What do we think of the Champions league draw?

[toonmilo]

Man U have an easy group and i think Chelsea and Arsenal will be ok.

Man City on paper have a tough one, but i actually think they'll win all 3 home games and draw their away ones.

Can someone actually confirm with me that the only reason Man City could not be drawn in Group H (Barca and AC Milan Group) was because of something to do with matches on TV??

If thats the case, then that is wrong. I would of loved to see Man City get drawn in group H!

[redman41]

The way the Draw itself is conducted is farcical as Teams from the same Country are kept apart in the Group Stages.
The Draw should be simplified and run along the same lines as our FA Cup Draw. Why should it matter who ends up in the same Group ?
Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and Chelsea all in the same Group would be interesting. If you are going to Win it you have to take on whoever comes your way.

[Gromit]

redman41

TV viewers - Money.

Do you think many Scottish people will be tuning into the Europa League now that all the Scottish teams are out of it? If the Champions League lost whole Countries like Spain, Italy, Germany of England had no teams left early on the finances of the competition would be severely diminished.

[redman41]

Fair point Gromit, but Barcelona alone have the pulling power to attract the Viewers. Whoever beats them will probably win the Cup........

[Gromit]

// Can someone actually confirm with me that the only reason Man City could not be drawn in Group H //

Apparently, Manchester City had to be in a group that played on a different Night to Manchester United, which mean't Group A was the only possible group they could be placed in.

[jon1968]

Gromit has it spot on. It’s all rigged (commercially not corruptly) so you’ll never get four ‘big’ teams in the same group. Same as seeding in other sports. You’ll generally end up with one huge earner, a couple of mediocre teams who can throw up a surprise, and a whipping boy. All to maximise the interest. It’s the same for the Euros & the world cup.

If you had Real, Barca, Man U and one of the Milan clubs in the same group you’re guaranteed to lose interest from a vast swathe of supporters after the group stages.

[redman41]

That's why the Draw is a bit of a Farce Gromit.
No reason why Man City could not play their away Leg on the same night as Man Utd play their Home Leg. I see no problem with that.

[jon1968]

Oh, and I agree it’s farcical and it’s also why Plantini spat the dummy at Liverpool proclaiming they’re the ‘best team in Europe’ when they can only finish fourth (or was it fifth) in their domestic league?

[Gromit]

redman41

I agree it is farcical. But what you suggest is not fair. You cannot fix the home or away fixtures as well. That is a step too far.