AT THIS time of the year it can feel as if the football programme is packed with rehearsals, while the true drama lies weeks or months ahead. This, however, is a delusion. Today’s draw for the Champions League group phase will command attention, but there has been stress, misery and joy already.
Malaga, for instance, claimed a place in the tournament proper for the first time after following a home win over Panathinaikos with a goalless draw in Athens.
By and large, it is undeniable the elite are in a privileged position. All four of the English clubs go straight to the group phase. Chelsea may have come sixth in the Premier League, but they are Champions League holders. In principle, it is impossible to improve on that, but Roberto Di Matteo seems set on making his side more expressive.
The leading English clubs usually have a store of know-how that they draw upon to consistent effect. That, all the same, is not to be taken for granted.
Arsenal, for instance, made a great effort to recover from a 4-0 defeat to Milan and won 3-0 at home in last season’s competition, but it was still galling for the club to take their leave.
While alterations would have been necessary, it was no part of Arsene Wenger’s scheme to sell Robin van Persie to Manchester United. That transfer, all the same, enhances Alex Ferguson’s team, offering the sort of depth that challenges players.
Elsewhere, there must be scrutiny of Manchester City. Roberto Mancini is no longer being accorded limitless means and the origins of that scepticism may lie in the European front.
His side lacked the cosmopolitan expertise anticipated from the manager.
None of England’s sides look all that formidable, and while there will be plenty of expertise elsewhere, no one is unassailable.
Barcelona’s air of superiority disappeared when Chelsea had the effrontery last season to win the semi-final. With Pep Guardiola giving up the manager’s post, there may be a small interruption to their affairs.
Economics usually tell and it is no coincidence that clubs from La Liga, the Premier League and the Bundesliga are expected to make an impact.
The Spanish economy may be in feeble condition but Jose Mourinho will not be reduced to cobbling together a line-up of Bosman recruits for Real Madrid.
The manager is unaccustomed to disappointment and he will want to repeat the successes he relished with Porto and Internazionale.
The champions of England, Spain, Italy and Germany could all be in the same group when the draw takes place in Monaco.
Uefa’s seeding system, based on the club’s co-efficients, has thrown up the possibility of the champions of the four strongest nations all having to play each other in the group phase.
City will be the only English club not among the top seeds – despite being domestic champions, Roberto Mancini’s side still have a relatively low Uefa co-efficient, meaning they will be among the pot of eight second seeds while European champions Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United are in the pot of eight top seeds.
That means City could be drawn in the same group as European powerhouses such as Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, which would make the task of qualifying for the knockout stages that much harder.
