UEFA Champions League Thread

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Champions League 2007/8, Group A
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


BESIKTAS (Turkish league runners-up)

Champions League pedigree: Group stage: 1997/98, 2000/01, 2003/04

THE LOWDOWN: Victors over FC Zurich in the third qualifying round, the Black Eagles are often thought of as Istanbul's third team behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. Despite that, ambition still seeps from every pore here and everyone connected with the club has their eyes focused on the prize of reaching the sudden-death phase for the first-time ever.

There can be no doubting that they will draw optimism from their last participation in the competition in 2003/04 when they won at Chelsea and drew in Rome against Lazio, only missing out on further progress by a single point.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: After parting company from French boss Jean Tigana towards the end of last season, Besiktas turned to ex-Samsunspor and Kayserispor coach Ertugrul Saglam, who once starred in attack for the Black Eagles and appeared for Turkey at Euro '96.

Saglam, considered by many to be the heir apparent to national team manager Fatih Terim, often plumps for a 4-3-1-2 system, with the Argentine Matias Delgado prompting on the shoulder of the Brazilian front running duo of Bobo and Nobre. A high energy, aggressive style is the order of the day.

THE WOW FACTOR: Their coach insists on a plentiful supply of balls into the box and he has a number of crossing specialists, especially adventurous right-back Serdar Kurtulus, fast-improving midfielder Serdar Ozkan, Mehmet Yozgatli and Tello. The strikers cannot complain of poor service here.

The natural goal scoring ability of striker Bobo, who joined from Sao Paulo outfit Corinthians mid-way through the 2005/06 season. The ex-Brazilian Under-20 international was persuaded to come to Turkey by former Brazil and Besiktas centre-back Antonio Zago and he has been a big hit so far.

Add to that the volcanic atmosphere at their Inonu Stadoum, which is bound to galvanise the home favourites, and Bestiktas have a recipe that could see them emerge as Champions League giant killers.

THE BIG BUY: As usual, Besiktas were very active in the transfer market in the off-season, notably signing Chilean left-sided wing-back Rodrigo Tello from Sporting Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Edouard Cisse, Fenerbahce wide-man Mehmet Yozgatli and River Plate striker Federico Higuain, whose younger brother Gonzalo plays up front for Real Madrid.

Much-underrated French holding midfielder Cisse should prove a huge asset following his move from PSG. Tactically aware, strong in the tackle, a thoughtful passer and full of drive, he was a member of the Monaco side that lost to FC Porto in the 2004 Champions League Final.

THE TENDER SPOT: While their defenders could never be accused of lacking heart and commitment, this unit has a tendency to lapses in concentration and below average positional play. With a view to strengthening the heart of their rearguard, they brought in Senegalese international Lamine Diatta (ex-Saint-Etienne), but Ligue 1 observers might say the 32-year-old was on the down slope of his career. One player beyond reproach is centre-back Ibrahim Toraman.

Creator in chief Matias Delgado has bags of flair and certainly knows where the goal is, but he is far too inconsistent. Besiktas can only hope his off nights are not European ones as they need him firing when the likes of Liverfekkin'wankscum and Porto come to town.

HOT GOSSIP: Coach Ertugrul Saglam is faced with the dilemma of which playmaker to plump for. Delgado means intermittent flashes of genius. The Brazilian Ricardinho is more steady but less likely to be a match winner.

Saglam knows his own mind and is not shy when expressing his views. Several times this summer, club management agreed terms with new players, only for him to veto the deals.

IDEAL LINE UP: Arikan, Uzulmez, Diatta, Toraman, Kurtulus, Cisse, Tello, Ozkan, Delgado, Nobre, Bobo

THE VERDICT: They could be a good bet for the odd surprise result and their group stage draw has been relatively kind, but they will still struggle to make the knock-out phase.



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FC PORTO (Portuguese champions)

Champions League pedigree: European champions 1987, 2004


THE LOW DOWN: Retaining the Portuguese league crown should provide the ideal platform for Porto to add to their reputation as the Champions League giant killers in the months ahead.

Always a tough nut to crack at their imposing Estadio do Dragao home, Porto may not be the force coach Jose Mourinho moulded them into a few years back, but their experience at the highest level of European competition and pleasing knack of defying the odds makes them a threat again.

TECHNICAL AREA: Jesualdo Ferreira is viewed as something of a cautious coach, but his master plan reaped great domestic rewards last season and he is confident of success in the Champions League. 'Porto's traditions in the Champions League means our opponents will always respect us,' he says. 'We have to make sure we don't disappoint them.'

Ferreira made his name at Braga, where his shrewd tactical knowledge earned him the nick-name of 'The Professor'. His tactics last season with Porto were anything but complicated as they seemed to evolve around getting the ball to Ricardo Quaresma and letting him do his stuff.

WOW FACTOR: Quaresma is a magician who has the ability to test the best of defenders and Porto will look to their star turn to win them games in the Champions League. A potent danger down the flank and always a capable of converting from free-kicks around the box, this hero has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo and if he sparkles as much as the Manchester United star, Ferreira's men are in for a thrilling season.

'I know there was some talk about me leaving Porto during the summer, but my dream is to be a European champion with this club,' says Quaresma, who was linked with Bayern Munich during the off-season. 'Porto were champions in 2004, so let's try again.'

The theory goes that Ferreira will try to add more flair to his team to side this season. Porto fans are hoping the glut of skilful South American performers in their side this season will bring a touch of fantasy to their outlook.

THE BIG BUY: Porto dipped into the South American transfer market to lure Argentine pair midfielder Mariano Gonzalez and striker Ernesto Farias to Portugal. Both may take time to settle, but they arrive with big reputations.

Argentine international Farias is particularly of interest as he was linked with a host of European clubs after he opted to leave River Plate. 'This is a very important club and their reputation stretched around the world,' he says. 'The chance to play in the Champions League was the big reason why I wanted to sign for Porto.'

Benni McCarthy's goals were missed last season, so Farias could be the ideal replacement and the same could be said of Moroccan hit-man Tarik Sektioui, who has returned to Porto after a spell out on loan.

THE TENDER SPOT: Quaresma is a little too important to Porto and they don't really have a plan B if their talisman is sidelined for an extended period.

In addition, they will miss the midfield influence of talented Brazilian Anderson after his summer move to Manchester United, while Pepe's departure to Real Madrid means their defensive cover is a little weak.

Finally, their form on the road is not always all it could be and they will need to banish their away day blues if they are to make a splash in the Champions League once again.

HOT GOSSIP: Lucho Gonzalez was linked with a £10m move to English side Everton during the summer, but this Argentine midfielder is determined to enhance his growing reputation still further by staying at Porto for another season at least.

It's no surprise that Gonzalez's brand of hard working midfield energy has caught the eye as he has been compared to Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Helton, Bosingwa, Fucile, Bruno Alves, Emanuel, Quaresma, L Gonzalez, Assuncao, M Gonzalez, Lopez, Sektioui

THE VERDICT: They never strike you as major contenders in the Champions League, but a place in the latter stages should be possible if they win their home games.
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Liverfekkin'wankscum (3rd place in English league)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005


THE LOW DOWN: Two appearances in Champions League finals inside three years represents a fine return for Liverfekkin'wankscum boss Rafael Benitez, but he seems to have set his sights of domestic glory this season.

With his prime target being the Reds first English league title in 18 years, Champions League ambitions may not be a priority, but this club have just cannot help themselves when a big European night rolls around. Liverfekkin'wankscum always feel they have a right to be challenging for the trophy they have won five times before and their desire to be back in the Final again come May will be as strong as ever.

TECHNICAL AREA: Benitez is under big pressure to find a solution to Liverfekkin'wankscum's Premiershit failings and his determination to build a squad with genuine depth may end up serving him well when he turns his attention to claiming another Champions League crown.

A 4-4-2 man, he has the option to switch to a more fluid 4-3-3 or a steady 4-5-1 with the sort of forwards he now has on his books. Both Dirk Kuyt and Fernando Torres lead the line superbly and combine the work rate with the skill required to keep defences alert on the occasions when Liverfekkin'wankscum want to play tight away from home. Their solid defence has also excelled in Europe over recent seasons.

WOW FACTOR: Torres' big-money arrival from Atletico Madrid gives Liverfekkin'wankscum an attacking verve they may have been lacking last season. Capable of bursting past defenders and scoring goals when they matter most, the Spaniard looks set to shine in England and thereby succeed where compatriot Fernando Morientes failed.

The Reds attacking back-up also makes impressive reading. The towering Peter Crouch is a great option to have on the bench, while summer signings Andriy Voronin and the exciting Ryan Babel are showing signs that they will sparkle. Combining a solid defence with some real flair up front will make Liverfekkin'wankscum an exciting prospect.

THE BIG BUY: Benitez spent big in the transfer market this summer, but he is most satisfied with his club record breaking deal to snap up compatriot Torres. 'He is a player who gives us so many more options,' claims the Spaniard. 'Fernando has great quality on the ball and in the air and he is not just a player who scores goals. He makes so many for others as well.'

Plenty of eyes will also focus on the progress of 20-year-old Babel, who arrived in a £13.5m deal with Ajax. Capable of playing up front or in a wide berth, he needs to only fulfil some of his sparkling potential to emerge as a real star.

THE TENDER SPOT: The heart of Liverfekkin'wankscum's defence looks strong so long as Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger stay fit, but the former is already struggling to make the first few games of the Champions League with a rib injury and it is not just his ability on the field that is missed when he is absent.

Along with skipper Steven Gerrard, Carragher is the heartbeat of this Liverfekkin'wankscum team and time will tell whether Benitez's side could win a major trophy if either were sidelined long term.

HOT GOSSIP: The relationship between skipper Gerrard and manager Benitez has long been strained and while the coach seems ready to give his talisman the central midfield role he craves, you wonder what will happen if he has a change of mind and forces him into the wide right role he loathes once again.

The other question mark hangs over the Liverfekkin'wankscum strike-force, who may take time to settle into an ideal formation. Getting the best out of Torres, Kuyt, Crouch, Voronin and Babel all at once will not be easy and high-profile footballers who don't play rarely have a positive impact on a dressing room.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Reina, Finnan, Carragher, Agger, Arbeloa, Babel, Alonso, Gerrard, Pennant, Torres, Kuyt

THE VERDICT: With their eyes trained on the Premiershit title, don't be surprised to see Liverfekkin'wankscum's Champions League form suffering in 2007/08.
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OLYMPIQUE MARSEILLE (2nd in French League)

Champions League pedigree: Winners: 1993, runners-up: 1991


THE LOW DOWN: Back in the Champions League for the first time in four years, OM will be determined to do much better than they did in their last outing, when a side featuring a certain Didier Drogba managed only one win in the group stages.

Chairman Pape Diouf says he will be happy if his team qualify for the Champions League two seasons out of three. However, their supporters expect much more, as they remember the days in the early 1990s when the likes of Jean-Pierre Papin, Chris Waddle and Rudi Voller ruled supreme, so demand a spot in the last-16 at the very least.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: In his second year as head coach, Albert Emon came close to losing his job in the off-season. Club owner Robert-Louis Dreyfus had agreed to sell to Canadian businessman Jack Kachkar and the word was that the latter was going to bring in Sven Goran Eriksson, but the deal unravelled at the eleventh hour and Emon was given a reprieve.

Surprisingly for a former French international winger, Emon's tactical preferences tend towards the cautious. This season he looks set to use a 4-2-3-1 system, with Djibril Cisse flying solo up front, supported by a trident of attacking midfielders, one of whom is the left-sided Dutchman Boudewijn Zenden, who has much to prove after a less than convincing two years at Liverfekkin'wankscum.

WOW FACTOR: Brilliant young playmaker Samir Nasri has been dubbed the 'new The Bald Algerian' and the comparison is no exaggeration, as this 20-year-old plays with the same vision and virtuosity as the great 'Zizou'. He has already established himself in the full French side thanks to a some outstanding displays at the back-end of last season and could be a Champions League star this season.

Also on Marseille's side is the incredible noise created by their fans as on European nights, the Stade Velodrome is one of the most intimidating grounds on the continent. A bubbling cauldron of passion, colour and noise, experienced professionals have been known to go to pieces in the face of such unconcealed hostility.

THE BIG BUY: With outstanding wide-man Franck Ribery heading for Bayern Munich, OM moved to fill the substantial gap with Sochaux's highly promising Algerian attacking midfielder Karim Ziani, who was also wanted by Sevilla, Valencia and Stuttgart.

A mesmeric dribbler and never short of invention, he can be employed on either flank or through the middle. He is also a composed finisher and a free-kick expert.

THE TENDER SPOT: Since arriving in the Provencal city a year ago from Liverfekkin'wankscum, star striker Djibril Cisse has yet to fire on a consistent basis. Two broken legs in recent years seem to have taken their toll on him, while the service he has been receiving has been patchy at best. Not known for his diplomacy, Cisse's frustrated body language speaks volumes. He is at his most potent when galloping onto a long ball, yet the first instinct of the Marseille midfield is for a slow, intricate build-up.

Marseille were rocked when first-choice keeper Cedric Carasso tore an Achilles tendon during a training session early this term. He faces six months on the sidelines and will be replaced by French Under 21 cap Steve Mandanda, a summer signing from Le Havre.

HOT GOSSIP: Pape Diouf has revealed that at the time of the proposed Kachkar takeover, OM compiled a shopping list including Michael Owen, Carlos Tevez and Barcelona striker Samuel Eto'o.

Djibril Cisse played a significant part in the arrival on the Mediterranean coast of Bolo Zenden, selling the merits of OM to his ex-Liverpool team mate. Marseille were also interested in French international attackers Ludovic Giuly (Barcelona) and Sylvain Wiltord (Lyon), only for high wage demands to blow the would-be deals out of the water.

IDEAL LINE UP: Mandanda, Taiwo, Givet, Rodriguez, Bonnart, Cana, Cheyrou, Zenden, Nasri, Ziani, Cisse

THE VERDICT: If they are to reach the knock-out stages, they have to get the best out of Cisse and that means a more direct style of play and much fewer square passes. Easier said than done.

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Champions League 2007/8, Group B
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


CHELSEA (2nd in English league)

Champions League pedigree: Semi-finalists 2005, 2007


THE LOW DOWN: Few expected Jose Mourinho to be leading Chelsea into a fourth Champions League campaign after frenzied speculation over his future for much of last season, but he is desperate to claim the only trophy that has eluded him in a colourful spell in London before moving on to a bigger club.

