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Picture Credit: UEFA

The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) on Thursday revealed the top clubs featuring in the eight groups for the Champions League 2022-23 season. After the UCL group stage draw, the UEFA has also announced the Player of the Year and the Coach of theYear awards for the 2021-22 season.

The group of death from the UCL 2022-23, Group C features the likes of Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich, LaLiga runners up Barcelona, Italian giants Inter Milan, and Czech club Viktoria Plzen. 

Defending champions Real Madrid are placed in Group F, which is comparatively easy as it also features RB Leipzig, Shakhtar Donetsk, and FC Celtic. However, it was a double delight night for the defending LaLiga champions as they bagged two prestigious awards from the ceremony in the men's category.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema was awarded the Men's Player of the Year 2021-22 trophy, while head coach Carlo Ancelotti won the Men's Coach of the Year 2021-22 award for their title winning run last season with the Spanish giants. Benzema had a stellar season as he found the back of the net 44 times for the Spanish club.

Apart from them, Spanish midfielder Alexia Putellas was named the Women's Player of the Year 2021-22. Putellas scored 11 goals in the UCL 2021-22 and became the top scorer of the season. Meanwhile,  England coach Sarina Wiegman won the Women's Coach of the Year trophy as she led  England to Women's EURO glory .

Apart from them, former Italian coach Arrigo Sacchi was honoured with the UEFA President's Award. Legendary coach Sacchi led AC Milan for back-to-back European Cups in 1989 and 1990. From 1991 to 1996, he coached Italy national team and reached the 1994 FIFA World Cup final, where they lost to Brazil in a penalty shoot-out.

After the UCL 2022-23 group stage draw ceremony, former Liverpool midfielder Steve McManaman told BT Sport, "Liverpool's draw is possibly the most difficult of the English sides. Liverpool against Rangers stands out. I'm really looking forward to it. They know each other and the fans will be happy going up to Glasgow."