August 31, (THEWILL) – The draw for the 2023/2024 UEFA Champions League group stage has paired Manchester United against Bayern Munich in a mouth-watering clash between two of Europe’s heavyweight clubs and as one of the home and away ties to look forward to.
In another interesting pairing, serial winners Real Madrid will face a stern test against Serie A champions and UCL contenders Napoli. As is tradition, the 32 teams were divided into eight groups of four during Thursday’s draw in Monaco, with seedings and country protection applied to ensure competitive balance.
Manchester City and Europa League winners Sevilla headed pot one by virtue of their successes last season. Eager to defend their crown, Pep Guardiola’s City side have been paired with familiar foes RB Leipzig yet again. Arsenal, who battled City for the EPL title until the final lap of last season, were drawn against Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 side Lens.
In contrast, Newcastle United, returning to the competition after two decades away, face a baptism of fire alongside Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund. Belgian champions Royal Antwerp, back after a 65-year absence, will take on Xavi Hernandez’s Barcelona.
The final will be contested at Wembley Stadium on June 1, 2024, the eighth time the iconic venue has hosted the climax of the competition. With mouth-watering ties in prospect, the group stage promises to be a box-office spectacle when it kicks off in September.
Here is how the 2023/2024 UCL draw grouped participating clubs and their respective countries:
Group A
Bayern Munich (GER)
Manchester United (ENG)
Copenhagen (DEN)
Galatasaray (TUR)
Group B
Sevilla (ESP)
Arsenal (ENG)
PSV Eindhoven (NED)
Lens (FRA)
Group C
Napoli (ITA)
Real Madrid (ESP)
Braga (POR)
Union Berlin (GER)
Group D
Benfica (POR)
Inter (ITA)
Red Bull Salzburg (AUT)
Real Sociedad (ESP)
Group E
Feyenoord (NED)
Atletico Madrid (ESP)
Lazio (ITA)
Celtic (SCO)
Group F
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA)
Borussia Dortmund (GER)
AC Milan (ITA)
Newcastle United (ENG)
Group G
Manchester City (ENG)
RB Leipzig (GER)
Red Star Belgrade (SRB)
Young Boys (SUI)
Group H
Barcelona (ESP)
Porto (POR)
Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Royal Antwerp (BEL)
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
