Champions League draw, PSG to face Manchester City and Barcelona

PARIS: Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain have been handed a daunting Champions League league-phase campaign, with Barcelona, Manchester City and Aston Villa among their eight opponents in a draw that promises several high-profile European clashes.

PSG, who successfully defended their Champions League crown after beating Arsenal on penalties in Budapest in May, will begin their bid for an unprecedented third consecutive European title with a demanding schedule.

Luis Enrique’s side will host Barcelona, Roma, Galatasaray and Slovan Bratislava during the league phase. Their away assignments include trips to England to face both Manchester City and Aston Villa, while they will also travel to Spain for Villarreal and Italy to meet Como, coached by former Barcelona star Cesc Fabregas.

The fixtures against City and Villa will carry added significance for PSG. The French champions defeated both English clubs during their victorious Champions League campaign in 2025 and also overcame Villa in the UEFA Super Cup in Austria earlier this month.

Enrique, however, appeared relaxed about the draw before it was made.

“I can’t say anything bad about the Champions League,” he said, adding that he preferred to spend his time riding his bike rather than watching the draw. The PSG manager said he would gladly accept the same outcome as the previous two seasons.

PSG are now chasing a feat achieved by only one other club in the modern era: winning the European title three years in succession. Real Madrid managed the achievement from 2016 to 2018.

Last season’s runners-up Arsenal, who enter the competition as Premier League champions, also face a challenging road.

The Gunners will welcome Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund, Lille and Azerbaijan’s Sabah, who have reached the league phase for the first time.

Their away schedule is even more demanding, with Arsenal set to visit Bayern Munich, Real Betis, Napoli and Slavia Prague.

Liverpool, meanwhile, will host Atletico Madrid, Porto, Villarreal and Lens, while their away fixtures include Inter Milan, Club Brugge, Fenerbahce and Austrian newcomers LASK.

Manchester United have also been given a difficult assignment. Their home opponents include Bayern Munich, Roma, RB Leipzig and Sabah, while they must travel to face Atletico Madrid, Sporting, Villarreal and Como.

Among other headline fixtures, Manchester City will travel to Barcelona, while Real Madrid will host Inter Milan. Aston Villa face an equally attractive campaign, including an away meeting with Barcelona and a home clash against Borussia Dortmund.

The league phase will also introduce several less familiar names. Como have emerged as an ambitious force in Serie A, while Sabah and LASK have broken new ground by reaching this stage.

Norwegian champions Viking have qualified for the Champions League proper for the first time. Their reward includes meetings with Bayern Munich, Atletico Madrid, Aston Villa and Napoli.

The competition continues to use its expanded format, with 36 clubs competing in one league table and each team playing eight different opponents.

The league-phase matches are scheduled to begin between September 8 and 10, with the final games set for late January. UEFA is expected to announce the complete fixture schedule on Saturday.

The season will ultimately conclude at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium on June 5, 2027, where Europe’s next champion will be crowned.