Reigning Champions League title holders Real Madrid are set for a thrilling rematch with Borussia Dortmund in the league phase of the revamped 36-team tournament. The draw, held on Thursday, has set the stage for a series of blockbuster fixtures as Europe’s top clubs prepare for a new and intense format.
In a significant shift from the traditional group stage format, teams will no longer play home-and-away fixtures against just three opponents. Instead, each club will face eight different teams—four at home and four away—ensuring a broader range of matchups, all determined by a computer-generated draw.
Real Madrid’s journey in the league phase will not only see them clash with Borussia Dortmund but also face former Champions League winners Liverpool and AC Milan, promising a series of high-stakes encounters for the Spanish giants.
Meanwhile, Premier League champions Manchester City will have their hands full with a challenging slate of games, including a rematch against Inter Milan—whom they defeated in the 2023 final—as well as showdowns with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Juventus.
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Bayern Munich, another European powerhouse, is set to face off against PSG and Barcelona among other opponents, adding more excitement to the competition. The draw has also pitted Liverpool against RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, and AC Milan, ensuring no shortage of thrilling fixtures for fans around the globe.
Barcelona’s new manager, Hansi Flick, faces a tough challenge with his team drawn against German giants Bayern Munich and Dortmund—his former club. The Spanish side will be looking to make a strong statement under their new leadership.
The star-studded draw was conducted with the help of two football legends: Cristiano Ronaldo, the competition’s all-time top scorer, and former goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon. Both were honored with special awards by UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin for their outstanding contributions to the sport.
As the anticipation builds for this new chapter in the Champions League, fans are eagerly awaiting the kickoff of the league phase, where Europe’s elite will battle it out for the ultimate prize in club football.
