UEFA Champions League 2023-24-Group Stage Draw
The Champions League draw took place on September 1st in Monaco and there were many key talking points that fans across Europe are feverishly discussing. Holders, Manchester City were drawn into a relatively easy group along with RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys of Switzerland.
City’s toughest opponent would be RB Leipzig whom they thrashed 8-1 on aggregate during last season’s Round of 16. Pep Guardiola’s side are firm favourites to defend their title and this draw certainly looks like a walk-in to the Round of 16 for them.
Neighbours Manchester United on the other hand have been drawn into Group A and face German champions, Bayern Munich and many fans will immediately recall the famous 1999 Champions League finals. United came down from a goal down to famously win that final 2-1 with both goals scored in added time. Harry Kane will be relishing facing United again after his summer move from Tottenham Hotspurs to Bayern Munich.
The other two teams in Group A are Galatasaray and FC Copenhagen. Both teams are regulars in the competition and will provide stiff opposition to both United and Bayern. The top 2 teams of each group qualify for the Round of 16 with the 3rd place teams qualify for the Europa League knock out stage. It’s anyone’s guess to what the final standings for Group A will be.
This season’s Group of Death is Group F which consist of Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle. PSG might be the slight favourite to top this group but one slip up here might just mean finishing bottom of the group.
Newcastle must be wondering what they did to deserve such a draw on their return to Champions League football after 20 years. If they can pull off results at home, they might stand a chance to make the Round of 16 or the Europa League by finishing 3rd. Manager Eddie Howe, will need to rotate his team accordingly for both the Champions League and Premier League as this could be key to their success in Europe.
14-times winners, Real Madrid were drawn into Group C along with Serie A champions, Napoli. Napoli won their first title since 1990 and have kept most of their players which include rising star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as well as top scorer Victor Osimhen. Madrid on the other hand have lost Karim Benzema to the Saudi League and suffered injuries to key players such as Eder Militao, Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois.
On silver lining for Madrid however is the signing of Jude Bellingham. The Englishman has proven pivotal and has scored 4 goals in the first 3 games of the La Liga season. Braga of Portugal and Union Berlin of Germany complete the Group. The German team will be taking part in their first Champions League.
Arsenal, Inter and Barcelona have been drawn into relatively easier groups and should make it to the Round of 16. One group that seems to be quite open is Group E. Dutch champions Feyenoord, Spanish outfit Atletico Madrid, Serie A runners-up Lazio and Scottish champions Glasglow Celtic make up the quarte for this group.
Home form should be the key here with Atletico Madrid and Lazio expected to make it to the Round of 16. The action kicks of September 20th with AC Milan hosting Newcastle in what is expected to be an action-packed encounter.
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