Chelsea could well have qualified for this season's competition as English champions were it not for injuries to keeper Petr Cech and inspirational skipper John Terry last season, but they look hungry for more trophy glory in the months ahead.

TECHNICAL AREA: The enigmatic Mourinho is the master of knowing when to make a bold and brave tactical change. While some coaches merely tinker with their side at the half-time interval, 'The Special One' is more than content to alter formation and personnel on a grand scale in a bid to swing a game.

After winning the Champions League crown with FC Porto in 2005, Mourinho views this title as the ultimate prize in the game and he is determined to reclaim his place as Europe's top manager by being victorious this time around. Expect him to play with a more fluid 4-3-3 formation for much of the season.

WOW FACTOR: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was said to be intent on a change of coach this summer and part of the reason for his discontent was the dour football Mourinho tends to play, yet the coach insists he is ready to play a more expansive game.

The Chelsea manager says he is determined to employ a more attacking approach and with Didier Drogba leading the line, the Blues have an attacking powerhouse who is capable of unsettling the best of defences. If they find the balance between excitement and success, Mourinho's men will be a powerful force.

THE BIG BUY: Florent Malouda was a target for several top clubs this summer, but he was won over the by the charms of Mourinho and the big wages on offer at Chelsea. 'The manager here knew everything about my game and that is the reason I felt wanted,' claims the £13.5m signing from Lyon.

The Blues boss sees the French flyer as a key man in his determination to revert back to the reliance on wingers that served him so well in his first season at Chelsea and Malouda's goal scoring prowess makes him a sound investment.

THE TENDER SPOT: While it's hard to pick a hole in Chelsea's side, there is a feeling that they can be vulnerable on either side of their defence, with Ashley Cole unconvincing in his first year at the club. They have also proved to be something of a soft touch at the heart of their defence if skipper John Terry is missing for a sustained period.

Mourinho's decision to omit Michael Ballack from his Champions League squad list is proof that the German has little chance of extending his career at Stamford Bridge beyond the January transfer window and the same may be true of Andriy Shevchenko. Absent from the first few weeks of the season due to injury, word has it that Mourinho is not keen to reintroduce the Ukrainian back into his side.

HOT GOSSIP: The one flaw in Chelsea's make-up appears to be the complicated management structure imposed on Mourinho and time will tell whether this passionate coach will continue to tolerate the presence on his bench of Avram Grant, the club's new Director of Football, in the long-term. Grant will be perched one seat behind Mourinho for all games this season and while his input seemed to be limited, he is Abramovich's spy in the dressing room.

In addition, the word is that Abramovich is still unhappy with the style of football Mourinho's side is employing in the early stages of this season. He has warned the Portuguese maverick that he expects to see more attractive football this season and if he doesn't get it, a parting of the ways seems inevitable.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Cech, Belletti, Terry, Carvalho, A Cole, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Essien, Obi-Mikel, Malouda, Drogba

THE VERDICT: Most bookmakers make Chelsea second favourites for the crown and as long as Mourinho dodges the bullets coming his way from his bosses at Stamford Bridge, they must have a real chance. A first appearance in the Final is on the cards.
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ROSENBORG (Norwegian champions)

Champions League pedigree - Quarter-finalists: 1995/96


THE LOWDOWN: The Trondheim club are not in the best of shape for a Champions League campaign. Domestic top dogs in 14 out of the last 15 years, they seem most unlikely to repeat the trick in 2007, trailing behind pacesetters Brann Bergen and Lillestrom. Rosenborg's away form has proved disappointing to say the least and there is a real danger that they might not even qualify for next season's UEFA Cup.
Once far and away the best-run team in Scandinavia, they have allowed others to catch them up in the personnel, commercial and organisation fronts. From the moment Rosenborg emerged as a genuine force in Europe in the mid-90s, they were powerless to prevent their star names emigrating, mainly to the Premiershit.


They always seemed to cope as they were able to attract the very best Norwegian players simply by clicking their fingers, but their monopoly on indigenous talent has been shattered in the past couple of years. Domestic rivals are not selling and Rosenborg are increasingly looking for reinforcements in overseas markets such as Canada, Slovakia and Africa.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Assistant-coach Knut Torum stepped into the breach last season when his boss Per Mathias Hogmo was forced to take sick leave because of exhaustion. A former utility man with Brann Bergen and manager of Moss and Stabaek, the 36-year-old Torum proved a highly-capable deputy, steering the club to the 2006 league title. Following Hogmo's resignation, Torum was given the job on a permanent basis.

For almost two decades, Rosenborg have built their success on a 4-3-3 system and Torum has stuck religiously to the tried and tested formula: the emphasis on solid teamwork, the athletic defensive work, the long aerial ball to catch the opposition off guard and wing-play. Having said that, thanks to the influence of their foreigners, the Rosenborg Class of 2007 play with more fantasy than in the good old days.

THE WOW FACTOR: The brilliant Burkina Faso duo of left-winger Abdou Traore and striker Yssouf Kone give them their spark. Eighteen-year-old Traore is a real handful thanks to his speed, low centre of gravity and sheer unpredictability, while Kone - who has played for Italian side Lecce, Raja Casablanca and in China - is renowned for his acrobatic goals.

Highly-promising home-grown midfielders Alexander Tettey and Per Ciljan Skjelbred, a pair of much energy and thoughtful users of the ball, are also men to watch. They combine perfectly with the refinement of the skilful Slovak schemer Marek Sapara, whose invention and excellent free-kick delivery has won him admirers at French and German clubs.

The drive and good crosses of attack-minded full-backs, the left-sided Swede Michael Dorsin and the evergreen 37-year-old Roar Strand on the right will also pose a threat. Strand has claimed no fewer than 14 Norwegian League titles with Rosenborg.

THE BIG BUY: Rosenborg are said to have made 40 trips to the Ivory Coast to run the rule over right-winger Didier Konan, who was eventually signed early this year from ASEC of Abidjan, the club where Arsenal defenders Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue started out.

Konan, who can also play as an attacking midfielder or up front, is a good team man with excellent individual skills and a strong shot from distance.

THE TENDER SPOT: Defensively they are not the quickest, especially through the middle where Christer Basma and the Finn Mika Koppinen are stationed. Koppinen does like to come out with the ball and at times his adventurous wandering can prove costly.

This season Rosenborg have been alarmingly inconsistent, good one week, shambolic the next. This inability to maintain a performance does not augur well for the Champions League. In the past, they knew they had the game plan, presence and fitness to worry the big boys. Such self-belief is no longer so evident.

HOT GOSSIP: Canadian keeper Lars Hirschfeld put club before country this summer, refusing to turn out for his country at the CONCACAF Gold Cup, so his stock has risen at Rosenborg.

Paris Saint-Germain were rumoured to be very keen on midfielder Marek Sapara, only for the would-be deal to stall. Early this season Rosenborg turned down an offer for Yssouf Kone from Norwegian rivals Start.

IDEAL LINE UP: Hirschfeld, Dorsin, Basma, Koppinen, Strand, Skjelbred, Tettey, Sapara, Traore, Kone, Konan

THE VERDICT: Rank outsiders, there is little chance of emulating past achievements.
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SCHALKE 04 (German league runners-up)

Champions League pedigree: First round: 2001/02, 2005/06


THE LOWDOWN: In 2001 and again last season, the Royal Blues looked set fair to win the Bundesliga, only to fall in the final furlongs, so a long run in Europe would the be the perfect response to all those who have dubbed them 'chokers'.

The next few months represent a major test of their character. What Schalke will be hoping to rediscover is the gutsy, all-action form that carried them to UEFA Cup glory in 1997. Back then they might not have boasted the classiest individuals, but no team was tighter knit and wanted it more.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Mirko Slomka's appointment as Schalke boss in January 2006 led the German media to criticise the decision to hand the keys to someone with no experience as a head coach, but the former Hannover and Schalke number two has proved to be more than capable. Although the Bundesliga title eluded him last season, fourth and second-place league finishes, plus the semi-finals of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup are not to be sniffed at.

Slomka favours a 4-3-3 system, featuring an attacking trident of striker Kevin Kuranyi flanked by Danish speedster Peter Lovenkrands on the left and German international Gerald Asamoah on the right. Schalke are equally at home in a 4-4-2, a system apparently favoured by a number of their senior pros.

THE WOW FACTOR: The line leading ability and goals of Kevin Kuranyi, who has bounced back with a vengeance after being sensationally left out of the German World Cup 2006 squad by Jurgen Klinsmann, gives Schalke their bite.

Their renowned defensive solidity, built upon the redoubtable centre-back partnership of Serbia's Mladen Krstajic and the Brazilian Marcelo Bordon provide the bedrock of their success.

Slomka surprised many last season by axing battle-hardened keeper Frank Rost in favour of rookie Manuel Neuner, yet he instantly repaid his coach's faith in him with a string of exceptional displays. So much so that the 21-year-old is now on the brink of national team selection.

Their brilliant attacking full-backs are also key men. The left-sided Christian Pander gave further proof of his shooting power with a stunning goal against England at Wembley in August, while on the right, his Brazilian counterpart Rafinha needs no invitation to get forward with menace.

THE BIG BUY: Schalke went shopping in Switzerland to land FC Basel's highly-rated teenage attacking midfielder Ivan Rakitic. His strengths are his delicate technique, finely-timed breaks into the opposition box and composed finishing.

Swiss-born to Croat parents, Rakitic could have played his representative football for either country, but plumped for the Balkan nation, a decision which resulted in his family receiving death threats from disgruntled Swiss fans.

THE TENDER SPOT: On the whole, their midfield looks weaker following the departure of Hamit Altintop to Bayern Munich and the Brazilian playmaker Lincoln to Galatasaray. Altintop's dynamism will be badly missed, as will Lincoln's flair and creativity.

The limitations of Lovenkrands and Asamoah are also a concern. Lovenkrands tends to drift in and out of games, while Asamoah can be rather one-dimensional in his approach, too reliant on muscling his way through.

There must also be worries over Schalke's team spirit. Players here like to speak their mind in public, even if it means upsetting a colleague.

HOT GOSSIP: Bordon and Kuranyi did not hesitate to come out and slam what they considered a less than ambitious summer recruitment drive. Coach Slomka has admitted the squad is too small, lacking adequate cover in certain positions.

The signs of disharmony in the camp are there for all to see. Reserve striker Soren Larsen complained to a Danish newspaper that an unnamed team mate - thought to be Krstajic - had tried to hurt him on the training ground. Larsen accused Slomka of turning a blind eye because it involved an established first-teamer.

IDEAL LINE UP: Neuer, Pander, Krstajic, Bordon, Rafinha, Kobiashvili, Ernst, Rakitic, Lovenkrands, Kuranyi, Asamoah

THE VERDICT: The role of underdog will suit them in Europe. Schalke are a good outside bet to still be around come the New Year.
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VALENCIA: (4th in Spanish league)

Champions League pedigree: Runners-up 2000, 2001


THE LOW DOWN: Valencia took up their now familiar place in the group stages of the Champions League with a comfortable win against Swedish kings Elfsborg and a decent group stage draw means they can look forward to another lengthy run.

Many felt 'Los Che' were the better side in their quarter-final against Chelsea last season, but Jose Mourinho's men have a habit of finding a route to victory when they are not at their best and a late sucker punch undid plenty of solid Valencia work.

TECHNICAL AREA: Coach Quique Sanchez Flores is widely respected as one of the most astute young coaches in the game and his performances in the Champions League have helped to confirm that status.

A former full-back for Real Madrid and then Valencia, this ex-Getafe boss has done a fine job since succeeding Claudio Ranieri at the Mestalla. Preferring to employ a 4-4-2 line-up, he has a squad packed full of hardened Champions League performers who cannot be overawed by any occasion after many years of near misses in this competition.

'There is no lack of self belief at this club when it comes to the Champions League,' he says. 'Our supporters and, most importantly, my players believe they should be right in there when it matters against the best teams in Europe. It's a winning attitude that serves us well.'

WOW FACTOR: David Villa confirmed his arrival on the big stage of European football last season by turning in consistently superb displays. Most pundits expected huge cash offers to be thrown at Valencia in a bid to lure their star turn away, but he remains in place at the Metsalla and will be looking to build his reputation in the months ahead.

Then, of course, there is the brilliant Joaquin, who has the ability to give the best of full-backs real trouble down the flanks. 'El Artista' cost Valencia ¬25m when he signed from Real Betis in 2006 and he was worth every penny. Young David Silva was also a revelation last season, scoring some memorable goals.

THE BIG BUY: Manuel Fernandes looked certain to sign for English side Everton at the end of August, but he opted to commit his future to Valencia instead. The ex-Benfica man should give his new club an extra bit of spark in the midfield, though he faces a battle to oust Ruben Baraja and David Albelda from the starting line-up.

The term 'big buy' has never been more apt than when discussing the giant frame of Nicola Zigic. Standing at an imposing 6'8', the Serb will be a useful man to throw into the action if a late goal is needed.

The defensive ranks have been boosted by the capture of Alexis from Getafe, Portugal's Marco Caneria and the veteran Ivan Helguera, who arrived from Real Madrid. Nigerian-born Stephen Sunday is another summer capture and he will provide competition for midfield places.

THE TENDER SPOT: The Valencia squad has been given a major revamp in the summer and with so many new arrivals, it may take time for the dust to settle and for Flores to discover his best starting line-up.

The other concern must be that some of Valencia's key men are prone to injury. Even though Flores has decent strength in depth, he wouldn't want to be without the likes of Edu, Vicente and Ruben Baraja for as long periods, as he was last season.

HOT GOSSIP: Winger Vicente will miss the start of the Champions League effort as he is struggling to recover from a tough thigh muscle. He may not be fully fit until mid-October at the earliest.

Valencia were among those said to be interested in signing French striker Nicolas Anelka from Bolton before the transfer window slammed shut. They might make a fresh move for the rarely settled hit-man in January.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Canizarez, Miguel, Marchena, Albiol, Moretti, Joaquin, Albelda, Baraja, Vicente, Silva, Villa

THE VERDICT: Every club wanted to be paired with Rosenborg, so as long as Valencia claim their six points against the Norwegians, they should be moving through to the knock-out phase once again.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group C
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


LAZIO (3rd in Italian league)
Champions League pedigree: Quarter-finalists 1999/2000


THE LOW DOWN: After his side saw off Dinamo Bucharest with a thrilling second half comeback in the third qualifying round, high-rated Lazio coach Delio Rossi gets his chance to test himself against Europe's best.

