United return to Rome
30 Aug 2007 - 19:52:15
Manchester United will face an AS Roma side keen on revenge after being paired with the Italian side in the group stages of this year's Champions League.
The Premier League champions were placed in Group F alongside a team they thrashed 8-3 on aggregate at the quarter-final stage of last year's competition.
Sir Alex Ferguson's side had trailed 2-1 from a first leg in Rome marred by clashes between fans inside the Olympic Stadium, but responded in devastating fashion to win the second leg 7-1 at Old Trafford with Cristiano Ronaldo helping himself to a hat-trick.
United have also been drawn against Sporting Lisbon to hand Ronaldo an emotional return to his former club. The Portugal winger left Lisbon for Old Trafford in a £12.24million deal four years ago.
Dynamo Kyiv were also named in an interesting Group F for the Red Devils.
Elsewhere, Arsenal have been handed a tricky group after being handed a potential clash with UEFA Cup winners Sevilla.
The Spanish club must first overcome AEK Athens to earn their place in the group stage, after their qualification match was postponed following the tragic death of defender Antonio Puerta, who collapsed on the pitch during a league game last weekend.
Steaua Bucharest and Slavia Prague are the two remaining teams in Group H.
Last year's beaten finalists Liverpool have been handed a generous draw after being paired with 2003/04 winners FC Porto, Marseille and Besiktas in Group A - the same group they were in three years ago when they won the Champions League.
The Reds will, however, come face-to-face with their former striker Djibril Cisse, who joined Marseille on a permanent basis earlier in the summer.
Chelsea will also be strong favourites to progress from Group B after being drawn against Valencia, Schalke and Rosenborg.
The Blues overcame Valencia in a tight quarter-final last season courtesy of a last minute Michael Essien goal in a 2-1 second leg victory at the Mestalla.
However, both Scottish clubs - Rangers and Celtic - have been handed demanding draws.
Scottish Premier League champions Celtic have been paired with reigning champions AC Milan, Benfica and Shakhtar Donetsk in Group D.
Rangers face a similarly tall order to overcome Barcelona, plus French and German champions Lyon and Stuttgart.
Group A: Liverpool, FC Porto, Marseille, Besiktas.
Group B: Chelsea, Valencia, Schalke 04, 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 Kyiv.
Group G: Inter Milan, PSV Eindhoven, CSKA Moscow, Fenerbahce.
Group H: Arsenal, Sevilla or AEK Athens, Steaua Bucharest, Slavia Prague.