UCL Draw Preview

As the echoes of an exhilarating summer of football gradually subside, the spotlight eagerly shifts towards the horizon of the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League.

This forthcoming edition of the premier European football spectacle promises an intense clash of titans, featuring the powerhouse clubs that dominate the upper echelons of the continent’s football landscape. Their quest for the ultimate continental accolade commences with the eagerly anticipated group stage, with the decisive draw scheduled for August 31, 2023.

Among the eminent contenders, football giants such as Real Madrid, Manchester City, and Barcelona are poised to learn the identity of their group-stage adversaries, as they eagerly await the draw. Meanwhile, relative newcomers including Newcastle United, Lens, and Union Berlin are primed to embark on their maiden European voyages, riding the wave of qualification earned in the previous season.

The unveiling of the group stage dynamics will transpire as 32 teams, meticulously divided into four meticulously assembled pots of eight, find their fates intricately woven. The draw’s outcome will compose eight distinctive groups, each composed of four teams, effectively shaping the initial battlefield of the Champions League campaign.

For those seeking a comprehensive grasp of the intricate process that defines Champions League seeding in preparation for the impending group stage draw, Football-World has curated all the pertinent details and insights, meticulously outlined below.

An Elaborate Insight into the Participants of Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage

As previously hinted, the upcoming Champions League 2023-24 group stage will showcase a captivating assembly of 32 football teams, forming a dynamic tableau of talent and competition. Among them, 26 distinguished clubs have secured direct passage into the draw, while an additional six teams will grace the stage following their triumphant conquests in the qualifiers.

The qualified contingents are judiciously categorized into four distinct pots, each pot representing a nexus of achievement and acclaim. Pot 1 gathers the reigning title holders, the victors of the Europa League, and the champions of the upper echelons of the six premier national leagues, as ascertained through the prism of UEFA country coefficients. The subsequent three pots are meticulously populated in alignment with a team’s distinctive UEFA club coefficient, underscoring the measure of their European campaign prowess.

The conclusive occupants of Pot 3 and Pot 4 stand poised to be finalized subsequent to the decisive outcomes of the play-off encounters, which unfold in the run-up to the draw. Once the 32 teams have been judiciously grouped, their seeding into the aforementioned four pots initiates a deliberate equilibrium, followed by a deliberate random allocation into eight discrete groups. It’s important to note that the draw mandates that no two teams from the same football association can find themselves united within a single group, adding an additional layer of intrigue to the proceedings.

In-Depth Analysis of Champions League 2023-24 Group Stage Draw Seeding Pots

The intricate landscape of the Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw’s seeding pots has been meticulously unveiled by UEFA, serving as a prelude to the forthcoming season’s high-stakes contest.

In the wake of their resolute 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the final, Manchester City emerges as the triumphant titleholders, thus commanding their position at the pinnacle of Pot 1. Joining them in this coveted echelon is the triumphant Sevilla, who claimed the Europa League crown. Pot 1 further plays host to an elite cadre of champions hailing from the top six leagues within the UEFA coefficient hierarchy. Adding a delightful twist, Feyenoord, the Dutch champions hailing from the seventh-ranked association, also finds itself elevated to Pot 1, courtesy of Manchester City’s Premier League triumph.

The second pot takes on an intriguing dimension, housing a formidable assembly of five teams boasting prior Champions League victories. The distinguished company encompasses Real Madrid, the record-holding 14-time champions, as well as the esteemed Manchester United and Inter, each clinching the title thrice. The subsequent pots are strategically populated in alignment with the intricacies of UEFA’s coefficient ranking system, intricately delineating the realm of contenders.

A unique aspect characterizes the final two pots, awaiting the completion of the qualifying rounds to finalize their occupants. This dynamic scenario means that a trio of pre-qualified teams – Real Sociedad, Celtic, and Newcastle – remain on the brink, poised to embrace their pot assignments as other contenders emerge victorious via the playoff round.

Simultaneously, Union Berlin and Lens stand as exclusive representatives within Pot 4, their lack of Champions League experience granting them a distinct niche within the seeding structure.

 

Pot 1 Pot 2 Pot 3 Pot 4
Manchester City Real Madrid Shakhtar Donetsk Union Berlin
Sevilla Manchester United Salzburg Lens
Barcelona Inter Milan AC Milan TBC
Napoli Borussia Dortmund Lazio TBC
Bayern München Atletico Madrid Red Star Belgrade TBC
Paris Saint-Germain RB Leipzig Real Sociedad* TBC
Benfica Porto Celtic* TBC
Feyenoord Arsenal TBC TBC

Gearing Up for the Champions League Group Stage Draw: How to Tune In

Embarking on the journey of anticipation, football enthusiasts worldwide can partake in the live streaming of the Champions League 2023-24 group stage draw through the official UEFA website.

