FCBARCELONA.CAT

05.11.2009 12:37

A Real “Group of Death”

Jesús Carrillo / Jordi Clos

With two games left to play, Barca's Group F is proving to be one of the closest in Champions League history with all four teams still able to finish either top or bottom of the group.

Group F was clearly going to be this year's “Group of Death” and with the four teams all involved leading their respective leagues, it really has proved to be an evenly matched group. Inter lead lead the group on 6 points with Rubin on 5, ahead of Barca only on goal difference and Dynamo in fourth with 4 points and it looks like it'll go right to the wire with all four still in with a shout to progress to the next stage.

Four league leaders

Inter not only lead their Champions League group, they also head the Italian league, seven points ahead of second place Juventus. Rubin top the Russian championship, leading Spartak Moscow by a single point, with just three games to go and Dynamo Kiev lead Shaktar in Ukraine by four points. Barca, of course, top La Liga, leading Real Madrid by a point.

Precedents

There have been few closer groups in Champions League history, though in 2005/06 at the same stage in Group F, Villarreal had 6, Manchester United 5, Lille 5 and Benfica 4 points, whilst in 1999 Kiev were involved in an even tighter situation in Group E when Panathinaikos had 6 and Dynamo Arsenal and Lens all had 5.