Twitter explodes after exciting Champions League match-ups
by Sachin Bhat
PSG and Manchester United meet again! (Photo by Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images)
Europe’s heavyweights lock horns in exciting UCL draws!
The group stage draws for the UEFA Champions League 2020/21 season was held in Geneva, Switzerland on Thursday, and once again, delivered several exciting matchups that already have the fans thrilled for this month’s kick-off.
Reigning champions Bayern Munich were drawn in Group A alongside Atletico Madrid, who played each other four times in 2016, while last season’s runners-up Paris Saint-Germain will have an early reunion with RB Leipzig, whom they beat in the semi-finals just two months ago.
There are several teams who’ll also be meeting for the very first time too, and numerous players going head-to-head against their former sides, to put the cherry on top. Here’s the result of the draw in full:
The official result of the #UCLdraw! 🤩
Most exciting group stage match? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/d7ynuEjPq3
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 1, 2020
As the whole schedule was released last night, the first round of games will be played on the 20th and 21st of October, and concluding on the 9th and 10th of December.
Like always, the draws sent the Twitteratti into delirium, drawing all kinds of reactions from fans, pundits, clubs, etc. alike. Here we look at some of the best ones:
How some of the pundits reacted to the draw:
Will take that Champions League group all day long.
— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) October 1, 2020
The draw was once again kind for Chelsea…
Pretty similar to the last Champions League group for Chelsea.
Chelsea *should* be the best team in and have avoided super clubs. Equally, no obviously easy games. #CFC #UCLDraw
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 1, 2020
So Chelsea draw Sevilla … but I’d be more scared of that if it was for the Europa League, lol.
— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) October 1, 2020
Manchester United meet a familiar foe:
Tasty-looking group for United so far, albeit against clubs whose success is manufactured. Not the same sense of occasion as when they faced Juve two years ago https://t.co/0SlnvECrJf
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 1, 2020
New rivals on the horizon for 2019 champions Liverpool –
Liverpool drawn in Group D of the Champions League with Ajax. First competitive meeting between the two clubs since 1966. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) October 1, 2020
Good omens for the Manchester teams?
Champions League draw and a double rainbow appears over Manchester. Think that means a Utd v MCFC European Cup final. pic.twitter.com/Z0ceu3Dbmi
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) October 1, 2020
#UCLdraw</a>! 🤩</p>
<p>Most exciting group stage match? 🤔 <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://t.co/d7ynuEjPq3">pic.twitter.com/d7ynuEjPq3
<p>— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/ChampionsLeague/status/1311703319686066176?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>As the whole schedule was released last night, the first round of games will be played on the 20th and 21st of October, and concluding on the 9th and 10th of December.</p>
<p>Like always, the draws sent the Twitteratti into delirium, drawing all kinds of reactions from fans, pundits, clubs, etc. alike. Here we look at some of the best ones:</p>
<h3>How some of the pundits reacted to the draw:</h3>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Will take that Champions League group all day long.</p>
<p>— Leanne Prescott (@_lfcleanne) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/_lfcleanne/status/1311703031956869120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The draw was once again kind for <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://theprideoflondon.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chelsea</a>…</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pretty similar to the last Champions League group for Chelsea. </p>
<p>Chelsea *should* be the best team in and have avoided super clubs. Equally, no obviously easy games. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#CFC</a> <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#UCLDraw</a></p>
<p>— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/NizaarKinsella/status/1311702263925288962?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">So Chelsea draw Sevilla … but I’d be more scared of that if it was for the Europa League, lol.</p>
<p>— Alex Goldberg (@AlexGoldberg_) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/AlexGoldberg_/status/1311696159627509767?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p><a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://reddevilarmada.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manchester United</a> meet a familiar foe:</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Tasty-looking group for United so far, albeit against clubs whose success is manufactured. Not the same sense of occasion as when they faced Juve two years ago <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://t.co/0SlnvECrJf">https://t.co/0SlnvECrJf
<p>— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/samuelluckhurst/status/1311699108294529024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>New rivals on the horizon for 2019 champions <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://rushthekop.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Liverpool</a> –</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Liverpool drawn in Group D of the Champions League with Ajax. First competitive meeting between the two clubs since 1966. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/LFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#LFC</a></p>
<p>— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1311694196621836291?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Good omens for the Manchester teams?</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Champions League draw and a double rainbow appears over Manchester. Think that means a Utd v MCFC European Cup final. <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://t.co/Z0ceu3Dbmi">pic.twitter.com/Z0ceu3Dbmi
