Chelsea will face Bayern Munich and Barcelona in the Champions League league phase after the draw was completed in Monaco this evening.
The Blues are back in Europe’s most prestigious competition for the first time since the 2022/23 season where they were knocked out by Real Madrid in the quarter-final stage. After a two-year absence, Chelsea will take on Bayern Munich (away), Barcelona (home), Benfica (home), Atalanta (away), Ajax (home), Napoli (away), Pafos (home) and Qarabag (away).
The dates and times for these games will be announced on Saturday. Chelsea will come up against Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena in what will be a difficult test to see how far Enzo Maresca’s players have come over the past 12-or-so months.
Likewise, Barcelona at Stamford Bridge will test the players to the limit. There are some – what look like – challenging trips to Italy to take on Napoli and Atalanta, while the Blues will also go head-to-head with Cypriot side Pafos in west London. A trip to Qarabag in Azerbaijan will cause travel chaos for Blues supporters.
Benfica and Ajax, both at home, present challenges to Chelsea, but ones you think the world champions should come through. It will be interesting to see, once the dates and times are confirmed by UEFA, how the congestion looks with fitting in Premier League games. Of course a 5000-mile round trip to Qarabag is not the best preparation for Maresca and his players no matter what.
Learn more
Before the draw got underway, Chelsea were recognised for last season’s Conference League glory by UEFA. The Blues were handed a special award with the Conference League completing their UEFA collection in terms of trophies won. The club’s COO, Jason Gannon, was invited on stage to collect the award from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.
Gannon said: “Yes, it has been an exciting few years for the club. On behalf of over 120 years at Chelsea Football Club, the board players, staff and supporters – thank you to UEFA, this is so special to us.
“I’d say this follows our success in the Conference League last season. It was such a special moment for us and our young squad to have meaningful football in Europe and develop throughout. To follow our successful European campaign with a successful domestic campaign being the youngest squad to qualify for the Champions League. It’s incredible to be here and receive this award.”
He added: “Every club in this room has aspirations to win. We have been successful in this tournament in the past but what matters most is what’s next.
“To be here and be part of this tournament is an honour and it is the best concentration of football. It will be special to bring Champions League football back to Stamford Bridge this season.”