With the horizon set for the unveiling of the group stage dynamics, the upcoming 2023-24 Champions League promises to be a spectacle brimming with exhilaration. The prospect of several premier teams contending for coveted berths in the competition imparts an electrifying edge to the imminent draw. The group stage, in turn, offers a riveting platform for these prominent contenders to unleash their prowess, engaging in a spirited battle for the ultimate prize – the championship trophy.

The countdown to the Champions League group stage’s kick-off on September 19 is well underway. Casting a spotlight on the grand finale, the esteemed Wembley Stadium in London is poised to host the climax of the next season on Saturday, June 1. This culmination serves as a fitting crescendo to the exhilarating journey that commences with the group stage draw, shaping the trajectory of the elite football contest.

Sevilla and AS Roma reached the UEFA Europa League final after ou and Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal's second leg respectively.

Europa League Final Review

It was a night to reckon with for the Kings of the UEFA Europa League – Sevilla. By winning their seventh trophy and beating Mourinho’s Roma in penalties, the team from Seville has established itself as the undisputed champions in the history of the competition. The Rojiblancos kept their Europa League final record alive, as they made it seven trophies in seven appearances with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over the Giallorossi in Puskas Arena, Budapest on Wednesday.

This marks the fifth Europa League titles in 10 seasons for Sevilla. Sevilla Futbol Club are like no other team in terms of the Europa League. They made their way to the final fighting against clubs that had four times their budget, evicting Manchester United in the quarter-finals with aggregate of (5-2) and knocking-out Juventus with aggregate of 3-2 in the semi-finals. The 2022/23 season remains the worst season yet for Sevilla in 20 years, one in which they have had three managers and risked relegation.

Jose Luis Mendilibar took on the reins of managing the team in March, by then, Sevilla were two points off the relegation zone, after losing three of their last four matches and were ready to fall apart. Mendilibar was their last glimmer of hope, a man who had taken charge of more than 400 first-division games over a career that span as far back as 27 years but not at clubs such as this.

Both teams were equally matched and couldn’t be separated for 120 minutes of play, with the score line stuck at 1-1. Sevilla’s Moroccan shot-stopper, Bono, stood out in the penalties, he managed to save two important penalties consecutively from Mancini and Ibanez respectively, which helped Sevilla lift the Europa League trophy at the Puskas Arena in Budapest, Hungary.

Goalkeepers
Age
Nationality
Y. Bounou
Y.Bounou
Age:
32
32
M. Dmitrović
31
Alberto Flores
19
A. Pastor Vacas
22
M. Herzig
M.Herzig
Age:
23
23
Matías Árbol
21
Defenders
Age
Nationality
Alex Telles
AlexTelles
Age:
30
30
M. Acuña
M.Acuña
Age:
31
31
Navas
Navas
Age:
37
37
G. Montiel
G.Montiel
Age:
26
26
K. Rekik
K.Rekik
Age:
28
28
T. Nianzou
T.Nianzou
Age:
21
21
L. Badé
L.Badé
Age:
23
23
José Ángel Carmona
21
Marcão
Marcão
Age:
27
27
Pablo Pérez
22
Kike Salas
KikeSalas
Age:
21
21
J. Koundé
J.Koundé
Age:
24
24
Diego Hormigo
20
Midfielders
Age
Nationality
Isco
Isco
Age:
31
31
T. Delaney
T.Delaney
Age:
32
32
I. Rakitić
I.Rakitić
Age:
35
35
E. Lamela
E.Lamela
Age:
31
31
Óliver Torres
28
Fernando
Fernando
Age:
36
36
N. Gudelj
N.Gudelj
Age:
31
31
Suso
Suso
Age:
29
29
L. Ocampos
L.Ocampos
Age:
29
29
A. Januzaj
A.Januzaj
Age:
28
28
A. Gómez
A.Gómez
Age:
35
35
Joan Jordán
29
Pedro Ortiz
PedroOrtiz
Age:
23
23
Nacho Quintana
22
Juanlu Sánchez
20
Antonio Zarzana
21
Manu Bueno
ManuBueno
Age:
19
19
P. Gueye
P.Gueye
Age:
24
24
Lulo Dasilva
20
Forwards
Age
Nationality
K. Dolberg
K.Dolberg
Age:
25
25
M. El-Haddadi
28
L. Cruz Hernández
22
J. Corona
J.Corona
Age:
30
30
Rafa Mir
RafaMir
Age:
26
26
Y. En-Nesyri
26
Carlos Álvarez
20
Iván Romero
22
A. Martial
A.Martial
Age:
27
27
O. Idrissi
O.Idrissi
Age:
27
27
Rony Lopes
RonyLopes
Age:
27
27
Bryan Gil
BryanGil
Age:
22
22
Coach
Age
Nationality
Lopetegui
Lopetegui
Age:
57
57
Cristian Toro
43

