Champions League: City given Barca test, Madrid get BVB

Omnisports

August 25, 2016 4:19 AM

Barcelona will face Manchester City in the Champions League group stages, meaning a reunion with former captain and coach Pep Guardiola.

___5365792___https:______static.pulse.com.gh___webservice___escenic___binary___5365792___2016___8___25___23___pepguardiola-cropped_1kkdzejc06wp41rny0mgq37krq_2

Pep Guardiola will return to former club Barcelona after Manchester City were paired with the Spanish champions in the Champions League group stages.

Guardiola won Europe's premier club competition twice during a trophy-laden tenure at Camp Nou, thanks to final victories over Manchester United in 2009 and 2011.

He will lead City in Group C after the Premier League side overcame Steaua Bucharest 6-0 on aggregate in their play-off tie.

Borussia Monchengladbach and Celtic round out a tough section, meaning there is a possibility of Kolo Toure facing his brother Yaya when the Scottish champions take on City.

Holders Real Madrid begin their bid for a 12th European title in Group F alongside Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, Sporting CP and Legia Warsaw.

Last season's defeated finalists Atletico Madrid will face German champions Bayern Munich, who they overcame in a thrilling semi-final tie last time around, meaning PSV and Russian newcomers Rostov have their work cut out in Group D

Premier League winners Leicester City were handed a seemingly favourable draw for their competition debut and will play Group G opponents Porto, Club Brugge and FC Copenhagen.

Tottenham fell short in their bid to overhaul Leicester last season, but will be similarly satisfied by being placed in Group E with CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.

Spurs' north London rivals Arsenal make the short trip to Paris Saint-Germain in the stand-out fixture of a Group A line-up also including Basel and Ludogorets.

Five-time defending Serie A champions Juventus face defending three-time Europa League winners Sevilla for the second consecutive year in Group H along with Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb.

Juve's Italian counterparts Napoli are in Group B with Benfica, Dynamo Kiev and Besiktas.

Omnisports