[EU] Champions League 04/05 (24 Viewers)
- Thread starter Roverbhoy
- Start date
Group C, F and G are most interesting ones.
Old acquaintances to be renewed
Thursday, 26 August 2004
The draw for the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League group stage has been made at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Twelve former champions
Twelve former European Champion Clubs' Cup winners and one newcomer, Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC, were among the 32 teams divided into four pots in accordance with seedings and drawn into eight four-team groups.
Mourinho return
Holders FC Porto, the top seeds, will come up against the man who guided them to success in Gelsenkirchen, José Mourinho, when they play Chelsea FC. Also placed in a testing Group H are Paris Saint-Germain FC and PFC CSKA Moskva, the Russian champions who are appearing in the group stage for the first time since the inaugural Champions League in 1992/93.
Zidane genius
Another man returning to his old club is Real Madrid CF recruit Walter Samuel, the former AS Roma central defender. Group B will also see a repeat of one of the great recent finals, Madrid against Bayer 04 Leverkusen - a match settled by the genius of Zinedine Zidane - while FC Dynamo Kyiv are regulars in the competition.
Attractive section
Group C is one of the most attractive sections with two four-time winners, FC Bayern München and AFC Ajax, pitted against Juventus FC, champions of Europe in 1984/85 and 1995/96, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv - a daunting introduction for the Israeli side. On a curious note, it will be the first meeting in official competition of Juve and Bayern.
English record
Three former winners, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Celtic FC, will take on FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F. This means a return to Glasgow for Barcelona forward Henrik Larsson. Meanwhile Arsenal FC, who last night set an English record of 43 successive league games without defeat, tackle Panathinaikos FC, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg BK in Group E.
UEFA Cup holders
In Group G, UEFA Cup holders and Spanish champions Valencia CF will play FC Internazionale, a repeat of the quarter-final tie won by the Italian team two seasons ago, as well as RSC Anderlecht, conquerors of two-time winners SL Benfica in the third qualifying round, and Werder Bremen, the German champions.
Monaco draw
Manchester United FC, Olympique Lyonnais, AC Sparta Praha and Fenerbahçe SK will contest Group D. Last season's runners-up AS Monaco FC meet two clubs who negotiated the third qualifying round, RC Deportivo La Coruña and Liverpool FC, and Greek runners-up Olympiacos CFP in Group A.
Match dates
During the group stage, each team will play three matches on a Tuesday and three on a Wednesday, starting with the first of six matchdays on 14/15 September. The remaining dates are: 28/29 September, 19/20 October, 2/3 November, 23/24 November and 7/8 December.
Istanbul final
The group winners and runners-up advance to the knockout stage, with the third-placed side moving into the third round of the UEFA Cup. The final will take place at the Atatürk Olympic stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 May 2005. It will be the first UEFA club competition final to be staged at the 80,000-seater venue.
Old acquaintances to be renewed
Thursday, 26 August 2004
The draw for the 2004/05 UEFA Champions League group stage has been made at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.
Twelve former champions
Twelve former European Champion Clubs' Cup winners and one newcomer, Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC, were among the 32 teams divided into four pots in accordance with seedings and drawn into eight four-team groups.
Mourinho return
Holders FC Porto, the top seeds, will come up against the man who guided them to success in Gelsenkirchen, José Mourinho, when they play Chelsea FC. Also placed in a testing Group H are Paris Saint-Germain FC and PFC CSKA Moskva, the Russian champions who are appearing in the group stage for the first time since the inaugural Champions League in 1992/93.
Zidane genius
Another man returning to his old club is Real Madrid CF recruit Walter Samuel, the former AS Roma central defender. Group B will also see a repeat of one of the great recent finals, Madrid against Bayer 04 Leverkusen - a match settled by the genius of Zinedine Zidane - while FC Dynamo Kyiv are regulars in the competition.
Attractive section
Group C is one of the most attractive sections with two four-time winners, FC Bayern München and AFC Ajax, pitted against Juventus FC, champions of Europe in 1984/85 and 1995/96, and Maccabi Tel-Aviv - a daunting introduction for the Israeli side. On a curious note, it will be the first meeting in official competition of Juve and Bayern.
