The Champions League group stage is already midway through and we can already see which teams are the favorites to go through and which teams are most likely doomed to end their European journey before the new year.
Some of the best teams in the world are struggling in the beginning of the season and their Champions League dreams are on the line as well. Those teams include Real Madrid and PSG. Anyway, let's begin with group A.
Group A
I have expected to see a serious fight between Borussia, Atletico, and Monaco this season. Sadly, my expectations are already gone and dusted. Borussia continue their miraculous form and will probably be able to rest their star players in the remaining games of the group stage. I couldn't have guessed that Borussia would go on to win 12 of their 14 games this season (other 2 games were draws). The German side totally deserves to lead both their Champions League group and Bundesliga and the last 4:0 win against Atletico was the biggest argument against any hater. However, I still think that Borussia won't be able to keep up with Bayern's pace to compete in the Bundesliga (I wish I were wrong). That said, BVB are more than capable of going deep in the CL this year.
Atletico Madrid will probably have to take the second spot in the group after that embarrassing 4:0 loss. I don't doubt that Simeone doesn't care about the second place as long as his side goes to the playoffs. Also, I don't doubt that any top 1 seed would love to face Atletico in the 1/8 because Simeone knows how to play in this dangerous format.
Monaco continue to suck. I don't want to talk much about this team because there is nothing good to say. 12 matches without a victory say it all. Let's just hope that Thierry Henry has some antidote to that.
Even despite terrible Monaco's form, I still think that Club Brugge will finish last in group A. The Belgium side is simply too weak to compete against the world-class teams. They try, though. And I am sure that the fans are happy with the result so far.
Group B
FC Barcelona's shaky start of the season in La Liga did not reflect their performance in the Champions League. Yesterday, Barcelona completely dominated Inter even without Messi and collected a maximum 9 points after 3 games. I guess we all understand that Barca will go on to win this group without any problems. The only question is which team will take second place.
At the beginning of the season, it looks like at least one side of Milan can be happy. Inter are showing some great football with a little luck involved. They couldn't do anything against Barcelona, but I believe that fans are happy with 6 points after 3 games, especially when Tottenham and PSV are sitting at the bottom with 1 point each. Inter won both of their games from 1:0 down, which only shows how mature and self-confident this team is. I want to see what can they do in the playoffs.
Both PSV and Tottenham probably realize that their Champions League dreams are over. If PSV fans were ready to lose even before the competition began, Tottenham fans had higher expectations. Let's be honest, the English side is a better team than Inter if we only look at the contracts of the players. Sadly for Tottenham, they couldn't prove their greatness on the pitch and only collected 1 point in the first 3 games. What's even sadder is the way that Spurs lost those points - two late goals against Inter and a red card against PSV. Well, the format of the Champions League is cruel - one bad game and you are out.
Group C
We all knew that group C was the deadliest group of all but the drama we are getting is way beyond anyone's wildest dreams.
Liverpool are leading the group after 3 games with 6 points. However, they cannot feel safe at all. Jurgen Klopp won't be happy to remember the deadly October's schedule which probably cost him the game in Napoli. However, Liverpool managed to beat PSG in Anfield, which might become the reason why Liverpool get that spot in the playoffs. That said, Liverpool will need at least 6 more points to go through, which means that they will need to beat Napoli in Anfield. That sounds like something for granted, but don't underestimate the Italian side. I still predict Liverpool to clinch the first spot in the group.
Last night Di Maria's screamer saved PSG's chances to fight for the second place in group B. However, PSG look like a team which is not ready to fight against the world-class clubs this year. They are good at destroying weak opponents but whenever a stronger team appears, PSG face problems. We already saw them losing in Anfield and not being able to win against Napoli at Paris, which is a terrible result for such a powerful team.
Napoli are playing their best football at the moment and it would be a shame if they don't get that spot in the playoffs at last. I mean, last year they were amazing and finished third in the league. It looks like the same thing might happen this year as well. However, I believe that Napoli are ready to win. The next game against PSG will probably decide the fate of both teams. Napoli will need to win because they managed to lose 2 points against Crvena Zvezda which might become the deciding factor in the end. I still believe that Napoli can do it so I predict PSG to leave the Champions League after the group stage. Wouldn't that be great?
