Viktoria will face three big clubs in Group C of the Champions League – Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Inter Milan. This was decided by today´s draw in Istanbul, where the final of the most prestigious club competition will also take place next June. The Czech champions faced Bayern in UCL back in 2013, with Barcelona two years earlier. Let´s take a look at all the opponents coming to the West Bohemian capital.

This will be the fourth time that the West Bohemians will appear in the main stage of the Champions League! They will enter the opening group match on 6 or 7 September.

In the draw, former Manchester City midfielder Yaya Touré drew the ball with Plzeň´s name as the very last of the 32 teams, sending them into one of the toughest groups. Bayern, Barcelona and Inter have all won the Champions League in the past.

Bayern München (GER)

Pot: 1

UEFA coefficient ranking (end of 2021/22): 1

How they qualified: German champions

Last season: Quarter-finals (L 1-2agg vs Villarreal)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1973/74, 1974/75, 1975/76, 2000/01, 2012/13, 2019/20)

Coach: Julian Nagelsmann

Now 35, Nagelsmann became the youngest coach in Bundesliga history when he took the Hoffenheim reins aged 28 in October 2015. In his first full season in charge, he led them to a fourth-place finish in 2016/17, and earned a Champions League slot. He continued to impress in two seasons at Leipzig prior to joining Bayern in summer 2021, and won the German title in his first campaign there.

Key player: Joshua Kimmich The glue that binds Bayern´s defence and attack, Kimmich cemented his reputation as the beating heart of the Bundesliga champions´ midfield last season. Now in his eighth full season in Munich, the 27-year-old is being touted as a future club captain.

Big summer signing: Sadio Mané An integral part of the Liverpool side that ended the Reds´ 30-year wait for a top-flight title and reached three Champions League finals in five seasons, Mané arrives in Munich looking to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski´s departure for Barcelona.

One to watch: Ryan Gravenberch Gravenberch became a vital cog in the Ajax midfield under Erik ten Tag, playing in 88 Eredivisie, cup and European matches in his final two seasons in Amsterdam. Still just 20, this elegant, strong, smart and skilful product of the Ajax youth development system has everything required to reach the very top.

Did you know? Bayern were the top scorers in the group stage last season with 22 goals, and they also extended their record unbeaten streak in Champions League away games to 22 matches before losing at Villarreal in the quarter-finals.

Barcelona (ESP)

Pot: 2

UEFA coefficient ranking (end of 2021/22): 6

How they qualified: Spanish runners-up

Last season: Group stage (third place), Europa League quarter-finals

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1991/92, 2005/06, 2008/09, 2010/11, 2014/15)

Coach: Xavi Hernández

One of Barcelona´s most decorated players, Xavi has transformed the Blaugrana following his appointment as Ronald Koeman´s successor. After guiding the club up from ninth to second in La Liga last term, big things are expected of the former midfielder in his first full season at the helm.

Key player: Pedri

Pedri turns 20 in November but has become a key cog in the Barça machine over the past two seasons since joining from Las Palmas. Blessed with a grace on the ball that has earned comparisons with coach Xavi´s former team-mate Andrés Iniesta, the youngster has the passing ability and eye for goal to match.

Big summer signing: Robert Lewandowski

The relentless Polish marksman broke Gerd Müller´s 1973 record of 43 German league goals in a calendar year last term as Bayern sealed a tenth consecutive title. Only Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have scored more goals than the prolific frontman since the start of the 2011/12 campaign.

One to watch: GaviAnother La Masia midfield graduate, Gavi became the youngster-ever player to feature for Spain last season when he made his debut aged 17 years 62 days, adding the title of La Roja´s youngest-ever goalscorer to his already burgeoning list of achievements at 17 years 304 days when he registered against Czech Republic earlier this year.

Did you know? Last season, Barcelona failed to make it through the group stage for the first time since 2000/01. They scored just twice in that campaign; their lowest previous Champions League group stage tally was seven.

Inter (ITA)

Pot: 3

UEFA coefficient ranking (end of 2021/22): 23

How they qualified: Italian runners-up

Last season: Round of 16 (L 1-2agg vs Liverpool)

Best European Cup performance: Winners (1963/64, 1964/65, 2009/10)

Coach: Simone Inzaghi

A Serie A and three-time Coppa Italia winner as a player with Lazio, the 46-year-old also brought a domestic cup to Rome during his five seasons in charge. Took over from Antonio Conte last summer, winning the domestic Super Cup and Coppa Italia in his first campaign at the helm.

Key player: Lautaro Martínez

Nicknamed ´The Bull´, Martínez ended the 2021/22 campaign with 25 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions – his best haul since arriving in Milan from Argentinian side Racing Club in 2018. Formed a prolific partnership with Romelu Lukaku, who has returned for a second season on loan from Chelsea.

Big summer signing: Romelu Lukaku

Belgium´s all-time top goalscorer returns to the club for whom he scored 24 league goals in 2020/21, as Inter won their first Scudetto in 11 years. Has previously enjoyed prolific spells at Anderlecht, West Brom, Everton and Manchester United.

One to watch: Kristjan Asllani

Only the second Albanian player to represent the Nerazzurri, the 20-year-old Asllani became a linchpin of Empoli´s midfield during his time with the Tuscan club. Blessed with an exceptional first touch and an exquisite passing range, the two-footed midfielder is one of Serie A´s most exciting prospects.