FCBARCELONA.CAT

18.09.2007 11:57

Starting out on the road to Moscow

Jaume Canut

It is all systems go for the 2007-08 Champions League campaign as the top 32 clubs in Europe kick off the first round of group games as they start on the long road to the final in Moscow next spring.

Today and tomorrow see the opening games in this year's competition as groups A to D play on Tuesday and then the teams in groups E to H play on Wednesday. AC Milan are aiming to become the first team since the event changed its name and format to retain the trophy. They were the last club to lift the European Cup on two successive occasions and, having beaten Liverpool in Athens last season, have already stated their desire to win it again.

The 32 teams are divided up into eight groups of four teams, with the top two progressing to the first knockout phase. Those 16 clubs will then battle through the automatic elimination rounds until two of them reach Moscow for a date in the final on May 21.

Tough draw

After the draw in Monaco recently, four main groups stood out from the rest and were considered to the hardest to qualify from and the most difficult to predict.

Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke 04 and Rosenborgs

A clear example of this is Group B. Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke 04 and Roseborgs will all fancy their chances of earning a top two place. The Blues are one of the favourites to win the whole tournament, but they will not have it easy as Schalke finished as Bundesliga runners-up last term and are looking strong again already this season. Valencia may not have made the best start to their Spanish league campaign, but they could click into gear at any time, while Rosenborgs are always unpredictable.

Barça, Lyon, Stuttgart and Rangers

Barça also do not have it easy in Group E where they have to face Olympique Lyonnais, VfB Stuttgart and Rangers. All four clubs have a strong European history, while Lyon and Stuttgart are the current champions of France and Germany respectively, while Rangers are currently in first place in the Scottish Premier League. All three of the Blaugrana's opponents are also strong at home.

Manchester United, Roma, Sporting and Dinamo

Group F has thrown together four tough sides as Manchester United, AS Roma, Sporting and Dinamo Kyiv will all be vying for a qualifying place. Roma are currently first in Serie A, while Manchester United are defending their Premiership crown, which they won at the end of last term. Sporting and Dinamo will also provide strong opposition and and a trip to Ukraine will not be one that any of the other sides will be relishing.

Madrid, Lazio, Werder Bremen and Olympiacos

Real Madrid have not been handed an easy passage into the knockout phase as Lazio, Werder Bremen and Olympiacos will all be looking forward to defeating the reigning Spanish league champions. Werder have not had a strong start in the Bundesliga but are capable of beating any of the other sides in the group, while Lazio are strong this term and Olympiacos are always difficult to play on their own ground.

First night of action

On Tuesday, September 18, the first group games will all take place at 20:45, with the following teams playing:

- Porto - Liverpool (Group A)
- Marseille - Besiktas (Group A)
- Chelsea - Ronsenborgs (Group B)
- Schalke 04 - Valencia (Group B)
- Real Madrid - Werder Bremen (Grupo C)
- Olympiacos - Lazio (Group C)
- Milan - Benfica (Group D)
- Shakhtar - Celtic (Group D)