Crvena Zvezda are group C only because the rules require 4 teams in each group. Zvezda will be happy to finish fourth with that 1 point.
Group D
If group C is the most interesting group in the competition then group D is the group which no one cares about.
Porto will win this group and continue to the playoffs as the top seed. They are the best team and that shows how awful group D is.
Schalke and Galasataray will battle for the second spot in the group in Germany. Galasataray will need a victory but I don't see that happening. What does it mean? Schalke will finish in the second spot, while Galasataray will have to continue their European journey in the Europa League.
Lokomotiv must be the worst team in the competition. It sometimes looks like they don't even deserve to play in the Europa League.
Group E
Before the first match, everyone expected Bayern Munchen to win the group without any competition. However, Ajax show that they are ready to surprise Europe this year. Both Bayern and Ajax have the same amount of points after 3 rounds and I have no doubt that they won't allow Benfica anywhere close to them. The only interesting game left in this group will be played in the Netherlands, where Ajax will try to clinch the first spot against Bayern.
Benfica ruined their chances to fight for the playoffs yesterday when they conceded the last minute goal against Ajax. Now, they will need to score at least 7 points in upcoming 3 games, which is almost impossible. Well, at least they will be able to show their power in the Europa League.
Nothing to say about AEK - the team is ready for the Champions League yet.
Group F
Manchester City had an awful start to their Champions League campaign. They lost their first game against Olympique and were 1:0 down against Hoffenheim but things changed after that. It looks like Man City are now in control of their fate and will easily win the first spot in the group just like everyone expected. Also, De Bruyne is now back to the team so I expect Man City's form to grow from here.
The second spot in the group is still open for any team to grab. However, Olympique are the favorites because they received the opening game gift from Manchester City. I also expect Olympique to defeat Hoffenheim in France after two weeks. If that happens, both Hoffenheim and Shakhtar will have no chances left.
Many would say that Man City are the most exciting team in this group but I would argue. Just look at Hoffenheim's results - they have scored and conceded in every single game this season so far. Last game against Olympique ended 3:3. From what I have seen, things won't change - Hoffenheim don't care about defense because defending is for boring people.
Group G
Real Madrid were considered the clear favorites of the group but today, the reality is different. CSKA Moskva managed to beat Real Madrid in Russia and brought some uncertainty to this group, at least for a few more rounds. I am still certain that both Roma and Real Madrid will go on to the playoffs, while CSKA Moskva will have to try their luck in the Europa League. However, the next game in Russia between CSKA and Roma will be extremely interesting to watch. If CSKA can win that game, they will have good chances to finish above Roma in the final standing as well.
Real Madrid showed that they are extremely vulnerable this year without Ronaldo. Even if they manage to go to the playoffs, I expect them to lose in the 1/8 or 1/4 at best. I must admit that I was wrong about Real Madrid when I wrote that they don't miss Ronaldo. They do. And the only way for them to survive this year is to buy a world-class player during the winter transfer window. I am sure that fans are looking at Hazard, who is playing like God right now. However, I doubt that Chelsea would sell Hazard for anything less than 180 million.
Group H
The last group gave us no major surprises in the first 3 games. Yes, Young Boys managed to draw against Valencia, but that's about it - all other results were logical and expected.
Juventus don't even need Ronaldo to score because there is this young guy from Argentina, whose name is Dybala. I am still amazed that Dybala was not the starter for the Argentina national team this summer, but I guess such decisions explain why Argentina was so awful in Russia. Anyway, Juventus scored 6 goals and conceded 0, which is a wonderful result. Of course, when you have Bonucci and Chiellini as your centre-backs, you expect nothing less than 0 conceded goals. Those guys are the definition of a great defender.
Manchester United keep struggling through the season but they still have pretty solid chances to reach the playoffs. By now, it is pretty fair to say that the secon spot of the group will be decided in Spain where Valencia will try to beat Manchester United. Even though MU are terrible, I still fancy them over Valencia.
Young Boys are still too young for this competition.
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