2023-24 Champions League Group Stage Draw Reaction
The 2023-24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw took place on Friday and has left us with much to think and be excited about. In this post, I am going to look at each of the eight groups that were drawn, giving my reaction and predictions for each of them.
Without further ado, let’s hop right into it.
Group A
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
I am not even lying when I say this, but when I initially saw this group, my initial reaction was that Manchester United will not get out of the group. Why am I saying this? Because Galatasaray is legitimately very good.
During this transfer window, they have signed Mauro Icardi, Angeliño, Wilfried Zaha and Hakim Ziyech. Their attack is dangerous, and United’s defense has looked shaky so far this season. I don’t think United will fancy a trip to Turkey, and I think Galatasaray will have what it takes to beat United for a knockout spot.
Also, expect Bayern to dominate while Copenhagen straggles along in fourth.
Prediction: Bayern Munich, Galatasaray, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen
Group B
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV, RC Lens
This is a much tougher group for Arsenal than some people might think it is. First of all, Sevilla is always a handful in Europe. Yes, they might be far better in the Europa League, but they still have plenty about them to cause some mayhem.
PSV beat Arsenal 2-0 in the Europa League group stage last season. They are good, and with the American trio of Sergiño Dest, Ricardo Pepi and Malik Tillman, it will be fun to see what PSV can do.
Lens, while they may look like the weakest team here, are here for a reason. They finished second in Ligue 1 last season, just one point off of PSG. Although they lost Loïs Openda to RB Leipzig and Seko Fofana to Saudi Arabia, they are still a capable side that could cause a massive headache for the other teams in this group.
Arsenal should take care of business, however. They are the best team in this group, and their quality should see them through. I like PSV to finish in second. Sevilla just seems like a Europa League team, and with the abysmal start to the La Liga season that they have had, this only seems right. Lens finishes in fourth.
Prediction: Arsenal, PSV, Sevilla, RC Lens
Group C
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, SC Braga, Union Berlin
This one is good. You have to back Real Madrid to top the group. Although Vinicius Júnior‘s injury will set them back, Madrid might still be the best team in the world right now. Jude Bellingham has been an absolute revelation since moving to the Spanish capital, and Madrid looks incredibly solid in all positions minus in goal.
Napoli might be able to rival Madrid for the top spot, however. Although losing Kim Min-jae to Bayern was a massive blow, the Italian champions have picked up where they left off last season in Serie A. With Victor Osimhen and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in attack, all things are possible, and Napoli looks ready to challenge Madrid at the top of Group C.
Union Berlin’s journey to qualifying for the Champions League is truly a remarkable one. While all of the neutrals will be rooting for them, they unfortunately suffered a tough draw and are unlikely to reach the knockout stages. I do think they finish ahead of Braga, however, and have a nice run in the Europa League.
Prediction: Real Madrid, Napoli, Union Berlin, SC Braga
Group D
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Red Bull Salzburg, Real Sociedad
This is a sneaky good group. First of all, Inter Milan reached the 2023 Champions League final and has started the Serie A season strong with two wins from two games. Benfica and Real Sociedad are both very good sides, and Salzburg has a tendency to wreak havoc in Europe.
With all of that said, I think Inter Milan will win this group. I like Benfica for second with Sociedad close in third. Salzburg will win a surprising game or two but will finish at the bottom of the group.
Prediction: Inter Milan, Benfica, Real Sociedad, Red Bull Salzburg
Group E
Group E: Feyenoord, Atlético Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Atlético Madrid is the best team in this group and should take care of business.
Second place, however, should be more interesting. Feyenoord, Lazio and Celtic all will have a decent shot at claiming second place.
While Celtic and Feyenoord are good sides, I am backing Lazio to grab second place in the group. The Stadio Olimpico is as intimidating of an atmosphere as any in Europe, and I think a good run of form at home will see Lazio through.
Celtic will push Lazio to the end but will finish in third place despite winning some impressive games. Feyenoord will finish in fourth.
Prediction: Atlético Madrid, Lazio, Celtic, Feyenoord
Group F
Group F: PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle United
Forget about this being the group of death, this might be the most stacked Champions League group I have ever seen. I mean, come on, how does this even happen? How do you have PSG, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan and Newcastle in the same group?
While this draw is aggravating for fans of these four teams, it has provided the rest of us with some of the most mouthwatering games the Champions League group stage could offer. Watching PSG come to St. James’ Park and Christian Pulisic and Yunus Musah‘s AC Milan battle Gio Reyna‘s Borussia Dortmund is getting me excited just thinking about it.
Now, while these games are sure to not disappoint, predicting who will win the group is a challenge. It is likely to be a battle between PSG, Milan and Newcastle at the top. While Dortmund is a good team, they are realistically a step behind the rest and will finish in last.
I am backing Newcastle to win the group. I think they will be incredibly solid at home, something that will give them the advantage they need to win the group. PSG is the best team on paper and should have the quality to get through as well. Milan, while they are a good team and have had an electric start to the season, will finish in third, narrowly behind Newcastle and PSG.
Prediction: Newcastle United, PSG, AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund
Group G
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Manchester City has been given a pretty straightforward group as they look to defend their Champions League crown. Yes, Leipzig could pose some problems, but this is City we are talking about. Granted, they will be without Kevin De Bruyne during their group stage matches, but they still have likely the most talented team in the world across the field. And oh yeah, they have Erling Haaland as well.
While City should take care of business pretty comfortably, Leipzig should be able to secure second place without too much of a fuss. While you never want to underestimate any team in the Champions League, Leipzig is far more talented than Red Star and Young Boys.
It will be fun to see how Leipzig handles Joško Gvardiol‘s return to the Red Bull Arena. They could use this as motivation and I could definitely see them winning this game. City is too good, however, and Leipzig will finish in second place.
While it is a toss up for third in my opinion, I am backing Young Boys to finish in third while Red Star will finish in fourth.
Prediction: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Young Boys, Red Star Belgrade
Group H
Group H: Barcelona, FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
While this group lacks some of the appeal that the other groups have, there is potential for excitement. Barcelona is definitely the best team on paper, and while I think they will take care of business, I am predicting a Royal Antwerp victory in Belgium. I have no real reason for saying this other than my gut and my heart are telling me it will happen. If, and when, Antwerp wins, you can call me a prophet.
Porto is a good team, and no team will enjoy trips to Portugal to play them, including Barcelona. Shaktar as well has the hopes of a nation on their shoulders and will play inspired football. There is definitely potential for this to be an interesting group.
Barcelona should win this group relatively easy. Xavi will have his side up for the task, and apart from a stumble in Belgium, will walk their way into the knockout stages.
I think Royal Antwerp will pull a Brugge and reach the knockout stages. It will be close between them and Porto, but I think Antwerp will win enough games at home to see them through. Porto will finish in third while Shakhtar will find themselves at the bottom of the group.
Prediction: Barcelona, Royal Antwerp, FC Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk
Final Thoughts
With this being the final year before the transition to the league phase format of the Champions League, it is only fitting that we have a blockbuster group. Group F is going to offer some of the most exciting games you could ever see in the Champions League, all in the group stage.
I am also curious to see how Arsenal does in their return to the Champions League. After a six-year absence, the Gunners look incredibly strong and ready to compete in Europe’s most prestigious competition yet again. However, will Mikel Arteta really have his side ready to go once the ball kicks off?
Let me know in the comments what you all think. Which groups are you most excited to watch? What predictions did I get right? And of course, what predictions do you disagree with?
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