UEFA Champions League Group E Preview

The biggest club competition in the world is back. The group stage draw concluded yesterday in the iconic city of Monaco. The qualifying clubs have kept their schedule tight. History will be created, players will be immortalized.

GROUP E

The defending champions Chelsea face a tough outing against unbeaten Serie A champions Juventus and Ukrainian champions Shakhtar Donetsk. FC Nordsjaelland will have an extremely tough time playing sides with first class squads like Chelsea and Juventus. Surprises in this group can be expected by virtue of Shakhtar only. Nordsjaelland seems like the bashing bag of the group but no one can count any team out. How will Chelsea start their title defence against two tactically adept sides remains to be seen.

1) Chelsea(England)

The European champions wasted no time to prepare for their title defence in the summer transfer window. Chelsea signed young talents like Cesar Azpilicueta, Oscar, Marko Marin and Eden Hazard to bolster their ageing squad. Eden Hazard already looks like a top star player. Chelsea, however, were given a rude wake up call against Atletico Madrid. Can they counter Juventus and Shakhtar’s smart tactics or will they still dominate their counterparts?

KEY PLAYER : Eden Hazard

Will Eden Hazard step up against the big boys of Europe?

Other key players :Fernando Torres, Juan Mata and Frank Lampard

2) Shakhtar Donetsk(Ukraine)

The Ukrainian champions are making a habit of playing in the Champions League and already have a round of 16 appearance. Manager Mircea Lucaescu is considered to be one of the most experienced managers around. His expertise will need to top notch if Shakhtar have to beat Chelsea and Juventus to qualify to the round of 16. Shakhtar will be relieved that no top players have left the club . Can they eliminate a top side or will they perish under pressure?

KEY PLAYER: Darijo Srna

Other key players: Douglas Costa, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Borges Willian

3) Juventus (Italy)

It has been a revival of sorts for the Old Lady of Turin. Antonio Conte’s men remained unbeaten in the whole of the Serie A season. Andrea Pirlo has also had a similar revival and looks as classy as ever. His performances in Euro 2012 were top notch and he clearly will be the most dangerous man on the pitch by a far cry. Juventus have revolutionized the 3-5-2 formation, a relative unknown to many around Europe. Chelsea struggled to cope with Napoli and will find it even harder against the Turin giants because Juventus are blessed with a world class defensive unit. Recent match fixing allegations have clouded Juventus. Their manager Antonio Conte has a ten month touchline ban. Will the allegations motivate or demotivate the Turin Giants?

El Maestro will be the most dangerous man for Juventus

KEY PLAYER:Andrea Pirlo

Other key players : Gianluigi Buffon, Claudio Marchisio and Arturo Vidal

4) FC Nordsjaelland( Denmark)

The Danish champions dislodged FC Kobenhavn from their throne . They look like a well bound unit and play with a disciplined style. They will be the heavy underdogs in this group as clubs will fancy scoring goals against them. One cannot however completely overrule the power of spirit.

KEY PLAYER : Joshua John

Joshua John has been highly impressive since his move from FC Twente

Other key players : Nikolai Stockholm, Mikkel Beckmann and Soren Christensen