Three Italian coaches clash in Group D of the UEFA Champions League 2021-22, with Inter drawing Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk, as Juventus play reigning champions Chelsea.
Inter were first drawn in Group D from Pot 1 as the winners of Serie A and were immediately given a hard task and a return to Real Madrid and a meeting with Carlo Ancelotti this season.
Simone Inzaghi’s men are also drawn against another familiar face from Serie A, as Roberto De Zerbi’s Shakhtar Donetsk were the third team to pick Group D, with Sheriff Tiraspol completing the group.
Milan are drawn with La Liga champions Ateltico Madrid, Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool and FC Porto in Group B.
Atalanta are up against the two finalists from the Europa League last term, as Villarreal and Manchester United await Gian Piero Gasperini’s men in the group stage. Young Boys from Switzerland complete Group F.
Juventus were placed in Group H ahead of the 2021-22 edition of the Champions League, with reigning champions Chelsea, Russian giants Zenit St Petersburg and Swedish side Malmö FF.
Group A: Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig, Club Brugge
Group B: Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, FC Porto, Milan
Group C: Sporting CP, Borussia Dortmund, Ajax, Besiktas
Group D: Inter, Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Sheriff
Group E: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Benfica, Dynamo Kiev
Group F: Villarreal, Manchester United, Atalanta, Young Boys
Group G: LOSC Lille, Sevilla, RB Salzburg, Wolfsburg
Group H: Chelsea, Juventus, Zenit St Petersburg, Malmö FF
Inter and Juve both should guarantee their place in last 16 unless Inter bottles up. Atalanta should also make it at the expense of Villarreal or Manu. While Milan was unlucky to get such a tough draw. But they are Milan and shouldn’t fear any team in the group. Forza Milan
I guess Milan in group of death was inevitable since we were in pot 4.
Meanwhile, group G is a joke.
If Milan finish third in that group, it would technically constitute progress. Porto knocked Juventus out last season. Why could we only go into pot 1 and pot 2?? These set draws make it not only rigid but very favoured towards the pot 1 and pot 2.
If Inter don’t get out of that group, they shouldn’t be allowed in again.
Well, that was (or will be) over quick for AC Milan regarding their return to the Champion’s League…so much for a triumphant return. I can see some wins or draws, but enough to progress beyond Group B is Herculean…almost the way Italy made it through the Euros, but alas no Donnarumma this time.
Milan really got a though group, but even if Milan don’t past the group stage it will be a great experience for a young team like yours after a long absence from CL. At least take positives and be optimistic for future. I will cheer for you guys in CL even though I’m an Inter fan.
Some tough games, but not a terrible draw overall.
Juve sould go through with Chelsea.
Inter have the banana skin of Shakhtar, but Inzaghi might do better than people think. And RM aren’t the force they were either.
Atalanta have it tougher, but the other 3 won’t fancy playing them either. 10+ points needs to be their aim.
Milan have it the worst, though group A would have been a nightmare. Liverpool are better than them, but don’t always do well against Italian sides in recent years. AM aren’t as good as they were either, though that’ll be tough too. The 2 Porto games could be the key.
Looks like 3 of the 4 have a good chance, with Milan not impossible too.