Premier League Teams Showing Huge Promises in Champions League
Premier league teams may be on the verge of overthrowing their Spanish counterparts as the leading clubs in UEFA Champions League. Gone are those years when we had 3 Premier League teams in the Semi-final of a Champions League competition. Since the All English final in 2008, English teams have found it difficult to establish themselves as the giants of Europe. Instead, it has been the Spanish teams dominating both Champions and Europa League. Although, Chelsea won the Champions League in 2012 and Manchester United won the Europa League last season.
Tonight, Tottenham holding defending champions, Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at Santiago Bernabeu showed they are now strong and ready to challenge the big teams in the Champions League this season. Having failed so many times, it looks like Pochettino has transformed Tottenham after challenging for the EPL title last season. Tottenham defied all odds to beat Dortmund 3-1 in the opening match of the Champions League this season.
Manchester City are another team to watch out for this season. They have been absolutely brilliant all season. Their good performance is not limited to the domestic league. Beating Napoli 2-1 tonight is a good achievement if they really are to progress beyond the group stage this season. Guardiola’s men have been banging in goals all season. If they continue with this goal scoring form, they are likely to challenge for big titles this season.
Liverpool are not a novice in the competition. Although, they have not been really impressive following a successive draw in their first two matches in the Champions League, they needed a match like this Maribor to bring them back on track. Liverpool are a very good team, not even Real Madrid or Barcelona will be willing to get drawn against the in the second round.
Chelsea and Manchester United will play their their third Champions League match against Roma and Benfica in their respective group. Chelsea were said to have been drawn into a very difficult group, but they have started well, winning their first two matches. Everyone knows, just like Atletico Madrid, Roma are a very strong team to play against. Chelsea are very strong at Stamford Bridge and it is very unlikely Roma can come there to take away all three points.
Manchester United on the other hand, have a more favourable but tricky group. Having saw off Basel and CSKA Moscow in the first two games, United cannot deny the influence of Benfica rivalry. Man United have to be very strong and resilient to take all three points away from Portugal, but this match would prove a real test for Mourinho’s men
Champions League – Group E October 17
FTMaribor 0 – 7 Liverpool
FTSpartak Moscow 5 – 1 Sevilla
Champions League – Group F October 17
FTFeyenoord 1 – 2 Shakhtar Donetsk
FTManchester City 2 – 1 SSC Napoli
Champions League – Group G October 17
FTMonaco 1 – 2 Besiktas
FTRasenBallsport Leipzig 3 – 2 FC Porto
Champions League – Group H October 17
FTAPOEL Nicosia 1 – 1 Borussia Dortmund
FTReal Madrid 1 – 1 Tottenham Hotspur