German hopefuls light up Europe

You might think there are few jobs more simple than working in the Uefa marketing department, but the Champions League is not as straightforward a sell as it seems.

You need the big glamorous clubs in contention all the way to the final in May. It was quite a shock when both Manchester United and City went out early last year; if the two Spanish giants were not to be in contention in March, it would be a real blow.

On the other hand many people feel that the group stage is just a money spinner. The strong go through while the weaker sides offer plucky resistance before bowing out gracefully with a few extra millions in their coffers.