Manchester City face tough group in Champions League

Thursday 25 August 2011 12:55 EDT
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Manchester City avoided a group of death in their first Champions League draw but Roberto Mancini's side still face something of a baptism of fire.

City will come up against three tough opponents in Group A in Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Napoli.

Manchester United were given a much easier draw, in Group C alongside Benfica, the club they beat to secure their first European Cup in 1968, as well as Swiss champions Basle and unknowns Otelul Galati from Romania, making their bow in the competition.

Arsenal have to overcome Marseille, Greek champions Olympiakos and a potentially tricky test against Borussia Dortmund - the club among the pot of fourth seeds to avoid - in Group F.

Chelsea will face Valencia, the former club of latest new signing Juan Mata, plus Bayer Leverkusen - where Michael Ballack is now playing - and Genk from Belgium in Group E.

City, among the pot of third seeds, could have been drawn against reigning champions Barcelona or Real Madrid but still ended up in the toughest-looking group.

Although Bayern Munich and Villarreal both had to come through a play-off to qualify, both clubs have plenty of Champions League experience.

Napoli finished third in Serie A last season but have managed to hang on to the core of their team and provide a threat too - Sergio Aguero should be guaranteed a good welcome given that he is the son-in-law of Naples' favourite adopted son Diego Maradona.

United's group appears the easiest on paper, and though Arsenal have to play German champions Borussia Dortmund, they should be confident of overcoming both Marseille and Olympiakos.

Chelsea too should view themselves as more than capable of progressing to the knockout stages in Andres Villas-Boas' first season in charge.

Group H looked the one to avoid with both Barcelona and AC Milan, and BATE Borisov from Belarus and Czech side Viktoria Plzen were the unlucky ones.

Real Madrid face Lyon, Ajax and Dinamo Zagreb in Group D, Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille and Trabzonspor will fight in out in Group B, while Europa League winners Porto are in Group G with Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg and APOEL from Cyprus.

Meanwhile, the winner of inaugural UEFA best player in Europe award for 2010/2011 was unveiled as Barcelona's Lionel Messi. Team-mate Xavi and Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo were the other nominees.

The draw for the group stage of the Champions League...

Group A: Bayern Munich, Villarreal, Manchester City, Napoli

Group B: Inter Milan, CSKA Moscow, Lille, Trabzonspor

Group C: Manchester United, Benfica, FC Basel, Otelul Galati

Group D: Real Madrid, Lyon, Ajax Amsterdam, Dinamo Zagreb

Group E: Chelsea, Valencia, Bayer Leverkusen, Racing Genk

Group F: Arsenal, Olympique Marseille, Olympiakos, Borussia Dortmund

Group G: FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Zenit St Petersburg, APOEL

Group H: Barcelona, AC Milan, BATE Borisov, Viktoria Plzen

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