Odds and Sods

Inter Milan

The Nerazzurri dominated Serie A last season with a whopping 97 pts from 38 matches, beating second-place Roma by 22 pts.  Their run included a record-setting 17 consecutive league victories.  Their hot streak did not, however, continue into the Champions League, where they were hastily eliminated on away goals by Valencia.

Despite much speculation that they would bring in Carlos Tevez, Inter were not too active on the transfer market.  They did bring in Suazo and Chivu, but, on the whole, they determined not to mess with success.  They are currently tied for 5th in Serie A with 4 pts from 2 matches.  This may be the toughest group 1-4, but with players like Vieira, Figo, Crespo, Zanetti et al., they have both the talent and the experience to get them through on top of this group.

CSKA Moscow

CSKA won their third domestic title in four seasons, last year.  They also performed fairly well in the Champions League, notably by getting results in both matches against Arsenal.  However, they were narrowly eliminated when Porto and Arsenal both drew in the final match.  Despite being from a “lesser” league, they have a nucleus of talented Brazilian internations (Daniel Carvalho, Vagner Love, Dudu) and football manager stud Igor Akinfeev between the pipes.  They will have a huge home advantage, and unlike last season it should push them on into the knockout stages.

PSV

PSV Eindhoven won their third Eredivise title in a row, narrowly edging Ajax on goal difference by one goal.  They put up a fight in the Champions League as well, shocking Arsenal before losing to Liverpool in the quarterfinals.  However, their success, at least in the Champions League, hinged upon their defensive play, which should be weakened with the departure of defender Alex to Chelsea.

Fenerbahce

Fenerbache won their seventeenth Turkish Super League title last season.  They also made it the round of 32 in the UEFA Cup before being defeated 5-5 on away goals to AZ Alkmaar.  They sought to upgrade the squad by bringing in a big name in the summer, and managed to do so with legend Roberto Carlos.  Unfortunately, it is not the Roberto Carlos of 8 or 9 years ago, but the Roberto Carlos who notably lost his mark and watched Thierry Henry sail by him in the World Cup.   In another group they could turn some heads, but this one should be too arduous.