Branislav Ivanovic and Michael Essien, former figures of champions Chelsea, shaped the draw by removing the balls
The Group Stage of the Champions League was defined this Thursday. There were 32 European teams drawn, the same ones that will seek glory and give away emotions from September to May next year, when two finalists will be measured in St. Petersburg, Russia, the host city of the match for the title .
The draw began with an emotional moment, as the doctors of the selection were recognized Denmark and Simon Kjaer, a member of the team, with the UEFA President’s Award due to the reaction they had in the Christian Eriksen incident at Euro 2020, when the item fell on the field victim of a heart failure.
Similarly, the paramedics involved in the incident and all those who provided timely care to Eriksen, Who was able to recover one hundred percent after an intervention and rest.
After the recognition and excitement, it was time for the draw, which was divided into four drums and in which it was established that no team can play against a team of its own federation.
Branislav Ivanovic y Michael Essien, former figures of champion Chelsea, took part in the ceremony and were the ones who defined the future of the 32 teams by taking out the famous ‘balls’.
One of the groups with the most attractive duels is the A, as Manchester City and PSG star in the sector and the meeting between Lionel Messi against Pep Guardiola will raise many eyes in the world. This is in the absence of what happens to the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who may arrive with the Citizens before the transfer market ends.
Curiously, Group D was almost a decoy of what happened last season, as Real Madrid, Inter and Shakhtar Donetsk repeated rivalry. The only difference was that Sheriff Tiraspol joined.
Similarly, Group B presented an interesting proposal with Atletico Madrid, Liverpool Porto and Milan, in what may be one of the most complicated sectors.
Meanwhile, the current champions, Chelsea, will face Juventus, Zenit and Malmö.
Finally, the groups were as follows:
– Group A: Manchester City (ING), Paris Saint Germain (FRA), Leipzig (ALE), Club Brujas (BEL)
– Group B: Atletico Madrid (ESP), Liverpool (ING), Porto (PER), Milan (ITA)
– Group C: Sporting Club (POR), Borussia Dortmund (ALE), Ajax (NED), Besiktas (TUR)
– Group D: Inter Milan (ITA), Real Madrid (ESP), Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR), Sheriff (MOL)
– Group E: Bayern Munich (ALE), Barcelona (ESP), Benfica (PER), Dinamo Kiev (UKR)
– Group F: Villarreal (ESP), Manchester United (ING), Atalanta (ITA), Young Boys (SUI)
– Group G: Lille (FRA), Seville (ESP), Salzburg (AUT), Wolfsburg (ALE)
– Group H: Chelsea (ING), Juventus (ITA), Zenit St Petersburg (RUS), Malmoe (SWE)
dates:
First day: 14/15 September
Second day: 28/29 September
Third day: 19/20 October
Fourth day: 2/3 November
Fifth day: 23/24 November
Sixth day: 7/8 December.