THE Champions League draw has been made and the English clubs are all in for a tough set of fixtures, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is set for an Anfield return.
Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have all learned their eight opponents for the league phase of the competition.
ReutersThe Champions League draw has been completes for the league phase of the competition[/caption]
GettyTrent Alexander-Arnold is set for an Anfield return after Liverpool were drawn against Real Madrid at home[/caption]
Arsenal, who made it to the semi-finals last season, will have to face off against familiar foes Bayern Munich and last season’s finalists Inter Milan in a tricky set of fixtures.
Their other fixtures include games against Atletico Madrid, Club Brugge, Olympiacos, Slavia Praha, Kairat Almaty and Athletic Bilbao.
The Gunners impressed in the Champions League last season, bowing out to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in their best performance in the competition since the 2008/09 season.
Liverpool were also knocked out by PSG, losing on penalties in the round of 16 last season.
The Reds will be hoping to improve an that early exit by their standards this year, but will have to face off against Real Madrid during the league phase.
That tie sets up a return to Anfield for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left for Madrid in an emotional exit this summer.
Liverpool will also face Real’s neighbours Atletico Madrid, as well as Inter Milan, Frankfurt, PSV Eindhoven, Marseille, Qarabag and Galatasaray.
GettyArsenal were knocked out of last year’s Champions League by PSG in the semi-final[/caption]
RexLiverpool were also knocked out by eventual winners PSG[/caption]
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Man City had a turgid campaign in Europe last year, going out in the knockout phase play-offs to Real Madrid – now they will face them once again.
As well as their usual tie against Real, City will reunite with Kevin De Bruyne in a clash with Napoli.
While they also take on Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, Galatasaray, Villarreal, Bodo/Glimt and AS Monaco.
Pep Guardiola‘s revitalised team will be looking to bounce back in search of their second Champions League trophy.
Chelsea, Newcastle and Tottenham have all returned to the competition after missing out on qualification last year.
The Blues return to Europe’s elite club for the first time since the 2022/23 season thanks to their fourth place finish in the Premier League.
Enzo Maresca‘s men have made a habit of picking up trophies after lifting both the Conference League and the Club World Cup last season.
But it won’t be easy to do that this time round, with games against Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich and Marcus Rashford’s Barcelona amongst their tricky fixture list.
They will also take on Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Pafos and Qarabag.
AFPMan City couldn’t get past Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid in the knockout playoff round[/caption]
GettyChelsea won last season’s Conference League[/caption]
Tottenham’s Europa League glory earned them a place amongst the big boys at the expense of Manchester United.
Spurs have also been away from the competition since the 2022/23 campaign, but return with a new manager in Thomas Frank who is hoping to steady the ship after Ange Postecoglou‘s turbulent spell in North London.
But Frank will have a tough task on his hands with a trip to face reigning champions PSG.
Spurs will also take on Borussia Dortmund, Villarreal, Frankfurt, Slavia Praha, Bodo/Glimt, Copenhagen and Monaco.
Eddie Howe‘s Newcastle are the third side that returned to the fold this season, earning their spot thanks to a fifth placed Prem finish.
The Magpies exited in the Group Stage on their last attempt in the 2023/24 season, failing to get past a horror group at the time of AC Milan, PSG and Borussia Dortmund.
Thing aren’t any easier for the Toon Army this year either.
Howe’s men will play against Barcelona, PSG, Bayer Leverkusen, Benfica, Marseille, PSV, Athletic Bilbao and Union SG.
GettyTottenham won the Europa League[/caption]
GettyNewcastle have returned to the Champions League after a fifth placed finish in the Premier League[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
