Group A analysis: Paris, Arsenal, Basel, Ludogorets
Thursday, August 25, 2016
Article summary
Paris are excited about Group A, while Basel boss Urs Fischer cannot wait to take on an Arsenal side featuring two of his club's favourite sons, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.
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Who's in Group A?
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 7
• How they qualified: first in Ligue 1
• Previous group stage campaigns: 8 (last appearance: 2015/16)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League quarter-finals
• Best European Cup performance: semi-finals (1994/95)
Arsenal (ENG)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 10
• How they qualified: second in English Premier League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 18 (last appearance: 2015/16)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: runners-up (2005/06)
Basel (SUI)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 19
• How they qualified: first in Swiss Super League
• Previous group stage campaigns: 6 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Europa League round of 16
• Best European Cup performance: quarter-finals (1973/74)
Ludogorets Razgrad (BUL)
• UEFA coefficient ranking: 83
• How they qualified: first in Bulgarian A League, play-off winners
• Previous group stage campaigns: 1 (last appearance: 2014/15)
• Last season: UEFA Champions League second qualifying round
• Best European Cup performance: group stage (2014/15)
Matchday one fixtures (Tuesday 13 September)
Paris v Arsenal
Basel v Ludogorets
Key facts
• Arsenal edged Paris 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals of the 1993/94 European Cup Winners' Cup.
• Basel beat Ludogorets 4-0 at home on matchday four in 2014/15, two weeks after losing 1-0 in Bulgaria. The clubs also met in the 2013/14 play-offs, Basel winning 6-2 on aggregate.
Reaction to the draw
Basser el-Khelaifi, Paris president
Like every year, we can't wait to kick off a new Champions League season. This competition remains our biggest challenge. It will be interesting to take on Arsenal on Matchday 1. At home, we expect a strong support. I'm sure this will make a difference over the course of the season.
Urs Fischer, Basel coach
I followed the draw with a lot of interest and I am very happy with this group. Arsenal and Paris are two superb opponents and we have never played against them, so our fans will be delighted too. The tie against Arsenal is extra special because they have two former players of ours: Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny. But we cannot underestimate Ludogorets. We want to give the best possible account of ourselves and have a say in this group.