Champions League group-by-group guide as Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Man United and City learn their fate

Champions League group-by-group guide as Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Man United and City learn their fate

We take a look at each and every group as Liverpool and Manchester United were handed easier draws for the group stage.

BYALEX RICHARDS

18:44, 24 AUG 2017

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The balls have been drawn and we now know how the group stage of the Champions League will look.

It was a mixed bag for the Premier League sides, with Liverpool and Manchester United being handed the most favourable draws.

Jurgen Klopp's men face Spartak Moscow, Sevilla, and Maribor, while the Red Devils were handed clashes against Benfica, Basel and CSKA Moscow.

Manchester City will be made to work hard against Shakhtar Donetsk, Napoli and Feyenoord, while Chelsea were put alongside Atletico Madrid, Roma and Qarabag.

Tottenham have a very tough group, after they were drawn alongside Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and APOEL.

Here's a group-by-group look at today's draw...

Group A

Pogba and co. are back at Europe's top table (Image: Matthew Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)

Benfica

The Eagles won a 36th Portuguese title last term but were thrashed by Borussia Dortmund in the round of 16.

Again this summer they have sold key men, including keeper Ederson and Victor Lindelof. Much is expected of Franco Cervi.

Man United

Manchester United put all their eggs in the Europa League basket late last season, and it paid off as they beat Ajax in Stockholm.

Now they’re back at Europe’s top table and the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba will hope to make an impression. Having been handed a fortunate draw can Jose Mourinho win a third Champions League?

Basel

Swiss champions 17 points clear of the rest last term, they’ve a new manager in former Swiss midfielder Raphael Wicky this term.

Look out for Ricky van Wolfswinkel, who flopped in the Premier League with Norwich, up front…he’s confident again after 23 goals for Vitesse last term in Holland, starting life in Switzerland with four in four.

CSKA Moscow

Every year they’re here. Every year they don’t get through.

Igor Akinfeev doesn’t do clean sheets in Europe. Can they finish third?

Group B

Can Bayern land Europe's top prize?(Image: 2017 Getty Images)

Bayern Munich

Bayern romped to the German title with relative ease last term, but were disappointed to fall to Real in the last eight of last season’s Champions League.

The club are going through something of a transitional period following the retirements of Xabi Alonso and Philipp Lahm, but they’ll still expect to contend next May.

Paris Saint-Germain

Unai Emery is a three-time Europa League winner with Sevilla, and was hired to lead PSG to UCL glory; their collapse to Barcelona ensured that didn’t happen last term.

Now, with the arrival of a bona-fide game-changer in Neymar, they look well set to be in the conversation for the trophy.

Anderlecht

The Belgian side put in a strong showing in the Europa League last term, running to the quarter-finals before being beaten by Manchester United.

However, that success ensured Youri Tielemans a summer move to Monaco, while other youngsters - such as Dennis Praet and Leandro Derdoncker - are also coveted. Getting through the group would be a major success.

Celtic

Brendan Rodgers’ side want to play progressive football, but their Playoff win over Astana - 8-4 on aggregate - showed their Achilles heel will once more be their defensive capabilities.

A difficult group last year featured a 7-0 thrashing by Barcelona; Rodgers reckons they can finish in the top two, but will need his defence to be greatly improved.

Group C

Marcos Alonso has emerged as a key player for Chelsea under Antonio Conte(Image: AFP)

Chelsea

Antonio Conte’s side are back at Europe’s top table after a one year absence, and do so as champions of England.

Conte struggled to make his mark on the continent during his time with Juventus, but will be confident of reaching the last eight (at least).

Atletico Madrid

Diego Simeone’s men were beaten by their great city rivals in last year’s semi-finals and, while their transfer ban means there are no new faces, they haven’t lost anyone either.

Should again be contenders, but how will they adapt to their new surroundings at the Wanda Metropolitano?

Roma

The Giallorossi are beginning a new post-Francesco Totti era, under Eusebio Di Francesco, stepping up after doing good work with Sassuolo.

Edin Dzeko top-scored in Serie A with 29 goals last term and leads the line, while 21-year-old midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini is one to watch, having followed Di Francesco.

Qarabag

The Azerbaijan side surprisingly came through a playoff with Copenhagen, but have been handed a horrible draw on their debut in the group stage.

Group D

How can Messi and Suarez get on without Neymar? (Image: REUTERS)

Juventus

Last season’s beaten finalists, Max Allegri’s men didn’t give a good account of themselves as they were steamrollered by Real in Cardiff.

But the Bianconeri will once again be there or thereabouts, although there remain questions regarding the replacing of Dani Alves and Leonardo Bonucci.

Barcelona

The Spanish giants produced arguably the greatest comeback in the history of the competition with their second round great escape against PSG.

Since then however they’ve been beaten by Juventus emphatically, beaten by Real Madrid emphatically and have lost Neymar to the French side. Their greatest-ever era looks to be reaching its close.

Olympiacos

The Greek champions were too good for Rijeka in the Playoff round, but have made little headway in the group stage of this competition in recent seasons.

The Nigerian striker, Emmanuel Emenike, now leads their attack.

