It appears that the Champions League group stages for this season are set to be even more entertaining than they were last season. The likes of Manchester United and Juventus have not been handed easy opponents at all.
However, it is Group F that will see four teams of considerable Champions League or European pedigree clash against each other.
The likes of Olympique de Marseille, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli are no strangers to rubbing shoulders with the best in Europe but all these four teams know that they are in a fight for their lives once the group stages kick off.
A case of renewing acquaintances
All teams competing in this group have scores to settle one way or another. A few years back, it was Olympique de Marseille, who eliminated Borussia Dortmund in the group stages in a campaign that saw Les Phoceens reach the last eight of the competition under the now France manager, Didier Deschamps. Indeed, Jurgen Klopp will be relishing the prospect of getting back at the Rhone giants when the two sides meet on October 1.
Back in the Edinson Cavani-Ezequiel Lavezzi days, Napoli were eliminated by Arsenal from the knockout phases. This time though, things might be a little different following the arrival of Rafael Benitez who has invested heavily during the summer transfer window. The Italians would also be relishing the prospect of testing the Gunners in both ties which means that these two games are bound to be exhilarating affairs.
There’s a first time for everything
Of all the Champions League campaigns he has supervised in the last 16 years or so, Arsene Wenger has never been under so much pressure as he is right now. After struggling to win a place in the group stages, Gunners’ problems may have only begun. The draw has not been kind to them and there is a strong possibility that the Londoners experience an early elimination from the competition for the first time in many years.
Cup specialist to make chances count
He might not be the most famous person in London but Rafael Benitez’s record speaks for itself. The former Valencia and Liverpool manager has won almost every trophy European football has on offer at the moment and being a cup specialist makes him Napoli’s key player as the Partenopei seek to carry the Italian flag further in the competition. Benitez specialises in cup wins and has quite a lot of them to prove it. Expect the Spaniard to guide his new team out of a very tricky group.
Borussia Dortmund to top the group
After coming so close to lifting their first Champions League title of the new millennium, Borussia Dortmund will not be daunted at the prospect of facing three really tough sides. After already facing so many tough clubs in Europe and doing really well against them, it is unlikely to see BVB huff and puff their way towards securing progression to the next phase of the competition.
