The champions league draw took place in Monaco. It has so far become one of the most important dates in the football calendar. A lush ceremony left most of the big clubs happy with their draw; especially the English clubs.
It was not how we foresaw it. No rendezvous with the stretford end for Cristiano. No case of the ex for Louis van Gaal and AZ, and definetly no sign of the special one in west London. It did throw a couple of surprises, Kaka travels back to San Siro and Eto’o and Barca renew old acquaintances along with Zlatan and Inter.
Ruben Kazan didn’t have the luckiest of draws handed there way facing Inter, Barca and Kiev. They start with a home draw with Inter. Maccabi Haifa also didnt have lady luck on their side pitted against Bayern, Juventus and French champions Bordeaux, an early Christmas present for football fanatic viewers on the 8 December Juventus host Bayern.
Unirea urziceni make their debut with Rangers, Seville and Stuttgart. Home form will be vital in group G as urziceni are the clear underdogs the other three are more than capable of progressing.
All fingers will point and all eyes will look at November 3rd. Milan host the Galactico’s mk2. Kaka visits the San Siro against the man who was a dominant force in bringing the man to Europe Leonardo. Olympique Marseille and fc zurich make the numbers in group c.
Out of the English clubs Arsenal must be surley pleased no long journey’s on the round they face newcomers AZ, Standerd Leige who’s older fans may remember Arsenal’s demolishing of them in the 94 cup winners cup with an 7-0 win in Leige, Wenger’s men cant expect that but surley must have one eye on progressing with Olympiakos the other opposition.
Champions Manchester utd wont have the easiest of travels, a trip to Besiktas never an easy place to travel as Liverpool found out but may seem more vulnerable at Old Trafford. A walk down memory lane and to the Luzniki stadium to face CSKA Moscow and then German Champs Wolfsberg albeit without Felix Mcath.
Lyon’s new look team will be put to the test at Anfield a new era without Benzema and Juniniho Lisandro lopez caries the weight of expectation to Anfield as they both also face Fiorentina and Debreceni.
Sergio Aguerio finaly arrives at the shed end but not how peter Kenyon would of liked. John Terry will have to be at his best to contain the ‘son in law of God’, Porto again face Chelsea and Cypriots APOEL make up the numbers.
Barcalona are surley the team to beat so impresive last term, but surley wont be allowed to regain their title in the Bernabau. An Il classico final could be on the cards as the power in European football could once again be shifting fom British shores to sunny Spain. Inter can surley challenge this term, Mourinho strengthening wisely with Eto’o, Milito, Motta and Lucio could see the special one be crowned King once again. The beauty of Champions leauge football is all the teams deserve to be here it is the top of the game and hopefully they all don’t disappoint.
