Chelsea vs Barcelona, Madrid vs Man City, Other Matches to Look Out for After Champions League Draw
- UEFA have concluded up the draw for the group stage of the 2025/2026 Champions League
- Each club will face eight opponents, four at home and four away, before the knockout stages
- World champions Chelsea drew Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, a match many fans called for
UEFA appeared to listen to fans on social media, with most teams getting opponents their fans anticipated playing against in their league phase draw.
The fans got some of their wishes, particularly Chelsea and Barcelona, whose fans have anticipated playing against each other on social media.
Source: Getty Images
Each team has eight opponents, four at home, four away with two each from the pots so that they face a similar level of difficulty in the group stages.
Legit.ng looks at the five most anticipated matches after the group stage draws.
UCL matches to look forward to
1. Chelsea vs Barcelona
Chelsea and Barcelona fans were calling for each other on social media, with the Blues asking to face the Blaugrana’s famous high line. UEFA granted the wish: Enzo Maresca's world champions will host Barcelona at Stamford Bridge.
Read also
Supercomputer predicts Premier League winners after Liverpool's dramatic win over Newcastle
As noted by UEFA, both sides have met 14 times, with four wins each and six draws between them. Their last meeting in the UCL was a 4-1 aggregate win for Barca 2017/18 Round of 16.
2. Barcelona vs PSG
Another match which was anticipated on social media even before the draw. Paris Saint-Germain were the best team in Europe last season, and after they dismantled Inter Milan in the Champions League final, Barcelona fans wanted a taste. Inter Milan eliminated the La Liga giants 7-6 on aggregate in the semis.
Barcelona have a history with PSG, having also lost to them in the quarter-final in 2024. PSG boss Luis Enrique was a former player and coach at the Camp Nou, winning the Champions League in 2015.
3. Real Madrid vs Manchester City
This encounter has become a regular affair. In the last six seasons, they have met in five seasons, excluding the 2020/21 season, when both were beaten by Chelsea in the semi-final and final, respectively.
They have met 14 times, with Madrid having the upper hand with five wins and five draws, while the English side have won four times.
4. Liverpool vs Real Madrid
Liverpool and Real Madrid have history, having met in the Champions League five times in the last seven years, including two finals, both of which Madrid won in 2018 and 2022.
Source: Getty Images
The Spanish side signed Trent Alexander-Arnold for free from the Reds, which will infuse animosity into the tie when both sides clash at Anfield. Madrid have won seven of their 12 meetings, while Liverpool have won four.
5. Arsenal vs Bayern Munich
Bayern Munich are Arsenal's bogey team as the Gunners have not won against the Germans since 2015, including three consecutive 5-1 victories for the Bavarians. Their last meeting was in the quarter-final in 2024, which Bayern won 3-2 on aggregate.
Mikel Arteta and Vincent Kompany, both of whom are Pep Guardiola's assistants, will slug it out at the Emirates Stadium.
UEFA announce new kickoff time for UCL final
Legit.ng reported that UEFA announced new kick-off times for the Champions League final starting from the 2025/26 season at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
The final, which traditionally kicks off at 8 pm GMT, will now be played at 5 pm GMT, to optimise matchday experience for the fans and improve logistics.
Source: Legit.ng
