UEFA Champions League group stage 2022-23: Barca, Inter, and Bayern set up the “Group of Death”, Halaand and Lewandowski get the chance to return to their old sides

The group stage draw of the most prestigious tournament in the world, UEFA Champions League, took place yesterday in Istanbun, Turkey. The “Group of Death”, group C, appeared with the features of three big teams: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Inter Milan. You can also follow all the best UEFA Champions League Predictions right on our page. Do not miss these guides!

The full official groups:

Group A: Liverpool, Ajax, Napoli, RANGERS. fateful clash

Group B: Atletico Madrid, Porto, Bayer Leverkusen, Club Brugge.

Group C: Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Inter Milan, Viktoria Plzen.

Group D: Eintracht Frankfurt, Tottenham, Sporting Lisbon, Marseille.

Group E: AC Milan, CHELSEA, Red Bull Salzburg, Dinamo Zagreb.

Group F: Real Madrid, RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, Celtic.

Group G: Manchester City, Sevilla, Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen.

Group H: Paris Saint-Germain, Juventus, Benfica, Maccabi Haifa.

Overviews of the groups

After the draw, all eyes are on group C, where football fans all around the world can witness the fateful clashes between Bayern Munich and Barcelona, who have frequently faced each other in recent years. The German’s side is obviously more appreciated than the Spanish side given the stagnation of Blaugrana after the departure of Leo Messi to PSG. In the 3 latest head-to head games in ULC, Bayern won all, with 2 wins in the group stage last season and a resounding 8-2 victory in the 2020 quarter-final. However, with some high-profile players joining the club during the transfer window, Barca are in the highest determination to take revenge on the rival. Nevertheless, Barca and Bayern are not the only contenders for the tickets to the round of 16. It would be mistaken if we do not mention Inter Milan. The Italian giants are ready to fiercely compete with the 2 aforementioned big teams. It was unfortunate for Viktoria Plzen when they fell into this group.

Barca’ arch rivals in La Liga, Real Madrid, and The England’s side, Tottenham Hotspurs, are pleased with their result. Real just have to face RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk and Celtic. It is not difficult to predict that the Champions League’s holder will easily get the first position to advance to the round of 16. Despite not being in pot 1, Spurs are regarded as the strongest contenders in their group. If Conte’s squads continue to show their high form, they certainly deserve one of the top two positions.

The other Premier League clubs breathed a sigh of relief when they did not have to face giant clubs. Erling Halaand will have an immediate reunion with his old team Borussia Dortmund after he moved to Man City this season. Despite the threat posed by Dormund and Sevilla, Pep Guardiola expects his team to reach the round of 16 for the seventh consecutive year. Liverpool will interestingly have a Britain battle with Rangers, whom they never faced in an official match before. Besides that, clashes against Dutch champions Ajax Amsterdam and Napoli will also be tricky for the Reds. Chelsea will probably be the favourites for their group despite some instability at the beginning of this season. Scudetto Champions AC Milan are also high-appreciated in group E.

                                                                                            Halland has  the chance to face his former club in UCL

Group H is considered a “group of death”, following group C with the appearances of PSG, Juventus, and Maccabi Haifa. PSG and Juventus are clearly more appreciated than the rest of the group. However, Benfica cannot be underestimated when they reached to the quarter-finals after knocking Barcelona in the group stage last season.

Diego Simeone and his club, Atletico Madrid will be delighted with the draw. Although they were not in pot 1, they avoided their potential worst-case scenarios. So they would definitely be favored to easily make the round of 16. On the other hand, the race for the second position will be fierce and unpredictable.

Schedule for the group stages:

Matchday 1: September 6 and 7, 2022

Matchday 2: September 13 and 14, 2022

Matchday 3: October 4 and 5, 2022

Matchday 4: October 11 and 12, 2022

Matchday 5: October 25 and 26, 2022

Matchday 6: November 1 and 2, 2022

Reference source:

https://www.theguardian.com