UCL 2018/19: Ronaldo to return at Old Trafford, FC Barcelona in a tough group


XtraTime Web Desk:
Old Trafford’s very own favourite Cristiano Ronaldo initially rose to prominence on the European stage with United, having joined them as an 18-year-old in 2003.

At Old Trafford he established himself as one of the best players in the world and won the first of his Ballons d’Or while at United in 2008, the same year of his maiden Champions League success.

Ronaldo moved to Real Madrid the following year, winning four more Champions League titles before joining Juve, with the Turin giants hoping the Portugal star is the final piece of the puzzle in their quest for a first success in Europe since 1995-1996.

Paul Pogba will also go up against his former team as United and Juve were drawn alongside Young Boys and Valencia, with the Spanish club tipped to cause some problems.

Ronaldo’s former club Madrid – the reigning champions – have been given a somewhat more comfortable draw, with Roma, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen joining them in Group G.

Last season’s beaten finalists Liverpool find themselves in arguably the toughest pool of all, alongside Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Red Star Belgrade.

Manchester City will fancy their chances of sailing through Group F – Pep Guardiola’s men are set to come up against Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon and debutants Hoffenheim.

Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich will be similarly confident of their chances, with Benfica, Ajax and AEK Athens unlikely to threaten them for top spot in Group E.

Inter Milan return to the competition for the first time since 2011-2012 this term, though they will have their work cut out to reach the knockout phase having been drawn with Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and PSV Eindhoven.

Atletico Madrid qualified by virtue of winning the UEFA Europa League and will face Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Club Brugge, while the Bundesliga side’s rivals Schalke are in Group D with Porto, Lokomotiv Moscow and Galatasaray.

UEFA Champions League group-stage draw:
Group A: Atletico Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Monaco, Club Brugge
Group B: Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, PSV Eindhoven, Inter Milan
Group C: Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli, Liverpool, Red Star Belgrade
Group D: Lokomotiv Moscow, Porto, Schalke, Galatasaray
Group E: Bayern Munich, Benfica, Ajax, AEK Athens
Group F: Manchester City, Shakhtar Donetsk, Lyon, Hoffenheim
Group G: Real Madrid, Roma, CSKA Moscow, Viktoria Plzen
Group H: Juventus, Manchester United, Valencia, Young Boys