The 2023–24 Champions League group stage draw has been made, pairing defending champion Manchester City with RB Leipzig while giving Newcastle a difficult path.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul back in June to claim a first European title since their European Cup Winners’ Cup success in 1970.
And now they must find their way past Leipzig again, who they beat 8-1 on aggregate in the knockout stages last season.
The champions will be joined by Crvena Zvezda and Young Boys in a favourable Group G for the Premier League champions.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have been handed a tough group and are set to play Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in a mouthwatering Group F.
Eddie Howe’s side will be up against it but can rely on the St James’ Park faithful to make the stadium a fortress when some of Europe’s elite come to visit.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane will be returning to England when Bayern Munich face Manchester United in Group A and the England captain will also be hoping to bag against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Arsenal’s anticipated return to the Champions League has set up a dazzling Grop B. The Gunners will compete with Europa League victors Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 side Lens.
Last season’s finalists Inter Milan must overcome Benfica in Group D while Spanish giants Real Madrid will meet Napoli in Group C.
Scottish champions Celtic face a tough start to their campaign and will lock horns with Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid and Lazio while LaLiga holders Barcelona must overcome Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk and Antwerp in Group H.
2023-24 Champions League draw in full
Group A
Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B
Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, Lens
Group C
Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D
Benfica, Inter Milan, FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E
Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F
Paris Saint-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle
Group G
Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Crvena Zvezda, Young Boys
Group H
Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
When will the Champions League group stage take place?
Each team will play six group games, facing each opponent both home and away.
The first round of fixtures will commence in the middle of September and end three months later in December.
Key dates for your diary
Matchday 1: September 19-20
Matchday 2: October 3-4
Matchday 3: October 24-25
Matchday 4: November 7-8
Matchday 5: November 28-29
Matchday 6: December 12-13
