CL Group D: A Closer Look

By: JT | October 4th, 2007

We’re a third of the way through Group D’s matches in this year’s Champions League, so its a good time to assess the way things stand, and where they might be heading. Shakhtar Donetsk is the surprise leader with six points, while Celtic and AC Milan sit on three points apiece. Benfica is at the foot of the table, pointless. First off, the leaders:

SHAKHTAR DONETSK 6 Points
Results: (H) Celtic 2-0, (A) Benfica 0-1
Schedule: (A) Milan, (H) Milan, (A) Celtic, (H) Benfica
What they need to do: Right now Shakhtar are doing everything right. They have a new look team who is getting used to each other and will only get better as they play more matches. Thats a scary prospect. They’ve taken their six points from two higher seeded clubs already, and they look to test themselves against the European Champions in a home-and-home. If they can manage two points from the clashes with Milan, they look a good bet to qualify. Three, four, or six points from those two contests will put them on the path to winning the group outright. The match at Milan on Oct 24 could be their coming out party.

CELTIC 3 Points
Results: (A) Shakhtar 0-2, (H) Milan 2-1
Schedule: (A) Benfica, (H) Benfica, (H) Shakhtar, (A) Milan
What they need to do: Last night’s win over Milan was huge. If they manage to escape with no loss of points due to the fan running onto the field, they’ve positioned themselves well. These next two matches with Benfica should earn them a minimum of four points, leaving it all to play for when Shakhtar come calling ahead of the trip to Milan. As always, away form is the key, and if Celtic’s journey to Portugal ends in defeat, it turns the remaining three fixtures into virtual must wins. Going to the San Siro needing to get all three points to qualify is not a proposition that the Bhoys will be too fond of, especially if Milan need those points too.

AC MILAN 3 Points
Results: (H) Benfica 2-1, (A) Celtic 1-2
Schedule: (H) Shakhtar, (A) Shakhtar, (A) Benfica, (H) Celtic
What they need to do: Serious questions have to be asked of Milan right now considering their domestic form and their performance last nite at Celtic Park. Are they just too old across the board to compete at this level? How far can “just knowing how to win” take you when the legs are weary? I think Milan’s next match at home against Shakhtar will be quite revealing for both squads. Is the old Milan done and dusted, ready for a shakeup? Are the Ukrainians for real? Both teams will be looking to make statements during that match, and the result will either set Milan up for their expected qualification or send Shakhtar on their way to taking the group.

BENFICA 0 Points
Results: (A) Milan 1-2, (H) Shakhtar 0-1
Schedule: (H) Celtic, (A) Celtic, (H) Milan, (A) Shakhtar
What they need to do: For Benfica to qualify for the knockout stages, they need to take six points from Celtic, plain and simple. Its certainly possible that they beat the Hoops in Lisbon, but taking the points from them at Celtic Park is an entirely different challenge. The clubs handed each other 3-0 away defeats in last year’s group stages. If they manage two or less points from the Celtic matches, they’ll be set to miss out on the UEFA Cup as well, because they’re not going to be taking more than two points from Milan or at Shaktar.