BARCELONA
History: Four-times winners, having featured in seven finals. Coming to the end of a glorious era with three triumphs between 2006 and 2011.2012/13: Took La Liga by storm by winning it by record margin, despite former boss Tito Vilanova’s demoralising battle with cancer. Had a nightmarish Champions League as they were humiliated 7-0 by Bayern Munich in a remarkably one-sided semi-final.
Status: Faded greats needing to reassert themselves, potential to be hamstrung by over-dependence on Messi and defensive frailties.
Coach: Gerardo Martino is a legend in Argentina, with Newell’s Old Boys, but a relative unknown in Europe.
Main Man: Lionel Messi, who else? The side struggled without him at times in last year’s competition.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GROUP
AC Milan
They have won the most number of aEuropean Championship. Having coming third after a bad start in the previous season, They have to beat PSV Eindhoven to get a place in the group stages .
Managed by Massimiliano Allegri, who hasn't always had it easy since taking the reigns in 2010, the Rossoneri have plenty of artillery with the likes of Mario Balotelli, Stephan El Shaarawy and Ricardo Montolivo.
Ajax Amsterdam
Ajax finished seven points ahead of PSV Eindhoven last season to secure their third straight Eredivise title. They have some very good players if they can hold them till the end of transfers, but challenging Barcelona may be too much for them.
Celtic
Celtic strolled to the Scottish Premier League title last season. Their Champions League run was impressive too, qualifying ahead of Benfica in a group that included Barcelona, before succumbing to Juventus in the knockout stages.
The Hoops made a lot of friends during last season's Champions League, and manager Neil Lennon is already to looking forward to continuing some of their new friendships:
Prediction: Winner (group), Runners-up
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