2009-10 UEFA Champions League Group G Preview
European Football's Premier Tournament Enters the Group Stages
UEFA’s 2009-2010 Champions League season is here. The groups have been drawn amongst much fanfare, the matches are set, and the competition to be crowned champions of Europe is ready to begin.
This is a breakdown of the teams in each of the eight groups. Two teams will advance from each group into the quarterfinal knockout stages of the Champions League.
Group G
Rangers (Scotland), Unirea Urziceni (Romania), VfB Stuttgart (Germany), Sevilla FC (Spain)
Group G features teams that could make the group stages interesting for each other. While Sevilla are the class of this group, Rangers and Stuttgart should have some nice battles, while little known Unirea will struggle to earn points.
Rangers F.C.
The boys from Glasgow are a bit of a puzzle in this group. Champions of the Scottish Premier League a season ago, the Gers pulled off a double by winning the Scottish Cup, so this team knows how to succeed. However this is a team that lacks scoring prowess and could struggle mightily on the road. In contrast, teams coming to play at Ibrox will be up for a difficult challenge. Walter Smith’s squad will have to take as many points at home while hoping to play on level terms at their rivals’ stadium stealing a point or two. In all likelihood, Rangers will end up in third position changing their focus to winning the Europa League title.
F.C. Unirea Urziceni
For the Romanian champions, their first ever draw in the Champions League is not nearly as daunting as other debutants received. However, it is unlikely that Unirea Urziceni will go very far. Known as the Chelsea of Ialomita, this team will struggle mightily versus their Group G rivals and will be hard-pressed to earn a point in their six games. Unirea’s biggest strength is their staunch defense led by keeper Giedrius Arlauskis and summer signee Visale Maftei. Thus, expect Dan Petrescu’s side to be stingy with giving up the goals, but unfortunately they are also inefficient in scoring them. This is one “Chelsea” whose tournament ends in six games.
VfB Stuttgart
Stuttgart finished third last season in the Bundesliga but will have to play much better in the European ranks to go further than the group stage. Alexander Hleb returns (on loan) to the Mercedes-Benz Arena after a spell at Arsenal and Barcelona. Hleb will team up with Sami Khedira, captain Thomas Hitzlsperger, and summer signee Pavel Pogrebnyak to try to cover the loss of Mario Gomez to Bayern Munich. The timeless Jens Lehmann mans the nets for Die Roten and he may have his hands full versus Sevilla. Coach Markus Babbel hopes his team can improve upon past European performances. In order to advance from this group, they will have to secure maximum points versus Unirea and hope to steal a point away from Rangers and possibly Sevilla when visiting their rivals.
Sevilla Futbol Club S.A.D.
Luis Fabiano stayed in Sevilla! This was music to the ears of manager Manolo Jimenez and all of the Rojiblanco supporters. Fabiano, a prolific scorer, drew much attention from many European giants over the summer including A.C. Milan. Ultimately the Brazilian stayed in Sevilla where he and fellow marksmen Freddy Kanoute and Renato have formed a formidable attack with proven European success. Sevilla is a talented club capable of playing with the best. After all, finishing third in La Liga behind Barcelona and Real Madrid is no easy feat. Sevilla should own this group and possibly upset a few other teams in the knock-out stages.
Prediction
The real battle in this group will be between Rangers and Stuttgart. Stuttgart seem to have the upper hand, but without Mario Gomez scoring goals at will, the German squad will need some time to gel. Rangers Achilles heal is their lack of a creative offense, but they own a sizeable home pitch advantage at Ibrox Park. The two teams face each other right away and then again on the final match day of the group stages. Who emerges from the two may largely depend on who manages to steal a point away from the other. Sevilla will take this group with relative ease while Unirea will return to Romania to focus on winning Liga 1.
Group G Results:
Match Game 1 - September 16, 2009
Other Group Previews
UEFA Champions League Group G
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