Champions League

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 More

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE football is back – and the group stage draw is underway RIGHT NOW!Teams will hope to avoid Manchester City after they capped off their historic Treble triumph with victory over Inter Milan in last season’s final.
But all eyes will be on the Premier League trio of Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle as they make their highly-anticipated return to Europe’s top-tier competition.

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Stay up to date with all the latest from the Champions League group stage draw…
A reminder of who is in which pot
Pot 1: Manchester City, Sevilla, Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris St-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord.
Pot 2: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal.
Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, RB Salzburg, AC Milan, Braga, PSV Eindhoven, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, FC Copenhagen.
Pot 4: Young Boys, Real Sociedad, Galatasaray, Celtic, Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Royal Antwerp, RC Lens.
Hargreaves on the “beautiful” draw
Owen Hargreaves has also shared his thoughts on the draw.
He said: “The Champions League draw is a beautiful thing.
“Just to see who you’re going to play against, maybe against somebody you looked up to as an idol.”
Team to avoid
Joe Cole has also claimed that Newcastle and Celtic are the teams to avoid from Pot 4.
He said: “Celtic wherever they are they raise themselves and are a match for anyone.
“Newcastle will be the one that everyone will be trying to avoid in Pot 4.
“Like Celtic, St James’ Park will be rocking on Tuesdays and Wednesday nights.”
Credit: TNT SPORTS
City are ‘the team to beat’
Former Chelsea and West Ham star Joe Cole has insisted that Manchester City are still the team to beat.
He said on TNT Sports: “Without a doubt, I don’t think they are as strong as they were last year with a lot of turnover.
“But they are in that group with Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
“Come six month’s time, things may be different, but they are so good at the moment.”
Last draw of its kind
This will be the last Champions League draw of its kind as it will be changing for next season.
In 12 months time, the competition will have undergone a revamp which will see more clubs being added and a new format to determine a winner.
Kane aiming for glory
Harry Kane will be hoping to reap the benefits of his move to Bayern Munich.
The German giants are the joint-third most successful club in the competition winning it on six occasions.
Kane has yet to win any major silverware in his career and will want that run to come to an end this season.
Should Bayern reach the final then the Englishman will feel comfortable with the match set to be played at Wembley.
Credit: Getty
Spain eyeing the trophy
Real Madrid will no doubt be keen to get their hands back on the trophy having won it 14 times in their history.
Barcelona have won the competition six times but have failed to get out of the group stages for two consecutive seasons.
Sevilla however will be hoping to turn Europa League success into the Champions League, with the club winning the secondary competition seven times.
However, they have never won the Champions League in their history.
Atletico Madrid will also be eyeing the trophy having reached the final back three times in their history without ever winning.
Credit: EPA
Italians looking to go one further
After Inter Milan reached the final last season, Italian football fans will be hoping one of Napoli, AC Milan, Lazio and Inter will be able to go one further.
AC and Inter battled it out in the semi-final while Napoli were knocked out by AC in the quarter-final.
Lazio however are taking their first steps in the tournament since 2021 when they were knocked out by Bayern Munich in the last 16.
Credit: AFP
Man City looking to retain trophy
Manchester City will be looking to replicate their success in the Champions League from last season.
The Citizens beat Inter Milan 1-0 in a tense final in Istanbul thanks to Rodri’s second-half strike.
Pep Guardiola may have to adapt his team however as talisman Kevin de Bruyne is likely to miss the entire group stages.
The last time a club won the Champions League consecutively was Real Madrid when they won it three times in a row between 2016 and 2018.
Credit: Getty
Arsenal’s first CL venture in six years
The last time Arsenal were in the Champions League was during the 2016/17 campaign.
It was the Gunners’ 17th consecutive campaign in the tournament.
It was also the club’s seventh year in a row of being knocked out at the round of 16 stage as they were thrashed 10-2 on aggregate by Bayern Munich.
Mikel Arteta will be hoping to avoid that fate as he makes his debut as a manager in the competition this season.
Credit: Alamy
Manchester United’s return to the tournament
Man United will be making their first appearance in the Champions League after failing to qualify for last year’s edition.
Erik ten Hag’s side have not had a convincing start to the Premier League campaign and will be hoping to be better in Europe.
The club are still trying to add to the squad with Sofyan Amrabat among the targets.
The midfielder played in the Conference League final last season for Fiorentina but suffered defeat to West Ham.
Credit: EPA
How will Newcastle fair?
The Magpies have qualified for the Champions League for the first time since the 2003/04 season.
Eddie Howe’s side have added quality to an already impressive team this summer with Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall.
However, Sandro Tonali could be the biggest addition as he brings a wealth of European experience.
The midfielder reached the semi-finals of the tournament last season and will want to match that same success.
Credit: Reuters
One hour to go
The draw for the Champions League will start at 5pm UK time.
Credit: Getty
Many stars will miss this year’s tournament
Following the wave of players moving away from Europe this summer, the Champions League will be missing some iconic faces.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, N’Golo Kante, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and Karim Benzema are all among the players who will not compete after completing moves to Saudi Arabia.
While Lionel Messi will not be in the Champions League as he left PSG for Inter Miami in the MLS.
Credit: Getty
What else will happen during the draw?
During the Champions League draw the awards for the 2022/23 Uefa Men’s Player of the Year, Uefa Women’s Player of the Year, Uefa Men’s Coach of the Year and Uefa Women’s Coach of the Year will be presented.
Meanwhile, former Germany striker Miroslav Klose will be awarded the 2023 Uefa President’s Award by Uefa President Aleksander Ceferin.
Credit: Reuters
Who are the favourites to win?

