UEFA announced that the Champions League format will be changed from the 2018/19 season to allow the top four leagues in Europe – now England, Italy, Spain and Germany – a guaranteed four places each in the group stages.
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“We reached the semi-final last season and we want to go far in the Champions League again”. The games will also mean a quick reunion for goalkeeper Claudio Bravo with his old club, following his move to City on Thursday.
Brendan Rogers’ Celtic have been placed in Group C and face the unenviable task of battling football giants Barcelona and Manchester City along with German outfit Borussia Monchengladbach for a place in the knockout stage.
“Playing against Real is, for Dortmund, nearly a classic”.
“It is obviously a hard group but it always is in the Champions League”.
“We know very well that Russian Federation is always hard and CSKA are sure to have a very good team”, said Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino.
Manchester City start the group stages at home to Mönchengladbach.
Borussia Moenchengladbach and Celtic complete Group C.
Even with the losses of Renato Sanches and Nicolas Gaitan this summer, the side is overloaded with quality in every department and the tip of the iceberg is prolific forward Jonas, who made an impressive return of 32 league goals last season.
This year Manchester United, Liverpool, AC Milan and Internazionale – who have 18 European Cup victories between them – have missed out on qualifying while debutants Leicester City are making their maiden appearance in the competition.
“I am sure he can play against them, which is a bonus for us”. It’s good for Pep because he knows Borussia very well from his time at Bayern and Barcelona as well so we will see.
Ancelotti was cautious, however, pointing out that Atletico needed a penalty shootout to beat PSV last season and that Rostov eliminated Ajax Amsterdam in the playoffs this week.
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Juventus will take on three-time reigning Europa League champions Sevilla as well as Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb in Group H. “Now we are in the Champions League and we have another wonderful opportunity to show our quality”.