English record
Three former winners, FC Barcelona, AC Milan and Celtic FC, will take on FC Shakhtar Donetsk in Group F. This means a return to Glasgow for Barcelona forward Henrik Larsson. Meanwhile Arsenal FC, who last night set an English record of 43 successive league games without defeat, tackle Panathinaikos FC, PSV Eindhoven and Rosenborg BK in Group E.
UEFA Cup holders
In Group G, UEFA Cup holders and Spanish champions Valencia CF will play FC Internazionale, a repeat of the quarter-final tie won by the Italian team two seasons ago, as well as RSC Anderlecht, conquerors of two-time winners SL Benfica in the third qualifying round, and Werder Bremen, the German champions.
Monaco draw
Manchester United FC, Olympique Lyonnais, AC Sparta Praha and Fenerbahçe SK will contest Group D. Last season's runners-up AS Monaco FC meet two clubs who negotiated the third qualifying round, RC Deportivo La Coruña and Liverpool FC, and Greek runners-up Olympiacos CFP in Group A.
Match dates
During the group stage, each team will play three matches on a Tuesday and three on a Wednesday, starting with the first of six matchdays on 14/15 September. The remaining dates are: 28/29 September, 19/20 October, 2/3 November, 23/24 November and 7/8 December.
Istanbul final
The group winners and runners-up advance to the knockout stage, with the third-placed side moving into the third round of the UEFA Cup. The final will take place at the Atatürk Olympic stadium in Istanbul, Turkey on 25 May 2005. It will be the first UEFA club competition final to be staged at the 80,000-seater venue.
I wouldn't say that. We had what appeared initially to be a deep squad that could compete on all fronts, and we had a dream start to our Serie A campaign, and qualified very comfortably in our Champions League group, including the 7-0 drubbing of Olympiakos... more than a lack of desire, I think last season was just down to plain suckiness 
Welcome to the Group of Death. :skull:
Well, Juve earned that to an extent by having to qualify. But I don't necessarily think any of those other groups are that much easier... just that ours has pretty good quality up until the 4th slot.
Well, if we're going to prove it, may as well prove it against worthy competition.
Well, Juve earned that to an extent by having to qualify. But I don't necessarily think any of those other groups are that much easier... just that ours has pretty good quality up until the 4th slot.
Well, if we're going to prove it, may as well prove it against worthy competition.
Group H tougher? Nah I don't think so.
Group F
1. Barcelona
2. Milan
3. Celtic
4. Shaktar
I've never been impressed with Celtic, and Shaktar Donestk is as weak if not weaker than Maccabi. Barcelona and Milan will run away with this group, easily.
Group H
1. Porto
2. Chelsea
3. PSG
4. CSKA Moskva
Porto isn't gonna be the same threat as last season obviously, as all their top players have found new clubs. PSG is a mediocre side that can be beaten easily by Chelsea, while they might give Porto some trouble IMO. If Porto can't get their act together, CSKA might slip into the 2nd spot. Hmmm, maybe Abramovich will help his Russian compatriots in some way?
Group F
1. Barcelona
2. Milan
3. Celtic
4. Shaktar
I've never been impressed with Celtic, and Shaktar Donestk is as weak if not weaker than Maccabi. Barcelona and Milan will run away with this group, easily.
Group H
1. Porto
2. Chelsea
3. PSG
4. CSKA Moskva
Porto isn't gonna be the same threat as last season obviously, as all their top players have found new clubs. PSG is a mediocre side that can be beaten easily by Chelsea, while they might give Porto some trouble IMO. If Porto can't get their act together, CSKA might slip into the 2nd spot. Hmmm, maybe Abramovich will help his Russian compatriots in some way?
++ [ originally posted by Andy ] ++
Group H tougher? Nah I don't think so.
Group F
1. Barcelona
2. Milan
3. Celtic
4. Shaktar
I've never been impressed with Celtic, and Shaktar Donestk is as weak if not weaker than Maccabi. Barcelona and Milan will run away with this group, easily.
Group H tougher? Nah I don't think so.
Group F
1. Barcelona
2. Milan
3. Celtic
4. Shaktar
I've never been impressed with Celtic, and Shaktar Donestk is as weak if not weaker than Maccabi. Barcelona and Milan will run away with this group, easily.
