New deal for Zidane as Madrid prepare for Dortmund, Spurs and APOEL

Champions League holders Real Madrid will launch the defence of the crown lifted in 2016 and 2017 against Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham Hotspur and APOEL of Cyprus.

Coach Zinedine Zidane’s world, European and Spanish champion were handed their latest challenge at the group stage draw in the Grimaldi Forum during European federation UEFA’s traditional club season launch.

Madrid also had an ‘event’ of their own to celebrate with Zidane having agreed a contract extension until 2020 for what a statement described as “conditions that the club leaders have deemed appropriate.”

Zidane has guided Madrid to seven national and international titles since taking over from Rafa Benitez in January last year.

Champions League history is being made this season with no fewer than five English clubs involved: Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester City plus Liverpool and Manchester United.

Liverpool earned their presence after completing, on Tuesday, a 4-2 aggregate qualifying victory over Germany’s Hoffenheim while United entered the draw by virtue of their victory in last season’s Europa League.

The draw:

Group A: Benfica, Manchester United, Basel.

Group B: Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Anderlecht.

Group C: Chelsea, Atletico de Madrid, Roma.

Group D:  Juventus, Barcelona,  Olympiacos.

Group E: Moscow Spartak,  Sevilla, Liverpool.

Group F: Shakhtar Donetsk, Manchester City, Napoli.

Group G: Monaco, Porto, Besiktas.

Group H: Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Tottenham.