5 Things We Learned From Matchday 5: Wednesday Edition.

By: chris | November 27th, 2008

The Cinderellas are in group B, not A.

Cluj was the underdog-come-good story to start out the campaign, and deservedly so. They beat Roma – though who didn’t earlier in the season – and nil-niled (yes, that’s a verb) with a then high-flying Chelsea team. Now, however, they’ve come back down to earth, and will be watching the European knockout campaigns unfold from their couch.

With Cluj gone as the underdog, the Mediterranean waters have given birth to a couple newbies in the form of Panathinaikos and Anorthosis. The former managed to show Jose Mourinho he’s not half as special as he thinks he is in the CL – and that maybe, just maybe, That Porto Team was really good – while the latter still have a shot at the knockouts despite no one outside of Cyprus knowing who the hell they were 3 months ago. One of these teams will make it to the next round, and whichever one will do so with a magical slipper on their foot.

And might we suggest Thomas Schaaf dust up the ol’ resume…

But Group A is the bestest.

Why? Because it’s the only group of eight where two spots are up for grabs going into Matchday 6. In fact, there are only three spots up for grabs and two come from this group (the other being the aforementioned winner between Panathinaikos and Anorthosis – PAOK in the event of a draw). Scenarios work out something like this:

Roma: Qualify automatically with a win or draw. Qualify with a loss if Chelsea loses.

Chelsea: Qualify automatically with a win or a Roma win/draw.

Bordeaux: Can only qualify with a win.

Everybody got that? Good.

There were a good number of “upsets” in the qualifying rounds, and we’re seeing the aftereffects of that now. Only one with both tickets left to play for.

Dirk Kuijt can probably break dance like a legend.

This video shows three missed chances for Marseille in the second half against Liverpool. The second shows Dirk Kuijt turning his body all sorts of ways to take the ball away from Mamadou Niang before clearing it from the box – all while on the ground. Dude’s got moves.

Excitement factor: Barcelona > Group H.

Remember way back when Group H was supposed to be a contender for most exciting group? Real Madrid’s names in neon lights, the return of Juventus, the UEFA Cup champs Zenit with The Baby Faced Arshavin and the Belarusian debutant who would be everyone’s favorite whipping post, soon-to-be victim of 9-0 and 10-0 beatings. Not so much. In 10 games they’ve scored a total of 20 goals.

Well Barca have played 5 games and scored sixteen. Eat that, Group H. Good defense? Who needs it.

Actually, Group C as a whole trounced the field in goals. Much love, Basel.

Yoann Gourcuff wants you to keep those Zidane comparisons coming.

He’s not, nor will he be anything close, but he’s clearly been watching the master at work and practicing.

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