Champions League. Favorite

THE BEST TEAM

Lyon. “Inter”, “Barcelona” and “Roma” are not in vain worried because of the second place in their groups - for someone it promises a mistake in the 1/8 finals with “Lyon”. The French club, to which the prefix "super-" is already without any doubt, held a truly shocking autumn. He was not only the first of the participants in the current Champions League to secure a place in the 1/8 finals (this is with live “Real”), but, in fact, he won the sixth consecutive championship in France; after 16 rounds, the gap between Lyon and second place is 14 points. No matter how much Lyon sells its stars (in 2004, Edmilson to Barcelona, ​​in 2005 Essien to Chelsea, and in 2006 Diarra to Real), there are fewer of them. Malouda and Fred this year blossomed into exceptionally bright characters, the amazing Benzema is on the way, and Juninho Pernambucano is experiencing his second or third youth before our amazed eyes.

WORST TEAM

"Dynamo". We will not touch the Sofia “Levski”, which entered the Champions League for the first time in its history, to some extent by chance, and in general this tournament was not completed. Unlike Kiev Dynamo, which entered a time of serious systemic crisis. Having a status, money, and a composition that is not ordinary by European standards, Dynamo is hopelessly behind the times. Longing for the glorious Soviet era, in Kiev, it is convulsive, like a rosary, sorting out candidates for the heirs of Lobanovsky - instead of just finding a good coach at last.

STAR

Didier Drogba (Chelsea). With all the amazing brilliance of Kaka, Juninho Pernambucano and Ronaldinho, no one left such a stunning impression as Drogba this autumn champions. The best Chelsea sniper, who was under 23 in the second French division and didn’t show anything special there, had matured to the standard center forward by the age of 28. Knowing from whom Mourinho chose the attacker on arrival at Chelsea in 2003 (Drogba, Eto'O, Rooney), many initially blamed him for the mistake. After these five beautiful and important goals of Drogba in the Champions League (and eight more in the championship of England) - hardly.

OPENING

Diego (“Bremen”). The Brazilian supernova, a typical “fantasist”, became the protagonist of the expressive (albeit ultimately unsuccessful) Champions League campaign of Bremen. The player, inexplicably hiding his qualities on the Porto bench, in Bremen, once established itself as one of the most skilled young playmakers in the world. Diego is already being compared with Deco from the time he played for Porto and early Juninho Paulista. And not always - in favor of the latter.

BEST GOAL

Peter Crouch (Liverpool - Galatasaray - 3: 2). Steve Finnan's pass, scratching the ball from the defenders of Galatasaray, would fit the head of a player of normal height - however, two-meter Peter Crouch was not at a loss and struck with his foot, performing “scissors” in flight. And scoring a goal of his life.

THE MOST AMAZING UNKILLED GOAL

The attack of Barcelona in the 35th minute of the second leg against Werder Bremen crashed into the memory of an unprecedented concentration of ultra-si elements. First, Deco, in a youthful jerk from his own penalty passed the entire field. Then, Gudjohnsen demonstrated amazing dribbling - before breaking into the post, he beat Wome, Mertezaker, Naldo, and then, just in case, again Wome. But the most difficult from a performing point of view in this attack was committed by Julie: striking at absolutely empty gates, he managed not to get into them.

BEST FEINT

Wagner Love encircles Gallas ( Arsenal - CSKA - 0: 0).

BEST MATCH

“Manchester United” - “Celtic” - 3: 2. Battle of Britain. Not a match, but a tangle of intrigue. England versus Scotland, Sir Alex Ferguson versus his former ward Gordon Strakan, the first official meeting of Manchester United and Celtic in general - and even with the rank of leaders (at that time) of the national championships. Football players did not begin to unravel this tangle - they simply tore to pieces the reckless, hot British football of the highest standard. Goals for every taste and score to match - 3: 2. The strongest won. “Old Trafford” was left by 76,320 happy people that evening - not excluding Celtic fans.

PLOT

Chelsea vs. Barcelona The unreal selectivity of the draw has led to the fact that the seasons without Chelsea’s visit, you see, will now be considered inferior at Camp Nou. Similarly, in relation to the Stamford Bridge, where they are addicted to take Barcelona. Jose Mourinho and Frank Rykard will even be sad without each other and without reason to dive with many subtexts. “Blue” and blue-garnet meet in the League for three consecutive cycles! And each duel, individually, in a seasonal duel, in the six-match series already, is valuable and unique in its own way. In the year before last, Chelsea went further from the 1/8 finals, in the past Barca.

A feature of these meetings is in their sparing group status. While maintaining the quality of the spectacle (1: 0 in favor of Chelsea and 2: 2 with the goal of Drogba in the 93rd minute!) The number was not affected at all. A bunch of antagonists remained in the League - a classic story with an “open” ending. They can continue this spring!

THE BEST GROUP

G. And yet she: Arsenal, Porto, CSKA, Hamburg - contrary to the pragmatic finish minutes of the match at Dragau. Nevertheless, it was the only of the eight quartets, where before the last round there was not a single calm soul. And where even the outsider forced me to think about myself with respect - a desperate desire not to prostrate ourselves before the authorities and to bully them in every game. In the end, we will justify the choice with the opportunity to say about our, Russian champion: he was there ...

FRAME

Riise in the blood (Liverpool 3-0 Bordeaux). The convincing victory of Liverpool over Bordeaux, which secured a place in the playoffs for the Merseysides, was not even marred by the black eye of Jon Arne Riise. The offenders got what they deserved: the bully Fernando Menegazzo and his comrades eventually took only the third line in the group.