Champions League Draw Winners & Losers

Yet another exciting season of Champions League soccer is just around the corner following the completion of the play-in games yesterday and today’s group stage draw. The draw consists of 32 qualifying teams being divided into 8 groups. Each team then plays both a home and away match against the other teams in their group, with the two teams who accumulate the most points moving on to the knockout stages. That in mind lets get onto some of the interesting results from today’s draw in Monaco…

Champions League new boys Tottenham will have no easy task as they have been drawn against defending Champions Inter Milan, German side Werder Bremen and FC Twente. Holders Inter will be widely favored to finish a top the group, while my pick is on Tottenham and Bremen to battle for second.

Champions of three years ago Manchester United will face fellow British side Rangers, as well as a transfer weakened Valencia side. United shouldn’t have problems finishing a top the group, while Turkish champions Bursaspor will likely be the side looking on as Valencia and Rangers fight for second.

Several players will face their former clubs in the group stage as Didier Drogba and Chelsea have drawn French champions Marseille and Eduardo will face his old club Shakhtar Donetsk when Arsenal begins play in their group.

Undoubtedly, the 2010 Champions League group of death is Group G comprising of Real Madrid, AC Milan, Ajax and french side Auxerre. The pressure will be intense on a Real Madrid side with huge expectations, now led by last years winning manager Jose Mourinho.

Get prepared for the Champions League with a Manchester United Jersey, Inter Milan Jersey, AC Milan Jersey, Chelsea Jersey, Arsenal Jersey or Barcelona Jersey.