Champions League: Chelsea face horror trip to Transylvania

Chelsea must journey to the birthplace of Dracula and the Cheeky Girls for a Champions League clash with CRF Cluj.

Luiz Felipe Scolari leads last season's beaten finalists to Transylvania on October 1 to take on the Romanian champions in the Blues' second Group A fixture.

Club secretary David Bernard admitted no one at Stamford Bridge knew anything about their opponents, who are making their debut in European football's elite club competition. "The Romanian team is of interest to us because I'm not aware of them at all," said Bernard. "But any team that reaches the group stage of the Champions League deserves respect so we won't underestimate them.

"I think the boys are completely focused on reaching the final again this year."

Yesterday's draw also put pitted Chelsea against Bordeaux and Roma.

Manchester United are in Group E with Celtic, Villarreal and FC Aalborg from Denmark, managed by former Arsenal boss Bruce Rioch.

United open their campaign at home to Villarreal on September 17 and chief executive David Gill said: "Overall we're pretty pleased with the draw. As defending champions we're going to look forward to it and I'm sure the players and fans are looking forward to the games."

Five-times European Cup winners Liverpool were drawn in Group D with PSV Eindhoven, Marseille and Atletico Madrid, the former club of Anfield striker Fernando Torres.

Liverpool chief executive Rick Parry said: "The games with Atletico will be special for Fernando and Liverpool's other Spanish players, as well our boss Rafael Benitez. With our Spanish contingent they will be a couple of very big games."

Arsene Wenger's Arsenal must travel to Portugal, Turkey and Ukraine to play Porto, Fenerbahce and Dynamo Kiev in Group G. Gunners director Danny Fiszman said: "One of the big issues for Arsene is the distances we have to travel. They are all tough games, with very difficult stadia to play in."

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