The 2015-16 Uefa Champions League draw was conducted on Thursday 27th August in Monaco. The Catalans are hoping to be the first team to win the most popular and prestigious Cup in consecutive years since the format changed more than twenty years ago, and their road appears far less rough than some of the world’s other top clubs.
The draw resulted in some intriguing storylines, powerhouses going up against one another and the first steps on the road to the San Siro in Italy.
Here is a rundown of each group and their chances to advance to the round of sixteen
Group A
PSG, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Malmo
Quite a difficult draw and probably one of the tougher groups, with Shakhtar ready to trouble PSG and Real Madrid for a qualification spot. This would go down to the wire and maybe even the final match day.
Malmo got past Red Bull Salzburg and Celtic in qualifying and cannot afford any slip-ups, given it has drawn the toughest champion Real Madrid.
Group B
PSV Eindhoven, Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, Wolfsburg
A decent group for Manchester United and everyone would have probably been happier had they drawn an easier opponent instead of Wolfsburg.
United arguably drew the most attractive side in PSV, giving Memphis Depay an early chance to remind the Dutch side of what it is missing. CSKA Moscow, which beat Sporting to qualify, is always a tricky trip, while Wolfsburg is an intriguing one.
Group C
Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Galatasaray, Astana
One of the easier groups from the draw; Atletico Madrid have dodged a bullet, not getting any heavy weights so early into their European journey, and Benfica, Galatasaray will face-off off for a Round of 16 place.
Group D
Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Moenchengladbach
Perhaps no side received more punishing draw than Premier League’s Manchester City, who join Juventus, two-time Europa League champion Sevilla, and Borussia Monchengladbach in Group D. It’s familiar territory for Manuel Pellegrini’s side, considering last year they were cast alongside Bayern Munich, Roma, and CSKA Moscow in the group stages.
Monchengladbach won’t be an easy customer too, a nice group, but vey unpredictable and tough.
Group E
Barcelona, Bayer Leverkusen, Roma, BATE Borisov
Can any of the team compete with reigning champion Barcelona? We are unlikely to see a repeat of the 7-1 bashing that Barca gave Leverkusen in the 2012 round of 16, when Lionel Messi scored five goals.
Barcelona is a little threadbare at the moment, as injuries and suspensions have already bitten and it’s unable to select new players until its transfer ban is lifted in January.
Group F
Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Olympiakos, Dinamo Zagreb
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger may have received the stiffest draw, starting with perennial powerhouse Bayern Munich, who have bounced the Gunners in two of the last three competitions, and Olympiakos and Dinamo Zagreb rounding out Group F. The Gunners will always find their way into the round of 16.
Group G
Chelsea, FC Porto, Dynamo Kiev, Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Blues, in the midst of defending the Premier League title, didn’t exactly draw a very difficult group, but manager Jose Mourinho may find it challenging to play against Porto in Group G. The manager made his name by helping the Portuguese side win Champions League in 2004, and must battle his old club along with Dynamo Kiev and Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
Chelsea would be thrilled with their group, something they have been lucky with, the past few years. Porto would be just as happy and would face serious competition only from Dynamo Kiev, but they would hope to fend it off.
Group H
Zenit St. Petersburg, Valencia, Lyon, Gent
Too close to call especially as the last few seasons in this competition has revealed a surprise finalist: Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, Juventus. Can any of these sides follow that? It’s unlikely, although Valencia is a team to watch.
Zenit, Valencia and Lyon will hope to qualify seeing their chances, while Gent will hope to hide and pounce on the pieces at any given opportunity.
Anthony Nlebem
