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One of the most anticipated European football tournaments - the UEFA Champions League - kicked off yesterday, with the strongest 32 teams of the Old Continent competing. In the 2013-14 season that started on Tuesday, eight matches have already been played, and today in the European stadiums, there will be just as many. The website "Eurofootball.com" presents an overview of the four last groups (E, F, G, H) for its loyal visitors. Group E London's "Chelsea" and Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke" - teams that seem the most threatening in this group at least by name. Everyone should agree that it is Jose Mourinho's pupils from Chelsea who are the most realistic contenders for the first place from these four clubs, who were eliminated from this tournament after the group stage last season, but later triumphed in the Europa League. The other remaining teams could cause trouble for Chelsea, but it seems that the fiercest competition should be between them. Nevertheless, somewhat unexpectedly, the most chances to remain in second place in the group belong to the players of "Schalke", even though it should not be easy for them to compete with the teams from Switzerland and Romania. "Basel" and Bucharest's "Steaua" - both clubs did not taste Champions League success last season, but this year they have once again secured a place in the group stage. Both "Basel" and "Steaua" are struggling in their national championships and lag behind the leaders. Most likely both teams will compete for a place in the next stage, but overcoming the teams from Gelsenkirchen and London will be difficult, even though the opponents from Germany also do not demonstrate excellent results in the Bundesliga and currently rank only 9th. 1. London's "Chelsea" (6th place in England) 2. Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke" (9th place in Germany) 3. "Basel" (3rd place in Switzerland) 4. Bucharest's "Steaua" (4th place in Romania) Group F Dortmund's "Borussia" and London's "Arsenal" - the "group of death" where there are no clear contenders, even though last season's finalists, "Borussia," are playing there. Perhaps we could consider Jurgen Klopp's pupils as favorites, but there are no weak teams in Group F and anyone can beat anyone. Arsene Wenger may face tough competition, especially from the runners-up in Germany and "Napoli." The "Gunners" have also started showing good results in the English Premier League and have managed to attract Mesut Ozil, Real Madrid's midfielder, to their squad. Many expect to see both clubs in the quarter-finals, although it will not be easy to achieve this. "Napoli" and "Marseille" - undoubtedly, clubs that deserve to play in the Champions League. Rafael Benitez's pupils became the backups for Real Madrid in the summer when they attracted three of their players - Gonzalo Higuain, Jose Callejon, and Raul Albiol. The Napoli club has strengthened in various positions and not only aims for the Serie A title but also for the UCL. "Marseille" is expected to show the least in this group, as they are currently unable to compete with such teams, although underestimating such an opponent would be a huge mistake. After intense battles, "Napoli" or "Marseille" will likely continue the season in the Europa League. 1. Dortmund's "Borussia" (1st place in Germany) 2. London's "Arsenal" (2nd place in England) 3. "Napoli" (1st place in Italy) 4. "Marseille" (4th place in France) Group G Madrid's "Atletico" and St. Petersburg's "Zenit" - one team played in this tournament last season, while the other did not. Diego Simeone's pupils have finally secured a ticket to the Champions League and are ready to storm Europe. The team from the Spanish capital is currently showing excellent form in the national championships and has achieved four consecutive victories. The wealthy Russian club plays quite similarly in its national championships and also holds the second position. Only "Porto" can mix the cards for them, although in the summer this team weakened and their chances to reach the quarter-finals are hazy. "Porto" and Vienna's "Austria" - The little-known Vienna "Austria" club has few chances in this group, as it currently cannot match its future opponents. Perhaps the Austrians could try to win three points in front of their fans, but it will be difficult. Meanwhile, "Porto" does not even think about the third place and a direct ticket to the Europa League and will compete with the players from "Atletico" and "Zenit." 1. Madrid's "Atletico" (2nd place in Spain) 2. St. Petersburg's "Zenit" (2nd place in Russia) 3. "Porto" (1st place in Portugal) 4. Vienna's "Austria" (5th place in Austria) Group H "Barcelona" and "Milan" - There is no doubt that the first place in Group H will belong to the Catalan team. "Barcelona," like a few other clubs, is a candidate to lift the Champions League trophy at the end of this season. "Milan" also aims to continue the competition in the quarter-finals after the group stage, but the teams from Amsterdam and Glasgow do not intend to surrender this ticket easily and will try to challenge the Italian club. Gerardo Martino's pupils may have to fight hard, especially with the players from "Milan," even though this season the "Rossoneri" are struggling in the Italian league. Glasgow's "Celtic" and Amsterdam's "Ajax" - these teams will find it tough. It will not be easy for all opponents to play in Glasgow, as the hosts demonstrated last season when they defeated the future rivals, the players of "Barcelona," in front of their own fans. Many predict that "Ajax" has no chance in this group, as the team lost its leader Christian Eriksen. It seems that the "Milan" club may have to fight for second place with the Scottish team. 1. "Barcelona" (1st place in Spain) 2. "Milan" (9th place in Italy) 3. Glasgow's "Celtic" (2nd place in Scotland) 4. Amsterdam's "Ajax" (4th place in the Netherlands) Wednesday's matches: (All matches will take place at 21:45) Gelsenkirchen's "Schalke" - Bucharest's "Steaua" London's "Chelsea" - "Basel" "Marseille" - London's "Arsenal" "Napoli" - Dortmund's "Borussia" Vienna's "Austria" - "Porto" Madrid's "Atletico" - St. Petersburg's "Zenit" "Milan" - Glasgow's "Celtic" "Barcelona" - Amsterdam's "Ajax"
