Grapevine

By Standard Media
Aug 30, 2024

Holders Real face Liverpool, BVB in new-look Champions League

Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring last season.[Courtesy,X]

Holders Real Madrid will face Liverpool away and host Borussia Dortmund in a repeat of last season's final in the league stage of the new-look Champions League, the draw for which took place on Thursday.

Every team will play eight games against eight different opponents in the new format of Europe's elite club competition, with all 36 clubs now pooled together into one league rather than split into groups.

Madrid, who have signed France superstar Kylian Mbappe since winning a record-extending 15th European Cup, will also notably play AC Milan at home and will go to Atalanta.

Real beat last season's Europa League winners Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup in Warsaw earlier this month.