It was the competition that provided more drama than you could shake a stick at.
The top competition in world football – yes, even exceeding the World Cup – produced Champions League 2019 highlights galore.
I had my personal favourites with one, in particular, standing out on such a level it was simply stratospheric.
There were others I enjoyed too which upset the SBOBET Champions League betting odds in a big way.
Indeed, virtually everywhere you looked at the 2018/19 Champions League, it made for a compelling viewing.
Now it’s back and raring to go again.
Here's the Champions League draw in full #UCL pic.twitter.com/CPn0Voz6oA
— SBOBET (@SBOBET) August 29, 2019
So, what of today’s draw?
Well there are certainly some groups to savour.
Two of the underachievers from last season, 13-time winners Real Madrid and Paris St Germain, will meet in Group A for example, and both should progress.
Then there is Group F which looks particularly competitive with Barcelona meeting Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and underdogs Slavia Prague.
Juventus and Atletico Madrid will renew hostilities in Group D. Their meeting last spring was the stuff of dreams for Juve fans led by the inspirational Cristiano Ronaldo.
Yet the one that stands out as four closely matched sides is probably Group H which comprises Europa League winners Chelsea, every neutral’s favourite side from last season in beaten semi-finalists Ajax, the improving Valencia and One Lille.
Chelsea’s group is the most eye-catchingly deadly, while the Spurs also face a tricky one with Bayern Munich, Olympiakos and Red Star Belgrade waiting.
As for the other English clubs, it looks to be an excellent draw for holders Liverpool and a decent one for English champions Manchester City.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will presumably be relieved to be facing Napoli, Salzburg, and Genk after he described as ‘crazy’ the possibility they could be pitted against heavyweights such as Real in the group stages.
Certainly, he had a point when he highlighted the strength of the teams involved in the tournament as further evidence that a European Super League is not needed.
As well as Liverpool and Napoli, there are some other reunions.
City are meeting the Ukrainian champions for the third year in a row, while PSG and Real are renewing a rivalry having last faced off in the 2018 last-16, en route to Real clinching a third successive tournament victory.
Ronaldo’s bid for a sixth Champions League title begins against a familiar foe too, of course.
Diego Simeone and Atleti must be sick of the sight of the Portuguese star, who has scored a remarkable 25 goals in 33 games against the Spanish side, including an incredible treble in last season’s competition to overturn a 2-0 first-leg deficit.
Aside from the obvious giants, there are others to watch out for.
Big-spending Inter Milan, with Antonio Conte now in charge, and boosted by the arrival of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, are one of the more exciting projects on the continent.
For fellow Serie A side Atalanta, this is also the moment it has been waiting for.
After finishing third last season, the side is competing in the Champions League for the first time in its 112-year history.
Ajax, meanwhile, could struggle to replicate their feats of reaching the semi-final last season after losing key players Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie de Jong, Kasper Dolberg and Lasse Schöne.
Everyone has their favourite version of the competition that started out as the European Cup. Some stubbornly believe it was better when restricted to national champions only, ignoring the huge financial gains and not inconsiderable drama that has played out over the past 20 years or so. Others feel it is just about perfect at the moment, with the right balance struck between commitments at home and in Europe.
Personally, I feel only the top two from each of the major leagues should be included.
It is not going to happen now though and the excitement about this draw showed why this format of the Champions League is here to stay – in effect, a mini European super league without actually splitting up respective domestic combat.
The usual questions will be asked in the months ahead.
Can Liverpool reach a third successive final as they bid to retain the crown? Will Tottenham Hotspur go one better after falling short in the final last year? Can Pep Guardiola and Manchester City secure the Champions League win that they desire?
Lionel Messi is desperate for another European triumph. And for Real Madrid – could Zinedine Zidane cobble together another tilt at the trophy with Eden Hazard in tow?
The road to Istanbul starts here.
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