UEFA Champions League - Group Stage Preview

The defending champs finally make their way into this season's preview. With Real Madrid having a huge bulls-eye on their backs, it will be interesting to see how the three-time defending champs respond after a off-season of dramatic changes. 

The Spaniards were handed a friendly four-some to start their run to European immortality and "Los Blancos" will give their opponents a tremendous amount of respect, but the talent discrepancy should prove to be more than their competition can handle when faced up with the defending champs.

Group G is top heavy with two European powers, with Real Madrid and Roma stealing much of the spotlight, while CSKA Moscow and FC Viktoria Plzen attempt to shock their large name competition, and make their own names in this seasons Champions League event.

Odds To Win - Group G

Real Madrid  -475 / 1.21 / 4/19
Roma  +400 / 5.0 / 4/1
CSKA Moskva  +1900 / 20.00 / 19/1
FC Viktoria Plzen  +3850 /39.50 / 77/2

Real Madrid start their post Cristiano Ronaldo era. After riding the Portuguese forward to three straight UEFA titles, the Madridistas will now look for other goal scoring threats when the lights are the brightest, as they continue to chase history.

Los Blancos were also handed a double bombshell this Summer when Zinedine Zidane announced he was stepping down from his post with the Spanish giants. The French legend decided he had reached his limit on the sideline, giving Julen Lopetegui an opportunity to etch his name in Real Madrid lore. 

The La Liga side still have the advantage of fielding nine of the starters who played in this past Champions League finals, with Marco Asensio now being handed a starting front-line position. The young Spanish International is desperate to erase last seasons nightmare spell, where he was unable to live up too the hype that had surrounded him and ultimately affected his performances.

The remaining members of the "BBC" are still in tact and seem to have been re-born with Ronaldo leaving for Juventus. After several years of injuries and inconsistent play, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema are off to sizzling hot starts, already netting seven combined goals in just three domestic fixtures. The veteran duo will be keen to show they can carry the load and help this talented side lift silver-ware once again in May.

The Madrid brass have been stagnant over the past few Summers in bringing in high priced talent, but the board agreed too open their wallets and splurge for GK- Thibaut Courtois. The big Belgium keeper is expected to be a upgrade in between the sticks after replacing Keylor Navas, who had a large amount of success while in the starting eleven. The 'Royals Whites' feel they have made the correct investment to re-enforce the back-end. 

Roma enter this group off an impressive semi-finals appearance last season, where they pulled off an improbable quarter finals feat, eliminating Barcelona who held a 4-1 lead heading back for the second leg in Rome. 

The "I Giallorossi" have stumbled out of gates domestically, placing added pressure on them to have a successful European run. Eusebio Di Francesco got the best out of his squad during his first season in Rome. The former Roma man understands the importance of producing a winning formula on the pitch, as he believes he can rally the Serie A side and turn around their early season struggles. 

The Romans have found keeping clean sheets their Achilles heel to date, conceding two plus goals in three league matches. There should have been an added emphasis on defensive end over the International break. Di Francesco is aware the level of competition will increase over the next couple of months, I would expect to see a more concerted effort to keep their opponents of the scoreline, as they push for another deep Champions League run.

The Italians have a nice blend of youth and experience spread throughout their squad, with two hulking presences on the front-line. Edin Dzeko and Patrik Schick should intimidate many of their opponents once they step onto the pitch, as the large trigger men are magnets for service, becoming constant dangers while in the box. 

The Rome outfit are also impressed with Turkish upstart Cengiz Ünder, who continues to grab high praise from his coaching staff, while fighting for starting minutes on a more continuous basis. This is the type of format where his star could shine the brightest.

Roma also saw a change in net over the Summer, with Swedish keeper Robin Olsen making his way over too Serie A after a wonderful showing for his country at the World Cup. The newly assigned number one keeper has had troubles upon his arrival to the Eternal City and must work on keeping clean sheets, as this Roma side are judged more harshly than others from a demanding Italian supporter-ship.

CSKA Moscow are used to European competitions, the Russian giants seem to always be a part of either Europa or Champions League fixtures, although they have struggled to make lengthy stays while a part of these massive contests.

The "Horses" have their own version of a boy genius on the sideline. Viktor Goncharenko had been dubbed one of the best up and coming managers in Europe and the young Russian has experienced a large amount of success in a short amount of time. 

Goncharenko places a large amount of attention on team unity while on the pitch. His teams are highly organized and very professional during each 90 minute shift. The Russian outfit have run a 3-5-2 formation with much success. Favoring the three-man back wall, this unit will surprise many of their new spectators with their overall attention to detail. 

The "Militarians" are led by a formidable tally's man, with young Russian Fedor Chalov already showing a goal scoring flare. The 20-year-old continues to take advantage of the opportunities his midfield have created for him, netting five goals early into his domestic campaign, giving him a great opportunity too showcase his skills in front of Europe's top clubs.

CSKA will not be overwhelmed by their larger name opponents. Expect this side to play a very competitive style of football, while expecting to progress out of the Group Stage process. This team has a wealth of confidence and their young manager has them believing their system can produce positive results any where in the world. Do not be surprised to see this unit grab a shocking result before it's all said and done.

FC Viktoria Plzen enter this competition as one of the largest underdogs in the 32 team field. The Czech squad will be fighting an uphill battle from the start and must not get overwhelmed based on their traditional powers. 

Pavel Vrba will lead the "Grave Diggers" into battle. The established head man has already led this storied club to a league title in his first season, while also winning additional individual awards and proving his tactics are to be appreciated by his upcoming opponents.

The Czechs are a virtual one man show in front of goal, with Michal Krmencik continuing to garner attention for his rare scoring abilities. Krmencik has placed the league on fire, netting seven goals in seven domestic fixtures, but he must take his game to another level, as he will be the center piece for opposing defenders. 

FC Viktoria Plzen are mostly unknown by the average footballing supporter, but this club have long been perennial winners within their country. This step-up in class should prove to be too much over the course of six matches, as the lack of over-all depth and talent seem to be more than this minnow squad can overcome. 

Group G - Prediction

This group would seem to have two clear cut favorites, with Real Madrid and Roma used to having tremendous success, both domestically and on the European stage.

Real Madrid will walk in the shadows of Ronaldo and Zidane during this Champions League season, but their cupboards are still stocked with talent at each position, and with plenty of experience in this particular tournament, I still expect them to have a positive showing.

Roma would seem to be locks to progress, but after a slow start to the campaign, many must wonder if this team can pull it together over the next couple of months. The public would still believe the Romans have enough class and experience too overcome this uncommon slump, and eventually see themselves through too the Round of 16.

The team to watch in this four-some is CSKA Moscow. The Russians have the ability to turn this group on its head with an established system and talented players to carry out those orders. The Horses must not be overlooked as potential threats to join Real Madrid in the next round.

FC Viktoria Plzen will be hard pressed to grab any positive results, as the Czech side seem to be widely over matched and have little chance to truly challenge any of the other three clubs included. Still, this team should still be acknowledged for their accomplishments, as reaching the Group Stage process in the Champions League is highly commendable.