The draw for the group stage of the Champions League took place on Thursday evening, with five La Liga sides involved in Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Villarreal. There’s five clubs involved because Villarreal won last season’s Europa League despite finishing outside of the top four, beating Manchester United in the final in Gdansk.
All set for the 2021/22 season! 🤩
Which Champions League group are you most excited for?#UCLdraw | #UCL pic.twitter.com/gpOCzlRtOd
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 26, 2021
Atletico have been drawn in Group B, alongside Liverpool, Porto and Milan. Madrid are in Group D, alongside Inter, Shaktar Donetsk and Sheriff. Barcelona are in Group E, alongside Bayern Munich, Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv. Villarreal are in Group F, alongside United, Atalanta and Young Boys. Finally, Sevilla are in Group G, beside Lille, Salzburg and Wolfsburg.
There’s mouthwatering clashes elsewhere, too. Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos’ Paris Saint-Germain take on Manchester City in Group A, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s presence also possible in that game should he return to England as has been mooted.
PSG always gets the toughest draw.
Madrid gets a cakewalk.
Everyona else is fairly balanced.