The draw for the greatest club competition in the world took place on Thursday 25th august and produced some interesting ties
Notably Pep GuardiolaÂ’s Manchester City have been put in the same group as Barcelona.
Every football fan will know of PepÂ’s history with the Spanish giants where he won the competition twice during a trophy laden 4 year spell
With a team containing superstars like Messi, Iniesta and Xavi controlling every match with their tika taka style of possession football they won 14 trophyÂ’s out of 19 they entered under Pep.
City fans are hoping he can introduce the dominating style characterised by short passing and movement in time for the first Group C match between them at the Etihad on 19th October
City players have dismal memories of playing the Blaugrana, the KOÂ’d twice in the Round of 16 in 2014 and 2015.
City also have another massive tie in the battle of the British clubs with Brendan RodgersÂ’ Celtic also in Group C
The fourth side should also prove to be a compelling encounter as Borussia Monchengladbach, a side that his Bayern Munich team only beat once in 6 attempts.
Premier League champions Leicester City had a relatively good draw
In Group C they face Porto, Copenhagen and Club Brugge
RanieriÂ’s men will be an unknown quantity and their fast paced style will surely be too much for the other sides apart from maybe Porto, who seem to have to rebuild squads each summer due to poaching from the bigger leagues.
Runners up Arsenal should also make it through the group stages, they face tough opponents in Paris Saint-Germain but should be able to overcome Basle and Bulgarian minnows Ludogrets and get through Group A without much fuss
Albeit coming second and probably facing a tougher draw in knock out stages.
North London rivals Tottenham have been drawn against Monaco, Bayer Leverkusen and CSKA Moscow in Group E
This is by far the most difficult group for any of the English clubs
Their three opponents will fancy their chances of qualifying too but Pochettino full-strength Spurs are a match for anyone in Europe at home and the will hoped to have already qualified before the final round of fixtures with a trip to Leverkusen
I think this year we will have 4 sides through to the knockout stages
If Pep can get the players and the playing system he wants, then City could go one further than last year and reach the final
Arsenal are closing in on moves to bring defender Shkodran Mustafi and forward Lucas Perez to London with those deals set to take Arsenal's spending towards the £100m mark
Add Granit Xhaka and the Gunners may finally have a side that can compete in this competition.
LeicesterÂ’s blend of football may take them into the latter stages, but their favoured counter attack style may come unstuck at sides who enjoy possession such as Barca and Bayern Munich
And Tottenham may just not have the strength in depth or experience to make a serious challenge.
I think City will get to the last 4 and Arsenal the last 8, with maybe Leicester joining them depending on the draw
But I think Spurs will fall at last 16
Whatever happens, the future looks rosy once again for English clubs with Man United and Chelsea rebuilding so hopefully the trophy will be back on our shores in the years to come.
Source : DSG
Source: DSG