Real Madrid, Stuttgart clash in brand new Champions League
Real Madrid and Stuttgart meet in the first matchday of the brand new league phase of the Champions League on Tuesday night.
In the first-ever meeting between the two sides, holders Real Madrid will look to make a perfect start as they begin their quest for title number 16.
For the unprecedented 15-time Champions League winners, Real Madrid will begin the new campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu, three months after beating another German club in the final.
Real faced four clubs from Germany on their road to London last season, playing Union Berlin in the groups, RB Leipzig in the last 16 and juggernauts Bayern Munich in the semi-finals.
The hosts will be glad of playing another here, as Real’s record against German opposition is excellent in the Champions League, losing just one of their last 21 – winning 14.
Based on the UEFA coefficient, Real got one of the kinder draws for the league phase, but Stuttgart are, on paper, one of the toughest pot four sides in the competition.
The holders will also welcome Dortmund to the Bernabeu in a repeat of last season’s final, while they also must travel to face Liverpool and Europa League winners Atalanta.
As reigning champions, Real Madrid will enter this opening day fixture as heavy favourites, and they should extend their unbeaten start to the season with a victory despite some possible absences in midfield.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Liverpool kick-start campaign away at AC Milan
Liverpool begin their Champions League campaign away at AC Milan. The Reds have been dealt a mixed bag on the European front during Arne Slot’s first season in charge at Anfield. Having lost to Nottingham Forest in surprise fashion on Saturday, the pressure is on the first time since replacing Jurgen Klopp.
A trip to San Siro is a difficult start, while Real Madrid are also due to visit Anfield in the revamped first phase of Europe’s elite club competition. So too are German champions Bayer Leverkusen, with a certain Xabi Alonso in charge.
Games against Bologna, RB Leipzig, Girona, Lille and PSV are perhaps more favourable but Slot will be keen to get things off to a positive start in Milan this week.
Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott has been ruled out of action for around a month due to a fractured foot. Federico Chiesa has not made his debut yet, so it’ll be interesting to see whether or not he’s included in Tuesday’s squad.
Ac Milan coach Paulo Fonseca has struggled during the early stages of his tenure at Milan despite a big win over Venezia, so Liverpool should feel confident despite the Forest loss.
Credit: standard.co.uk
Aston Villa travel away to face Young Boys
One of five teams making their Champions League debut this season, Aston Villa kick off their league phase campaign on Tuesday, as they visit Young Boys in Bern.
The clubs’ first competitive meeting comes with Villa flying high in the Premier League and the hosts struggling at the start of their Swiss title defence.
Becoming the 11th English team to feature in the Champions League proper, Aston Villa will finally return to UEFA’s elite competition after 41 years of waiting, after the Birmingham club broke into England’s top four last season.
Suffering just one loss to Arsenal so far, Emery’s men came from two goals down to beat Everton 3-2 at Villa Park on Saturday.
However, ahead of their history-making trip to Bern on Tuesday, Villa have won just twice in 11 European away matches, including a chastening defeat in Greece that sealed last term’s semi-final exit.
Soon to face Bayern and Juve again, they will be keen to get points on the board against Swiss opposition: all four of Villa’s previous meetings with teams from Switzerland came in the Intertoto Cup, but two decades later they are finally back in the big time.
With Barcelona next up for Young Boys – and Bayern Munich awaiting Aston Villa – the pressure will be on both sides to start with a win.
It may be a stalemate, though, as Villa are less convincing away from home and YB seem to be recovering from a sluggish start to the season.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Bayern Munich welcome Dinamo Zagreb to the Allianz Arena
Setting off on their 17th straight year in the Champions League, German giants Bayern Munich will welcome Dinamo Zagreb to the Allianz Arena on Tuesday evening.
The six-time European champions were knocked off their perch in the Bundesliga last season but have started brightly this term, while Dinamo claimed top spot again in Croatia and are back for another crack at the big time.
Part of the furniture in UEFA’s top club competition, Bayern Munich’s 17 successive group-stage appearances have all resulted in qualification for the last 16, and they boast a proud record in the first phase of the Champions League.
The Bavarian side are unbeaten in 40 group matches, of which they have won no fewer than 36 and had triumphed in a record-setting 17 on the spin before being held at home by Copenhagen last season.
Following their lowest league placing since 2011, a relative rookie, Vincent Kompany, was appointed to rejuvenate an ageing squad, and he has so far overseen four straight wins in all competitions.
After Leroy Sane returned to the matchday squad for the first time this season on Saturday, Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany should have all of his main men available in midweek.
Bayern have won 20 of their last 25 Champions League home games, losing only once, so it is a daunting first-day trip for Dinamo to make.
Blessed with an abundance of in-form attacking options, the hosts can continue in that vein and put three points on the board straight away.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
League Stage Fixtures
Bayern München 20:00 Dinamo Zagreb
