Atletico Madrid will face English champions Chelsea, Roma and Azerbaijani side Qarabag in a challenging Group C in the Champions League.
The draw is most striking due to the situation of Diego Costa, the wantaway striker at Stamford Bridge who has long been linked with a return to Diego Simeone’s side.
Either way, he may not feature at all in this group as he would be ineligible for Atleti due to their player registration ban while he looks set to exit the London side this month.
Italian giants Roma are also in the group and despite falling in last season’s qualifiers, look better equipped for the tournament this season.
Qarabag complete the group and become the first club from Azerbaijan to reach the Champions League group stages, having defeated FC Copenhagen.
Group C
Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, Roma, Qarabag
Tuesday 12 September
Chelsea – Qarabag
Roma – Atletico Madrid
Wednesday 27 September
Atletico Madrid – Chelsea
Qarabag – Roma
Wednesday 18 October
Chelsea – Roma
Qarabag – Atletico Madrid
Tuesday 31 October
Roma – Chelsea
Atletico Madrid – Qarabag
Wednesday 22 November
Qarabag – Chelsea
Atletico Madrid – Roma
Tuesday 5 December
Chelsea – Atletico Madrid
Roma – Qarabag
