Group A
Bayern Munchen
Juventus
Bordeaux
Maccabi Haifa
Group B
Manchester United
CSKA Moskow
Besiktas
Wolfsburg
Group C
AC Milan
Real Madrid
Marseille
FC Zurich
Group D
Chelsea
Porto
Atletico Madrid
APOEL
Group E
Liverpool
Lyon
Fiorentina
Debrecen
Group F
Barcelona
Internazionale
Dynamo Kiev
Rubin Kazan
Group G
Sevilla
Rangers
Stuttgart
Unirea Urziceni
Group H
Arsenal
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiakos
Standard Liege
Reaction
Manchester United along with Arsenal have fairly straightforward groups and both should be looking to come out on top.
Chelsea have a couple of tough away trips to Porto and Madrid, while APOEL will prove to be Group D’s whipping boys.
Liverpool have a very tricky draw, Lyon spent big in the summer and thrashed Anderlecht in the qualifiers, plus Fiorentina are always a tough team, though I would expect Liverpool to progress as winners.
Other highlights include Zlatan Ibrahimovic returning to Inter and Kaka facing his beloved Milan. While Scottish representatives Rangers will be looking to progress and have a real chance of doing so.
Your thoughts on the draw please.
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AmplifiedtoRock
August 28, 2009 at 10:52 am
United were handed an “easy” draw in that they avoided the perrenial Champions League powerhouses. However, they have two away ties that see them going about as far from home as possible. That could potentially take a toll on the team. Fergie will be looking to secure a place in the knock-out round as soon as possible to rest his first choice players
Dane
August 28, 2009 at 10:27 am
I don’t want to see the small clubs make. I want to see the big dogs play.
Anyhow, still rooting for Unirea Urziceni, being a romanian and all, even though I haven’t seen them play ever. They are the romanian champions and having Dan Petrescu as the manager they are probably pretty decent.
Dave Trotter
August 28, 2009 at 7:59 am
Everyone wants to see those smaller teams make it, no matter what sport.
Bordeaux have a tough group but they have been playing absolutely amazing in Ligue 1 so far. Their scoring is hot, their defense is hot. Their whole team is how.
Tomorrow that could change, they are traveling to Marseille, who will be back at Stade Velodrome, always a hard place to play.
Ian B
August 28, 2009 at 5:03 am
Some of the papers I’ve looked at today (English ones) seem to think Chelsea have an easy group. They will find it tough against Atletico and Porto I reckon, its arguably the toughest draw that a seeded team has.
I think Bordeaux got a tough draw, and Alkmaar were lucky to be seeded where they were. As a supporter of a team who aren’t likely to qualify for the champions league any time soon, I would like to see a smaller team mix things up a bit. Maybe Debrecen or APOEL.
Marc
August 28, 2009 at 1:07 am
My beloved Reds will have it tough, but it honestly wouldn’t matter which group they were in; if they continue to play tense and without confidence, they will be knocked out early. And finish out of a Champs spot for next year.
I’m excited to see what Atletico Madrid can do this year. I expect them to advance with Chelsea, and they’ve proven they can win by outscoring good teams with that sick front line of Aguero, Forlan, Rodgriguez, and Simao. They’re definitely my second favorite team to watch this season, and as you guys pointed out on LaLigaTalk, their new goalie might prove to be a difference maker.
wllmhll
August 27, 2009 at 11:13 pm
liverpool’s group looks tough, add that to their unconvincing performances against villa and tottenham, it’ll be a rough ride for them but still expect them to go thru to the knock-out stage.
Josh
August 27, 2009 at 9:21 pm
I just don’t see that Liverpool has an easy job in their group in light of their performance thus far. At least it isn’t as clear in comparison to how easy and Manchester and Arsenal got off with their groups.
Dave Trotter
August 27, 2009 at 7:37 pm
Though I am partial to French soccer, I think Lyon will win their group. If Liverpool continue to play the way they are now and, also, if Lyon continue to play they way they do now (in European competition), Lyon will at least draw at Anfield.
