Tottenham Champions League fixtures: Spurs face tricky 'challenge' in group stage draw

Spurs have been drawn in Group E alongside CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco

Samuel Lovett
Thursday 25 August 2016 19:21 BST
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The Champions League final will be played in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium
The Champions League final will be played in Cardiff at the Principality Stadium (Getty)

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Tottenham have been drawn in Group E of the Champions League alongside CSKA Moscow, Bayer Leverkusen and Monaco.

The London club will be making their second appearance in the European competition after finishing third in the Premier League last year.

Spurs last qualified for the Champions League back in the 2010/11 season. They topped their group, beating Inter Milan to first place, and progressed to the quarter-finals where they were knocked out by Real Madrid.

Tottenham's last great moment in European football stretches back to the 80s when they lifted the UEFA Cup in 1984.

This time round, neither CSKA Moscow or Monaco will prove an easy feat for Spurs.

CSKA Moscow reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League in 2010 and the knockout stages in the following year.

As for Monaco, the French side have carved out a European presence for themselves in recent years after being bankrolled by Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev in 2011.

With players like Fabinho, Radamel Falcao and Djibril Sidibé among their ranks, the French side should not be underestimated.

Monaco's last appearance in the competition came in 2015 when they reached the quarter-finals before losing 1-0 to Juventus.

Speaking on the draw, manager Mauricio Pochettino said: "It’s true that we’re all motivated to play in the Champions League, the best competition in the world.

Champions League Draw

"All players dream of one day playing in the Champions League and it’s a good opportunity for us to challenge the best teams in Europe.

"It will be a special moment at Wembley for our supporters. It’s an opportunity to show our quality and a good time to enjoy as well. It’s important to play in the Champions League for our club and for our supporters as well. We need to be ready to compete and at the same time, enjoy it."

Due to developments taking place at White Hart Lane, Tottenham will play all their home Champions League fixtures at the Wembley Stadium.

When are the Champions League fixtures?

Tottenham v Monaco (14 September)

CSKA Moscow v Tottenham (27 September)

Bayer Leverkusen v Tottenham (18 October)

Tottenham v Bayer Leverkusen (2 November)

Monaco v Tottenham (22 November)

Tottenham v CSKA Moscow (7 December)

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