The UEFA Champions League is in full swing, with the first two matchdays completed. Life kind of seems normal again watching certain games with fans in the proud instead of an empty stadium and pumped in crowd noise. If soccer has done one thing right, it is the way they have controlled outbreaks of Covid-19 in locker rooms. The fact that teams can travel all over Europe and not have a bubble life like sports here in America makes it feel real. It is time to take a look at how the groups shaped out after the first two matches:
Group A:
No surprises in Group A as the top tier teams roll against the mediocre teams. Something to look at is the continued dominance of the reigning champions FC Bayern Munich. Bayern went 12-0-0 to complete an incredible tournament run last season and are already off to a hot start winning their first two matches, including a dominant match against Atletico Madrid winning 4-0. RB Salzburg isn’t on anyone’s radar, but they might be able to play spoilers when the later matches happen.
Group B:
Group B is a madhouse right now. With the likes of Real Madrid and Inter Milan starring in that group, everyone expected them to be either tied for first but separated only by goal differential or Real Madrid to take a commanding lead in the group. Not the case, however, Real Madrid had a real stinker matchday one against Shakhtar Donetsk. Shakhtar put up three goals in the first half, one being an own goal. With Madrid storming back in the second half, falling short 3-2. Inter tying both matches puts them in third place, behind in goal differential to Borussia Monchengladbach. Anything can happen with four matches remaining.
Group C:
With Manchester City as the only real threat in Group C, it is to no one’s surprise that they are way ahead on goal differential and three points in front of FC Porto. Besides Man City leaving the group to the round of 16 I believe Porto has the best chance of advancing.
Group D:
Every major soccer tournament has what is called “The Group of Death.” This year Group D is it. With powerhouses such as Liverpool, Atalanta B.C., and AFC Ajax. All three teams are poised to make a run to the finals, but only two are getting out. Liverpool is off to a hot start with two wins, but scoring has been a struggle as they won 1-0 and 2-0. Atalanta did secure a win and a draw and are right behind Liverpool with four points. Ajax may only have one point, but no team will sleep on them.
Group E:
Everyone in Group E secured a point on matchday 1 with ties all around. Chelsea is ahead of Sevilla on goal differential, but both teams did notch a win on matchday 2. As an avid watcher of the English Premier League, Chelsea has not been a full squad the past couple of seasons. However, I believe they will survive the group stage and find it a real struggle to move past the round of 16.
Group F:
Do not get used to seeing Lazio in first place and Club Brugge KV in second place. Both those teams will drop down a spot respectfully, and Borussia Dortmund will leapfrog from third to first. After their loss to Lazio 3-1, they bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Zenit. If Dortmund can focus the rest of the group stage and have a good draw for the round of 16, then I can see the quarter-finals in their future.
Group G:
All anyone can talk about in Group G is Messi vs. Ronaldo. Unfortunately, we all have to wait until the last day of the UEFA group stage to possibly see that matchup. Ronaldo is still trying at home as he recovers from Covid-19, but obviously, the show goes on. Barcelona won 5-1 and then 2-0 vs. a Ronaldo-less Juventus team. When Ronaldo returns, I see Juventus finishing in second behind a motivated Barcelona squad.
Group H:
With what transpired in the first two matchdays, Manchester United is now the odds on favorite to win the group. Man United sits in 15th place in the English Premier League. The season is young, and so is their squad; they need to figure each other out, and with a shortened offseason it is hard for most. PSG is still my pick to come out on top of the group. They are too good and too fast to not win it. They are coming off a devastating loss in the UEFA Finals last season and are ready for vengeance.
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