The Champions League has seen some exemplary performances through three matches with some teams clearly solidifying themselves as early contenders. The group stage is only halfway finished and a lot could still change, but it is still a good time to look at the most impressive teams in the tournament thus far.
10. Manchester United
Why is a team like Man U so far down on the list when they have won every single one of their matches? What it really comes down to for Man U is inconsistency. This team has won all three matches by one goal. But a negative trend is starting to come to the forefront in their last two games in particular: early goals conceded. Against both CFR Cluj, Man U gave up early goals and was trailing. Against Braga they were even down by two at one point. Their offense is clearly not an issue, but the defense could be problem moving forward as they take on more dynamic teams. They should be dominating this group which is competent but hardly as difficult as what the other three English teams have had to endure. They have already played two of three home games and will need to put up better efforts lest they want to be demolished on the road.
BATE Borisov
BATE is currently in a three way tie for first place in Group F with Bayern Munich and Valencia. While their recent performance against Valencia leaves a great deal to be desired, they would not be in this position if not for a tremendous performance against Bayern, who was widely expected to win the group handedly. To put three goals past them is a feat in itself, but to shut them down for over 90 minutes is another remarkable accomplishment. Their 3-1 win over Lille in the first match on the road was a strong showing, but this team has only gotten better and could still make huge strides moving forward. The only danger they face is only playing one more home game in the final three matches.
Valencia
It seems a bit unreal that at the top of Group F is not Bayern Munich or BATE Borisov but Valencia. While BATE has had a more impressive tournament thus far courtesy of shutting down the most potent offense in Germany, Valencia has been a better all around team. They lost marginally to Munich 2-1, but they took care of business with a 2-0 win over Lille at home and a tremendous 3-0 defeat of BATE Borisov in Belarus. The fact that they still have two home games remaining only makes the more dangerous.
Schalke 04
Bayern Munich is not playing on par with expectations, but the rest of the German sides surely are. Schalke 4 looks like a lock to win Group B after a strong win after 2 away wins over Olympiacos and Arsenal. Their 2-2 draw against Montpelier at home may raise questions, but the stingy defensive display against Arsenal could be a harbinger of better things to come.
Barcelona
As with Man U's placement in 10th place on this list, many might complain about a team that has won three of three in this tournament not being placed at the top of the list. But this Barcelona team is deceptive. There is no denying the talent as well as this team's innate ability toknow how and when to win; but they are far from invincible. Lionel Messi has 2 goals in the tournament and has been shut down time and again throughout the three games. More importantly however is that Barca has yet to take over a game in the tournament. They fell apart momentarily against Spartak Moscow and they barely won against a tough Celtic side. Their defense has been porous of late with injuries to Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique as well as the lack of a centre back and this team could be in for a world of hurt against a confident Celtic team in Scotland when they resume play.
Shakhtar Donetsk
When you upset the defending champions at home with such a confident display as Donetsk portrayed against Chelsea on Tuesday, then you deserve to be showcased as a potential contender. This squad has made a difficult group look easy with a strong win over Nordsjaelland and a good 1-1 draw in Juventus. They take on Chelsea next, but if they can play the shut down game they featured Tuesday then they can definitely hope for a favorable result. This team has not lost a single game in the last 11 months and there is no reason to believe that they may in this group stage.
Paris St-Germaine
They lost to Porto, but they have otherwise looked well rounded and have cruised through the group stage without much exertion or effort. Their opening match saw them dominate at home 4-1 over Dynamo Kiev and their recent 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb showed no signs of regressions. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been formidable in the tournament despite only scoring two goals and the rest of the offense has shown some flair. And who can overlook the defense? 2 goals allowed thus far, both late in the game are signs of strong defending.
Borussia Dortmund
When you defeat Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid with such a commanding performance and a sense of inevitability, you deserve to be one of the top teams in the tournament. Dortmund shut down Real Madrid with such facility and out shot them as well. Time and again, Madrid shot the ball wide or over the net because the Dortmund defense gave them no angle. But it does not end there. Their 1-0 win over Ajax was well-earned and then they went into Manchester City and handedly outplayed the hosts to a 1-1 draw. They would have won that match if not for a late penalty shot that evened the score.
Malaga
Malaga has won every single one of their matches and has taken control of their group. But perhaps what puts them so high on the list compared to Barca or Man U is the fact that they have done so with such facility. Two 3-0 wins over Zenit St. Petersburg and Anderlecht led to a hard-fought 1-0 win over Milan. They are the only team that has yet to concede in this tournament but the only reason they are not at the top of the list is that they are in one of the weaker groups in the league.
FC Porto
Porto has given up two goals while Malaga has given up 0. However, Porto has looked dominant in a solid group that includes a tremendous PSG squad and a Dynamo Kiev team that has some potential. Their most impressive result thus far has been the 1-0 win over PSG in which they played with a patient defensive strategy that shut down Ibrahimovic effectively. This team looks ready to take a big step forward in the UCL and has been the most impressive team in the first half of the group stage.
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