Juventus, Napoli and Roma will learn their Champions League opponents today, so we’ve taken a look at the best and worst possible draws for each side.
Having come through a play-off with Nice, the Partenopei are in Pot 3, meaning they could face two of Europe’s big guns.
Here are the dream scenarios and the nightmare ones for Maurizio Sarri’s side, based on UEFA Club Rankings.
The best
The Lupi cannot face fellow Pot 3 teams Roma, Tottenham, Basel, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Besiktas or Liverpool.
Juventus, Napoli and Roma will learn their Champions League opponents today, so we’ve taken a look at the best and worst possible draws for each side.
Having come through a play-off with Nice, the Partenopei are in Pot 3, meaning they could face two of Europe’s big guns.
Here are the dream scenarios and the nightmare ones for Maurizio Sarri’s side, based on UEFA Club Rankings.
The best
The Lupi cannot face fellow Pot 3 teams Roma, Tottenham, Basel, Olympiakos, Anderlecht, Besiktas or Liverpool.
They also cannot be drawn against another Italian side, so they won’t face Juventus from Pot 1.
Best scenario by UEFA coefficient: Spartak Moscow, Manchester United, Napoli, RB Leipzig
On paper, Spartak Moscow are the weakest side in Pot 1, ranked 42nd in the UEFA coefficients.
The Partenopei are actually ranked 14th, meaning they also sit above Shakhtar Donetsk, who qualify for Pot 1 by virtue of winning the Ukrainian domestic league.
In theory RB Leipzig are the worst side in Pot 4, but Neapolitans are likely to be hoping for NK Maribor or APOEL Nicosia instead.
The worst
Worst scenario by UEFA coefficient: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Napoli, Celtic
Real Madrid knocked Napoli out at the Last 16 stage last season, and they could be reacquainted in the group stage this time around.
Drawing Los Merengues could be a blessing in disguise, however, as it would preclude drawing either of the top sides from Pot 2.
Should Bayern Munich, ranked fourth, come out of the hat it would leave Sarri and his men at risk of also drawing Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.
Both Manchester clubs are also in Pot 2, with United the lowest-ranked in terms of coefficient.
CSKA Moscow, Sporting CP and RB Leipzig would be tough opponents from Pot 4, though Scottish champions Celtic are ranked highest by UEFA.