As we approach another Champions League draw (Thursday 19:00) new tendencies are here. Is it some sort of ‘punishment’ for the clubs involved in the Super League project or some new shuffle among the European club football elite, it is unknown. But, the truth is, today’s Group stage draw will be different indeed, as it has not happened for a long time that the second category of clubs is stronger than the first.For example, Real Madrid and Barcelona – who have won six of the last 11 continental titles – are waiting for the draw at a disadvantaged position compared to, say, Lille or Sporting Lisbon. Also, the two English giants Liverpool and Manchester United are in a worse starting position compared to Villarreal, and they are the six-time and three-time European champions. The football aristocracy is completed by Juventus (two trophies, seven lost finals) and Borussia Dortmund (champion 1996, finalist 2013), as well as Sevilla, which specializes in the Europa League (six times winners in that competition).Champions League draw pots ✅🤔 What’s the best group you can make? #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/NFgXYnnf7r— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021 The icing on the cake is the presence of Paris Saint-Germain in this company. The Saints do not belong to the above-mentioned greats by any parameter, but they have the most expensive team and the strongest team. Already strong, reinforced by Messi, Donnarumma, Ramos, Vijnaldum and Hakimi, the club from Paris has shown an unequivocal ambition to finally win the most prestigious European Cup and there is no doubt that they will be favorites, even though the competition starts with the second hat.What do you reckon? 🤔✨ Goalkeeper of the Season = ______✨ Defender of the Season = ______✨ Midfielder of the Season = ______✨ Forward of the Season = ______#UCLdraw | #UEFAawards pic.twitter.com/k8FuPxaz8s— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021 Such strong competition means at least a few derbies in the group stage, when you look at the composition of the first pot. It is not so attractive, but it includes the European champion Chelsea, the best team of the previous edition of the Europa League Villarreal, as well as the six champions of the strongest leagues, but let’s bare in mind that some of those teams are now weaker. For example, Inter was left without Lukaku and Hakimi, Lille does not look like the machine that finished ahead of PSG in League 1 last year, Sporting does not seem too strong. However, Bayern is still powerful, Manchester City bought the most expensive British footballer of all time With Jack Grealish, Atletico is even stronger than last season, as well as Chelsea, who showed determination to upgrade by returning Lukaku.(6.75) ALASHKERT (4.20) RANGERS (1.50)Potential threats from the third pot are Ajax, who are in a small decline compared to two seasons ago when they amazed Europe, the unpredictable but always attractive Atalanta, and the two Portuguese giants Benfica and Porto, while Milan is the most resounding name in the latter and it is clear that the Italian club can easily end up in the „Group of death“.The draw procedure is the same as in previous years: 32 clubs will be divided into eight groups, and during the first phase it is not possible for teams from the same countries to meet. The terms of the group phase are: 14/15. September, 28/29. September, 19/20. October, 2/3. November, 23/24. November and 7/8 December. The two best teams from each group will go to the round of 16, and the fight for the title of the new European champion is scheduled for May 28 next year in St. Petersburg.Pot 1Chelsea (ENG)Villarreal (ESP)Bayern (GER)Manchester City (ENG)Atlético de Madrid (ESP)Inter Milan (ITA)Sporting CP (POR)LOSC Lille (FRA)Pot 2Real Madrid (ESP)Barcelona (ESP)Juventus (ITA)Manchester United (ENG)Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)Liverpool (ENG)Sevilla (ESP)Borussia Dortmund (GER)Pot 3Porto (POR)Ajax (NED)Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)Leipzig (GER)Salzburg (AUT)Benfica (POR)Atalanta (ITA)Zenit (RUS)Pot 4Beşiktaş (TUR)Dynamo Kyiv (UKR)Club Brugge (BEL)Young Boys (SUI)AC Milan (ITA)Malmö (SWE)Wolfsburg (GER)Sheriff Tiraspol (MDA)
