The teams representing Serie A in the Champions League couldn’t have gotten tougher group draws if they tried.
Between Juventus, Napoli, Roma, and Inter there are 3 teams in “groups of death” and one more that got stuck in a group with Real Madrid. Before the season started it seemed like Serie A could have 4 teams in the round of 16. In Serie A’s first season with 4 teams in the Champions League group stage it will take some great performances to get them all to advance from there.
Inter Milan got the toughest task of the 4 Serie A teams. Their bad month of August didn’t get any better when they ended up in a group with Barcelona, Tottenham, and PSV Eindhoven. They will need to turn around that bad start if they will have a hope of advancing to the knockout stages.
Roma has had some defensive issues this season, but they will be given a chance to work through those in their group. They drew Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, and Viktoria Plzen in a group that they should be able to advance out of.
Napoli’s hot start will be put to the test in a group that is sure to produce fireworks. They drew Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, ensuring that one of the world’s top teams won’t make it to the round of 16. Red Star Belgrade is also in this group.
Juventus has made it clear that they are pursuing a Champions League trophy above all else this year and will be expecting to win their group. However, Manchester United, Valencia, and Young Boys will provide a tough first test to get through.