The groups for the first round proper of the Champions League have been drawn and there’s some interesting match ups. Spurs make their debut against Inter Milan, Werder Bremen and Steve McLaren’s former team, FC Twente. Not an easy group for them, though they will be looking to qualify ahead of the German and Dutch sides.
Chelsea have it rather easier, with Marseille, Spartak Moscow and Zilina. They should qualify easily from that group, as should Arsenal, who face Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga and Partizan Belgrade.
For Manchester United there is a return to Valencia and, interestingly, Glasgow Rangers. I was at Old Trafford the last time Rangers came to visit and events after the game can be described only as “tasty”. For some reason, the Rangers supporters thought kicking off right on Sir Matt Busby Way was a good idea. Coins and bottles were thrown from the car park into the street and as I made my way up to the Metro station I had to dodge a fair few.
It wasn’t a scary experience at all. I can only think the Rangers fans were very drunk as their aim was appalling. If anyone was hit it would have been a total fluke, as one fan threw a coin at me from less than a yard away and missed me by a mile. The hatred on his face was disgusting and I didn’t understand where it came from. The police will be out in force for this one, I have no doubt.
Full Draw
Group A
Inter Milan, Werder Bremen, Tottenham, FC Twente
Group B
Lyon, Benfica, Schalke, Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Group C
Manchester United, Valencia, Rangers, Bursaspor
Group D
Barcelona, Panathinaikos, FC Copenhagen, Rubin Kazan
Group E
Bayern Munich, AS Roma, Basel, CFR Cluj
Group F
Chelsea, Marseille, Spartak Moscow, Zilina
Group G
AC Milan, Real Madrid, Ajax, Auxerre
Group H
Arsenal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Braga, Partizan Belgrade
