Video: 2008/09 UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw
UEFA Champions League holders Manchester United FC will begin the defence of their trophy in Group E against Villarreal CF, Celtic FC and Denmark’s Aalborg BK. This was determined during the group stage draw for the 2008/09 Champions League at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco on Thursday, Agust 28, 2008.
The 32 qualified teams were split into eight sections of four with last season’s runners-up Chelsea FC drawn alongside AS Roma, who are hoping to reach the final in their home city, FC Girondins de Bordeaux and Romanian newcomers CFR 1907 Cluj in Group A. UEFA Cup holders FC Zenit St. Petersburg face a tough first foray into the competition after being placed in Group H with Real Madrid CF, Juventus and fellow new boys FC BATE Borisov, the first Belarussian side to qualify for the group stage.
The group stage fixtures will be played on 16/17 September, 30 September/1 October, 21/22 October, 4/5 November, 25/26 November and 9/10 December. The group winners and runners-up will progress to the first knockout round in the spring, with the final to be staged at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on 27 May 2009. Teams finishing third in each section will have the consolation of going into the UEFA Cup Round of 32.
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