UEFA Champions League - Group A Preview

  • In Charles Meshell
  • Mon, Sep 10th, 2018 3:40:42 pm
  • By Charles Meshell - ROI Capper


Charles examines every Group for the UEFA Champions League. First up - Group A, featuring Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

UEFA Champions League - Group Stage Preview

The UEFA Champions League draw was held recently and with the eyes of the footballing world in Monaco, the names were pulled by Legends of the game, who ultimately set the participant's fates into motion.

This years version of events will have no shortage of story-lines. Leading up to the finale in Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, home of La Liga side Atletico Madrid, who will certainly have their own visions of gracing the grand pitch in May.

Those who follow this tournament closely should already be at work breaking down the match-ups, as the opportunity too grow your bankroll will be there for the taking, while all the casual viewers should get a outstanding display of world class talent, with many of the largest clubs in Europe, set to battle it out over the next eight months. 


Odds To Win - Group A

Atletico Madrid  -200 / 1.5 / 1/2

Borussia Dortmund  +325 / 4.25 / 13/4

Monaco  +500 / 6.0 / 5/1

Club Brugge  +3300 / 34.00 / 33/1


Group A Preview 


Atletico Madrid highlight the group as the proverbial favorites. The host nation suffered a early exit from the Group Stage process last year and should certainly use that as motivation in their return to UEFA's top tournament. 

'Los Rojiblancos' landed two entries into the Champions League draw. After finishing in the top four of La Liga, the Spanish side also captured the Europa League title, guaranteeing Atleti an automatic bid in the final 32 team draw.

Diego Simeone is no stranger to European competitions. The Argentine head-man has led his squads to UEFA's top two tournaments in each year he has been with the club since 2011. Simeone has had an outstanding run during his seven year regime, winning the Europa League in two different years, while capturing the Champions League runner-up medal on two different occasions as well.

The Madrid side is also loaded with veteran players, who themselves are accustomed to playing on the largest stages in the footballing world. 'Los Indios' are led by World Cup winner Antoine Griezmann, who will help carry the goal scoring load for the Spanish giants. Griezmann will be accompanied by fellow danger man Diego Costa, who was unable to participate in Atletico's Champions League disaster last season, as he will help provide an extra threat atop Madrid's 4-4-2 attacking shape.

Summer signing Thomas Lemar should also fit perfectly in Atletico's system. The Spaniards rely heavily on their wingers to create space and place lethal crosses into the box, where their dangerous trigger-men can finish the final product, and Lemar is world-class in both categories. 

Atleti have become a more dangerous side moving forward in attack over the years, but their bread and butter is still on the defensive side of the ball, where they will use their aggression to cause a disruption in their opponents flow, looking to cause turnovers and set the offense into motion. 

The back-end is solidified with one of the top keepers in the world, with Jon Oblak in charge of guarding the Red and Whites goal. The Slovenian is known world-wide for his super fast reflexes and outstanding shot blocking abilities, making hitting the back of the net an almost impossible mission for any of Atleti's opponents. 

Atletico will be a tough out for any side they face. This unit is designed to make a deep run in tournament formats and along with manager who gets the best out of players on a routine basis, they must be considered favorites to top the group. 



Borussia Dortmund also make their return to the Champions League group stage. After being placed in a four-some with Real Madrid and Tottenham last season, the Germans met their fates early and and were ungraciously removed from their European dreams. 

The Black and Yellows have a new look squad as they enter Group A, with their feared striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang making his way to north London in the Winter. There has since been an infusion of youthful players taking to the starting eleven, as the 'BVB' re-tool and look for another up and coming crop of starlets. 

Lucien Favre made his way back to the German Bundesliga. After several years in the top flight league, the Swiss tactician has been appointed to help lead Dortmund back to title contention. Favre got off too a flying start in his first official match with the club, topping RB Leipzig 4-1, before dropping points over the weekend to Hannover, giving mixed reviews too the supporter-ship on his overall plan of action. 

USMNT member Christian Pulisic should be in line to have a break out campaign. The young American has often found consistent playing time a challenge under his three previous managers. Now he hopes for stability at the top in order for him to truly develop with the club and showcase his world class skills on a International stage. 

Pulisic will be accompanied by the return of Marco Ruess. The German International has been plagued by injuries over his productive career, but after a Summer in Russia and a impressive preseason, the Dortmund faithful feel confident their budding super-star is close to his top form. 

