Must-See Matchups in the New League Phase of the UEFA Champions League
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon Hosted an Epic Champions League Draw Featuring a New Format
A New Era Begins
As you may have seen in the soccer news lately, the UEFA Champions League has a revamped format this season that promises even more excitement from the get-go. With the new league phase replacing the traditional group stage, fans are in for a treat with more high-stakes clashes between Europe’s elite clubs right from the start. Here are the must-see matchups that every soccer fan should mark on their calendar.
Here it is! The league phase of the 2024/2025 Champions League draw is here 🔥
NEW ERA 🫡 pic.twitter.com/5OmD2Px8qx
— BetUS Soccer ⚽ (@BetUSSoccer) August 29, 2024
The Champions League Draw
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gianluigi Buffon were part of the Champions League draw this year. Buffon pulled the names out of the pot, and Ronaldo hit the button to see who would play who. They used to play together on the same team, Juventus and won Serie A in 2020. But before that, they were rivals according to soccer rumors, especially when Ronaldo was on Real Madrid.
183 games. 140 goals.
🗣️ siuuuuuuuuu @Cristiano || #UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/W1NXpPGxAV
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 29, 2024
Barcelona vs Bayern Munich: Barca’s Biggest Nightmare
Both teams have a rich history in the UCL, with Bayern often getting the better of Barcelona in recent years, including an unforgettable 8-2 thrashing in 2020. Barcelona will be looking to turn the tide and assert their dominance, making this matchup one of the most intriguing of the league phase.
Ter Stegen ❌ Lewandowski ⛔#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/xh747g3iBP
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 30, 2024
Manchester City vs Inter Milan: Champions Collide
This matchup is a rematch of the 2023 Champions League final, where Manchester City narrowly edged out Inter Milan to lift their first-ever European trophy. With that victory still fresh in their minds, Pep Guardiola’s men will be keen to assert their dominance once again.
However, Inter Milan, under the leadership of Simone Inzaghi, will be out for revenge and aiming to position themselves at the top of the Champions League standings.
The reason we’re here in Athens tonight! 🚀 pic.twitter.com/5mJ6dc4hEe
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 16, 2023
Liverpool vs Real Madrid: Always Delivers
Few matchups in world football can match the intensity and drama of Liverpool versus Real Madrid. These two clubs have faced each other in some of the most memorable moments in Champions League history, and this season’s encounter is set to add another chapter to their storied rivalry.
Liverpool fans still have fresh memories of their painful losses to Real Madrid in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals, not to mention the 6-2 aggregate defeat in the 2023 round of 16.
Liverpool’s last eight games in the #UCL vs Real Madrid:
0-3 ❌
0-1 ❌
1-3 ❌
1-3 ❌
0-0 🤝
0-1 ❌
2-5 ❌
0-1 ❌ pic.twitter.com/R3evbnHmGH— LiveScore (@livescore) August 30, 2024
Arsenal vs PSG: Defined by Inches
This matchup is a litmus test for Arsenal’s European ambitions, as they look to establish themselves as a force to be reckoned with on the continent.
Despite no longer having Kylian Mbappe in their ranks, PSG remains a formidable side with a wealth of talent. They are determined to finally break their Champions League curse and lift the trophy that has eluded them for so long. Arsenal, on the other hand, is eager to prove that their domestic success can translate to the European stage.
🏆 #UCLdraw :
🏡🆚 @ManCity
✈️🆚 @FCBayern
🏡🆚 @Atleti
✈️🆚 @Arsenal
🏡🆚 @PSV
✈️🆚 @RedBullSalzburg
🏡🆚 @GironaFC
✈️🆚 @VfB pic.twitter.com/7Sycv2dzGo— Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_espanol) August 29, 2024
This game promises to be a tactical battle between two of the most innovative managers in the game, Mikel Arteta and Luis Enrique. With both teams boasting plenty of attacking firepower, fans can expect a thrilling encounter with plenty of goals and drama.
