The likes of Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid sealed berths for the knockout phases while Manchester City and Zenit St. Petersburg say adieu to the prestigious competition for this season
And it was all yellow
After beating Ajax 4-1 at the Signal Iduna park on the fifth day of Champions League action, Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund have sealed qualification to the next round of the competition where they will be looking to continue building momentum.
The reigning German champions have been a breath of fresh air in the competition and have indeed played some brilliant football. Put in the group of death with the likes of Real Madrid, Ajax Amsterdam and Manchester City, the task seemed monumental to say
the least for the German outfit. However, after two strong performances against Real Madrid both home and away, show that Die Borussen are going to be the dark horses of the competition and could give every pre-tournament favourite a run for its money.
Furthermore, with the likes of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Marco-Reus-c23733 and Mario Gotze in the camp, Klopp would be hoping to see his young yet talented side go far in the competition which will surely have a few more surprises.
Money doesn’t buy it all or maybe it does
English rich boys Manchester City were deplorable to say the least throughout the competition. With just three points to show for their efforts, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Roberto-c31294 Mancini’s men might not even be able to seal a place in the less-prestigious Europa League this season
after their 1-1 draw against a Real Madrid side that could have even defeated them at the Etihad Stadium.
After spending so much money on new players in recent transfer windows, Mancini’s men have struggled to justify their English champions status on the European circuit and once again, the Citizens fans would be wondering what the precise formula for Champions
League success is, if it’s not money.
17-year duck broken
After beating Dynamo Kiev 2-0 in Kiev, Carlo Ancelotti’s Paris Saint-Germain have qualified for the knockout phase of the competition for the first time in almost 17 years. Currently in second place in group A, behind leaders Porto, PSG have been right on
the spot in the UCL so far but must be aware of the fact that they do lack Champions League experience as a team so harbouring lofty ambitions might not be the order of the day for at least this season.
However, with a player like http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Moura-c26908 arriving in December, the Ligue 1 giants could be a tough prospect for any side in the knockouts.
Doing the Zlatan
In the 3-1 win over http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 in an
international friendly last week. However, the goal seemed more beautiful considering the fact that it was scored by a player who is not really accustomed to scoring regularly.
Holders hold on to dear life
After a 3-0 drubbing at the hands of Juventus, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Chelsea-c38786 will have to wait and see if they will be able to qualify for the next round. And, the defeat was the final nail in the coffin of Roberto Di Matteo who was sacked the following day. With the Italian
gone and Rafael Benitez in, will Chelsea be able to get the right result against Nordsjaelland or will they become the first Champions League winners to be knocked out in the group stages?
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