By Alan Duffy
Ah yes, a good old fashioned group of death(tm)! Thursday’s Champions League draw didn’t do Premier League champions Man City any favours, with the Citizens paired with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax, all champions of their respective leagues. It sure won’t be easy for Roberto Mancini’s men, who’ll be looking to improve on last season’s Euro adventure. Although, they still should get through.
As for the other English sides, holders Chelsea have to make a tricky trip to Shakhtar Donetsk while Serie A champs Juventus along with Danish side FC Nordsjaelland also stand in their way. Not an easy draw either.
Man Utd look to have quite a handy draw, with Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj while Arsenal will be relatively happy with Schalke, Olympiakos and Olivier Giroud’s old side, Montpellier.
Scottish giants Celtic face the mighty Barcelona as well as Benfica and Spartak Moscow, which won’t be easy for the Bhoys.
Here’s the draw in full…
Group A: Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Paris St Germain, Dinamo Zagreb
Group B: Arsenal, Schalke, Olympiakos, Montpellier
Group C: AC Milan, Zenit St Petersburg, Anderlecht, Malaga
Group D: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Ajax, Borussia Dortmund
Group E: Chelsea, Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, FC Nordsjaelland
Group F: Bayern Munich, Valencia, Lille, BATE Borisov
Group G: Barcelona, Benfica, Spartak Moscow, Celtic
Group H: Manchester United, Braga, Galatasaray, CFR Cluj