Still, I also see this group finishing according to seedings, but tight
From Teletext:-
ABRAMOVICH FACING UEFA PROBE
Uefa have admitted they will have to investigate links between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club's Champions League opponents CSKA Moscow.
The teams were paired together in Thursday's draw raising immediate concerns as Abramovich's company Sibneft are CSKA's major sponsors.
A spokesman said: "We may already have the facts to decide to dismiss it but it has to be looked into thoroughly."
Chelsea have rubbished claims of a conflict of interests.
"Sibneft, a company in which Mr Abramovich is one of many shareholders, has a shirt sponsorship deal with CSKA Moscow," the club's director of communications Simon Greenberg said.
"Mr Abramovich has no equity stake nor any direct interest in CSKA Moscow."
ABRAMOVICH FACING UEFA PROBE
Uefa have admitted they will have to investigate links between Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and the club's Champions League opponents CSKA Moscow.
The teams were paired together in Thursday's draw raising immediate concerns as Abramovich's company Sibneft are CSKA's major sponsors.
A spokesman said: "We may already have the facts to decide to dismiss it but it has to be looked into thoroughly."
Chelsea have rubbished claims of a conflict of interests.
"Sibneft, a company in which Mr Abramovich is one of many shareholders, has a shirt sponsorship deal with CSKA Moscow," the club's director of communications Simon Greenberg said.
"Mr Abramovich has no equity stake nor any direct interest in CSKA Moscow."
From uefa.com
Barça to feel the heat in Paradise
Thursday, 26 August 2004
Today's UEFA Champions League group stage draw threw up some intriguing ties, not least the games between AC Milan and FC Barcelona and the holders FC Porto against the club who enticed their coach to London, Chelsea FC. uefa.com brings you the reaction to the draw from representatives from clubs in Groups E-H.
Group E
Arsenal FC, Panathinaikos FC, PSV Eindhoven, Rosenborg BK
All 32 teams have done their work to qualify and there are no easy games. With four of the eight teams in the second pot being Italian we're not unhappy about staying away from them. We've had mixed results against PSV, although Gilberto scored the fastest goal in the competition against them. The Champions League is the only big trophy we have never been able to win. In order to make our mark and stamp our name we have to win it. Everything else is going exceedingly well, we've set the record in England, the stadium will be ready in 2006, and we really need to win this. Arsenal director Danny Fiszman
All the groups are very tough. Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world and Eindhoven play a very physical game. Despite it being a difficult group, it's very good for us that our first game is at home against Rosenborg. Panathinaikos coach Itzhak Shum
Arsenal are the clear favourites in the group. The most important thing for us will be to play well at home, and hope that we can recapture the away form from 1999 that enabled us to win our group. Rosenborg midfielder Fredrik Winsnes
I'm unable to gather much from this draw because Panathinaikos and Rosenborg are complete blanks for us at the moment. We obviously know more about Arsenal. All three are domestic champions and we're not so we must be careful to be realistic about our possibilities. The Greek league only starts on 9 September and we hope to have plenty of information on Rosenborg soon. PSV coach Guus Hiddink
Group F
FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Celtic FC, FC Shakhtar Donetsk
I know what the atmosphere can be like at 'Paradise', especially on a big European night and that is certainly a factor that will make it difficult for Barcelona. Barça experienced it last year when Celtic knocked them out of the UEFA Cup. The Celtic support is definitely something that gives a boost to the players. Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson
It's not an easy group. We played and lost yesterday against Barcelona, so we know them really well. Celtic have proved they can compete at top level in recent years, while Shakhtar have signed many great players this summer and they are dangerous as well. We have to be really careful even if I believe that the other three sides are more worried about us than we are about them. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti
There were certainly easier groups, if there's such a thing in the Champions League. As I saw them coming out, I'd hoped that we might avoid this one. I don't think we could have got much tougher. It's a tall order, but the games are worth looking forward to, they're just fantastic evenings. As for Henrik coming back, you'd nearly have guessed something like that would happen. It's remarkable really. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill
You cannot relax in the company of Milan, Barcelona and Celtic. However, we are not scared. We have been making strides in recent seasons towards playing among the European élite. The only difference between our group and the others is that we will be playing three teams who all have a different style, which could be very interesting for the fans. In terms of being competitive, we must enter the field thinking only about victory. Shakhtar vice-president Viktor Prokopenko
Group G
Valencia CF, FC Internazionale, RSC Anderlecht, Werder Bremen
It's a very tough draw but any opponent in this competition will be difficult. Inter are of course a very big team and Werder Bremen have shown that they are the best in Germany - and to be No1 in Germany means that they are very strong. Anderlecht are a very experienced side in this competition and are one of the classic European teams. Valencia manager Claudio Ranieri
When you ask if I am satisfied with this draw I have to say certainly not. We especially wanted to avoid Werder Bremen, who we believe are the most difficult opponents from the fourth pot. And German sides are never beaten until the final whistle, so Bremen will pose us problems. I am pretty happy to have drawn Valencia, however, considering the other teams in the same pot. As for Inter, well Inter are Inter. They are a tough Italian side, so that will be a hard task also. Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos
We have been handed a very interesting group and I am looking forward to the challenge in the Champions League. It won't be easy to reach the next round, but we will do our best and we are definitely not scared. Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf
It will be tough but not impossible. I was expecting nothing easier than this because there are only great teams in the Champions League. However, I remain optimistic as always - Inter have a strong side and can play well and win everywhere. Inter coach Roberto Mancini
Group H
FC Porto, Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain, PFC CSKA Moskva
In this competition there are no easy matches and we will approach the Chelsea game like any other. Of course, we know that it's almost impossible to win this competition two years in a row, and we will face teams that have superior financial resources to us. But that was the case last year and we won. I think the fact that we're holders doesn't put more pressure on us, but it does mean that other teams recognise we are a great club and respect us. Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa
I just spoke to José and he thinks it is a tough draw. The group certainly has an added edge. With José going back to Porto and Roman's link as a sponsor of CSKA you could say that this is the group of stories. We did well last year and you start every season hoping to beat what you have done before. Doing well last year has given us a lot of experience and of course we also have José's experience as a winner last season. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon
This is not a lucky draw for us. Porto are the holders, Chelsea are the best financed club and Moscow the furthest away. These three opponents pose a challenge equivalent to international level. Playing the best teams in the world is a wonderful experience, but it can be physically and mentally draining.PSG coach Vahid Halihodzic
It sounds trivial but there are no weak teams in the UCL. The first three pots all had very strong teams, and it is impossible to predict the final outcome in any group. We avoided the Spanish and Italians, although we still have to play European champions Porto and the richest English side, Chelsea. Undoubtedly these two will be considered favourites. However, we are not going to get down. We will fight in every game and will try to progress. As last year's European tournaments and UEFA EURO 2004™ proved, there is nothing impossible in football. CSKA midfield player Juris Laizans
Barça to feel the heat in Paradise
Thursday, 26 August 2004
Today's UEFA Champions League group stage draw threw up some intriguing ties, not least the games between AC Milan and FC Barcelona and the holders FC Porto against the club who enticed their coach to London, Chelsea FC. uefa.com brings you the reaction to the draw from representatives from clubs in Groups E-H.
