Nightmare draw for Leeds as Istanbul beckons again
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Eight-time defending champion Real Madrid got a relatively kind draw in the Champions League - but for Leeds United it could hardly have been worse.
Eight-time defending champion Real Madrid got a relatively kind draw in the Champions League - but for Leeds United it could hardly have been worse.
As if two of Europe's powerhouse teams - AC Milan and Barcelona - were not enough, the club must also travel to Besiktas Istanbul, and the city where two fans were stabbed to death on their last visit.
Two Leeds supporters were killed in clashes in the city before the UEFA Cup semifinal last season between the Yorkshire club and another Istanbul team, Galatasaray.
Friday's draw in a convention center in Monaco determined the eight Champions League groups of four teams each.
Galatasaray, which won the UEFA Cup and has qualified for the Champions League this season, got a group with another British side, Glasgow Rangers. That group D also includes French champion Monaco and Sturm Graz of Austria.
Manchester United, the seeded team in Group G, must travel to Dynamo Kiev, and also faces Eindhoven and Anderlecht.
Real Madrid, top-seeded in Group A, faces Bayer Leverkusen of Germany, Sporting Portugal and Spartak Moscow.
In Group B, Lazio Rome, the Italian champion, and Arsenal will be favorite to advance against Sparta Prague and Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine.
Valencia, last season's runner-up to Real Madrid, should also advance from a Group C that includes Heerenveen of the Netherlands, Olympique Lyonnais and Olympiakos Piraeus.
Group E brings together two finalists from 1983, Hamburger SV and Juventus Turin. Hamburg won the title in 1983 but has not played in Europe's top club competition since then.
The other two teams in the group are Deportivo La Coruna, the Spanish champion, and Panathinaikos Athens of Greece.
Bayern Munich, runner-up two seasons ago, got old rival Rosenborg of Norway and will also face another Scandinavian team in Helsingborgs, which knocked out Internazionale in qualifications. Paris Saint-Germain completes Group F.
The draw was one of the highlights of a busy UEFA weekend, which began with a gala ceremony to honor the outstanding personalities of the past season.
Zinedine Zidane, the French superstar, was voted top player of Euro 2000 for guiding his team to the title.
Bayern Munich's Oliver Kahn was voted the top goalkeeper of last season's Champions League, Jaap Stam, the Dutch pillar of Manchester United, was voted the top defender, while Valencia's Gaizka Mendieta was the top midfielder.
Real's Raul Gonzales got the best forward honors, and his former teammate Fernando Redondo was named the Champions League most valuable player. Redondo has left Real for AC Milan.
The European Champions League draw:
Group A Real Madrid (holders) Spartak Moscow Bayer Leverkusen Sporting Lisbon
Group B Lazio Arsenal Sparta Prague Shakhtar Donetsk
Group C Valencia Lyon Olympiakos Heerenveen
Group D Monaco Galatasaray Rangers Sturm Graz
Group E Juventus Deportivo La Coruna Panathinaikos Hamburg
Group F Bayern Munich Paris St Germain Rosenborg Helsingborgs
Group G Manchester United PSV Eindhoven Dynamo Kiev Anderlecht
Group H Barcelona AC Milan Leeds Besiktas
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments