Champions League Draw for 2008-09
Published 8/28/2008 12:39:12 PM by Shane Barrow from soccermogul
The group draw for the 2008-09 UEFA Champions League is out and some big matchups loom. Groups D & F look to be very difficult while Chelsea and Manchester United have to like their draws. Opening games will be played September 16-17th.
Group A -
Chelsea, AS Roma, Bordeaux, CFR 1907 Cluj
Chelsea and Roma are clear favorites here with Bordeaux hoping to make a splash. Romanian side CFR 1907 Cluj hopes to survive and be competetive at home.
Group B -
Inter, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta
Inter and Werder Bremen look to go through, but dont count out the Greeks as Panathinaikos has giant killer aspirations.
Group C -
Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Shaktar Donetsk
Barcelona should go through safely. Sporting are slight favorites but Shaktar will be a very difficult trip and they could slip through if they take their home matches.
Group D -
Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid
By far the toughest group as all four sides have possibilities. Won't be an easy match in the whole stage.
Group E -
Manchester United, Villareal, Celtic, Aalborg BK
The highlight of this group will be between Villareal and Celtic and the fight for 2nd. Man U should progress, but the Scots could slip by for 2nd.
Group F -
Olympique Lyonnais, Bayern Munich, Steau Bucharest, Fiorentina
Another difficult group as all four could be factors.
Group G -
Arsenal, Porto, Fenerbache, Dynamo Kiev
Arsenal can't like this draw as daunting trips to Fenerbache (Turkey) and a winter trip to Kiev (Russia) loom.
Group H -
Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, BATE Borisov
Clear favorites Real and Juve should progress.
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