The serious business now begins in the 2024-25 Champions League. On Thursday, UEFA held the draw for the league phase – introduced for the first time this season. Atletico Madrid, who have been to the final on three occasions, were among the teams to learn their opposition for matches taking place between September and January.
Atletico Madrid have been matched up against RB Leipzig (home) and Paris Saint-Germain (away) from Pot 1; Bayer Leverkusen (home) and Benfica (away) from Pot 2; Lille (home) and Red Bull Salzburg (away) from Pot 3; Slovan Bratislava (home) and Sparta Praha (away) from Pot 4.
💣🚨 BREAKING – Atlético Madrid’s opponents in the UCL:
Leipzig (H)
PSG (A)
Leverkusen (H)
Benfica (A)
Lille (H)
Salzburg (A)
Bratislava (H)
Sparta Praha (A) pic.twitter.com/U0jsMSfL0o— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 29, 2024
Diego Simeone will be satisfied with this draw. They have avoided any of the major players from Pot 1, although the Kylian Mbappe-less PSG will still be very tough – especially considering it’ll be played in the French capital. A stern test against Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen is also to come. However, Atletico Madrid should certainly fancy their chances of qualifying inside the top 24 will ease.
