Rome sweet Rome

Join the debate on the draw for the UEFA Champions League

Last updated: 28th August 2008

champions league trophy

The draw for the early stages of the UEFA Champions League has been made in Monaco and we would like your thoughts on the groups.

Can holders Manchester United come through Group E? Are the Spaniards of Villarreal likely to present the toughest obstacle en route to defending their crown?

What about the Battle of Britain between the holders and Celtic? Can Gordon Strachan put one over on his former boss Sir Alex Ferguson?

Chelsea have been drawn in the same group as Roma. Can Luiz Felipe Scolari get past the Italians and take the Blues back to the final? Will Bordeaux and Romanian debutants CFR Clujnapoca prove a surprise package?

Can Arsenal see off Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev?

What about Liverpool? Can they put their problems in the qualifying tie with Standard Liege behind them and get out of Group D?

Which of the eight groups do you think is the toughest? Are we looking at an all-Premier League final once again?

Let us have your thoughts using the form below.

Comments

Timmy Pope (Celtic fan) says...

Great draw for Celtic and Man U. Man U will qualify in first place but will find both ties against Celtic tricky. Celtic's excellent home record and the strong possibility to end their awfull away record should mean they finsih in second. Won't be easy though as Villareal are right up there with the likes of Barca and Real Madrid. Mon the Hoops

Posted 11:34 30th August 2008

Babiolakis Anthony says...

Liverpool (fan) have the toughest group of the 4 English teams. But having said that there are no easy groups. English teams won't have it as easy as last year. The Spanish & Italian teams have a point to prove, and there are usually one or two surprise packages. I think all four English teams will qualify from the group stages, with either Chelsea or Liverpool winning the cup.

Posted 10:53 30th August 2008

Duncan Maina (Arsenal fan) says...

Man u will definitely not find easy like last season and be upset by Celtic and Villareal since they will miss their lone star Ronaldo during the crucial months. Liverpool will need a miracle to go past A-madrid and Marseille. Arsenal and Chelsea will find it easy in their groups. I however dont foresee a all english final.

Posted 09:51 30th August 2008

Ollie Larsson says...

United have played Celtic at OT on many occasions for testimonials and the atmosphere is fantastic with both sets of fans coming along great together. Many United fans support Celtic as a second team but in the champs league i hope we show them that English football is the best in the world and they can stop worrying about Villareal and instead realize they have to play two games against the best team in Europe !

Posted 09:35 30th August 2008

Brian Docherty (Celtic fan) says...

I hope we can produce a miracle again. Not chuffed to have Aalborg first, it will be their cup final. I think our group will be tighter than most people think with a lot of home wins. C'mon the hoops!

Posted 06:45 30th August 2008

Matty Stokes says...

Chelsea get easy teams every year in the champs league usually until they get liverpool n get knocked out apart from last year and again they'll win their easy boring group. Man utd i think we will get through our group top but might sturggle again against Celtic. Liverpool will probably do well again even if they start poorly they will turn it around and Arsenal i think will get through but they will struggle and not get much further after that!!

Posted 03:59 30th August 2008

Joe Libby (leeds fan) says...

I can't help but feel everyone has written off Villareal. Saw them last year at the Nou Camp and they were more then a match for a decent enough Barcelona team. I know they're not the most experienced in the Champions League but can't help but think that United will struggle to pick up a point at El Madrigal, let alone Celtic. Chelsea and Liverpool will qualify, although I seem to remember Liverpool struggling away to Marseille recently? So that's not a banker like many are seeming it to be. Arsenal should qualify, but can't see them reaching semi-finals as they do not have the cover for vital players such as Fabregas. I can see an English team making the final again this year, and wouldn't be too surprised if it were Liverpool, given their poor start - they can only play better tbh! and who can doubt their pedigree?

Posted 00:11 30th August 2008

Les Edwards says...

The Poll Sky Sports are running. Which British club has Toughest Group, At the moment Liverpool are at the top with 40% as a Liverpool fan am made up with the draw, and would say Man U have far a tougher group than any of the British sides.

Posted 18:09 29th August 2008

Les Edwards says...

