Group A was almost a crime against humanity before Paris Saint-Germain came to the rescue. Many fans dreamed of a group of death involving PSG before the UEFA Champions League draw, but the draw was extremely kind to the Ligue 1 runners-up. They will be heavy favorites to win their group and progress to the knockout stages of the competition. The race for second place behind them should be interesting, while Dinamo Zagreb probably won’t put up much of a fight.
UEFA Champions League Draw: Group A Analysis
Favorites: Paris Saint-Germain
Carlo Ancelotti’s boys are off to a rough start with three draws from three matches in Ligue 1, but it’s hard to believe that they won’t figure out how to win matches shortly. Ancelotti is too good of a coach and the squad has too much talent for them to not turn things around shortly.
PSG probably expected to come up against one massive footballing giant, but the draw worked out perfectly for them. They’re clearly the best team in Group A, even if the Pot 1 and Pot 2 teams are no slouches.
Going Through: FC Porto
Porto could still lose Hulk and Joao Moutinho over the next two games, but they should still enter the group stage with a stronger side than Dynamo Kiev. Lucho Gonzalez has been excellent since re-joining the side and Jackson Martinez is off to a good start. They could potentially nick points off PSG, but the biggest games in this group will be the matches between Porto and Dynamo Kiev.
Europa League Bound: Dynamo Kiev
Dynamo Kiev are loaded with new arrivals, and might have the strongest squad that they've fielded in the last five years. Unfortunately, they've been handed a very tough draw and probably don't have the top-end talent to hang with Porto and PSG. Taye Taiwo, Miguel Veloso and Niko Kranjcar already starting and will have plenty of time to settle in with their teammates before Champions League rolls around.
Dead Last: Dinamo Zagreb
Dinamo Zagreb struggled in last year’s Champions League and they’re probably going to struggle again. Their star central midfielder, Milan Badelj, has been linked to a move away from Dinamo and could be plying his trade in the Bundesliga by this time next week. They’ll do well to grab a home draw or two. Don’t expect them to remain remotely competitive.
Best Player: Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is always the best player, everywhere, no matter what. What Lionel Messi can do with a ball, he can do with an orange. He is Zlatan.
Emerging Star: Jackson Martinez
Porto picked up Jackson Martinez from Jaguares de Chiapas in Mexico and he's already looking comfortable at center forward. He scored his first league goal for the club last week and his finishing could be crucial to Porto's chances to go through.
Must-Watch Game: Dynamo Kiev vs. FC Porto
PSG is going to stop drawing games soon, and they have the talent to dominate Dynamo and Porto. The real fight in Group A should be for second place and Porto is certainly the favorite, so it will be important for Dynamo Kiev to take three points from Porto at home.
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