With the qualifiers done with, that can only mean one thing(other than Rafa still has a job): It's time for the Champions League draw. It all unfolded at 17:00 BST, and as usual there are a few easy groups, a few mediocre groups, and then a couple dicey ones.Group A: Chelsea, AS Roma, Bordeaux, CFR 1907 Cluj
This one should be a lock(knock on wood). Bordeaux are a good French side, but the French don't do well in Europe. Cluj won the Romanian league, but the only other thing I know about them is they have a number of Argentinians(really?). Chelsea and Roma go through.
Group B: Inter, Werder Bremen, Panathinaikos, Anorthosis Famagusta
This group seems much the same. Famagusta won the Cypriot League, and that's all you need to know. Panathinakos finished third in the Greek League, and they should parachute into the UEFA Cup. Inter should win handily, and a healthy Bremen should have no problems with second.
Group C: Barcelona, Sporting Lisbon, FC Basel, Shakhtar Donetsk
Barcelona should be able to run riot in this group, with Sporting the only team likely to take points off them. Basel can't seem to hold on to any of their good Swiss players, and should battle Ukrainian champions Shakhtar for the UEFA Cup spot.
Group D: Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Atletico Madrid
This would be your group of death. Liverpool are off to a shaky start, but Europe is their specialty. Eindhoven are a good team who also seem to specialize in Europe. Marseille were able to take points off Liverpool last year. Then there is Atletico, who have one of the best strike partnerships in Aguero and Forlan. I would predict Liverpool and Madrid, but any two teams could find their way to the knockout stages.
Group E: Man U, Villareal, Celtic, Aalborg BK
Celtic won't be happy with this draw, as they have to play the reigning champions and an exciting Spanish side. The hoops were able to win against Man U last year, and they will need points off Villareal if they want to progress. I expect Man U to be joined by the yellow submarine as they go on another run in Europe behind Rossi, Santi Cazorla, Senna, Pires and new boy Altidore.
Group F: Lyon, Bayern Munich, Steaua Bucharest, Fiorentina
Many people are wondering if this is the year for Lyon to make a run, but I think that Bayern, even though they're struggling, could start clicking and go places. Fiorentina's Romanian striker Mutu will try to send his countrymen home, and alongside Gilardino he could make the Viola a spoiler
Group G: Arsenal, FC Porto, Fenerbahce, Dynamo Kiev
This group is harder than it seems. Arsenal should progress, but Porto, Istanbul and Kiev are all very difficult grounds to play at. Aragones has brought Guiza and Josico with him, and Fenderbahce should pip Porto for second place.
Group H: Real Madrid, Juventus, Zenit St. Petersburg, BATE Borisov
If this group had the Zenit of six months ago it would be something to be feared, but with the whole Arshavin saga they have fallen off. The big boys should progress, though it will be fun to see them play in Borisov's 5,500 seat ground.
As you can see from their faces, Man City narrowly beat FC Midtjylland in penalty kicks to progress. Somebody must have sacrificed a rather large animal, as the only reason it went to penalty kicks was an own goal by Midtjylland player Danny Califf. Hart made two big saves during the pk's, and Corluka's make made up for Johnson's earlier miss. Jo did look exciting and the City faithful must be anxious to see him in action this weekend. Aston Villa tied FH Hafnarfjordur(seriously these Scandinavian names are like the inverse of Hawaiian names) to progress to the next round. O'Neill rested a number of players for their big clash with Liverpool this weekend. This marks the first time in seven years that Villa will compete in the UEFA Cup.One Liners
- Romanian team sells player for 15kg of meat, they have last laugh as player retires but meat still delicious
- Robinho's agent says he could start for Chelsea against Tottenham, then again Robinho's agent says a lot of things
- Gerrard undergoing groin operation that will make him miss World Cup qualifiers, Capello to look for a new way to mess up the midfield
- Toffees sign Segundo Castillo on loan, apparently when Moyes asked for 7 bodies they took him literally
- Ferguson looking to win Super Cup to avenge loss to Lazio, but if he loses he says the game won't matter
