The UEFA Champions League draw took place earlier today in an all new automated format. The draw itself was done by the software of a supercomputer. It took place in Monaco and threw up several interesting fixtures which will no doubt keep us captivated. How successful this new format is will depend on how well these fixtures work out.
The new format
36 clubs will now be participating in a new look league phase and will no longer play three teams twice like it used to be, but will instead take on eight different teams, four at home and four away. The top eight sides after the league phase will qualify automatically for the knockout stages, while the teams finishing in 9th to 24th will compete in two legged play offs to secure a place in the last 16 of the competition. Teams ranked between 25th -36th are eliminated from all competitions.
Top 10 most exciting fixtures from the league phase of the draw.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
A repeat of the infamous 8-2 game, but Hansi Flick is managing Barcelona instead of Bayern Munich this time.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
A recent Champions League classic, this game is the repeat of the 2018 and 2022 finals of the competition.
PSG v Manchester City
These two have arguably the most difficult run of fixtures and this could be what it comes down to.
Arsenal v PSG
Both sides have historically underachieved in the competition. Can either change it this time around?
Juventus v Manchester City
Juventus’ return to the competition will see them face off against the favourites of the competition.
Manchester City vs Inter Milan
A repeat of the 2023 Champions League final. Can Inter Milan pull off a reversal this time away from home?
AC Milan vs Liverpool
A modern reiteration of a classic. This match up has thrown up many unforgettable European ties and we hope to be in store for another.
PSG v Atletico Madrid
A new look PSG take on a well bolstered Atletico Madrid side. A real clash of styles between Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone.
Real Madrid v Borussia Dortmund
A repeat of the most recent Champions League final. Do Borussia Dortmund have it in them to pull off an upset?
Bayern Munich v PSG
A repeat of the 2020 Champions League final. Could PSG beat a Bayern Munich side which struggled last season.
Who do the top teams face?
Manchester City: Inter (H), PSG (A), Club Brugge (H), Juventus (A), Feyenoord (H), Sporting CP (A), Sparta Prague (H), Slovan Bratislava (A).
Liverpool: Real Madrid (H), Leipzig (A), Leverkusen (H), Milan (A), Lille (H), PSV Eindhoven (A), Bologna (H), Girona (A).
Arsenal: PSG (H), Inter (A), Shakhtar (H), Atalanta (A), Dinamo Zagreb (H), Sporting (A), Monaco (H), Girona (A).
Juventus: Man City (H), Leipzig (A), Benfica (H), Club Brugge (A), PSV (H), Lille (A), Stuttgart (H) and Aston Villa (A).
Milan: Liverpool (H), Real Madrid (A), Brugge (H), Leverkusen (A), Red Star (H), Dinamo Zagreb (A), Girona (H), Slovan Bratislava (A).
Benfica: Barcelona (H), Bayern (A), Atletico (H), Juventus (A), Feyenoord (H), Red Star (A), Bologna (H), Monaco (A).
Bayer Leverkusen: Inter (H), Liverpool (A), Atlético (A), Milan (H), Salzburg (H), Feyenoord (A), Sparta Prague (H), Brest (A).
Atalanta (Europa Leage winners): Real Madrid (H), Barcelona (A), Arsenal (H), Shakhtar Donetsk (A), Celtic (H), Young Boys (A), Sturm Graz (H), Stuttgart (A).
Inter Milan: Manchester City (A), Leipzig (H), Arsenal (H), Leverkusen (A), Red Star (H), Young Boys (A), Monaco (H), Sparta Prague (A).
Paris Saint-Germain: Man City (H), Bayern (A), Atlético (H), Arsenal (A), PSV (H), Salzburg (A), Girona (H), Stuttgart (A).
Real Madrid (defending Champions League winners) : Dortmund (H), Liverpool (A), Milan (H), Atalanta (A), Salzburg (H), Lille (A), Stuttgart (H), Brest (A).
Barcelona: Bayern (H), Dortmund (A), Atalanta (H), Benfica (A), Young Boys (H), Red Star (A), Brest (H), Monaco (A)
Borussia Dortmund: Barcelona (H), Real Madrid (A), Shakhtar (H), Brugge (A), Celtic (H), Dinamo Zagreb (A), Sturm Graz (H), Bologna (A).
Bayern Munich: PSG (H), Barcelona (A), Benfica (H), Shakhtar (A), Dinamo Zagreb (H), Feyenoord (A), Slovan Bratislava (H) and Aston Villa (A)