Group E
Arsenal FC, Panathinaikos FC, PSV Eindhoven, Rosenborg BK
All 32 teams have done their work to qualify and there are no easy games. With four of the eight teams in the second pot being Italian we're not unhappy about staying away from them. We've had mixed results against PSV, although Gilberto scored the fastest goal in the competition against them. The Champions League is the only big trophy we have never been able to win. In order to make our mark and stamp our name we have to win it. Everything else is going exceedingly well, we've set the record in England, the stadium will be ready in 2006, and we really need to win this. Arsenal director Danny Fiszman
All the groups are very tough. Arsenal are one of the best teams in the world and Eindhoven play a very physical game. Despite it being a difficult group, it's very good for us that our first game is at home against Rosenborg. Panathinaikos coach Itzhak Shum
Arsenal are the clear favourites in the group. The most important thing for us will be to play well at home, and hope that we can recapture the away form from 1999 that enabled us to win our group. Rosenborg midfielder Fredrik Winsnes
I'm unable to gather much from this draw because Panathinaikos and Rosenborg are complete blanks for us at the moment. We obviously know more about Arsenal. All three are domestic champions and we're not so we must be careful to be realistic about our possibilities. The Greek league only starts on 9 September and we hope to have plenty of information on Rosenborg soon. PSV coach Guus Hiddink
Group F
FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Celtic FC, FC Shakhtar Donetsk
I know what the atmosphere can be like at 'Paradise', especially on a big European night and that is certainly a factor that will make it difficult for Barcelona. Barça experienced it last year when Celtic knocked them out of the UEFA Cup. The Celtic support is definitely something that gives a boost to the players. Barcelona striker Henrik Larsson
It's not an easy group. We played and lost yesterday against Barcelona, so we know them really well. Celtic have proved they can compete at top level in recent years, while Shakhtar have signed many great players this summer and they are dangerous as well. We have to be really careful even if I believe that the other three sides are more worried about us than we are about them. Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti
There were certainly easier groups, if there's such a thing in the Champions League. As I saw them coming out, I'd hoped that we might avoid this one. I don't think we could have got much tougher. It's a tall order, but the games are worth looking forward to, they're just fantastic evenings. As for Henrik coming back, you'd nearly have guessed something like that would happen. It's remarkable really. Celtic manager Martin O'Neill
You cannot relax in the company of Milan, Barcelona and Celtic. However, we are not scared. We have been making strides in recent seasons towards playing among the European élite. The only difference between our group and the others is that we will be playing three teams who all have a different style, which could be very interesting for the fans. In terms of being competitive, we must enter the field thinking only about victory. Shakhtar vice-president Viktor Prokopenko
Group G
Valencia CF, FC Internazionale, RSC Anderlecht, Werder Bremen
It's a very tough draw but any opponent in this competition will be difficult. Inter are of course a very big team and Werder Bremen have shown that they are the best in Germany - and to be No1 in Germany means that they are very strong. Anderlecht are a very experienced side in this competition and are one of the classic European teams. Valencia manager Claudio Ranieri
When you ask if I am satisfied with this draw I have to say certainly not. We especially wanted to avoid Werder Bremen, who we believe are the most difficult opponents from the fourth pot. And German sides are never beaten until the final whistle, so Bremen will pose us problems. I am pretty happy to have drawn Valencia, however, considering the other teams in the same pot. As for Inter, well Inter are Inter. They are a tough Italian side, so that will be a hard task also. Anderlecht coach Hugo Broos
We have been handed a very interesting group and I am looking forward to the challenge in the Champions League. It won't be easy to reach the next round, but we will do our best and we are definitely not scared. Bremen coach Thomas Schaaf
It will be tough but not impossible. I was expecting nothing easier than this because there are only great teams in the Champions League. However, I remain optimistic as always - Inter have a strong side and can play well and win everywhere. Inter coach Roberto Mancini
Group H
FC Porto, Chelsea FC, Paris Saint-Germain, PFC CSKA Moskva
In this competition there are no easy matches and we will approach the Chelsea game like any other. Of course, we know that it's almost impossible to win this competition two years in a row, and we will face teams that have superior financial resources to us. But that was the case last year and we won. I think the fact that we're holders doesn't put more pressure on us, but it does mean that other teams recognise we are a great club and respect us. Porto president Jorge Nuno Pinto da Costa
I just spoke to José and he thinks it is a tough draw. The group certainly has an added edge. With José going back to Porto and Roman's link as a sponsor of CSKA you could say that this is the group of stories. We did well last year and you start every season hoping to beat what you have done before. Doing well last year has given us a lot of experience and of course we also have José's experience as a winner last season. Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon
This is not a lucky draw for us. Porto are the holders, Chelsea are the best financed club and Moscow the furthest away. These three opponents pose a challenge equivalent to international level. Playing the best teams in the world is a wonderful experience, but it can be physically and mentally draining.PSG coach Vahid Halihodzic
It sounds trivial but there are no weak teams in the UCL. The first three pots all had very strong teams, and it is impossible to predict the final outcome in any group. We avoided the Spanish and Italians, although we still have to play European champions Porto and the richest English side, Chelsea. Undoubtedly these two will be considered favourites. However, we are not going to get down. We will fight in every game and will try to progress. As last year's European tournaments and UEFA EURO 2004™ proved, there is nothing impossible in football. CSKA midfield player Juris Laizans
