EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

0 Comments | Sunday Herald, The, Oct 16, 2005 | by STEWART FISHERGABRIELE MARCOTTI GABRIELE MARCOTTI RODDY THOMSON

STEWART FISHER

1. Have Artmedia exhausted their fund of Champions League shocks? Not yet, especially against an injury-hit Rangers. The Slovakians will be undaunted after Celtic Park and Porto, but may be more of a threat back in Bratislava.

2. Is Darren Fletcher's star turn for Scotland good enough for Man U? Injuries elsewhere to the midfield mean that it will have to be. His confidence should be bolstered by his magnificent all-round display in Celje, and Man Utd fans would love to see him convert his international form into performances at Old Trafford, where he often seems overly anxious and wasteful in possession. They should still be too good for Lille.

3. After Greece's shock World Cup exit, can Panathinaikos stun Barcelona? No. Barcelona have more attacking weapons than any other team in the entire Champions League, and their unflustered progression to the knockout stages should continue.

4. The assumption being that Lyon will continue their irrepresible Champions League development against Olympiakos . . . A year ago, it took a last-gasp goal from Steven Gerrard to prevent Olympiakos qualifying for the knockout stages, and under Norwegian coach Trond Sollied, the Greek club still seem to be recovering from the blow. This is hardly a gimme, but Lyon are a good home side and Olympiakos tend to be poor on their travels.

5. How about Group G, and Real Betis' attempt to squeeze out either the holders, Liverpool, or many people's favourites, Chelsea?

Real Betis will sit in and attempt to frustrate Jose Mourinho's side at Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have enough patience to see them off.

Betis' home defeat to Liverpool in the first matchday already seems to point to the progression of the two English teams.

GABRIELE MARCOTTI

1. Have Artmedia exhausted their fund of Champions League shocks? Yes. Time for a reality check. Rangers may be going through some tough times, but Artmedia's not-sofairish tale is bound to come to an end.

2. Is Darren Fletcher's star turn for Scotland good enough for Man U? Fletcher is a kid. If United want him to fill Roy Keane's shoes here and now, it's a huge ask. If he is given a chance to grow, he can punch his weight. Certainly more than Alan Smith as a recycled midfielder.

3. After Greece's shock World Cup exit, can Panathinaikos stun Barcelona? What do Panathinaikos have to do with Greece? Seven foreigners in the starting XI, Italian manager. . . actually Alberto Malesani is the kind of boss who will take chances when he has nothing to lose.

Don't write them off.

4. The assumption being that Lyon will continue their irrepresible Champions League development against Olympiakos . . . Mais non!

Two words for you: Gerard Houllier. By Christmas he may well have unraveled all of Paul Le Guen's hard work. . .

5. How about Group G, and Real Betis' attempt to squeeze out either the holders, Liverpool, or many people's favourites, Chelsea?

Group G is in fact more open than people think, but Betis' home loss to Liverpool was a hefty price to pay. If they lose at Stamford Bridge it's just about over for them.

RODDY THOMSON

1. Have Artmedia exhausted their fund of Champions League shocks? The romantic in me won't be popular for saying this, but I don't believe they have. The Slovaks are having the time of their lives this season - more to come.

2. Is Darren Fletcher's star turn for Scotland good enough for Man U? I must admit I sympathise with our best player, because not only did he have to make his mark in a poor national team without the benefit of much real experience at his club, but even now that he is a first-team regular for Manchester, he still gets measured against more illustrious predecessors. Quiet progress, maybe.

3. After Greece's shock World Cup exit, can Panathinaikos stun Barcelona? I'd be astonished if that happened. Athens is never the easiest of cities to visit, but I suspect the depression triggered by the motivational failure of the national team will filter down to their biggest club side. Barcelona would need to have a really bad day at the office . . .

4. The assumption being that Lyon will continue their irrepresible Champions League development against Olympiakos . . .

Absolutemment! France's strongest-ever domestic champions are ripe for a push towards European football's highest podium. They only need that little bit of luck every winner requires, but everything at Stade Gerland has been built with the aim of securing what, in France, many in the game believe should be a logical progression. Gerard Houllier's reputation as a coach, incidentally, is not the same back in his homeland.

5. How about Group G, and Real Betis' attempt to squeeze out either the holders, Liverpool, or many people's favourites, Chelsea?

Afraid I can't see any other outcome apart from the big two going through.

Some groups just ask too much of the third-ranked side - sadly, that was even the case for Scotland in the World Cup - and in this competition especially, first-timers rarely excape from such unforgiving company.