As Frank Lampard handed back the Champions League Trophy it marked the start of a new campaign. Will José Mourinho be able to mastermind Real Madrid to another victory? Could Chelsea become the first team to defend the trophy in the modern era? Could any of the other British clubs mount a serious claim to the title of Europe’s Best? Will PSG’s huge investment lead to success? And how long will Barcelona be kept from continental glory? All these questions became a lot easier to answer with the drawing of the groups taking place.
To the defending Champions first, Chelsea. The Blues have been drawn in Group E, Roberto Di Matteo will be moderately pleased with the way things have turned out for the West London Club. Despite being drawn against Italian Champions Juventus, Chelsea have also been gifted a tie against Champions League new boys Nordsjaelland. The Danish Superliga Champions had previously been outlined as the weakest team in the hat although the cold winter temperatures of Denmark may go somewhere as to unsettling Chelsea they shouldn’t take away six guaranteed points for RDM’s men. Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine complete the group, the national champions were seeded in pot two but are definitely the third best team in Group E.
Manchester City Struggled to get out of the group stages last year and have an uphill battle if they are to avoid the same embarrassing fate all over again. Roberto Mancini’s nightmare began when, shortly after being drawn in Group D, Real Madrid’s ‘ball’ was picked out of the hat. It was left to a smug looking Steve McManaman to deliver the news that the Spanish giants would be playing at The Etihad this season. The Dutch Champions, Ajax, were next to be drawn alongside City. A club coated in rich history the four time European Champions will prove a tough test for Kompany and Co..Completing the Group of Death are the German Champions and former Champions League winners Borussia Dortmund. Forget winning the campaign, getting out of the group stage may prove to be Manchester City’s biggest task.
In stark contrast to their City rival’s, Manchester United have a gift of a group. Despite having an easy group last year Manchester United severely struggled and exited prematurely after finishing third in their group. Keen to avoid the humiliation and red faces again this year, the Red Devils must make use of such an easy group and take maximum points against Braga, Galatasary and Cluj. SC Braga finished second in the Europa League but haven’t been able to go further than that recently silverware wise. Galatasray have progressed further than the quarter finals when it comes to the Champions League and shouldn’t be able to get the better of a team such as Manchester United. And Cluj, you know a team isn’t up to much when all the studio expert (in this case Ray Wilkins) knows about them is that “Didier [Drogba] hurt his foot there”.
Arsenal have a moderate group. Olympiacos have caused them problems in the past, for example last season’s 3-1 beating of The Gunner’s but Arsene Wengers new team will try to rewrite that peace of history (and goalkeeping error if I remember correctly) and defeat the Greek champions. Also in Group B are Montpillier, a familiar site for a certain Olivier Giroud. Giroud played for the club between 2010-12 earning 71 appearances and scoring 31 goals in return. And to complete the group Schalke 04. On paper Schalke 04 would appear to be Arsenal’s toughest test, with the likes of Edu and Klass Jan-Huntelaar playing for the German club there could be some tense moments for the Arsenal faithful to swallow and digest.
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