This is a very different club to the free-spending Lazio that threatened to established Italian football elite under Sven Goran Eriksson's management in the late 1990s. New owner Claudio Lotito has done his best to keep player wages low, but his prudent policy damaged their ambitions in the transfer market during the summer.

TECHNICAL AREA: Delio Rossi has been frustrated by a summer of transfer activity that did not culminate with the arrival of the glut of players he hoped for. It means he may need to make some realistic decisions about his side's Champions League challenge as fighting in all competitions may not be possible with the squad he has.

Rossi's modest playing career has been followed up by a more impressive coaching record and he did a fine job in guiding Lazio to a third place Serie A finish last time. He did equally well to dig his side out of a hole in the Champions League qualifying round and will relish his chance to shine in Europe's elite competition. He was linked with the vacant Juventus job during the summer, but remains in place at the Stadio Olympico.

The key to Lazio's third-place finish in Serie A last term was the decision of Delio Rossi to switch from a bog-standard 4-4-2 to a 4-3-1-2 system. It's a set-up almost identical to the one used by AC Milan when they employed Andriy Shevchenko.

WOW FACTOR: Lazio's top scorer last term with 16 goals, Tomasso Rocchi is a powerful and opportunistic frontrunner. His two goals in the third qualifying round secured his side's path to the group phase and suggested he is ready to continue his surprisingly impressive scoring exploits from last season this time around.

This ex-Empoli striker is a late developer who made his Italy debut at the age of 29 last year and such was his success last year that he has been linked with a transfer this summer. Biancocelesti fans will be relieved to see him starting the Champions League campaign in their colours as his goals will be crucial to Lazio's hopes.

THE BIG BUY: The retirement of Angelo Peruzzi left Lazio with a big hole to fill between their sticks and it took them some time for them to find a replacement. So much so that they were forced to start the Serie A campaign with 43-year-old Marco Ballotta as their keeper.

They set their heart on signing River Plate keeper Pablo Carrizo, but after red tape delayed his arrival, they made a move for Uruguayan Fernando Muslera just before the transfer window closed. It may be that Lazio end up with two decent keepers when the Italian authorities eventually clear the South American duo to play.

THE TENDER SPOT: A lack of proven match winners at this level may be exposed against the likes of Real Madrid in the group stages. After all, inventive coaching and good team spirit can only take you so far.

Star names are generally required for a team to succeed at this level and Lazio failed to sign the sort of players they needed during the off-season.

HOT GOSSIP: The embarrassing saga surrounding their search for a new keeper summed up what was a frustrating few months in the transfer market for Lazio and sporting director, Walter Sabatini, offered his resignation in early September after a host of summer targets slipped through the net.

It means Lazio are facing up to a Champions League challenge with a squad that may not be able to cope with the demands of challenging at home and abroad. 'It's a shame that the window has closed because we were looking for more players and additional quality," moaned coach Rossi. 'I'm just the coach and have to get on with the players I have been given."

IDEAL LINE-UP: Muslera, Scaloni, Cribari, Siviglia, Ledsema, Mutarelli, Mudingayi, De Nero, Meghni, Pandev, Rocchi

THE VERDICT: They have been handed a tough group stage draw and could be one of the big name casualties from the first phase.
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OLYMPIAKOS (Greek champions)
Champions League pedigree: Quarter-finals 1998/99


THE LOWDOWN: National champions in ten out of the last eleven seasons, they have have squashed all the domestic competition underfoot, but the Piraeus club have found life considerably harder at the top European level. Absent from the knock-out stages since 1999 when they made the last-eight, only to lose to Juventus. Oh, and don't remind them of the dramatic defeat against Liverfekkin'wankscum at Anfield which robbed them of a place in the second round in 2004/05.

In a bid to redress the balance, wholesale changes have been made to the squad. Among the many departures were the Brazilian veteran Rivaldo (to bitter capital city rivals AEK Athens) and the Mexican attacking midfielder Nery Castillo (Shakhtar Donetsk), while the new boys include the ex-Portsmouth striker Lomana Lua Lua and ex-Real Madrid defender Raul Bravo.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Boss Takis Lemonis, appointed in December 2006 for a second spell in charge, divides fan opinion. Some see the former Olympiakos player as someone in tune with their heritage and a safe pair of hands. Others see him as tactically naive and agree with Rivaldo, who once claimed that Greek coaches do not have enough experience to succeed in the Champions League.

Lemonis gained his coaching badge in England and, not surprisingly, likes to use a 4-4-2, in which the key midfield area is staffed by two men holding (Ieroklis Stoltidis and the Argentine Cristian Ledesma) and two linking the play out wide (the Serb Predrag Djordjevic on the left and Argentina's Luciano Galletti on the right).

THE WOW FACTOR: Their brand new front-line duo of the Argentine Lionel Nunez (ex-Argentinos Junior) and Lua Lua. The latter provides flair and explosiveness in and around the box. Nunez is an excellent dribbler and shoots powerfully. They also boast attacking strength in depth in the form of Kostas Mitroglou, the Serb Darko Kovacevic and Cypriot Michalis Konstantinou.

Another plus is the craft of Djordjevic, the thoughtful, elegant schemer with outstanding crossing ability and set-piece delivery. Unfortunately, he is now 35 and slowing down, while also becoming injury prone.

Olympiakos might not travel well at all, but with their home crowd baying, they are very much a force to be reckoned with, always capable of raising their game.

THE BIG BUY: An elusive, effervescent right-flank provider recruited from Atletico Madrid this summer, 27-year-old Argentine international Luciano Galletti has also played for Parma and Napoli in Italy and La Liga outfit Real Zaragoza.

It seems he likes to play for clubs wearing red and white stripes, having turned out for Estudiantes de la Plata in his homeland, Atletico Madrid and now Olympiakos.

THE TENDER SPOT: A ponderous central defence has proved a weak link for some time and the problem does not seem to have been solved by the signing of Paraskevas Antzas (ex-Xanthi) and Real Madrid's Raul Bravo, who can also play left-back. A solid rearguard is of paramount importance in this competition and the naked truth is that Olympiakos do not possess one.

Performing for a full 90 minutes can be difficult. In the Champions League they have a history of looking good for nine-tenths of a game, then self-destructing with a lapse in concentration.

HOT GOSSIP: Club president Socrates Kokkalis and his board came in for much criticism for allowing the team's two most gifted creators, Rivaldo and Nery Castillo to head for the exit. Should the season not pan out well, expect the mood among the fans to turn nasty.

Star names such as Chelsea enforcer Claude Makelele and Argentine playmaker Juan Riquelme were linked with a move to Piraeu during the summer, but ultimately, it was just smoke and mirrors and the failure to land experienced additions will cost them in the Champions League.

IDEAL LINE UP: Nikopolidis, Zewlakow, Bravo, Antzas, Torosidis, Ledesma, Stoltidis, Djordjevic, Galletti, Nunez, Lua Lua

THE VERDICT: Quite simply, they don't have enough individual talent or collective cohesion to sustain them beyond Christmas. Enjoy the ride while it lasts.
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REAL MADRID (Spanish champions)

Champions League pedigree: Winners 1957, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1966, 1998, 2000, 2002 (record nine times)


THE LOW DOWN: The drama and tension surrounding Madrid's remarkable La Liga title triumph back in May will never be forgotten, but the changes made at the club during the summer means all the progress of last season counts for little this time around.

With manager Fabio Capello disposed off along with title winning heroes David Beckham and Roberto Carlos, it may take time for the new men in the frame to find their feet, so Real Madrid could be vulnerable in early group games. Much will depend on how quickly new signings Wesley Sneijder, Royston Drenthe, Saviola, Gabriel Heinze and Arjen Robben settle in.

TECHNICAL AREA: New coach Bernd Schuster is already a man under pressure as nothing but victory will do when you are Real Madrid manager. The former Gatafe boss felt the heat as his Madridista players struggled to find their feet in some pre-season outings and if they stumble in the group stages, doubts over his credentials for such a colossal job will be raised again.

He has vowed to get the side playing the sort of attractive football some felt they neglected under Capello's guidance and the early signs are that Schuster will rely heavily on set-plays to produce scoring positions for his team. The delivery of Sneijder, Robben and Guti will be key areas for the opposition to look out for.

WOW FACTOR: Real Madrid have long prided themselves on having an array of talent to throw at their opponents and while the 'Galacticos' era may have come to an end this summer, coach Schuster now seems to have a depth of squad that has been lacking at the club in recent times.

His determination to introduce a fluent style featuring 'touch passing' could make Los Merengues the most entertaining side in Europe once again and that tag seems to be just as important to President Ramon Calderon as collecting trophies.

THE BIG BUY: Working out where to start when picking out the star summer signing at free-spending Madrid is a tough task and it may be that the combination of Sneijder and Robben give Schuster's side the sort of flair they lacked at times last season.

Neither came cheap with Robben costing around Euro30m and Sneijder Euro27m, but the Spanish champs know they have signed proven quality in both. Robben is a threat to any full-back with his pace and trickery, while Sneijder looks ready to move his career up a couple of levels having proved his worth in recent years with Ajax.

THE TENDER SPOT: With so many attractive options in his disposal after a hectic summer of transfer activity, Schuster may struggle to fit Guti, Robinho, Sneijder, Robben, Royston Drenthe and Mahamadou Diarra into the same midfield line-up. Upsetting big egos is always a tricky balancing act, so Drenthe may find a home in defence.

As ever, the Real Madrid defence will be viewed as a weak spot that can be exploited, but they seemed to find a decent balance at the back end of last season and the arrival of Heinze from Manchester United gives them a great option in either full-back role. The Argentine should also be a factor in the attacking third as he relishes the chance to burst forward.

HOT GOSSIP: Schuster is under pressure to play Real Madrid icon Raul alongside Ruud van Nistelrooy, but the feeling is he would rather pick a more mobile sidekick for the Dutch goal scoring machine. Raul carries plenty of political weight at the Bernabeu so a battle of wills may not be won by the new coach.

A similar political balancing act may trouble Schuster when it comes to the selection of Guti, whose first team options may be limited after so many new midfielders arriving this summer.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Casillas, Heinze, Sergio Ramos, Cannavaro, Drenthe, Robben Diarra, Sneijder, Robinho, Raul, Van Nistelrooy

THE VERDICT: With good strength in depth, Schuster looks to have the tools to develop a winning machine in his first season at Real Madrid, but he may come under pressure if he fails to find the right formula straight away. This squad should be good enough for the Champions League semi-finals at least.
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WERDER BREMEN (3rd in German league)

Champions League pedigree: Second round: 2004/05, 2005/06


THE LOWDOWN: This northern German outfit did not enjoy the best of summers. After long insisting that German international striker Miroslav Klose was not for sale, they finally caved in, agreeing to let him go to Bayern Munich in return for £8.5m.

They then suffered a further blow when key midfielder Torsten Frings damaged a knee in pre-season and even if he wins his battle to be on the team sheet for the group stages, his match-fitness is bound to be in question.

Such major setbacks mean will be impossible for Werder to fire on all cylinders in the early part of the 2007/08 campaign. Hampered by an endless stream of niggles and knocks, they have not looked particularly convincing in the Bundesliga or the Champions League third qualifying round, where they made hard work of defeating Croats Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: On the face of it, a rather introverted former full-back would be a long shot to become a risk-taking coach whose side plays some of the most attractive football on the continent, but that's what Thomas Schaaf has developed into since being handed responsibility for the Bremen first team in May 1999. His PR may not be great, but the playing style he promotes certainly is.

A member of the Bremen side which won the European Cup-winners' Cup in 1992, Schaaf's base formation is a 4-4-2, of which the heartbeat is their very fluid midfield diamond. Aided by a pair of constantly-advancing full-backs and forwards who work the channels very well indeed, Bremen have few equals in their slick passing and fast-paced counter-attacks.

THE WOW FACTOR: The impish playmaking of Brazilian genius Diego has been quite sensational since arriving from FC Porto at the start of last season. His ability to find space, his twists and turns with the ball, eye for a killer through pass and invention from free-kicks makes him their number one attacking weapon.

Bremen desperately need a fully fit Torsten Frings. Not only does he put in a full shift in the pressing, tackling and covering department, he can play too and loves to drive into enemy territory with a style that has been compared to Lothar Matthaus in his pomp. He packs quite a shot from outside the box.

German international centre-back Per Mertesacker continues to improve by leaps and bounds. Naturally for someone so tall, he dominates in the air, but also specialises in timely-interventions on the floor and excellent positioning.

THE BIG BUY: It took several weeks of negotiations to complete, but finally Bremen general manager Klaus Allofs sealed the £5.6m deal to bring in Brazilian attacking midfielder/forward Carlos Alberto from Corinthians of Sao Paulo. He has a reputation for inconsistency and nightclubbing, but insists he will be on his best behaviour at Werder.

Carlos Alberto has an outstanding Champions League track record, having scored in FC Porto's 2004 Final victory over Monaco in Gelsenkirchen.

THE TENDER SPOT: The first rule of the Champions League is that you have to get it right defensively. Werder's policy of all-out attack could be thought of as naive.

Ex-Hamburg striker Boubacar Sango has looked the part as Klose's replacement, but who will Schaaf pick to partner him? Both the Portuguese Hugo Almeida and the Swede Markus Rosenberg are decidedly out of touch and look unlikely to test Europe's best defenders.

With midfield all-rounders Frings and Tim Borowski both struggling with knee injuries, Bremen are in trouble. Would-be replacements Daniel Jensen and Jurica Vranjes offer ball-winning capacity and little more.

HOT GOSSIP: Croat attacker Ivan Klasnic is now back in training after a successful kidney transplant operation and his return to action would give Werder's Champions League campaign a major lift.

Thomas Schaaf has high hopes for young Austrian striker Martin Harnik, who recently scored on his Bundesliga debut. He may just be the wild card to fire the challenge of the German underdogs.

