Fansided

Ranking the 2019 UEFA Champions League groups

By Orri Benatar

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 18: Christian Pulisic of Chelsea during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Leicester City at Stamford Bridge on August 18, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Craig Mercer/MB Media/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
MONACO, MONACO – AUGUST 29: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool poses with the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season 2018/19 and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2018/19 Awards following the UEFA Champions League Draw, part of the UEFA European Club Football Season Kick-Off 2019/2020 at Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum on August 29, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Harold Cunningham – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
MONACO, MONACO – AUGUST 29: Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool poses with the UEFA Champions League Defender of the Season 2018/19 and UEFA Men’s Player of the Year 2018/19 Awards following the UEFA Champions League Draw, part of the UEFA European Club Football Season Kick-Off 2019/2020 at Salle des Princes, Grimaldi Forum on August 29, 2019 in Monaco, Monaco. (Photo by Harold Cunningham – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images) /

6. Group E (Liverpool, Napoli, Salzburg, Genk)

It truly was a great night for Liverpool fans who saw their favorite defender Virgil van Dijk win the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year over Ronaldo and Messi and get a very manageable draw in Group E. Once again, Liverpool and Napoli are paired, with the two clubs having very close encounters in last season’s group stage. The other two sides are Austrian champions Red Bull Salzburg and Belgian champions KRC Genk.

This is one of the few groups that the top-two write themselves and look obvious. Liverpool had the tough test of playing PSG, Napoli and Red Star last year and advanced. This season, they can give stars much needed rest and get meaningful points in the Champions League while maintaining Premier League form. Napoli’s dream of staying in the UCL for the knockout stage looks like a reality.

5. Group A (PSG, Real Madrid, Club Brugge, Galatasaray)

The entertainment of Group A is carried by the two massive giants in the group that is Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid. The two clubs who were shockingly knocked out in the Round of 16 last season will meet up for the first time since the 2018 UCL knockout round. Mbappe, Hazard, Cavani, Benzema, Jovic, (maybe Neymar??) and many more will make up two incredible games in Madrid and Paris.

After those two, it’s not a terribly impressive collection of teams. Belgian runners-up Club Brugge have never had great Champions League success while Turkish side Galatasaray doesn’t have the same competitive squads they have had in the past. Galatasaray have the edge to finish in third and continue in the Europa League but Group A is all about PSG and Madrid seeking redemption after last season.

Home/Champions League