The group stage draw of the Champions League 2021-22 season saw some exciting fixtures. The 32 clubs taking part in the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League now know their path to the knockout stage after Thursday's draw. Two of the favourites in the tournament Manchester City and PSG are in the same group; whereas we'll get to see a repeat of the Europa League finals in the group stage.
UEFA Champions League 2021-22- Group stage draw results:
Group A:
- Manchester City
- Paris Saint-Germain
- RB Leipzig
- Club Brugge
The clash of giants will be in Group A after two of the favourites PSG and Manchester City were placed in the same group alongside 2nd in Bundesliga RB Leipzig and Club Brugge. PSG had their best ever transfer window after they bagged Ramos and Messi for free and are looking like a very dangerous team on paper. On the other hand, last year UCL finalist Manchester City has one of the strongest squads in Europe. With rumours floating around of Ronaldo joining Manchester City, we could very well see a Messi vs Ronaldo in the coming days.
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Group B:
- Atletico Madrid
- Liverpool
- Porto
- AC Milan
Easily recognised as the group of death, Atletico Madrid and Liverpool will face each other again in the group stages similar to last year. 2nd in Liga Portugal, FC Porto will also try to make a good case for the RO16 spot. Meanwhile, AC Milan is back in the UCL, not so strong as they used to be, but strong enough to knock any favourites out on their day. Every team in this group will have to fight for the knockout places with each and every fixture being equally important.
Group C:
- Sporting Lisbon
- Borussia Dortmund
- Ajax
- Besiktas
Borussia Dortmund probably landed in the safest group, without having to face any tier 1 teams in the group stage. Haaland is about to blast off with goals just like the previous year. However, it will be a very tough contest between Ajax, Lisbon and Besiktas for the last 16 spots.
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Group D:
- Inter Milan
- Real Madrid
- Shakhtar Donetsk
- Sheriff Tiraspol
It is pretty much the same group as last year with the only difference being Sheriff Tiraspol in place of Borussia M'gladbach. Although Real Madrid is the fan favourite, they faced pretty tough competitions from Shakhtar and Inter Milan last year. However, under Carlo Ancelotti, they are expected to bloom this year.
Group E:
- Bayern Munich
- FC Barcelona
- Benfica
- Dynamo Kyiv
After a humiliating 8-2 defeat in the quarter-finals against Bayern Munich in the UCL 2019/20 season, Barcelona looks for their revenge in the group stage fixture. However, the Spanish giants have to manage this without their best player Lionel Messi after he left for PSG on a free transfer. On the other hand, Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv will have a hard time making it to the RO16.
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Group F:
- Villareal CF
- Manchester United
- Atalanta
- Young Boys
Group F is one of the most important groups in the draw, if not the most important. It is very near to a tag of a group of death. It will be a repeat telecast of the UEFA Europa League finals in the Group F of the Champions League as Villareal CF and Manchester United are in the same group. With Serie A runners up Atalanta also in the mix, this group will produce some of the most entertaining matches in the competition.
Group G:
- Losc Lille
- Sevilla FC
- FC Salzburg
- Wolfsburg
French Champions Losc Lille is in with Spanish giants Sevilla, FC Salzburg and Wolfsburg in Group G. Fourth-placed in Laliga, Sevilla will look to make the most out of the group they are in.
Group H:
- Chelsea
- Juventus
- Zenit
- Malmo
Reigning Champions Chelsea is in Group H with the Italian giants Juventus FC, Zenit and Malmo. It is a balanced group with chances of Juve and Chelsea going through to the RO16 much higher. However, if Zenit pulls of few upsets the group will lighten up in the competition.
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Match Schedule:
The group stage matches are scheduled to begin on September 14.
- Matchday 1: Sept. 14-15
- Matchday 2: Sept. 28-29
- Matchday 3: Oct. 19-20
- Matchday 4: Nov. 2-3
- Matchday 5: Nov. 23-24
- Matchday 6: Dec. 7-8
The draw for the round of 16 will be held on Dec. 13, with the knockout stage beginning in February.