No other group in the UEFA Champions League looks as straightforward as Group C. Manchester United, losing finalists in two of the last three seasons, will already be looking ahead after drawing Benfica, FC Basel and tiny FC Otelul Galati of Romania. Sir Alex Ferguson, the long-serving United manager, should be able to rotate fresh players in and out of his team for the six games of the group stage and still come out on top. He has a deep squad, with at least two players for every position. The only weakness the English champions have shown so far is some nervous moments from young Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea.
Fortunately for the Red Devils, the team boasts a long list of international players with experience in the Champions League, World Cup, Copa America, and Euro Championships. Led by English star Wayne Rooney, goal scoring won’t be a problem. He is joined by young Danny Welbeck as well as Dimitar Berbetov, Nani, Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Ryan Giggs and Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez in a dynamic and flexible attack. With young defenders like Phil Jones and Chris Smalling giving cover to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, this club is suited for a long campaign on multiple fronts.
Benfica first won the old European Cup fifty years ago. That was before players moved freely to where the money flowed most abundantly. Now, it’s hard to keep a team together in a country like Portugal when English, Spanish, or Italian teams come calling. Still, Benfica has brought in some solid performers to bolster their squad. Joan Capdevila, a Spanish World Cup winner, brings great experience to the defense. Ezequiel Garay, an Argentine defender, joined from Real Madrid. That should solidify them at the back.
Belgian international Axel Witsel and Argentine veteran Pablo Aimar are part of a talented midfield group. Paraguayan striker Oscar Cardozo leads the line in attack with yet another Argentine veteran in Javier Saviola among Benfica’s other resources. Legendary Portuguese midfielder and now Club Director Rui Costa sounded confident on UEFA’s web site saying, “Although we respect our opponents, we believe we can qualify and we want to qualify.”
FC Basel has Switzerland’s most prolific strikers in Alexander Frei and Marco Streller. Now that both have announced their retirement from international football, they will be able to focus solely on Basel’s performances domestically and in the Champions League. However, losing number one goalkeeper Franco Costanzo to Olympiacos will handicap them at the start.
As Romania’s most decorated player, Dorinel Munteanu could have had his pick of managerial jobs in his home country. He took on the post of tiny FC Otelul Galati. In just a short time, he has made the club the first from the eastern province of Moldova to claim the Romanian championship.
Otelul, which means “steel” in the local language, relies on homegrown players and maintains a very low budget. Competing against wealthy clubs like Manchester United and Benfica will be a huge awakening for the whole club. Munteanu is under no illusions about his modest side’s chances to progress, telling the UEFA web site, “Obviously we are the underdogs in the group, but I am confident we will win some points. Our aim is to qualify for the Europa League and we might fight for third place with Basel. It will be extremely tough.”
If any of the eight groups are destined to go according to form, it will be this one. Manchester United should have little trouble winning with Benfica as the second placed side. FC Basel will most likely pip Otelul to the third spot, leaving the Romanians to enjoy the ride as they get to visit Old Trafford and the Estadio da Luz on their travels.
*****Sources: www.uefa.com, www.espn.com