THE Champions League draw has been concluded – and Manchester United have been thrown into a tough group.
Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich will be going up against the Red Devils, while Arsenal are set to take on European giants Sevilla.
Newcastle find themselves with a tough trip to Paris Saint-Germain.
And it is a repeat of last season as Manchester City face RB Leipzig.
- Group A: Bayern Munich, Man Utd, Copenhagen, Galatasaray
- Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens
- Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
- Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Salzburg, Real Sociedad
- Group E: Feynoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
- Group F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, Milan, Newcastle
- Group G: Man City, RB Leipzig, Crvena zvezda, Young Boys
- Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Antwerp
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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Champions League group stage draw…
Arsenal fans react to draw
Many Arsenal fans were left thrilled after the Gunners were drawn in Group B of the Champions League alongside Sevilla, RC Lens and PSV Eindhoven.
One person tweeted: “Easy max points.”
Another added: “Thank You Lord for this Great Challenge! What a Group!”
While a third said: “Should walk through it.”
Man City Champions League group in full
The holding Champions have been drawn in Group H.
- Manchester City
- RB Leipzig
- Crvena Zvezda
- Young Boys
Newcastle Champions League group in full
The Magpies have been drawn in Group F.
- PSG
- Borussia Dortmund
- AC Milan
- Newcastle
Arsenal Champions League group in full
The Gunners were drawn in Group B yesterday.
- Sevilla
- Arsenal
- PSV Eindhoven
- RC Lens
Who will Arsenal face in the Champions League group stages?
Arsenal are back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2016/17 season.
And they face a fairly straightforward test in the group stage after being drawn against Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Lens.
Mikel Arteta saw his Arsenal players work wonders last season, leading them to an impressive second-place Premier League finish behind Treble winners Manchester City.
And the Spaniard is unlikely to have his work cut out in the group stage after a favourable draw on Thursday.
Arsenal’s toughest group test is sure to come against Sevilla, winner of last season’s Europa League.
The next team Arsenal have to get past is PSV Eindhoven, who finished second in last term’s Eredivisie.
Finally, the Gunners go up against Lens, who have just splashed £30million on former Chelsea target Elye Wahi.
Edu gives Arsenal transfer update
Arsenal chief Edu provided fans with an update on the club’s transfer business after the Champions League draw today.
He also hinted that the club are unlikely to sign any more players before today’s deadline.
Edu said: “As everyone saw, we made a strong strategy to be very proactive at the beginning of the transfer window & I think we did it. Now we are talking about trying to balance the squad a little bit better.”
“We keep talking to a few clubs, but so far, we are really happy with the transfer window and we have to say thank you very much to all the people that work at the club to make that happen – good, exciting season ahead for us!”
Haaland spotted with model girlfriend
Isabel Johansen stole the show from boyfriend Erling Haaland during the Champions League draw after she was spotted by the cameras.
Isabel was in the crowd in Monaco as she watched Haaland get crowned Uefa Men’s Player of the Year.
Haaland, 23, was given the award after the Champions League draw was made by former West Ham and Chelsea star Joe Cole and ex-Barcelona defender Eric Abidal.
Credit: YouTube @TNT Sports Joe Cole has ‘look of terror’ while picking the draw
Fans have been left in hysterics after Joe Cole had a “look of terror” on his face during the Champions League draw.
Cole, 41, was doing a professional job as he read out the team names however had a panic as he got to one in particular.
As he removed Crvena zvezda, he decided to call the team Red Star Belgrade.
To which presenter Pedro Pinto joked that the former England international was “playing it safe” with his choice of phrasing.
The Serbian is referred to as Red Star Belgrade in English-speaking countries whereas in its homeland is called Crvena zvezda.
Fans could not help but have a joke at Cole’s panic as they took to social media, with one person tweeting: “Joe Cole didn’t even attempt to pronounce Crvena zvezda.”
A second commented: “The utter terror on Joe Cole’s face when he got Red Star Belgrade.”
Credit: AP Arsenal fans relieved at Champions League draw
Many Arsenal fans were left thrilled after the Gunners were drawn in Group B of the Champions League alongside Sevilla, RC Lens and PSV Eindhoven.
One person tweeted: “Easy max points.”
Another added: “Thank You Lord for this Great Challenge! What a Group!”
While a third said: “Should walk through it.”
Man Utd fans claim they are ‘cursed’
Man Utd fans are convinced they are cursed after being handed a horror Champions League draw.
The Red Devils will face Galatasaray, Copenhagen and Harry Kane’s Bayern Munich, who are the second favourites to win the tournament.
While Arsenal and Manchester City have both been handed favourable draws by comparison.
It is a blow for United who also faced a tricky group the last time they were in the competition in the 2021-22 campaign.
