The draw for the UEFA Champions League has heralded the first ever stage of the competition and the process was predictably chaotic as Europe’s top teams were drawn from the hat. Manchester City were first, while defending champions Real Madid were also among the top seeds. Some of the big boys will feel like they’ve been given tougher assignments than most, but few can argue that there will be a number of fixtures on all calendars in the coming months.
We take a look at some of the most important matchups.
PSG vs Manchester City
Paris Saint-Germain against Manchester City has the potential to be one of the biggest matches in the competition phase. Details of the fixture will be confirmed this weekend, but the two will surely meet at the Parc des Princes, with the French giants under pressure to get an early result given some of their tricky away games including Bayern Munich and Arsenal. This was a UCL semi-final just a few years ago and the Qatar-backed team against the UAE-owned club always attracts interest, so all eyes will be on Paris from the start.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski is reunited with Bayern Munich after Barcelona were drawn against the German giants. The Poland international may not be the lethal goalscorer he once was, but he could still come back to haunt the Bundesliga side in a one-off. It is one of several interesting reunions for Bayern, who also face Aston Villa after losing to the Birmingham club in 1982 when the Villans were crowned kings of Europe. Under Unai Emery, they will be happy to achieve some shock results in this phase of the competition.
Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund
Last year’s Champions League final gets a rematch, with Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe taking on Borussia Dortmund, who knocked out the French superstar and PSG in the semi-finals last year. It will be an obvious opportunity for the Germans to take revenge on the Spanish giants, but equally a chance for Mbappé to set an early milestone at the Santiago Bernabeu. Elsewhere, Los Blancos, linked to Lille OSC, will see Kylian take on younger brother Ethan in an all-Mbappe affair, plus another return to France for the clash with Stade Brestois 29.
Milan vs Liverpool
Perhaps the most historic match of all, the 2005 UCL final in Istanbul is matched in the draw with Milan versus Liverpool, a draw for football romantics everywhere. Who can forget the Reds coming back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 before winning 3-2 on penalties? Xabi Alonso was part of that Liverpool team and also returns to Anfield with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, while PSV Eindhoven against the Premier League giants offer new boss Arne Slot a chance to return to his native Netherlands.
Arsenal vs PSG
As previously mentioned, PSG away to Arsenal could be difficult for Luis Enrique’s side, as the French champions have been given a fairly challenging route towards the final stages. The Gunners would have been a different beast at home, then Les Parisiens must make an impressive start against City, Bayern and Atletico Madrid before things get tough. Elsewhere alongside Mikel Arteta, US men’s national team star Folarin Balogun will visit AS Monaco, who have recently achieved European success against the Londoners.
Leverkusen vs Inter
In addition, there is the fairly classic meeting of the German champions Leverkusen against the Italian title holder Inter, after both countries showed unexpectedly well in the coefficient battle last year. All eyes may be on Alonso’s reunion with Liverpool and possible audition for the future, but this one has an underrated feel with the best of the Bundesliga and Serie A on offer when the two cross paths.
