Today marks the eagerly awaited day of the Champions League group stage draw, with Manchester United, Arsenal, and Newcastle making their return to the competition as three of England’s four Premier League representatives.
The reigning champions, Manchester City, are determined to defend their European throne, and all four teams are on the edge of their seats to discover their group stage opponents. Express Sport has even gone a step further by simulating potential matchups for these teams.Group A: PSG, Real Madrid, Lazio, Union Berlin
Group A: PSG, Real Madrid, Lazio, Union Berlin
Group B: Bayern Munich, Arsenal, Braga, Galatasaray
Arsenal’s absence from Champions League football dates back to the 2016-17 season, a campaign marked by a disappointing 10-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich in the round of 16, suffering 5-1 losses both at home and away. Interestingly, they find themselves pitted against the Bundesliga champions once more in this season’s Express Sport draw.
Notably, Bayern now boasts the talents of former Tottenham striker Harry Kane, who has an impressive record of 14 goals in 19 encounters against the Gunners. The German giants are rightfully considered among the top contenders for the tournament. While Pot 3 offers the prospect of a favorable draw with Braga, Galatasaray presents a formidable challenge, featuring ex-Arsenal player Lucas Torreira, alongside Wilfried Zaha, Mauro Icardi, and Hakim Ziyech, making it a tricky away fixture.Group C: Benfica, Man Utd, Red Star Belgrade, Celtic
Manchester United would be happy with Portuguese champions Benfica from Pot 1 – which also includes Bayern, Napoli, PSG and Barcelona. The Red Devils would reunite with former flop Angel Di Maria in that tie.
Red Star Belgrade would be a daunting away game and the Serbians have defeated Rangers and Liverpool at home in recent years. Celtic would also offer up an intense atmosphere on the road but United would fancy themselves to pick up three wins from three at home and at least one victory away from Old Trafford.
Group C: Benfica, Man Utd, Red Star Belgrade, Celtic
Manchester United would be happy with Portuguese champions Benfica from Pot 1 – which also includes Bayern, Napoli, PSG and Barcelona. The Red Devils would reunite with former flop Angel Di Maria in that tie.
Red Star Belgrade would be a daunting away game and the Serbians have defeated Rangers and Liverpool at home in recent years. Celtic would also offer up an intense atmosphere on the road but United would fancy themselves to pick up three wins from three at home and at least one victory away from Old Trafford.
Group D: Sevilla, Inter Milan, Copenhagen, Antwerp
Group E: Feyenoord, Porto, AC Milan, Real Sociedad
Being in Pot 4 having not played in the Champions League proper since 2002-03, Newcastle face a daunting group. This would certainly be that with Spanish champions Barcelona and German giants Borussia Dortmund coming to St James’ Park. The Geordies won’t even get to go to the Nou Camp due to renovation work, so will play at the smaller Olympic Stadium.
The Magpies will have hope of upsetting any opponents who come to the north east given the intimidating atmosphere that will await them. Shakhtar Donetsk are also a tricky Pot 3 team and have history of impressive European results but will play in the German city of Hamburg rather than in Kharkiv, which is over 1,000 miles further away from Newcastle.
Group G: Man City, Atletico Madrid, Red Bull Salzburg, Lens
The European champions won’t fear anybody no matter who they get. Real Madrid would be the toughest Pot 2 side they could face but Atletico are no pushovers and contested two feisty matches with Pep Guardiola’s team in the 2021-22 quarter-finals.
Austrian Bundesliga kings Salzburg play good football but City should have enough to overpower them home and away. Lens are returning to the Champions League for the first time since 2002-03 and look weaker than last season despite the noise they will create at Estadio Bollaert-Delelis.
