The anticipation is building as the pots for the Champions League group stage draw have been finalized. This year, we are witnessing the last traditional draw before the tournament undergoes a revamp next season. In this article, we will explore the teams that have secured their positions in each pot and the potential challenges they might face.
As the defending champions, Manchester City rightfully take their place in Pot 1. Joining them are Sevilla, who emerged victorious in the UEFA Europa League. Additionally, the top pot is composed of the champions of the top six leagues, as well as Feyenoord, the winners of Eredivisie. This restructuring is necessary, as Pep Guardiola’s team also clinched the Premier League title.
Pots 2-4 are constructed based on UEFA’s five-year coefficient score, ensuring a fair allocation of teams. As this will be their first European campaign in 11 seasons, Newcastle United find themselves in Pot 4. This could potentially present a challenging return to the Champions League, with the possibility of being drawn against formidable opponents such as Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and AC Milan.
The much-anticipated group stage draw will take place at 5 p.m. UK / midday ET on Thursday. The schedule for the first fixtures, set for September 19 and 20, is expected to be announced by the following Saturday. During the draw, one team from each pot will be drawn into a group. To maintain fairness, teams from the same national association cannot be placed in the same group.
This season’s Champions League Final will be held at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday, June 1. The journey to this final promises to be filled with excitement, drama, and fierce competition. Fans can look forward to witnessing the world’s top clubs and players battle it out on the grandest stage of European football.
To paint a clearer picture, let’s summarize the teams in each pot:
Pot 1: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord.
Pot 2: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Internazionale, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, FC Porto, Arsenal.
Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, FC Salzburg, AC Milan, Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, FC Copenhagen.
Pot 4: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Antwerp, Lens.
The stage is set for the Champions League group stage draw, marking the end of an era with the forthcoming revamp of the tournament. Excitement levels are soaring as teams eagerly await their fate. Will reigning champions Manchester City thrive in Pot 1, or will the underdogs rise to the occasion and cause a stir? Only time will tell as the journey to the final at Wembley Stadium commences.
Leave a Reply