Chelsea face familiar foes

Chelsea will renew hostilities with European champions Barcelona in the Champions League after being pitted together in Group A of this season’s competition.

The Barclays Premiership champions have met Barca in each of the last two seasons, winning the first tie and losing the second and on both occasions the matches were tainted with controversy.

Jose Mourinho’s side will also face Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia, while Manchester United and Celtic were drawn together in Group F.

The first leg of the clash between Barcelona and Chelsea two seasons ago sparked the bad blood between the sides after Blues boss Mourinho accused his Barca counterpart Frank Rijkaard of visiting referee Anders Frisk’s dressing room at half-time.

The accusation was never proven and Mourinho was forced to serve a touchline ban, though Chelsea overcame the Catalan giants over two legs.

Last season the sides clashed again when Chelsea felt Lionel Messi over-reacted to a challenge by Asier del Horno which led to the Spanish full-back being sent off.

Chelsea’s 10 men went on to lose the first leg 2-1 and Barca progressed en route to winning the competition.

Manchester United and Celtic have matches at Old Trafford and Parkhead to look forward to, while United will also come up against Benfica, who eliminated them on the final matchday of the group stages last season. FC Copenhagen round off the group.

Liverpool and Arsenal will both feel relatively pleased with their draws.

The Reds, champions in 2005, face Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux and Galatasaray in Group C, while the Gunners take on 2004 winners Porto, 2005 UEFA Cup winners CSKA Moscow and German side Hamburg in Group G.

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Champions League draw announced*

The following teams have been drawn together in the group stage of the Champions League:

Group A: Barcelona, Chelsea, Werder Bremen and Levski Sofia.*

Group B: Internazionale, Bayern Munich, Sporting Lisbon and Spartak Moscow*

Group C: Liverpool, PSV Eindhoven, Bordeaux and Galatasaray.*

Group D: Valencia, Roma, Olympiacos and Shakhtar Donetsk.*

Group E: Real Madrid, Lyon, Steaua Bucharest and Dynamo Kiev.*

Group F: Manchester United, Celtic, Benfica and FC Copenhagen.*

Group G: Arsenal, Porto, CSKA Moscow and Hamburg.*

Group H: Milan, Lille, AEK Athens and Anderlecht.*

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Atletico confirm Reyes bid*

Atletico Madrid have confirmed they have lodged a bid for Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo confirmed the offer for the 22-year-old Spain international on the club website, www.clubatleticodemadrid.com.

Cerezo said: “With respect to Reyes, we have made an important offer and we are waiting for news from Arsenal.

“His coming here does not depend on the departure of any (Atletico) player.”