IDEAL LINE UP: Wiese, Schulz, Mertesacker, Naldo, Fritz, Frings, Borowski, Carlos Alberto, Diego, Sanogo, Almeida

THE VERDICT: If Diego stays fit and Frings can recover from his injury, Bremen will go marching on.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group D
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


AC MILAN (Champions League holders)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1963, 1969, 1989, 1990, 1994, 2003, 2007


THE LOW DOWN: Being docked Serie A points in the Calciopoli scandal may have played into Milan's hands when it came to their Champions League campaign last season as boss Carlos Ancelotti could put all the focus on the ultimately successful battle to claim a seventh European crown for the Rossoneri.

The results were spectacular as they triumphed with victory over Manchester United and Liverfekkin'wankscum in the final two rounds of last season's Champions League and the pressure is on to combine a Serie A title push with the defence of their European crown.

TECHNICAL AREA: Once again, Ancelotti proved himself to be a tactical master in last season's Champions League and the way he stopped Manchester United wonder kid Cristiano Ronaldo in the semi-finals was a key to his side's eventual triumph.

A fan of the 4-3-2-1 or a 4-3-1-2 formation, his game plan last season was based around getting Kaka into the game as much as possible. It proved to be a winning formula in the Champions League and even though his defence has had a tag of veteran all over it for a few years now, they remained rock solid under intense pressure against the Premiershit giants.

WOW FACTOR: You need look no further than the mercurial Kaka to provide the magic and flair in this Milan side and Rossoneri worshipers must be relieved that all the talk of a summer move to Spain came to nothing. Allowing their trump card to walk away from the San Siro would have been a suicidal act and this club don't tend to indulge in such radical antics.

The summer speculation linking Ronaldinho with a move to Milan was persistent, yet it came to nothing in the end and coach Ancelotti has professed himself to be satisfied with the squad he is working with for the new season.

THE BIG BUY: Brazilian midfielder Emerson threatened to retire from football unless he was released from his contract at Real Madrid, so he was clearly passionate about completing the move to Milan. 'I feel reborn after joining the best club in the world,' proclaimed the former Roma and Juventus star as he returned to Italy.

Alexandre Pato also arrives from SC Internacional and if the hype around him is to be believed, this Brazilian will be a sensation when he finds his feet at Milan. Due to red tape, he won't be allowed to play competitive matches for his new club until January, so he could be a great wild card to play in the second phase of the Champions League.

THE TENDER SPOT: There will come a time when the likes of Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta begin to show their age and the speedy forwards they will come up against this year test their resolve to the full. So far, they have found the answers, but the sands of time catch up on even the greatest players in the end.

Also, it is always felt that keeper Dida is vulnerable when coming to collect crosses. Playing behind the human wall that is the Milan defence covers his flaws, but if the Brazilian stopper is stretched, he may be exposed as a weak link.

HOT GOSSIP: Veteran Brazilian striker Ronaldo is said to be in the best shape of his career having shed plenty of weight during the summer and if he can rediscover his best form in the months ahead, he could emerge as a trump card for Milan. With Milan President Silvio Berlusconi vowing to reunite 'Roni' with Ronaldinho in 2008, there could be one final glorious chapter to be written for the former 'fat boy'.

Another story to follow this season will be that of skipper Maldini, with the legendary Milan No.3 set to hang up his boots at the end of the season. 'I have reserved a special place for a final Champions League winners medal,' says the veteran full-back and another European crown would be the dream finale to a remarkable career.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Dida, Maldini, Nesta, Kaladze, Oddo, Gattuso, Emerson, Pirlo, Kaka, Seedorf, Ronaldo

THE VERDICT: They have been quiet in the transfer market, but stability is often a good policy. With a revitalised Ronaldo giving Milan some much needed extra firepower up front, another tilt at the big prize is in the offing this season.
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BENFICA (3rd in Portuguese League)

Champions League pedigree: European champions: 1961, 1962


THE LOWDOWN: How not to prepare for the Champions League. Following a dismal 1-1 draw with newly-promoted Leixoes on the opening day of season, club President Luis Filipe Viera angrily confronted coach Fernando Santos and in such a head to head, there can only be one winner. Santos was axed and replaced by the former Spain boss Jose Antonio Camacho, who stood on the Benfica bridge from 2002 to 2004. Cue changes plenty in training methods, tactics and line-up.

After several years of speculation, star Portuguese international winger Simao Sabrosa at last flew the nest, joining Atletico Madrid. Another key man to leave was diminutive but talented on-loan striker Fabrizio Miccoli, who returned to Italy to lead the line at Palermo. As usual the Benfica entrance-door was extensively used this summer, with no fewer than a dozen new arrivals. Camacho will have to work fast to produce a cohesive, competitive unit.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Camacho was never anything less than an intensely-motivated left-back for Spain and Real Madrid and now that he is a coach he expects the same fire in the bellies of his players. Previously in charge of Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol, Real Madrid and the Spanish national team, he favours 4-4-2, but is infamous for being a persistent tinkerer with formations. Rotating his first-eleven is another speciality.

In an outstanding playing career, this fiery, forthright character was unable to get his hands on the European Champions' Cup. The closest he came was in 1981 when his Real side lost 1-0 to Liverfekkin'wankscum in the Final in Paris. He did however help Real lift the UEFA Cup in 1985 and 1986.

THE WOW FACTOR: Although not in the first flush of youth, 35-year-old playmaker Rui Costa remains as influential as ever with his sublime dribbling ability, defence-splitting passes and merciless shooting. He returned to his hometown club last summer after a dozen stellar years in Italy with Fiorentina and AC Milan, participating in the latter's Champions League triumph in 2003.

The rock-solid Brazilian central defensive partnership of Luisao and new signing from Vitoria, David Luiz. Luisao, in particular, is a one man-barrier, a fearsome marker and almost unbeatable in the air.

If Rui Costa is free to weave his magic, it's largely because twin defensive midfielders, Petit and the Greek Kostas Katsouranis, back him up superbly. As well as being extremely efficient at performing the team's dirty work, both are more than comfortable with the ball at their feet.

THE BIG BUY: Benfica splashed out £6.4m to bring in Paraguayan attacker Oscar Cardozo from Argentine side Newell's Old Boys. A prolific goal scorer for Club Nacional in his homeland and Newell's, the 24-year-old was voted Paraguay's Footballer of the Year for 2006. His strengths are his aerial power, accuracy of shot and intelligent link up play.

He is the second most expensive player in Benfica's history, the record held by Simao, who was bought from Barcelona for £9.2m in 2001.

THE TENDER SPOT: Their last line of defence always looks vulnerable. Both Portuguese international Quim and new German signing Hans Jorg Butt have seen better days.

Rui Costa cannot be expected to carry the team's creative burden on his own and Simao's excellent work on the flank, his knack of making chances out of nothing, will be badly missed. His would-be replacement, the young Argentine Angel Di Maria - signed from Rosario Central - has much potential but needs time to adjust to the game in Europe.

At left-back, Leo is fine in attacking mode, but can neglect his defensive duties. There are also doubts over Portugal striker Nuno Gomes, who is not as sharp as he once was.

HOT GOSSIP: The Eagles won the race for the signature of much-vaunted America and Real Salt Lake striker or attacking midfielder Freddy Adu.

A debutant in the MLS at the age of just 14 - making him the youngest professional athlete in modern US history - Adu cost Benfica £1m and it will be fascinating to see how one of the most talked about kids in the game in recent years settles into life as a Champions League performer.

IDEAL LINE UP: Quim, Leo, Luisao, David Luiz, Zoro, Petit, Katsouranis, Nuno Assis, Rui Costa, Cardozo, Nuno Gomes

THE VERDICT: They may just scrape into the second phase, but don't put too much money on it.
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CELTIC (Scottish champions)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1967


THE LOW DOWN: Involved in the most dramatic of third round qualifying ties as they saw off Spartak Moscow on penalties after a couple of memorable matches, Gordon Strachan's men now have the challenge of emulating their Champions League achievements of last season.

A fortunate victory over mighty Manchester United handed them an unlikely passport to the knock-out stages last time and they impressed in losing narrowly to eventual champions AC Milan. No team will relish a trip to a Parkhead home Celtic supporters call 'Paradise', but a team boasting little more than hard working commitment can only take you so far.

TECHNICAL AREA: Strachan took time to win over his doubters at Celtic after replacing the celebrated Martin O'Neill in the summer of 2005, but back-to-back Scottish titles have won him plenty of admirers. His relative success in the Champions League last season did his stock no harm either.

Generally a 4-4-2 man, he has been known to revert to 4-5-1 for away games in Europe, but such a negative tactic has rarely proved successful. With that in mind, he may feel the best form of defence is attack and start with Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and summer capture Scott McDonald up top against the cream of the Champions League sides.

WOW FACTOR: Gifted Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura was the star turn for Celtic throughout last season, with his late free-kick that beat Manchester United securing him a place in Parkhead folklore forever more. Many felt this fragile looking performer would struggle in the tough world of Scottish football, but his class has won out.

The other star man in the Celtic line-up is their remarkable army of fans who turn home games into some kind of state occasion. The cauldron of passion that is Parkhead on European nights has regularly carried 'The Bhoys' to unlikey victories in recent years, with the display of flags and scarfs complemented by commual signing that would rival any pop concert.

THE BIG BUY: Attracting top talent to Scotland is always a major challenge, so Strachan did well to lure former AC Milan midfielder Massimo Donati to Glasgow during the summer. Handed the No.18 shirt previously owned by departed Celtic skipper Neil Lennon, much is expected of a star who has lost his way somewhat in recent years.

The arrival of Scott Brown from Hibernian was an interesting move because at a reported £4.4m, Strachan proved he was prepared to use much of his summer transfer kitty on a 22-year-old who had never performed at Champions League level before. Rumours of interest from Premiershit clubs in England inflated his fee, but time will tell if he is good enough to shine in this elite competition.

THE TENDER SPOT: Celtic's form away from home in the Champions League has been truly appalling and while they have come close to success from time to time, they always tend to come up short in the end. Lacking the self-belief to attack teams as they do on home soil, they have proved time again to be unable to keep a clean sheet when the pressure is applied. They have yet to win a game on their travels in the Champions League group stages.

Their other major problem is an inability to get themselves match-sharp for games against the best in Europe when they are squaring up to modest competition at home every week. Beating the likes of Dunfermline and Motherwell with ease is not a real warm-up prior to facing the likes of AC Milan at the San Siro.

HOT GOSSIP: Reports linking Nakamura with moves to the English Premiershit or back to Italy came to nothing during the summer, but if he shines again in the Champions League group stages, tempting offers are bound to be thrust onto the table in January.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Boruc, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Wilson, Brown, Donati, McGeady, Nakamura, McDonald, Vennegoor of Hesselink

THE VERDICT: Their failings on the road will cost them dear again, so they would be happy to claim a UEFA Cup spot for the New Year.
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SHAKHTAR DONETSK (Ukraine League runner-up):

Champions League pedigree - Group stage: 2004/05, 2006/-07


THE LOWDOWN: Owner Rinat Akhmetov, a billionaire businessman, is the Ukraine's answer to Roman Abramovich and has never counted the pennies while investing heavily in high-price foreign talent and the club's facilities; they boast a state of the art training centre and next year will inaugurate a new £120million 50,000-seater stadium. Three domestic league titles in the last five years are all well and good, but what Akhmetov really craves is Europe-wide credibility and that means surviving until March.

Despite their obvious financial clout, Shakhtar could not, however, prevent their three best players exiting stage left in the off-season. Brazilian midfield ace Elano was lured away by Sven-Goran Eriksson's Manchester City, Romanian striker Ciprian Marica went to German champions Stuttgart and Brazilian playmaker Matuzalem signed for Real Zaragoza. Akhmetov's response was immediate, spending £27million on among others Mexican creator Nery Castillo, Brazilian full-back Ilsinho from Sao Paulo and much-travelled Italian striker Cristiano Lucarelli (ex-Livorno).

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Veteran Romanian coach Mircea Lucescu certainly knows how to produce championship-winning teams, having done so with Dinamo and Rapid Bucharest, Turkish sides Galatasaray and Besiktas and now Shakhtar. He has also taken charge of Romania and Serie A clubs Inter Milan, Reggiana, Brescia and Pisa. A strict disciplinarian and clever tactician, he normally plumps for a 4-4-2 formation with the emphasis on possession and a very active, industrious midfield diamond.

Lucescu, a former Romanian international attacker, is an English-style manager who does both the coaching and is responsible for transfer policy. He can be hot-headed, often at loggerheads with referees.

THE WOW FACTOR: Great service from the flanks is guaranteed. Right-sided midfielder, the Croat Darijo Srna and Romanian left-back Razvan Rat are both tireless, technically-gifted and can supply a wide-range of accurate balls into the box. Srna is a magnificent striker of a free-kick into the bargain.

The breathtaking flair of the Brazilians Fernandinho, Jadson and new signing from Corinthians, Willian in the middle of the park also provide some verve. Fernandinho, who can play in the centre or out wide is maturing nicely, Jadson is a wonderful dribbler and Willian will cause problems to any defence with his mobility and laser-guided shooting from distance.

Shakhtar look to have assembled a top ranking strike-force in the experienced Italian target man Cristiano Lucarelli and the exciting young Ukrainian goal poacher Oleexander Gladyy, who was the top flight's leading scorer last term with 13 goals for FC Kharkiv.

THE BIG BUY: Fresh from a starring role in Mexico's Copa America campaign, attacking midfielder or forward Nery Castillo arrived in a £13.5million deal from Olympiakos. The 23-year-old's left-foot is something to behold and spectacular goals are a speciality, an example being his brilliant effort against Brazil this summer, flicking a ball over a defender and then volleying home. Shades of Pele in the 1958 World Cup final.

Castillo had the choice of playing for three national teams. Mexico, the land of his birth; Uruguay from where his parents hailed and Greece, who were on the verge of offering him citizenship. As a teenager he was due to join Manchester United, only for the deal to be scuppered by work permit difficulties.

THE TENDER SPOT: The decision making of keeper Andriy Pyatov, bought from Vorskla late last year, can be called into question. He is not at all secure dealing with high balls.

Castillo could pose problems with his tendency to retaliate and his excessive individualism. He does his own thing, regardless of what team mates may think.

At times Shakhtar struggle to find the right blend of South American audacity and Eastern European athleticism and discipline. The lack of competition in their domestic league hardly prepares them for the top continental level.

