Group A Atlético Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge The Europa League winners last season and a team with a formidable record of two finals and a semi-final in the Champions League in the last five years, Atlético are now firmly among the European elite. Monaco did not make it out the group stages last year after their 2017 semi-final, and Dortmund failed at the same stage. Club Brugge certainly have their work cut out. The Spanish side, who have not sold any of the big names over the summer, should be very strong again. Verdict: Atlético and Dortmund to qualify Group B Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan At first glance a nightmare for Spurs – but this is their third Champions League season under Mauricio Pochettino and they have grown in confidence. The win at home over Real Madrid was one of last season’s standout results, and at some point every aspirational Champions League team has to face Barcelona. … [Read more...] about Champions League draw – group-by-group verdict on who will qualify
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The Champions League teams Man City could face in group stage
Manchester City will learn their fate in the Champions League draw this evening, as the Blues look to plot their way to the latter stages of the competition. Pep Guardiola’s side were knocked out in the quarter-final by Liverpool last season, with their 2016 semi-final appearance the club’s best finish to date. Benfica, PSV Eindhoven and Red Star Belgrade secured the final three qualifying berths for the competition on Wednesday night after Ajax, AEK Athens and Young Boys progressed from their two-legged qualifiers the previous evening. Now the seedings have been confirmed, Liverpool have dropped into pot three with City in pot one as Premier League champions. The Blues are joined in pot one by Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid as Champions League and Europa league winners respectively. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Paris Saint-Germain and Lokomotiv Moscow make up the rest of the competition’s top table as winners of their respective countries’ league … [Read more...] about The Champions League teams Man City could face in group stage
Every Champions League team rated and slated ahead of group stage draw
The Champions League really kicks into gear on Thursday when the draw for the group stages take place. There will be four English teams in the hat for the draw in Monaco as the two Manchester clubs, Liverpool and Tottenham learn their fate. Liverpool of course got to the final last season before losing 3-1 to Real Madrid in Kiev. That was a third triumph on the spin for the Spanish giants and the task for the other 31 sides will be ending their dominance. Ahead of the group stage draw, the Liverpool Echo has taken a look at the sides the four English teams could be coming up against - remembering they cannot face each other. POT 1 (Manchester City will be in Pot 1) Real Madrid How did they get there? They might have finished third behind Barcelona and Atletico Madrid in last season's La Liga, but Real Madrid arrive as Champions League royalty. They are the holders of the trophy and are aiming for an unbelievable fourth successive victory this term. Star man Where do we start? … [Read more...] about Every Champions League team rated and slated ahead of group stage draw
Champions League teams Manchester United could face in group stage
The Champions League group stage draw takes place later today and Manchester United face possibly their toughest draw in 20 years. Benfica, PSV Eindhoven and Red Star Belgrade secured the final three qualifying berths on Wednesday night after Ajax, AEK Athens and Young Boys progressed from their two-legged qualifiers the previous evening. Now the seedings have been confirmed, Liverpool have dropped into pot three while United are in pot two. United are joined by Borussia Dortmund, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Napoli, Tottenham and Roma while the top seeds consist of the champions in the six highest-ranked leagues, as well as Champions League holders Real Madrid and Europa League winners Atletico Madrid. Despite finishing outside the top two in four of the last five Premier League seasons, United's coefficient ranking still places them above Liverpool and Tottenham. A possible worst-case scenario for United would be Real Madrid, Monaco and Internazionale, yet they could also nab a … [Read more...] about Champions League teams Manchester United could face in group stage
Steven Gerrard warns Maribor are ‘Champions League class’ ahead of Euro showdown
Steven Gerrard has warned Rangers they face a step up to Champions League class when they face Maribor. The Slovenians have been the scourge of Scottish clubs’ European hopes four times in the past nine years, eliminating Celtic, Aberdeen, Hibs and Gers. But Gerrard has a head start on his homework for their Europa League clash on Thursday, having seen former side Liverpool face them twice last season in the group stages amongst the elite which included a 7-0 away win for the Anfield side. And he insists that despite being impressed by the quality of the Osijek side they overcame last week, Maribor - who qualified for the UCL groups twice in four years before this season - are an upgrade. The Ibrox manager will have a staff presence at their away clash with joint league leaders Aluminij this afternoon. But Gerrard said: “I have a slight advantage when it comes to Maribor as I watched Liverpool play them twice last season. Will I ask for their help? I’ll try to get … [Read more...] about Steven Gerrard warns Maribor are ‘Champions League class’ ahead of Euro showdown