Bayern Munich draw Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid in Champions League league phase

Eight opponents, four home games and four away. That's the map Bayern Munich were handed for the new Champions League league phase, and right off the bat it's clear this won't be a walk in the park. The draw left Vincent Kompany's side with three heavyweight tests: Arsenal, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid, plus five more matchups that demand respect even if they carry less name recognition.

The schedule, as it now stands, reads as follows: Arsenal (home), Manchester United (away), Atletico Madrid (away), Real Betis (home), Viking Stavanger (away), Slavia Prague (home), Lille (away) and Bodo/Glimt (home).

What stands out is that Bayern will run into none other than last season's runner-up. Arsenal reached the final a year ago and now lands directly in Bavaria's path, at the Allianz Arena. On top of that comes a continental classic if there ever was one: the trip to Old Trafford to take on Manchester United, a fixture with plenty of history in this competition. And as if that weren't enough, there's also Atletico Madrid, who this year will play at the very stadium hosting the final.

The club didn't hold back its reaction. Jan-Christian Dreesen, the CEO, was among the first to speak and didn't mince words about what lies ahead.

"Overall, these are opponents we respect, but that we want to beat. Atletico Madrid is always a tough opponent, and Manchester United at Old Trafford in front of a fantastic crowd. At home we'll face Arsenal, English champions and finalists last season. Then we have some lesser-known opponents, like Viking Stavanger. I'm really looking forward to that match and the trip to Norway."Jan-Christian Dreesen

Sporting director Max Eberl was more direct about the underlying goal: finishing in the top eight of the overall standings, which would avoid the uncertainty of the playoff round and secure direct passage to the round of 16.

On the players' side, Manuel Neuer spoke on behalf of the squad and went through the upcoming challenges one by one. The goalkeeper noted that the matchup with Arsenal "has become a classic in recent years" and that facing Atletico at the stadium that will host the final carries a special edge, since everyone in the locker room dreams of stepping back onto that pitch for the tournament's decider. He also didn't skip a warning about Bodo/Glimt, who produced big upsets in Europe last season, nor about Lille, Slavia Prague, Betis and Viking Stavanger.

Serge Gnabry, for his part, already has one match circled on the calendar: the trip to Madrid to face Atletico, one of the fixtures he's most looking forward to in this new league phase.