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SteemSports Presenter: @rickie

SteemSports Editor/Writer: @writingamigo

It’s been a tense moment in Nyon, Switzerland as regards the draws for the UEFA Champions league competition for the 2017/2018 season. As often anticipated around the draw period, permutations are usually rife amongst club supporters on who their teams “should”, “could”, or “would” face. 32 teams entered the fray for the draws and pots were created according to seeding. League winners from the top leagues in Europe were considered in pot 1, while defending champions of the competition Real Madrid also finds themselves in pot 1. Europa League winners Manchester United and neighbors Manchester City, find themselves in pot 2. And then based on UEFA Coefficients other teams would be classified accordingly and placed in their respective pots. Although, based on the rules of the draw. No team from the same federation or association would face each other in the group stage draw. Also, as expected, when it comes to the UEFA Competitions there are often newbies or ‘minnows’ (like we say on steemit). This year’s honors of minnows would be going to **Qarabag** (you might have to get a map for that one – they are an Azerbaijan Premier League side who made history by qualifying for the group stage after ousting FC Copenhagen). Now from the look at the draws proper, and the respective pairings, we are in for an interesting European Season.

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A brief look at possible groups and possible group toppers:

GROUP A: Looking at how well Mourinho has fashioned out his side for the season, one would expect Manchester United to emerge from the group as leaders, without many ordeals. Having encountered Benfica and Basel in the recent past of the Champions League, it would only be fitting for United to know the kind of opposition they would be facing, come September. Also, Benfica and Basel can fancy their chances at being the second team from that group. CSKA Moscow might consider themselves outsiders giving the pedigree of the teams they would encounter. However, football isn’t arithmetic, anything is always possible.

GROUP B: Last year Semi-finalists, Bayern Munich and Paris St-Germain would definitely have to battle it out for the group toppers. Bayern would be seething from their controversial exit at the hands of eventual winners, Real Madrid for last season, and they would definitely be a difficult side to handle this season. Knowing Carlo Ancelotti’s pedigree in the Champions League, one would only expect them to come out from the group alongside PSG who are the hoping that this would be their year, giving the inclusion of the world most expensive player, Neymar Jr., into their fold. Celtic and Anderlecht would struggle to impose themselves on this group, but then, surprises could happen.

GROUP C: Chelsea and Atletico Madrid in the same group spell mouth-watering ‘Hollywood-like’ drama; and having a certain Diego Costa as the main star, hero and as well villain in this supposed blockbuster, makes it even more of an enticing match-up. However we might be saved that movie spectacle given that Atletico is currently banned from signing players till January, and most likely both teams would have concluded group business before when and if Costa can finally feature for the Atletico side he’s bent on a return to. Given the familiarity in European competitions between these two old foes, one can always expect the best of football and perhaps expect both teams to progress from the group. Roma also have a fighting chance in the group given that both Atletico Madrid and Chelsea both made unconvincing starts in their respective domestic leagues. As for Qarabag, we wish them a happy outing.

GROUP D: Without any doubt it is safe to say that last years’ losing finalists Juventus, and Barcelona should have an easy qualification from this group. But with a lot of uncertainty about the readiness of Barcelona for the new domestic and European season due to their inability to attract quality players that they desire and other off-field distractions, we can’t rule out a possible upset from this group. But then, the likes of Olympiakos and Sporting Lisbon realistically look more like participants than serious threats, especially given their lack of pedigree in UEFA completions.

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GROUP E: Liverpool who is making it to the UEFA Champions League after missing in-action in recent years would fancy their chances against a not-so- tough group. Sevilla, who are supposedly Europa League specialists in recent times, should also fancy their chance at emerging from the group as well. Spartak Moscow and Maribor does not really have much of the pedigree our quality in their squads to cause an upset.

GROUP F: Quite a difficult group, featuring Manchester City, Napoli and Shakhtar Donetsk. These 3 would definitely have much of a shot at qualifying from the group. Not to rule out the Eredivisie Champions Feyenoord, but then returning to the Champions League after ages of absence might be too over- whelming for them to pose much of to their other superior European oppositions. It would be an interesting group to follow through. If Pep Guardiola struggles in this group, then his whole career and pedigree as a quality coach would come into question once again.

GROUP G: Another losing semi-finalist, Monaco should easily emerge from this group, given their quality and impressive start to the new French season. FC Porto, another experienced side in UEFA Completions should also find it a decent group to emerge unscathed from. Besiktas and debutants RB Leipzig make up the group and would have to be spectacular in their performances to pose serious threats or cause a big upset in this group, although they both have a very decent fighting chance if the likes of Monaco and Porto underrates them.

GROUP H: No doubt is defending Champions, Real Madrid would big the biggest benefactors of this group. With their explosive start to the season, and their recent humbling of Barcelona, confidence must be on a high and they would attempt to re-write history by trying to ‘re-defend’ the title they defended last season. Such an incredible team they are. Borussia Dortmund has been a banana peel for Madrid in recent European meetings. However, with the quality this Madrid side boasts of, I wouldn’t put it past Madrid to have an easy run against them. They no longer have a Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel in charge of the team. Tottenham might consider themselves unlucky in this group. The oppositions they face are renowned European competitors, and given their Wembley conundrum, fans would be hoping they can put up a decent performance in this year’s competition as against their last season’s effort.

What do you make of the UEFA Champions League draw? Which team do you support and what do you make of your team’s chances? Drop your comments.