Group D Champions League 2015 Draw - Sevilla, Monchengladbach, Man City, Juventus

Yet again Man City find themselves in a tough group. That's what everyone has dubbed this...the honorary Group of Death. But, at closer look using the power of the magnifying glass...is this in fact as tough a group as people make it out to be? Because when you really carefully examine the other three teams, I don't really think it's a case of City being unlucky again. As for Juventus, this is NOT the group that they would have hoped for, being Champions and seeing draw that PSG got instead which was far more favorable.

For City, by the time they kick off their first match, they will probably have De Bruyne in their ranks. That would put them as having THE most talented squad in the group, unquestionably. But having talent is only one half of winning a football match. The problem will always lie with Pellegrini and how he is able to make those key adjustments during the important matches. When you play in the Premier League with a team as good as City, the talent can pretty much make you win ten games in a row. The Champions League is the elite. It's not only about talent, it's also about how good your tactics are and all those little adjustments you make to edge those games. The question is whether Pellegrini has improved in this department and just won't be so arrogant as to believe if he stacks his squad with enough talent then they will win regardless.


The scary thing is if this Juventus WITH Vidal, Tevez and Pirlo, I would say they would come top or at the very least second. After all the players that have left, I'm not even sure whether Juventus can make it through. After their loss to Udinese, those fears I had became a reality. They are not the same formidable team that almost made a it a treble last season. When I look at the threats of the three other teams, I would not be that shocked or bemused by them not being able to make it out of the group. IF that does happen, it would throw out another sign of just how far the football in Serie A has fallen after just ONE season. But it really can happen, and Allegri will need to wake up and get Mandzukic and Dybala working together or else they are not going to say hello to the second round.








Monchengladbach are in a similar situation to Juventus, as they have lost two key players that made them come third last season. Their start has shown this, and I really can't see them getting past this group. Maybe a Europa League is possible, but it would have to be some Einstein and Plato sorcery from their coach in order for them to pull something out of the hat and get out of this group. You need your quality players and can't rely solely on coaching to get you through. That's just the reality of football.


Sevilla are good. Even without Bacca, they are GOOD. Very well coached, highly skilled and know how to knock goals in as they did against Barcelona. They could very easily top this group, just based out of purely outplaying the other teams. If they can be allowed to play their football, that is very attractive and forward-thinking, they could very easily come out on top. Their only weakness will be their strength. If City and Juventus and even Monchengladbach can counter them and expose their defensive lapses as they attack so furiously, that could lead to their asses getting thrown out the cage.

Can't call it. Could be City and Juventus, or Sevilla and City. At the moment, I am leaning towards City and Sevilla because I don't trust this current Juventus squad and Monchengladbach just don't have the players to do anything. Juventus would need to make a serious signing before the transfer deadline for me to really take them as a serious team to make it out of this battle.



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