The draw for the group stages of the UEFA Champions League in Monaco on Thursday, threw up yet another ‘Battle of Britain’ as Scottish Champions Celtic were paired with their English counterparts, Manchester United, in Group E. It is the second time that the two sides have been drawn together at this stage, and both sets of supporters can look forward to two mouth-watering ties when the teams clash in this year’s competition. Also drawn in Group E were La Liga Runners-Up Villarreal, who will provide a stern test for both of Britain’s representatives, and Danish Champions, Aalborg, who are currently managed by Scot, Bruce Rioch.
Chelsea were drawn in Group A alongside Serie A hotshots, As Roma, and will also face French outfit, Bordeaux, and little known Romanian Champions, CFR Cluj. Their London rivals, Arsenal, face an intriguing challenge in Group G with Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev for company. 2005 Winners Liverpool were the top seed in Group D with PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Fernando Torres’ old club, Atletico Madrid, providing the opposition.
It promises to be an exciting European campaign, and the big question is: Who will be competing for the trophy when the final takes place in the Stadio Olimpico, in Rome, next May?
