It’s that time of year again when the cream of European football gather in a dimly lit room to see UEFA drag out a process that should take 10 minutes rather than 10 hours. An ex-footballer stands shoulder to shoulder with an insipid UEFA representative to draw out the groups for the worlds biggest and best European cup competition.
The Champions League is back in all it’s glory bringing together the leading teams and the finest players Europe has to offer in one delicious pot that is bubbling with excitement, controversy and extreme pressure.
As usual the Premier League has four representatives battling away for the famous trophy with this season seeing three veterans and one very wealthy newcomer thrown into the mix.
Arsenal
After just slinking through via the play-offs the Gunners are faced with a tough group. Borussia Dortmund, Marseille and Olympiakos are seasoned Champions League performers and certainly no pushovers. Both Dortmund and Marseille have won the trophy before which is something Arsene Wenger’s side have yet to achieve. Losing Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri and having to rely on a team full of young guns could be Arsenal’s downfall. With the lack of experience in the squad the Emirates fans shouldn’t hold out much hope of progressing past the group stage this year.
Chelsea
New boss Andre Villas-Boas has already won the Europa League with Porto but must now contend with and fulfil owner Roman Abramovich’s burning desire to see the Champions League trophy standing in the Stamford Bridge cabinet. It’s his first time managing in Europe’s premier competition and he hasn’t been handed the easiest of groups. Whilst Genk won’t pose much of a threat Bayer Leverkusen and Valencia could prove tricky away from home. With a squad full of ageing players the question must be asked as to whether they have the stamina to go all the way.
Manchester City
Like Tottenham last year Man City descend onto Europe’s biggest stage for the first time. With a playing staff boasting world class players they have individuals who are well versed in both playing and winning the famous trophy. However a group consisting of Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal could prove tricky for Roberto Mancini and his team of megastars. Bayern have won the trophy multiple times and will prove the biggest threat to City’s chances. But with the calibre of players strutting their stuff at the Etihad Stadium you’d have to bank on City making it past the group stage.
Manchester United
Three times winners and last seasons beaten finalists Manchester United are arguably the most proficient Champions League performers. Sir Alex Ferguson is desperate to win the competition again and will be confident that they’ll be able to overcome Benfica, Basle and the relatively unheard of Otelul Galati. Ferguson has lost the experienced heads of Paul Scholes and Gary Neville to retirement whilst John O’Shea and Wes Brown joined Sunderland. He has replaced them with players largely untested at this level and which could prove to be a big risk for the Red Devils boss come the latter stages.
Champions League 2011/12 Group Stage
Group A: Bayern Munich, Villarreal, MAN CITY, Napoli
Group B: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor
Group C: MAN UTD, Benfica, Basle, Otelul Galati
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Group D: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax, Dinamo Zagreb
Group E: CHELSEA, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Genk
Group F: ARSENAL, Marseille, Olympiakos, Borussia Dortmund
Group G: FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, Apoel FC
Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen