Champions League League-Phase Draw: Why Inter and Napoli Can Realistically Target a Top-Eight Finish
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Inter, Napoli, Roma and Como discovered their league-phase opponents in Thursday’s Champions League draw in Monaco, with Serie A set to have four representatives in the competition for 2026-27.
The draw, held at the Grimaldi Forum, confirmed the eight-game schedule for all 36 teams. As ever, the discussion in Italy quickly turned to who can avoid the February playoffs and go straight into the Round of 16.
On paper, Inter and Napoli look best placed to make the top eight.
How the draw worked
The 36 qualified clubs were split into four pots based on UEFA club coefficient over the last five seasons, with reigning back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain automatically in Pot 1.
Each team was drawn against two opponents from each pot – four games at home, four away – for a total of eight league-phase fixtures. The league phase kicks off on September 8.
A new UEFA rule this season also applied: clubs cannot host an opponent they already hosted in either of the last two league phases. For example, if Liverpool drew Real Madrid, that game would have to be at the Bernabeu, not Anfield.
Pot 1: PSG, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Inter, Manchester City, Arsenal, Barcelona, Atlético Madrid
Pot 2: Borussia Dortmund, Roma, Sporting CP, Aston Villa, Porto, Manchester United, Club Brugge, Real Betis, PSV
Pot 3: Feyenoord, Lille, Bodø/Glimt, Napoli, RB Leipzig, Villarreal, Shakhtar Donetsk, Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe
Pot 4: Slavia Prague, Slovan Bratislava, VfB Stuttgart, LASK, Como, Lens, Sabah FK, Viking, AEK Athens
After eight games, teams finishing 25th to 36th are eliminated. Teams 9th to 24th go into a two-legged knockout playoff in February, while the top eight qualify directly for the Round of 16 in March.
Shakhtar Donetsk will also play their home games at Chelsea’s Stamford Bridge this season due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Serie A outlook
Inter – Pot 1 – The Nerazzurri remain Italy’s most reliable European performer. Being in Pot 1 means they avoid Bayern, Real Madrid, Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Barcelona and PSG until the knockouts – they only face two other Pot 1 sides. That seeding, combined with squad continuity and experience of two deep runs in the last three years, makes a top-eight finish a realistic minimum target.
Napoli – Pot 3 – Their Pot 3 placing is misleading. Napoli’s coefficient is low because of limited recent European campaigns, but their squad level is far higher than a typical Pot 3 team. They will have to face two Pot 1 giants, but they will also get two Pot 4 opponents – where they will be strong favourites to take maximum points. That balance gives them a genuine chance to accumulate the 16-17 points that has been enough for top eight in the last two seasons.
Roma – Pot 2 – Back in the Champions League after a strong Serie A finish, Roma face a tougher path. As a Pot 2 side, they must play two Pot 1 heavyweights and cannot rely on coefficient protection. Consistency away from home will be key if they are to secure a seeded playoff spot.
Como – Pot 4 – The story of the season. Como’s qualification is historic, but Pot 4 means a brutal schedule – two opponents from each of Pots 1, 2 and 3. Survival and building coefficient will be the priority, with any points against Pot 1 sides a bonus.
Storylines to watch
The draw also threw up some emotional reunions. José Mourinho is set for a double reunion with two of his former clubs, Inter and Roma, while Como coach Cesc Fabregas returns to Barcelona – the club where he came through La Masia and later returned as a first-team player.
It sets up a league phase with plenty of narrative for the Italian sides, but on sporting merit alone, Inter and Napoli have the profile, depth and draw mechanics to push for direct qualification to the last 16.
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