UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Draw: Liverpool Face Real Madrid as PSG Clash with Barcelona
“UEFA Champions League 2025/26 draw sets up thrilling clashes: Liverpool vs Real Madrid, PSG vs Barcelona, Bayern face Chelsea, City meet Napoli.”
The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 draw, held in Monaco, has officially set the stage for one of the most thrilling European football seasons in recent memory. The league phase — now in its second year under the new format — has delivered mouth-watering fixtures, historic rivalries, and fresh storylines that are guaranteed to excite fans across the globe.
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: A Rivalry Rekindled
The headline fixture of the draw pits Liverpool against Real Madrid in yet another chapter of their iconic rivalry. The two European giants have met in three finals in the last decade, with Real Madrid famously coming out on top in 2018 and 2022.
Both teams come into the competition with refreshed squads. Liverpool will look to rely on the firepower of Mohamed Salah while Madrid’s youthful midfield of Jude Bellingham and kylian mbappe at front continues to impress under Xabi Alonso. This fixture is expected to draw one of the largest global audiences of the group stage.
PSG vs Barcelona: Luis Enrique Faces His Past
Another major talking point is Paris Saint-Germain’s clash with Barcelona, a fixture packed with history and emotional weight. PSG coach Luis Enrique, who famously guided Barcelona to a treble in 2015, admitted he has “mixed feelings” about facing his former club.
Barcelona, led by manager Hansi Flick, are looking to reclaim their place at the top of European football after several disappointing campaigns. PSG, on the other hand, are defending champions and will be eager to prove last season’s victory was no fluke. Expect fireworks when these two sides meet in Paris and at the Camp Nou.
Bayern Munich Draw Chelsea and Arsenal
German giants Bayern Munich face a daunting set of fixtures, including games against Chelsea, Arsenal, Sporting CP, and debutants Pafos FC from Cyprus. Captain Manuel Neuer urged caution, reminding teammates that “no game can be taken lightly” in this demanding format.
Chelsea, under new coach Enzo Maresca, are still finding their identity, while Arsenal will look to build on their deep run from last season. Bayern’s ability to rotate their squad and manage injuries could be the difference between progressing comfortably or struggling to qualify.
Manchester City Meet Napoli
Manchester City will face Serie A champions Napoli, in what promises to be a battle between Pep Guardiola and Kevin De bryune that just left city in the just concluded transfer window
Odds, Underdogs, and What to Expect
Following the draw, sportsbooks have placed Liverpool and PSG as joint favorites to win the tournament, with Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Barcelona close behind. However, the new league-phase format gives underdogs a chance to shine. Teams like Sporting CP, Benfica, and Pafos FC could surprise established giants and shake up the standings.
What This Draw Means for Fans
This season’s Champions League has all the ingredients for drama: historic rivalries, emotional reunions, and potential upsets. The league-phase format guarantees that fans will see more big matches earlier in the competition, increasing the stakes for every fixture.
For clubs, this is more than just qualification — it’s a battle for prestige, prize money, and bragging rights. For fans, it is a chance to witness some of the world’s best football from September through January before the knockout stages begin.
