The UEFA Champions League draw show is one of the most anticipated times of the year for every participating club, as everyone stares on eagerly in hopes of an easy group en route to lifting the coveted UEFA Champions League trophy. After an eventful UEFA Champions League draw held in Monaco earlier today, we now know the allocation of the 32 participating clubs and the completed 8 groups. From an initial glance, some groups have clear favourites, some groups have dark horses, and some groups are entirely unpredictable. Today, we will tell you everything you need to know about the 8 groups after the UEFA Champions League draw.
The 2023/24 group stage draw ✅#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/kCTj9JfBFM
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 31, 2023
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, F.C. Copenhagen, Galatasaray S.K.
Halfway through the UEFA Champions League draw, many neutral fans have already forgone watching the rest of the show and focus entirely on the blockbuster clash between Bayern Munich and Manchester United. It is a clash with story-studded headlines, as who can forget the dramatic final between the two in 1999?
Furthermore, the return of Harry Kane to England to face one of the clubs most eager to sign him before his move to Bayern is an ironic twist of fate. However, United fans would not want to forget the other two clubs, F.C. Copenhagen and Galatasaray S.K., as the Red Devils also suffered defeats to both clubs before.
Moreover, it will be interesting to see Rasmus Højlund return to face his first club, F.C. Copenhagen and how Galatasaray S.K, with their attacking trio, Mauro Icardi, Dries Mertens and Wilfried Zaha, cause chaos in this group of two giants.
Bayern Munich vs. Manchester United 🔥
What a tie! pic.twitter.com/6set9RxxoU
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 31, 2023
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV, RC Lens
While many would point to Group F as the group of death after the UEFA Champions League draw, we see Group B as a mini group of death. Why? It is because this group comprises the winner of the Europa League and the runners-up from the English, French and Dutch leagues.
While Arsenal may seem like favourites, we cannot be sure how the team will cope when playing two or three matches per week after their six-year-long hiatus from the Champions League. Although they are regulars in the Europa League, the competition is much fiercer here, and PSV already beat them once last season.
Furthermore, while Sevilla struggles in their domestic league, they always turn up internationally, as they once again won the Europa League after dropping out of the group stage in the Champions League last season. While RC Lens is an unknown factor due to losing their top scorer to RB Leipzig, a club finishing just one point behind PSG is not to be underestimated.
What do you think, Gooners? 🤩 pic.twitter.com/e9iWGS2X6D
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) August 31, 2023
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, S.C. Braga, Union Berlin
After the UEFA Champions League draw, many would have already disregarded this group as a two-horse race between Napoli and Real Madrid. While S.C. Braga and Union Berlin are good, the prospect of them challenging the winners of Seria A and the most decorated club in Champions League history seems too far-fetched.
However, the storyline of clubs such as S.C. Braga and Union Berlin hosting Real Madrid at home is a feat worth celebrating, especially for the latter, as it has only been four years since their rise to the Bundesliga. While the absence of Benzema and Vinicius may give hope to the other teams, the red-hot form of Jude Bellingham will calm any anxiety about Real not making it out as leaders.
Real Madrid vs. Napoli in the Champions League group stage is going to be fireworks 🔥
CAN’T WAIT! 🍿 pic.twitter.com/B1mJfG4Yx8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) August 31, 2023
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Red Bull Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Many neutral fans would consider this the group of life after the UEFA Champions League draw, as any two teams can make it out to the last 16. While Inter Milan are last season’s finalists, they have lost goalkeeper André Onana and strikers Edin Dzeko and Romelu Lukaku and are now a weaker form of themselves.
On the other hand, Benfica are eyeing their match against the Nerazzurri hungrily after this UEFA Champions League draw, as they hope to exact revenge after their quarterfinal loss last season. However, Sociedad and Salzburg are two teams Inter and Benfica cannot underestimate, as they are more than capable of beating them.
