As the European competition kicks off on 14th September we take a look at the teams and our predictions from Group A
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Inter Milan
How they made it: While it’s still unclear if defending champions get an automatic place in next seasons competition, Inter steered clear of any controversy regarding the same by gaining an automatic spot in the Group stages by winning the Serie A title last season.
Players to watch out for: Inter completed a sweep in the recently announced UEFA club player of the year awards with goal keeper Julio Cesar, defender Maicon, midfielder Wesley Sneijder and striker Diego Milito all getting the nod in their respective categories. Milito, in fact won the UEFA Club Footballer of the Year award as well.
How far can they go: Anything besides a semi final or final spot will be a disappointment for the Italian champions. Expect them to be favourites to challenge for top honours again.
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Werder Bremen
How they made it: Bremen finished 3rd in the Bundesliga last season and had to see off Italian side Sampdoria in 2 entertaining ties to make it into the group stages of this competition.
Players to watch out for: Former Bayern Munich and Chelsea striker Claudio Pizzaro will spearhead their attack and scored in both ties against Sampdoria in the playoffs. Torsten Frings is another key man for the German side as is giant defender Per Metesacker, who will marshall the defence.
How far can they go: Having regularly qualified for Europe’s elite tournament since 2004-05 season, the Germans have failed to get past the group stage since 2005-06. A place in the Round of 16 would be their target this time around and who knows then how far can they go from there.
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Tottenham Hotspur
How they made it: Spurs have made the top European competition for only the 3rd time in their history and for the first time in 50 years, courtesy of finishing 4th in the Premier League and then coming from behind to beat Swiss club Young Boys.
Players to watch out for: Giant striker Peter Crouch who scored a hat trick in the 2nd leg of the playoff tie is one to watch for as is his strike partner Jermain Defoe although he might miss the start with a groin injury. Midfield maestro Luka Modric will look to pull the strings and supply the front men with goal scoring opportunities.
How far can they go: Realistically Spurs would look to progress past the group stages of the competition but upstaging an experienced Bremen side is no easy task. Expect a neck and neck battle between the 2 with clashes between them likely to decide the outcome of this group.
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FC Twente
How they made it: FC Twente surprised many by holding off Ajax to win the Dutch Eredivisie and in the bargain automatically qualified for the group stages of the competition.
Players to watch out for: Keeping hold of attacker Bryan Ruiz whose 24 goals in 34 games led them to the title, will be key to FC Twente’s chances of going past the group stages of the competition. Former Ajax, Feyenoord and Dutch midfielder Denny Landazat will look to keep the defence water tight against the top European sides.
How far can they go: They may be out of their league in this competition against Europe’s big boys and would look to target a place in the Europa League courtesy of finishing 3rd in the group.
Group Prediction
Although this isn’t the toughest of groups, it could get tricky and expect the group toppers to be decided only by penultimate round of games. Inter should go through as toppers with Spurs just about beating Bremen to the second spot. FC Twente will put up a fight but their 1st foray into Europe’s top competition would be fruitless.