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AC Milan, Arsenal stumble Few surprises as Champions League rolls on
Posted: Tuesday November 09, 1999 12:45 PM
The Champions League Express is a third of the way along its journey, and looking back from the caboose there are less big-name carcasses strewn across the tracks than one would have thought. The biggest beast felled so far is AC Milan. The rossoneri simply made way too many mistakes in a tough, but not impossible group which pitted them against mediocre overachievers (Hertha Berlin), talented underachievers (Galatasaray) and Chelsea, which fulfilled its mandate by finishing on top. Milan went into the last round needing a win at Galatasaray and either a Chelsea or Hertha victory in the other game. Naturally, in true Italian fashion, many Serie A observers spent their time speculating about whether Chelsea and Berlin would tacitly agree to draw, a result which would see both clubs qualify, while condemning Milan. As it happened, it was a moot point, because Milan (perhaps a little too worried with the Chelsea-Hertha result) was upset 3-2, while Chelsea cruised to an easy 2-0 win. So much for the suspicion-mongers and conspiratorial cynics who see an evil plot beneath every stadium floodlight. Rather, it's time for Milan to reflect on that fact that sheer firepower alone won't win games. And that manager Alberto Zaccheroni's 3-4-1-2 system needs a little bit of flair to make it work (playing Zvonimir Boban and Leonardo at the same time would be a good start). Another big-name victim is Arsenal, though it was arguably in the cards, following a draw which paired it with Barcellona and Fiorentina. The Gunners partly blamed bad luck and the fact that they had to play their home games at Wembley (wide pitch, lack of atmosphere) rather than at Highbury (narrow pitch, passionate crowds). Both excuses are just silly. Yes, Arsenal's game is more suited to Highbury. But then, Arsenal's game is more suited to a bowling alley. The bottom line is that Highbury does not meet FIFA specifications, because it is simply too narrow. There's a reason why there are rules in this game and if you happen to play better on a narrow (or for that matter sloping or even cratered) pitch, that's your problem. It's true that Wembley, despite its legendary fame, is not the most atmospheric of grounds. But then again fans don't take the pitch. As for misfortune, it's part of the game. Great teams know how to overcome it. Losing consecutive home games against direct opponents cannot be explained by luck alone. The real problem is that, forwards aside, this team only has two guys who can pass the ball with any consistency: Emanuel Petit and Patrick Vieira. And the former was injured for much of the campaign while the latter is often too busy winning balls to contribute offensively. It's a problem manager Arsene Wenger should have addressed a long time ago. Borussia Dortmund also failed to get off the ground, thanks to a worrying and uncanny ability to self-destruct. Manager Michael Skibbe can blame injuries if he likes, but the reality is Borussia should have crushed clubs like Rosenborg and Feyenoord. Those were pretty much the shockers. Bayer Leverkusen, Rangers and Olympiakos wouldn't have looked out of place in phase two, but can't complain too much, given the quality of the opposition that beat them. Which leaves four groups of four left in the running. Time for more predictions.
Group ABarcelona is the current favorite to win it all. Lethal up front (even Patrick Kluivert is starting to look good), dazzling in midfield, the big question mark is at the back, where the likes of Michael Reiziger and Winston Bogarde look way out of their league. It's a little bit like Beluga caviar and fillet mignon for dinner, followed by a Mars bar for dessert. Defending has never been much of a priority for Coach Louis Van Gaal, but then he won't have to worry about it until the quarterfinals. Barcelona will qualify easily, along with either Porto or Sparta Prague.
Group BThe defending champions will be under fire again. Manchester United had some pretty poor outings in the first phase. It got away with it against clubs like Croatia Zagreb and Sturm Graz, but it will be a different story against Fiorentina, Valencia and Bordeaux. Fiorentina seems to have weathered the storm, and if the shaky backline holds up (or goalkeeper Francesco Toldo can continue working miracles) and goals keep raining in at the other end, it will be just fine. Valencia, plagued by injuries and a worrying domestic situation has too many other problems to worry about, while Bordeaux could spring a few surprises.
Group CProbably the toughest group, though it may not seem that way. Bayern Munich and Real Madrid are the big names, but both could drop six points away to Rosenborg and Dynamo Kiev. The Norwegians are no longer just the little engine that could. Rosenborg has quality veterans in Bent Skammelsrud and "Mini" Jakobsen, plus a dangerous frontman in the ungainly but effective Jon Carew. And Dynamo Kiev has shown that it can flourish without Andriy Shevchenko. In fact, center forward Serhii Rebrov has been so impressive that people are already starting to forget his departed striking partner. Still, the Champions League is largely about experience and star quality. Despite their copious laundry lists of off-field troubles, both Bayern and Real have plenty of both, and they should sneak through.
Group DLazio is currently playing the best soccer in Europe and possibly in the world. Whether it can keep it up through the winter remains to be seen, but it shouldn't have too much trouble in this group. In spite of its inconsistency and lack of a blue chip goalscorer, Chelsea should edge out Marseille for the second spot, if only because OM has shown it can be just as inconsistent, while being less experienced.
Extra timeIt's nice to see Faustino Asprilla back in the big time. The quicksilver Colombian striker scored his first two goals over the weekend in Palmeiras' 6-0 hammering of Botafogo. At age 30, his best days are behind him, and it's fair to say he only scratched the surface of his prodigious talent. But he now has a chance to lead Palmeiras to the next stage of the Brazilian championship and, if he keeps both his volatile head and volatile health together, he may turn out to be decisive down the stretch. Red cards, everywhere you look. Two in the Turin derby, between Torino and Juventus, two in the London derby, between Arsenal and Tottenham. Four off in River Plate's 2-1 win over Union in Argentina and five in the Uruguayan championship final between Penarol and Nacional. A sign of the times? A worrying trend? Or just referees cracking down on rough play and petulant players? If it helps tune down some of the butchery, then sendings off are most welcome. London-based Gabriele Marcotti writes a weekly column on international soccer for CNNSI.com. To submit questions or comments to Gabriele Marcotti, click here.
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