It is the dream of every football fan to watch the best of the players to play together and against under the best of the managers in the best of the stadiums wearing the badges of the best of the clubs week-in-week-out. The UEFA Champions League has been serving this purpose to the footballing world right from its days as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup (or the European Cup) way back since 1955.
The competition that features the best teams such as Juventus, Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City among others has been won by Real Madrid on the trot for three years running and they are topped to be one of the strong contenders among the 31 others who were divided into eight groups in the gala night organized by UEFA in the principality of Monaco.
Groups’ Overview
Group A
Atletico de Madrid
Borussia Dortmund
AS Monaco
Club de Brugge
The group fares the current Europa league winners Atletico Madrid as well as 2013 finalists Borussia Dortmund alongside 2017 semifinalists AS Monaco and Belgian champions Club Brugge. It will be interesting to see how the three sub elite sides fare against each other and which two go through. Brugge however can be expected to be the one with the wooden spoon and will need a miracle to achieve anything above a fourth place finish.
Predicted Finish
- Atletico Madrid
- Borussia Dortmund
- AS Monaco
- Club Brugge
Group B
FC Barcelona
Tottenham Hotspurs
PSV Eindhoven
Inter Milan
The group has been dubbed as the group of death as all the clubs are capable of defeating each other. Whilst Inter and Spurs are the two of the “Best of the Rest” from Europe, PSV are not a team to take lightly as they have a plethora of talented players whom the giants have been swarming all of the transfer window. It will be very exciting to see who goes through here.
Predicted Finish
- FC Barcelona
- Tottenham Hotspurs
- Inter Milan
- PSV Eindhoven
Group C
Paris Saint Germain
SSC Napoli
Liverpool FC
FC Crvena Zvezda (FC Red Star Belgrade)
Another exciting group in the fray, the pool shall be the paradise for a neutral observer, with three teams who have been playing the most exciting football in the current world drawn together. PSG, Napoli and Liverpool, managed by three most entertaining managers in Thomas Tuchel, Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp will be a treat to watch. Crvena Zvezda, however, will have a difficult timing endeavoring the threat by their compatriots.
Predicted Finish
- PSG
- Liverpool
- Napoli
- Crvena Zvezda
Group D
Lokomotiv Moscow
FC Porto
FC Schalke 04
Galatasaray SC
Probably the least illustrious of the eight groups, the teams in this group are below par considering the others in the fray to be honest. Qualification seems a certainty for Porto and Schalke, although Galatasaray still have an outside chance. Progressing further than round of 16 will be something of an achievement for anyone that goes through from here.
Predicted Finish
- FC Schalke 04
- FC Porto
- Galatasaray
- Lokomotiv Moscow
Group E
FC Bayern Munchen
SL Benfica
AFC Ajax
AEK Athens
Much like the Bundesliga, Bayern are sure to end the group comfortably in the first place, leaving a close competition between the second and third placed teams as Benfica and Ajax will jostle to prove their place in the top tier of European competition.
Predicted Finish
- Bayern Munchen
- AFC Ajax
- SL Benfica
- AEK Athens
Group F
Manchester City
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
Olympique de Lyonnas
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim
Another group where a dogfight in ensured for the second place and more so than any other, City will not be relaxed to see the opponents, anyone of whom could easily be a dark horse in the race for qualification. Donetsk in particular handed them one of the rare defeats of the last season, and will be looking to prove it was not a lucky shot by another impressive outing. Lyon will also be a tough nut to crack for anyone and have a better shot for qualification compared to the German or Ukrainian sides.
Predicted Finish
- Manchester City
- Olympique Lyon
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- TSG Hoffenheim
Group G
Real Madrid
AS Roma
CSKA Moscow
Viktoria Plzen
Three times running champions will have a relatively easier route through and all they have to worry about is to top the group ahead of 2018 semifinalists AS Roma. With CSKA and Plzen having very less to offer at this level, it will only be a cliché tale of group stages.
Predicted Finish
- Real Madrid
- AS Roma
- CSKA Moscow
- Viktoria Plzen
Group H
Juventus FC
Manchester United FC
Valencia CF
BSC Young Boys
Cristiano Ronaldo heading back to Old Trafford is the story we all are hoping this group to be, but Marcelino’s Valencia could turn that into a speculation over Jose Mourinho’s United regime. The Portugese has already been linked with a move away from Manchester before the end of the season, and a disappointing UCL would be the last thing he wants. The competition is tough though, with Juventus already being a threat as big as it could be. Whether or not United are through will be something to put your bet on (only if you wish some adrenaline!!)
Predicted Finish
- Juventus
- Valencia CF
- Manchester United
- BSC Young Boys
Most Enticing Fixtures
UEFA Honours 2018
The night also included a bunch of awards for recognizing the best efforts put in by the people in football in the year gone by.
A new accolade, UEFA Equal Game award was bestowed upon ex- Vitesse captain, Georgian international and San Jose Earthquakes player Guram Kashia for replacing his traditional armband with one that showcased his support for the LGBTQ community.
The customary awards, UEFA Champions League Best Goalkeeper, Defender, Midfielder and Forward were swept away by Real Madrid players, with Keylor Navas, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo winning them respectively.
Luka Modric also claimed the recognition as the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year surpassing the likes of Ronaldo and Salah and breaking the monopoly of Messi and Ronaldo on the bust. The UEFA Women’s Player of the Year was won by Pernille Harder of VFL Wolfsburg for her performance in the Champions League. She defeated the UCL winning duo of Ada Hergerberg and Amandine Henry from Lyonnas.
Apart from them, the UEFA Lifetime Achievement Award for commendable work across the globe in field of football was awarded to David Beckham.
The draw, which was the key feature of this gala night, proved its worth. It has ensured many outrageous fixtures to keep the footballing world looking forward to the midweek madness of what is the UEFA Champions League.
Beyond Minute 90 