The UEFA Champions League draw promises to offer some great European nights for football fans around the world.
Last season’s semifinal between Manchester City and PSG will be the top match in Group A, with Messi facing his mentor Pep Guardiola. Leipzig, which played against PSG in the 2020 semifinals, hopes to bother the top seeds as much as possible, while Club Brugge faces a tough challenge to earn points in the group.
In Group B, Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Porto, and AC Milan all stand chances of qualifying. Newcomers Sheriff Tiraspol will play in Group D, along with Real Madrid, Inter Milano, and Shakhtar Donetsk. Bayern and FC Barcelona will battle it out in Group E, while last season’s Europa League finalists, Villarreal and Manchester United, will re-match twice in Group F.
Champions League winners Chelsea are part of Group H along with Juventus, Zenit St. Petersburg, and Malmo.
PSG favorites to win the Champions League 2021/22
Following their stellar transfers this summer, PSG will be the team to beat in the UEFA Champions League. The French powerhouse is at +200 to lift the trophy. City is second at +250, with Bayern at +600. Chelsea is only fourth at +700, while Liverpool is fifth at +800. Real is even further behind at +1500.
There will be six match days in the group stage, starting on Sept. 14. This phase finishes on Dec. 8, with the two best teams in each group going to the Round of 16.
Group stage match days
Day 1: Sept. 14-15
Day 2: Sept. 28-29
Day 3: Oct. 19-20
Day 4: No. 2-3
Day 5: Nov. 23-24
Day 6: Dec. 7-8
Chelsea won the 2020/21 edition of the Champions League after beating Manchester City 1-0 in Porto last May.