A Tensed Game

The match was not without intensity. Both teams are known for their defensive styles, dirty play , and seldomly scoring a goal.

But from the start, both teams didn’t sit back but attacked vehemently with intent, creating chances to seize an early advantage in the game and this pulled through for Dybala at the 34th minute of the game. Sevilla fought back with intense build ups and attacks for the remaining part of the first half but to no avail. The second half started with Sevilla not losing its flare and intensity, and because of that at exactly 55th minute, they were recompensed with an equalizing own-goal from Mancini. Both teams were now back to square one, and remained so until the end of the match.

FOULS AND BOOKINGS

There were 13 bookings throughout the 120-minute span game, with 6 bookings levied on Sevilla and 7 booked on Roma.

Europa League Final Preview

Roma Manager Jose Mourinho has never lost a European Football final while Sevilla have won six European League finals in six appearances.

History has it that Sevilla remains the most successful team in regards to the European League bout and this may yet be an opportunity to lift the trophy a seventh time at the end of what has been a trying season.

With their third coach of the campaign, Jose Luis Mendilibar, after sacking Julen Lopetegui followed by its successor Jorge Sampaoli they narrowly escaped the torment of relegation and eliminated Manchester United and Juventus on their way to Budapest.

The Portuguese, Jose Mourinho, 60 has five major continental titles up his sleeve – two Champions League wins, two Europa League trophies with both Porto (2002/03) and United (2016/17) and last year’s victory in the inaugural Europa League Conference with the Italian side. Roma is sixth in the domestic campaign called Serie A, evicting the likes of Feyenoord and Bayer Leverkusen en route to the final.

What To Expect?

Squad
Goalkeepers
Age
Nationality
M. Svilar
M.Svilar
Age:
24
24
Rui Patrício
35
P. Boer
P.Boer
Age:
21
21
Defenders
Age
Nationality
R. Karsdorp
R.Karsdorp
Age:
28
28
C. Smalling
C.Smalling
Age:
33
33
Ibañez
Ibañez
Age:
24
24
M. Viña
M.Viña
Age:
25
25
R. Calafiori
21
F. Tripi
F.Tripi
Age:
21
21
F. Missori
F.Missori
Age:
19
19
L. Spinazzola
30
Z. Çelik
Z.Çelik
Age:
26
26
G. Mancini
G.Mancini
Age:
27
27
M. Kumbulla
M.Kumbulla
Age:
23
23
D. Keramitsis
19
Midfielders
Age
Nationality
J. Veretout
J.Veretout
Age:
30
30
L. Cherubini
19
G. Faticanti
19
M. Ivković
M.Ivković
Age:
17
17
G. Wijnaldum
32
B. Cristante
28
L. Pellegrini
27
N. Zaniolo
N.Zaniolo
Age:
24
24
N. Matić
N.Matić
Age:
35
35
M. Camara
M.Camara
Age:
26
26
E. Darboe
E.Darboe
Age:
22
22
E. Bove
E.Bove
Age:
21
21
C. Volpato
C.Volpato
Age:
19
19
Forwards
Age
Nationality
T. Abraham
T.Abraham
Age:
25
25
A. Belotti
A.Belotti
Age:
29
29
O. Solbakken
25
E. Shomurodov
28
S. El Shaarawy
30
P. Dybala
P.Dybala
Age:
29
29
Carles Pérez
25
N. Zalewski
N.Zalewski
Age:
21
21
B. Tahirovic
20
F. Afena-Gyan
20
Coach
Age
Nationality
José Mourinho
60
A. Spugna
A.Spugna
Age:
49
49

Sevilla Left-Back was sent off the pitch in the second leg of the semifinals against Juventus, hence he would be absent in today’s match.

Sevilla hitmen Suso and Papu Gomez staged their comebacks in training after injury.

Roma Center-back Leonardo Spinazzola returns after injury, Paulo Dybala should also be available since he was present in the training on Monday after his ankle injury, and his supporting striker, Stephan El Shaarawy should be in the line-up for the big game.

Possible Starting Line-ups:

Sevilla: Bounou; Jesús Navas, Badé, Gudelj, Alex Telles; Fernando, Rakitić; Ocampos, Óliver Torres, Bryan Gil; En-Nesyri

Roma: Rui Patrício; Mancini, Smalling, Ibañez; Zeki Çelik, Cristante, Matić, Spinazzola; El Shaarawy, Pellegrini; Abraham

 

The Trophy

Height: 62cm

Weight: 15kg

Design: Silver Cup with a yellow marble plinth

The 2022/23 winners also gain a place in the 2023/24 UEFA Champion League group stage.

 

Sevilla and AS Roma reached the UEFA Europa League final after ou and Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal's second leg respectively.

Sevilla and AS Roma oust Juventus and Leverkusen to reach Europa League final

Sevilla and AS Roma reached the UEFA Europa League final after ousting Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinal’s second leg.

Sevilla went to the UEFA Europa League final after beating Serie A giants Juventus 2-1 (3-2 on an aggregate) in a dramatic extra time at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium on Thursday in the second leg of the competition’s semifinal.

While Serie A sends one representative in the UEFA Europa League final following AS Roma’s win over Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen after the second leg between both sides ended in a goalless draw. Still, Il Lupi won 1-0 on aggregate due to the victory in the first leg.

Jose Mourinho is targeting a back-to-back victory with AS Roma after winning the UEFA Conference League trophy last season.

Sevilla vs Juventus

Both sides attacked each other, but all the goalkeepers displayed excellent saves in the first half.

Sevilla’s Bono and Juventus’ Wojciech Szczesny denied shots and headers from Federico Gatti and Lucas Ocampos, respectively. Szczesny also denied Marcos Acuna’s left-foot attempt. Juventus almost scored their first goal three minutes before the first half ended, but the referee considered Adrien Rabiot’s goal offside. The first half ended 0-0.

Biancoeri scored their first goal from Dusan Vlahovic in the 65th minute. But Sevilla equalized six minutes later from Suso’s outside-the-box shot. The match continued to the extra time after 90 minutes. The home team finally sealed the victory following Erik Lamela’s header from Bryan Gil’s crossing.

Sevilla played with ten men after Marcos Acuna was booked for the second time for wasting time before the throw-in. Juventus failed to equalize, and Los Palanganas succeeded in reaching the UEFA Europa League final.

If Sevilla win the final this season, the trophy will be their seventh. They have won six UEFA Europa League trophies so far, with the last win -was in 2019/2020, beating Inter Milan in the final.

Pragmatic football helps AS Roma to reach UEFA Europa League final

Bayer Leverkusen needed at least a two-goal win to get to the UEFA European League final following the loss in the first leg. Playing at BayArena, Xabi Alonso’s men pressed on the visiting side–managed by Alonso’s former boss at Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho.

Kerem Dermibray threatened the guests in the 7th minute, but AS Roma’s goalie Rui Patricio quickly caught the ball. Bayer Leverkusen intensified their attack in the second half, while AS Roma boosted their defence by playing Georginio Wijnaldum, who substituted Andrea Belotti.

Giallorossi’s solid defence prevented the home team from scoring a single goal. Lorenzo Pellegrini and colleagues went to the final on a 1-0 aggregate. The UEFA Europa League final between AS Roma and Sevilla will take place at Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary, on May 31.

This season’s final is Mourinho’s sixth final in European competition. Despite his controversial remarks, the Portuguese manager is one of the world’s most decorated and respected managers in football history. Mourinho helped his country’s club FC Porto win the UEFA Europa League (formerly known as UEFA Cup) in 2002/2003 and UEFA Champions League in 2003/2004.

In 2009.2010, the former Chelsea boss led Inter Milan to clinch the UEFA Champions League title. Then, he moved to Real Madrid. Mourinho brought the UEFA Europa League with Manchester United in the 2016/2017 campaign. Then, he led AS Roma to win the UEFA Conference League–set up by the UEFA with aims to give more opportunities for European clubs to compete in the competition–title last season.

Mourinho will face one of the toughest tests as Sevilla have beaten Italian clubs many times (including today’s match against Juventus).