What awaits English quartet in Champions League group stage

The Champions League draw was made on Thursday, with Tottenham, Manchester City, Chelsea and holders Liverpool all discovering who they will meet in the group stage of this season’s competition.

Here, the PA news agency takes a look at the opponents the Premier League quartet will come up against.

Tottenham (Group B)

Opponents: Bayern Munich, Olympiacos, Red Star Belgrade
Distance to travel (round trip): 6,200 miles
History: The last time Spurs played Bayern in any competition, they went on to win the 1983-84 UEFA Cup.
Danger man: Robert Lewandowski has scored five goals in two Bundesliga appearances for Bayern so far this season.

Robert Lewandowski will look to cause Spurs problems

Robert Lewandowski will look to cause Spurs problems (Adam Davy/PA)

Manchester City (Group C)

Opponents: Shakhtar Donetsk, Dinamo Zagreb, Atalanta
Distance to travel: 6,740 miles
History: City put nine goals past Shakhtar in last season’s Champions League group stage, conceding none.
Danger man: Duvan Zapata was a key man for Atalanta as they secured Champions League football for the first time in their history by finishing third in Serie A.

Duvan Zapata fired Atalanta into Serie A's top four

Duvan Zapata fired Atalanta into Serie A’s top four (Nigel French/PA)

Liverpool (Group E)

Opponents: Napoli, Red Bull Salzburg, Genk
Distance to travel: 4,760 miles
History: Liverpool were beaten 1-0 at Napoli before winning by the same scoreline on home soil in last season’s group stage.
Danger man: Lorenzo Insigne scored a late winner on the Reds’ last visit to Naples, so they will be wary of his threat.

Liverpool will be familiar with Lorenzo Insigne's talents

Liverpool will be familiar with Lorenzo Insigne’s talents (Jane Barlow/PA)

Chelsea (Group H)

Opponents: Ajax, Valencia, Lille
Distance to travel: 2,400 miles
History: Chelsea have never lost to Valencia in six Champions League meetings.
Danger man: Dusan Tadic contributed six goals and four assists as Ajax made it all the way to the semi-finals last season.

Dusan Tadic shone for Ajax in last season's Champions League

Dusan Tadic shone for Ajax in last season’s Champions League (Mike Egerton/PA)
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