2009 -10 UEFA Champions League Group A Preview
European Football's Premier Tournament Enters the Group Stage
Sep 10, 2009
UEFA’s 2009-2010 Champions League football (soccer) season is here. Amongst great fanfair, the groups have been drawn, the matches are set, and the competition to be crowned champion of Europe is ready to begin.
This is a preview of what to expect from Group A. Two teams will advance from each group into the quarterfinal knockout stages of the Champions League.
Group A Teams
Juventus (Italy), Bayern Munich (Germany), Bordeaux (France), and Maccabi Haifa (Israel)
This is an interesting group featuring two historically successful teams each searching for consistency and a return to their glory days, a team that will challenge the elite teams, and a little known team from Israel that is no stranger to domestic success.
Juventus F.C.
Juventus continues a return to prominence after a disgraceful fall to the Italian second division following the match fixing scandal of 2006. Juventus is retooled this year and hoping to take both domestic and European honors. Juve’s historically strong defense is again anchored by Italy number one Gianluigi Buffon in goal and the Azzurri back line of Georgio Chiellini and Fabio Cannavaro. In addition, their offense is greatly improved with Amauri and Diego bolstering an attack that already features Vincenzo Iaquinta, Mauro Camoranesi, David Trezeguet, and the timeless Alessandro Del Piero. With this formidable line-up, Juventus should have no problem progressing out of Group A.
F.C. Bayern Munich
Meanwhile, signals are a bit more mixed coming out of Munich. Bayern is searching for its identity following a summer that featured the ongoing question of whether star striker Frank Ribery would leave for Spanish or English royalties. The Frenchman has decided to stick around and see what he and fellow stars Luca Toni, Miroslav Klose, Bastian Schweinsteiger, and Mario Gomez can accomplish. Bayern recently added Arjen Robben as the Dutchman was unceremoniously dumped from Real Madrid as a cost cutting measure following their lucrative spending spree this summer. Bayern, coming off a 5-1 aggregate loss to eventual champions Barcelona in last year’s Champions League quarter finals, have begun this year’s Bundesliga campaign in rather unremarkable style and are off to their worst start in the German league in 43 years. If Bayern doesn't find its form soon, Bordeaux or Maccabi Haifa may indeed add to its misery and cost Louis van Gaal his coaching job.
F.C. Girondins de Bordeaux
Bordeaux promise to make Group A interesting after coming off a successful 2008-2009 season which saw them take top honors in the French Ligue 1. Rising stars Yoann Gourcuff and Marouane Chamakh help lead this exciting team poised to jump on Bayern’s identity crises and claim a spot in the quarterfinals. Bordeaux have picked up where they left off last year and have extended their domestic unbeaten streak while sitting atop the Ligue 1 standings. As far as Group A is concerned, two of the most exciting matches will be in late October and early November when Bordeaux square off against Bayern in what will likely be a battle for the right to move on in the tournament.
Maccabi Haifa F.C.
Israeli champions Maccabi Haifa round out the Group A squads. Maccabi Haifa handily beat FC Salzburg with a convincing 5-1 aggregate to advance to the group stages of the Champions League where they have plenty of experience over the past decade. However, Maccabi Haifa’s run should end here as this group is just too stout with more formidable opponents in waiting.
Advancing to the Second Round of the Champions League
Juventus should claim this group. The battle for second place may come down to goal differential meaning out-classed Maccabi Haifa may indeed factor in to who advances between Bordeaux and Munich. In the end, Munich’s struggles will give way to up and coming Bordeaux.
Group A Results
Match Day 1 - September 15, 2009
Other Group Previews:
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