UEFA Champions League Group Stage Draw for the 2023/24 Season
Champions Collide: The Inside Scoop
The most anticipated event for football enthusiasts worldwide, the UEFA Champions League group stage draw, unfolded in grandeur Thursday, August 31st, at the iconic Grimaldi Forum in Monaco. With the clock striking 18:00 CET (Central European Time), the excitement was palpable as fans and clubs eagerly awaited the momentous event.
That’s 32 Teams Into 4 Pots
The draw showcased a dazzling array of 32 teams, a mix of 26 automatic qualifiers and six victors from the fierce qualifying rounds. Distinguished by their Champions League team stats, these clubs held their breath as the 4 pots were unveiled.
England |
Spain |
Italy |
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newcastle | Sevilla | Napoli | Union Berlin | Paris |
Portugal |
Netherlands |
Austria |
Scotland |
Serbia |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto | PSV | Salzburg | Celtic | Crvena zvezda |
Ukraine |
Belgium |
Switzerland |
Denmark |
Turkey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shakhtar Donetsk | Antwerp | Young Boys | Copenhagen | Galatasaray |
In the spotlight, Pot 1 stood tall, housing the reigning champions, conquerors of the UEFA Europa League, and six domestic titans. The intricate dance continued with Pots 2 to 4, shaped by the pulse of the club coefficient rankings.
| Pot 1 | Pot 2 | Pot 3 | Pot 4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester City (ENG) | Real Madrid CF (ESP) | FC Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) | BSC Young Boys (SUI) |
| Sevilla FC (ESP) | Manchester United (ENG) | FC Salzburg (AUT) | Real Sociedad de Fútbol (ESP) |
| FC Barcelona (ESP) | FC Internazionale Milano (ITA) | AC Milan (ITA) | Galatasaray A.Ş. (TUR) |
| SSC Napoli (ITA) | Borussia Dortmund (GER) | SC Braga (POR) | Celtic FC (SCO) |
| FC Bayern München (GER) | Club Atlético de Madrid (ESP) | PSV Eindhoven (NED) | Newcastle United FC (ENG) |
| Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) | RB Leipzig (GER) | S.S. Lazio (ITA) | FC Union Berlin (GER) |
| SL Benfica (POR) | FC Porto (POR) | FK Crvena zvezda (SRB) | Royal Antwerp FC (BEL) |
| Feyenoord (NED) | Arsenal FC (ENG) | F.C. Copenhagen (DEN) | RC Lens (FRA) |
The Groups Drawn: Who Faces Who?
Fair play reigned supreme as the Champions League group stage draw unfolded, ensuring no team could spar with a familiar face from their own association. Clubs from the same nation were destined to take the field on separate days, adding more intrigue to the unfolding drama.
The Groups Drawn
As it stands, these are the groups drawn at the ceremony.
| Group A | Group B | Group C | Group D |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Bayern Munchen | Sevilla FC | SSC Napoli | SL Benfica |
| Manchester United FC | Arsenal FC | Real Madrid FC | Inter Milan |
| FC Copenhagen | PSV Eindhoven | SC Braga | FC Red Bull Salzburg |
| Galatasaray | RC Lens | FC Union Berlin | Real Sociedad |
| Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feyenoord | Paris Saint-Germain | Manchester City FC | FC Barcelona |
| Atletico de Madrid | Borussia Dortmund | RB Leipzig | FC Porto |
| Lazio | AC Milan | Crvena zvezda | Shakhtar Donetsk |
| Celtic FC | Newcastle United FC | Young Boys | Royal Antwerp |
And the Awards Go To…
As the curtain lifted on this extraordinary Champions League group stage draw event, a flurry of awards took center stage. Amidst the excitement, the prestigious 2022/23 UEFA Men’s Player of the Year, UEFA Women’s Player of the Year, UEFA Men’s Coach of the Year, and UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year awards were bestowed upon the deserving icons of the beautiful game. The revelry didn’t stop there; the 2023 UEFA President’s Award found its recipient in the form of Miroslav Klose, honored by none other than the visionary UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin.
The UEFA Champions League group stage draw for 2023/24 holds the key to an electrifying, long-winded event that’s a gift that keeps on giving, where champions unite, fixtures ignite, and accolades take flight. Don’t. Miss. It!
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