UEFA Champions League: Group G Preview
Qualified as: 1st in Portuguese Primeira Liga
Key acquisitions: Hector Herrera, Diego Reyes, Lica
Key departures: Christian Atsu, James Rodriguez, Joao Moutinho
Best result in competition: UEFA Champions League title in 1987 and 2004
Porto is an exciting team, they’re fun to watch as we witnessed in their final game against Benfica last year in which they stole away the title. The offensive firepower of the team is impressive but with the loss of Columbian James Rodriguez it is difficult to see Porto performing the same way this year.
Prediction: Porto has a good chance to advance out of this group, if they can produce offensively and continue their form from their domestic competition (in which they’ve four straight games). Expect a number of exciting games in this group, as many of the teams will be evenly matched.
Atletico de Madrid
Qualified as: 3rd in La Liga
Key acquisitions: Josuah Guilavogui, Toby Alderweireld, Roberto Jimenez, Leo Baptistao
Key departure: Falcao
Best result in competition: Runner-up in 1974
The loss of Falcao is a tough one to come to terms with. The Columbian international was the heart and soul of this Atletico team in recent years, scoring 72 goals for the club in the last two seasons. Yet, the team has done well as of late this season, wining their first four league games with a ten goal, goal differential. This is promising for Atletico going forward, as soon as they cement their identity without Falcao they could make a deep run in this tournament.
Prediction: It would be surprising if Atletico didn’t win this group. Consistently playing in La Liga is a distinct advantage for the Madrid side, as the other teams face far inferior competition on a regular basis.
FC Zenit
Qualified as: 2nd place in Russian Premier League, won qualifier against FC Nordsjælland
Key acquisitions: Cristian Ansaldi, Anatoliy Tymoshchuk, Andrey Arshavin
Key departures: Igor Denisov, Bruno Alves
Best result in competition: Round of 16 in 2012
Zenit is an interesting team in this competition, finishing second in a competitive Russian league they have talent, but as a whole the team struggles in the Champions League. Yet, Zenit has a solid attacking core with Brazilian Hulk, Russian number one Aleksandr Kerzhakov and the Portuguese Danny. Now, with the addition of ex-Arsenal man Andrey Arshavin the team should have no problem attacking, especially in a weaker group.
Prediction: Despite weaker competition than most groups, I won’t consider the Russians a favorite in any way; I see them having to struggle with Porto for the second spot in the group.
FK Austria Wien
Qualified as: 1st place in Austrian Bundesliga, won qualifier against Fimleikafélag Hafnarfjarðar
Key acquisition: Daniel Royer
Key departures: None
Best result in competition: 2nd round in 1993 and 1994
It is difficult for a team who plays in a lower level of competition such as the Austrian League to adjust to the fast-paced level of play in a tournament such as the Champions League. Yet, teams such as Austria Wien can often steal away points from better teams for this very reason.
Prediction: It is hard to believe that Austria Wien will advance out of this group but it will be interesting if they can take points away from any of the other teams. They could potentially spoil another team’s chances at advancing.
Reach Staff Writer Gabe Quintela by e-mail.