Union Saint-Gilloise has been drawn against Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Atalanta Bergamo, Atletico Madrid, Marseille, Newcastle United, PSV Eindhoven, and Galatasaray for the league phase of the Champions League.
The Belgian champions will host Inter, Atalanta, Marseille, and Newcastle, while playing away games against Bayern, Atletico, PSV, and Galatasaray.
The draw was conducted by football legends Kaká and Zlatan Ibrahimović. For Club Brugge, Bayern Munich, Atalanta, and Marseille were also drawn, alongside Barcelona, Arsenal, Monaco, Sporting CP, and Kairat Almaty.
Club Brugge will host Barcelona, Arsenal, Marseille, and Monaco, while facing long-distance travel to Almaty. They will also have away fixtures against Bayern, Atalanta, and Sporting CP.
The celebration of Royale Union Saint-Gilloise supporters and players, Sunday 25 May 2025 in Brussels, after winning the 2024-2025 'Jupiler Pro League' first division of the Belgian championship. Union defeated KAA Gent 3-1. Sunday 25 May 2025 in Brussels. Credit: Belga / David Pintens
The exact order of the matches will be announced on Saturday, though the matchdays are already set. The first round of games is scheduled for 16, 17, and 18 September, followed by matchdays on 30 September-1 October, 21-22 October, 4-5 November, 25-26 November, 9-10 December, 20-21 January, and 28 January.
The top eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while teams placed ninth through 24th will contest play-offs on 17-18 February (first leg) and 24-25 February (second leg) for a spot in the knockouts.
Thrilled with draw
Union Saint-Gilloise CEO Philippe Bormans has expressed satisfaction with the club's Champions League group stage draw, calling the upcoming matches "fixtures to look forward to".
Speaking at a press conference in Monaco on Thursday evening, Bormans said the draw is always a bit of a gamble but believes Union has been rewarded with dream matchups.
"We came here seeking top fixtures, and that’s exactly what we’ve got," he remarked. Bormans is particularly excited about Union’s first home game, which he said will be very special for the team, as well as their highly anticipated clash against Bayern Munich. He urged the team to savour the experience of competing at such a high level.
"This is something extraordinary," he said. "We are here among the best clubs in the world. Moments like this are what you play for."
Midfielder Anouar Ait El Hadj also shared his enthusiasm for the draw, highlighting the encounter with Bayern Munich as a standout experience.
Credit: Belga / AFP
"That match will be truly memorable," he said. "We’re playing against a great team in a stunning stadium. On top of that, Vincent Kompany, who launched my professional career at Anderlecht and gave me opportunities to develop, is now their head coach. Even then, you could see he was a brilliant manager, and he’s earned the right to lead a club like Bayern."
Union’s Champions League journey will take them to Munich, Madrid, Eindhoven, and Istanbul, while they will also host Inter Milan, Atalanta, Marseille, and Newcastle at Anderlecht's Lotto Park.
While Ait El Hadj acknowledged the thrilling nature of the draw, he is well aware of the challenges ahead.
"These are fantastic fixtures, but they won’t be easy," he admitted. "This is the Champions League – every match will be tough. Our opponents are of a very high calibre, and we’ll need to be one hundred per cent focused for every single game."
