Champions League 2014 Schedule, Predictions & Group Contenders: How Did Chelsea, Barcelona, Bayern Munich Do in Groups E Through H?

By David Salazar First Posted: Sep 18, 2014 12:45 PM EDT

After a rather exciting start to the Champions League season on Tuesday, fans were treated to a tremendous second date.

Here are some observations from each of the final four groups on the first game day:

Group E - Truly a "Group of Death"

The so-called group of death is shaping up to be just that. Many thought that Bayern Munich and Manchester City would pull away, but Roma might have something to say about that. Rudi Garcia's side put on a show in Italy's capital by demolishing CSKA Moscow 5-1. It was statement of intent to the other two squads in the group and it is clear that this team is not afraid.

Meanwhile, Munich and Manchester battled hard in a 1-0 win for the German side. City played well throughout and held up against a superior side while the under-manned German team managed to find a way to edge this one out. Neither side looks like a true contender yet, but it is still too early to make any sweeping predictions.

Group F - Barca Not Ready?

Barcelona's latest rebuild seemed to get off to a quick start as the team has produced three wins in three Spanish League matches thus far. The first Champions League game against APOEL Nicosia was supposed to put the cherry on top for the team's solid start, but it only served to exacerbate some of the problems that have continued to plague Los Cules over the years. The Cyprus team simply resorted to the tried-and-true park the bus tactics and it worked wonderfully. Barcelona won this game 1-0, but many expected a more lopsided scoreline similar to the one on display from rivals Real Madrid against FC Basel on Tuesday. When one considers that this transpired at the Camp Nou, the slight scoreline is all the more disappointing.

Most disappointing of all was the play of Lionel Messi, who despite an assist, was not his usual dominant self.

Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain struggled at Ajax in what proved an even encounter. This group looks wide open, for now, but should still be easy for PSG and Barcelona.

Group G - Not So Easy for Chelsea After All

Remember when everyone complained about how Chelsea always got easy groups? One would be remiss to ignore the fact that this group, on paper, looks rather lopsided in Chelsea's favor. Schalke was taken down 3-0 twice last year in Chelsea's group while Maribor and Sporting CP hardly provide the challenges that would make Blues fans sweat.

But there they were. After 90 minutes at home, the Blues were unable to come away with a vital three points against arguably the toughest opponent in the group. It was a bothersome display of futility that almost overturned all the good will the team had acquired in its first four Premier League matches. The team that had scored with abandon in the EPL was stuck in this match with no answers. In Chelsea's favor, there was no Diego Costa for most of the game, as he watched Didier Drogba falter time and time again.

Meanwhile, Sporting and Maribor played to a draw, ensuring that Chelsea has no reason to worry for the moment.

Group H - Porto Back in Business

It was supposed to be a group that Athletico Bilbao would run away with, but in the early stages it seems that Porto may have that honor. The Portuguese team, which struggled in last season's edition of this tournament, launched a 6-0 win over BATE Borisov. While the Belarrussian side is shaping up to be the group's punching bag, Porto has proven to have a resiliency of character that could serve it in big games against Shakhtar Donetsk and Bilbao.

Meanwhile, the other two sides battled to a 0-0 draw at the San Mames. Athletic, which almost always wins at its fortress, will be disappointed to come away with only one point in its debut. Shakthar will certainly be grateful.