Champions league group draw part 1
The time has come for the 2017/2018 Champions League group stages to be decided. The ceremony took place in Monaco, with soccer legends like Francesco Totti, and Andriy Shevchenko choosing the balls that had the respective teams for the draw.
(image take from http://www.uefa.com/)
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Group A
Benfica, Man United, FC Basel, CSKA Moscow. .
With the reigning champions of the Europa League in Manchester United, the Portuguese champions in Benfica, the Swiss winners in Basel, and CSKA Moscow, group A has a strong background.
Manchester United
will show off new signings Romelu Lukaku, French star Paul Pogba, and with the recent news that Zlatan will be back a red, the offense of this team shows a lot of potential especially with their first two league games ending up 4-0. Marcus Rashmore, Juan Mata, and Anthony Martial are big contributors to the offense as well.Benfica
started the season with some of their stars being sold to bigger teams like Semedo to Barcelona, goalie Ederson to Man City, and Victor Lindelöf to group rival Manchester United. They do however conserve their wing duo of Eduardo Salvio and Rafa Silva to demonstrate some magic at the Estadio da Luz.
Group B
Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht, Celtic
Reigning German winner, summer stronghold PSG, and two potents from their perspective countries. With two of European giants, I believe PSG and Bayern will have no problem advancing to the next round, but Celtic can make a push for third place and qualify for the inferior cup the Europa League.
Bayern Munich
German giants Bayern Munich are always a threat to win it all every year. With the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Thomas Muller and the recent acquisition of Colombia superstar James Rodriguez, Bayern will fight PSG for the first place in their group.
(http://www.espn.com/)
PSG
Neymar. Thats all we have heard from PSG this summer, but dont forget they had a pretty good team before. Marco Verrati and Edison Cavani have lifted PSG in the past, even challenging Barcelona last year with almost pulling of an upset.
(http://www.businessinsider.com/)
I expect Celtic to finish third place.
Group 3
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, FK Qarabag
Premier League winners Chelsea will face Madrid giants in group C. Atletico has a good track in the past competition reaching two finals in the last six years. AS Roma will try to make a push for second place, and the Azerbajani side of Qarabag will show why they beat the Danish side of København to reach this stage.
Chelsea
Chelsea is back in the competition after a year of not qualifying for any European championship. They come from finishing first place in the Premier league. With the new looks of Alvaro Morata, and team stars N'Golo Kanté and Eden Hazard. Chelsea will try to make a push all the way to the finals.
(http://www.skysports.com)
Atletico de Madrid
With a strong offense lead by Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, Atleico has always be a fearful team to play against. Be it when they had Diego Forlan, Sergio Aguero, Falcao, Diego Costa, Fernando Torres... Expect a lot of Griezmann fun celebrations during this stage
(http://www.goal.com/).
Roma will take the third spot.
Group 4
Juventus, Barcelona, Olympiakos, Sporting CP
Last years finalist will lead group 4 with Barcelona, Sporting and Greek champions Olympiakos.
Juventus
The old lady will see new faces in Brazilian Douglas Costa, and Frenchman Blaise Matuidi. Argentinian striker duo Paulo Dybala and Pablo Higuain. Will this be the year that Gigi Buffon obtains the trophy?
(http://www.goal.com/)
Barcelona
The Catalan club is still hurt from Neymars leave but still, expect a lot from this team. Messi and Suarez will take the team on their shoulders; who will they get as a replacement? Dembele, Coutinho? Write on the comments below who will be the new face Barcelona.
(http://www.goal.com/)
This year will be a wild run!