There were huge grins in Italy after defending champions AC Milan and rivals Inter received favourable Champions League draws.
Milan will play Celtic, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk in Group D while Inter are in Group G with PSV Eindhoven CSKA Moscow and Fenerbahce.
“Big smiles” ran the headline in Gazzetta dello Sport, along with two big yellow smileys. “Milan and Inter have it easy.”
But such overconfidence has led big teams to flop in the group stage before as Manchester United found to their cost two seasons ago when they finished fourth behind Villarreal, Benfica and Lille.
In any case, isn’t it better to come up against as many top teams as possible? The Champions League is supposed to be about testing yourself against the best, after all.
Tough matches early on could be the perfect catalyst for a successful campaign and AS Roma are hoping that the urge for revenge after their 7-1 drubbing by United last season can help them defeat Alex Ferguson’s men this time around.
Mark Meadows, Milan
Kevin Fylan adds: If drawing Europe’s finest is really what it’s all about, German clubs should be pretty happy. Schalke are in Group B with Valencia, Chelsea and Rosenborg, Stuttgart will face Barcelona, Olympique Lyon and Rangers in Group E, while Werder Bremen are with Real Madrid, Lazio and Olympiacos in Group C.
Werder came close to knocking out Barcelona in the group stage last season and they will relish a crack at Real Madrid, coached now by the German Bernd Schuster and with Christoph Metzelder at centre-back.
English clubs have got very good at negotiating their way through the group phase and I suspect none of them will be exactly daunted by their groups. Chelsea have what looks to be the toughest ask, while Arsenal will be confident of getting through, even assuming they have Sevilla as opponents.
As A Cultured Left Foot had it: “The Champions League draw was ultimately favourable to Arsenal… To win all six games may be too lofty an expectation; to remain unbeaten is within capabilities.”
But how was it for you and your team? Let us know if you’re feeling elated or depressed.
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6 comments so far
That looks difficult for me for the Spanish teams. Lyon will be a big test for Barcelona, Real Madrid have a hrd group and Valencia are with Chelsea. Ony Sevilla look safe. Good for them. RIP Puerta.
- Posted by ElenaDefinitely elated. Everton are in the Uefa cup rather than the Champions, but with a reasonable draw (Metalist), and with the news that we’ve got Gravesen back, I’m feeling very optimistic.
- Posted by fionaIts tough for Chelsea to win again in Estadio Mestalla. Essien’s last minute goal in the previous season’s quarter final is a rarity. Chelsea faces a daunting task this season too. I hope they don’t sink in the group stage!
Valencia may come to haunt Chelsea once again!
- Posted by Sakthi PrasadLiverpool looking more and more like favourites to me. Not too tricky a draw and there doesn’t look like there’s a better team in Europe to me at the moment.
- Posted by LondonAgree with Sakthi that Chelsea will not find it easy in that group against Valencia. I tip them to finish third.
United have a very tough group. Roma are surely looking forward to an opportunity to avenge that 7-1 drubbing we served them last season while Sporting Lisbon and Dynamo Kiev are always tough nuts to crack at home. United’s passage into the last 16 is by no means a formality.
- Posted by Red DevilGreat to see the Italians are already back to their arrogant best!. We (Celtic) were the closest team to beating them last year and would have done if it wasnt for 2 stonewallers being turned down. Leaving Milan aside, Celtic should qualify with ease from this group if we can finally nail down how to play away games in the UCL.
- Posted by Stephen