Revamped Champions League Draw: Bayern-Barcelona, Real Madrid-Liverpool set to clash in new league phase format

Defending champions Real Madrid will face off against Liverpool in the highly anticipated new-look Champions League format for the 2024-25 season. With a combined total of 21 Champions League titles, the clash between these two football giants is sure to be a spectacle to watch. The draw, which was determined by a computerised system in Monaco, also set up a thrilling match between Bayern Munich and Barcelona in what promises to be a must-watch fixture in the revamped phase of the competition.

✅ Home and away opponents for Pot 4 teams ✈️#UCLdraw pic.twitter.com/G22WtdPeMb

In a repeat of the 2018 and 2022 Champions League final, holders Real will face Liverpool in the revamped league phase with the tie taking place at the iconic Anfield Stadium. The clash will be iconic considering both teams have a rich history in the competition. Real will also face AC Milan in the league phase with both teams sharing 15 and seven titles respectively.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side also face Borussia Dortmund and Salzburg at home while Atalanta and Lille await in the away ties.

Bayern Munich and Barcelona meet in another big tie of the Champions League initial phase. The last two times Bayern and Barcelona have met in the initial phase the latter has failed to qualify for the knockout stage. The most famous meeting between the sides came in August 2020 when Bayern beat Barcelona 8-2 in a single-legged contest.

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REAL MADRID (ESP)

Borussia Dortmund (h), Liverpool (a), AC Milan (h), Atalanta (a), Salzburg (h), Lille (a), VfB Stuttgart (h), Brest (a)

MANCHESTER CITY (ENG)

Inter Milan (h), Paris Saint-Germain (a), Club Brugge (h), Juventus (a), Feyenoord (h), Sporting Lisbon (a), Sparta Prague (h), Slovan Bratislava (a)

BAYERN MUNICH (GER)

Paris Saint-Germain (h), Barcelona (a), Benfica (h), Shakhtar Donetsk (a), Dinamo Zagreb (h), Feyenoord (a), Slovan Bratislava (h), Aston Villa (a)

PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN (FRA)

Manchester City (h), Bayern Munich (a), Atletico Madrid (h), Arsenal (a), PSV Eindhoven (h), Salzburg (a), Girona (h), VfB Stuttgart (a) 

LIVERPOOL (ENG)

Real Madrid (h), RB Leipzig (a), Bayer Leverkusen (h), AC Milan (a), Lille (h), PSV Eindhoven (a), Bologna (h), Girona (a)

The dates for the fixtures will be announced on Saturday (Aug 31) after a meeting with the broadcasters.