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2011/12 UEFA Europa League groups revealed: Spurs in Group A with Rubin Kazan
In arguably the most interesting group, Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham Hotspur will have to affront Russian giants Rubin Kazan. Group I could however compete against Group A as the most exciting. 2010 champions Atletico Madrid have been drawn alongside 2011/12 UEFA Champions League playoffs losers Udinese. Meanwhile, 2011 runners-up Sporting Braga fell in Group H with English side Birmingham City.
For Fulham, Dutch contenders FC Twente might also present a tough challenge in Group K. The 12 UEFA Europa League groups have been ranged as follows:
Champions League: Barcelona Have No Goal vs Rubin Kazan – Pep Guardiola
Pep Guardiola, who allowed himself to rest a few stars, explained how relaxed his was to the media.“We have no goal against Rubin Kazan because we have already completed our task,” the Barcelona manager told UEFA.com.
“We’ve accomplished our job, we’ve qualified for the Last 16 [of the Champions League] and nobody can take that away from us.
“However, because of our respect for the public, we will try to play good and dynamic football. We will try to create as many chances as we can.”
Barcelona have been in great shape at the Camp Nou this season. Rubin Kazan will create an “upset” if they manage to defeat the Blaugrana tonight.
Champions League: Barcelona’s Squad Changes To Favor Last 16 Hopefuls Rubin Kazan?
Barcelona are safe; Last 16 Champions League football awaits them. The 2009 European kings and 2010 semi-finalists did enough on match-day 5 to secure the top spot. Barca hold a 4-point advantage over Group E’s second-placed team København – meaning that, mathematically, they have no concerns going into the final group stage game of the Champions League.
Just as the very top of Group E has been decided, the very bottom of that section has been decided too; Panathinaikos, with 2 points from 5 matches, have lost all hopes of pursuing their European adventure this season. The big battle in that table is between København and Rubin Kazan. Which team will have the honor of reaching the Champions League’s Last 16? Which team will have to settle for Europa League football?
Champions League: We Might Not Beat Rubin Kazan Again – Barcelona’s Pep Guardiola
Both teams will clash in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night as they’ve been drawn in the same group for the second year running. The Blaugrana’s injured ace, Lionel Messi, may not feature in the match at the relief of the home side’s players who believe that Messi is Barcelona’s difference-maker.
So besides the fact Rubin Kazan’s hopes may be boosted by Lionel Messi’s possible absence, the Russians also found more confidence from the results they achieved against the Catalans in the UEFA Champions League last season. Barcelona’s coach Pep Guardiola is fully aware of that. He told UEFA.com as he looked ahead to Wednesday night’s European fixture:
UEFA Champions League Match-day One Review – From Group A to Group D
Group A: FC Twente 2-2 Inter Milan; Werder Bremen 2-2 Tottenham HotspurIt finished as it started. All four teams are leveled with a point each, having all played out a 2-2 draw in their respective fixture on Tuesday night. FC Twente and Werder Bremen would be the happiest, though.
In the Netherlands, Dutch international Wesley Sneijder opened the score sheet for the visitors inside the 13th minute of the game before Theo Janssen cancelled out the Nerazzurri’s lead seven minutes later. Diego Milito unluckily damaged Inter Milan’s chances to win the match as he scored an own goal on the half hour mark.
The UEFA Champions League: From Group A To Group H – Quick Analysis
Group A: Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur, FC Twente
These four teams compose an interesting section. Let’s see what Tottenham Hotspur will make of their first season in the UEFA Champions League. In the meantime, Rafael Benitez will try to help Inter Milan defend their title so starting well in the group stages will surely be imperative. Don’t write off FC Twente’s chances just yet, by the way, and don’t forget about Werder Bremen’s power either.
Group B: Olympique Lyonnais, Benfica, Schalke 04, Hapoel Tel-Aviv
A fairly balanced group. Top seeds Lyon will have to watch out for an upset, though. Benfica won’t seat back for yet another season. Likewise, Schalke 04 would love to prove what German football is all about. They might also benefit a lot from Raul’s remarkable knowledge in the UEFA Champions League. Hapoel Tel-Aviv? Well, they will need to work out wonders because they look more likely to occupy the bottom of Group B after match-day 6.
Rubin Kazan vs FC Barcelona – UEFA Champions League Match Preview
Barca brilliantly bounced back from a weak form that saw them go two games without a win in the league and the Champions League, but another challenge is still awaiting them away from home.
The First Leg
One could expect this game to be dominated by the Catalans, bearing in mind that Barcelona have successfully regained their shape; yet, it is the first leg’s story which seems to make the excitement ahead of this game huge.
Barcelona were stunned by 2 goals to 1 in their own stadium several days ago by the Russian side Rubin Kazan, and unquestionably, it was a match the home side could clearly have turned into their favor. Nevertheless, mistakes in the defense, as well as lack of precision in front of goal cost them an upset, as they went on to miss another 3 precious points, which could have extended their lead at the top of table with 7 good points.
FC Barcelona vs Rubin Kazan – Champions League Match Preview
Looking at the two sides presented by the fixture of the match which is set to take place at the Camp Nou on Tuesday, it is easy to think that the encounter will be a matter of favorites and underdogs; yet, the fact that both teams have little knowledge about each other is – in fact – what makes the game unpredictable.
Two sides that have never met before
Barcelona got the chance to top their table, but with only 4 points though, following their 0-0 draw at the San Siro, and their 2-0 home win against Dynamo Kiev. Eventually, with this achievement already done, the Catalans will surely look to keep their lead at the top of their group by beating their Russian opponents, so as to make sure that contenders Inter Milan and Kiev don’t surpass them in the standings.
The Spanish giants indeed have a lot of chances to humble their fellow-European visitors, but still, they will need to be cautious and take control of the match right from the very start, before Rubin Kazan cause what would be considered as an “upset”.