Champions League, Global

Turkish Delight and Spanish paella in Euro underdog tie

The beauty of the Champions League is not in watching two of the favourites, but a pair of underdogs instead. The return of the Champions League this week is the most eagerly awaited fortnight of football action since the second round draw took place in late December. Over the years, second round fixtures have not disappointed [...]

The beauty of the Champions League is not in watching two of the favourites, but a pair of underdogs instead.

The return of the Champions League this week is the most eagerly awaited fortnight of football action since the second round draw took place in late December. Over the years, second round fixtures have not disappointed and the draw has been kind to fans and Uefa’s marketing department alike, with ties such as Barcelona v Liverpool, Real Madrid v Arsenal, Chelsea v Barcelona and Manchester United v AC Milan.

Taking a keen eye on this year’s fixtures and again we are blessed with a mouth-watering prospect of some excellent contests. High-flying Real Madrid, Arsenal and Internazionale all take on perennial domestic under-achievers in the likes of AS Roma, AC Milan and Liverpool respectively. Despite all eyes no doubt focussing on these three games, the second round has another potentially massive game, in the form of Fenerbahçe and Sevilla. Both teams are the tournament’s underdogs and the match will, I am sure, entertain.

This is the type of fixture that would usually tickle only a few European football fans’ bellies. Sevilla are a team in transition. They are Europe’s other big performers, winning the Uefa Cup in 2006 and 2007. But that was during the Juande Ramos era, and they are now in a post-Ramos period. Since his departure, they have struggled in the league with faltering form and now only have the Champions League to concentrate on.

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Fenerbahçe, last year’s Turkish champions, have been impressive under coach Zico. The philosophy of Zico has meant that the Turks play with the swagger of the Seleção, but at the same time have an exemplary work ethic.

Despite being in the Group of Death along with Internazionale, CSKA Moscow and PSV, Fenerbahçe came through with flying colours, reaching the Champions League knockout stage for the first time, and their strength lies in the mix of Turkish and Brazilian players.

The experience of Roberto Carlos (three time European champion with Real Madrid in 1998, 2000 and 2002) along with the Brazilian contingent of Alex, Edu and Deivid has meant that Fenerbahçe not only share Brazil’s yellow shirts, but also possess the players that wear them. The Turkish base of Senturk, Gonul and Kazim has meant that when the Brazilian core is not at its best, the league champions can rely on their strong localised base. The 3-1 defeat of CSKA Moscow on Matchday Six demonstrated this blend appositely.

Although the club have enjoyed all the right headlines, and justifiably so, Sevilla may end up doing what Monaco and Villarreal have done in recent years and go on an extended and unexpected Champions League run.

The La Liga title is beyond them and they have managed to keep Dani Alves despite the overtures of Chelsea and Real Madrid. Frédéric Kanouté, Luís Fabiano and Christian Poulsen have all remained giving Sevilla the stability they need to go on and win this competition. Their style is still an eye-catching blend of attacking and free flowing football, with an almost excessive use of the wings aided by the emergence of Diego Capel on the left side of midfield, leaving Los Rojiblancos with two of Europe’s most exciting wingers in Capel and Jesús Navas.

Fenerbahçe are exciting to watch and being paired against an equally riveting Sevilla side might just ensure one of those undisicplined Champions League classic encounters with goals going in as quick as the speed of light with no pretence of grandeur as has been witnessed in some ties over the last few years.

However, the reality remains that Europe’s concentration will be on the Emirates, Anfield and the Stadio Olimpico. And with all of the peninsula’s ‘big’ sides in action at those venues, there is little alternative. But don’t bet against Fenerbahçe-Sevilla being not only the tie of the round, but also providing the competition with its yearly underdog in the shape of Monaco or Villarreal, and every supporter loves to back an underdog.

Fenerbahçe v Sevilla
First leg: Wednesday 20 January, 1945 GMT
Second leg: Tuesday 4 March, 1945 GMT

Players to watch
Sevilla: Diego Capel, Jesús Navas, Seydou Keita
Fenerbahçe: Alex, Deivid

Prediction
3-2 win for Fenerbahçe

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Will Fener overcome Sevilla?
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