As the balls were pulled from the pots at the draw for the Champions League’s group stage, 32 roads were constructed, one for each of the clubs competing in European football’s most prestigious tournament. Some were presented with a freeway, while others were given a pothole-filled path on the edge of a cliff.

As the clubs travel down their assigned roads, there will be no shortage of plot lines to follow. Tottenham Hotspur will invade two of Europe’s iconic stadiums in an attempt to improve on a group-stage exit, Juventus will face Barcelona in a rematch of the 2014-15 final, and Manchester United will experience a sense of deja vu.

Here are the five most intriguing storylines to emerge from the draw:

Tottenham’s second roll of the dice

The reigning champion, a German machine, and a Cypriot minnow that knows how to punch above its weight.

Tottenham was dealt the worst hand for its return to the Champions League, as they’re pitted with Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, and APOEL in the Group of Death, which boasts a combined UEFA coefficient that is higher than any other group. Given that the English club was unable to overcome the likes of AS Monaco, Bayer 04 Leverkusen, and CSKA Moscow in 2016-17, and taking into account its horrendous record at Wembley Stadium, the frustration in north London is understandable.

It doesn’t get much more difficult that Tottenham’s group, but that isn’t stopping Harry Kane from staying positive, and it will be fascinating to see if Spurs can reach the knockout phase at the expense of a European behemoth.

Another round between Juventus, Barcelona

Juventus’ supporters can thank Francesco Totti, who pulled Barcelona’s name out of the pot, for reuniting the two clubs.

For the third time since 2015, Juventus will battle Barcelona in the Champions League. The Old Lady fell to the Blaugrana in the 2014-15 final, but carried out revenge in 2016-17, beating the Catalan club 3-0 on aggregate in the quarter-finals by virtue of a defensive masterclass.

This time around, there will be no equalisers from Alvaro Morata, no stoppage-time goals from Neymar, and no brick walls built by Leonardo Bonucci. There will be no risk of elimination for the losing club barring a disastrous group-stage performance. Nonetheless, it will be nothing short of entertaining to see who gets the best of who.

Flashbacks for United

Did United receive another favourable draw? Yes. Yes, they did. But a glance at the 2011-12 Champions League should be enough to temper expectations.

Back then, United was drawn in the same group as SL Benfica, FC Basel 1893, and Otelul Galati in the 2011-12 Champions League’s group stage. It looked like the Red Devils would stroll into the knockout phase, but they came third – only finishing above the Romanian club – and were dumped into the Europa League, where further embarrassment awaited them.

Of course, it’s unlikely that United suffers the same fate, and the group they drew this year will be welcomed by a club that landed sixth in the Premier League last season.

A bumpy ride for Celtic

It’s never smooth sailing when it comes to Celtic and the Champions League, but the Hoops are in for one of their shakiest rides yet after being drawn next to Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and RSC Anderlecht.

European nights in Scotland are often referred to as magical, largely because of the atmosphere produced at Celtic Park when the Champions League rolls through Glasgow. Unfortunately, magic alone won’t be enough for the Bhoys. It will take everything in their power to take down Bayern and PSG, the latter of whom boasts the planet’s most expensive footballer.

Despite the difficult draw, Celtic will surely embrace the challenge.

Azerbaijani football’s group-stage debut

For the first time in history, a club from Azerbaijan will play in the Champions League’s group stage.

Qarabag FK, who defeated FC Copenhagen on away goals in the play-offs, will take the pitch alongside Chelsea, Atletico Madrid, and AS Roma in a historic moment for Azerbaijani football. While not much will be expected from them – particularly given the tough draw they received – any favourable result they can manufacture will be celebrated in the country.

First up for Qarabag will be a continent-crossing trip to Stamford Bridge.

DETROIT — New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman left Friday night’s game against the Lions on the first drive with a knee injury.

He is questionable to return.

The injury occurred less than two minutes into the game. Edelman was running an in-breaking route, beat linebacker Jarrad Davis and caught the ball at Detroit’s 29-yard line. Edelman then turned up the field and planted his right foot into the turf at the 17 to avoid safety Tavon Wilson and lunged forward. He immediately reached to the back of his right knee.

After a few minutes of being looked at in a makeshift tent, Edelman was taken by cart to the locker room.

Edelman had three catches for 52 yards before the injury. The Patriots used Brandin Cooks, Chris Hogan and Danny Amendola with Edelman out of the game.

Barcelona had cash burning a hole in its proverbial pocket following Neymar’s forced departure to Paris Saint-Germain, and the Blaugrana finally dipped into those funds with the signing of Ousmane Dembele from Borussia Dortmund for a club-record €105-million fee plus add-ons.

Replacing Neymar is no easy (or cheap) task, as he ranks among the world’s best. But did Barcelona actually end up better off with Dembele?

At 20, Dembele is five years younger than Neymar and represents an even longer-term option for the club. His talent had Barcelona interested well before Neymar’s saga, such has been his meteoric rise to the upper echelons of world football. His first year with Dortmund accounted for only his second top-flight campaign, following his debut 2015-16 season with Rennes.

