Group F is another group packed with talent, another tough one to call which could go a variety of different ways. Top European sides Manchester City and Napoli are the favourites but they face tough competition from Ukrainian Premier League champions Shakhtar Donetsk and Eredivisie champions Feyenoord.
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Shakhtar are a tough game for any team in Europe and it’s hard to imagine this year being any different. Not the easiest of groups, qualification for the knock out stages might prove to be difficult against such tough opposition.
Manager: Paulo Fonseca
Group F Prediction: 3rd
Previous best performance in Champions League: Quarter-Final (2010-11)
Latest performance in Champions League: Group Stage (2015-16)
Key Player: Marlos
One of many talented Brazilians plying their trade for Shakhtar, Marlos is arguably the pick of the bunch. The 29 year old, surprisingly yet to be capped for Brazil, has now surpassed over 120 appearances for Shakhtar and played an integral part in them winning their 10th league title last season. A battle with Napoli for 2nd spot is likely to come down to the wire and Marlos will need to be at his brilliant Brazilian best.
Manchester City FC (England)
Guardiola’s first season in England rather fizzled out in the end as they finished trophyless. This season, with major signings such as Bernardo Silva and Benjamin Mendy, City are now prepared to go two steps further than their semi-final defeat to Real Madrid back in April 2016.
Manager: Pep Guardiola
Group F Prediction: 1st
Previous best performance in Champions League: Semi-Final (2015-16)
Latest performance in Champions League: Round of 16 (2016-17)
Key Player: Kevin De Bruyne
One of Europe’s top assisting players also more than capable of a few goals too, De Bruyne has never looked back since he was mistreated during his spell at Chelsea. Spell at Werder Bremen and VfL Wolfsburg saw him earn his £56 million move to the Etihad from the latter of the two teams. One of Europe’s best midfielders, De Bruyne will need his best form and nothing less if Man City are to finally achieve European success.
S.S.C. Napoli (Italy)
One of European footballs most exciting teams, Napoli have been one of the nearly teams in the Champions League, however this season feels different. Their attacking front three of José Callejon, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens helped Napoli through their qualification round against OGC Nice, this group is difficult but they should fancy themselves for success.
Manager: Maurizio Sarri
Group F Prediction: 2nd
Previous best performance in Champions League: Round of 16 (2011-12)
Latest performance in Champions League: Round of 16 (2016-17)
Key Player: Dries Mertens
Not a regular in the Napoli team the season before last, Mertens was half way out the door. However, after a serious injury to their new striker Arkadiusz Milik, Mertens was put up front and the rest is history. 28 league goals, only one behind Serie A top scorer Edin Džeko, Mertens was one of the stand out players across Europe last season. If he can emulate that form into this season and into the Champions League as well, Napoli could be dark horses for a run into the latter stages of the tournament.
Feyenoord (Netherlands)
After winning their first league title since 1999, Feyenoord are well and truly back in a big way. Although their talismanic leader Dirk Kuyt has retired, their squad has remained strong enough to be able to give the Champions League a good go, though with this difficult group a place in the Europa League will be their most likely outcome if any.
Manager: Giovanni van Bronckhorst
Group F Prediction: 4th
Previous best performance in Champions League: Winners (1969-70)
Latest performance in Champions League: Group Stage (2002-03)
Key Player: Jens Toornstra
Signed from FC Utrecht in 2014, attacking midfielder Toornstra quickly became a fans favourite at De Kuip. A pivotal figure in their Eredivisie title success last season, weighing in with an impressive 14 goals from midfield, he really is always at the centre of all good things going on the pitch for Feyenoord. The 28 year old will be hoping to add Champions League goals and success to his improving list of achievements.
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