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The UEFA Champions League is already upon us this season with two matchdays played so far. We are all glued to our TV sets every Tuesday and Wednesday nights as we enjoy all the fantastic moments. The rush, the thrill, the uncertainty and the excitement that comes with watching our favorite clubs going-head-to head as they battle one another in Europe's elite tournament is incomparable.
Well, so far, we've seen many matches done and dusted and we can say categorically that we are not disappointed. Sure, some teams have performed below par and some have been treating us to surprisingly good football. This piece is about to gauge the performance of the teams around the two matches played and determine, based on their performances, which teams could lead their groups at the end of the first round.
Be aware though that this is a team game and a lot of factors could eventually prove us wrong. But if things continue to go the way they are moving presently, these five clubs would need some stopping in their groups.
#5 Juventus
The Bianconeri are still hurting from bowing to Ajax last season and not getting maximum points from their fixture against Atletico Madrid. Accepted, taking Bayer Leverkusen apart at home is not enough to guarantee their top-spot claim. But, looking at their remaining fixtures, it is fair to say that they should be safe.
Up next, the Serie A giants will face Lokomotiv Moscow twice before rounding off with a home clash with Atletico and an away clash with Bayer Leverkusen. If nothing untoward happens to their squad, we can expect them to get maximum points from these fixtures.
The only stumbling block they could have is Atletico stunning them at home. Even that is very unlikely. The Allianz Stadium, as we know it to be, is a fortress. Logically, the worst that can happen there is a sharing of the spoils. As a matter of fact, if we consider what happened at the stadium last season, Juve have a huge chance to come out on top.
#4 Ajax
Last season's dark horses - the team that stunned most of the favorites on their way to the semifinals are here again this term. Despite losing a number of their top stars during the summer transfer window, it's amazing to see Ajax continue their brilliant performances.
It should not come as a surprise if they emerge the leaders of their group, given the way they are performing in the Champions League right now. Winning both of their matches so far with a 3-0 scoreline is no mean feat. In fact, the most impressive thing is that they thrashed Valencia in front of their own fans at the Mestalla Stadium.
Ajax is definitely a team to keep an eye on if their performances continues as it is at present. Their next fixture pits them against Premier League side, Chelsea, who they will face twice before rounding off their group stage with games against Valencia and Lille. They should be more than ready for all the challenges lying ahead.
#3 Manchester City
Manchester City is another team that is still at 100 percent in Europe. Winning both their opening two games convincingly has put the Cityzens in a comfort zone. Unless some kind of a repeat of their performance against Norwich City or Wolves in the Premier League happens, the next team facing them should expect a beat down.
Still seething from their disappointing performance in the Champions League last season, the Cityzens have a message to send to the world. Now is the time to get that message across. Their remaining fixtures include a home encounter with Shaktar Donetsk, a visit to Dinamo Zagreb, and home-and-away-ties against Atalanta.
If things go according to plan, they are expected to get maximum points in these matches. With six points from two games so far, Pep Guardiola's men have landed themselves in a decent position to finish on top of the Group C. And who knows? They could even go unbeaten in the group stage.
#2 Paris Saint-Germain
With the resurrection of Neymar, Paris Saint-Germain are another team to watch out for in the Champions League this season. Only the unavailability of the Brazilian could prove to be their undoing. If they can manage to keep him fit, there is nothing to stop them from going unbeaten in the group stages.
The Parisians currently sit atop the Group A table with 6 points to their names. They defeated Real Madrid 3-0 in their opening fixture and followed it up with a 1-0 victory over Galatasaray. If they maintain their momentum throughout the group stage, they could even go without tasting defeat.
Their biggest game left in the group stage remains the away fixture to Madrid. Given the unconvincing performances of the Spanish giants at present, it should be an easy one. A home game against Galatasaray and a home-and-away tie with Club Brugge should be done and dusted with flair and pomp.
#1 Bayern Munich
The Bavarians were outstanding the last time out as they went away from home and gave their hosts the thrashing of their lives. It appears as if it had been destined that the group winners in group B would be between Bayern and Tottenham. With Tottenham starting to slip up, it is up to Bayern now to give the prize away.
Their first two matches have been done and dusted. Eight goals and six points should be enough pointers in favor of the Bavarians. If at the end of the group stage matches, Bayern end up anywhere else other than the top of the pile, then something must have gone terribly wrong in the interim. What are the matches remaining for the Bavarians?
Away to Crvena Zvezda, home and away to Olympiacos, and home to Tottenham. How many points do you expect them to have from those matches? No disrespect to Crvena, but that is a match that they should deal with without breaking a sweat.
Nothing much to say about Olympiacos, either, maybe some experimentation by the Bayern team is on the cards. And the Lilywhites? They are coming to the Allianz Arena. So they should pray not to have a repeat of what happened in their own backyard.
#1 Bayern Munich
The Bavarians were outstanding the last time out as they went away from home and gave their hosts the thrashing of their lives. It appears as if it had been destined that the group winners in group B would be between Bayern and Tottenham. With Tottenham starting to slip up, it is up to Bayern now to give the prize away.
Their first two matches have been done and dusted. Eight goals and six points should be enough pointer in favour of the Bavarians. If at the end of the group stage matches, Bayern ends up anywhere else than the top of the pile, then something terrible is wrong with them. What matches remain for the Bavarians?
Away to Crvena Zvezda, home and away to Olympiacos, and home to Tottenham. How many points do you expect them to have from those matches? No disrespect to Crvena, but that is a match that they should deal with without breaking a sweat.
Nothing much to say about Olympiacos, except they gamble on those matches. And the Lilywhites? They are coming to the Allianz Arena. So they should pray not to have a repeat of what happened in their own backyard.