HOT GOSSIP: Although he is only 20, central defender Dytro Chygrynsky is proving himself to be an excellent captain, authoritative, calm and a good organiser of the back-line, the top clubs are bound to make him some tempting offers soon.

Sources in Greece claim Olympiakos sold Castillo to Shakhtar behind the player's back, so time will tell whether he is content with a move he never sanctioned.

IDEAL LINE UP: Pyatov, Rat, Chygrynsky, Kucher, Ilsinho, Priyomov, Jadson, Fernandinho, Srna, Lucarelli, Gladkyy

THE VERDICT: Away from the Ukraine, they are not half the side. Another European anti-climax.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group E
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


BARCELONA (2nd in Spanish league)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1992, 2006


THE LOW DOWN: After their dominant year of 2006, Frank Rijkaard's men were left stunned by their failure to land a trophy last season and the pressure is on for the revamped Barca to deliver this time around.

Thierry Henry's arrival has to be viewed as a major boost, while their achievement in hanging on to Samuel Eto'o, Ronaldinho and Leo Messi in spite of plenty of transfer speculation was a significant triumph.

TECHNICAL AREA: While many were surprised to see Rijkaard standing in the Barca dug-out as this season got underway, his determination to bounce back from the disappointment of the last campaign will fire the enthusiasm of this placid Dutchman.

With so much attacking talent to squeeze into one side, it will be tough for Rijkaard to find a winning balance. It may be that he throws his superstars onto the field and allows them to weave their magic, yet the 4-2-4 formation has never been a success for any manager. An injury to Eto'o means the Cameroon forward will miss the start of the Champions League push, so that's one problem solved.

WOW FACTOR: Everywhere you look in this Barcelona squad there is a 'wow' factor and Rijkaard has to mould it into a cohesive attacking unit.

One thing he has in his favour this season is that all four of his attacking stars have a real passion to prove their worth. Henry needs to show his vast presence can slot neatly into the Barca set-up, while Ronaldinho and Eto'o have slipped from their pedestals as world leaders. As for Messi, he may just feel the time has come for him to confirm he is ready to accept the mantle of the world's best player.

THE BIG BUY: Henry's arrival may have captured the headlines, but Barca's most significant signing of the summer may turn out to be Ivory Coast midfielder, Yaya Toure.

Rijkaard's attack-minded side will need more cover in the midfield and he may have signed the perfect man for the job in the robust Toure. Brother of Arsenal defender Kolo, Yaya has similar enthusiasm for the game and his all-round game will make him a real asset for Barca in the heart of the action.

THE TENDER SPOT: Their greatest asset could also be their weakness as Rijkaard's temptation to field his quartet of attack minded of icons could backfire against sides who know how to cut off their supply. Against gritty Italian sides or a powerful unit such as Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, you need more than pure flair to emerge victorious.

It may also take time for captain Carles Puyol to form an understanding with new defensive sidekicks Gabi Milito and Eric Abidal. Both of the summer signings are quality performers, but every player needs a period of acclimatisation after a big move.

Finally, there is a theory that this Barca side showed a lack of passion for the job last season after they won it all the year before, so they may need to rediscover their hunger once again.

HOT GOSSIP: Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich is said to be desperate to sign Ronaldinho and it may be that he comes calling with a vast offer when the transfer window reopens in January. The Spanish tax laws will hit the Brazilian in the pocket if he extends his stay in Spain, so he may be keen to move on and it could be a mid-season distraction Rijkaard could do without.

That's assuming the Dutch boss is still in position by the half-way point in the season because if his Barca side stumble as they did in the second half of last season, his tenure at the Nou Camp will be brought to a rapid conclusion.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Valdes, Abidal, Puyol, Milito, Thuram, Toure, Deco, Henry, Messi, Ronaldinho, Eto'o

THE VERDICT: If this team of brilliant individuals hit top form, Barca could reclaim their crown as kings of Europe, but there are too many question marks around Rijkaard's men to have any significant faith in them.
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OLYMPIQUE LYONNAIS (French champions)

Champions League pedigree: Quarter-finalists: 2004, 2005, 2006


THE LOWDOWN: After claiming six straight French league titles, their domestic dominance is utter and complete. However, despite regularly earning rave reviews for their spectacular form in the group stages of the Champions League, they have consistently failed to push on in the sudden-death phase, often showing unmistakeable signs of naivety and springtime burn-out.

OL president Jean-Michel Aulas, the head of the powerful G14 lobbying group of leading European sides, is desperate for his club to finally punch their weight in this competition. However, many believe that Lyon may be on the wane, pointing to the exodus of talent they have suffered this summer, notably the sales of left-flank ace Florent Malouda (Chelsea ), full-back Eric Abidal (Barcelona) and midfield all- rounder Tiago (Juventus).

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Although he may not have proved a success in the Premiershit with Portsmouth, Alain Perrin retains much credibility as a coach in the French game and after leading Sochaux to victory in the 2007 Cup Final, he was appointed to take over from Gerard Houllier.

Perrin's first move was to scrap the time-honoured 4-3-3 formation used by both Houllier and his predecessor Paul Le Guen, replacing it with a vanilla 4-4-2 or a 4-2-3-1. He is convinced the new system will give the team more flexibility and allow them to turn defence into attack so much quicker.

THE WOW FACTOR: Home grown kids such as striker Karim Benzema and attacking midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa can light up any game. The latter is an extremely gifted player who with his tricks and feints takes some stopping when he runs with the ball, while Benzema combines, elegance, clever movement and predatory finishing.

The other key for Lyon will be the magical free-kick ability of the midfielder Juninho. Since arriving at the club in 2001, the Brazilian has scored no fewer than 32 goals from set-pieces, sometimes employing power, on other occasions turning to precision.

No wonder OL were so keen to buy him. In the previous two seasons, he was arguably the most exciting player in Ligue 1, a nightmare for defenders with his delicate dribbling skills and extreme pace. The 26-year-old does however come with a government health warning. He can be casual to the point of comatose, is not known for his consistency and has a tendency to lose his cool.

THE TENDER SPOT: OL were hit with a double whammy this summer when first-choice keeper Gregory Coupet and Brazilian central defender Cris both fell victim to knee ligament injuries. Coupet will be sidelined for four months, while Cris will not be back before March.

To replace them, Perrin should turn to the raw number two goal keeper Remy Vercoutre and Cleber Anderson, another boy from Brazil recently acquired from Benfica.

If new Italian left-back and World Cup winner Fabio Grosso offers a great deal on the overlap, the same cannot be said of the former Inter Milan's defending, which can be slapdash at times.

HOT GOSSIP: During the off-season winger Sidney Govou caused a storm with his public criticism of Juninho, claiming the latter benefited from special treatment from club management and that it was having a divisive effect on the dressing room. Juninho angrily denied it and resigned the captaincy in a huff.

Brazilian striker Fred - he of the baby's dummy goal celebration - incensed his employers by taking part in this summer's Copa America without the club's permission. To make matters worse, he broke a bone in his foot while in Venezuela, resulting in a three-month lay-off. Fred will miss his team's first three Champions League ties because of suspension after TV cameras caught him elbowing Christian Chivu off the ball in last season's fixture with Roma,

IDEAL LINE UP: Vercoutre, Grosso, Cleber, Bodmer, Clerc, Toulalan, Kallstrom, Ben Arfa, Juninho, Keita, Benzema.

THE VERDICT: After a summer of change, there is some evidence that it's the end of an era at Lyon, but provided they can adjust to their new tactical set-up, they still have enough quality in their ranks to make the knock-out rounds.
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RANGERS (2nd in Scottish league)

Champions League pedigree: First knock-out round in 2006


THE LOW DOWN: Scottish clubs are not renowned for their steely resolution away from home so Rangers deserved great credit for snatching a 0-0 draw against Crvena Zvezda and progressing to the group stages of the Champions League for the first time in two seasons.

A rising force again under the guidance of former Scotland boss Walter Smith, the blue half of Glasgow's Old Firm will be formidable opponents at their Ibrox home, but the draw for the group stage has been cruel to them.

TECHNICAL AREA: Smith has already done a fine job in reviving Rangers after the disastrous and brief tenure of Frenchman Paul Le Guen. Dressing room discontent and woeful results against some of Scottish football's lesser lights meant Le Guen had to go and he left behind a major rebuilding job.

Smith was brave to walk out of the Scotland national team job and return to former club Rangers, yet he has already got them back on track. Indeed, many expect the Gers to reclaim the Scottish league title this season.

A 4-4-2 man, he has got the Rangers players fighting for the cause again and playing with the sort of belief that drained away under Le Guen. A great man motivator, he knows how this club works better than anyone and even though his odds of success in the 'Group of Death' are long, Smith will relish his task.

WOW FACTOR: Captain Barry Ferguson is a hugely influential figure at the club and that much was confirmed as he played a central role in hastening Le Guen's departure from the club last season.

A solid and dependable midfielder with no little technical ability, he is a playmaker and ball winner all at once and even though there are question marks about his ability to mix it with the very best, Rangers fans won't have a word said against their talisman.

Kris Boyd is another key player and he has proved his worth at international level as well as in the less than competitive Scottish League. The cynics will claim he doesn't have the class to sparkle in the Champions League, but he gets his chance now.

THE BIG BUY: Frenchman Jean-Claude Darcheville arrived from Bordeaux during the summer and seems to have settled well in Glasgow. Bursting with pace and power, he has all the attributes required to excel in the tough Scottish Premiershit.

Lee McCullough was another addition ahead of the Champions League campaign and his brand of hard working creative play should give Rangers an extra dimension. Having excelled in Wigan colours in the English Premiershit, making the leap to Champions League level should not be so big for McCulloch.

Also look out for new-boy DaMarcus Beasley, with this American international a talented performer in the midfield. Having excelled in the Champions League for PSV Eindhoven of late, he will not be daunted by the mammoth task Rangers face at the group stage of this season's competition.

THE TENDER SPOT: Their defensive line was viewed as a weak link last season and while Smith has brought in Frenchman Carlos Cuellar in a bid to add some steel, the sides they will face in the Champions League will expose them once again.

Like neighbours Celtic, Rangers suffer from the fact that they are not given the sort of competition at home to prepare them for battles against Europe's elite. Thrown into a group featuring so many giants, the side so used to winning every week in domestic football are very much cast in the unfamiliar role of minnows.

HOT GOSSIP: Belgian forward Thomas Buffel is on the way back from a long-term injury and if he can discover anything like his best form, he could be a decent wild card for manager Smith to have up his sleeve.

IDEAL LINE-UP: McGregor, Hutton, Cuella, Weir, Papac, Beasley, Ferguson, Thomson, McCulloch, Darcheville, Boyd

THE VERDICT: Walter Smith must have been tempted to request a re-draw after being grouped with Barcelona, Stuttgart and Lyon. He is experienced enough to know his side are destined to finish bottom of Group E.
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STUTTGART (German champions)

Champions League pedigree: Second round: 2003/04


THE LOW DOWN: Stuttgart stunned German football by coming from nowhere to beat the likes of Schalke, Werder Bremen and Bayern Munich to the league title last season, their first national crown since 1992. Many critics argued they owed their success more to the failings of others than their own ability, yet that would be highly unfair on a young side - average age 25 - whose confidence and performance levels grew steadily throughout the campaign.

The jury is out whether the south-western club have strengthened in the summer marketplace. While they did well to replace the Valencia-bound keeper Timo Hildebrand with Nurnberg's Raphael Schafer, newcomers such as Brazilian attacker Ewerthon (ex-Zaragoza) and Turkish playmaker Yildiray Basturk (Hertha Berlin) could both be described as over the hill.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: When Armin Veh took over from legendary Italian Giovanni Trapattoni in February 2006, it was assumed that the former was merely a caretaker, but he has defied his doubters. Veh's man-management and team-building skills would convince the Stuttgart movers and shakers to keep him for the long haul and within 15 months of his appointment, the ex-Borussia Monchengladbach midfielder had repaid them with Bundesliga silverware.

Veh prefers a slick, short-passing game and tactical flexibility. His team can switch effortlessly from 4-4-2 to 4-3-3 to 4-1-4-1 and while they are comfortable dictating the play, they are even more potent on the break, adept at launching lightning counter-attacks on either flank.

THE WOW FACTOR: Stuttgart's youthful players are a joy to watch. The versatile utility player Serdar Tasci, goal scoring midfielder Sami Khedira, the activity and ball-skills of Robert Hilpert on the right-flank and 'Super Mario' Gomez, an outstanding striker of Spanish origins, who was recently voted Germany's Footballer of the Year for 2007, a reward for 14 league goals last season and a goal on his debut for the Nationalmannschaft.

The Mexican duo of right-back Ricardo Osorio and midfield workhorse Pavel Pardo are also key performers. On arriving a year ago, a widespread view was that the Hispanic pair would struggle to adapt to the hustle and bustle of the Bundesliga, yet the sceptics have been proved wrong.

The central defensive tandem of Portugal's Fernando Meira and Frenchman Mathieu Delpierre was by common consent the best in Germany last term, mixing athleticism, muscle and intelligence. Delpierre damaged a tendon in his right knee in pre-season, so he may not reach peak fitness for a while yet. His place should go to the versatile Tasci or Gledson, a Brazilian bought from Hansa Rostock.

THE BIG BUY: Stuttgart smashed their record transfer fee by spending £5.7million on Shakhtar Donetsk's Romanian frontrunner Ciprian Marica. Previously with Dinamo Bucharest, the 21-year-old had been linked with Premiershit sides Derby County and Manchester City.

Marica, capped 15 times for Romania, is robust, mobile, good in the air and has fine technical ability too. He has won league titles and domestic cups in the Ukraine and Romania.

THE TENDER SPOT: Experience of the Champions League is thinly spread in these parts. Only Fernando Meira, Brazilian striker Cacau, Basturk and Ewerthon have tasted the continent's showcase competition and this lack of nous may prove damaging.

Given that Gomez and Marica are the first-choice strike pairing, questions have to be asked as to how long Cacau and Ewerthon will put up with the role of bench warming partners.

HOT GOSSIP: Former Aston Villa midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger was the subject of plenty of transfer speculation during the summer, but he signed an extension to his deal at Stuttgart to confirm his commitment.