El Nino must be ecstatic about going back to Madrid with his new beloved Liverpool

Posted 18:03 29th August 2008

Craig Williams (Manchester United fan) says...

Celtic for a European title..........Uefa Cup all the way!!!

Posted 17:22 29th August 2008

Alan Ferris (Liverpool fan) says...

I hope Luis Garcia doesnt come back to bite us,i wish Liverpool hadnt sold him.Great Player

Posted 15:33 29th August 2008

Adie Morgan (Liverpool fan) says...

This time last year Liverpool would have 1 point in the Prem and been out of Europe, when players from Euros and Olympics get back into swing of things and Keane finds form with Torres ,along with Riera adding with we will see something special. Come the end of the season will have number 6????? hopefully, but would rather have the Prem like most red fans. Rafa YNWA

Posted 15:00 29th August 2008

Larry Stauffer says...

Only a complete idiot would write off Glasgow Celtic. despite the constant 'micky mouse' tag from the English, over the years they have beaten every single English team both home and away as well as the 'who's who' of European teams who were at their best. From the unbeatable Leeds Utd in the 70s, to Liverpool, Man Utd, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Celtic have beaten everyone. They were the first British team to win the Champions league and they have a continuous successful record and a winners mentality. They have got through to the second round in the last two seasons despite a massive handicap in their financial clout and they currently have the strongest squad they have had since Jock Steins glory days. Celtic will take Man Utd apart at Paradise like they did last time.

Posted 14:46 29th August 2008

James Garner (Manchester United fan) says...

Manchester Utd and Chelsea will dominate their groups, Liverpool and Arsenal I think will have a tough time but in the end show their premiership pedigree and get into the 1st round knockout. Celtic I think have the heart and passion to get into first round knockout too. I foresee another all English Final. Best of luck to all 5 British teams though!

Posted 14:03 29th August 2008

John Clarke says...

As a Chelsea fan I think we have a good draw. All English clubs should qualify from the groups and then the competition starts for real. I would not write off Liverpool as a major threat because of thier European pedigree. ManU and Arsenal I am not so sure about. ManU will find this trophy harder to retain than any other. What ever happens an English team to win CL and prove we are the best in Europe.

Posted 13:47 29th August 2008

Bryan Newell (Manchester United fan) says...

Hopefully all four English teams don't make it past the group stage, so Platini doesn't have to get his knickers in a twist again and try push something silly forward like a 10+1 rule.

Posted 13:38 29th August 2008

Ian Mcdade says...

Delighted with the draw. Celtic have a fine record against United and would have knocked them out two seasons ago had it been aggregate score. Villareal are a tough proposition however I cant see them having the same success as Celtic, against United. The game away to Aalborg may turn out to be Celtic's most crucial. C'mon the Hoops.

Posted 12:56 29th August 2008

John Burns (Celtic fan) says...

I only expect Celtic to drop 5 points from our 6 games! so 13 points should see us through.. an away defeat at Mank U' and a draw at Villarreal .. you know it makes sense!!

Posted 12:52 29th August 2008

Raj Gill says...

Celtic Fan A decent draw for us however it will be tough but based on our home form and hopefully us this year finally winning away I think we can again get out the group behind Man utd. Liverpool will romp it, just watch they are too good with Torres, so will Chelsea, however I have concerns over Arsenal as they appear to be struggling right now both on and off the field. Reg the macceledfield comment, southampton fan - need I say more!!.

Posted 12:50 29th August 2008

Gerry Neary (Celtic fan) says...

The draw could have been a lot worse for us, its good that its all in wetern europe so there's no trips to russia or turkey or anything like that to worry about. With the first game at home to aab hopefully we can get off to a winning start(something we've never done before). Man Utd are obviously favourites but hopefully ronaldo will either still be injured or at real madrid if he is we can take 2,3 or even 4 points of them because they have no goalscorers(as long as we keep darren fletcher at bay!). Villareal, i'm not sure about though given we could have got bayern munich or juventus so might not be so bad, should be able to beat them at celtic park. last 16 for 3rd year in a row beckons, with a bit of luck maybe even the last 8. Hail Hail.

Posted 12:33 29th August 2008

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