The draw lands Thursday, and one tie is already impossible
Thursday brings the Champions League league-phase schedule for all 36 clubs. Supporters will find out their eight opponents and, just as importantly, which of those trips they need to book.
One pairing is already dead. Liverpool will not host Real Madrid at Anfield this season. Not because the clubs cannot be drawn together, but because that specific arrangement is barred.
The rule has existed for two years, since the new format arrived. Hardly anyone knows about it.
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What the regulation actually says
UEFA’s wording covers the case where two teams have met in the league phase, are drawn together again the following season with the same home side, and would then face a third identical pairing. That third repeat is blocked.
Put simply: no club can host the same opponent three seasons running in the league phase. The aim is to spare travelling supporters the same journey year after year, and to reduce repeat fixtures in a format built on an automated draw.
Liverpool tick every box.
Two Anfield meetings, two Reds wins
Liverpool have hosted Real Madrid in each of the last two editions. Anfield both times. Liverpool won both times. That allowance is now spent.
The consequence is straightforward. Should Thursday’s draw pair them again, the game goes to the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid get home advantage by default, whether they wanted it or not.
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