16 winners from the third qualifying round, 10 champions from countries
ranked 1–10, and six second-placed teams from countries ranked 1–6 were drawn into eight groups of four teams each. Compared to the two previous seasons, three associations (England, France, The Netherlands) were allowed three teams – the league winner and runner-up from each nation qualified for the first group stage, and the third-placed teams qualified for the third qualifying round – and three associations were allowed four teams (Germany, Italy, Spain) – the league winner and runner-up from each nation qualified for the first group stage, and the third- and fourth-placed teams qualified for the third qualifying round. Nine additional associations were still allowed two teams (Czech Republic, Greece, Norway, Portugal: league winner in group stage; Austria, Croatia, Denmark, Turkey, Russia: league winner in third qualifying round). The top two teams in each group advanced to the Champions League second group stage, while the third-placed teams advanced to round three of the
UEFA Cup.
AIK,
Boavista,
Bordeaux,
Chelsea,
Fiorentina,
Hertha BSC,
Lazio,
Maribor,
Molde,
Valencia and
Willem II made their debut in the group stage. Maribor was the first Slovenian side to play in group stage. Germany became the first association to have four teams in the Champions League group stage. Tiebreakers, if necessary, are applied in the following order: • Points earned in head-to-head matches between the tied teams. • Total goals scored in head-to-head matches between the tied teams. • Away goals scored in head-to-head matches between the tied teams. • Cumulative goal difference in all group matches. • Total goals scored in all group matches. • Higher
UEFA coefficient going into the competition.
Group A Group B Group C Group D Group E Group F Group G Group H ==Second group stage==