Man City – 21/10
Bayern Munich – 5/1
Real Madrid – 17/2
Arsenal – 10/1
Barcelona – 12/1
PSG – 14/1
Man United – 16/1
Napoli, Newcastle – 20/1
Inter, Atletico Madrid – 25/1
Dortmund – 33/1
AC Milan – 40/1
RB Leipzig, Sevilla, Benfica – 50/1
Celtic – 150/1

*Odds provided by Betfair.
Credit: Getty
How were the Pots decided?
Pot 1 includes the Champions League winners and the Europa League winners as well as champions from Europe’s top six leagues.
However as Manchester City are the current holders of the Champions League and Premier League titles, Dutch outfit PSV have snuck in.
Pots 2 to 4 have been decided by the club’s Uefa co-efficient rankings which are based on their performances in Europe.
Paired clubs
Clubs that are paired together from the same countries will play on separate days.

A Manchester City & Manchester United
B Sevilla & Atlético
C Barcelona & Real Madrid
D Napoli & Lazio
E Bayern & Dortmund
F Paris & Lens
G Benfica & Porto
H Feyenoord & PSV
I Inter & AC Milan
J Leipzig & Union Berlin
K Arsenal & Newcastle

Which clubs are in Pot 4?

Young Boys (SUI)
Real Sociedad (ESP)
Galatasaray (TUR)
Celtic (SCO)
Newcastle (ENG)
Union Berlin (GER)
Antwerp (BEL)
Lens (FRA)

Credit: PA
Which teams are in Pot 3?

Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR)
Salzburg (AUT)
Milan (ITA)
Braga (POR)
PSV (NED)
Lazio (ITA)
Crvena zvezda (SRB)
Copenhagen (DEN)

Credit: Getty
Who is in Pot 2?

Real Madrid (ESP)
Manchester United (ENG)
Inter (ITA)
Dortmund (GER)
Atlético de Madrid (ESP)
Leipzig (GER)
Porto (POR)
Arsenal (ENG)

Credit: AP
Which teams are in Pot 1?

Manchester City (ENG)
Sevilla FC (ESP) – B
FC Barcelona (ESP) – C
SSC Napoli (ITA) – D
FC Bayern München (GER) – E
Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) – F
SL Benfica (POR) – G
Feyenoord (NED) – H

Credit: Getty
Champions League draw day is here
Hello and welcome to today’s big Champions League draw from Monaco.
And it is a huge day for the Premier League with Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle in the draw.
Arsenal will be in the draw for Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 2017.
While Newcastle were last in the tournament in 2003.
City go into the draw as the holders after their stunning win over Inter Milan to complete The Treble last season.
Stick with us here on SunSport as we bring you all of the updates from the big day.
All eyes will be on the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco for what should be an absolute cracker! More