Also, as I said on my blog, i’m not as worried about Serie A teams as I was, say, ten years ago. They just don’t have the punch they did a while ago. Are they good, yes. Are all the world’s players looking to go to Serie A anymore? No.
Still, I think Liverpool will advance, but I think Lyon will win the group.
Bordeaux will have to fight, but could advance. They are looking great at the start of the year and if they continue to play like they do in Ligue 1, then they should advance.
I think Marseille will be the big disappointment in both the Champions League and Ligue 1. I think there is a lot of talk about them, but I am not totally convinced they can put it together to create winning chances.
Sam Dalton
August 27, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Arsenal should make it through with a few games to spare such is the seemingly straight-forward nature of their group, meaning they will be able to rest players and prepare better for Premier League matches.
Liverpool definetely have the toughest group of their British sides on paper, with Lyon in particular providing a massive threat, but they will still expect to progress. It may not be as group winners though.
Manchester United have two long trips to make (Istanbul and Moscow), which makes preparation for the following crucial league fixtures against Man City and Liverpool slightly more difficult, though both games do take place on a Sunday which will help.
Porto and Athletico Madrid will provide stern tests for Chelsea but they should progress comfortably, though once again maybe not as group winners.
LI Matt
August 27, 2009 at 6:05 pm
The question at this point is always: is the #3 seed close enough in class to the #2 seed that they have a chance to go through? My guesses…
A – no
B – yes
C – no
D – yes
E – yes
F – no
G – yes
H – yes
So, I have three groups (A, C, and F) which I would be able to point to two clubs and say “they’re going through”. The other groups have possibilities for interesting final results.
footybanter.co.uk
August 27, 2009 at 5:22 pm
Well, it could’ve been worse.
I think Liverpool maybe have it the toughest, but group A and C look tough too!
Panda
August 27, 2009 at 4:41 pm
I found it fitting and slightly ironic that an Englishman had the honor of explaining all the complex rules and stipulations of the draw. It made for very “compelling” television.
Matthew N
August 28, 2009 at 10:18 am
That guy certainly had an odd accent for being an Englishman?
NewtonHeath
August 27, 2009 at 4:38 pm
while I also think the english clubs will make it to the knockout phase, man utd certainly have tough away games in russia and turkey. not to mention, wolfsburg demonstrated their ability last year. i think that group might surprise people.
Arsenal have a cake walk and chelsea could see competition from port and atletico but they should still go through.
NH
Gaz
August 28, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I agree.
I think that Manchester United’s group looks pretty rough. Liverpool’s isn’t too great either but I think that group B will surprise people.
immadoittoit
August 27, 2009 at 4:08 pm
i think rangers can definitely get out of the group
Lyle
August 27, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Then again the other teams our probably glad they are in the same group as Rangers. I don’t see them going through.
Jaime
August 27, 2009 at 5:05 pm
No I do not see Rangers going through. I see Sevilla and Stuttgart going through. If Rangers do they will not make it past the next round. Arsenal should get through as well as the other English clubs.
David
August 27, 2009 at 3:55 pm
Zlatan back to Inter, and Kaka back to Milan? A little interesting “draw” there. Just saying…
I feel the English clubs are particularly lucky in UCL draws recently. While Liverpool had Atletico and Porto the last couple of years, Porto hasn’t been the same for years, and Atletico is still 3rd or 4th best in Spain. None of the big 4 have to deal with names like Madrid or Inter as a 2nd pot team.
Lennon
August 27, 2009 at 2:19 pm
I agree with Gaffer, although I think Lyon in particular will expose some flaws in Liverpool that might make advancing past the group stage difficult. Groups A and C look particularly compelling, obviously… would not be surprised to see both Bayern and AC fail to advance.
And, looking back on this comment, I feel it necessary to inform readers that I’m not a spokesperson for Ligue 1.
The Gaffer
August 27, 2009 at 2:04 pm
People talk about the English clubs getting tough or easy groups from the draw, but my personal opinion is that I’d be very surprised if all of the English clubs don’t make it past this round.
Cheers,
The Gaffer