Sports

UCL 2023/24: Things To Know Ahead Of Draw

Published

3 years ago

August 31, 2023

In the wake of the commencement of the 2023–2024 football campaign, the traditional UEFA Champions League draw will hold tomorrow (Thursday) at the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco, France.

As usual, 32 teams will make up the old Round Robin format in four different pots, which will then be split into eight groups of four teams each, playing home and away fixtures.

What teams have qualified?

At the moment, 29 teams have qualified so far, and the remaining three slots will be decided on Wednesday when PSV faces Rangers, Copenhagen plays at home against Rokow Czezchakowa, and AK Athens faces Royal Antwerp for the remaining three slots.

Below are the qualified teams that will be seeded in four pots:

England: Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Newcastle United

Spain: Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Real Sociedad, Sevilla

Germany: Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Leipzig, Union Berlin

Italy: Inter Milan, Lazio, AC Milan, Napoli

France: Lens, Paris Saint-Germain

No repeat of Napoli thumping in Champions League derby, says Milan’s Pioli
Portugal: Benfica, Porto, Braga

Netherlands: Feyenoord

Austria: Salzburg

Scotland: Celtic

Serbia: Red Star Belgrade

Switzerland: Young Boys

Turkey: Galatasaray

Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk

Team Pots

Pot 1: Manchester City, Sevilla, FC Barcelona, Napoli, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Benfica, Feyenoord

Pot 2: Real Madrid, Manchester United, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, RB Leipzig, Porto, Arsenal

Pot 3: Shakhtar Donetsk, Red Bull Salzburg, AC Milan, Lazio, Red Star Belgrade, Braga

Pot 4: Newcastle United, Union Berlin, Lens, Real Sociedad, Celtic, Galatasara

Currently unseeded: Young Boys, Athens or Royal Antwerp, PSV or Rangers, Copenhagen or Rakow.

The unseeded teams will be joined to make up Pots 3 and 4, based on the UEFA coefficient.

Group Stage Fixtures

Matchday 1: Sept. 19-20

Matchday 2: Oct. 3-4

Matchday 3: Oct. 24-25

Matchday 4: Nov. 7-8

Matchday 5: Nov. 28-29

Matchday 6: Dec. 12-13

Knockout Stage Fixtures

Round of 16: 13/14/20/21 February & 5/6/12/13 March 2024

Quarter-finals: 9/10 & 16/17 April 2024

Semi-finals: April 30/1 May & May 7/8, 2024

Final: June 1, 2024

The UCL draw will take place at 5 p.m. Nigerian time.

Sports

EPL: Chelsea Set To Sanction First Summer Transfer Under Alonso

Published

4 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Chelsea are set to sanction their first summer transfer under their new manager, Xabi Alonso.

According to the BBC Sport, the Blues are ‘open’ to selling Filip Jorgensen this summer after the goalkeeper indicated his desire to leave Stamford Bridge.

Jorgensen joined the Premier League west London club two seasons ago from Villarreal.

The 24-year-old shot-stopper was expected to compete for the number one position with goalkeeper Robert Sanchez, but he made just 11 Premier League appearances over the two seasons.

However, while the arrival of Alonso to Stamford Bridge could lead to a change in fortunes for Jorgensen, the report added that the Danish star has already expressed his desire to leave Chelsea this summer to get more regular playing game-time elsewhere.

Chelsea had blocked a potential exit for Jorgensen in the January transfer window, but the Premier League west London club are now open to a sale, with European and English clubs expected to explore a deal for the goalkeeper.

Sports

EPL: ‘Go For Alvarez’ – Paul Merson Hands Arsenal Two Signings To Make

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Arsenal legend, Paul Merson, has handed his old club two signings to make in the summer.

Merson wants Arsenal to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez and a new midfielder.

“I would get a centre forward this summer, I would go for Julian Alvarez,” Merson said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

“I am a big fan. If they could get him, I would. I still think they probably need another midfield player as well.”

Arsenal is expected to bolster its squad in the summer after winning the Premier League title ahead of Manchester City this season.

Sports

EPL: Wayne Rooney Picks Most Improved Player This Season

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

Manchester United legend, Wayne Rooney, has picked the Red Devils defender Luke Shaw as the most improved player in the Premier League following the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

Speaking on his BBC podcast, Rooney said, “I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.

“I know he is an experienced player now, but I think his level this season has been much better than it has been in recent seasons.

“People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved. It was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.”

Shaw enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Man United and started all of Man United’s Premier League games.