Group D: The 'Champions' Group
Every City fan watched in fear at Thursday evening's Uefa Champions League draw. Let's face it though, we all knew we'd get the so called 'Group of Death'; it's 'typical City'. However, we shouldn't be too disheartened. To be in a 'Champions Group' you have to actually be Champions funnily enough, something United can't boast this year. Trips to Dortmund, Madrid and Amsterdam will light up the eyes of any eager City follower and you know what, we have as much of a chance as anyone!
Let's get to know our opponents a little better ...
Real Madrid
Group finish: 1st
Tournament finish: Final
Last years finish: Semi-Finals
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo
It was either going to be Barca or Real for City, and I think we got the easier option. Barca would have had a field day playing the ball beautifully around us (if Swansea can, anyone can). However, Real are a little more direct and I think this will suit City. Mancini will sit back in Madrid and frustrate Los Blancos, but at home, I hope he attacks them. Aguero and Tevez will frustrate the Portuguese hot-head Pepe and I think at home, we could pull off a special result.
Ajax
Group finish: 4th
Tournament finish: Group stages
Last years finish: Group stages
Star man: Christian Eriksen
Ajax go into the group with a great amount of history, but a small amount of hope. Despite them being champions of Holland, they face three champions from three superior leagues and will be massive underdogs in Group D. City will be extremely disappointed if they don't pick up 6 points from the Dutch side.
Borussia Dortmund
Group finish: 3rd
Tournament finish: Group stages
Last years finish: Group stages
Star man: Robert Lewandowski
To beat Champions League finalist's Bayern Munich to both the Bundesliga and the German Cup is an extraordinary accomplishment. The German champions go into the group without the creativity of Shinji Kagawa, however, Dortmund is a breeding ground for some of the future's top players (Gotze, Lewandowski, Hummels, Reus). They will be hard to beat, especially with the help of their crazy fans, but I expect them to just miss out.
Let's get to know our opponents a little better ...
Real Madrid
Group finish: 1st
Tournament finish: Final
Last years finish: Semi-Finals
Star man: Cristiano Ronaldo
It was either going to be Barca or Real for City, and I think we got the easier option. Barca would have had a field day playing the ball beautifully around us (if Swansea can, anyone can). However, Real are a little more direct and I think this will suit City. Mancini will sit back in Madrid and frustrate Los Blancos, but at home, I hope he attacks them. Aguero and Tevez will frustrate the Portuguese hot-head Pepe and I think at home, we could pull off a special result.
Ajax
Group finish: 4th
Tournament finish: Group stages
Last years finish: Group stages
Star man: Christian Eriksen
Ajax go into the group with a great amount of history, but a small amount of hope. Despite them being champions of Holland, they face three champions from three superior leagues and will be massive underdogs in Group D. City will be extremely disappointed if they don't pick up 6 points from the Dutch side.
Borussia Dortmund
Group finish: 3rd
Tournament finish: Group stages
Last years finish: Group stages
Star man: Robert Lewandowski
To beat Champions League finalist's Bayern Munich to both the Bundesliga and the German Cup is an extraordinary accomplishment. The German champions go into the group without the creativity of Shinji Kagawa, however, Dortmund is a breeding ground for some of the future's top players (Gotze, Lewandowski, Hummels, Reus). They will be hard to beat, especially with the help of their crazy fans, but I expect them to just miss out.
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