InterToto Wasn't That Bad After All

Last updated : 31 August 2007 By Footy Mad - Editor

Many of us moaned and groaned at our participation in the InterToto, but it was the gateway to the UEFA Cup, and without it, we can only look at the Carling Cup and FA Cup for silverware.

For those interested, here is the draw for the Champions League:

Group A

Liverpool, Porto, Marseille, Besiktas

Group B

Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke, Rosenborg

Group C

Real Madrid, Werder Bremen, Lazio, Olympiacos

Group D

AC Milan, Benfica, Celtic, Shakhtar Donetsk

Group E

Barcelona, Lyon, Stuttgart, Rangers

Group F

Manchester United, Roma, Sporting Lisbon, Dynamo Kiev

Group G

Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce

Group H

Arsenal, Sevilla/AEK Athens, Steaua Bucharest, Slavia Prague

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Chelsea and Manchester United have been reunited with the sides they beat in last season's quarter-finals in the group stages of this year's UEFA Champions League.

Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils have been drawn in Group F alongside Italian side Roma, who they beat 7-1 in the quarter-final second leg last season to complete a stunning 8-3 aggregate win.

Jose Mourinho's side, meanwhile, face Primera Liga team Valencia in Group B - the side they faced in the last eight last season, drawing 1-1 at Stamford Bridge before a last-minute Michael Essien goal in the return fixture earned them a place in the semi-final.

Last season's finalists Liverpool's main rivals in Group A are Portuguese outfit Porto, while they will also face Ligue One side Marseille and Besiktas of Turkey.

Arsenal will play one of Sevilla or AEK Athens - who will contest the second leg of their qualifier on September 3 following the death of the Spanish side's Antonio Puerta - as well as Steaua Bucharest and Slavia Prague in Group H.

The two Scottish sides in the draw, Celtic and Rangers, both drew big guns.

Rangers face mighty Barcelona - Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho et al - along with French champions Lyon and Stuttgart in a very difficult group.

The Bhoys meanwhile must take on holders AC Milan as well as Portuguese giants Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk from the Ukraine.