UCL Draws: Cristiano Ronaldo named European player of the Year; Manchester City Face Bayern Munich, Arsenal Host Dortmund
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo has been named the European player of the 2013/14 season during the UEFA Champions League group stage draws.
During the draw ceremony in Monaco, the Portuguese said that he believes his club can become the first to successfully defend the Champions League trophy, saying: “Why not – everything is possible. I had the opportunity to do it when I was at Manchester United and now for Real Madrid – the biggest clubs in the world so I am looking forward to getting a second chance.”
From the results of the draw, Premier league winners Manchester City are due to face Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich for the third time in four years in a bid to win their first European Champions League title. The two teams placed in Group E will also play CSKA Moscow and Roma.
La Liga Champions Atlético Madrid are due to face Seria A winners Juventus, Greek champions Olympiacos and Malmo in Group A. In Group B, UCL winners Real Madrid contest with Basel, Liverpool and Ludogorets.
Group C sees Benfica, Zenit St. Petersburg, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco face off while Group D pits Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlecht together.
In Group F Barcelona will play PSG first, while Ajax host Apoel Nicosia as Chelsea, Schalke 04, Sporting, Maribor face one another in Group G and FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Athletic Bilbao, BATE in Group H.
