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The UEFA Champions League 2019-20 group stage draws took place in Monaco on Thursday 29 August, providing a prelude to the exciting campaign ahead. The 32 teams in the competition this season were divided into 8 groups of 4 teams each, with some interesting matchups to come.
European football's battle for continental supremacy kicks off on September 17, 2019, as Lyon hosts Zenit St. Petersburg at the Groupama Stadium, and Inter Milan takes on Slavia Praha.
With 96 matches to be played in the group stage, we take a look at some of the most enthralling contests you shouldn't miss.
Group D: Atlético Madrid vs Juventus
Juventus defeated Atlético Madrid in a Champions League classic last season, as the Spanish side was dealt a huge blow in the second leg of their round-of-16 match by the perennial party spoiler, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Diego Simeone's side led 2-0 after their home tie, and without conceding an away goal to the Italian team, they seemed to have a foot in the quarter-final stage.
However, Ronaldo had other plans, as he does so often against Atleti. An 86th-minute penalty to take the aggregate score to 3-2 in favour of Juventus confirmed that in football it's never over until the fat lady sings.
Simeone was left distraught that night, and would certainly remind his players of the harsh defeat when the teams square off in this season's group stage.
When: 18 September and 26 November 2019
Group B: Tottenham Hotspur vs Bayern Munich
Tottenham's last competitive game against Bayern Munich was in December 1983, as the English side ran out 2-0 victors in the UEFA Cup. Bayern Munich has since won two UEFA Champions League titles in contrast to Tottenham's tame presence in the European competition.
However, after taking part in the Champions League final last term, the Lilywhites will look to build on that.
Bayern's Manuel Neuer has already stated that the race will be against Tottenham for the top spot. It will certainly be exciting to see a proper tussle between these two technically gifted teams, as they are managed by young managers with similar philosophies.
When: 1 October and 11 December 2019
Group E: Napoli vs Liverpool
After being drawn together in the group stage of the competition last season, Napoli and Liverpool will once again lock horns for a place in the round of 16.
Jurgen Klopp expects an emotional Napoli to fight for qualification this year after coming a close third in a group which also had French champions, Paris Saint-Germain, last time out.
"In the pre-season games, when we won 5-0 in Dublin [in 2018] I was not interested in the result. Now this year we lost 3-0 and that's not too interesting, but you see how good they are.
Carlo has such experience and has won the competition so often [three times]. When they went out last year, it was pretty close, so they will remember that and it will be emotional, I am pretty sure."
Neither team was able to score away goals in the two ties last season, as both games ended in 1-0 home team wins. It should be a straight-forward scuffle for the top spot between these two sides in a group which includes KRC Genk and Red Bull Salzburg.
When: 17 September and 27 November 2019
Group F: Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund
The mind games have already begun. Dortmund's twitter handle took a cheeky jibe at Barcelona's corner defending abilities. It was a subtle reminder to Barca, as they were outfoxed by Liverpool via a corner last term, costing them a place in the final.
Has Borussia Dortmund awoken a sleeping giant? As a neutral, this particular matchup will be enthralling!
Interestingly, both teams have never faced off in the Champions League. Their only encounter came in the UEFA Super Cup final of 1997. Barca won.
When: 17 September and 27 November 2019
Group A: Paris Saint-Germain vs Real Madrid
Having faced Real Madrid 4 times in the UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain is yet to emerge victoriously.
In the 2017-18 round of 16, Madrid won both legs on their way to a 3rd-consecutive UCL title. Both teams were also paired in the 2015-16 group stage, with PSG failing to score in either game.
The French champions will look to set the record straight this season in a group also having Galatasaray and Club Brugge. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are back in their favourite competition with Zinedine Zidane at the helm.
When: 18 September and 26 November 2019
