Champions League Group Stage Draw: Milan's Destiny

AC Milan have not been seeded in the Group Stage draw for the Champions League for ten years. I can remember staying up until very early in the morning my time, as the draw was held midday in Europe then. Of course, that year, Galliani had just sold Ibrahimović and Thiago Silva, beginning the downfall of the Milan team of European glory, causing a certain type of anxiety for the draw. This year, only our second year back in the Champions League, playing without Ibrahimović in the Group Stage, and with such a young team, there is a different type of anxiety. At least the draw is now at a respectable hour. Now it is really more anticipation than anxiety, waiting to learn Milan's destiny.

What will be Milan's Champions League destiny this year?

Milan earned the right to be seeded in Pot 1 by virtue of being Champions of Italy this year. Ironically, our UEFA ranking is 45th coming into this season, but that is how Milan are doing things these days – exceeding all expectations. Ahead of the draw, this is how the pots looked:

Ready or not, here we are. Our group for this year's Champions League Group Stage is:

Group E

Chelsea FC

FC Red Bull Salzburg

Dinamo Zagreb

Whether or not we have the experience or depth, the Group Stage begins September 6th and 7th. The calendar will be released tomorrow, so we will know who we play and when, as well as how those matches fit into our Serie A schedule. 

Maybe the fact that Arrigo Sacchi was honored with the UEFA President's Award tonight will be an omen that Milan truly are returning to where we are supposed to be. The main objective of Pioli and the club is to improve upon last year, which means doing better in the Champions League this season. Hopefully, that means that at least getting past the Group Stage is Milan's destiny.

This post inspired by the music of the UEFA Champions League Anthem

Our next match is 

Serie A Week 3

Milan vs. Bologna

Saturday, August 27 • 11:45 CEST (2:45pm EDT)