2008/2009 UEFA Champions League – Group A Preview
September 14th 2008 15:03
Last year's finalists, Chelsea, seem to have found an easy group to get through as their competition will be Serie A club AS Roma, Ligue 1 club Girondins de Bordeaux, and Romanian club CFR Cluj.
Chelsea
Led by a new coach who has plenty of international experience, the Blues will hope to get one step further this year by winning the trophy. So far, newcomers Deco and Bosingwa have been playing great in the Premier League but the team is still missing consistency. Though they haven't lost a game yet, their performances have varied from great to 'just enough.' On paper, it looks like they'll easily breeze through the group stage, but one mistake could prove fatal, especially if the other teams play a strong defensive game.
AS Roma
The Wolves are no stranger to the Champions League but never managed to get far. Chelsea rival, Manchester United, have ruined their chances in the last two years, so they'll pray that the Red Devils won't be in their way this time around. They'll also hope that the loss of Mancini and Giuly won't affect the team that tends to rely a bit too much on captain Francesco Totti.
Girondins de Bordeaux
Coached by French legend and ex-Manchester United defender, Laurent Blanc, Bordeaux have had a dream run in the past two seasons, winning the Ligue 2 in 2006/2007, and finishing second in the League 1 in 2007/2008 in front of Marseille. They are the kind of club that Chelsea and Roma must take seriously because Bordeaux could take them by surprise if they're not being careful.
CFR Cluj
Not much is known about Romanian club Cluj. They won the Romanian league for the first time last season, and thus, were automatically qualified for the Champions League. I think everyone agrees that they won't get past the group stage, and are only fillers for the last spot.
Chelsea
Led by a new coach who has plenty of international experience, the Blues will hope to get one step further this year by winning the trophy. So far, newcomers Deco and Bosingwa have been playing great in the Premier League but the team is still missing consistency. Though they haven't lost a game yet, their performances have varied from great to 'just enough.' On paper, it looks like they'll easily breeze through the group stage, but one mistake could prove fatal, especially if the other teams play a strong defensive game.
AS Roma
The Wolves are no stranger to the Champions League but never managed to get far. Chelsea rival, Manchester United, have ruined their chances in the last two years, so they'll pray that the Red Devils won't be in their way this time around. They'll also hope that the loss of Mancini and Giuly won't affect the team that tends to rely a bit too much on captain Francesco Totti.
Girondins de Bordeaux
Coached by French legend and ex-Manchester United defender, Laurent Blanc, Bordeaux have had a dream run in the past two seasons, winning the Ligue 2 in 2006/2007, and finishing second in the League 1 in 2007/2008 in front of Marseille. They are the kind of club that Chelsea and Roma must take seriously because Bordeaux could take them by surprise if they're not being careful.
CFR Cluj
Not much is known about Romanian club Cluj. They won the Romanian league for the first time last season, and thus, were automatically qualified for the Champions League. I think everyone agrees that they won't get past the group stage, and are only fillers for the last spot.
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