UEFA Champions League 2023-24: What to expect from the Group Stage?

On Thursday, 31st August, 2023, came the eagerly awaited draw for the group stage of UEFA Champions League’s 23/24 edition. Without a doubt, it lived up to the highest level of expectations as mouth-watering contests are ready to be served to us football fans.

Group A will be greeting you with Bayern Munich and Manchester United going against each other. Group F has taken the title of “Group of Death” in quite literal terms this time with Paris Saint Germain joining the likes of Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and AC Milan. Could it be more deadlier than this?

Don’t forget the title holders Manchester City, who have drawn a fairly easier route to Round of 16. With no disrespect to Group G’s teams RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade or Young Boys, the way Treble winners played last year any group would have been considered easy for Manchester City.

On the other hand, the most decorated team in Europe, Real Madrid, have been drawn in Group C with Napoli, Union Berlin and Braga. Will they add a 14th European title to their name?

Champions League Tickets – Where to buy?

Let’s dive into these groups a bit more. But before that, why don’t you consider watching these highly anticipated group matches live from the stadiums? 

There are millions of football fans around the world who tune into these Champions League contests, but only a few lucky ones get the opportunity to witness the action live from the stadium. It can be a hassle at times to get the tickets from UEFA’s official website. You should not worry about missing out on the opportunity to watch Haaland, Mbappe or Vinicius Jr, live in person. Champions League tickets can also be bought from secure secondary markets, which provide an easy to access method for booking the tickets from their platforms with safe and secure booking.

GROUP A | Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray

This cracking group features Bayern Munich and Manchester United, both of which will be eager to showcase their signature signings of this year. Harry Kane who has made the move out of England to join the German giants, after being heavily linked with Manchester United throughout the summer. With Harry Kane out of the picture, United went ahead with Denmark’s young striker Rasmus Hojlund. It will be interesting to witness Hojlund facing his first club, FC Copenhagen, who are also paired in Group A.

Dark horse from this group will be the Turkish club, Galatasaray. Their attacking threat, consisting of Dries Mertens, Wilfred Zaha, and Mauro Icardi, could prove to be a force to reckon with.

Group B | Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens

All the eyeballs will be on the return of Arsenal to Champions League Football. After being drawn in Group B, Arsenal would have been fairly happy considering their performances in the Premier League last year; this should be an easy walk into the Round of 16.

Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal will be considering Sevilla a major threat from their group. Sevilla have got the habit of winning the Europa League. Their latest Europa League win has granted them Pot 1 seeding. However, Sevilla needs to tighten up their game because they haven’t been able to make a significant impact when it comes to Champions League football.

PSV made their route into the Champions League football with their qualifier win over Rangers. PSV will be looking to gain confidence from their win over Arsenal in last year’s Europa League group stage. Lens complete the group B, who have lost their key scorer, Openda, in the transfer market this summer.

Group C | Napoli, Real Madrid, SC Braga, Union Berlin

Considering the stature of the teams in Group C, there is an obvious mismatch. Napoli and Real Madrid seem to be making their way into Round of 16 without breaking a sweat, as the teams of SC Braga and Union Berlin.

The real questions from this group are who amongst SC Braga and Union Berlin, will make it to the third spot and drop into Europa League, and who will be the topper of Group C, Napoli or Real Madrid. Have Real Madrid found the spirit after their drubbing in last Champions League’s semi final against Manchester City?

Group D | Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad

Group D features last season’s runner-up, Inter Milan, who find themselves not the favourites to make it through the group stage owing to the transfers of Onana, Dzeko and Lukaku during the summer transfer window. Benfica will be looking to avenge their defeat to Inter Milan in last year’s Quarter Finals.

FC Salzburg are probably the real contenders to make it to the next stage if not top the group. Their ability to produce young talent is arguably unmatched. Erling Haaland and Sadio Mane, notably came out of the Salzburg system. Tells you something, doesn’t it?

With Real Sociedad capable of beating any team in this group on their day means it’s a complete shootout between the four teams to go to the next round.

Group E | Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic

Take Atletico Madrid out of the mix, and this group becomes open for all. Diego Simeone’s men have made a good start to their domestic campaign, and with a little more attacking style to their play, can tune them into a real European threat.

On current form, Lazio looks out of color, probably due to the fact they lost their best midfield player, Savic, in the transfer market. Celtic will need to make their home games count in order to progress to the next stage, and they do have the ability to do so. Feyenoord will have to deal with their inexperience at the Champions League stage if they are to make good progress.

Group F | Paris Saint Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United

Finally, we are about to witness one of the deadliest of the “Group of Death”. All the encounters from this group are gonna liven up the atmosphere, with every game having a knockout experience. For the neutrals, it’s a treat; for the fans, a nightmare in every sense of imagination.

PSG and Kylian Mbappe were already making the headlines during the transfer window, however after the UEFA Champions League draws, the team got some more spotlight. Keeping aside the Mbappe transfer saga, Mbappe on his own, makes PSG the favorites to win the group. But they will be tested to their fullest this time around.

AC Milan are getting their European mojo back after a semifinal berth in last season’s Champions League. They have bolstered their ranks with Pulisic, Loftus-Cheek, Musah and Chukwueze. Borussia Dortmund is always considered a second fiddle to Bayern Munich, but their ability to make their younger players shine is outstanding. Although they have been hit with the absence of Bellingham this time around, they will still be a team to watch.

A return of Newcastle United to European Football after 20 years is greeted with Group of Death. Sympathies, Newcastle supporters! However, they have all the ingredients to make it to the next stage. 

Group G | Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys 

If Pep was to decide the draw from the pot seedings, his draw for Manchester City would be similar to this one. One can see the rotation policy coming into action from Pep Guardiola, along with an early entry into the Round of 16.

RB Leipzig were destroyed by Erling Haaland’s five goals last year and if this wasn’t enough, Manchester City have got Leipzig’s best young defender, Josko Gvardiol in this transfer window. Having lost Nkunko to Chelsea, RB Leipzig have got their work cut out. There is not much to write home about Belgrade and Young Boys – probably the weakest teams in the whole draw. 

Group H | Barcelona, FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp

Barcelona would have breathed a sigh of relief seeing this draw compared to their last campaign’s draw. From Bayern Munich and Inter Milan to FC Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk, they should fancy their chances. 

FC Porto, will also be the happier side considering they would be favourites against the likes of Shakhtar and Belgian champions, Royal Antwerp. 

We hope this Champions League group stage lives up to the hype and we get to witness amazing football.