Dembele and Neymar share a few common traits, including a penchant for dribbling. Dembele completed 103 runs at Dortmund, more than any other player in the Bundesliga last season. He did so on both the right and left wings, and with tremendous speed, clocked at an average of 34.96 km/h. That’s ever so slightly faster than Neymar, who was timed at 34.83 km/h. Barcelona won’t experience any slow-down on the wing.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

While not nearly as prolific a goal-scorer, Dembele did find the back of the net 10 times last season, half of Neymar’s output at Barcelona in 2016-17. It helped make him the highest-scoring teenager in Europe’s top five leagues since August 2015. The young France international also led his team in chance creation, good for 63 attacking opportunities last season, to Neymar’s 127 (in 10 more matches).

Additionally, Dembele amassed 12 assists while at Dortmund, and his combination play with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang ranked as the deadliest in the continent. Dembele combined with his strike partner for 10 assists last season, more than any other player providing for a single teammate in Europe’s top five leagues. It’s that ability that Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi will most relish.

Where the two differ is in their effectiveness at this current time. Neymar is easily among the top five players alive right now, which is a tier Dembele simply can’t count himself among just yet.

But the Frenchman is putting up numbers even Neymar didn’t reach at 20. Age plays a big part in comparing the two attackers, as Dembele offers Barcelona tremendous potential. And he’s on the right pace to become an unstoppable force … quite like Neymar is right now, actually.

As Michael Caley pointed out at FiveThirtyEight, the two men offer a similar attacking profile:

In terms of other potential replacements for Neymar, Dembele ranks only behind former Barcelona player Alexis Sanchez, PSG winger Angel Di Maria, and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale … and is at least five years younger than any other player who was considered. Dembele’s potential upside is massive, so much so that he might one day surpass Neymar entirely … and that day might not be too far off.

Besides Philippe Coutinho, no player other than Dembele could offer Barcelona this unique mix of talent, potential, long-term viability, and raw attacking output. In the end, the club might be better off entirely.

Several NFL players continued their national anthem protests during the 2017 preseason. The protests against what several players believe to be social injustice were started last season by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who remains an unsigned free agent. Here are the players who protested:

Week 3

Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Malcolm Jenkins continued his protest by raising a fist over his head prior to the Eagles’ home game against the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night. Defensive end Chris Long, as he did last week prior to the preseason game against the Buffalo Bills, kept his hand on Jenkins’ back for the entire playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and then Long gave him a hug when the song was over in a show of support. Safety Rodney McLeod put a hand on Jenkins’ shoulder as well. Cornerback Ron Brooks took a knee during the anthem for a second straight week. “Especially after Charlottesville, I couldn’t not do anything,” he said this week. Brooks joined Jenkins in raising a fist for multiple weeks last season before being sidelined with a ruptured quad tendon. He said he decided to take a knee rather than put a fist in the air because he believes it will offend less people, allowing more focus to be on the issue of social injustice rather than the form of protest. He told ESPN that he plans on demonstrating every week this season.

Week 2

Cleveland Browns: Eleven Cleveland Browns players took a knee in a circle during the national anthem before Monday’s preseason game. While the group knelt behind the bench in front of the Gatorade buckets, several other players stood nearby and put their hands on a kneeling teammate’s shoulder in support.

Those who took a knee were tight end Seth DeValve, running backs Duke Johnson Jr. and Terrence Magee, safeties Jabrill Peppers and Calvin Pryor, cornerback Jamar Taylor, receivers Kenny Britt and Ricardo Louis, linebackers Christian Kirksey and Jamie Collins, and running back Isaiah Crowell (who was not in uniform).

Those who stood nearby were punter Britton Colquitt (who also had his hand on his heart), cornerback Jason McCourty, quarterback DeShone Kizer, defensive tackle Trevon Coley and offensive tackle Shon Coleman.

Philadelphia Eagles: Safety Malcolm Jenkins continued his protest by raising a fist over his head prior to the Eagles’ home game against the Buffalo Bills. In an apparent show of support, defensive end Chris Long kept his hand on Jenkins’ back for the entire playing of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Then Long gave Jenkins a pat on the shoulder pads and a hug when the song was over. Cornerback Ron Brooks was also seen taking a knee during the anthem. Brooks joined Jenkins in raising a fist for multiple weeks last season before being sidelined with a ruptured quad tendon. — Tim McManus

Los Angeles Rams: Outside linebacker Robert Quinn raised his fist in the air during the national anthem Saturday, as he did in the first preseason game and throughout the 2016 regular season. Quinn spoke to new Rams coach Sean McVay about his intent beforehand, saying he wanted to express himself while respecting McVay’s wishes that everybody stand. “It’s not just a stance, but an appreciation to ancestors who made a way for, and gave opportunities for, me and others that came along the way,” Quinn told reporters earlier this week. “It’s more of an appreciation than a stance, that not all has been forgotten.” — Alden Gonzalez

Oakland Raiders: Quarterback Derek Carr put his right hand on defensive end Khalil Mack’s left shoulder during the national anthem before the Raiders’ exhibition home opener against the Rams on Saturday night. Also, a week after remaining seated on a cooler in Arizona, Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch again stayed seated. Plus, Raiders rookie safety Shalom Luani took a knee at the beginning of the anthem. — Paul Gutierrez

Oakland Raiders: Marshawn Lynch appeared to stage a silent protest in his return to the NFL, as the Oakland Raiders running back remained seated during the national anthem prior to the team’s 20-10 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Photos show Lynch, who suited up but did not play, sitting on a cooler while holding a banana during the anthem. — Paul Gutierrez