Champions League: Group Stage Power Rankings

The group stage is set for the Champions League. Every English club except City got a difficult draw. Here is how I see the groups for the road to the Metropolitano.

For more thoughts on the Champions League draw, check out the latest episode of the Top Flight Podcast!

First Matches: Galatasaray vs. Lokomotiv / Schalke 04 vs. Porto

This group is a complete joke! The Russian champions Lokomotiv Moscow, the absolute worst one-seed in the draw, got incredibly lucky by not getting any of the tough clubs from the other three pots. Porto, Schalke 04, and Galatasaray all are clubs that barely can reach the Round of 16 and one or two of them will advance. Lokomotiv has a chance to advance and win this group.

First Matches: Ajax vs. AEK Athens / Benfica vs. Bayern

The Bundesliga giants have an easy route to first-place in Group E. Benfica and Ajax could have a competitive battle for second place while AEK Athens will be the punching bag of the group. Robert Lewandowski can regain his status as a top striker in this group with a lot of goals. Bayern can make the semifinals, but not if they run into some top dogs in the Round of 16.

First Matches: Madrid vs. Roma / Plzen vs. CSKA Moscow

This group reads as it will likely finish. Real Madrid should finish top of Group G in pursuit of an unprecedented fourth consecutive Champions League title. Roma should have no issues picking up points against CSKA Moscow and Czech League winners Viktoria Plzen. The matches from September to December in Group G won’t indicate to us if Madrid can win it all without Ronaldo.

First Matches: Man City vs. Lyon / Shakhtar vs. Hoffenheim

EPL fans are probably sick of Man City’s luck. Last year, they waltzed through to the quarterfinals and lost to the first quality side they played in Liverpool. This season, they have a similar layout in Group F compared to last season. Shakhtar Donetsk, who will make it out of this group, Lyon, and Hoffenheim. City should have no issues dominating the competition.

https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1035212074027245569

First Matches: Brugge vs. Dortmund / Monaco vs. Atletico

The first group on this list where three of the teams could make the quarterfinals. The reigning Europa League champions Atletico Madrid welcome Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco, and Club Brugge in Group A. Monaco’s squad still features some stars like Radamel Falcao and Aleksandr Golovin. They could surprise Dortmund and advance out of this group. We will get a great start with Thomas Lemar returning to his old club.

https://twitter.com/atletienglish/status/1035214407389859842

First Matches: BSC Young Boys vs. Man United / Valencia vs. Juventus

Ronaldo returns to Old Trafford and Pogba returns to Turin. The best storyline of the Champions League is in Group H with Juventus and Manchester United’s matches upcoming. The reason I put this group so high is that Valencia could surprise some people. With United’s current form, there is no way they could beat Juventus. They also might not be able to beat Valencia, who finished fourth last season in La Liga.

https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1035224613888950272

First Matches: Liverpool vs. PSG / Red Star vs. Napoli

Salah, Neymar, Mbappe, Firmino, Mane, and Cavani will be on the same pitch in less than a month. The two best front threes in the world will meet when PSG and Liverpool battle in Group C. Napoli isn’t too shabby either with Mertens, Callejon, and Insigne. Red Star Belgrade is in a very unfortunate position in this group. They would be lucky to get one point.

First Matches: Barcelona vs. PSV / Inter vs. Tottenham

Every single team in this group could advance. Group B is the best group in the Champions League and every one of the matches is must-watch television. Barcelona could be at its most vulnerable while Tottenham is building up to be a competitive European team.

Behind the top two seeds are PSV Eindhoven and Internazionale, two clubs looking to recapture former European glories. Messi, Kane, Lozano, Perisic, Suarez, and so many more will create some serious drama in the best group in the Champions League. The action begins in a few weeks!