Champions League draw: Mourinho’s quest for number 16 begins against Inter, Arsenal and Leipzig | MARCA
The Champions League draw sees José Mourinho facing a challenging group with Inter, Arsenal, and Leipzig as he aims for his 16th title.

Real Madrid has learned the identity of its opponents for the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League season following the draw held in Monaco. The club will face a total of eight teams, with four matches scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabéu and four others on the road.
Mourinho's Ambitious Return
This season marks José Mourinho's first Champions League campaign during his second tenure at Real Madrid. The Portuguese manager has a point to prove, as he aims to capture the coveted Big Eared trophy, which eluded him in his previous spell with the club. During that time, he reached three consecutive semifinals but failed to advance to the final. Having previously won the tournament with other clubs, Mourinho is determined to guide Madrid back to the pinnacle of European football.
Real Madrid's Group Stage Matches
The eight opponents drawn for Real Madrid include:
- Inter (home)
- Arsenal (away)
- PSV (home)
- Roma (away)
- RB Leipzig (home)
- Shakhtar (away)
- LASK Linz (home)
- AEK Athens (away)
The draw was conducted with the 36 participating teams divided into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients. As a result, each team will face two opponents from different pots, ensuring a mix of home and away fixtures. Madrid, placed in the first pot, was not drawn against other Spanish clubs and faced restrictions on the number of teams from the same country.
Upcoming Schedule and Format
While Real Madrid is aware of its opponents, the specific match dates and kick-off times are yet to be announced. UEFA is expected to release the schedule over the weekend, allowing fans to plan for both home and away matches. The tournament format remains consistent with previous editions, featuring a single standings table. The top eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while those finishing between ninth and twenty-fourth will compete in an intermediate two-legged round. The remaining teams will be eliminated without the option of entering the Europa League.
As the competition approaches, Real Madrid is gearing up for what promises to be an exciting Champions League campaign, with Mourinho at the helm and a strong lineup of opponents awaiting them.
Source: marca.com