After watching today’s draw, I wonder to myself, why does anyone watch this thing live? I guess it’s nice to see a bunch of old and lauded footballers come up and swirl their hand around a load of plastic balls in a punch bowl…oh wait, it’s not at all. There’s the awards ceremony for club players of the year (which Inter swept completely—Sneijder was a surprise, but Milito was a shock), but I could simply read about that too. Whatever, on with some draw commentary. [Roll over the table to enlarge]

Barcelona have a cakewalk in the group stage. Yeah they have to travel pretty far, but only to play teams happy to be a part of the tournament at all. Arsenal have what appears to be an easy run to the knockouts too, and Bayern and Roma should progress through Group E in that order. Inter’s group, with Bremen and Spurs, is a tough one, and I’m sure one ex-pat I know will be wishing they were drawn into another group.

Madrid should progress, as AC Milan is no Inter, and Ajax, for all their former glory, shouldn’t challenge (Auxerre being an also-ran). Man U have Valencia to contend with, but should spank Rangers and the Turkish pretenders from Buraspor. Chelsea may have some trouble with the old Soviet sides, but Marseille shouldn’t be a bother. And finally, Lyon should progress quite far, as they did last year, though Benfica and Schalke will prove stiff competition and either could go through.

More in-depth analysis (instead of simple knee jerk reaction) to come as the games draw closer.