Try as they might, Juventus could not prise away Fernando Meira in the off-season. Both the Stuttgart management and their skipper insist the interest from Serie A had not turned his head, but they may return with a renewed bid in January

IDEAL LINE UP: Schafer, Boka, Tasci, Meira, Osorio, Pardo, Hitzlsperger, Hilbert, Khedira, Gomez, Marica

THE VERDICT: They may be raw, but Stuttgart have the talent, organisation and fearlessness to make the knock-out phase at least.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group F
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


DYNAMO KYIV (Ukraine champions)

Champions League pedigree: Semi-finalists: 1998/-99, quarter-finalists: 1997/98


THE LOWDOWN: For a team with such a glorious past in continental competitions - notably Cup-Winners' Cup victories in 1975 and 1986 and outstanding performances in the Champions League in the late 1990s - last season in Europe's showcase cup was nothing less than an unmitigated disaster. Dynamo failed to register a single victory in group phase matches against Real Madrid, Lyon and Steaua Bucharest and all that after they lost out to little FC Thun from Switzerland in the qualifying round for the 2005/06 competition.

In marked contrast, Dynamo prospered on the domestic front in 2006/07, reclaiming the Ukrainian League title from Shakhtar Donetsk and then beating their chief rivals in the Cup Final. However, Dynamo are currently struggling to maintain their dominance, making their worst start to a league campaign, with just one win, three draws and a defeat in their opening five games.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: A fine attacking left-back for Dynamo and the USSR, Anatoliy Demyanenko enjoyed limitless success in his playing career. He earned 80 full caps for the Soviets, appeared at three World Cup finals (1982, 1986, 1990) and helped Kyiv to five domestic league titles and the 1986 European Cup-winners' Cup, when they thrashed Atletico Madrid in the Final in Lyon. On retiring from the game, he joined the Dynamo coaching staff and was promoted to the top job in 2005.

Tactically, Demyanenko is much more conservative in Europe, going with a defensive quartet and a compact five-man midfield. Uzbekistan's Maxim Shatskikh, the Brazilian Kleber or new Guinean signing Ismail Bangoura will battle it out to lead the line.

THE WOW FACTOR: As in the good old days, Dynamo are well organised, never lack for physical conditioning and are able to sustain a high tempo for 90 minutes. Technically they have few flaws and their passing and movement is impressive in the attacking-third. What lets them down is their profligacy up front.

The visionary approach play of the Brazilian midfield general Carlos Correa, who joined from Palmeiras of Sao Paulo a year ago in a £2.5million deal is also something to look out for, while on the right-side of midfield, Oleg Husiev is the a threat. Indefatigable, tricky and proven provider of chances, Husiev is a regular in the Ukraine national team.

THE BIG BUY: Despite rumours that he was on his way to the Premiershit or Germany, Senegalese central defender Pape Diakate eventually left Ligue 1 outfit Nancy for Dynamo, who paid a club record £4.5million for him.

Quick, tenacious and athletic, Diakate was one of the best defenders in the French League last term. A real weakness, though, is his temperament. He has a tendency to make wild challenges and not surprisingly was red-carded in his first outing for Kyiv.

THE TENDER SPOT: Confidence is not exactly flowing through their ranks at the moment and with president Surkis demanding a vast improvement in Europe, everyone is understandably edgy. The possibility of nationality-led cliques is a potential headache.

Carelessness is a problem at the back as they have a history of switching off at dead-ball situations. Although left-back Andrii Nesmachhnyi is strong on the overlap, his defensive positioning can be rather approximate.

HOT GOSSIP: Before announcing his decision to step down as Lyon coach, ex-Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier was contacted to take over at Dynamo. He was very tempted but finally turned down the offer, hoping to be installed as the French federation's new technical director. Some in France have claimed Houllier was put off by the idea of having a bodyguard in Kyiv, but he has vehemently denied this.

Current Kyiv coach, Anatoliy Demyanenko, was given a vote of confidence by club president Ihor Surkis, but there can be no doubt that the former is under huge pressure to deliver at home and abroad.

IDEAL LINE UP: Shovkovskyi, Nesmachnyi, Diakhate, Gavrancic, Markovic, Mikhalik, Husiev, Diogo Rincon, Michael, Correa, Shatskikh

THE VERDICT: If they had succeeded in their bid to bring Kyiv legend Andriy Shevchenko back on loan, they would have been given hope in the Champions League. Without him, they will bow out early.
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MANCHESTER UNITED (English champions)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1968, 1999


THE LOW DOWN: United appeared to be back at the top table of European football as they went so close to glory in last season's Champions League, while regaining the league title in England.

A summer of lavish spending should have put Sir tender Alex Ferguson's men in prime position to challenge on all front, but some misfortune at the start of their domestic season put them on the back foot and it will be fascinating to see if they can recover some composure.

TECHNICAL AREA: There is nothing left in the game for Ferguson to learn and many believe the 65-year-old is extending his career in a bid to land the second Champions League crown to cement his legend.

A 4-4-2 man when he goes at teams in the Premiershit, his tendency to play with a lone front man in Europe has not always been successful, so he may opt for the more attacking approach that helped United to record a famous 7-1 win against Roma in last season's quarter-finals.

Finding the right balance in a midfield with classy options such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Nani, Anderson, Owen Hargreaves and Michael Carrick will not be easy.

WOW FACTOR: Ronaldo took time to prove he had the ability to sparkle in the Champions League, but he answered all his critics last season as he added some much needed maturity to his sublime natural talent.

The skills of new-boys Nani and Carlos Tevez gives Ferguson additional attacking options, but United can never be accused of lacking panache. The most thrilling side in European football last season, their determination to entertain sometimes comes at the expense of defensive duties.

THE BIG BUY: As AC Milan ended United's Champions League challenge at the semi-final stage last season, all observers suggested they were lacking a gutsy midfielder to compare with Genaro Gattuso, the Italian who had such a dominant game in the San Siro rain that night.

Ferguson has tried to remedy that weakness by signing England midfielder Owen Hargreaves for £17m from Bayern Munich and while the fee seems more than a little weighty, this diminutive powerhouse performer will not let United down. Bursting with energy and determination, the Canadian-born star has won this competition before and wants another winners medal.

THE TENDER SPOT: There is always a suspicion that United's defence will give you a chance in a game and against the best sides in Europe, one mistake can be fatal.

Centre-back Rio Ferdinand can look like a world beater at times, but he has a tendency to lose concentration from time to time and while partner Nemanja Vidic is brave as they come, his determination to get stuck in often leads to yellow cards and injuries. The pair were badly missed when they were injured at a crucial phase of last season and time will tell whether United are better equipped to cope this time.

United also look to be short of a body in the striking department after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's unfortunate retirement and early season injuries to Wayne Rooney and Louis Saha gave Ferguson major concerns. United are a real threat at full strength, but they cannot afford too many injuries up front.

HOT GOSSIP: Tottenham's Bulgarian hit-man Dimitar Berbatov looks set to end up at Old Trafford and if his current club struggle in the first half of this season, a January move can not be ruled out.

The other big transfer talking point of the summer in England also featured United and while some of the game's luminaries have a problem with Tevez moving from club to club without ever being 'owned' by those paying his wages, there is little doubt that the stocky Argentine hit-man is good enough to be playing on a Champions League stage.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Van der Sar, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra, Hargreaves, Giggs, Scholes, Ronaldo, Rooney, Tevez

THE VERDICT: A strong early showing in the Champions League should compensate a slow start to their domestic season and United deserve to be placed among the favourites for the title this time around.
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ROMA (Italian league runners-up)

Champions League pedigree: Runners-up 1984, quarter-finalists 2007


THE LOW DOWN: Roma threatened to make a real impact in last season's Champions League as they established a quarter-final first leg advantage against Manchester United. With Italian teams famed for their hard working defensive abilities, heading to England with a narrow lead looked like the ideal scenario for Luciano Spalletti's men, but they were thrashed out of sight and the astonishing 7-1 final scoreline did not flatter United in the slightest.

That single result tarnished a campaign that provided signs of real progress for Roma, with their second place finish in a disrupted Serie A title race a decent effort. They also managed to add an Italian Cup triumph to their list of achievements last season and they started this term with a morale boosting Italian Super Cup win against champions Inter.

TECHNICAL AREA: Like several top managers in the modern game, Spalletti's playing career was nothing to write home about, but he has excelled since assuming a role on the touchline.

His tactics at Roma have to evolve around getting the best out of Totti, whose influence at the club has long been more significant than any coach. A 4-2-3-1 formation gives the club skipper the support he needs to look his best and on the evidence of that game against Manchester United last season, more resolute defending will be required this time.

WOW FACTOR: Thoughts of Roma rarely come to the mind without an image of skipper and talisman, Francesco Totti. For so long, he has been a faltering enigma of the Italian national team and he decided to call time on his international career this summer as a result, but he can do no wrong in the eye of his adoring Giallorossi faithful.

He will have been stung by the manner of his side's defeat at Old Trafford last season and will want to make a more lasting mark on the Champions League. Employed in a free role, he is given license to drop back and get involved in build-up play, while also being expected to be at the cutting edge of Roma's attacks.

THE BIG BUY: Plenty of top clubs showed an interest in French winger Ludovic Giuly when he was made available by Barcelona during the summer, but Roma were quickest to make the 31-year-old an offer than caught his eye.

Boasting bags of experience and a fine Champions League pedigree, he was a Finalist in this competition with Monaco in 2004 and a winner with Barcelona in 2006, Giuly will give Roma's attacking thrusts real purpose down the flanks.

THE TENDER SPOT: Brazilian defender Juan joined Roma in the off-season and he will help to fill a hole in the defensive line after the departure of Christian Chivu to Serie A title rivals Internazionale. However, only time will tell whether the new-face is as solid and reliable as the departed rock.

There must also be some serious question marks over whether Roma's star names can banish the memory of their harrowing 7-1 thumping against Manchester United last season. Coach Spalletti was quick to proclaim his delighted at being drawn alongside United in this group phase, but can they really bounce back from such a humbling and give the English champions a genuine test?

HOT GOSSIP: Totti's impressive season last time around silenced the doubters who feel he dominates the Roma dressing room a little too much, but the aging forward will not be able to repeat his heroics for long. Spalletti has to pick him for every game whatever his form and that kind of pressure is unwelcome for any coach.

Roma coach Spalletti was furious at the Serie A fixture list which sees his side square off against all of their main rivals in quick succession. If they are distracted by domestic priorities, their Champions League challenge may be overlooked.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Doni, Pannuci, Juan, Mexes, Tonetto, De Rossi, Pizarro, Perrott, Giuly, Totti, Vucinic

THE VERDICT: They should be good enough to see off Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kyiv to secure a place in the last-16. Don't expect too much beyond that.
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SPORTING LISBON (Portuguese League runners-up)

Champions League pedigree - Group stage: 1997/98, 2006/07


THE LOWDOWN: Not surprisingly for a club boasting one of the best academies in Europe, Sporting had the youngest squad in the Champions League last season. Unfortunately, their fresh-faced exuberance was no match for the more worldly-wise Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Moscow Spartak.

A single win - albeit an impressive triumph at home to Inter - was all they could muster and they could have no complaints about finishing last in their group.

Every Lions fan was desperately sad to see goalkeeping hero Ricardo and brilliant young winger Nani lured away by Real Betis and Manchester United respectively and even though new faces have flooded in, the consensus of opinion was that it was a case of quantity rather than quality through the in door.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: The youngest coach in the Portuguese League, 38-year-old Paulo Bento took over from Jose Peseiro midway through the 2005/06 season. Critics pointed to the fact that the former Portuguese international defensive midfielder had never led a pro club before, but Bento immediately proved to be made of the right managerial stuff. He demonstrated a sound grasp of tactical matters and natural leadership qualities as he steered the Lions to the runners-up spot in the domestic league.

Often likened to Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho because of his bold choices, Bento's Sporting play a 4-4-2 system, characterised by its compactness, midfield diamond and neat passing triangles. Inevitably for someone who was once the club's youth team coach, he never hesitates to give a first team chance to rookies.

THE WOW FACTOR: The midfield quarter, especially Miguel Veloso and Joao Moutinho, offer real invention for Sporting. The former is a highly intelligent defensive midfielder of no little tactical acumen and athletic ability, while Moutinho is a junior version of Barcelona's Deco, dynamic with exceptional distribution skills.

Main striker, the Brazilian Liedson is one of football's born predators, always on the look out for a chance and lightning-fast in his reactions in the box. 'Liedshow' has been the top scorer in the Portuguese League for the past three seasons and will be desperate to prove himself on a bigger stage.

Then throw into the mix Brazilian central defender Anderson Polga. He may lack a little pace, but more than makes up for it with an astute football brain, good positioning and physical durability.

THE BIG BUY: Russian midfielder Marat Izmailov is only on loan for the season from Lokomotiv Moscow, but no doubt he will be pulling out all the stops to make western Europe sit up and take notice of his talents.

The 25-year-old nominally lines up on the left-side, but Izmailov is even more productive if allowed to take his flair and creativity all over the pitch. He was just 18 when first called up to the full Russian side in 2001, only five months after making his bow as a professional for Lokomotiv.

Also coming into the Sporting squad are Slovak left-back Marian Had (Ex-Lokomotiv Moscow), Serb keeper Vladimir Stojkovic (Nantes), Brazilian defenders Gladstone (Cruzeiro) and Pedro Silva (Corinthians) and Montenegrin midfielder Simon Vukcevic from Russian side Saturn. Time will tell whether the new-faces have the quality to excel at Champions League level.

THE TENDER SPOT: New keeper Vladimir Stojkovic is no Ricardo. The Serb moved from Red Star Belgrade to French club Nantes a year ago, only to be dropped within weeks.

The Brazilian frontrunner Derlei has lost his way since starring in the FC Porto side which won back to back UEFA Cup and Champions League in 2003 and 2004, so Yannick may be a better bet.

Argentine playmaker Leandro Romagnoli, who has earned praise from a certain Diego Maradona, has an abundance of gifts, but can be infuriatingly inconsistent.

HOT GOSSIP: Watch out for the latest class act off the Sporting production line: young French-born midfielder Adrien Silva is tipped to make a splash as a super-sub in the Champions League and he could be the next sporting player to attract the attentions of Europe's elite clubs.

