There aren’t many dates in the European footballing calendar more intriguing than that of the UEFA Champions League draw. The groups have just been confirmed in Istanbul, with the 2023 final taking place in the Turkish city, at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium. The fates of all teams, from reigning champions Real Madrid to Manchester City, who hope to finally break their duck in this competition, have been decided.
UEFA Champions League Draw
Who are the team to avoid❓#UCLdraw || #UCL pic.twitter.com/M8HGMoA8cB
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 25, 2022
A Barcelona and Bayern Munich Rematch Beckons
Firstly with the UEFA Champions League draw, it is worth noting that the schedule is heavily saturated with the World Cup on the horizon. All six group games will be played before those fixtures begin in Qatar in late November – the opening game of the UCL is less than two weeks away. With the long and drawn-out introductions in the books, as well as the various awards, attention then finally turned to the draw.
Starting things off with the English teams and last year’s Premier League winners Manchester City were the only one of these four in pot one. Meanwhile, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur all occupied pot two. Antonio Conte is yet to get his hands on this title and Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt join Spurs in Group D. On the other hand, Pep Guardiola is still being evaded by this trophy in Manchester and so will need to get past Europa League specialists Sevilla and last season’s foes Borussia Dortmund in order to advance.
This is the first time in 15 years that both Rangers and Celtic are in the hat for this UEFA Champions League draw. The latter are back in the competition and will have to deal with a historic Real Madrid outfit. Giovanni van Bronckhorst’s side came oh so close in last year’s Europa League and they have a British opponent, Liverpool, on their warpath.
Bring it on! 👊#UCL || #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/z9IBs4zdUA
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 25, 2022
Carrying on with the UEFA Champions League draw Real Madrid reigned victorious over Europe last term, a record 14th title to their name. They are tasked with facing Domenico Tedesco’s RB Leipzig who have looked imperious since the new man came in and took over from current Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch. Leipzig succumbed to Man City and Paris Saint-Germain last season despite a Christopher Nkunku hat-trick at the Etihad Stadium.
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From one Spanish giant to another as Barcelona made a rare appearance in pot 2. The highest-seeded team here is a familiar face from last season’s campaign in the form of Bayern Munich. The German side prevailed in both fixtures with Thomas Muller finding the back of the net home and away. Also joining them are Simone Inzaghi’s Inter Milan who are rejuvenated by the return of Romelu Lukaku.
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Dutch champions Ajax were the first team drawn by Yaya Toure, who lifted this very title during his time with Barcelona. They topped their group last year but Liverpool will be hoping to stop them doing so again. It was disappointment at the final hurdle for Jurgen Klopp’s men last season, the aim will be to go one step further following a poor start to their league campaign.
The Lay of the Land From the UEFA Champions League Draw
Group A: Ajax, Liverpool, Napoli, Rangers
Group B: Porto, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge
Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen
Group D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham Hotspur, Sporting, Marseille
Group E: AC Milan, Chelsea, Red Bull Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb
Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic
Group G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, Copenhagen
Group H: Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa
