The most interesting club tournament 2018-19 UEFA Champions League is upon us.
Real Madrid have won the last three UEFA Champions Leagues. They shouldn’t have too much trouble with Roma, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen.
Now that Zinedine Zidane has moved on, Real Madrid face the prospect of a new season in the Champions League under a new and relatively untested coach. Julen Lopetegui has only coached 16 games in the Champions League and made it as far as the quarterfinals once — when Pep Guardiola’s Bayern Munich smashed his Porto team 6-0.
How did they qualify: Real Madrid qualified directly into the Group Stage by winning the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League and finishing in third place in the 2017-18 Spanish La Liga.
There absolutely no reason why AS Roma and Real Madrid shouldn’t be the two teams to progress from this group. Roma just missed out on the place in the final last year, losing 7-6 on aggregate to Liverpool in the semi-finals. If Eusebio Di Francesco can get his tactics right for each respective group stage match, they could have a real shot at winning the group, topping the odds-on favourites, Real Madrid; they may be flying in La Liga right now, but they are a different team in the big moments without Cristiano Ronaldo.
How did they qualify: Roma qualified directly into the Group Stage by finishing in third place in the 2017-18 Italian Serie A.
With Real Madrid and AS Roma as heavy favourites, CSKA Moscow will need explosive efforts from the likes of 20-year olds Fedor Chalov (forward) and Kristijan Bistrovic (midfielder). The young, but dynamic, the duo will get a true baptism by fire in this group.
How did they qualify: CSKA Moscow qualified directly into the Group Stage by finishing in second place in the 2017-18 Russian Premier League.
Plzen started the 2018-19 Czech First League on absolute fire with six wins out of six. It’s difficult to see Plzen getting more than a couple of points at most from this group. They’ll have to close their eyes with a hope and prayer of sneaking into the Europa League.
How did they qualify: Viktoria Plzen qualified directly into the Group Stage by winning the 2017-18 Czech First League.
STANDINGS
