As most of us already know, the year 2008 would represent 50 years since the Munich disaster. It is also 40 years since the 1968 European Cup win.
Ideally, we would love to mark these occasions with a win in the Champions’ League. Of course, it would be great if such a thing actually happened. Anyway, we admit we didn’t bring out a ‘breaking news’ of some sort once the UEFA draw got over. But now that you’ve had some time to have looked at the groups it might be good to discuss about how our group stacks up with the rest.
Before we do that it here is a reminder of out grouping. We have Group F and the following are the fixtures:
Wed 19 Sep – Sporting Lisbon away
Tues 2 Oct – AS Roma home
Tues 23 Oct – Dynamo Kiev away
Wed 7 Nov – Dynamo Kiev home
Tues 27 Nov – Sporting Lisbon home
Wed 12 Dec – AS Roma away
We have a meeting with a familiar side in Roma, who must have had really pleasant memories of their time in Manchester. Too bad Manchester-born Simone Perrotta couldn’t be a part of the goal fest, due to suspension. Hopefully he can get his homecoming this time round.
Moving on, we have Sporting Lisbon – this one being a reunion for two of our lads. Ronaldo and Nani would certainly love to play in front of their former home crowd, and thanks to our clubs good relationship with Lisbon and the circumstances under which both moved, they should get a pleasant welcome at Lisbon – unlike Ronaldo’s reception when we went to Benfica. Historically speaking, the last we played the Portuguese club, we got spanked 5-0. So obviously that is a result which needs to be reversed.
Paddy Crerand, while talking to MUTV, reckons that Dynamo Kiev would be our toughest game.
I don’t think we’ll beat Roma 7-1 again, that will be a much more difficult match this time. But it’s a good draw. I’ve been to all three places before. Kiev was a long journey and we drew 0-0. I think that will be the most difficult match of the lot.
I don’t agree though. All I believe he fears about may be the weather. But again, we are not playing them in December but on 23rd October. So the conditions should also suit us just fine.
Elsewhere, Wes Brown says how desperate he and the rest of the team are to win the European crown. We love that attitude Wes, but we’d like to also remind you not to take your eyes off the Premier league. There is still the small matter of Roy Keane’s FC Ireland (and some members of FC ex-United) coming to town this weekend.
Looking around, Liverpool and Chelsea have decent draws, while Arsenal seem to have got the easiest draw. Them and Sevilla seem sure to qualify from their group, but again I find it hard to remember when they’ve actually had difficult groups, fellow reds and some Arsenal fans who surreptitiously read this blog help me out here. 🙂
Although, personally I would find the Sevilla-Arsenal game rather interesting to watch. It would be good to see how the Gooners stack up against a side who also play a fairly entertaining brand of football. Anyway, let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Sevilla still have AEK Athens and a sulking Daniel Alves to contend with first.
You can have a look at the groups here.
And feel free to discuss which groups would be more challenging, or the so-called GOD (Group of Death). What do you think of our group?
Keep reading Red Rants, as we will bring you some news from crazy Friday as the transfer window shuts to a close, a preview of the Sunderland game and a review of the week that was, during the course of the day.
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