Last night all eyes were fixed to the TV and computers as the Champions’ League groups were drawn amid much speculation and prediction. With the usual suspects taking up position as top seeds we all waited with much anticipation at how the draw would unfold. Some groups are a mere formality with some delectable ties on offer and it’s safe to say that we are in for some great entertainment. As the draw was unfolding it looked very much on par as Chelsea were drawn in the blue set of groups. So far so good on that one!
I waited to see who we’d be pitted against and with the possible outcomes there were some favourites in mind. Having secured Juan Mata all eyes were on Valencia being dropped in the group, and with the Michael Ballack connection there was always a thought that Bayer Leverkusen would make the grade, all that was missing was Plzen so that Cech could have a chance to go back home, but it was not to be.
Looking at the group opponents the neutral fan would pick Chelsea to come through this group unscathed. Valencia finished third in La Liga but having lost their talisman Mata to Chelsea they may not be the force that they were with him. As a team that is recovering from the loss of their stars over the last 3 seasons they could be there for the taking, despite their European pedigree.
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The England v Germany debates will once again rear their head when Leverkusen are in town and they too are no strangers to the continental showpiece either having lost in a final to a Zidane-inspired Madrid. The Bundesliga runners-up have some solid experience in crucial areas and could prove a tricky customer as they get into the swing of the competition. Genk makes up the trio of opponents and they too have a Chelsea link given one of their players being linked with a Stamford Bridge switch. We can only hope that he does not come back to haunt us, or show us that we made a mistake in not snapping him up when the chance was there. The draw has been good because all the opponents are no more than 2hrs away so a quick foray into Europe and back in time for the weekend’s matches shouldn’t be too taxing for the players.
