Man City handed Madrid test

Roberto Mancini's side face a very difficult group in the Champions League

31 August 2012

Manchester City will face Real Madrid for the first time in a competitive match after being drawn against Jose Mourinho's side in the Champions League group stage.

City have the toughest group of all in Group D with the Spanish champions Real, Dutch league winners Ajax and German double-winners Borussia Dortmund all dangerous opponents.

Chelsea, the defending European champions, also have a tough-looking task in Group E along with Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus and Nordsjaelland.

Manchester United and Arsenal have more straightforward groups. The Gunners are in Group B with Schalke, Olympiacos and Montpellier, while Sir Alex Ferguson's United will take on Braga, Galatasaray and CFR Cluj in Group H.

There are a couple of glamour ties in prospect for Celtic in Group G - Barcelona are in the group along with Benfica and Spartak Moscow.

Real Madrid midfielder Cristiano Ronaldo admitted that Group D was the toughest.

Ronaldo said: "It is the most difficult group in my opinion and I think that's the same for most people.

"But we are champions of Spain and we are ready to compete with everybody."