Four out of the six Group Stage Match Days of the UEFA Champions League have ended. As the teams in each group battle it out to see who’s on top, the competition nears the round of 16. Out of the countless matches that have taken place so far in the tournament, there are a few teams that stand out, whose performance has been top-notch. On the other hand, there are also teams that have not quite met the tall bar of expectations set by fans and critics. Let’s take a look at the current standings of each group in the Champions League.
Group A:
At the top of Group A stands Paris-Saint Germain(PSG). So far in the tournament, they have won each and every match that they played. Even though they have strong opponents in the group such as Real Madrid, PSG’s strong spirit have allowed them to overcome these obstacles. Their power most likely lies within their offense. With the powerful quintet of offense consisting of Neymar, Mbappe, Cavani, Icardi, and Di Maria, PSG has a variety of options for offensive tactics and can easily overwhelm any defense. As a result, they are arguably the best team in all of the Champions League. The current Second Place of Group A is Real Madrid. With their stable midfield and defense, Real Madrid has been able to rise to the top winning 2 and tying 1 out of the four games that they have played. However, even with the recent addition of Eden Hazard to their squad, Los Blancos lack offensive power which is why they have had to settle for ties instead of wins in their games. Following Real Madrid, at third place is Club Brugge KV. Although they have charisma, the players of the Belgian team lack the experience of playing strong teams like Madrid and PSG. Finally, in fourth place, there is Galatasaray with 3 loses and 1 tie.
Group B:
At the top of the Group B standings is Bayern Munchen. Like PSG, they are unbeaten in their Group. Bayern has been known to be common contenders for the best team in Europe. With their stable squad and strategic plays, it is no surprise that Bayern is doing so well. In second place in Group B is Tottenham Hotspurs. The Spurs are also in a similar situation as Real Madrid, with 2 wins, 1 draw, and 1 loss. It seems that they are aiming to have the same Champions League season that they did last year when they clawed their way up to the finals. In third place stands FK Crvena Zvezda. Even though they have experienced players in their squad, the club lacks any young talent and is mostly made up of fairly old players which can tend to be a problem. At last place, we have Olympiacos, who have lost all but one game that they tied.
Group C:
The first place in Group C goes to Manchester City. Their strong offense has allowed them to win three out of their four games. With talented forwards including the likes of Sergio Aguero, Leroy Sane, and Raheem Sterling, City has been able to overcome many challenges to be called one of the best in all of Europe. However, they seem to be lacking in defensive power which is what subjectively led to their defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League this past Sunday. In second and third place, we have Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo Zagreb. Both teams have stacked up 5 points in total so far in the Champions League. However, Donetsk has had the superior offense allowing them to score more goals and come out on top. Lastly, in fourth place, there is Atalanta, who seems to be lacking in both offensive and defensive strength.
Group D:
Group D also has some intense competition. Juventus, with their strong offense consisting of Ronaldo and Dybala, are in the first place. With their recent addition of Matthijs de Ligt in the defense, Juventus is as strong as ever. As a result, Juventus has won three matches and tied one. Coming in close second, Atletico Madrid has won two games, tied one game, and lost one game. With Joao Felix and Diego Costa in their front lines, Atletico Madrid has been able to power through any opposition. In third place, we have Lokomotiv Moscow coming in with three losses and one win. In fourth place, with the same amount of points, is Bayer Leverkusen. Though they have a strong midfield that has been able to overcome teams like Atletico Madrid, they seem to not have much coordination in their defense or offense.
Group E:
Last Year’s Champion League Victors, Liverpool FC, have the spot of first place in Group E. With their balanced squad full of talented players such as Salah, Sadio Mane, van Dijk and more, Liverpool is a powerhouse team both in the Premier League and the Champions League. Their wide array of players and strategies have allowed them to beat tough opponents in the past and will no doubt assist them in their victories to come. Immediately following Liverpool, with one less point than them stands Napoli. The Italian club has often been considered an underdog in many competitions. Although they are recognized less than some of the other powerhouse teams, Napoli’s outstanding team-work and coordination make them just as strong as every other European team. Coming in third and fourth places, are FC Red Bull Salzburg and K.R.C Genk, respectively. Even though each team has their own specific talents, with strong teams like Liverpool and Napoli in the group, they seem to just be lagging behind.
Group F:
Here is another group with intense competition. Barcelona, in first place, and Borussia Dortmund, in close second, have a fierce rivalry, as two powerhouse teams. FC Barcelona, with two wins and two draws, is known to be a strong squad with adept players such as Luis Suarez, Messi, Rakitic and more. However, even with the addition of Griezmann to the squad, it can be said that Barcelona has not reached its potential or met the incredible expectations set by fanatics. Dortmund has also been a regular, intense competitor in the Champions League. As one of the best in Germany as well as Europe, they are also not to be taken lightly. Coming in at 3rd and 4th place, there is Inter Milan and Slavia Praha, who seem to be falling behind as compared to Barca and Dortmund.
Group G:
At first place in Group G, RB Leipzig has lost only one game and won the rest. Capable players such as Timo Werner, Yussuf Poulsen, and Christopher Nkunku have allowed Leipzig to come out on top in almost every game. Moreover, their team-work has also been a key factor in their past successes. Next, in second place, Lyon has dominated with its advanced organization and agility. Their ability to play to their strengths is the main reason why they are known as one of the best in France. In third place, we have Zenit, who has lost two games, tied one game, and won one game. Lastly, Benfica places at Rank four in Group G. Although the Spanish team is known to be a tough contender in Laliga, their tactics don't seem to be working as well in the Champions League.
Group H:
Finally, in Group H, there is a three-way deadlock between Ajax, Chelsea, and Valencia. Each team, with their own specific talents, has lost one game, tied one game, and won two games adding up to a total of 7 points. Nonetheless, Ajax is in first place due to its strong offense which has allowed its players to score more goals. Moreover, Chelsea, with its stable and balanced squad is in second place, and Valencia is in third, having to compete with their strong defense. Lastly, Lille is in fourth place. The French team is very desperate to gain points after losing every single game they have played so far.
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