A fairly straightforward group this one, and it falls neatly into a one, two, three and four. But that’s not to say there isn’t going to be some fun here: Both Madrid-Liverpool games promise to be excellent, and Basel will be hoping to bloody a couple of noses. Pity poor Ludogorets, however. Their first Champions League adventure could be short and painful.
UEFA Champions League draw results: Real Madrid and Liverpool set to dominate Group B
The defending champions look set to top their group, and Liverpool should also progress on their return to Europe’s elite.
Topping the group - Real Madrid
Cristiano Ronaldo. Gareth Bale. James Rodriguez. Karim Benzema ... look, you know the drill. The defending champions are unparalleled in their attacking power, and the rest of the team isn't too bad either. One of the odd quirks of the Champions League is that since it rebranded itself in 1992, no team has retained the trophy. Perhaps their squad will prevent Real doing so this time around, but they've never failed to get out of the group stage since it was introduced, and there's almost no way they don't eat this group alive.
Sitting second - Liverpool
Back in the big time after five years, Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard wanted Real Madrid, and he got his wish. The departure of Luis Suarez robs them of the kind of firepower they’d need to unseat Real from the top of the group, but they still have plenty of goals about them, and the five-time winners should slot neatly into second place. Expect them to be a handful at home, where their fans will revel in the return of European football, though their defence could well get found out in Spain. Oh, and Mario Balotelli against Pepe is going to be fun.
Heading for Europa League - Basel
Swiss champions five seasons in a row, FC Basel have developed a habit of inconveniencing bigger clubs in Europe. In 2011-12 they beat Manchester United to reach the last 16, and in 2013-14 they beat Chelsea home and away in the group stages, though they didn’t make it any further. However, coach Murat Yakin has left the club, and although they have retained plenty of their talented Swiss youngsters, they’re unlikely to have enough to outstrip either of the teams above them.
Finishing last - Ludogorets
There are no shootouts in the group stage, and so Ludogorets will not have the chance to repeat their maverick defender-in-goal-for-the-penalty kicks strategy that saw them through to the group stage. It’s hard to see anything other than plucky defeats for the Bulgarian champions in the four games against the big two, and they’ll be targeting the home game against Basel as their most reasonable chance for points.
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