The 2019 Champions League final will take place at the Wanda Motropolitano, but Atletico Madrid will have to escape a tricky group including Borussia Dortmund and Monaco if they are to have any chance of competing for the title on home turf.
Whilst they managed to avoid the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Inter Milan, Atleti are unlikely to be resting on their laurels following Thursday’s group stage draw.
Borussia Dortmund, Monaco and Club Brugge complete Group A and diego Simeone’s side could have been forgiven for hoping for a weaker group after last season’s Europa League triumph earned them a place in pot one.
Atleti will be favourites to win the group regardless following a solid summer of business and they have a point to prove following their surprise elimination at the group stage last season.
Group A
?? Atlético
?? Dortmund
?? Monaco
?? Club Brugge#UCLdraw— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 30, 2018
Lucien Favre’s Borussia Dortmund are likely to give as good as they get, particularly following the addition of Paco Alcacer up front, whilst Monaco will be looking to repeat their heroics of two seasons ago.
Brugge are a more unknown quantity, but with no big names in the squad to placate, Ivan Leko’s side are likely to adopt the role of plucky underdogs.