Atlético Madrid, Athletic Club and Villarreal have learned their group-stage fixtures for this season’s Champions League following Thursday’s draw. All three clubs will be hopeful of advancing to the knockout rounds, given the quality in their squads.
Atlético Madrid: tough start with a mix of big-name tests
– The campaign opens with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool, before hosting Eintracht Frankfurt at the RiyadhAir Metropolitano.
– They travel to Arsenal on MD3, then face Union Saint-Gilloise and Inter in back-to-back home matches.
– PSV away follows, then a trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray.
– Diego Simeone’s side finish the league phase at home, hosting Bodø/Glimt.
Athletic Club: glamour trips and European nights
– Athletic’s first match back in the competition is at San Mames against Arsenal.
– They then face tricky trips to Borussia Dortmund and Newcastle United on MD2 and MD4, with a home match against Qarabag in between.
– The second half of the league phase starts in Prague against Slavia Praha.
– They host European champions Paris Saint-Germain, then visit Atalanta, before ending at home to Sporting CP.
Villarreal: a demanding opening run
– Villarreal begin away to Tottenham Hotspur, and then host Juventus and Manchester City.
– Back-to-back away trips follow to Pafos and Dortmund.
– They then have home fixtures against FC Copenhagen and Ajax, with their final game in Germany against Bayer Leverkusen.
What this means for each club
– Atlético Madrid will be looking to secure a top-eight finish, leveraging their experience in Europe to navigate a demanding group.
– Athletic Club and Villarreal will be aiming for playoff qualification, with the quality in their squads giving them chances to challenge for a knockout-stage spot.
Additional context and angles
– The lineup features several high-profile matchups that should produce some standout European nights, including clashes with Arsenal, PSG, Manchester City and Tottenham.
– The varied travel schedule, including matches in several different countries, will test squad depth and rotation plans across the group stage.
– The presence of traditional European powerhouses alongside rising or mid-table clubs should make for an engaging competition and could set the tone for each club’s domestic season.
Overall, the draw sets up a compelling chapter for each club, with Atlético perhaps carrying the expectation of a strong run, while Athletic Club and Villarreal will be motivated to push into the knockout phase through the playoff routes.
Commentary
– A positive takeaway is the potential for memorable clashes that can boost fan engagement and player development across all three clubs.
– The schedules also present opportunities to showcase talent on big stages early in the season, which can help with sponsorship, recruitment and building team morale.
Summary
– Three Spanish clubs face contrasting but equally challenging routes in the Champions League group stage, with Atlético aiming high, and Athletic and Villarreal targeting playoff progression.