Chelsea will be hoping for a better UEFA Champions League showing in 2022/23, having been handed a relatively kind draw.
The 2020/21 champions failed to defend their title last season, as they were knocked out by eventual winners Real Madrid in the quarterfinals.
The Blues have generally performed well in the Champions League group stages and the only time they failed to progress to the knockout stages was in 2012/13.
They were one of 32 teams in the pots at the Champions League group stage draw in Istanbul, Turkey on August 25 and Thomas Tuchel's side now know their opponents with their adventure beginning with an opening group match on September 6/7.
MORE: Who will win the 2022/23 Champions League? Betting odds and favorites
Chelsea's Champions League group and opponents in 2022/23
Chelsea have been drawn in Group E and will face AC Milan, FC Salzburg and Dinamo Zagreb in the group stages.
Group E
- AC Milan
- Chelsea
- FC Salzburg
- Dinamo Zagreb
AC Milan
The Rossoneri have seven Champions Leagues titles to their name and are Italy's most successful team in Europe. Milan, whose star forward Rafael Leao has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge, won just one game in the group stage last season as they failed to progress to the knockouts.
FC Salzburg
The Austrian side made the last 16 last season before suffering a humiliating 8-2 aggregate defeat to Bayern Munich despite drawing the first leg 1-1.
Dinamo Zagreb
Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb are into the group stages for the eighth time. They beat Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt in their Champions League playoff.
MORE: Group stage draw time, date and procedures
Chelsea Champions League odds
Chelsea are currently 14/1 with Sky Bet, +1400 with Draft Kings, 10.58 with Sports Interaction and 17.00 with Bet365 to win the Champions League.
The odds to win/qualify from Group E are currently:
| Club | Odds to win group (USA: FanDuel) | Odds: Win, Qualify (UK: SkyBet) | Odds to win group (Canada: SportsInteraction) | Odds to win group (Australia: Bet365) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | -250 | 1/3, 1/20 | 1.33 | 1.33 |
| AC Milan | +350 | 3/1, 1/3 | 3.80 | 4.33 |
| RB Salzburg | +1200 | 10/1, 15/8 | 11.40 | 11.00 |
| Dinamo Zagreb | +5500 | 50/1, 14/1 | 55.60 | 51.00 |
Odds correct as of Aug. 26
Chelsea Champions League fixtures 2022/23
Chelsea will face each other side in their group twice, home and away, on the following dates:
| Matchday | Dates | Fixture | Time (UK) | Time (USA) | Time (Canada) | Time (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sept. 6-7, 2022 | @ Dinamo | 17:45 BST | 12:45 ET | 12:45 ET | 02:45 AEST |
| 2 | Sept. 13-14, 2022 | vs. Salzburg | 20:00 BST | 15:00 ET | 15:00 ET | 05:00 AEST |
| 3 | Oct. 4-5, 2022 | vs. Milan | 20:00 BST | 15:00 ET | 15:00 ET | 06:00 AEDT |
| 4 | Oct. 11-12, 2022 | @ Milan | 20:00 BST | 15:00 ET | 15:00 ET | 06:00 AEDT |
| 5 | Oct. 25-26, 2022 | @ Salzburg | 17:45 BST | 12:45 ET | 12:45 ET | 03:45 AEDT |
| 6 | Nov. 1-2, 2022 | vs. Dinamo | 20:00 GMT | 16:00 ET | 16:00 ET | 07:00 AEDT |
Should Chelsea finish as one of the top two teams in their group at the conclusion of the six group-stage matches, they would advance to the knockout stages, beginning with the Round of 16.
Here's the road through the knockout rounds to the final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.
| Round | 1st Leg | 2nd Leg |
|---|---|---|
| Round of 16 | Feb. 14-22, 2023 | Mar. 7-15, 2023 |
| Quarterfinals | Apr. 11-12, 2023 | Apr. 18-19, 2023 |
| Semifinals | May 9-10, 2023 | May 16-17, 2023 |
| Final | June 10, 2023 | |
Chelsea history in the Champions League
Chelsea have won the UEFA Champions League twice in their history, with their two triumphs both coming in the past 11 years.
The Blues regularly feature in the knockout stages of the competition, only once failing to get out of the group stage (2012/13).
| Season | Stage reached | Eliminated by |
|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | Quarterfinals | Real Madrid |
| 2020-21 | Won | (beat Man City) |
| 2019-20 | Round of 16 | Bayern Munich |
| 2017-18 | Round of 16 | Barcelona |
| 2015-16 | Round of 16 | PSG |
| 2014-15 | Round of 16 | PSG |
| 2013-14 | Semifinals | Atletico Madrid |
| 2012-13 | Group stage | 3rd in Group E |
| 2011-12 | Won | (beat Bayern Munich) |
| 2010-11 | Quarterfinals | Man United |
| 2009-10 | Round of 16 | Inter Milan |
| 2008-09 | Semifinals | Barcelona |
| 2007-08 | Final (Runner-up) | Manchester United |
| 2006-07 | Semifinals | Liverpool |
| 2005-06 | Round of 16 | Barcelona |
| 2004-05 | Semifinals | Liverpool |
| 2003-04 | Semifinals | Monaco |
| 1999-00 | Quarterfinals | Barcelona |