Group G is one of the tougher groups to predict. Ligue 1 champions AS Monaco and Champions League debutants RB Leipzig are joined by big spenders Beşiktaş JK and Champions League regulars FC Porto.
AS Monaco (France)
After Monaco lost key players such as Bernardo Silva, Tiémoué Bakayoko, Benjamin Mendy and Kylian Mbappè, a season of struggle wouldn’t be out of discussion. However, last seasons semi-finalists have started their Ligue 1 season impressively and brought in great signings such as Youri Tielemans and Keita Baldé Diao from RSC Anderlecht and SS Lazio respectively.
Manager: Leonardo Jardim
Group G Prediction: 3rd
Previous best performance in Champions League: Final (2003-04)
Latest performance in Champions League: Semi-Final (2016-17)
Key Player: Radamel Falcao
El Tigre endured a frustrating few years in England with Manchester United and Chelsea and is now after rebuilding his sparkling form and reputation as one of Europe’s finest goal scorers. Goal studded stints at FC Porto and Atletico Madrid earned him his €60 million move to the South of France. With goal scorers Kylian Mbappé and Valère Germain both departing for Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique de Marseille respectively, Falcao will now be relied on for his goals and also his leadership more so than ever.
FC Porto (Portugal)
Porto have appeared in the Champions League in most seasons since all the way back in 1995, which has included shocking the world by winning the competition in 2004 after beating Group G neighbours AS Monaco in Gelsenkirchen. Porto have failed to get past the group stages in three of their last 6 Champions League campaigns so they’ll be out to go a few steps further.
Manager: Sérgio Conceição
Group G Prediction: 2nd
Previous best performance in Champions League: Winners x2 (1986-87 & 2003-04)
Latest performance in Champions League: Round of 16 (2016-17)
Key Player: Danilo Pereira
Since his arrival from C.S. Marítimo back in 2015, Pereira has established himself as one of Europe’s finest defensive midfielders. Also capable of a goal when needed too, the Portuguese international is growing into arguably Porto’s most influential players at both ends of the pitch. His experience will be needed if Porto are to make out of this difficult group.
Beşiktaş JK (Turkey)
After winning the Süper Lig in consecutive seasons, Beşiktaş are now more equipped for a promising season in the Champions League than ever. Huge signings such as Pepe, Gary Medel and Álvaro Negredo to add to their already talented squad, Beşiktaş could prove difficult customers.
Manager: Şenol Güneş
Group G Prediction: 4th
Previous best performance in Champions League: Quarter-Final (1986-87)
Latest performance in Champions League: Grouo Stage (2016-17)
Key Player: Oğuzhan Özyakup
A player full of promise and talent, Özyakup is surely onto bigger pastures than the Süper Lig sooner rather than later. Already a full starter for Turkey and vice captain for his club, Özyakup is a leader on the pitch although still being just 24. A midfielder capable at both ends of the field, Özyakup will soon be a player consistently playing in the Champions League knock out stages wherever he goes.
RB Leipzig (Germany)
Since Leipzig were formed in 2008, their rise to the top has been a true fairytale story. After getting promoted from Bundesliga 2, RB Leipzig shocked the whole Europe after finishing 2nd in their debut season in Germany’s top flight. They have kept star players Timo Werner, Emil Forsberg and Naby Keïta (agreed to join Liverpool next summer). Their ambition won’t stop here as they take on the Champions League for the first time.
Manager: Ralph Hasenhüttl
Group G Prediction: 1st
Previous best performance in Champions League: N/A (debut season in Champions League)
Latest performance in Champions League: N/A (debut season in Champions League)
Key Player: Timo Werner
Timo Werner stock just continues to rise with every game he plays. The 21 year old joined from VfB Stuttgart last summer and just hasn’t looked back, 4th top scorer with 21 goals fired Leipzig into 2nd place. Werner has now also been directly involved in 8 goals in his last 5 games for Germany, his form continues to get better and better in the Bundesliga and on the international stage, if it reaches the Champions League then it won’t be long before the big clubs come knocking on his door.
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