Champions League analysis & the Copa SudAmericana

This is the time of the season that things really get going in the Champions League, where games have life & death implications for at least one if not both the participants.  This will inevitably lead to the game being played at its finest, which is what we crave.

A look at the groups with results that are up in the air:

Group A: A tough group on paper where a deserving team was going to have to be left out.  Bordeaux put on a classy display vs. Juventus and won a deserved top of the group status.  They have looked like a cut above Juve & Bayern in group play, I'd like to think that it is a reflection on the positive play Laurent Blanc espouses but can't help but think that it might be equal parts of weakness on the part of Juve & Bayern.  Those two have now come down to a do or die match in Turin which I can't wait to see.  Have to give the nod to Juventus in this one, mostly due to the home advantage but also due to Bayerns inability to create comprehensive play.

Group B: CSKA did what they had to do this round, helped by a wondergoal from Milos Kosic., defeating their rivals for 2nd place Wolfsburg 2-1.  This was like a different match post halftime as CSKA became the agressors and created the chances.  This leaves everything to play for as Wolfsburg hosts ManU while CSKA travels to Besiktas.  Though each game is a must win, I can see both losing, leaving them tied and Wolfsburg going through on the tie breaker.  A tricky call though, as it is hard to predict the below strength side the ManU is sure to field.  A call with less variables is the game in Istanbul, Besiktas has nothing to play for as they can not even make the Europa League place but pride seems to run deep in Turkey and expect to see a full strength side playing to win.

Group C: Marseille did themselves proud in Milan being unlucky not to pull all three points.  Still, a draw keeps them in the hunt and leaves them with their destiny in their own hands at home to Real. This in itself may a mountain too high to climb but to qualify they must depend on a win by Zurich at home to Milan, otherwise Milan go through. Stranger things have happened, but don't for it to happen this time.

Group E: Though this is wrapped up have to comment on the big win by Fiorentina.  There was not much seperating them and Lyon, the deserved PK was the only goal of the match.  Both these teams have done exactly what they needed to do the whole group stage and deserve to go through. No surprise that Liverpool did not make it, this was going to be a tough group from the outset, Lyon is a class, experienced side and Fiorentina is no pushover, Liverpool ws trying to replace a key member of their squad in Xabi Alonso and there was no guarentee that they were going to get out of the group, so no surprise.

Group F: I have read that the introduction of additional "lower tier" countries would make for more dead games.  My ass.  Each team in this group has a chance to go through (only two groups are "dead" on the final matchday) I don't recall being in this situation in the last 12 years.  Inter has put themselves in a must win situation by being totally outclassed by Barcelona, they honestly never looked in this game at all (what happened to the Mourinho magic?).  Still, look for them to use the home field advantage and beat Rubin, a team who has made a CL debut to be proud of.  After winning the Russian title they'll be back next year.  An equally intriguing match has Dunamo hosting Barca, a team who, at the beginning of the season you had said they would be needing to win in Kiev on the last matchday to even qualify you would have rightly said would be in crisis, but that is not applicable in this group.  Look for them to win and progress.

Group G: The last group to have implications on the last day with the surprising Unirea in a position to qualify, a mighty feat for the debutants from Romania.  I can't even recall them being in the UEFA Cup so this is is quite an achievement whether they make it or not.  A lucky win Vs. Sevilla, in a game where they were dominated gave them the points they needed and allows them to advance with a win at Stuttgart.  Stuttgart, in the midst of a horrid start in the Bundesliga came up with a gutsy win at Rangers to put themselves in a position to advance with a win.  Look for them to do just that.  Amazing that they are scraping for points in their domestic league but advance to the knockout rounds in the CL.  Can't imagine them lasting in the knockouts but at least they will be at the dance.

Liga 5-1 Fluminense - The eurosnobs I know won't watch or even acknowledge the South American tournaments.  They should have watched this match, the first leg of the final of the Copa Sudamericana.  The mentality of play in these matches are to win, in Europe all too often the attitude is not to lose, a major difference in the play on the field is the result.  Plus, the atmosphere is crazy, I liken it to a pot of water that is just on the verge of boiling, a little spark is all that is needed to cause it to boil over.  In this match the spark was Liga midfielder Edison Mendez who had two goals that bordered on works of art.  He added one more for the hat trick and a huge lead going back to Rio.  I'd say insurmountable but this is South America and I wouldn't be surprised to see Flu pull some back and make it tight.  The temptation will be there to field a below strength side as Flu are fighting relegation at home with two matches to go.  It would be a shame to see it as the chances for a title are so fleeting.  Can't wait until next week!