Its All Up For Grabs in CL Group D

By: JT | November 15th, 2007

We’re two-thirds of the way through the Champions League Group D schedule, and the ultimate outcome is still quite hazy. AC Milan sit in the catbird seat with 9 points. Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic are on six points each, though the Ukrainians currently hold the advantage due to their victory over Celtic in mid-September. Benfica’s only points have come from a late win over Celtic in Lisbon. Their loss to the Bhoys in Glasgow last week leaves them very little room for error if they hope to continue on to the UEFA Cup or if they have designs on pipping the Celts or Shakhtar to a knockout round spot.

Let’s take a look at how the group has gotten to this point, and what these clubs need to do to progress.

AC MILAN 9 Points
Results: (H) Benfica 2-1, (A) Celtic 1-2, (H) Shakhtar 4-1, (A) Shakhtar 3-0
Remaining Fixtures: (A) Benfica, (H) Celtic
Looking Ahead: After dominating a home-and-home with Shakhtar, Milan have solidified their status as the front-runners in Group D. While still struggling to gain their footing domestically, they have regained control of their play in Europe, and may have already determined that they should be focusing more on the European Cup than the Scudetto this season. That’s a prospect that every club in this competition should be very concerned about.
Prediction: Milan will have little trouble dispatching Benfica in Lisbon, making the group stage finale against Celtic a virtually meaningless affair for the club. Four points from the last two matches will suit them just fine. They’ll advance to the knockout rounds as relatively comfortable group winners.

SHAKHTAR DONETSK 6 Points
Results: (H) Celtic 2-0, (A) Benfica 1-0, (A) Milan 1-4, (H) Milan 0-3
Remaining Fixtures: (A) Celtic, (H) Benfica
Looking Ahead: Shakhtar’s season, both in Europe and domestically, is at a crossroads. After winning their first two fixtures in the group stage, they were hot favorites to advance to the knockout stages and even to win the group. Then Milan showed them what top level football is all about. Their lead in the Ukrainian Premier League is now down to three points after a 2-1 loss to Dynamo Kyiv last weekend. The match at Celtic Park may well be the season for the Miners.
Prediction: Shakhtar will visit Celtic on November 28th, and I expect to see a hungry team. They’ll need every ounce of that hunger to leave Parkhead with a point, and I just don’t see that happening. Shakhtar will bounce back with a win over Benfica, clinching their UEFA Cup berth, where they’ll make some noise. If that’s acceptable to the management team who spent £40m in the transfer market this summer remains to be seen.

CELTIC 6 Points
Results: (A) Shakhtar 0-2, (H) Milan 2-1, (A) Benfica 0-1, (H) Benfica 1-0
Remaining Fixtures: (H) Shakhtar, (A) Milan
Looking Ahead: The last two fixtures line up nicely for Celtic after garnering six points from their two home matches, and continuing with their road woes. They have Shakhtar coming to Parkhead, and a trip to Milan follows, so its all in their hands. If the Celts and Milan both win, a simple draw at the San Siro will do the trick, and get the Hoops back into the knockout rounds. Celtic remain on top of the Scottish Premier League despite not playing particularly dominant football.
Prediction: Every Champions League match feels like the biggest match of Celtic’s season to me, but the Shakhtar match really is. They’re tied on points, and its a must win match for the Celts. I think they’ll get the points they require, in typically dramatic fashion. The Bhoys’ll travel to the San Siro and grab that one last point they need to qualify. 10 points and a solid second place finish is what I envision.

BENFICA 3 Points
Results: (A) Milan 1-2, (H) Shakhtar 0-1, (H) Celtic 1-0, (A) Celtic 0-1
Remaining Fixtures: (H) Milan, (A) Shakhtar
Looking Ahead: With Milan coming to Lisbon next, it will be extremely difficult for Benfica to advance to the knockout rounds. UEFA Cup qualification should be their focus right now, and that probably means holding Milan to a draw, and beating Shakhtar in Ukraine. By no means is this task impossible, but its a tall order any way you look at it. More than likely Benfica will be concentrating on closing the four point gap between them and Porto in the Portuguese Primeira Liga come the spring.
Prediction: Its going to be tough. Milan will come in looking to secure qualification, and they will do so. Provided Milan beats the Eagles and Celtic defeat Shakhtar, the trip to Ukraine could have major financial implications for the club, with a UEFA Cup spot on the line. Its unlikely they’ll be able to get that done, and winning the Primeira Liga will then become their focus.