The 2023–24 UEFA Champions League draw has been done in Monaco, and the upcoming weeks will see some exciting group stage matchups.
This is the first Champions League group stage draw in 20 years without Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
With the Magpies facing a challenging return to Europe’s greatest stage, Premier League trio Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Arsenal have all learned their destiny for the months ahead.
For the first time in twenty years, Eddie Howe’s team is participating in the Champions League, and they have been placed in Group F with Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, and AC Milan.
As part of their championship defence, City will face off against RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, and Young Boys in Group G. In Group A, United will face off against Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, while Arsenal will face off against Europa League winner Sevilla.
Giorgio Marchetti, the deputy general secretary of UEFA, reminds the audience that this is the last group stage draw for the UEFA Champions League.
As would be expected, there is a lot of attention on Manchester City’s title victory in 2023, and Pep Guardiola’s team is one of the favourites to defend their title at Wembley!
The draw was decided by former Chelsea winger Joe Cole and former Barcelona player Eric Abidal.
The top five Champions League appearance earners, including Messi and Ronaldo, will all miss this year’s campaign. Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich is now leading the pack with 142 appearances.