Champions League Matchday 3: Halfway Home

By: Bob | October 24th, 2007

The midweek madness has come to an end with another Champions League matchday in the books. That means we have witnessed three rounds so far and if my math serves me right that means we are at the halfway point of the group stage. Some of the groups have some clear winners and losers. Others are a mixed up, muddled mess that will only be sorted out in the coming weeks. Here’s a quick and dirty look at where the teams and the groups stand through three matchdays.

Group A

Ticket Booked
Marseille – Every year there seems to be a team in the Champions League that rises above its mediocre domestic form and plays well in Europe. Even with a home draw today, Marseille appear to be that team this year.

Does anyone want to advance?
Porto, Besitkas, Liverpool – You’d think that with one point from three games that Liverpool would be firmly placed in the R.I.P. category, but thanks to the averageness of Porto and Besitkas they are very much alive, especially since they play both those clubs at Anfield. Of course, home field means nothing if you play like shite.

Group B

Ticket Booked
Chelsea – Even with all the dressing room turmoil they have risen to the top of a group which will likely see the other teams pillage one another.

The jury is still out
Valencia, Schalke, Rosenborg – Three teams that have been maddeningly inconsistent in their first three games. Rosenborg might have the toughest road to haul with away matches against Valencia and Schalke.

Group C

Ticket Booked
Real Madrid – They fell behind at home to Olympiacos Wednesday only to have the condom-loving Robinho bail them out in the second half. Is it me or does Raul only score in the Champions League these days?

What might have been
Olympiacos – Up a goal in Madrid and with a spot in the next round in their reach, they folded in the second half and now will have a lot of pressure to get a result in the return leg.

Not worthy of advancing but still could
Bremen, Lazio – The only thing impressive about their Champions League play has been how unimpressive they have been. Bremen salved off the dagger Wednesday against a Lazio side that has UEFA Cup written all over it.

Group D

Holy crap this is a fun group
AC Milan, Shakhtar, Benfica, Celtic – Put their names in a hat, shake it up and pull two out. Shakhtar sank back to earth in Milan Wednesday, Benfica kept the dream alive, Celtic continued their recent struggles, and Milan showed they aren’t ready to give up the title quite yet. If you held a gun to my head, I’d go with Milan and Benfica to advance, but check back in after the next matchday.

Group E

Ticket Booked
Barcelona – Were held on the road by an anti-football Rangers side, but with the return leg at home and a home date against Stuttgart their knockout stage spot is almost certainly booked. Ronaldinho might as well start partying now.

On the verge
Rangers – Back-to-back away tilts at Barcelona and Stuttgart could leave them in a do or die game against Lyon on the final matchday.

Still alive
Lyon – After a pair of dismal performances to start their campaign, they bounced back nicely against Stuttgart. Will they be able to make up the difference at home against Stuttgart and Barcelona before the final game against Rangers?

Dead
Stuttgart – Thanks for playing. Come again next year.

Group F

Ticket Booked
Manchester United – With two home games remaining against the two weakest clubs, the only thing that could stop them is injuries or a nuclear war.

Roma – A slip on the road against Sporting next machday could make things trickier than they need to be, but they should be in a position where the final matchday encounter against Manchester United shouldn’t matter.

UEFA Cup Bound
Sporting – Can’t fault their effort, but they probably should have been in the UEFA Cup all along.

Dead
Dynamo Kyiv – A club in turmoil that has already given up on the competition. A late turnaround could lead to the UEFA Cup but I don’t see that happening.

Group G

On the verge
Inter Milan – Came back from the dead to beat CSKA in Moscow. They finish the campaign with two games at home. They are in a safe position.

Still Alive
PSV and Fenerbahce – The game between these two sides in Turkey next matchday could be the difference between the knockout stage and the UEFA Cup. Fenerbache has the easier path of the two with a pair of home games ahead.

Dead
CSKA Moscow – Had a chance against Inter, but it slipped away. Playing in Milan and Turkey won’t help their cause.

Group H

Ticket Booked
Arsenal – Simply dominant against Slavia and a team that is playing the best football in Europe right now.

Sevilla – They have a pair of away matches against the two weaklings in the group and a home date with Arsenal. I don’t see them slipping up.

UEFA Cup bound
Slavia – Normally a team coming off a 7-0 trouncing would be dead, but they benefit from having Steaua in their group.

Dead
Steaua – The team from Bucharest might go through a few more managers before things are said and done.