Reaction to the UEFA Champions League Draw
After the completion of the playoff rounds, the UEFA Champions League draw for the group stages where done yesterday as the road to Istanbul, the venue of this season's final has began with the first round of games starting on the 16th and 17th of September. Let's see all eight groups and see who are likely to go through to the knockout stages.
Group A: Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Club Brugge and Galatasaray
PSG and Real Madrid are heavy favourites to go through with Club Brugge and Galatasaray having a very thin chance of going through. For PSG and Real, it's who that will top the group. Both teams underwhelmed last season getting eliminated in the Round of 16 in incredible fashion. Madrid have brought Zidane back to shake up the squad while the Parisians still have the Neymar situation going on with his future still uncertain. With Zidane's experience and wealth of talent at his disposal, Madrid will top the group with PSG going through as well.
Final Prediction: Real Madrid and PSG to go through. Galatasaray for the Europa League.
Group B: Bayern Munich, Tottenham, Olympiakos and Red Star Belgrade
Last year's finalists Tottenham will be looking to go one better this season after their incredible run last year. They will face five time Champions Bayern Munich and play tricky away games in Greece against Olympiakos and in Serbia against Red Star Belgrade, who have an intimidating atmosphere and got points against Liverpool and Napoli last season. Bayern and Spurs look more likely to go through but Olympiakos and Red Star will have a say in this group.
Final Prediction: Bayern and Spurs to go through. Olympiakos for the Europa League.
Group C: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb and Atalanta
Final Prediction: Manchester City and Shakhtar Donetsk to go through. Atalanta for the Europa League.
Group D: Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen and Lokomotiv Moscow
Juventus and Atlético Madrid will meet again after their clash in the Round of 16 last season where the Old Lady came from behind to beat Atléti. Juventus have tried to bring 'Big Ears' back to Turin since 1996. Juve's squad is stacked with talent and with Cristiano Ronaldo, Juventus look set to dominate this group. Atlético are also likely to go through but are in transition with some new players and will have to be wary of Leverkusen and the threat they have. However, Juve and Atléti should go through but Leverkusen wouldn't go down without a fight.
Final Prediction: Juventus and Atlético Madrid to go through. Bayer Leverkusen for the Europa League.
Group E: Liverpool, Napoli, RB Salzburg and Genk
Liverpool's title defence starts with Napoli, Austrian champions Salzburg and Belgian side Genk. Liverpool went through last season at Napoli's expense with the Italians looking to do some unfinished business. Napoli are tough to beat at home which could be crucial in their chances to go through but their form away from home is not great with just 2 points from their three group games last season. Salzburg are known for the production of young talent which include current Liverpool players Sadio Mané and Naby Keïta so they can challenge but Liverpool and Napoli look likely to go through.
Final Prediction: Liverpool and Napoli to go through. RB Salzburg for the Europa League.
Group F: Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Slavia Prague
Possibly this season's group of death. Barcelona, Dortmund and Inter will battle it out as one of these teams will not go through. Barcelona have the strongest team in this group and while they do have tough opposition, they should top the group. Between Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund is a tricky one. Both sides have improved over the summer and there is a good case of why they should go through. However, Inter is a team in transition and Antonio Conte's record in the competition doesn't give much encouragement so Dortmund will likely join Barcelona in the knockout stages.
Final Prediction: Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund to go through. Inter Milan for the Europa League.
Group G: Zenith St. Petersburg, Benfica, Lyon and RB Leipzig
This is possibly the most evenly group with each team having a good chance of going through and going far in the knockout stages (with the luck of the draw). Lyon and Benfica have more European pedigree in this group with Lyon getting results against Manchester City and Barcelona last season but Zenit and in particular RB Leipzig can trouble both of them with new manager Julian Nagelsmann, who experienced the Champions League last season with Hoffenheim. With a better manager and more experience now, RB Leipzig and Lying are likely to go through but Zenit and Benfica can go through as well.
Final Prediction: Lyon and RB Leipzig to go through. Benfica for the Europa League.
Group H: Chelsea, Ajax, Valencia and Lille
Another difficult group with each team fancying their chances. Chelsea are the Europa League champions but lost talisman Eden Hazard and new manager Frank Lampard will have to navigate through European waters for the first time as manager. Ajax are still strong but lost key players as well. Valencia can be inconsistent while Lille are back in the Champions League after many years away. Despite that, Chelsea and Ajax are stronger than Valencia and Lille and should go through.
Final Prediction: Ajax and Chelsea to go through. Valencia for the Europa League.
So that is that. The group stages is set with the Ataturk Stadium the final destination for all 32 teams. The Champions League is back.
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