IDEAL LINE UP: Stojkovic, Ronny, Gladstone, Anderson Polga, Abel, Miguel Veloso, Joao Moutinho, Izmailov, Romagnoli, Liedson, Derlei

THE VERDICT: Coach Bento will tell anyone who listens that the loss of Ricardo and Nani is a blow his side can overcome, but few believe him. The Lions will not be roaring in December.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group G
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


CSKA MOSCOW (Russian champions)

Champions League pedigree: Group stage: 2004/05, 2005/06, 2006/07


THE LOWDOWN: CSKA would do well to savour every moment of this campaign as they are very unlikely to be in the next phase. After going top of the Russian Premiershit at the end of May, they have since slumped badly and it will take a Herculean effort for them to qualify for the Champions League via a top-two finish.

One of the main reasons why the former army club have gone off the boil is their terrible luck with injuries. Their brilliant young goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev damaged cruciate ligaments in his left-knee this spring and is almost certain to miss the Champions League group phase. As for Brazilian play maker Daniel Carvalho, he has been out with knee trouble for several months too and faces a race against time to be fit.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: A prolific striker for Dynamo Moscow in the 1970s and 80s, Valeri Gazzayev has enjoyed much success as a coach, first with Alania Vladikavkaz, whom he steered to the Russian title in 1995, then CSKA (league titles in 2003, 2005 and 2006 and the 2005 UEFA Cup).

Gazzayev is an advocate of high-tempo attacking football. He places much emphasis on penetration on the flanks and gives total freedom to Carvalho to roam where his instincts take him. Gazzayev will switch from a three to a four-man defence according to the opposition.

THE WOW FACTOR: Carvalho's vision, ability to pick out an incisive through-ball and lively imagination, not to mention his superb free-kicks, are CSKA's trump cards. Never mind that he is all left-foot, because without him CSKA are not half the team.

The Brazilian strike-force of Vagner Love and Jo are also crucial. Good in the air, a mazy dribbler and unselfish, Jo has been a revelation since arriving from Corinthians in early 2006. As for the maverick Vagner Love, his tricks and speed make him a very slippery customer and European nights bring the best out of him. Their back-up, the young Pole Dawid Janczyk - who signed this summer from Legia Warsaw - has the potential to make an impact too.

CSKA's continuity in team selection is another plus. The bulk of their side has been together for years, so it's no surprise that their play is fluid and the fact that the Russian Championship began in March means they are up to full speed already at this time of the year.

THE BIG BUY: The Muscovites recently sealed a deal to bring in the much-vaunted Brazilian right-back or wing-back Eduardo Ratinho from Corinthians on loan. The 20-year-old brims over with energy and application, but it is his work going forward, which really catches the eye. His blinding acceleration, dexterity on the ball and accurate crossing are impressive and the cherries on his cake are cunningly flighted direct free-kicks.

THE TENDER SPOT: Their defence is a little sluggish. The likes of Sergei Ignashevich and brothers Alexei and Vasiliy Berezutsky are all imposing physically, strong in the air and combative, but they can be exposed by the sort of speedy strikers they will come up against on a regular basis in the Champions League.

If Daniel Carvalho does not make it, CSKA will struggle for creativity. Wide midfielders Yuri Zhirkov and the Serb Milos Krasic are fast and skilful, but do not possess Carvalho's charisma or magical powers of invention. Also, Akinfeev's absence leaves a big hole in goal and stand-in Veniamin Mandrikin is inevitably of inferior quality.

HOT GOSSIP: Jo, Vagner Love, Daniel Carvalho and Krasic have all been the subject of transfer speculation in recent times. Club president Evgeni Giner stresses they are not for sale, but how unsettled have these CSKA headliners become in the process. With so much unrest in the camp, a successful Champions League push seems unrealistic.

IDEAL LINE UP: Mandrikin, A Berezutsky, Ignashevich, V Berezutsky, Aldonin, Eduardo, Ratinho, Zhirkov, Krasic, Daniel Carvalho, Jo, Vagner Love

THE VERDICT: Low on confidence at the moment, it may be a case of six group games and out. It's hard to see them causing too many upsets outside of their Moscow power base.
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FENERBAHCE (Turkish champions)

Champions League pedigree - Group stage: 1996/97, 2004/05, 2005/06


THE LOWDOWN: President Aziz Yildrim has not poured money into the club simply to win domestic titles in 2001, 2004, 2005 and 2007. He craves continental respectability and that means finally achieving his dream of a spot in the knock-out rounds of the Champions League.

Nor is Yildrim the only one with grandiose plans for the team known as 'The Canaries'. With an estimated 25 million supporters both in Istanbul, the Turkish provinces and scattered around Europe, Fener have a massive following who will demand success in this, their centenary season.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: One of Brazil's greatest-ever players and nicknamed the 'White Pele' during his glory days in the late 1970s and 80s, Zico was handed the Fener hot-seat in July 2006 following the departure of Christoph Daum.

Aziz Yildrim was taking something of a risk as the Brazilian had never coached in Europe before, only having worked in Japan at Kashima Antlers and with the national team, whom he led at the 2006 World Cup finals. The critics went to town early, yet a 2007 championship win silenced their scepticism.

True to his Brazilian roots, Zico favours a fluid short-passing game and gives his players full licence to express themselves. There is however a decidedly unromantic side to his coaching persona: the tactical discipline he expects from his 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 formations and his repeated calls for his men to keep going until the final whistle. Critics don't like his rotation policy, but it works.

THE WOW FACTOR: The wonderful left-foot of tender Alex, the Brazilian who can play in a conventional playmaking role or up front, is a joy to behold. He may be small of stature, but his technical class and finishing nous are gargantuan. Fener got themselves a bargain when they paid Cruzeiro just £3million for him in 2004.

Their great strength in depth is also an asset. Already this season, so-called reserves such as attacker Colin Kazim-Richards - bought from Sheffield United this summer - central defender Yasin Cakmak, midfielders Ali Bilgin and Kemal Aslan and striker Semih Senturk have come in and done a sterling job.

Then you can throw in the magnificent all-round contribution in central midfield of Aurelio, who offers leadership, sound distribution and intensity. Born in Brazil, he became the first naturalised Turk to play for their national team in 2006.

THE BIG BUY: After eleven years starring at Real Madrid, Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos opted to decamp to Fener, citing his desire to work with Zico as one of the reasons for his choice.

Now 34, the great left-back might be regarded as being past his prime, but if the early part of this season is anything to go by, he has lost none of formidable attacking qualities or immense will to win.

THE TENDER SPOT: They will miss the speed of Tuncay Sanli on the left-flank after his move to English side Middlesbrough. Replacement Tumer Metin is skilful and a good team man, but does not have the same gung-ho flair. Despite being a striker by vocation, the Brazilian Deivid is employed by Zico in a right-sided attacking midfield role, a position he seems ill-suited to.

Keeper Volkan Demirel is never far away from a gaffe and has the Fener faithful living on their nerves. A few years ago, his form was good enough to supplant Turkish international Rustu Recber between the Fenerbahce posts, but Volkan has failed to confirm this early promise.

Serb striker Mateja Kezman did not make the grade at Chelsea and is in danger of going the same way at Fener. Quick and always willing but too clumsy in front of goal.

HOT GOSSIP: On the first weekend of this term, Fener sensationally lost to newly promoted Belediyespor and word began to spread that Zico's job was on the line. Ex-Real Madrid boss Fabio Capello and Ersun Yanal were said to be in the frame to take over.

Ghanian midfielder Stephen Appiah, who is currently honing his fitness after a summer knee operation, is rumoured to be unsettled and keen to move to Schalke in the German Bundesliga.

IDEAL LINE UP: Volkan, Roberto Carlos, Edu, Lugano, Onder, Aurelio, Appiah, Tumer, Deivid, tender Alex, Kezman

THE VERDICT: Insufficient firepower should extinguish their aspirations at the earliest stage.
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INTERNAZIONALE (Italian champions)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1964, 1965


THE LOW DOWN: After romping to glory in the most uninspiring and tarnished Italian title race in history last season, Inter get their chance to prove that Serie A dominance was down to their class as much as the Calciopoli scandal that helped to make their success so comfortable.

Defeat at the last 16 stage against Valencia last time did little to silence the doubters who questioned their abilities and the unseemly mass brawl at the end of the tie in Spain was arguably the most memorable moment of their entire season. What cannot be doubted is that this Inter side have the strength in depth to do much better this time.

TECHNICAL AREA: Roberto Mancini's achievement in lifting the Serie A title last season did not receive the plaudits he might have expected as Italian football was still reeling from the match fixing shame. He will certainly prove his worth if he emerges as a winner in this competition come May.

A 4-4-2 man, he has proved himself to be an inventive and versatile coach when the need arises, with the move to employ Luis Figo in central midfield last season proving to be a major triumph and his man management skills also seem to be spot on. Getting the best out of Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proved to be a task beyond many a top manager down the years, but Mancini managed to get him firing last season.

WOW FACTOR: The enigma who goes by the name of Ibrahimovic has found a home for his talents and he possesses the cutting edge Inter will need in this competition. On top form throughout last season, he loves performing on the big stage.

Also look out for revived Portuguese veteran Luis Figo, who has been excelling at the heart of the Inter midfield. His pace may have gone, but his class is still shining through.

The other big tick in the Inter box is the vast squad Mancini has at his disposal. Many sides in the Champions League would struggle without certain key men, but the nerazzurri look to be well covered for every eventuality.

THE BIG BUY: David Suazo's move to Inter was as complicated as any transfer in Europe this summer and finished up with an investigation from the Italian authorities, but he may well be worth the hassle. A proven Serie A scorer during his time with Cagliari, he now gets a chance to test himself against Europe's best.

Romanian Christian Chivu arrives from Roma and should add some defensive solidity, while Colombian Nelson Rivas has the class to make his mark after his move from River Plate.

THE TENDER SPOT: The alarming pre-season blood clot suffered by veteran defender Marco Matterazzi has hit Inter hard and they will miss his goals as well as his strength at the back. Mancini may have plenty of defensive back-up and Chivu will do a good job, but Matterazzi is his leader-in-chief.

With so many star names in the squad, Mancini will have a tough task keeping them all happy. Internal discontent with grumpy star names grumbling behind the coach's back is never a recipe for success.

HOT GOSSIP: What can be done with Adriano? The former 'next big thing' of Brazilian football has become little more than a piece of heavy baggage at Inter and despite their concerted attempts to offload him during the summer, he is still hanging around in Mancini's squad.

Omitted from Inter's Champions League squad list, it is blatantly clear that his over-inflated ego has no place in Mancini's plans, but he could still be a disruptive influence with his occasional outbursts in the media.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Julio Cesar, Maxwell, Chivu, Cordoba, Maicon, Vieira, Dacourt, Stankovic, Figo, Ibrahimovic, Suazo

THE VERDICT: With bags of experience and proven match winners throughout their squad, Inter should emerge as serious contenders for the Champions League crown. However, they need to find the right balance and prove they can convert domestic form onto the bigger stage.
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PSV EINDHOVEN (Dutch champions)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1988


THE LOW DOWN: A run to last season's quarter-finals exceeded all expectations for PSV, with their ousting of Arsenal at the last-16 stage handing them a major scalp. However, the departures of defensive king-pin tender Alex to Chelsea, midfield veteran Phillip Cocu to the UAE and striker Arouna Kone to Sevilla ,leaves coach Ronald Koeman with a rebuilding job in this new campaign.

Without the finances or talent to compete with the elite of the European game, the side who snatched the Dutch title from Ajax and AZ Alkmaar in the most dramatic fashion possible back in April are something of an unknown quantity in this season's Champions League.

TECHNICAL AREA: After a tough spell in charge at Ajax, Koeman's standing as a coach has risen dramatically in his two years at the PSV Eindhoven helm and he has done a great job in filling the considerable boots of Guus Hiddink. This former Holland and Barcelona defensive maestro is a cool customer on the touchline.

Preferring a 4-4-2 line-up against the majority of opponents, he has been known to take a more adventurous approach against some of the lesser lights in the Dutch league.

WOW FACTOR: Jefferson Farfan has long been tipped to excel at the highest levels of the game and it seemed as if his time at PSV Eindhoven may be up after he was linked with a move to Spain during the summer, but this 22-year-old Peruvian scoring machine remains at the heart of Koeman's plans. He had formed a fine striking partnership with Arouna Kone, only for the Ivory Coast man to join Sevilla just before the transfer window closed.

Cocu could never be described as providing the glitz in the PSV side, but his brand of hard working industry made them tick and the tag of unsung hero will now be passed to the reliable Timmy Simons.

THE BIG BUY: The departure of Kone left a hole in Ronald Koeman's squad and he has attempted to fill it with the signing of AZ Alkmaar's Dutch international striker, Danny Koevermans. With experience to go with a decent track record, he should be a decent foil for the gifted Farfan.

Koevermans is joined by fellow new-arrivals Kenneth Perez (Ajax) and Danko Lazovic (Vitesse) and PSV were also active in signing up some South American talent in the shape of Brazilians Jonathan Reis, Cassio Ramos and Fagner. All will take time to settle, but they offer an exciting mix of flair. Lazovic, especially, has impressed early on.

THE TENDER SPOT: Their record on the road in the Champions League is not impressive and a lack of goals has also let them down at times. Those two areas will need to be solved if PSV are to emerge as anything other than nuisance value to the giants they will come up against.

Their other difficulty this season will be finding out which players are up to the task at Champions League level. So many of Koeman's revamped PSV side are new to this competition and they may just make their mistakes in the full glare of the watching millions.

HOT GOSSIP: Linked with managerial positions at Manchester City and Tottenham in recent weeks, Ronald Koeman is a manager in demand. The Dutch great has opted to commit himself to PSV so far, but if a big club do come calling during the Champions League campaign, he may take the bait.

Star man Farfan is far from fully fit for the start of the Champions League effort and if PSV fail to get off to a decent start, they could be up against it in the battle to match last season's impressive run.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Gomes, Kromkamp, Addo, Salcido, Da Costa, Zonneveld, Simons, Mendez, Afellay, Farfan, Lazovic

THE VERDICT: Fortunate to make the quarter-finals last time, Koeman will need to produce a miracle to repeat that run this time. However, they have a decent group stage draw, so PSV could still be in the competition after Christmas.

