1. Romantic reunions
It appears UEFA usually have monthly meetings, carefully planning how they can reunite former players and managers with their former clubs. This season, Angel Di Maria will get to return to the Santiago Bernabeu to face Real Madrid, a club he left two years ago. Jose Mourinho takes his Chelsea team to FC Porto, where he won his first ever Champions League trophy and made his name. Memphis Depay has barely settled in Manchester United, before returning to PSV, where he played until this summer. And oh, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, just before you leave Europe for the MLS, remember Malmo? We’re sure you know your way there!
2. Group of death
Has to be Group D which houses Juventus, Manchester City, Sevilla and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Juve, who were last season’s finalists, may look a weakened side this day, but don’t dismiss them so easily. With the imminent arrival of Kevin de Bruyne, City will take this summer’s spending beyond the £150m mark. Of course, not only will they be looking to win the Premier League again, the Etihad owners will be hoping Manuel Pellegrini breaks the jinx in Europe with this expensively assembled squad. Sevilla are back among the big boys, after establishing themselves as flat-track bullies in the lesser fancied Europa League, winning it twice in a row.
3. Easy passage
In Group A, Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid are as good as through to the second round. Forget the noise on social media, Bayern Munich and Arsenal will make it out of Group F. Benfica, Atletico Madrid should also navigate their way out of Group C easily. Group G will produce Chelsea and Porto.
4. No more drama
For those of us who wanted to take a nap or go for lunch, UEFA had a surprise for us today. There was no drama, no long speeches, no pageantry. Just an urgency to get on with the draws and save our time. It was a pleasure to see that.
5. Ties we can’t wait to watch!
Mark your calenders for the following fixtures – does not matter who will play home or away. Bayern Munich vs Arsenal, Real Madrid vs PSG, Juventus vs Manchester City and Manchester United vs Wolfsburg. ‘Ifreke Inyang tweets via @Ifreke
Comments