The Headlines from the Champions League draw
The Champions League is known for the thrill, drama, and of course the football on show. The draw for the 2022–23 season didn’t disappoint either.
There are some mouth-watering ties in the store for us…
Juventus vs PSG
Surprisingly, this is the first time Juve and PSG will meet in the UCL, and surely this clash is a much-awaited one. The Argentine, Di Maria returns to Parc des Princes, where he spent seven memorable years. Both teams are heavily fancied to make it to the knockout stages of the group so these two games between these two heavyweights might well decide who tops the group and gets an easier draw in the Round of 16.
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
You knew this was coming, right? Of course, I just had to talk about this match-up. Barca fans don’t have pleasant memories of their previous clashes against Bayern — Barcelona has lost the last three matches against Bayern with an aggregate score of 14–2 — but they can hope for a better result this time around. The big difference from last year is that star striker, Robert Lewandowski, has left Bayern to start a new journey at the Spotify Camp Nou. Lewandowski leaving is quite a blow for Bayern but that's been softened to a great extent by the arrival of Sadio Mane from Liverpool. Barca improved their squad over the summer with the arrivals of Raphinha, Kounde, Christensen, and of course as above mentioned, Lewandowski. Bayern have made new signings too in form of De Ligt, Gravenberch, Mazraoui, Teyl, and yes, Mane. The reigning German champions may still have an edge over Barca but we should see an overall more competitive match.
Dortmund vs Manchester City
The first thing that springs to the mind after reading about this clash is obviously the return of Erling Haaland to Signal Iduna Park after he left for the Eithad over the summer. Manchester City will start as the favorites but Dortmund, with Bellingham, Reus, and Malen in their ranks, will surely give it their all meaning it could be a tricky clash for the Blues. The two teams last met in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in the 2020/21 season with Man City triumphant 4–2 on aggregate. We have quite a match on our hands…
Chelsea vs AC Milan
Now, this clash between two European heavyweights is the pick of the bunch from Group E. It's the return of Giroud and Fikayo Tomori to Stamford Bridge as well which adds a bit more spice to this clash. Leao against Reece James promises to be a crucial individual battle. Both teams will look at this as the opportunity to win and put themselves in pole position to finish top of the group and hence, get a favorable draw in the Round of 16.
Group of death? It has to be group C which includes Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Victoria Plzen. All three Barcelona, Bayern, and Inter are expected to challenge for the title in their domestic leagues and each of them looks well-placed to make it to the knockout stages but as you know, only two of them can. Bayern vs Barca, Barca vs Inter, and Bayern vs Inter all promise full-throttle action.
