There are plenty of stories and things to watch after the Champions League group stage draw that saw Milan named the unluckiest team among Serie A representatives, with the Rossoneri facing their former players. -Stars Giggio Donnarumma and Sandro Tonali.
Stefano Pioli said at a press conference on Thursday that the captain of the plane would have informed his players about the outcome of the Champions League group stage draw, which happened after the Rossoneri were accompanied by Jose Mourinho’s players from Friday’s Serie A clash. First flying to the capital. Rome.
The Rossoneri coach probably won’t be happy to find himself stuck in this season’s ‘group of death’, even though he predicted Milan’s group stage would be tough. He was not wrong. Former heroes Donnarumma and Tonali will return to the San Siro with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, one of Christian Pulisic’s ex-clubs.
That reunion was certainly the buzzword of today’s Champions League draw. Carlo Ancelotti will return to Naples with his Real Madrid team and Leonardo Bonucci will also return with Union Berlin. The Italian centre-back has never played at the Stadio Maradona, but has been one of the Partenopei’s toughest rivals for the past decade alongside Juventus.
Today Bonucci left Turin for Germany, where he will sign on Friday, a one-year contract with the Berlin club.
Inter’s group is probably more accessible, even if the Nerazzurri get Portuguese champions Benfica. Simone Inzaghi’s team had already beaten Roger Schmidt’s team in the quarter-finals last season as they progressed to the final in Istanbul. This time he will also meet former Juventus star Angel Di Maria, who returned to Benfica after his contract in Turin expired earlier this summer.
It would be a mistake to underestimate FC Salzburg and Real Sociedad, but Inter are certainly strong enough to aim for a place in the Round of 16 while still being potential group winners.
Lazio were arguably the luckiest Italian club in the draw with Feyenoord from Pot 1, Atlético Madrid and Celtic from Pots 2 and 4.
Make no mistake, none of these games – especially away – will be easy for Maurizio Sarri’s men, but on paper, only the La Liga giants, coached by their ex-midfielder Diego Simeone, compare to the Biancocelesti. I am stronger.
UEFA will publish the schedule soon, with the first group stage matches to be played on 19 and 20 September. It will be another exciting Champions League season, the last in this format and featuring 32 clubs, but there is already so much to talk about that we can’t wait to get started.
The attraction of Italian clubs to UCL is immense.
group c
naples
real Madrid
Braga
union berlin
group d
benfica
Inter
FC Salzburg
real sociedad
Group E
feyenoord
Atletico Madrid
Lazio
Celtic
group f
psg
Borussia Dortmund
Milano
Newcastle United