In the maelstrom of manic activity that punctuates the beginning of every soccer season, there’s always bound to be something which slips under the radar. Though the following might surprise some and leave others truly aghast, the draw for the group stages of the Champions League is one such item which usually falls into that bracket with yours truly.
Yes, even this year with Manchester United back in European football’s top competition. Which, as an aside, should’ve been reason enough to give Michael Carrick whatever length of contract his heart desired.
No doubt there are some so prone to bouts of kneejerk reactionism that in the wake of last week’s admittedly disappointing opening round reversal against Hull City they probably decried the former midfielder getting such a vote of confidence.
Anybody afflicted with such a short sighted view obviously doesn’t remember that Alex Ferguson was in situ for a few years before landing a first trophy at Old Trafford. Or, for that matter that they lost their first two ever matches in the Premier League. 2-0 against Sheffield United and 3-0 at home to Everton.
Anyway, the groups involving English teams in the Champions League are as follows:
ARSENAL:
Athletico Madrid – H
Inter Milan – A
Porto – H
Club Brugge – A
Villarreal – H
Fenerbache – A
Lens – H
Lask – A
ASTON VILLA:
PSG – H
Barcelona – A
Dortmund – H
Brugge – A
Fenerbache – H
Galatasary – A
Vikings – H
Slavia Prague – A
MAN CITY:
PSG – H
BARCELONA – A
SPORTING CLUB – H
PORTO – A
NAPOLI – H
RB LEIPZIG – A
AEK ATHENS – H
LENS – A
MAN UNITED:
BAYERN MUNICH – H
ATHLETICO MADRID – A
ROMA – H
SPORTING CLUB – A
RB LEIPZIG – H
VILLARREAL – A
SABAH – H
COMO – A
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