The UEFA Champions League group stage is now set, having recently concluded the draw on Thursday.

The much anticipated event was held in Monaco.

Countless world-class players were in attendance, equally excited to get to the bottom of the result.

FC Barcelona golden boy Lionel Messi and newly appointed Napoli Manager Rafael Benitez were quick to emphasise the degree of competitiveness even in the group stages.

Leading Borussia Dortmund to the finals last year, Jurgen Klopp is plotting another uprising that could see Die Schwarzgelben to finally win it all.

Meanwhile, Franck Ribery added another accolade to his belt as he was named Europe's Best.

This year's finals will be played at the Estadio da Luz at the heart of Portugal in Lisbon.

Will the Germans dominate the scene anew? A lot of surprises await this edition of the Champions League as the playing field is levelled, with teams from the different regions in Europe backed up by billionaire tycoons.

Group stage draw result:

Group A:

Manchester United FC

FC Shakhtar Donetsk

Bayer 04 Leverkusen

Real Sociedad de Fútbol

Group B:

Real Madrid CF

Juventus

Galatasaray AŞ

FC København

Group C:

SL Benfica

Paris Saint-Germain

FC Olympiacos

FC RSC Anderlecht

Group D:

FC Bayern München PFC

CSKA Moskva

Manchester City FC

FC Viktoria Plzeň

Group E:

Chelsea FC

FC Schalke 04

FC Basel 1893

FC Steaua Bucureşti

Group F:

Arsenal FC

Olympique de Marseille

Borussia Dortmund

SSC Napoli

Group G:

FC Porto Club

Atlético de Madrid

FC Zenit

FK Austria Wien
Group H:

FC Barcelona

AC Milan

AFC Ajax

Celtic FC