Dortmund should always be considered a threat to advance too the next round, especially on their own pitch, where the back drop of the yellow wall can be a imposing factor, but with so many new faces, and a new manager gracing the sidelines, they may still be a few years away from truly challenging past the group stage process. 


Monaco could be the dark-horse of the quartet. The French outfit are now in their third straight season in the Champions League under Leonardo Jardim, and the Portuguese has re-energized the once stagnant club and has them playing on multiple fronts on a regular basis.

'Les Rouges et Blancs' is another youthful side with high expectations. The club is known for selling their top products and then re-tooling, believing their system is more important than any individual, and they have the results to back up their footballing philosophy. 

Monaco's newest face in the fold is 17-year-old Pietro Pellegri. The Italian teenager arrived in the south of France with plenty of hype and in his first official match netted a goal in just 31 minutes of play. He now has a tremendous opportunity to put his unique skills on full display for many of the larger clubs in Europe to witness first hand.

The French-men have retained a few of their key components from their 2016-2017 domestic title squad, led by Colombian striker Radamel Falcao, who will partner with the young prodigy atop Monaco's 4-4-2 formation. Falcao has also found a rejuvenation in his career. After a dreadful spell in England with Manchester United and Chelsea, "El Tigre" has once again became one of the more feared tally's man in front of goal. 

The Ligue One representatives back-line is anchored by two terrific center-backs, in Kamil Glik and Jemerson. This duo provide stability for an otherwise inexperienced group and their contributions will be vital if this side are to eventually advance out of this highly competitive group.

Monaco are well equipped to play with any of the other three clubs in the pot. Unlike Dortmund, who also have a crop of new faces, the Red and Whites have a established system that has proven to get results both domestically and on the European stage. Do not underestimate this group of players, who under Jardim will compete at a high level and should cause their own set of mismatch problems as the tournament progresses. 


Club Brugge is the true underdog, expected to finish fourth in the group without any questions asked. However, the Belgiums still believe their brand of football can match up with any club in Europe.

Ivan Leko led the 'Blauw-Zwart' to yet another title in Belgium's Jupiler League, earning the storied club another trip to a European tournament, as they attempt too spoil the party and remove one of the traditional powers from a top two finish in the group.

The minnow squad are led by Dutch trigger-man Arnaut Danjuma, who is a up and coming star on plenty of Europe's top clubs radar. Danjuma is partnered with another potent starlet in Wesley. The Brazilian brings a needed flare to the starting eleven. While providing a dynamic treat moving forward in attack, these two youngsters should flash on your screen. Understanding their performances on this grand stage can earn them big money moves next season. 

Veteran attacking midfielder Jelle Vossen plays perfectly off his fellow front-line players and is well equipped to place the ball in the back of the net. He also enjoys springing the attack into motion, his hold up play is above average, while having the ability to place through balls on a platter for his youthful strikers to get on the other end of.   

This trio will be leaned upon heavily if this side is too advance, along with the arrival of Chelsea loanee Kylian Hazard, this team should cause plenty of troubles, as they attempt too shock the establishment, and remove one of Europe's blue-bloods from advancing too the Round of 16. 


Group A - Prediction 

Atletico Madrid getting -200 / 1.5 to top the table, should grab plenty of investors attention. The Spaniards would seem the most logical side to progress to the Round of 16. With a veteran manager and battle tested set of players, backing the Madrid side to eventually advance out of the Group Stage, seems to be a wise play.

Dortmund or Monaco would now appear to be the most reasonable sides to follow the Spanish giants. Athough Club Brugge are a pesky unit, their overall lack of experience and class on this level would seem to work against them, giving them little chance to run the gauntlet that lies ahead of them.

Dortmund are getting greats odds to advance and they are a superb side on their own pitch. But, with a new face on the sideline, there are worries about their overall cohesion. As they learn a new system and player rotations the German's could find themselves looking for answers as the tournament progresses, especially once they leave the friendly confines of the Westfalenstadion.

That leaves Monaco, who also have a influx of new players within their squad. Still, they do have the head of the snake in Leonardo Jardim, drawing up the calculated game-plans. The cerebral Portuguese task-master is known for being a innovator, and getting the very best out of his talented sides.

The French outfit also had a nice run in the Champions League only two seasons ago, with many of the same faces who went through too the Semi-Finals, giving them a great chance to participate in the Round of 16 once again.



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