Man City face Real Madrid while United draw Bayern in Champions League simulation

A simulation of Thursday’s Champions League league phase draw has produced a daunting set of opponents for both Manchester clubs, with City pitted against Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid, and United facing Bayern Munich and Inter Milan in their return to Europe’s premier competition.

The draw takes place in Monaco at 5pm on Thursday, when all 36 clubs will learn their eight league-phase opponents — two from each of the four seeding pots. Teams from the same country cannot be drawn against one another, ruling out a Manchester derby in the group stage.

Manchester City’s simulated draw

City, appearing in the Champions League for a 16th consecutive season, were handed a Pot 1 Spanish double-header in the simulation: hosting Atlético Madrid before travelling to the Santiago Bernabéu to face Real Madrid. The two clubs have met 13 times since 2020, making it one of the defining rivalries of the modern era.

Eredivisie champions PSV Eindhoven and Liga Portugal winners Porto fill the Pot 2 slots, while Feyenoord and Ligue 1 side Lille complete the middle section of the schedule. Lens and Stuttgart — neither of whom have previously faced City in European competition — round out the eight fixtures.

City’s simulated draw in full: Atlético Madrid (H), Real Madrid (A), PSV (H), Porto (A), Feyenoord (H), Lille (A), Lens (H), Stuttgart (A).

Manchester United’s simulated draw

United, back in the Champions League for the first time since the 2023/24 campaign, face a steep re-entry according to the simulation. Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and Serie A winners Inter Milan are their Pot 1 opponents — a pairing that leaves little margin for error from the outset. United last faced Bayern in 2023, losing 4-3 and 1-0 to crash out of the group stage.

Borussia Dortmund and Sporting CP provide the Pot 2 challenge, while Shakhtar Donetsk and Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt make up Pot 3. Newly promoted Serie A club Como and Lens complete the eight-game schedule.

United’s simulated draw in full: Bayern Munich (H), Inter Milan (A), Borussia Dortmund (H), Sporting CP (A), Shakhtar Donetsk (H), Bodø/Glimt (A), Como (H), Lens (A).

The actual draw on Thursday will confirm whether either club faces anything close to these simulated scenarios.