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Barca meet AC Milan in the group H
The Catalans, who beat Manchester United in the last final, will also meet BATE Borisov and the Czechs from Viktoria Lzen. Borisov have secured a group stage spot thanks to a 3-1 aggregate result against Austrians Sturm Graz. AC Milan have reached the group stage for yet another year after clinching the title in Italy last season.
Rossoneri were drawn Real Madrid last year and finished the group second after failing to win any meeting with Jose Mourinho’s side. BATE Borisov start the edition as third favorite for superior phases, but have plenty of chances to qualify for the Europa League.
Last term’s finalists Manchester United will meet Europa League revelation Benfica in group C where the Swiss champions FC Basel and the Romanians Otelul Galati are rated as third and fourth favorites respectively. United are the defending champions in Premier League as Alex Ferguson’s side are the second favorites for the UCL trophy. The Red Devils last won the big trophy back in 2007-08 season.
They also reached the final in 2009 when they lost to the same Catalans who have won three trophies in the last six years. Basel and Galati have directly qualified the group stage spot as neither of the two sides had to play play-off games.
The 2009-10 champions Inter Milan were drawn CSKA Moscow, French champions Lille OSC and fortunate Trabzonspor in the group B. The Turkish side replaced compatriots Fenerbahce after the latter ones were excluded from the competition after a match fixing scandal.
UEFA secretary general Gianni Infantino reminded the international body have zero tolerance to such events: “There is no other solution than a zero-tolerance policy in order to protect the integrity and the beauty of this wonderful competition. This is a fight that together we can and will win − all together… Unfortunately, we have witnessed all too clearly the destructive effect that corruption can have on our sport and recent events have shown that it can reach all levels.”
Real Madrid, who last won a UCL trophy in 2002, will meet Olympique Lyon, Ajax and Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb in the group D. The Spaniards are to meet the French yet again, but Jose Mourinho’s side are the main favorites for the superior phases. The Portuguese manager, who is chasing his third trophy with a third different team, has transformed Real into a much more competitive side, so they remain among the main favorites for the trophy.
Dinamo Zagreb, who will start the group stage as fourth favorite for the superior phases, played two play-off legs against Malmo whom they ousted thanks to a 4-3 aggregate and a 3-1 first leg win, while Genk have directly been qualified for the group stage.
The 2009-10 finalists Bayern Munich, who last won the UCL trophy in 2001, have been drawn Villarreal, Manchester City and last term’s Serie A revelation Napoli in the first group. If they reach the final, the Germans will have the chance to play it at home on Allianz Arena on May 19. Manchester are at their first appearances in the UCL group stage as Roberto Mancini’s side have booked the place after finishing the Premiership third last season.
Winners of the FA Cup, the Blues have become a real threat for any of the European sides. The Eastlands side have invested hundreds of million in transfer over the last two years to become a main candidate for the Premier League title, and not only. Although they will start the group stage as third favorite, City are likely to impress and make Villarreal fight hard for their second place.
The Spanish side have secured the group stage spot after defeating Danish side Odense BK 3-1 on aggregate in the play-offs. Napoli have directly been qualified for the group stage after finishing the season third in Serie A.
Chelsea, finalists of the 2008 edition, are the main favorites in the group E, and will fight Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen and Genk to make the superiors phases. The Blues, who have last won an European trophy in the mid 90s, have entered a new era after FC Porto manager Andre Villas Boas signed the Blues this summer.
Winner of the last term’s Europa League trophy, Boas has only signed a big name player, including Juan Mata of Valencia who is to play against his former side in the group. Michael Ballack, who returned to his former side Leverkusen, will also play against his former side Chelsea in what is expected to be a tough meeting between the two. If he had not joined Atletico Madrid as loan this summer, Chelsea’s new acquisition Thibaut Courtois would also have been drawn his former side Genk.
Arsenal, who were given small chances to secure a UCL group stage due to three big name departures, have been drawn Olympique Marseille, Olympiacos and German champions Borussia Dortmund in the group F. Arsene Wenger’s side ousted Udinese in the playoffs 3-1, and will start the new edition as main favorites for the superior phases despite having lost Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Gael Clichy.
Finally, last term’s Europa League revelation and winner of the 2—4 UCL trophy, FC Porto will face another EL champions Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St. Petersburg and Cypriots APOEL. The Portuguese, who will not have Boas on their bench, will have to fight very hard for the leading position in the group G. Having lost one of their most important players, Falcao – who joined Atletico Madrid this summer -, the challenge will be a very big one for the Portuguese side.
The group stages matches are scheduled on 13,14 September, 27/28 September, 18/19 October, 22/23 October, 1/2 November, 22/23 November and 6/7 December.
2011/12 UEFA Champions League group stage
Group A
FC Bayern München (GER)
Villarreal CF (ESP)
Manchester City FC (ENG)
SSC Napoli (ITA)
Group B
FC Internazionale Milano (ITA)
PFC CSKA Moskva (RUS)
LOSC Lille Métropole (FRA)
Trabzonspor AŞ (TUR)
Group C
Manchester United FC (ENG)
SL Benfica (POR)
FC Basel 1893 (SUI)
FC Oţelul Galaţi (ROU)
Group D
Real Madrid CF (ESP)
Olympique Lyonnais (FRA)
AFC Ajax (NED)
GNK Dinamo Zagreb (CRO)
Group E
Chelsea FC (ENG)
Valencia CF (ESP)
Bayer 04 Leverkusen (GER)
KRC Genk (BEL)
Group F
Arsenal FC (ENG)
Olympique de Marseille (FRA)
Olympiacos FC (GRE)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
Group G
FC Porto (POR)
FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
FC Zenit St Petersburg (RUS)
APOEL FC (CYP)
Group H
FC Barcelona (ESP)
AC Milan (ITA)
FC BATE Borisov (BLR)
FC Viktoria Plzeň (CZE)
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