PSG Face Barcelona, Manchester City; Real Madrid Draw Inter Milan and Arsenal in Champions League

XtraTime Web Desk: The UEFA Champions League league-phase draw has thrown up several high-profile clashes, with some of Europe’s biggest clubs set to face each other in the opening stage.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a challenging schedule, with the French giants set to take on Barcelona and Manchester City. Real Madrid, meanwhile, will face Inter Milan and Arsenal, while Manchester United have been drawn against Bayern Munich.

The draw for the 36-team Champions League was held in Monaco on Thursday. This will be the third season in which UEFA’s league-phase format replaces the traditional group stage.

PSG, who defeated Arsenal on penalties in last season’s final to lift the trophy, will be aiming to make history this time around. If they win the Champions League again, they will become only the fourth club to win the competition three years in a row. Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Ajax Amsterdam are the only clubs to have previously achieved the feat.

PSG will host Barcelona in the league phase, while their meeting with Manchester City will take place away from home. Real Madrid will welcome Inter Milan at home but will travel to face Arsenal.

Bayern Munich, meanwhile, will host Arsenal but will play Manchester United away from home.

Under the new league-phase format, the top eight teams in the standings will qualify directly for the Round of 16. Teams finishing from ninth to 24th will enter the knockout play-offs, while clubs placed 25th or lower will be eliminated from the competition.

With several European giants already drawn against one another, the league phase promises to produce some blockbuster encounters even before the knockout stages begin.

The Champions League final this season is scheduled to be held in Madrid on June 5, 2027.