The UEFA Champions League draw for the 2024-25 season has been announced, introducing a revolutionary new format that will reshape Europe’s premier club competition. The tournament will now feature 36 teams in a single league phase, replacing the traditional group stage structure.Real Madrid, the defending champions, have been drawn into a challenging set of fixtures. They will face Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool, AC Milan, Atalanta, Salzburg, Lille, Stuttgart, and Brest. This draw sets up intriguing rematches, including a clash with Liverpool, whom Real Madrid defeated in the 2022 final.The new format, dubbed the ‘Swiss model’, will see each team play eight matches against different opponents, drawn from four seeded pots. Importantly, no team will face another from its domestic league, and there’s a maximum of two opponents from any single country. The top eight teams after this phase will directly qualify for the quarterfinals, while teams ranked 9th to 24th will compete in playoffs.Real Madrid’s Director of Institutional Relations, Bortraguenio, acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, “We have tough opponents, we know it won’t be easy to play against Liverpool at Anfield, and AC Milan, but we have a lot of confidence in our group”.This Champions League draw comes at a time when Real Madrid is struggling in La Liga. They recently drew 1-1 with Las Palmas, leaving them four points behind Barcelona after just three games. The team’s new star signing, Kylian Mbappé, is yet to score in the league, highlighting the integration challenges faced by Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.The first matches of this new-look Champions League are set to kick off on September 17, with the league phase running until January 29. As UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin put it, this format promises “more football” for fans across Europe, setting the stage for an exciting and unpredictable tournament.
Key points
- UEFA Champions League introduces new 36-team league phase format for 2024-25 season.
- Real Madrid drawn against tough opponents including Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund.
- Real Madrid currently struggling in La Liga, sitting four points behind Barcelona.
- New format features eight matches per team, with top eight directly qualifying for quarterfinals.
