The UEFA Champions League draw has birthed its first ever league phase and the process was predictably chaotic as Europe’s top sides were drawn out of the hat. Manchester City were first up while defending champions Real Madid were also among the top seeds. Some of the big boys will feel that they have been handed harder assignments than most, but few can argue that there are a number of games that will be marked on all calendars for the next few months.
We take a look at some of the leading matchups.
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PSG vs. Manchester City
Paris Saint-Germain against Manachester City has the potential to be one of the league phase’s biggest games straight off the bat. Fixture details will be confirmed over the weekend but the two will definitely meet at 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 one was a UCL semifinal just a few years ago and the Qatar-backed outfit against the UAE-owned club always attracts interest, so all eyes will be on Paris from the off.
Barcelona vs. Bayern Munich
Robert Lewandowski will be reunited with Bayern Munich after Barcelona were drawn against the German giants. The Poland international might not be the lethal goal scoring force that he once was, but he could still come back to haunt the Bundesliga side in a one-off game. It is one of a number of interesting reunions for Bayern who will also come across Aston Villa, having lost to the Birmingham-based club back in 1982 when the Villans were crowned kings of Europe. Under Unai Emery, they will be keen to produce a shock result or two in this league phase.
Real Madrid vs. Borussia Dortmund
Last year’s Champions League final gets its rematch with Real Madrid and Kylian Mbappe going up against Borussia Dortmund who knocked the French superstar and PSG out in last year’s semifinals. It will be an obvious chance for the Germans to seek some revenge against the Spanish giants, but equally an opportunity for Mbappe to lay down an early marker at Santiago Bernabeu. Elsewhere, Los Blancos being paired with Lille OSC will see Kylian up against younger brother Ethan in an all-Mbappe affair, plus another return to France for the clash with Stade Brestois 29.
Milan vs. Liverpool
Possibly the most historic matchup of them all sees the 2005 UCL final of Istanbul emulated in the draw with Milan against Liverpool one for soccer 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 side and will also return to Anfield with German champions Bayer Leverkusen, while PSV Eindhoven against the Premier League giants offers new boss Arne Slot a chance to go back to his native Netherlands.
Arsenal vs. PSG
As mentioned earlier, PSG away at Arsenal could be tricky for Luis Enrique’s side as the French champions have been handed a fairly challenging route towards the latter stages. The Gunners would have been a different beast at home, so Les Parisiens need to make an impressive start against City, Bayern and Atletico Madrid before things get tricky. Elsewhere for Mikel Arteta’s side, United States men’s national team star Folarin Balogun will be paying them a visit with AS Monaco who have enjoyed fairly recent European success against the Londoners.
Leverkusen vs. Inter
There is also the fairly classic meeting of German champions Leverkusen against Italian titleholders Inter after both countries showed unexpectedly well in the coefficient battle last year. All eyes might be on Alonso’ reunion with Liverpool and possible audition for the future, but this one has an underrated feel to it with the best of the Bundesliga and Serie A on offer when these two cross paths.
