Hey Valencia Announce Pomykal... Or Cannon
The 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League Group Stage draw was today and we are set! *Champions League theme plays* Now I know what you’re thinking… “Tom, why are blogging about European soccer?!” Here’s why:
1. We have a few USMNT players playing in this year’s UCL
2. For how much I talk about and blog about American soccer… I still do like European soccer
3. I do what I want
I am not going to do a full breakdown of the group and everything here, I am going to save that for the Full Press Podcast so Jason and I can talk in more depth (so subscribe and review us people!). But I am going to give a few general thoughts about each group and then talk about where the Americans are as well.
Thoughts on the groups:
Group A – PSG, Real Madrid, Club Brugge, & Galatasaray
I think this is a tougher group than people may think just by looking at it quickly. I mean yes… PSG and Real Madrid are probably going to move on, BUT, Club Brugge is a tough away match as well as Galatasaray. I think there could be some slip ups away in those games, but again… its PSG and Madrid. Come on Ethan Horvath (I know that he is the back-up keeper don’t worry) lets get Brugge on to the next round!
Group B – Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Olympiacos, & Crvena Zvezda
So… by how many points does Munich win this group by? Tottenham are easily 2nd and it’ll be Olympiacos fighting to be a top 3rd place team in the Group Stage.
Group C – Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb, & Atalanta
Who the hell did the City Group pay off to get this group?! I know the history with Shakhtar but I mean come on! City is going to RUN through these three with Atalanta being the toughest test on the road. This definitely makes City’s UCL dreams this season just a tad bit easier.
Group D – Juve, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Leverkusen, & Lokomotiv Moscow
This group could get interesting. First, Moscow… it was great for you guys getting in but you’re the odd man out, sorry! I think that Juve wins this group as UCL is their main focus as always. The real battle here comes down to 2nd place. Atleti with Joao Felix and Leverkusen with Kai Havertz, fireworks will happen in the fight for the second spot.
Group E – Liverpool, Napoli, RB Salzburg, & Genk
The reining champs don’t get the easiest group but none of these teams should really test them for 1st. I personally like Genk but I think they are the 4th place team here in Group E. Now, I would LOVE Salzburg finishing 2nd and an American head coach making it on to the next round of the UCL, but I think that Napoli up top destroys Salzburg and Genk. Between Insigne, Dries Mertens, and Hirving Lozano… Napoli is moving on.
Group F – Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, & Slavia Prague
Easily the group of death. Barcelona is Barcelona and arguably the most talented team on the planet so I am not worried about them missing the next round. My only concern for them is that Dortmund and Inter are TOUGH. Dortmund has been that 2nd best team in Germany for a few seasons now and are a tough play. Between Marco Reus, Jordan Sancho, Hummels and the rest of the talented Germans… BVB will try to stake the claim to moving on in this group. Reject Man U, I mean Inter Milan have Lukaku, Alexis Sanchez, Icardi, and a tough backline will have their own say… this will be a battle.
Group G – Zenit, Benfica, Lyon, & RB Leipzig
My only thoughts here… Tyler Adams better get his ass on through to the next round in this shit ass group. That is all.
Group H – Chelsea, Ajax, Valencia, & Lille
Group Hamerica is here! Our American lord and savior Christian Pulisic and Chelsea have some work to do against some other Americans looking to play some big games in the UCL. Chelsea look like the early favorites in this group and I can’t wait to see Pulisic playing some more major minutes in the UCL. Last season’s darlings in Ajax are back in the fold and now with (hopefully) USMNT full-back Sergino Dest STARTING! Lille was the final team in the group and Timo Weah better bring some swaggy soccer play to Group H. Now all this tells me is that Valencia better come and buy Paxton Pomykal, Reggie Cannon, or grab Konrad de la Fuente on loan from Barca!
