3 Champions League debutants to look out for
The 2012-13 UEFA Champions League season has already seen two match days go by and it is evident that the regular suspects have hit the ground running, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Zlatan Ibrahimovic leading the European charge for their respective clubs. However, there have been several young UCL debutants who have impressed so far and these are my top three picks.
1. OSCAR (CHELSEA FC)
The Brazilian starlet had consistently been terrorizing opposition defenders in Brazil, with his nimble footwork and intricate passing. He was also a large part of the national side’s silver medal success at 2012 London Olympics and it was no surprise when Chelsea came calling with an overwhelming transfer fee of 25 million pounds. There were questions as to how the youngster would take to the English game as he doesn’t possess the greatest physical presence but in the Champions League, he is like a fish in water.
Chelsea boss Di Matteo handed him his first start in the Blue’s opener against Italian giants Juventus and Oscar seemed non-existent for the first half hour or so, but suddenly burst into life with two goals in two minutes (the latter already a contender for goal of the season). He looked alert and dangerous in Chelsea’s second game against Danish side FC Nordsjaelland, even though he wasn’t at his best. Playing alongside Eden Hazard and Juan Mata, in a menacing attacking three behind Fernando Torres takes the pressure and the spotlight off the twenty-one year old and this works to his advantage. That is why I consider him Chelsea’s dark horse and he will have to be at his very best if Chelsea are to have any chance of retaining their European crown.
2. MARCO REUS (BORUSSIA DORTMUND)
Having established himself as one of Germany’s top footballers in the past two seasons, it was only a matter of time before Marco Reus left Borussia Monchengladbach for a bigger team. There was huge interest from overseas but it was the German champions, Borussia Dortmund who finally signed him for 17 million euros. The quick winger felt right at home playing alongside compatriots such as Matt Hummels and Mario Goetze and made an instant impact for Dortmund in the Bundesliga.
Having signed in January, Reus had to wait for his UCL debut and would have surely hoped that his new club would put on a better show than last year in Europe’s elite club competition and that’s exactly what has happened so far. The German side has picked up four points from two games, including a point at the Etihad Stadium. Marco Reus has been instrumental in the first two group games, with his sudden bursts of pace and his ability to take on defenders. The best is still yet to come from the 23-year-old and it would be no surprise to see Dortmund progress to the knockout stages, with Marco Reus at the heart of things.
3. JAVIER PASTORE (PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN)
Javier Pastore was one of football’s most sought after players when big spending PSG secured his signature in 2011. The attack-minded midfielder majorly impressed in the Serie A for Palermo and has shown bits of brilliance for his club in France. However, Champions League football was expected to throw a whole new challenge towards the Argentine but he did not seem fazed, as the French giants cruised to a 4-1 victory against Dynamo Kyiv, with Pastore amongst the goals.
PSG’s second game was a rude awakening though, as they lost out to Porto by the odd goal, with Pastore failing to impress as a late substitute. There is no doubt that the 23-year-old Cordoba-born footballer possesses exemplary talent and playing alongside stars such as Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi will only bring the best out of him. He may have not captured his best form yet but it will be no surprise to see Javier Pastore tear up European pitches as the tournament progresses.