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The 2015-16 Champions League is up and running and here at languagecaster.com we take a look at the 8 groups and offer a prediction or two! In the first part we will be featuring groups A to D, while part two will look at groups E-H. You can listen to the report by clicking on the link above, and you can also read the transcript of the report (below). There is also explanations of key vocabulary (in bold).Listening Practice: 2015-16 Champions League Preview (Groups A-D)
Group A
Group A seems fairly straightforward with favourites Real Madrid and big-spenders Paris Saint Germain expected to take the top two qualifiyng spots. Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk were tipped by some to cause an upset but they will need something from their next game at home to PSG after their thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid, otherwise they are as good as out. Swedish sideA Malm̦ have reached a European Cup final before Рway back in 1979 Рand, though they will not trouble the top teams their fans will welcome one of their old boys Zlatan Ibrahimovic when Paris travel north to face them. Tip: Real Madrid and Paris
Group B
Manchester United were expected to have an easy passage through this group but after their defeat away at PSV Eindhoven this group now appears to be much more open. The Dutch side will now fancy their chances of claiming one of the qualifying spots though both Wolfsburg and Moscow will ensure that it will not be easy. United? They should make it but their record in Europe recently has not been the best. Tip: Manchester United and PSV Eindhoven
Group C
2014 finalists Atlético de Madrid should progress to the knock-out stages without too much fuss, particularly after defeating Turkish side Galatasaray away from home in their opening game. Benfica, from the Portuguese capital, should make it through along with Atlético. They had an easy home victory against Kazakh team Astana who are making their debuts in this season’s Champions League and are very much the outsiders of the group. Tip: Atlético de Madrid and Benfica
Group D
Now Group D was dubbed the group of death as it included last season’s Champions League runners-up Juventus, Europa League winners Sevilla, Premier League leaders Manchester City and German dark horsesA Borussia Mönchengladbach. However, Sevilla and Borussia have yet to hit form this season, while Juventus have also been slow to get into their stride leaving many to predict that Manchester City could get out of the group. However, their 0-1 home defeat to Juventus along with Sevilla’s convincing 3-0 win over the German side means it will be more complicated for City to do that now but this group is still a difficult one to call. Tip: Juventus and Sevilla.
These are our predictions, how about yours? Let us know by posting below!
Vocabulary
straightforward: Clear and easy (to predict)
spots: Positions
thrashing at the hands of: Heavy defeat against…
they are as good as out: Not 100% sure but almost certainly
to have an easy passage: To easily qualify
fancy their chances: They have high hopes
without too much fuss: With little trouble
outsiders: Little chance of qualifying
was dubbed: Was called
have yet to hit form: Have not played well yet
have also been slow to get into their stride: Not playing yet; not playing at their usual high level
difficult one to call: Difficult to predict
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