Champions League Draw
By: Isaiah | August 30th, 2007Wow. The Champions League draw happened today, as most of you already know, and Barcelona have it rough. They were drawn in Group E alongside Lyon, Stuttgart, and Rangers. Lyon is definitely the toughest opponent possible from Pot 2, which is unfortunate for Barcelona, but really, no opponent would have been easy. Then there’s Stuttgart, current champions of Germany and certainly no pushover. Perhaps the best team in Pot 3, but that’s probably up for some debate. And finally there is Rangers, runners up in Scotland last year.
I think that Group E is the group of Death. I mean, really. What’s a tougher group? Group F, maybe. I’ll have more thoughts on it later.
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Comments
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Lyon are having massive injury issues right now and might be more concentrated or distracted by trying to regain their Ligue 1 title. Stuttgart isn’t going to sneak up on anyone this year and even with the addition of Ewerthon, you guys should have no problems brushing them aside. As for the Rangers, they barely qualified against Red Star Belgrade and will also be distracted with their quest to reclaim their domestic league title from Celtic. None of those teams come close to Barca’s depth and talent, you need not worry.
Posted from
United States
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We are having an injury crisis, but other than Cris and Coupet, everyone else will be back before the first group stage game. Also, Lyon are one game behind everyone else, and losing two games out of five is not a sign of internal crisis. And, I should point this out - Aulas will happily sacrifice the league title for Europe. A CL qualifying spot for next year is all he will want.
That being said, I think Barcelona will take advantage of Lyon’s second goalkeeper, who is AWFUL in the air. If Barca is good at set pieces, that’s your chance right there.
Posted from
United States -
Barca ISN’T good on set pieces, despite last night’s goal by Motta suggesting otherwise. I’ve always though Lyon would match up well with Barca in terms of the flowing game they both play, meaning that it will be a tense affair. Stuttgart may not surprise anyone, but that doesn’t make them not good. And it’s not like the other pot 4 teams are great teams; Rangers is good, if not up to Celtic’s level at the moment. Fortunately Barca has already traveled to Scotland this year and another trip might be a nice return to a place where they won a couple of games.
I’m never worried about Barcelona (I’m very biased, after all), but it’s a tough group (as it should be, really). Liverpool have it easy in comparison, that’s for sure.
Posted from
United States -
Liverpool’s draw sickens me, they always have it easy…
Posted from
United States -
I wish we had Madrid’s draw. I mean come on, Werder Bremen (who we were able to outclass when they were much better)? Lazio? No offence Lyon but even with your injured players recovered you still aren’t the team you once were, however both Stuttgart and Rangers have the ability to cause upsets. Rangers especially I’m concerned about, even with our reinforcements we struggle with teams who play a physical game.
Posted from
Canada -
It is a tough group but it is a group that Barca should qualify from in first relatively comfortably. Home and away victories against Rangers (however close), and you would fancy 4 points from the 2 matches against Stuttgart. Really entertaining matches against Lyon. End to end football but Barca have the stronger defense and should pick Lyon off on the break with Henry and Messi. Then the formalities of the knockout stages and another trophy without a sweat… well maybe it’s 8 months too early to be getting carried away
Posted from
Ireland -
Ciaran, it’s never too early to get carried away! In fact, I’m putting down a bet right now on Barcelona to win the next World Cup!
But seriously, yeah, we should qualify first. Doesn’t mean we will, but we should.
Posted from
United States -
Not a fun draw at all. Real underestimated Lyon when they first drew them and look at what happened there, and as you guys have pointed out, the other two teams are also teams of the type which are likely to cause us trouble. But still, none of the groups look like real walkovers.
Posted from
Australia
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