UEFA Champions League Analysis – Group E
When the group stage draws were made on 26th August, AS Roma and Bayern Munich were drawn together. CFR Cluj and FC Basel completed the Group E but not much was expected from the minnows. However, AS Roma’s woeful early season form has managed
to spice things up in the group. As expected, Bayern’s perfect record sees them sitting atop the group with consummate ease. Roma, Basel and Cluj are level points and only varying goal differences set them apart.
Bayern Munich
It is no secret that Bayern have the Champions League ambition embedded in their DNA. Despite making a less than perfect start in the league, Die Roten have maintained their imperious continental form from last season. Bavarian giants have made a perfect
start to the 2010/11 Champions League and sit atop the group E after three rounds of football. With a maximum 9 points from their opening three fixtures, Bayern already have one foot in the next round. A single point from their next three matches will assure
them of a place in the next round. Bayern face Cluj in Romania in the next round of fixtures and three points will be the priority. Should Bayern win the next match, they will travel to Stadio Olimpico on match day five with nothing to play for. An away defeat
is probable in Rome but FC Basel’s visit to Allianz Arena will end in a victory no matter what team Louis Van Gaal plays. Bayern will manage to avoid bigger teams in the next round courtesy their first position in the group.
AS Roma
Claudio Ranieri’s side stand bottom of the group with just three points. Bayern inflicted a humiliating 2 – 0 defeat on the Romans on match day one. Gilarossi won the second game against Cluj by a narrow 2 – 1 score line but their third match resulted in
a shock home defeat for Gilarossi. Ranieri must tinker with his squad and look to win the remaining matches if Roma are to qualify for the next round. Should Gilarossi register a victory in Basel on match day four, their chances of qualifying will get a significant
boost. In all honesty, Romans are a far superior outfit to Basel and a victory is on the cards. The home game against Bayern will result in a draw but a Totti inspired Gilarossi will win against Cluj. Ranieri’s men will finish the group stage with 10 points
thus making to the next round as runner ups.
CFR Cluj
The Romanians are level on points with Roma and Basel but Feroviarii have a tougher run of games awaiting them. On match day four, Cluj will be up against Bayern Munich at home. Bayern are looking for early qualification thus they will field a full strength
team. Sorin Cârţu’s men will be hard pressed looking for a victory, even a draw will be too much to ask. Feroviarii then travel to Switzerland to play against Basel. A draw is on cards when Basel and Cluj go head to head. The final match day will see Roma
visiting Dr. Constantin Rădulescu. Romans will try their very best and will inflict a home defeat on Cluj. At the end of group stage, Cluj will stand third in the group with four points. Such a turn of events will see Cluj snatch third spot courtesy a superior
goal difference to Basel.
FC Basel
Swiss champions are the surprise runner ups in the group. Basel has registered a single victory and two defeats so far but their defeat of Roma has to be the upset of the group stage. Basel will now welcome Gilarossi to St. Jakob-Park on 3rd November.
Despite playing at home, Basel might find it hard to break down a Roma squad looking for redemption. Francesco Totti and Co. will inflict a narrow defeat on the home side. Match day five will see Basel play yet another home game against Cluj. The fixture is
more than likely to end in a stalemate as the two sides will share the spoils. However, the trip to Munich on match day six will be too tough a nut to crack. Basel will finish the group with four points – level on points with Cluj. However, Romanians have
a slightly superior forward line thus will score more. Basel will lose out a European spot because of an inferior goal difference. The group stage will end in disappointment for RotBlau as their European adventures will end on December 8th.
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