Champions League 2015: Mouth-Watering Clashes Among Superstars on the Cards
The Champions League draw in Monaco will see some superstars come face-to-face with their former clubs. While it may be a homecoming for some, it will be a shot at redemption for others.
With club representatives in attendance and fans the world over awaiting the fate of their teams, two legends from either side of the Milan divide - the city hosting this season's final, revealed the groups.
Their job, to spin balls containing the group names and pick ones at random. One may argue that Maldini and Zanetti had a fairly simple task at hand, the implications, however, were massive.
Group A sees Real Madrid take on Paris Saint-Germain, in a mouthwatering encounter. PSG's star signing, Angel di Maria will take on his former club for the very first time. With allegations that he was forced out of Madrid, the Argentine will be looking to exact revenge on Los Blancos.
The other standout fixture from the group will see the return of the prodigal son -Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as he returns to boyhood club Malmo in Sweden. Ibrahimovic is seen as a hero back home and the website of Malmo crashed following the news of his return.
While in Group B, Manchester United, who return to the competition after a season's absence have been drawn alongside Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, Shakhtar Donetsk and German side Wolfsburg.
Man United will travel to Holland, with new boy Memphis Depay set to face his former club.
Surprisingly though, Manchester City may hold the key to United advancing to the round of 16. The expected signing of Wolfsburg attacking midfielder Kevin de Bruyne would significantly weaken the German side. The Belgian is seen as one of the game's top playmakers, contributing with 21 assists in the Bundesliga last season. This is the one time United fans would be hoping that City get their man.
Arsenal have drawn Bayern Munich in Group F, as the sides will face-off for the third time in four seasons. Bayern, though should be unconcerned as they advanced at the expense of the Gunners on both occasions.
Manager Arsene Wenger will be keen to prove doubters wrong, after recently being described by Gary Neville as "naive or arrogant". This season is also seen as key to Pep Guardiola's Bayern legacy, with their performances in Europe being largely considered a letdown.
And finally, Chelsea will face FC Porto in Group G, which sees a return home for manager Jose Mourinho, to the club he led to Champions League success in 2004. Manchester United fans would bitterly recall his famous touchline dash at Old Trafford, after Costinha scored a 90th minute equalizer, knocking United out of the tournament.
Victory in the Champions League was followed by the Portuguese being appointed manager of Chelsea and famously declaring himself 'The Special One'.
Often, familiar faces have returned to haunt clubs in the Champions League. Fernando Morientes was sent on loan to Monaco by Real Madrid in 2003. That season, he scored decisive goals that knocked Madrid out of the tournament. What remains to be seen, however, is if his heroics will be replicated by the superstars returning this season.