By Victor Kanayo
UEFA on Thursday evening conducted draws for the 2023/24 Champions League group fixtures with Newcastle, Manchester United, Napoli facing uphill tasks.
According to the fixtures available to Heritage Times HT from the organisers, Newcastle United will play European giants Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan in Group F, 10 years after returning to the continent club competition stage.
Newcastle Hurdles
Incidentally, they will battle three sides that have all at least reached the final in the past 16 years.
Newcastle’s long-awaited return to Europe’s elite competition has been much anticipated after they finished fourth in the Premier League last season – but their draw could barely have been more difficult.
Eddie Howe’s side will play PSG, who reached the final in 2020, and seven-time European champions and last season’s semi-finalists AC Milan in Group F.
They will also play Borussia Dortmund, who won the competition in 1997 and most recently reached the final 10 years ago.
Twist For Manchester Sides
For Manchester United, they will play Bayern Munich, Copenhagen and Galatasaray in group A.
League holders Manchester City will face minor issues in group G with RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys being the other opponents.
Group Stage Duration
The group stages will run from September 19 to December 13, with the final at Wembley on 1 June.
Full Group Fixtures
Group A: Bayern Munich, Manchester United, FC Copenhagen, Galatasaray
Group B: Sevilla, Arsenal, PSV Eindhoven, RC Lens
Group C: Napoli, Real Madrid, Braga, Union Berlin
Group D: Benfica, Inter Milan, Salzburg, Real Sociedad
Group E: Feyenoord, Atletico Madrid, Lazio, Celtic
Group F: Paris St-Germain, Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, Newcastle Unied
Group G: Manchester City, RB Leipzig, Red Star Belgrade, Young Boys
Group H: Barcelona, Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, Royal Antwerp
