Champions League group stage preview: Pot 1

For the first time, Pot 1 for the UEFA Champions League group stage draw consists of the title winners from the top eight ranked nations rather than being based on coefficients. UEFA.com profiles the clubs ahead of the draw streamed live from Monaco at 17.45CET on Thursday.

Our live coverage begins at 16.00CET in the UEFA.com DrawCentre.

Barcelona (ESP)

• UEFA coefficient ranking (end of 2014/15): 2
• How they qualified: holders
• Previous group stage campaigns: 19 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League winners
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)

Bayern München (GER)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 3
• How they qualified: first in Bundesliga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League semi-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/56, 2000/01, 2012/13)

Chelsea are English's representatives in Pot 1©Getty Images

Chelsea (ENG)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 4
• How they qualified: first in Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 13 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: winners (2011/12)

Benfica (POR)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 6
• How they qualified: first in Portuguese Liga
• Previous group stage campaigns: 10 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1960/61, 1961/62)

Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 11
• How they qualified: first in Ligue 1
• Previous group stage campaigns: 7 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (1994/95)

There will be no 2015 final rematch in the group stage©Getty Images

Juventus (ITA)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 14
• How they qualified: first in Serie A
• Previous group stage campaigns: 15 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League runners-up
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1984/85, 1995/96)

Zenit (RUS)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 15
• How they qualified: first in Russian Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 5 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League group stage/UEFA Europa League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: round of 16 (1985/86, 2011/12, 2013/14)

PSV Eindhoven (NED)

• UEFA coefficient ranking: 30
• How they qualified: first in Eredivisie
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2008/09)
• Last season: UEFA Europa League round of 32
• Best European Cup performance: winners (1987/88)