On Thursday, UEFA held the group stage draw for this season’s edition of the Champions League, and as always, few were left pleased with the outcome, especially in the Italian peninsula. As usual, Serie A will have four representatives vying for European glory, but their tasks will be anything but easy. So let’s analyze the chances and try to predict the outcomes for Milan, Inter, Napoli and Juventus in their respective groups.
Napoli
Group A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers
On their return to the Europe’s elite club competition, Napoli managed to avoid a genuine European giant from Pot 1. Instead, they were pit in a group led by Ajax, who have been blowing hot and cold on the continental scene.
Nonetheless, the draw wasn’t entirely soft on the Partenopei, as they arguably received the worst possible option from Pot 2 in the form of Liverpool. Moreover, Rangers might not be pushovers as some would think.
Despite their slow start in the Premier League, the Reds remain the heavy favorites for the top spot, leaving Ajax and Napoli to battle for second place.
While European experience will surely favor the Dutch champions, they have lost some important players this summer, and could even sell their star player Antony to Manchester United before the end of the transfer session.
On the other hand, the Italians have started their campaign in a thrilling fashion, and if they can transmit their current domestic form to Europe, they will have a serious chance of clinching a place in the round of 16.
Winning their home fixtures at the Maradona Stadium for be vital for their chances.
Prediction for Napoli: Second place
Inter
Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter, Viktoria Plzen
Here’s a (fictional) casual chat between two Viktoria Plzen supporters:
Supporter #1: “So how did the draw go?”
Supporter #2: “Umm, do you really wanna know?”
So while the Czechs are obviously doomed, the rest aren’t happy with the draw’s outcome either.
But let’s face it, Bayern will qualify because… well, they’re Bayern. They will most likely end on top of the group as well.
Barcelona have a habit for embarrassing themselves in front of the unmerciful Bavarians, thus, they will have to shift their focus towards Inter since the Italians will probably be their head-to-head rivals for a playoff spot.
Even though the Catalans have been dealing with all sort of issues lately, their fortunes have been slowly but surely improving since Xavi’s arrival. Moreover, Robert Lewandowski could make all the difference in the most delicate timings.
Prediction for Inter: Third place
Milan
Group E: Milan, Chelsea, RB Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
Thanks to their Pot 1 placement, Milan avoided a similar scenario to last season’s, when they were pitted in one of the toughest groups in the competition’s history.
At the end of the day, it was a decent draw for the Italian champions. Perhaps it could have been better, but it certainly could have been worse.
Chelsea are yet to find their footing following an eventful summer transfer campaign, but they remain the heavy favorites to finish on top.
While the Rossoneri will certainly contend for the top spot, finishing second would be an acceptable outcome as well. However, the talent factory known as Salzburg must not be overlooked.
At the end of the day, the battle-hardened Milan should have enough experience and talent at their disposal to secure qualification.
Prediction for Milan: Second place
Juventus
Group H: PSG, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa
Well, here they come. Leo Messi, Neymar, that kid Mbappé and the rest of them. They will pay the Allianz Stadium a visit to find out what genius plan Max Allegri has in store for them. What an exciting time to be a Juventus supporter!
Luckily for the Bianconeri, finishing second would be enough to escape the group stage. So they just have to collect six points from the group’s unofficial whipping boys Maccabi Haifa and register solid results in the double-header against Benfica.
Whoever thinks this will be an easy task, here are four counterevidence: Ajax, Lyon, Porto, Villarreal.
These are the names of the last four clubs to knock Juventus out of the Champions League. Is it that far-fetched to add Benfica to the list by November?
Nevertheless, the Old Lady should manage to scrap through one way or the other.
Prediction for Juventus: Second place
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