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UCL 2023/24: Things To Know Ahead Of Draw

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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?

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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

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

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

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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

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Netherlands: Feyenoord

Austria: Salzburg

Scotland: Celtic

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Serbia: Red Star Belgrade

Switzerland: Young Boys

Turkey: Galatasaray

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Ukraine: Shakhtar Donetsk

Team Pots

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

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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

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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.

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Group Stage Fixtures

Matchday 1: Sept. 19-20

Matchday 2: Oct. 3-4

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Matchday 3: Oct. 24-25

Matchday 4: Nov. 7-8

Matchday 5: Nov. 28-29

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Matchday 6: Dec. 12-13

Knockout Stage Fixtures

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

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

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

Final: June 1, 2024

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

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UCL, EPL: Petr Cech Advises Chelsea On How To Win Trophies

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Chelsea legend, Petr Cech, has advised his old club on how to win the UEFA Champions League or the English Premier League.

Chelsea are already out of the Premier League title race this season, and they are at risk of missing out on UEFA Champions League qualification for next season because they are currently not in the ninth position on the Premier League table.

Speaking to The Athletic about Chelsea, Cech said that the Blues need to change their philosophy of signing only young players if they want to win the Premier League or Champions League.

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READ ALSO:EPL: Guardiola Reveals Only Chance Man City Will Win Title Ahead Of Arsenal

According to the former goalkeeper, the Premier League west London club needs to add experienced players to mentor the young players in the squad.

“You have to look at what you want to achieve. You can have young, talented players, and you can win, but it’s very rare that you manage to do that,” he said.

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If you want to win every season and compete every season, that does not go together.

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You have to change your philosophy. Certain things don’t go together because, in order to win a Champions League or a Premier League… these are really tough competitions, and you have to be consistent.

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“You need to have a strong core of the team. And then you can bring young, talented players who will grow faster and then will be held by the experienced players to help navigate them through difficult times when they come.”

Currently, Chelsea have just one player, Tosin Adarabioyo, who is over 28 this season, and the defender has not been playing regularly.

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Enabulele Lauds Okpebholo’s Bold Reforms As Edo Sports Witnesses Revival

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The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for what he described as a bold and transformative approach to sports development.

Speaking on efforts to reposition sports in the state, Enabulele noted that with Okpebholo’s visionary leadership, the sector has witnessed renewed growth.

In a statement issued by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, the Edo Sports Commission boss attributed the progress to the governor’s strategic policies and sustained commitment to youth development, which he said have laid the foundation for a more structured and results-driven system.

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His Excellency has demonstrated clear vision and genuine commitment to sports development. The level of support we are receiving has significantly repositioned Edo as a competitive force in national sporting events,” he said.

READ ALSO:Grassroots To Global Podium: Edo Sports Commission Marks Enabulele’s First Year In Office

He explained that targeted investments in grassroots development are already producing results, with a growing number of young talents being identified and nurtured across multiple disciplines.

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We are deliberately building from the grassroots. A large percentage of our athletes today are homegrown, which speaks to the sustainability of our development model,” Enabulele added.

The Commission, he noted, is also shifting away from an over-reliance on football to a broader multi-sport focus.

Edo State, he said, is now recording improved performances in athletics, combat sports, and other emerging areas.

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READ ALSO:2025 NYG: Be Determined, Enabulele Charges Team Edo, As Screening Commences In A’Ibom

Our goal is to strengthen all sports. The results are beginning to show across different disciplines, and this is only the start,” he said.

Enabulele further pointed to ongoing improvements in sports infrastructure and athlete welfare as critical factors in sustaining performance and encouraging wider participation among young people.

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We are building a system that will endure. With the continued support of the governor, Edo is on course to becoming a dominant force in sports at both national and international levels,” he stated.

He expressed confidence that the current momentum would translate into greater achievements for Edo athletes, reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to excellence, discipline, and long-term development.

 

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EPL: Chelsea Winger, Mudryk Banned For Four Years After Failing Drug Test 

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The Football Association, FA, on Wednesday imposed a four-year ban on Chelsea’s Mykhailo Mudryk over anti-doping violations, the Daily Mail reports.

This is the maximum punishment for the breach.

Mudryk had decided to appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, CAS.

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The 25-year-old submitted his appeal on February 25. It is understood a hearing has yet to be scheduled.

Mudryk has not featured for the Blues since November 28, 2024.

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The Ukraine international arrived at Stamford Bridge in a £88m move from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023.

He is under contract until 2030.

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