Furthermore, although Salzburg has lost many talents, they always have a way of bringing up new ones, and we are eager to see who is the breakthrough star this season.
Our 2023/24 #UCL group ✨
🆚 @slbenfica_en, @FCRBS_en and @RealSociedadEN #UCLdraw #ForzaInter pic.twitter.com/tMrmlGNZsp
— Inter (@Inter_en) August 31, 2023
Group E: Feyenoord, Atlético de Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Every year after the UEFA Champions League draw, there is always a group that attracts the least attention. Group E is the unfortunate holder of this title, as fans had already placed their bets on Atlético finishing top.
Although Atlético has struggled in the competition recently, the club has diverted from a passive playstyle to an aggressive style this season as Diego Simeone hopes to reach the final again. While the Dutch winners, Feyenoord, may have something to say about the top spot, their inexperience may affect their overall performance.
While Lazio and Celtic are well-known, they are not most fan favourites. After losing their star player, Sergej Milinković-Savić, Lazio is weaker than ever, and we expect both teams to contest for a Europa League spot.
Name one player who will stand out in Group E… 😏#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/0X3MhgPRD0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 31, 2023
Group F: Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
As with the group of life, every UEFA Champions League draw will result in a group of death. Group F is undoubtedly the group many fans have their eyes on. It is a group draw that leaves supporting fans cursing and neutral fans ravishing.
While PSG should still be favourites with Kylian Mbappé leading the lines, the squad is not the strongest due to the departure of Neymar and Lionel Messi. On the other hand, Milan has strengthened their team with additions like Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Yunus Musah while also retaining Rafael Leão. Ironically, they will welcome one of their departures, Sandro Tonali, back to their home when they host Newcastle.
Although Dortmund has lost their star players like Jude Bellingham and Raphaël Guerreiro, they still pose a threat against the other teams. While Newcastle has struggled with the top teams in the Prem this season, their form is unknown against international competitions. It is truly an unpredictable group, and we predict anything can happen.
Best of luck traversing Group F 🥶 pic.twitter.com/K5LilDFAO3
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 31, 2023
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, FK Crvena zvezda, BSC Young Boys
The defending champions, Manchester City, are definitely delighted with this UEFA Champions League draw as this is close to a dream draw for them.
Although RB Leipzig is a strong team, City destroyed them in the last 16 last season, with Erling Haaland scoring five goals. Furthermore, FK Crvena zvezda and BSC Young Boys are two of the weakest teams on paper, but City should bring caution as Young Boys did upset United two seasons prior.
While dropping points to City is not a shameful result, RB Leipzig should capitalise on this UEFA Champions League draw to take maximum points against the other two and qualify for the next round.
The last time M̶a̶n̶ ̶C̶i̶t̶y̶ Haaland came up against RB Leipzig 😳 pic.twitter.com/MZY3rTwL10
— 433 (@433) August 31, 2023
Group H: Barcelona, FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp F.C.
Barcelona fans are reasonably happy with this UEFA Champions League draw, considering what happened last season when they paired with Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. However, they should take caution as Porto is always a force to be reckoned with and could shatter the fantasy of the Catalans leaving the group as top.
While hopes are not the highest for Royal Antwerp F.C. and Shakhtar Donetsk, we have seen crazier things happen in the Champions League after an unfortunate UEFA Champions League draw. Maybe, just on the off chance that the 66-year-long wait to reappear in the competition will grant another miracle to the Belgian champions.
💫 The road to Wembley starts here! pic.twitter.com/QNIHg0xrWG
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 31, 2023
Where to Watch the UEFA Champions League?
You can watch Matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League on the 19th/20th of September at https://www.asiasport.com/. If you miss the game and results, do not panic. AsiaSport will provide you with highlights and detailed statistics about every matchday. Furthermore, you can also interact with them on their Facebook and Instagram pages as they bring you the latest news like this UEFA Champions League draw article and others regarding your favourite teams.
