Between them, the trophy cabinets at both Barcelona and Inter Milan store a total of 20 pieces of major European silverware (European Cup, UEFA Champions League, Cup Winners' Cup and the UEFA Cup). When you add Borussia Dortmund to the mix, who also have major European trophies to their name (albeit ''just'' two), then it's fair to say that Group F of this season's UEFA Champions League certainly looks like the stand-out attraction of the first round. Not to mention Slavia Prague, who can look back on a storied history which includes 28 Czech title wins. 

''It's matches against clubs like Barcelona or Inter Milan that make you want to play in the Champions League in the first place,'' said Hans-Joachim Watzke in his comments after the draw in Monaco. Borussia Dortmund are looking forward to the special challenge that awaits. Thoughts will no doubt turn back to 2012, when the Black & Yellows were able to top a group containing no less than four reigning national champions (Manchester City, Real Madrid and Ajax) en route to the final at Wembley. 

Barcelona. Milan. Prague. ''In games like this you have to be fully switched on all the way until the referee blows the final whistle, whether that be in the 91st or 95th minute,'' said Watzke, perhaps alluding to the lapses in concentration which cost BVB dearly in last season's last-16 tie against Tottenham Hotspur. Club captain Marco Reus seems full of confidence: ''We have faith in our quality. Our goal? To get to the next round!''

Legendary showdowns with Inter Milan

The club's group round match-ups aren't just appealing games of football; they also make a change from the regular draws against clubs from either London or Madrid. BVB have only met Barcelona once before, in the 1998 UEFA Super Cup, with the Black & Yellows losing 2-0 in the Nou Camp and drawing 1-1 in Dortmund. The same is true for Slavia Prague, with whom BVB were drawn in the group stage in the same season as the aforementioned Barcelona tie. Borussia fared somewhat better against the Czech side, winning 4-1 at home and 3-0 away. The two previous encounters with Inter Milan are legendary. The two sides first met in the semi-finals of the 1963/64 Cup Winners' Cup. After drawing 2-2 in Dortmund, some dubious officiating (the referee in question would go on to receive a life-long ban from football) helped Inter secure a somewhat flattering 2-0 win in the San Siro which was enough to see them progress to the final (which they ultimately won). Exactly 30 years later, the two sides met once more, this time in the quarter-finals of the 1993/94 UEFA Cup. BVB disappointed in the first leg, going down 3-1 at home, but bounced back in the second match, almost doing enough to force the tie to extra-time: with the score at 2-1, Matthias Sammer was agonisingly kept out by the woodwork. 

''It really is a very tough group! We're definitely going to have our work cut out for us. There's nothing more that needs to be said about a Barca side with Messi and co., while Inter are out to reclaim their spot as the top side in Italy and have spent a lot of money in the summer,'' said Lucien Favre. ''Prague also impressed last season in Europe, going out to eventual winners Chelsea in the quarter-finals of the Europa League. But we're going into it with a positive mindset!''

''Amazing that it's happened in the end!''

Slavia Prague go into the competition as reigning champions of the Czech Republic, while Barcelona won La Liga last year. With new arrival Antoine Griezmann joining Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez, the Spanish side are set to have one of the most formidable front lines in Europe. Reus: ''Today a few of the lads were chatting at breakfast and we all agreed that we'd love to draw Barcelona. Amazing that it's happened in the end!'' Inter Milan's fourth-place finish in last season's Serie A was enough to secure qualification for the tournament. Their team has been strengthened since then by the arrivals of top international striker Romelu Lukaku and highly-experienced defensive talisman Diego Godin. 

''We've got the hardest group,'' said Sporting Director Michael Zorc. ''It's a challenge for us, but we gladly accept it.'' Hans-Joachim Watzke perhaps summarised it best: ''We're really looking forward to the matches!''

Boris Rupert