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CL group stage draw

August 28, 2014

The groups for this season's Champions League have been drawn in Monaco. The four German clubs involved received relatively easy groups, although there will be some challenges in store.

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Champions League 2014/2014 draw in Monaco
Image: picture-alliance/dpa

The teams are set, and it all went like clockwork in Monaco on Thursday as Europe's top clubs took part in the group stage draw of the continent's most prestigous football league. Not even a stray ball departing from one of the draw pots could disrupt proceedings.

Last year's Champions League winners Real Madrid landed in Group B in the draw and should be happy enough with their opponents. They will take on Basel, Liverpool and little-known Bulgarian side, Ludogorets Razgrad, in their three group stage matches.

Among the German teams, Bayern Munich will be up against some familiar faces in their group stage matches. The German giants will meet CSKA Moscow and Manchester City again this year in the first proper stage of the tournament, just like in last year's campaign. The 2012-2013 winners will also play AS Roma as their third team in the group stage.

Meanwhile, Bundesliga runners-up Borussia Dortmund landed in Group D in Thursday's draw, with Arsenal, Galatasaray and Anderlecht, while Schalke will have to take on Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon and Maribor.

Schalke's goalkeeper Ralf Fährmann was quick to comment after the draw, saying via the club's Twitter account, "I'm particularly looking forward to facing Chelsea. Overall, it's a very interesting group."

Qualifiers Bayer Leverkusen will also have hopes of progressing past the group stage, especially if they keep up their early season form. They are drawn to play Benfica, Zenit St Petersburg and Monaco in Group C.

The first round of Champions League group stage competition is set for September 16 and 17. The final of the tournament will take place on June 6, 2015 in Berlin's Olympic stadium.

al/jr (dpa, SID)