2008/2009 UEFA Champions League - Group G Preview
September 17th 2008 02:00
If I had to give a name to this group, I would call it the Boys Club. All four teams have a strong contigent of young players who haven't won anything on the international stage (though Arsenal and Fenerbahce have some Euro winners among their ranks). Here are the teams.
Arsenal
The Gunners looked flat at the beginning of the Premiership, but their offense seems to be back on track. The big question mark is the defense where both Toure and Gallas have looked uncertain. Furthermore, they're still lacking a proper defensive midfielder that could give more freedom to Fabregas on the offense.
FC Porto
The Portuguese club has had a dream run from 2002 to 2004 where they won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League back to back. Unfortunately, most of their best players get pulled away every summer (this year they lost Bosingwa, Quaresma, and Postiga) to bigger clubs, leaving them with a considerable lack of depth. Still, they have the mental strength to make it far so... anything can happen.
Fenerbahce
Adding midfielder Emre Belozoglu and Spanish striker Daniel Guiza has bolstered Fenerbahce's offense. In goal, Volkan Demirel is more than respectable, so big question mark will be how they'll behave defensively against the skills of Porto and the slick passing of Arsenal.
Dynamo Kyiv
The Ukrainians have made it to the knock-out stage in the past, but I don't think it will happen this time around. The other three teams look much stronger on paper, and should be able to kick Kyiv out.
Arsenal
The Gunners looked flat at the beginning of the Premiership, but their offense seems to be back on track. The big question mark is the defense where both Toure and Gallas have looked uncertain. Furthermore, they're still lacking a proper defensive midfielder that could give more freedom to Fabregas on the offense.
FC Porto
The Portuguese club has had a dream run from 2002 to 2004 where they won the UEFA Cup and the Champions League back to back. Unfortunately, most of their best players get pulled away every summer (this year they lost Bosingwa, Quaresma, and Postiga) to bigger clubs, leaving them with a considerable lack of depth. Still, they have the mental strength to make it far so... anything can happen.
Fenerbahce
Adding midfielder Emre Belozoglu and Spanish striker Daniel Guiza has bolstered Fenerbahce's offense. In goal, Volkan Demirel is more than respectable, so big question mark will be how they'll behave defensively against the skills of Porto and the slick passing of Arsenal.
Dynamo Kyiv
The Ukrainians have made it to the knock-out stage in the past, but I don't think it will happen this time around. The other three teams look much stronger on paper, and should be able to kick Kyiv out.
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