Who Manchester United and Man City could face in Champions League as draw pots become clearer
12.06.2023 - 08:15
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
Manchester City and Manchester United now have a clearer understanding of who they could face in the group stages of next season's Champions League after City's triumph in the competition on Saturday evening in Istanbul.
City were crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan. Midfield enforcer Rodri scored the only goal of the game, sweeping home the winner with just over 20 minutes of normal time left on the clock.
It ensured the Blues completed an incredible Treble, matching United's achievement from the 1998/99 campaign. It means they will have ambitions of now becoming a dominant force in Europe and retaining their Champions League crown next season.
Even though City would have been in Pot 1 anyway because of their Premier League title victory, winning the Champions League this season means they will be the jewel in the crown in the draw. They have been joined in Pot 1 by Europa League winners Sevilla, who they will face in August in the UEFA Super Cup final.
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City and Sevilla, who beat United on their way to winning the Europa League, will be joined in Pot 1 by the champions of the top six European leagues, plus Feyenoord, who won the Eredivisie. They have been promoted from Pot 3 due to City winning the Premier League.
Pot 2 contains some of Europe's biggest clubs, including United, Premier League rivals Arsenal and Real Madrid. They have been joined in the second pot by the likes of beaten finalists Inter and Borussia Dortmund.
Pot 3, at the time of writing, only contains five clubs so far, with the three remaining clubs to be decided once the qualifying campaign has