Champions League guide: Group F in focus

Fixtures and UK kick-off times

Celtic vs Real Madrid (September 6, 8pm) 

RB Leipzig vs Shakhtar Donetsk (September 6, 8pm) 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Celtic (September 14, 5.45pm) 

Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig (September 14, 8pm) 

RB Leipzig vs Celtic (October 5, 5.45pm) 

Real Madrid vs Shakhtar Donetsk (October 5, 8pm) 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs Real Madrid (October 11, 8pm) 

Celtic vs RB Leipzig (October 11, 8pm) 

Celtic vs Shakhtar Donetsk (October 25, 8pm) 

RB Leipzig vs Real Madrid (October 25, 8pm) 

Real Madrid vs Celtic (November 2, 5.45pm) 

Shakhtar Donetsk vs RB Leipzig (November 2, 5.45pm)

Teams

Crowned kings of Europe for a record-extending 14th time last season, Real Madrid — ever a threat in this competition — will be aiming to retain the Champions League for the third time in seven years. 

Carlo Ancelotti’s side saw off Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City en route to the final in the French capital, where Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike proved to be the difference against Liverpool. 

Making their fourth successive group stage appearance are Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, who reached the semi-finals two years ago. 

Leipzig lost in the last four of the Europa League last term, having finished third in a Champions League group containing City and PSG — although they did take points off both. 

Shakhtar Donetsk find themselves in the same group as Real for the third season running and will hope to repeat their double triumph in the 2020-21 edition.

As Ukraine continues to fight Russia’s invasion, expect Shakhtar — whose home matches will take place in Warsaw — to carry the flag of their homeland with immense pride. 

Scottish champions Celtic complete the Group F line-up as they appear in the Champions League proper for the first time since 2017-18. 

The Glaswegian giants became the first British club to lift the European Cup in 1967 — but for all their domestic dominance, they have struggled in Europe in recent times.

Key matches

With Real strong favourites to top Group F, the most decisive contests might come between the rest of the teams in the group. 

Leipzig do not face Los Blancos until their third outing and winning their opening two matches at home to Shakhtar and away to Celtic could put them in the driving seat to secure second spot. 

However, Celtic will hope to send out a message by springing a surprise when they host Real in the cauldron of noise that is Celtic Park in their opener.

One to watch: Karim Benzema

Aged 34, Karim Benzema might not have many years left at the very highest level — but Real’s star striker and skipper has been in the form of his life over the past 12 months or so. 

Last term, Benzema became just the third player — after Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski — to notch 15 or more goals in a single Champions League campaign.

The Frenchman amassed 44 strikes in all competitions in 2021-22 — and he has already found the net four times in four outings so far this season. 

Hot prospect: Mykhaylo Mudryk

Dubbed the Ukrainian Neymar, 21-year-old Shakhtar sensation Mykhaylo Mudryk has been linked with Arsenal and Everton this summer. 

The rapid winger — who provided four assists in a single game last term — earned his first senior international caps earlier this year and started Shakhtar’s 2-1 loss to Real at the Bernabeu 10 months ago.

He may not be a household name just yet but a handful of dazzling performances in the group stages could see the young forward earn the recognition his talent deserves.

LiveScore verdict

Real Madrid 
RB Leipzig 
Shakhtar Donetsk 
Celtic 

Real won five out of six group games in 2021-22 — a shock defeat to minnows FC Sheriff the only blemish on their record — and it would be no great surprise to see them take 18 points from 18 this time around. 

But Leipzig might at least keep them on their toes and perhaps they can draw inspiration from last season’s showings against Europe’s elite as they look to progress to the round of 16 themselves. 

War in their native Donbas region has forced Shakhtar into a nomadic existence since May 2020 — and the Ukrainian champions’ latest relocation may impact their top-two chances. 

As for Celtic, advancing to the Champions League knockout phase for the first time in four attempts looks to be a tall order.