Hannover 96 had an easy time, conceding an early glow and before you could say “Rock-law” (or “vrotz-waff” for that matter), they thumped Slask Wroclaw 5-1 (10-4 on aggregate) to advance to the Europa-league Group stage. 26,000 watched doubles by Sobiech and Huszti, plus Abdellaoue bang in goals.
The Champions League draws certainly are worth talking about. Borussia Dortmund paid the price for sucking last season and go a doozie: Group D consists of Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax Amsterdam!!! Talk about a Group of Death! Well, I guess we’ll see whether the Neons have matured from last season. Bayern München, on the other hand, was almost handed a bye: Group F consists or BATE Borisov, Lille and Valencia. So unless something goes horribly wrong, an easy advancement. Schalke may be the weakest German entrant, but Group B consists of Arsenal, Montpellier and Olympiakos Piraeus. Not easy for them, but certainly do-able,
How awkward, as a Schalke and Arsenal fan, who do I cheer for….
However both should get through that group.
All readers of the Abseits blog are required to cheer for the German squad, although if either Mertesacker or Podolski score, you are allowed a celebration
Seriousness aside, you’re right, I’d expect both to go through…and it will be a good test for Schalke against the Londoners…
Dortmund will be lucky to make third sport this year, which is still an improvement on last year. So the squad development will benefit, but I’d be a little surpised if they rattle the group that much. Their draw against Arsenal last year was their Champions Leaque highlight and it all went south from there.
The biggest challenge for Bayern will be who to rest mid week.
And as for Schalke, whilst they are always around, besides their semi final against Man U a few years ago, do they really threaten? I’d love to see them do well, but history hasn’t shown much for my euro’s so far.