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Speaking about Thierry's handball, Maradona tweeted to him:

@Thierry_Henry I know how it feels! see you in south africa

Do you think he's taking the mic there?

• 

Well it’s that time of the season again to start being optimistic about what we hope to achieve this year. The Champions League always brings shivers down my spine each year and this year is no different.

The only funny aspect of this season’s competition is that our neighbours down the road, I don’t really want to waste my time typing them down, are alongside us in the tournament. I personally cannot wait to see them get mauled at the San Siro against Inter Milan.

Now where do we start?

Okay, let’s look at our group.

While Partizan Belgrade, Braga and Donetsk don’t really make us nervous, I believe they will be much tougher at home than most people think. All 3 places can be intimidating atmospheres.

Partizan Belgrade play in the Serbian League which is mainly just a two horse race between themselves and Red Star Belgrade (originally European Champions back in 1990). They went undefeated last year in the league and have currently stretched that run into the new season. While they don’t have any well known names, one in particular has made an impact. Cleo, A Brazilian striker, has scored in every round towards the group stages.

Braga has done themselves proud entering the competition for the first time. It seems that the Portuguese league isn’t just the “Big 3” of Benfica, Sporting or Porto anymore. Braga have a team which is mixed of South American talent and one that caught my eye in the last round was Lima, whose hat-trick against Sevilla was impressive.

Donetsk won the UEFA Cup back in 2009. Backed by the oil rich owners, they spend fortunes every season, mainly influx talent from South America or highly rated individuals scattered around Eastern Europe. One player that comes instantly to mind is Eduardo, our old boy, who has already found the net a number of occasions already for his new club.

I think we should have no problem finishing first, though these days in football, there are no “small” teams anymore.

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