Champions League Groups Drawn

The Groups for the 2007/2008 UEFA Champions League were drawn on Thursday and the draw is offering up some juicy match-ups as usual.

Here is the group rundown (With a skinny on each group):

Group A: Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas- Porto's a strong team but Liverpool gets an easy draw here.

Group B: Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Rosenborg- Tough group, though Schalke isn't as strong as last season.

Group C: Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiakos- Former Santos teammates Robinho and Diego square off.

Group D: AC Milan, Benfica, Celtic, Shaktar Donetsk. Interesting mix of clubs in a group that includes Nery Castillo and Freddy Adu. Defending champion Milan should cruise.

Group E: Barcelona, Stuttgart, Lyon, Rangers. Group of Death. No question, although all three powers are off to slow league starts. Also, three of four teams boast CONCACAF players.

Group F: Manchester United, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev. You think Roma remembers that embarrassing drubbing at the hands of Man U last season?

Group G: Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce. After clashing with AC Milan so many times, PSV now faces the blue side of Milan. Roberto Carlos also joins the party with his new club.

Group H: Arsenal, Sevilla/AEK Athens, Steau Bucharest, Slavia Prague. Sevilla should advance, setting up a tasty match-up between them and Arsenal.

So there they are. What do you think of the groups? I want to hear what match-ups are your favorites and what you'll be looking forward to the most?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[vipero from Magica Roma]

Manchester United? Again? What a thrill...

[Jim]

Group D is interesting for Celtic as they lost to AC Milan last year in the knockout phase and to Shaktar in the play in phase a couple of years ago. Still I like their chances to advance.

[Nick]

I actually think that Group F, is going to be tougher than E. Lyon and Stuttgart aren't playing well and Rangers aren't anything special. If Man Utd can get rolling and Roma keeps playing well and throw in Sporting for flair I think this is the group to watch. Don't know much about Kiev.

[sg]

group d is interesting. I think shaktar donetsk have brought in a lot of good players and will advance w/ milan.

[Dominghosa]

Just can't wait for the tourney to start.....

[Al]

Arsenal has a cakewalk.

[Chrisnj]

I like the draw for Arsenal! Come on you Gunners!

[Richard]

cant wait to see roma kill man u...i hope...

[matt]

a: liverpool, porto

b: chelsea, valencia

c: real madrid, bremen

d: milan (celtic or benfica...this is the best run for 2nd in the whole thing)

e: barcelona and lyon (they're both just way better than the rest of the group)

f: man utd and roma (if roma plays like the did last weekend they'll win the group)

g: inter and psv

h: arsenal and sevilla

[Jim]

I forgot that Celtic beat Benfica last year, I like The Bhoys chances even better now.

[nico]

I am looking forward to the Bremen-Madrid math up.

[Donovan]

Sad that B. Munich isn't it. They have such a great squad this year and I'd love to see them rather then Schalke.

[Richard]

A: Liverpool, Porto
B: Chelsea, Valencia
C: Werder, Olympiacos
D: Milan, Benfica
E: Barca, Lyon
F: Roma, Man U
G: Inter, Fenerbahce
H: Arsenal, Slavia Praha

[Dominghosa]

Anyone watch the England U-17 squad?
Holy crap, you have to watch their CB Krisitan Pierce (Pearce?) play. He's about 6-3 and more of a midfielder. But homeboy is one hell of a player. Ball control is phenomenal for such a young big man. And has one hell of a shot.
England's youth ranks aren't all that great. But this kid is going to be a great one.

[Joe in ND]

Liverpool is going to advance and a lot of these other groups are cut and dry.

[eric]

I really like Group C top to bottom. I wish A was better because I like Liverpool, but I can't say I'm excited about those match-ups.

Group E could catch fire if the clubs start playing well, or even if they struggle in league and see CL as redemption - i.e. pull an AC Milan from last year.

I hope the Ukrainian and Turkish teams show up, that'll have a big effect on the depth; is Rosenborg really any good?

Finally, I wish Bayern Munich was in this year!

[Nick]

Even though Bayern isn't in the CL, they should still be fun to watch destroying teams in the UEFA cup.

[Steve]

Anyone watch the England U-17 squad?
Holy crap, you have to watch their CB Krisitan Pierce (Pearce?) play. He's about 6-3 and more of a midfielder. But homeboy is one hell of a player. Ball control is phenomenal for such a young big man.
---
Why this is on here I don't know but I was watching and their right-back (long last name)looks sensational. Murphy up front looks potent as well.

[Matty C]

Well, Beasley got his wish to play Champions League footie... and how!

[romyo]

a: liverpool, porto

b: chelsea, valencia

c: real madrid, bremen

d: milan , benfica

e: barcelona and lyon

f: man utd and roma

g: inter and psv

h: arsenal and steaua bucarest (haide steaua)

[Whitescandal]

Arsenal has a cakewalk for second in their group.

[Ryan]

I think ManU got a favorable draw. Most others don't think so, but I think aside from the Roma and Kiev road trips, ManU should win out. I just don't see Roma hanging with them, esp. if Rooney is back in action.

The winner this year will be either Barca, ManU, Chelsea, Inter, or AC.

[Collin]

Yeah for Liverpool's easy draw! See you in the finals!

[ct]

I feel bad for the Scottish teams. They're screwed.