[vtec]

Champions League 2007/8, Group H
Kevin Palmer and Nick Bidwell


ARSENAL (4th in English league)

Champions League pedigree: Finalists 2006


THE LOW DOWN: The reverberations following Thierry Henry's £16million departure to Barcelona during the summer are only just beginning to subside around Arsene Wenger's squad, with the players and the manager Henry left behind appreciating the reality that they have a massive point to prove.

The Frenchman's brilliance carried Arsenal through many a tight game during his eight glorious years in north London, but it now falls to the likes of Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas to fill the Frenchman's considerable shoes. However, Wenger hopes his young Gunners team find it easier to perform when all the eyes are not just focused on one brilliant individual.

TECHNICAL AREA: Wenger has done a remarkable job in turning Arsenal into consistent Champions League contenders, but he has yet to take the final step he craves by winning the one trophy that has eluded him in his stunning decade of achievement as Arsenal boss.

A 4-4-2 man, Wenger's gospel promotes an open flowing style that rarely fails to entertain. He relies on his team producing brilliance to break down opponents rather than taking a hard-working route and when plan A works, Arsenal are the best team in Europe to watch. However, they need to develop a plan B to overcome teams who shut up shop at the Emirates Stadium.

WOW FACTOR: Wenger's willingness to offload Henry may have been partly due to the faith he has in Dutch striker Robin van Persie. Long compared to compatriot and Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp, this brilliantly gifted forward struggled with injuries last season, but his combination of silky flair and finishing ability should come to the fore this season.

Wenger will also look to the sublime Fabregas to dictate play and even though he is a novice in terms of years, the 20-year-old Spaniard is experienced enough on the field to confirm himself as one of Europe's finest midfield players in the months ahead.

THE BIG BUY: Arsenal were keen to make a signing who did not look like a direct replacement for Henry and in capturing Brazilian-born Croatian international Eduardo, they struck the perfect balance. He may have cost around £9.5m, but will face a battle to oust Emmanuel Adebayor and Van Persie from their starting berths and the lower expectations around him will help him settle.

The arrival of French international full-back Bacary Sagna may also be a crucial to Arsenal's hopes as this blonde haired performer is more reliable that the often hot-headed Emmanuel Eboue.

THE TENDER SPOT: Arsenal's determination to carve out the perfect goal is an infuriating and unprofessional flaw in their make-up that they seem reluctant to kick. The Gunners often spurn the chance to shoot in favour of another pass and against Europe's best, they will need to be more clinical.

Wenger has also failed to find a solution to his side's ongoing difficulties defending set-pieces. Keeping captain William Gallas fully fit would help in that respect, but opponents know they have a soft centre when they drop corners or free-kicks into the heart of Arsenal's penalty area.

HOT GOSSIP: Speculation over Wenger's long-term future at Arsenal has been rife all summer and it all stems from the club's decision to sack his friend and colleague, David Dein, from his influential role as vice-Chairman back in March.

Henry's departure was a major blow for Gunners fans, but all concerned appreciate the damage Wenger's departure would cause and with or without an extended contract, his plans will depend on the form of his team on the field as well as the ongoing rumours of a take over at boardroom level. Off-field issues may well effect the team at some point this season.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Lehmann, Sagna, Toure, Gallas, Clichy, Fabregas, Gilberto, Rosicky, Hleb, Van Persie, Adebayor

THE VERDICT: Wenger rejects the claim that that this is a transitional year after Henry's exit, but it would be too much for this youthful team to end Arsenal's wait for Champions League glory this time around. Getting into the last eight would be a decent achievement.
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SEVILLA (3rd in Spanish league)

Champions League pedigree: Debut appearance in competition


THE LOW DOWN: They may be novices when it comes to the Champions League, but only a fool would dismiss the threat Sevilla will pose to Europe's established elite this season.

Coach Juande Ramos has built an attractive and effective team in his time at the Andalusia-based club and their impressive back-to-back UEFA Cup wins in 2006 and 2007 mean they arrived on the Champions League stage as strong contenders from the off. With bags of European experience to call upon and a decent group stage draw, they will be a side to watch in the second half of the competition.

TECHNICAL AREA: Juande Ramos hit the headlines in August as he apparently turned down the chance to take over as Tottenham Hotspur manager and it's easy to see why he stayed loyal to the club that has allowed him to establish a reputation as one of Europe's finest coaches.

Combining entertainment with a cutting edge, Sevilla's 4-4-2 line-up has overpowered some of the biggest name in Europe over the past couple of years and it will be fascinating to see how Ramos and his team fair after making a step up to face the game's true giants.

WOW FACTOR: Fredi Kanoute has been a storming success in his two years as the club's leading forward and even though there were rumours linking him with a move back to England during the summer, the leggy forward was more than content to stay at Sevilla and signed a new contract to prove as much. Bursting with pace and skill, he is a handful for any defender.

The other key man in the Sevilla game plan is Danish playmaker, Christian Poulsen. Capable of dictating a game from the centre of the park, his all-round ability has been crucial to the Juande Ramos success story and has won widespread praise from the Spanish media since his move from Schalke in 2006.

THE BIG BUY: It looked as if Sevilla would be benefitting from a cash windfall as the transfer saga surrounding defender Daniel Alves seemed destined to end with a big money move, but Juande Ramos didn't get the chance to spend big as he might have expected as the proposed transfer fell through.

Instead, Sevilla invested in potential by signing Milan midfielder Seydou Keita and Belgian winger Tom De Mul. Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz arrived on loan from Chelsea.

THE TENDER SPOT: The tragic passing of Sevilla star Antonio Puerta stunned the football world and it would be natural for all who played alongside the likeable Spaniard to be left reeling by his loss. Yet Ramos and his players owe it to their fallen team mate to excel in the Champions League so Sevilla's pain may just give them divine inspiration.

They tend to rely heavily on Kanoute to finish off their neat passing football, so they may have a problem if the big striker was out for a considerable period of time.

HOT GOSSIP: After a summer of frenzied transfer speculation, Daniel Alves was forced to accept that he will be staying at Sevilla for the first half of this season at least.

The Brazilian's price tag of around £25m scared off the advances of Real Madrid and Chelsea, but it is easy to see why they were so keen to land this brilliant attack-minded full-back. Ramos now has to get this Brazilian's mind back on the job for Sevilla and if he shines in the Champions League, Alves' stock should rise again.

The future of the coach must also be in doubt as he is known to want to manage in England and may yet end up at Tottenham at some point during the season. If the inspirational Ramos leaves, it would be a hammer blow Sevilla couldn't recover from.

IDEAL LINE-UP: Palop, Hinkle, Dragutinovic, Escude, Alves, Navas, Poulsen, Keita, Adriano, Fabiano, Kanoute

THE VERDICT: Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is among those who believes Sevilla are real contenders for the Champions League prize and it would be quite a story if these rookies could lift the trophy in honour of the sadly departed Antonio Puerta.
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SLAVIA PRAGUE (Czech League runners-up)

Champions League pedigree: Debut appearance in competition


THE LOWDOWN: After failing five times in the qualifying round, Slavia have finally made it to the Champions League, clinching their spot with shock home and away victories over Ajax. Not bad for a team made up of raw youngsters, old hands in their twilight years and the odd low profile import.

Even more remarkably, Slavia achieved it without their two best midfielders from last season - the Slovak Dusan Svento is out for six months with a serious knee injury, while skipper Lukas Jarolim left for Italian outfit Siena.

To back up their optimism that they can make a good fist of this competition, Slavia players and officials like to point to the 1995/96 season when they managed to reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup against all the odds, beating Italian giants Roma along the way.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: Slavia have a long tradition of employing an inventive short-passing game and though coach Karel Jarolim has been at pains to maintain the style content since being appointed in 2005, he has been busy in grafting a 'they shall not pass' attitude. He usually goes with a 4-4-2 formation, though a one-striker option may well be used on perilous-looking away days.

A former Czech international midfielder, Jarolim is in his second spell as Slavia boss and has also worked at FC Slovacko and at French club Strasbourg, where he was the number two to Ivan Hasek. His sons Lukas and Davis are both current professionals at Siena and Hamburg.

THE WOW FACTOR: Despite the recruitment of ten new players this summer, Slavia are certainly not lacking in togetherness, with everyone prepared to go that extra mile for a team mate.

Young guns such as central defender Marek Suchy and attacking midfielder Petr Janda, both of whom starred in the Czech Republic's surprise second-place finish at this year's under-20 World Cup, have impressed. A number of top European sides are reported to be following Suchy's progress closely, while Janda's long-striding runs form a vital part of the team's counter-attacking strategy.

The opportunism of striker Stanislav Vlcek, who scored both goals in the 2-1 victory over Ajax in the second-leg of the qualifiers is also crucial to them. He joined the club in 2004 after stints at Bohemians Prague, Olomouc, Ceske Budejovice and Dinamo Moscow.

THE BIG BUY: Eleven years after leaving Slavia for Lens in France, veteran midfielder Vladimir Smicer is back in the famous red and white halved shirt and hopes that his return to the Czech League will rekindle his national team aspirations. Capped 81 times, he has not played representative football since a World Cup play-off against Norway in November 2005.

Besides two tours of duty with Slavia, he has also turned out for Bordeaux and Liverfekkin'wankscum, for whom he scored a memorable long-range goal in the comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final.

THE TENDER SPOT: Smicer himself. Although he is sure to be a influential dressing room presence, has great creative ability and can play in a variety of positions in the middle of the park, the fact remains that he has always been plagued by injuries.

The general lack of Champions League know-how in the camp is also a worry. There is no substitute for it. For example, new French midfielder Mickael Tavares has talent, but experience of the Gallic Second Division with Tours will not cut much ice at this infinitely higher level.

In addition, they are too reliant on Vlcek up front. Other forwards such as the Slovak Milan Ivana, the Brazilian Gaucho and Zdenek Senkerik all have their faults. Left-back Frantisek Drizdal has his limitations too.

HOT GOSSIP: Slavia looked ready to hit the panic button when first-choice keeper Michal Vorel badly injured his knee in pre-season, but they need not have worried. His replacement, the 36-year-old Martin Vaniak - who arrived from SIAD Most - has proved a lifesaver especially when saving a penalty in the first-leg with Ajax.

Smicer has been promised a management role here when he eventually retires from the game.

IDEAL LINE UP: Varnik, Drizdal, Brabec, Suchy, Krajcik, Kalivoda, Tavares, Smicer, Janda, Vlcek, Senkerik

THE VERDICT: They have no chance of progress, but at least they can lord it over local rivals Sparta, who did not qualify this time.


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STEAUA BUCHAREST (Romanian champions)

Champions League pedigree: European Champions 1986, runners-up 1989


THE LOWDOWN: The glory days of the 1980s when Steaua beat Barcelona on penalties in the 1986 Final and were runners-up to AC Milan three years later are long gone and are unlikely to return.

For all the ambitious words of outspoken club owner Gigi Becali, deep down he must know that his side are simply not competing in the same ball park as the cash-rich G14 outfits and that they have already achieved their only realistic goal by seeing off BATE Borisov of Belarus in the third qualifying round. Now it's all a matter of respectability, not embarrassing themselves against the big boys.

THE TECHNICAL AREA: No one could accuse coach Gheorghe Hagi of lacking passion. On the sidelines, the former Romania, Steaua, Barcelona and Real Madrid No.10 is total animation, bellowing instructions, loudly bemoaning refereeing decisions he does not agree with and berating his own men, a trait which a number of his players do not take kindly too. Prior to his arrival at Steaua this summer, Hagi was in charge of the Romanian national team, Bursaspor and Galatasaray in Turkey and Politehnica Timisoara.

A world-class playmaker if ever there was one, Hagi's philosophy as a coach is a surprising 'what we have, we hold' approach, based on soaking up opposition attacks and then hitting them on the break. The cautious way he sets out his 4-4-2 formation, has not pleased some sections of the Steaua faithful.

THE WOW FACTOR:The goal scoring ability of striker Nicolae Dica, who hit five in last season's Champions League, is their trump card. The ex-Arges Pitesti front-man is an extraordinarily-gifted all-rounder; a mazy dribbler, sensational from free-kicks and packing a rocket-like shot. He may well be on the move to western Europe come the New Year.

Steaua have no worries about the centre of their defence with Sorin Ghionea and Dorin Goian on duty as both read the game well, are monsters in the air and are physically intimidating. Goian has a reputation for going up the other end to head home set-pieces.

Also look out for the excellence in midfield of skipper Mirel Radoi and Banel Nicolta. The former who can also play centre-back if required, always gives value for money as the midfield enforcer and finds time to serve as the springboard for their counter-attacks. The right-sided Nicolita is a huge crowd favourite thanks to his never-say-die spirit and directness.

THE BIG BUY: One of Gheorghe Hagi's first acts as Steaua boss was to return to old club Timisoara to sign central or left-sided midfielder Mihaita Plesan, who cost close to £1million. The 24-year-old Romanian international is not only hard-working and creative, as he proved when scoring in his country's 5-1 humiliation of Germany in a 2004 friendly, but he also has a fearsome shot from distance.

The Steaua side which won against all the odds in 1986 was 100 per-cent Romanian and Gigi Becali declared earlier this summer that he intended to make his side a foreigner free-zone too. That is easier said than done and ultimately Becali had no qualms about crossing frontiers to bring in Nigerian left-back Iefananyi Emeghara (ex-Timisoara), Polish right-back Pawel Golanski (Kielce) and Colombian keeper Robinson Zapata (Cucuta Deportvo).

THE TENDER SPOT: Flamboyant new keeper Zapata has great reflexes, but can be erratic, particularly prone to making injudicious rushes off his line.

Their dependence on Radoi and Dica is a concern and if they are absent, Steaua are very much rudderless, desperately short of drive, leadership and finishing power.

HOT GOSSIP: Owner Becali and coach Hagi are already reported to be at each other's throats. Hagi was miffed to hear the chairman second-guessing his team selections and tactics, while Becali slammed Hagi as 'spoilt'. The fragile relationship between two such big egos is bound to explode at some point.

Emeghara, a boyhood friend of Newcastle striker Obafemi Martins, recently had a scare when a medical revealed a larger than normal heart. After extensive tests, he was given the green light to carry on playing.

IDEAL LINE UP: Zapata, Emeghara, Goian, Ghionea, Golanski, Radoi, Plesan, Croitoru, Nicolita, Dica, Iacob

THE VERDICT: Hagi's strained relations with his chairman and certain players does not augur well. Over and out.

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