Sportsnet’s soccer panel offer their picks, predictions and analysis of Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League group stage matches.
Wednesday programming alert: Watch AC Milan v Celtic (on Sportsnet), Barcelona v Ajax (on Sportsnet ONE), Marseille v Arsenal (on Sportsnet 360) and Chelsea v Basel (on Sportsnet World). Also, watch these four games exclusively on Sportsnet World Online: Schalke 04 v Steaua Bucuresti, Napoli v Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid v Zenit St. Petersburg and Austria Wien v FC Porto. Live coverage begins at 2:30 p.m. ET / 11:30 p.m. PT. | TV schedule
Chelsea vs. Basel
Gerry Dobson: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho will not be happy about kicking off the European campaign on the heels of his first league loss of the new domestic season. He called that loss to Everton a “naive performance” and warned anyone who listened that this is not the Chelsea he coached a few years ago, and that this time around it won’t be easy. Not that it ever was. Still, they are one of the favourites to win the Premier League title and there have been encouraging signs already, such as their away draw at Old Trafford. But their Swiss opponents will not go down lightly. Basel has gained a reputation as giant slayers over the years. They earned a famous draw at Manchester United two years ago, and they eliminated Spurs at the quarter-final stage of the Europa League last year. On the other hand, the Swiss champs went on to loss to Chelsea in the semifinals, and in fact they are winless in 19 trips to England. That trend will continue this week.
Prediction: Chelsea wins 2-0.
Schalke 04 vs. Steaua Bucuresti
Thomas Michalakos: Success in the Champions League begins with earning maximum points at home. It’s something Schalke have found problematic recently, winners of one of their last five games at the Veltins-Arena. Steaua has the worst ratio of victories (11 per cent) of the 32 clubs in the group stage: four wins from 36 matches and winless in their last 17. It’s been seven long years since the Romanian champions last tasted victory in the Champions League, having never made it past the group phase. Their last trip to Gelsenkirchen produced a 2-1 defeat in the Europa League group stage two years ago. The statistics ahead of Wednesday’s kickoff favour the hosts, as Schalke are unbeaten in four competitive fixtures against Romanian clubs (three wins), coupled with the fact no German side has ever lost to Romanian opposition in Europe’s premier competition (eight wins, two draws).
Prediction: Schalke 04 wins 2-0.
Olympique Marseille vs. Arsenal
James Sharman: Tossed into this season’s Group of Death, Arsenal and Marseille realize that any failing will be magnified. Unless you haven’t been playing close attention, you know that the Gunners are without a trophy since 2005, and Arsene Wenger’s recent comments that another failed season would see him leave his job puts even more pressure on his charges. Olivier Giroud has started the Premier League campaign very well up front, and with the arrival of Mesut Ozil on deadline day, the Arsenal attack is one to salivate over. Defensively? Less so, and Marseille will look to target the Arsenal full backs with its quick wingers. Marseille didn’t finish runners up to PSG in Ligue 1 last season by accident, and are very much Group F’s dark horses.
Prediction: 2-2.
Napoli vs. Borussia Dortmund
Gordon Brunt: Despite Mario Gotze’s move to Bayern Munich, Dortmund have not shown evidence of weakness. They’ve started the Bundesliga season on a blistering pace and they will use that momentum when they face a re-vamped Napoli squad. The Italians have patched the hole Edinson Cavani left with the signing of Gonzalo Higuain. But even though this game is in Naples, Napoli faces a tough test against a potent Dortmund attack led by Marco Reus, Robert Lewandowski and emerging attacking threats in Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Henrik Mkhitaryan.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund wins 3-1.
Atletico Madrid vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
Dan Riccio: Can somebody tell Atletico Madrid that losing Radamel Falcao was supposed to hurt them? Despite the Colombian international moving to Monaco over the summer, Atletico have scored 14 goals in four La Liga games this season. Manager Diego Simeone doesn’t get enough credit as one of the better tacticians in Europe and now that he has this Atleti side in the Champions League he may yet get some recognition. Madrid hosts a Zenit team that has lost every match they have ever played in Spain. The signings of Hulk and Axel Witsel showed intent from Zenit last summer, but it has yet to result in any hardware. A second place finish in the Russian Premier League last season, and an early exit from the Champions League, left the impression of a very talented group that is still trying to find its way. They won’t fare much better here, as Atletico Madrid are just too on form right now, and too strong at the Vicente Calderon where they have won 12 of their last 13 matches in UEFA competition.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid wins 3-1.
Austria Wien vs. FC Porto
Derrick Brandao: Austria Wien makes it Champions League group stage debut against Porto. Unfortunately for Austria Wien they won’t be the only team celebrating a chance to play a European game at Ernst-Happel-Stadion. The stadium is home to one of Porto’s greatest moments, the 1987 European Cup final, a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich. Porto continues to motor along, sitting in first place in its domestic league. Austria Wien is having some trouble with the start to their league season, as they sit fifth at the moment. Look for Porto to show their Champions league class and celebrate another victory in Vienna.
Prediction: FC Porto wins 3-0.
AC Milan vs. Celtic
Thomas Dobby: AC Milan will see this as a necessary three points against Celtic, who usually don’t travel very well in Europe. Milan have won both their home matches this season in Serie A, scoring three times in each time out, but have looked very poor away from home, including a 2-2 draw away at Torino on Saturday. Celtic’s task will be to stop the Mario Balotelli-El Shaarawy partnership up front, and trying to find a goal on the counter. With Victor Wanyama and Gary Hooper now gone, Celtic will have to rely on a more youthful side to recreate the European magic of last season.
Prediction: AC Milan wins 2-0.
Barcelona vs. Ajax
Brendan Dunlop: Funny enough, this is the very first meeting between the European giants. Believe it or not, these two have never met before. Wednesday will also be Barca manager Tata Martino’s first taste of the UEFA Champions League. He, of course, inherits quite the squad and will have quite the record to live up to. Before being smashed by Bayern in last year’s semis, Barcelona was unbeaten in 21 Champions League games at home, winning 16. Again the Dutch giants were handed a difficult group, a stage they haven’t survived since 2005-06 and one I can’t see them getting out of this time either. The loss of Christian Eriksen won’t be quantifiable until May, but you can guarantee having him in the midfield would’ve given them at least some chance that they won’t have now.
Prediction: Barcelona wins 2-0.
European Football Weekly: Sportsnet 590 The FAN’s Dan Riccio, Derrick Brandao and Gord Brunt take an in-depth look at the beautiful game on the European Football Weekly podcast. For more details and to listen to past shows, CLICK HERE