With the group stage matchups for the Champions League now decided, the tournament is also set to bring about reunions between players and clubs who once played together but are now on opposite sides.
Take Manchester City: they will face Napoli, now home to Kevin De Bruyne, a club legend at the Etihad. The 33-year-old Belgian signed a two-year contract with the Italian champions on a free transfer after his deal with the Premier League holders came to an end.
Erling Haaland playing for Borussia Dortmund
There will also be a reunion between Erling Haaland and Borussia Dortmund—the club where the striker first rose to international prominence. Now a key figure at Manchester City, the Norwegian will line up against the Bundesliga outfit at the Etihad Stadium.
This will be the second time the forward has faced his former club. He found the net against Dortmund during the 2022-23 Champions League campaign in their first meeting following his move to City.
Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool applauds the fans on April 20, 2025
Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to meet Real Madrid, in what will be their first encounter with Trent Alexander-Arnold since the full-back left Anfield after two decades. He departed on a free transfer at the end of his contract.
His exit left a bitter taste among some at the Merseyside club. New Reds manager Arne Slot admitted he was disappointed by the player’s decision to leave.
Alexander-Arnold joined Liverpool’s youth setup at the age of six and went on to make over 350 senior appearances, collecting eight major honours. According to ESPN, he rejected a lucrative new deal at Anfield that would have made him one of the best-paid full-backs in world football.
"I think we're all disappointed, but Trent was the first to say he doesn't want us as a club and as a team to be too distracted by this announcement. I hope all the energy goes to the players," Slot said at the time.
kylian Mbappe playing for AS Monaco
Before becoming a global icon at Paris Saint-Germain and now Real Madrid, Kylian Mbappé made his breakthrough at AS Monaco. Although he has already faced his former club in Ligue 1 while at PSG, this will mark his Champions League debut against Monaco—now in the colours of Real Madrid.
Romelu Lukaku playing for Chelsea
Napoli manager Antonio Conte will also come up against a former club in Chelsea. On the same Italy–England axis, Romelu Lukaku is set to meet the Blues once more—but this time from the opposite dugout.
The Belgian striker played for Chelsea during the 2021-22 campaign before being sold to Napoli, and this will be his first Champions League appearance against his former side.
His departure from Stamford Bridge was not without controversy. Speaking after his move, Lukaku criticised the club structure: "Chelsea is a business. They do not let you leave, and they wear you down."
Chelsea will also face another familiar figure in Brazilian centre-back David Luiz. The 38-year-old spent six seasons with the west London club and now plays for Cypriot side Pafos FC, who are set for their Champions League debut. Luiz joined the club this summer following a spell at Fortaleza.
Malik Tillman of PSV celebrates on May 12, 2025
PSV Eindhoven will also come up against a familiar face when they play Bayer Leverkusen at the BayArena. Malik Tillman, who spent three years with the Dutch side, will make his Champions League debut for Leverkusen. The midfielder joined the Bundesliga champions in a €35m deal (around £30m).
Benfica's Alvaro Carreras pictured in May 2025
Elsewhere, David Neres and Alvaro Carreras will also meet former teammates from their time at Benfica. The Brazilian winger has joined Napoli ahead of his maiden Champions League season with the Azzurri, while Carreras, 22, was signed by Real Madrid for a significant fee following two strong campaigns in Portugal and will now wear the Spanish side’s shirt.
This article was originally published on Trivela.
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