Sporting

Jorge Jesus’ side play attacking stuff and have the goals of Bas Dost - 36 in 41 last term - at the forefront of their attack.

Look out for a young No.9, Marcos Acuna, signed from Argentine side Racing Club in the summer.

Group E

The Reds can be happy with their draw(Image: REUTERS)

Spartak Moscow

The Russian side found their way as top seeds after winning the title in Russia last season, but were undoubtedly the weakest of the sides in Pot One.

Antonio Conte’s former assistant, Massimo Carrera, took the side to their first title since 2001; now the lightning quick winger Quincy Promes and Brazilian striker Luiz Adriano will lead their attack.

Sevilla

Under another new manager in Eduardo Berizzo, Sevilla scraped through the playoffs, but were a post’s width away from being dumped out by Istanbul BB.

Their pedigree in Europe’s secondary competition has been outstanding over the last decade or so, but they have continually flattered to deceive among the big boys.

Liverpool

Liverpool came through the Playoff round with their awesome attack destroying Hoffenheim, even in spite of the absent wantaway playmaker Philippe Coutinho.

Sides will need to be wary of their pace they have on the counter-attack, while Jurgen Klopp will hope to repeat his exploits of 2013, when he led Borussia Dortmund to the final.

NK Maribor

The Violets edged by Hapoel Be’er Sheva in the Playoff round, but it will be a great shock if Darko Milanic - a former Leeds manager - can keep them in Europe post Christmas.

Group F

Can Aguero finally fire Man City to glory in Europe? (Image: Rex Features)

Shakhtar Donetsk

Shakhtar were back on top in Ukraine last term and Daniel Fonseca’s side will once more call upon their usual mix of Eastern European obdurity at the back, and South American flair in attack.

Former Newcastle loanee Facundo ‘Chucky’ Ferreyra has started the new Ukrainian season well, while Darijo Srna is into his 15th season at the club.

Man City

Pep Guardiola has spent heavily to add more attacking punch to his side, with the craft of Bernardo Silva and the pace/power of both Kyle Walker and Benjamin Mendy at fullback.

Sergio Aguero will again be the main man in front of goal and they’ll hope to go deep into the competition - but against the very best, are they defensively sound enough?

Napoli

The Neapolitans cruised through the Playoff round, comfortably seeing off Nice 4-0 on aggregate - and it could have been 10.

Marek Hamsik directs operations, Lorenzo Insigne and Dries Mertens offer threat, they’re one of the most aesthetically pleasing sides across the continent.

Feyenoord

Surprise winners of the Dutch title, Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s men will be backed vociferously by the Rotterdammers in De Kuip.

Lost key man Dirk Kuyt to retirement, third looks to be their upper limit.

Group G

Will Kylian Mbappe still be spearheading the Monaco attack?(Image: REUTERS)

Monaco

Last season’s fairytale story, Monaco blasted their way to the semi-finals in 2016-17.

The French champions may not be able to produce similar, largely thanks to the the loss of key players, notably Benjamin Mendy, Bernardo Silva and Tiemoue Bakayoko. At least Kylian Mbappe remains, for now.

Porto

The Portuguese side were dumped out in the round of 16 last term by Juventus, and - like Benfica - have again lost key men, notably Andre Silva.

A new manager, Sergio Conceicao, has arrived, having done remarkable work with Nantes last term and will hope his methods translate to the Dragao.

Besiktas

Senol Gunes led Besiktas to glory in the league last term and they’ve been emphatic with their summer signings.

Pepe, Gary Medel and Alvaro Negredo have all joined but are do the Black Eagles have the necessary quality to get into the last 16.

RB Leipzig

The German upstarts enjoyed a magnificent maiden season in the Bundesliga, and have held on to their key players during the summer.

Now, can the likes of Timo Werner and Naby Keita do the business against the European elite; certainly, they’ll go without fear.

Group H

Can Zinedine Zidane lead Real Madrid to three in a row? (Image: David Ramos)

Real Madrid

The reigning champions, having become the first side to retain the trophy in the Champions League era, remain the team to beat.

Zinedine Zidane’s starting XI looks as strong as anything out there, led by the continued phenomenal goalscoring exploits of Cristiano Ronaldo. It is ably backed up by some of Europe’s hottest young talent, including Marco Asensio.

Borussia Dortmund

Thomas Tuchel has departed, Ousmane Dembele looks set to do likewise, but a young, adventurous side again will hope to reach at least the last eight.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang remains to lead the line once more, while the outstanding Christian Pulisic has a greater role to play.

Tottenham

Mauricio Pochettino’s men have been the best/most consistent side in the Premier League over the last two years - unfortunately, that doesn’t get you silverware.

Failed on their return to this competition last term, being dumped out of the group stage having elected to play games at Wembley. Now, they face a much tougher test.

APOEL

The 26-time Cypriot champions reached the round of 16 in the Europa League last term, beating Athletic Bilbao in the last 32.

They’ve seen off F91 Dudelange, Viitorul Constanta and Slavia Prague to reach this point, but won’t be expected to go much further.

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