The 2023-24 Champions League group stage draw has been made with holders Manchester City drawn with RB Leipzig while Newcastle have been handed a tough run.
Pep Guardiola’s side beat Inter Milan 1-0 in Istanbul back in June 2023 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.
Group of ‘death’
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. The deafening noise from the tyneside hopeful has played a major role in fortifying St James Park.
Elsewhere, Harry Kane will be returning to England when Bayern Munich face Manchester United in Group A. The England captain will also be hoping to bag goals against FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray.
Arsenal’s anticipated return to the Champions League has set up a dazzling Group B. The Gunners will compete with Europa League victors Sevilla, PSV Eindhoven and Ligue 1 side RC 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.
