayern Munich - £24m

Bayern Munich won the race for the much coveted Chilean international after several English sides were confirmed to be interested in signing Arturo Vidal. Although a different player to Schweinsteiger, he was almost signed as a replacement and will provide more energy in the midfield than Alonso or Lahm. He won 74 tackles in the Serie A last year, more than any other Juventus player and only Paul Pogba scored more goals from midfield. He was definitely the stand out player in the Juve midfield and it will be interesting to see how he fits in among the other world class midfielders at Bayern’s disposal

Filipe Luis – Chelsea to Atletico Madrid - £11.2m

After one year at Chelsea, Filipe Luis has returned to Atletico Madrid for £11.2m, £3m lower than what Chelsea paid for him. He was never able to dethrone Cesar Azpilicueta of that left back spot and has returned to his home to where he will almost certainly get more first team football. Even though first team football was sporadic, the Brazilian featured in 15 Premier League games and had a better tackles per minute ratio than any other Chelsea player. Two seasons ago, Luis was instrumental in Diego Simeone’s title winning side as well as their march to the Champions League final. A good move for all parties as Chelsea will free up some wages, first team football for the player and Atletico have signed a decent outfit at left back.

Falcao – AS Monaco to Chelsea – Loan

After a despondent season on loan at Old Trafford, Jose Mourinho is taking a chance on Colombian Falcao. Only scoring 4 goals all season, Falcao was undoubtedly a flop for United last year but Mourinho is backing on last season only being an acclimatization year for the Colombian. The move sees him reunite with former Atletico team mate, Diego Costa, a partnership that scored 54 goals in the 2012/2013 season. I don’t think Mourinho will play two up front so it is likely that Falcao will play a rotational role with Costa. At 29 years of age, I’m not convinced Falcao will ever return to the heights of his time at Atletico, but he can get key goals for the club. Already thanking Chelsea for the warm welcome, I have a feeling this year could different for the Colombian.

Jackson Martinez – FC Porto to Atletico Madrid - £24m

Continuing with the Atletico theme, Simeone’s side have signed Jackson Martinez from Porto for £24m. Coined as a ‘selling side’ Porto certainly know how to get the most money out of their players. Scoring all 7 of his goals in the Champions League from inside the box, showing he is a real poacher. In the Portuguese league, he scored 67 goals in 89 appearances, impressive no matter what league it is scored in. Martinez is a powerful player and will flourish off the aggressive tactics of Diego Simeone. After selling Mario Mandzukic to Juventus, Martinez was acquired to add a physical presence to the attacking line. 

The signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger and Arturo Vidal represents the best buys out of the five. Filipe Luis and Falcao will be looking to reunite their careers after poor spells last season while Jackson Martinez will be looking to bring his form for Porto to Atletico Madrid.