This year's Champions League introduces a significant shift, with the traditional group stage replaced by a "league phase." Each team will now play eight matches as part of this new format.
The highly anticipated draw took place in Monaco on Thursday, where Portugal's football legend Cristiano Ronaldo pressed the button that set the computer algorithm in motion to determine the fixtures.
In a humorous twist, Uefa released a video before the draw featuring football stars expressing their bewilderment at the new format. However, Swedish icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic lightened the mood by humorously praising the changes, saying it means "more football" during an interaction with Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
Matchups for British Teams
The final order of matches will be revealed on Saturday after the Europa League and Conference League draws. Here’s a glimpse at the fixtures for some of the British teams:
Aston Villa: Matches against Bayern Munich (H), Leipzig (A), Juventus (H), Club Bruges (A), Celtic (H), Young Boys (A), Bologna (H), and Monaco (A).
Arsenal: Fixtures include Paris St-Germain (H), Inter Milan (A), Shakhtar Donetsk (H), Atalanta (A), Dinamo Zagreb (H), Sporting Lisbon (A), Monaco (H), and Girona (A).
Celtic: They will take on Aston Villa (A), Leipzig (H), Borussia Dortmund (A), Club Bruges (H), Atalanta (A), Young Boys (H), Dinamo Zagreb (A), and Slovan Bratislava (H).
Liverpool: Their schedule includes matches against Real Madrid (H), Leipzig (A), Leverkusen (H), AC Milan (A), Lille (H), PSV Eindhoven (A), Bologna (H), and Girona (A).
Manchester City: They face Inter Milan (H), Paris St-Germain (A), Club Brugge (H), Juventus (A), Feyenoord (H), Sporting Lisbon (A), Sparta Prague (H), and Slovan Bratislava (A).
Key Matches to Watch
The new format prevents teams from the same country from facing each other in the league phase, ruling out domestic derbies but ensuring a lineup of exciting encounters.
Aside from the British teams, a standout fixture includes Real Madrid facing Borussia Dortmund in a rematch of last year’s final. Real Madrid also has tough matches against Italian clubs AC Milan and Atalanta.
In other notable clashes, Paris St-Germain will have a chance to avenge their 2020 final loss as they face Bayern Munich. They will also meet Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, Barcelona is set for tough games against Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.
How Does the New Format Work?
The expanded tournament now includes 36 teams, with each team playing eight games four at home and four away against opponents from different seeding pots. Teams that finish in the top eight will automatically qualify for the last 16.
Those finishing between ninth and 24th will enter a two-legged knockout playoff to compete for a spot in the last 16. Teams that finish 25th or lower will be eliminated and will not have a chance to enter the Europa League.
The total number of matches in this format increases from 125 to 189, with each team playing a minimum of eight games and up to a maximum of 17. The Champions League action kicks off on 17-19 September, with the league phase running until 29 January, extending beyond its traditional pre-Christmas conclusion.
