Champions League Group F preview
Group F
English giants Chelsea highlight an interesting Group F at the Champions League. Along with the London club will be Marseille of France, Spartak Moscow of Russia and MSK Zilina of Slovakia.
Chelsea
Outlook: They did not make any massive moves, but Chelsea will be much better than last season, when they won the English league. In two moves, Chelsea brought in Brazilian midfielder Ramires from Benfica and Israeli star Yossi Benayoun from Liverpool. Both stars should bolster the talented midfield of the club. Pair these two up with Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, and you have a tournament favourite. Chelsea should make it to the semi-finals at worst. The Blues will be one of the most common picks to take home the title, something that they have yet to achieve.
Most important player: Drogba
Key Newcomer: Benayoun (Liverpool)
Player to be missed: Ricardo Carvalho (Real Madrid)
Marseille
Outlook: The French side took home the domestic league title last season. This year, they have a great chance to make it out of the group stage. Argentine stars Luis Gonzalez and Gabriel Heinze lead the talented squad that acquired highly rated striker Loic Remy. The offensive ability is there, and Marseille should be able to sweep Zilina and at worst, split with Spartak, allowing them to qualify for the round of 16. Gonzalez will be the key though. He has the ability to score from outside the box at any moment. His offensive power will be required for them to make a deep run.
Most important player: Gonzalez
Key Newcomer: Remy (Nice)
Player to be missed: None
Spartak Moscow
Outlook: One less win in the French league and Moscow would have been sitting in sixth place. Fortunately for them, they managed to secure an automatic spot in the group stage. Moscow will be relying on two Brazilians to lead them to glory this season. Alex Meschini and Welliton Soares de Morais combined for 33 goals last season, and they will be looking to repeat their stellar form. If Spartak can secure some points against Marseille and not slip up against Zilina, they may shock many by passing Marseille for the second spot.
Most important player: Welliton
Key Newcomer: Nicolas Pareja (Espanyol)
Player to be missed: None
MSK Zilina
Outlook: The Zilina defence was brilliant last season, holding opponents to 17 goals in 33 games. The problem is, there is no Remy, Drogba, Welliton or Anelka in the Slovakian league. The defence will have a problem shutting out these talented forwards, leaving the club no chance of making the second round. The team doesn't have any real star. Several Slovakian players are solid, such as Emil Rilke and Tomas Majtan, but the lack of offensive ability against these stellar defences will doom the side.
Most important player: Robert Jez
Key Newcomer: Sergio Vittor (Independiente)
Player to be missed: None
Prediction: Chelsea could finish the group stage with 18 points. They will have no problem getting through. Marseille will slip up against Spartak, but the French side still makes it to the round of 16.
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