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Group F: Tactical case-studies
Shakhtar Donetsk are another less-fancied team to qualify as league champions. The Ukraine side definitely have the incentive of a final at Kiev but the odds are against them to progress from the group stage. Internal tensions in Ukraine implies Shakhtar have to play away from their home stadium. This is a letdown, nevertheless the squad is settled one, led by the apparently ageless Darijo Srna.
Manchester City can be considered as clear favourites in the group with the number of world-class players in their ranks and a successful manager in Pep Guardiola to lead them. The Citizens were eliminated by high-flying AS Monaco in the knockouts of 2016/17 tournament and have definitely become stronger ever since. Guardiola will be expected to easily navigate through the group stage where tougher battles await his team.
Napoli are the next choice to get out of the group stage. The Naples outfit are a settled side with the attack of Lorenzo Insigne, Dries Mertens and Jose Callejon one of the best in Europe. Further, their manager Maurizio Sarri is known to be a tactical mastermind and their clash with City offers to be a footballing case-study. The Italian side disposed French team OGC Nice relatively well and will be looking to better their quarterfinal loss to Real Madrid from last term.
Feyenoord won the Dutch league last season and make the group a tricky one. Former Barcelona player Giovanni van Bronckhorst is managing the Eredivisie champions well but the group stage promises to be a tough test for his side. A Europa League knockout spot by finishing third would be a more realistic aim.
Prediction
- Manchester City
- Napoli
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Feyenoord