But they did manage to win that group which consisted of Villarreal, Atalanta and Young Boys.
A year prior United were drawn against Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Istanbul Basaksehir, which is why some fans feel they are cursed.
One supporter said: “You can’t tell me Manchester United isn’t cursed when it comes to draws.”
Wiegman dedicates award to Spanish national team
England manager Sarina Wiegman dedicated her Coach of the Year award to the Spanish women’s national team amid the ongoing Luis Rubiales scandal.
She said: “This team deserves to be celebrated and listened to.”
UEFA chief slammed for ‘condescending’ comment
UEFA chief Aleksander Ceferin has been slammed by fans after warning Sarina Wiegman her Coach of the Year trophy was heavy.
The England Women’s boss collected the prize in Monaco after the Champions League draw after winning it for the second year running.
She was welcomed on to stage and awarded her trophy by Ceferin.
But before he handed over the silverware he told Wiegman: “Be careful, it’s heavy.”
Outraged fans flocked to social media to question Ceferin’s comment, with many criticising the Slovenian.
One said: “Absolutely no way the president of Uefa said to Sarina Weigman ‘be careful it’s heavy’ when handing her coach of the year. Honestly mate…after the last two weeks you wanna condescend?”
Another added: “What’s up with men telling women to be careful the trophy they’re about to receive is heavy? Just happened again.”
Credit: Getty Fans confused after realising draw host
Football fans were left confused as Joe Cole was given the honour of doing the Champions League draw.
The former West Ham and Chelsea star – who has never won the competition – took center stage along with ex-Barcelona defender Eric Abidal for the tournament’s draw.
He joined Abidal on stage, with the former Barcelona star boosting two triumphs in the competition during his playing days.
And fans were confused by his inclusion by Uefa as they took to social media.
One Tweeted: “Joe Cole at the UCL draw!”
A second commented: “How has Joe Cole managed to get a piece of this.”
A third wrote: “Joe Cole is one of UEFA’s special guests for the group draw?”
Newcastle fans react to the draw
Newcastle supporters have had mixed reactions to the club’s ‘group of death’ Champions League draw.
One person tweeted: “Can’t waste time against these giants.”
Another added: “Sometimes you have to be close to DEATH to feel ALIVE! Bring it on!”
While a third joked: “Just take whatever we experience we can gain and run!”
Eagle-eyed fans spot draw script
Eagle-eyed viewers have spotted that the Champions League draw was scripted after a behind the scenes snap.
Presenter Reshmin Chowdhury gave the fans an insight by posting on her Instagram story.
The story shows the stage being set alongside the Champions League trophy and then pans down to a script on the presenters iPad.
Chowdhury captioned the story with “Final rehearsals” alongside a pair of eyes staring emoji.
The script on the iPad showed instructions for the presenter with what to say between each draw.
Fans pitty Newcastle
Fans have shown sympathy for Newcastle after they were drawn against PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
One fan Tweeted: “Who did Newcastle offend?”
A second wrote: “Woah Newcastle are in the toughest group ever.”
A third commented: “So sorry for Newcastle 😤.”
Haaland ‘living the dream’
A beaming Erling Haaland claimed he is “living the dream” after he was named the Uefa Men’s Player of the Year.
Credit: TNT Sports City get ‘easy group again’
Manchester City have been criticised by fans online after getting another “easy” group in the Champions League.
The current holders face RB Leipzig, Shaktar Donetsk and Royal Antwerp.
One fan declared: “Man City once again. Easy group.”
A second added: “Man City in another easy group.”
While another said: “What about Man City’s group. Looks like the easiest group for me.”
Arsenal fans confident
Arsenal supporters are very confident after seeing their team drawn into Group B against Sevilla, PSV and RC Lens.
One Tweeted: “We’ve got this in the bag.”
Another added: “Should be able to win the group. Would be mega disappointed if we don’t.”
Credit: AFP United fans nervous of Group
Man United fans have been left nervous after seeing their team drawn against Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
One said: “I don’t see Man United leaving their group.”
A second added: “Any team can win but not Man United.”
Wiegman scoop accolade
Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman has won the Uefa Women’s Coach of the Year.
Credit: TNT Sports
Guardiola picks up award
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has won the Uefa Men’s Coach of the Year award.
On Arsenal’s draw
The Gunners will be in Group B, but Joleon Lescott is “confident and believes” that Arsenal will top the group.
Group of death
Own Hargreaves has backed Newcastle to put up a fight in Group F despite facing PSG, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan.
He said: “Eddie Howe’s side will be up for it and it is actually quite even.”
Trip home for Hojlund
Manchester United summer signing Rasmus Hojlund will have a trip back home during the group stages.
He and United will face Copenhagen, where Hojlund was born and spent time at during his youth career.
Credit: Getty
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
