sport news Champions League: The Fab Four English sides (and PSG) lead the race this year

sport news Champions League: The Fab Four English sides (and PSG) lead the race this year
sport news Champions League: The Fab Four English sides (and PSG) lead the race this year

The last defence of this title did not go at all well for Chelsea

'A very bad experience, quite painful,' winced Cesar Azpilicueta on Monday when reminded of what happened nine years ago.

One defeat in Donetsk, another in Turin, Roberto di Matteo was axed and they were singing protest songs at Stamford Bridge and revolting against interim boss Rafa Benitez by Christmas.

Chelsea remain the only team to exit at the group stage as holders since the Champions League introduced one. 

Cesar Azpilicueta is set to captain Chelsea in their Champions League title defence this year

Cesar Azpilicueta is set to captain Chelsea in their Champions League title defence this year

The Spaniard was part of the Blues side that crashed out at the groups as champions in 2012

The Spaniard was part of the Blues side that crashed out at the groups as champions in 2012

'I will try with all my experience to make sure it does not happen again,' promised Azpilicueta, captain and the only survivor in the dressing room.

It is difficult to envisage any repeat, however, and not simply because Thomas Tuchel's side has started in such irresistible mood, with record £97.5million signing Romelu Lukaku quickly in the goal groove.

Go back in the summer of 2012 and Di Matteo's squad started with 10 points from four games, reinforced with creative stars Eden Hazard and Oscar as well as Azpilicueta.

This year, however, the Premier League clubs are stepping into Europe from a position of strength as rivals - with the staggering exception of Paris Saint-Germain - suffer from the financial impact of the global pandemic.

The Blues are now trying to defend the title they won in Porto in the final against Man City

The Blues are now trying to defend the title they won in Porto in the final against Man City

In Italy, champions Inter Milan held a fire sale. Boss Antonio Conte quit with the outlook bleak as they cashed in on top scorer Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi.

Juventus, drawn with Chelsea in Group H, have taken just one point from three games in the new Serie A campaign and bid farewell to Cristiano Ronaldo.

In Spain, Real Madrid and Barcelona, combined winners of 10 of this century's 22 Champions League titles, are in flux, as Barca confront a financial crisis without Lionel Messi and Real return to a revamped Bernabeu without the defensive bedrock of Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane.

No one will write off these famous old clubs. Who can tell what might unfold even if this has been a chastening time for the traditional forces of European football, living in such fear of the future that they plotted to break from UEFA and form a Super League.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are not the heavyweights they once were after difficult summers

Real Madrid and Barcelona are not the heavyweights they once were after difficult summers

But the Premier League teams have survived comparatively unscathed. They are not facing such harsh realities and are still spending like there's no tomorrow. 

Manchester United take on Young Boys in Switzerland with the winning mentality of Ronaldo and Varane injected into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad.

With Jadon Sancho aboard and Edinson Cavani extending his stay, United can expect to perform better than last season when they were squeezed out at the group stage by PSG and RB Leipzig.

'The aim is to go all the way,' declared Solskjaer from Bern. 

'We know it's going to be

read more from dailymail.....

NEXT Jake Paul, Amanda Serrano in action: Fight card, odds, date, opponents, start time, complete guide