Champions League draw: Inter, Roma face Real Madrid; Napoli meets Man City

The draw for the new single-group phase of the UEFA Champions League has set Italian giants Inter Milan and AS Roma on a collision course with 14-time winners Real Madrid. The Nerazzurri will also face challenges from Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund, while Roma's path includes Paris Saint-Germain.

Napoli has been pitted against reigning English champions Manchester City, and Como will face the formidable challenge of Barcelona. These matchups promise exciting encounters as Europe's elite clubs begin their quest for the coveted trophy.

The draw, held in Monte Carlo, marks the beginning of the continent's most prestigious club competition, now expanded to 36 teams. This new format features a single league phase where teams play eight matches, determining a final ranking for the knockout stages. The tournament represents a significant financial windfall, with 2.5 billion euros in prize money to be distributed among the participants.

Real Madrid, seeking to extend their record of success, enters the competition alongside other top European clubs. The draw places teams into four pots based on their UEFA coefficients, ensuring a competitive balance. Inter, having reached two finals in recent years, enters as the highest-ranked Italian team.