UCL draw: Everything you need to know as Chelsea get Barcelona wish, Real Madrid and Man City clash

The Champions League group stage draw has dropped, and it’s packed with dream ties, old rivalries, and fixtures that promise absolute drama.

From Chelsea finally getting Barcelona to Real Madrid running it back with Manchester City, the stage is set for a blockbuster European campaign.

For Chelsea supporters, the draw couldn’t have been scripted better. The Blues had been clamoùring for Barcelona and a chance to exploit their high line, and the football gods delivered as the two giants square off once again.

Alongside Barcelona, Chelsea’s path includes Bayern Munich, Benfica, Atalanta, Ajax, Napoli, Qarabag, and Cypriot outfit Pafos. It’s a tricky run of games, but one packed with big-ticket nights at Stamford Bridge.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid and Manchester City are back at it for the fifth consecutive season. Since 2021/22, no other Champions League fixture has been repeated as often, and it has become the modern game’s defining rivalry.

Real Madrid’s draw also brings Liverpool, Juventus, Benfica, Marseille, Monaco, Olympiakos, and debutants Kazakhstan’s Kairat Almaty.

Arsenal have a brutal draw that pits them against Bayern Munich, Inter, Atlético Madrid, Club Brugge, Olympiakos, Slavia Prague, Kairat, and Athletic Club.

For Mikel Arteta, the challenge is monumental, with heavyweight clashes both home and away as the Gunners look to improve on their semifinal place from last season.

Reigning champions PSG also face an uphill task with Bayern, Barcelona, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Spurs, Sporting, Newcastle, and Athletic Club in their group.

Speaking of Barcelona, their run features Chelsea, PSG, Eintracht Frankfurt, Club Brugge, Olympiakos, Slavia, Copenhagen, and Newcastle, a path that will push Hansi Flick’s side to their limits.

From dream draws to nightmare runs, this season’s Champions League promises fireworks from the very first whistle.