Champions League Group C Preview: Marseille or Porto to surprise Man City?
With Group A and Group B out of the way in our preview of all 32 teams in the 2020/21 Champions League, it's time to move on to Group C.
FC Porto, Manchester City, Olympiacos and Marseille make up this group, with City the clear favourites to advance to the knockout stage as winners.
However, can ex-Tottenham manager Andrea Villas Boas spring a surprise with his Marseille side or will a Premier League-buffed FC Porto push Guardiola's side all the way? As the theme of these articles, we have picked out players to watch and predicted where each side will finish.
FC PORTO
Key Player - Jesus Manuel Corona
Porto have lost some key players already this season in Danilo Pereira and Alex Telles and the departure of the latter in particular thrusts more of the creative burden onto Corona. Capable of player anywhere down the right flank and even at right-back for much of last season, the Mexican registered 11 league assists, while chipping in with four goals, and is a very strong dribbler.
One To Watch - Malang Sarr
Chelsea fans will certainly have one eye on Sarr's first taste of Champions League football following the 21-year-old's loan to the Liga NOS champions. Renowned for his composure from the back, completing 90.4% of his passes in last season, the youngster has been earmarked as a potential successor to Thiago Silva and has the opportunity to prove his credentials at the highest level.
Group Prediction - 3rd
Despite being a top seed in the draw, Porto are by no means assured their place in the knockout phase and couldn't have been dealt much tougher opponents from pots two and four than Man City and Marseille. They may well have a shootout with the latter, though Olympiacos are also capable of springing a surprise.
MAN CITY
Key Player- Kevin De Bruyne
Named the Champions League midfielder of the season last time around, De Bruyne arguably failed to replicate his best form in Europe, which just shows the quality that he possesses, scoring 13 times and registering 20 assists in the league. He sees the game like no other midfielder around and along with a number of his City teammates, will be keen to prove any doubters wrong at this level.
One To Watch - Ruben Dias
Having broken the club's transfer record in yet another attempt from City to solve their defensive problems, Dias has a price tag to live up to but has made a solid start. It's in that department that City must improve to fulfill their Champions League dream so the success of his partnership with Laporte will be decisive and the 23-year-old will need to prove he is more than just an accomplished passer.
Group Prediction - 1st
Negotiating the group phase has never proven too difficult for City, despite some bumps along the way, and they should be comfortable front runners following another favourable draw. It's how they fare after that matters, but their Group C opponents will struggle to cope with Guardiola's side.
OLYMPIACOS
Key Player - Mady Camara
The club's three top rated players from last season's tournament - Tsimikas, Guillherme and Podence - have all left and leave the squad lacking quality, with Camara an exception. A driving force from midfield, the 23-year-old is excellent getting from box-to-box and carries the ball superbly, much like international teammate Naby Keita. He'll be on the radar of many and will have plenty to do in Group C.
One To Watch - Ruben Vinagre
A popular player with Wolves fans, many had high hopes of Vinagre but Nuno doesn't seem to share their belief in the youngster, who left for Olympiacos on loan despite a long-term injury to Jonny. It will be up to the 21-year-old to step into the shoes of Kostas Tsimikas and he certainly fits a similar profile, with great athleticism down the left flank. This spell may well prove an audition for a bigger club.
Group Prediction: 4th
There are some experienced players in the Olympiacos ranks and Martins' side are capable of springing the odd upset in what will likely be a lottery for second spot behind City. If they can make home advantage count there is no reason the Greek champions can't progress, but it's a big if.
MARSEILLE
Key Player - Florian Thauvin
Having missed the entirety of last season through injury, Thauvin has been keen to make up for lost time already this time out and has three goals and four assists in seven Ligue 1 appearances. With a direct hand in 80 league goals in three seasons between 2016 and 2019, the winger has been sensational since returning to France and unlike Dimitri Payet, still has age on his side at 27.
One To Watch - Michael Cuisance
Having been incredibly close to signing for Leeds over the transfer window, a loan move ultimately fell through and Marseille profited in returning Cuisance to his homeland. The 21-year-old is an outstanding dribbler and can operate in tight spaces in the middle on the pitch and will be desperate to prove himself on the European stage having struggled for playing time in Germany.
Group Prediction - 2nd
Marseille have had a tough start to the season, facing Lyon, Lille, Saint-Etienne and PSG, but have lost just once and have been difficult to beat for some time now. With a solid defence and real flair in the opposing third, the Ligue 1 runners-up may be best placed to claim that tag in Group C.
