UEFA Champions League group stage draw

The draw in Istanbul just concluded, below you can find the groups for this season’s UEFA Champions League.

Group A

Ajax

Liverpool

Napoli

Rangers

Tough group, with Liverpool, a very inform Napoli, Ajax and Rangers. Ajax did lose their manager, together with a lot of players this summer, however they are never pushovers in Europe. Realistically, all 4 teams can go through, however Liverpool are strong favorites.

Group B

Porto

Atlético

Leverkusen

Club Brugge

One of the easier groups, Spanish giants Atletico will face Porto, Leverkusen and Club Brugge. Leverkusen are having an abysmal start of the season, however they can find their form any time. Porto, changing it’s squad once again this summer, will have their work cut out for them.

Group C

Bayern

Barcelona

Inter

Plzeň

After less season’s shock exit from the group stage, I am sure Barcelona didn’t want to face Bayern once more, however this group will undoubtedly be very exiting. Inter are always a wildcard, however getting Lukaku back will definitely boost their confidence. Plzen are outsiders.

Group D

Frankfurt

Tottenham

Sporting CP

Marseille

Group D doesn’t look tough on first sight, however these teams will put up a fight. Tottenham, finally back in the UCL, are clear favorites, however Frankfurt are last season’s Europa League winners. Sporting have talent, however it might be tough for them to compete, given they reshuffled their squad this summer. On the other hand, Marseille strenghtened their squad quite heavily.

Group E

Milan

Chelsea

Salzburg

Dinamo Zagreb

Group E, once more one of the easier ones, has two favorites in Milan and Chelsea. Salzburg, always bringing talented players into the mix sold quite a few players this summer, while Dinamo Zagreb, strong Easter European side, are in with an outsider’s chance.

Group F

Real Madrid

Leipzig

Shakhtar Donetsk

Celtic

Last season’s winners, Real Madrid are going to meet a familiar face in Shakhtar Donetsk, as the Ukrainians are meeting Real Madrid for the 3rd time in 3 seasons. Despite having a harsh start of the season, Leipzig have strengthened their squad in the summer, bringing Werner back, so they are definitely going to expect going through. Celtic, also back in Europe are dark horses as well.

Group G

Man City

Sevilla

Dortmund

Copenhagen

A nice, exciting group, with Manchester City, Sevilla, Dortmund and Danish big boys, Copenhagen. Man City are clear favorites, while Sevilla and Dortmund are probably going to be fighting for that second spot. Dortmund might have the better squad on paper, but Lopetegui’s team will try bringing their Europa League form to the UCL.

Group H

Paris SG

Juventus

Benfica

M. Haifa

Group H, another group with a clear favorite and two teams who are probably going to battle it out for the second place. Despite losing Nunez, Benfica are in good form, winning 2 out of 2 games in Liga Portugal and also smashing through Dynamo Kyiv in the UCL playoffs.