Champions League draw: PSG, AC Milan, Newcastle in group of death

The road to Wembley has been paved. The draw for the 2023-24 Champions League group stage was completed Thursday, as the 32 clubs involved learned their opponents for the opening round.

Group A

Instant analysis: Bayern Munich and Manchester United, who’ve faced each other 11 times previously, are the clear favorites to advance out of top-heavy Group A. Harry Kane will lead Bayern against United in his first match against English opposition since leaving Tottenham Hotspur. Galatasaray and Copenhagen had to trudge through qualifying, but with Mauro Icardi leading the line and a raucous fan base awaiting weary travelers from continental Europe, Istanbul-based Galatasaray are a legitimate wild card.

Group B

Instant analysis: Arsenal should fancy their chances of advancing as winners of Group B in their return from a seven-year hiatus. While Sevilla are the golden standard in the Europa League, having won the tournament for a record seventh time last season, they’ve struggled to make a similar impact in Europe’s top competition. RC Lens are full of exciting talent, headlined by summer signing Elye Wahi, and could cause an upset in their first Champions League appearance in 21 years.

Group C

Instant analysis: Napoli will put their title credentials on the line when Carlo Ancelotti’s Real Madrid come to town. Ancelotti, who coached Napoli for one-and-a-half seasons, knows what it takes to succeed in the cauldron that is the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. Napoli most recently met Madrid during the round of 16 of the 2016-17 Champions League, losing the tie 6-2 on aggregate. With Juventus star Leonardo Bonucci reportedly set to join Union Berlin, keep an eye on Germany’s up-and-comers.

Group D

Instant analysis: Last year’s Champions League finalists Inter Milan could have a trickier time navigating this group of dark horses than expected. Benfica are reigning Portuguese champions, Red Bull Salzburg continue to incubate young talent, and Real Sociedad are anchored by Martin Zubimendi, whom many regard as the next Sergio Busquets. Inter did well as underdogs last year; this time, they’ll have to cope with heftier expectations.

Group E

Instant analysis: Though Atletico Madrid may stand out as the kingpin of this quartet, Diego Simeone’s side lacks the steel that fortified runs in 2014 and 2016. Lazio play attractive football but lack consistent scoring. Feyenoord won the Eredivisie with relative ease, but a chunk of their players have never experienced the Champions League. Celtic’s Kyogo Furuhashi is a hidden treasure, but can he alone get them to the knockout stage for the first time in a decade?

Group F

Instant analysis: Where do we start? All four of these teams could anchor groups of their own. AC Milan and Newcastle United are far above the quality of teams you’d expect in Pots 3 and 4. Unfortunately, UEFA’s draw is notoriously uneven, and these four teams have to accept their places in this year’s group of death. PSG’s Gianluigi Donnarumma and Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali will face former side Milan and return to San Siro to both jeers and cheers.

Group G

Instant analysis: Titleholders Manchester City have every chance to emerge from Group G with a perfect 6-0-0 record. After beating RB Leipzig by a combined 8-1 score in the group stage last season, City will meet a team without Christopher Nkunku, Dominik Szoboszlai, or Josko Gvardiol, who – in what surely seems like a sick joke to fans of the German outfit – is now with the reigning European champions. With all due respect to Crvena Zvezda and Young Boys, they’re cannon fodder.

Group H

Instant analysis: It’s highly unlikely Barcelona will be eliminated from the group stage this season. The La Liga winners famously crashed out of the competition last year and fared just as poorly in the Europa League. But manager Xavi has them playing much more solid football than they did at any point of their previous European campaign. Keep an eye on Royal Antwerp, who are a blast from the past with Vincent Janssen, Toby Alderweireld, and Ritchie De Laet in their ranks.

Champions League schedule

This season’s group stage kicks off Sept. 19.

• Matchday 1: Sept. 19-20
• Matchday 2: Oct. 3-4
• Matchday 3: Oct. 24-25
• Matchday 4: Nov. 7-8
• Matchday 5: Nov. 28-29
• Matchday 6: Dec. 12-13

The full fixture list will be released by UEFA this week.

Other key dates

The round of 16 draw will take place on Dec. 18, with the quarterfinal and semifinal draws being conducted together on March 15, 2024.

• Round of 16, first legs: Feb. 13-14 and 20-21
• Round of 16, second legs: March 5-6 and 12-13
• Quarterfinals, first legs: April 9-10
• Quarterfinals, second legs: April 16-17
• Semifinals, first legs: April 30-May 1
• Semifinals, second legs: May 7-8

Champions League final

The showpiece match is slated for June 1, 2024, at Wembley Stadium. The iconic venue will stage the final for a record eighth time and third in the Champions League era.