Opinion – Walter Casagrande Jr.: Shirt and history weigh a lot in the Champions League

by

The Champions League is a spectacular and difficult tournament, but, in my opinion, it is the one where the history of clubs and the weight of the shirt have the most influence.

In the first phase, sometimes, there are some surprises, as was the victory of Sheriff Tiraspol in Madrid against the great champions Real Madrid, last season.

But it is in the knockout phase that some clubs get huge and the shirts weigh tons, as is the case with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich – those teams that are favorites every year.

I watched the draw for this next season’s group stage, on Thursday (25), under the command of my friend André Henning and with everyone at TNT, who know a lot about the Champions League.

I played and won the old Champions Cup with Porto in the 86/87 season in a historic final, with a 2-1 over the great Bayern, in Vienna. At the time, the tournament was just knockout and brought together the national champions.

He was coming back from a serious injury, he had torn all the ligaments in his ankle in the quarterfinals against Brøndby, from Denmark.

We did the test the day before, but we didn’t feel confident, even with coach Arthur Jorge wanting to start me in the most important match in the club’s history. I saw, from the bench, my friends Juary and Futre smash in that final.

It was an incredible feeling and a fantastic party in the city of Porto, with people in the streets waiting for the team and filling the old Antas stadium.

Speaking of the draw, I thought everything was well distributed.

In group A, I believe in Liverpool’s classification, with Napoli and Ajax vying for the second spot. But Rangers can complicate things playing in Glasgow.

In group B, I believe in Atlético de Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen. I see Porto fighting to pass as well and Brugge being able to take points in Belgium.

Group C, by the names and stories of the teams, seems to be the most difficult, but I don’t think it will escape what everyone expects. Bayern are one of the favorites for the title and therefore, theoretically, they will be the first place, because the current squads of Inter and Barcelona are still not up to the story and the weight of their shirts and will fight for second place.

Now, group D, for me, is the most complicated, because everyone is on the same level. Ali has good teams, but none were champions of their country in the previous season. Everyone can pass.

Group E follows the first two, because I see Milan and Chelsea as favourites, but Salszburg and Dinamo Zagreb will be indigestible opponents.

The F is where the greatest champion of all time in the Champions League is and, for me, the big favorite again, which is Real Madrid. I can already see the team going flying to the other phase and leaving a war for the dispute of the other spot.

Leipzig are better than Shakhtar, but they will have to fight hard to get the second spot. Maybe the one who loses the fewest points to Celtic can pass, but keep an eye on the Scottish team, because depending on the results at home, they can enter this fight, yes.

In group G we have Guardiola’s team as the big favorite, a condition reinforced by the presence of Haaland. City will be more aggressive than other years, having a goalscoring machine on the pitch.

In group H, the last one, I see PSG as the favorite to qualify.

The French championship is not a parameter, but the team has crushed opponents, with Neymar and Mbappé – despite problems – in excellent form. Juve has everything to take the second spot, but Benfica is dangerous.

Maccabi Haifa will have fun playing in the Champions League.

The first phase of the Champions League will also be marked by the reunion of important players with their former clubs, starting with Haaland with Borussia and Lewandowisk with Bayern.

Well, that’s how I see the start of the Champions League, which is a difficult and sometimes treacherous tournament. I do not believe, however, that the cup escapes the traditional teams.

You May Also Like

Recommended for you