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Soccer-Barc face Inter, Real play Milan in Champions League

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-08-28 09:47

MONACO: European champions Barcelona will face Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev of Ukraine and Russian newcomers Rubin Kazan when they open the defence of their crown following the draw for the Champions League group phase on Thursday.

UEFA General Secretary David Taylor draws Manchester United during the draw ceremony for the Champions League group stage at Monaco's Grimaldi Forum in Monte-Carlo August 27, 2009. [Agencies]

It also brought European giants AC Milan and nine-time European champions Real Madrid together and they will face Olympique Marseille and FC Zurich in their group.

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Manchester United, European champions in 2008 and runners-up to Barcelona last season, will play CSKA Moscow, Besiktas of Turkey and Germany's VfL Wolfsburg.

Chelsea, bidding to win the trophy for the first time under new coach Carlo Ancelotti -- a previous winner as player and coach with Milan, will meet Porto, Atletico Madrid and APOEL Nicosia, who are taking part for the first time.

The competition starts in mid-September with the final in Madrid next May.