Manchester City will take on Champions League holders Bayern Munich in the competition’s group stage.
Manuel Pellegrini’s side are hoping to improve on their feeble
attempt last year which saw them exit the competition at the first
hurdle with no wins in six games.
The 2011/12 Premier League champions were drawn in Group D and will also face CSKA Moscow and Czech outfit Viktoria Plzen, in what the Citizens will feel is comfortable enough to progress to the knockout rounds.
Arsenal, however, will have their work cut out for them in Group F if
they are to qualify for the last 16, as the Gunners will take on Marseille, Serie A runners-up Napoli and last season’s runners-up, Borussia Dortmund.
Unlike the Gunners, Chelsea and Manchester United face ties which they should overcome with relative ease.
Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea face familiar opposition in Basel, who they dispatched with style on their way to last season’s Europa League triumph, while they also face trips to Germany and Romania to take on Schalke and Steaua Bucharest respectively.
David Moyes’ first Champions League group stage outing should also be
fairly straightforward as Manchester United will line up against
Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk, while they also travel to Germany
where they will face Bayer Leverkusen and to Spain to play Real Sociedad.
Meanwhile, Celtic manager Neil Lennon looked stunned when he saw his side slot into Group H, along with Barcelona, AC Milan and Ajax – a draw that surely will leave Hoops fans salivating with joy.
It’s the only group in the competition with four former champions,
and the Bhoys will certainly have nothing to fear against their
formidable opposition, with last season’s 2-1 win over Barca sure to
give them confidence of causing a few upsets.
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