UEFA Champions’ League 2010-11: Group A (Part-1)–(Inter Milan, Tottenham Hotspur)
Group Summary
It’s the first match day of UEFA Champions League 2010-11. Let’s take a look at Group A. It would be an interesting group with the defending champions in it. Inter Milan appear to be clear favorites ahead of Werder Bremen, Tottenham Hotspur and FC Twente.
Inter will head into the European campaign without their charismatic mastermind Jose Mourinho, the man who guided the Italian team to a historic treble last season. Mourinho also managed to end a 45-year drought for a champion’s league. Rafael Benitez, who has a pedegry in Europe as he won the UEFA Cup with Valencia and Champions League with Liverpool, would have his work cut out for him this season in Europe.
Looking at the other three teams, Werder Bremen looks like the most competitive opponent for Inter considering their experience in Europe. Especially, when put against the European rookies, Tottenham Hotspurs.
The Dutch side, FC Twente may yet turn out to be the surprise team of the group; after all they did win the Dutch league. But unlike Inter, they don’t have the mastermind of their success with them as the former England manager; Steve McLaren is no longer with the team, so that might be a handicap for them.
-Inter Milan
Once again, while talking about Inter, one cannot help but mention the work Mourinho did with the team in the last two seasons to get them where they are now. Benitez will be trying in to fill a pair of big shoes; one thing is for sure that in post Mourinho-era the expectation level of Inter board and fans has been raised so high that anything less than a final 4 finish would see the exit of Rafa.
Benitez would be boosted by the fact that the club President, Masimo Moratti managed to hold on to almost all of the key players from last season. Players such as the Brazilian Maicon and Dutch Sneijder decided to stay even after their talks with several clubs.
Sneijder has to be the key player in the team if they are to have any chance of defending their title in Europe. He was the lynch pin in midfield and linked up well with Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito upfront. The midfielder continued the good work in the world cup and proved that he is good enough to show his mettle at the highest level.
-Tottenham Hotspur
The English club are making their debut in the Champions league and they may be forgiven to feel out place. But, then there is always the luck of a first timer. Often in the Premier League, we have seen teams coming up from the championship and really making a name for themselves in the first season. Harry Redknapp has time and again said that his team has worked very hard to get to where they are now and they won’t be taking anything for granted. The talent in the team is good enough to mix it with the best in Europe, and it would be intriguing to see how Redknapp manages his resources in Europe.
Tottenham’s strength has to be their midfield. With players like Luka Modric and Refael Van der Vaart, Spurs can really hold their own in middle of the park. While in attack, Redknapp has plenty at his disposal. Jermaine Defoe is currently out but Robbie Keane, Pavlechanko, and Peter Crouch can be a handful for any opposition.
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