<p>— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/AndyMitten/status/1311701008544915456?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Easy-peasy for Manchester City! </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_484873" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-484873" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1228059547.jpeg" alt="Champions League" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1228059547.jpeg 3200w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1228059547-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Manchester City got yet more easy draws! (Photo by FRANCK FIFE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<p>While the Champions League continues to produce several high-profile clashes, there’s a recurring pattern developing every year, and it’s not a popular one – <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://mancitysquare.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Manchester City</a>, once again, were handed an easy group to negotiate with, drawing FC Porto, Olympiacos, and Marseille in Group C.</p>
<p>https://twitter.com/ManCity/status/1311702323740188677</p>
<p>Even though each of those sides is capable of causing upsets, the sheer quality in Pep Guardiola’s side right now makes it impossible to imagine an outcome other than the Skyblues streamrolling into the last-16 as group leaders once again.</p>
<p>For the past couple of seasons, the former Premier League champions have been really lucky to have avoided most of the big boys in the first round and get a relatively safe passage into the knockout rounds.</p>
<p>However, being dropped into Pot 2 this year by the virtue of finishing second in the league, City were more likely to been have drawn in a tough group, against one of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, PSG, Juventus, or even Sevilla.</p>
<p>Yet, they were fortuitous to have avoided every single one of them, and ending up in another straight-forward group on paper, with all due respect to the other teams. And it certainly elicited a hilarious response from the fans.</p>
<h3>Here’s how the fans reacted to City’s ‘easy’ draw:</h3>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Man City fans swear UEFA have some elaborate agenda against them and then they get drawn against teams from Uzbekistan every year</p>
<p>— Pøgba Senior (@TheSaItIsHere) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/TheSaItIsHere/status/1311699899247996929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Not the most challenging list of opponents, is it?</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="tl" dir="ltr">🔵 Manchester City's <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#UCL</a> group stage opponents since 2017</p>
<p>🇵🇹 FC Porto<br>🇬🇷 Olympiacos<br>🇫🇷 Marseille<br>🇮🇹 Atalanta<br>🇺🇦 Shakhtar Donetsk x3<br>🇭🇷 Dinamo Zagreb<br>🇫🇷 Lyon <br>🇩🇪 Hoffenheim<br>🇮🇹 Napoli<br>🇳🇱 Feyenoord</p>
<p>🤔 🤷♂️ <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/UCLDraw?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#UCLDraw</a></p>
<p>— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/WhoScored/status/1311705258956029964?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">UEFA banned us and still gave us an easy draw.</p>
<p>It’s a Man City thing.</p>
<p>— Ben (@CitysEra) <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://twitter.com/CitysEra/status/1311694975588069381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 1, 2020</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Ronaldo vs Messi - It's the battle of the 'GOATS' in Group G! </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_468693" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-468693" src=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1154,w_1600/https%3A%2F%2Fplayingfor90.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F955420494.jpeg" alt="Champions League" width="1600" height="1154" srcset="https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/955420494.jpeg 1600w, https://playingfor90.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/955420494-768x554.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">And they meet again! (Photo credit should read JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Of all the exciting draws we were treated to, the pick of the bunch has to be Juventus against <a href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://everythingbarca.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Barcelona</a>, and for obvious reasons – Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi resume hostilities in the ‘battle of the GOATS’; their first on-field meeting since May 2018!</p>
<p>Two of the greatest to have ever graced the sport, the eternal rivals have produced several iconic moments in their past meetings, especially in the <em>El Clasico</em> duels, and the latest one promises to be equally exhilarating too, even if it’s only a pair group games and not a knockout tie.</p>
<p>Of course, there are many more interesting key battles here (Frenkie De Jong vs Matthijs De Ligt, Philippe Coutinho vs Paolo Dybala, Miralem Pjanic vs Arthur, etc.), but everyone’s most eagerly looking forward to watching the ‘footballing Gods’ go head-to-head again. Twice.</p>
<p>Messi and Ronaldo have clashed five times in the Champions League before, but never in the round-robin phase!</p>
<h2>The last face-off?</h2>
<p>Juventus host Barcelona in the first leg of the tie at the Allianz Stadium on 28th October, while the Camo Nou return is scheduled for 8th December, the final matchday of the group phase.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Manchester United move for former Arsenal target" data-url="https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/01/manchester-united-former-arsenal-target/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background: #0" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/03/twitter-explodes-exciting-champions-league-match-ups/"https://playingfor90.com/2020/10/01/manchester-united-former-arsenal-target/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Manchester United move for former Arsenal target </a> </div>
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<p>Which Champions League game are you most looking forward to?</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
