The Champions League is back. 3.5 months of waiting have come to an end. For the first time in history, the tournament will be held in a new format. And the first round will bring us a couple of important matches and a lot of cool intrigues. About them – in our article.
All about the new Champions League format:
All about the new Champions League format. There won’t be a Swiss system after all.
How will Aston Villa’s first Champions League game in 41 years end?
Aston Villa will play in the Champions League main round for the first time since 1983! The Birmingham team then lost to Juventus in the quarter-finals. Will it be possible to at least repeat the result? First, they have to go through the eight-match group stage. The first for Villa will take place in Switzerland. The Young Boys are not the toughest opponents. But in the qualifying round, the Swiss eliminated the formidable Galatasaray. So they can make a gift.
Unai Emery
Photo: Richard Pelham/Getty Images
Full Main Stage Schedule:
MY GOD
All 144 Champions League main stage matches. What better games await us in the new format!
Juventus start in the Champions League with Motta
Juventus will play their first Champions League match under Thiago Motta. The Turin team is flourishing under the new coach, turning from an “old lady” into a progressive team. Yes, Juve cannot be considered favourites in the Champions League, but the Italians can go far. In the first match they host PSV at home. The Eindhoven team has a solid squad by Dutch standards and started the season with four wins in the Eredivisie. So Juventus (like us) will have an interesting and difficult match.
They told how Juve is transforming:
Juventus is reborn. Motta is a beauty after Allegri’s horrors
Will we see great football from teams that are not the best?
It’s not the brightest of cards. But in terms of the quality of football, we’re in for a top-class match. Sporting is probably the most progressive club in Portugal. This is what coach Ruben Amorim did, who in the spring was a couple of steps away from working at Liverpool or West Ham. But he stayed in Lisbon and continues to build a great project. Lille lost Paulo Fonseca in the summer, but that didn’t stop them from qualifying for the Champions League. And now the French go to Lisbon in search of their first victory on the main stage.
Real Madrid begins title defence
Real Madrid is the reigning Champions League winner. This is a familiar scenario for us over the past 10 years. Is Madrid going to stop? No. Kylian Mbappé, who dreams of the Champions League trophy, has been signed for new victories. On Matchday 1, Real Madrid host Stuttgart at home. A tough opponent, but Madrid is obliged to beat them and speed up the tournament. Or are we waiting for a sensation?
Real Madrid is the current champion of the Champions League.
Photo: Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Is Ibappé an oligarch?
All of Kylian Mbappé’s money
Classic poster for the Champions League and the main match of the 1st round.
We hear “Milan” – “Liverpool” – we remember the “miracle of Istanbul”. Or the 2007 Champions League final. In general, this sign has become the personification of cool football. Now Milan is not the strongest club in Europe (as it was in the mid-2000s). But this does not make the sign lose interest. Moreover, Liverpool returned to the Champions League hungry a year later. The team under new coach Arne Slot aims to win the tournament. How else? Milan needs to make up for its weak start in Serie A. So let’s wait for the fire!
Liverpool returned to the Champions League a year later
Photo: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
How many goals will Bayern score against Dinamo Zagreb?
Bayern love home games in the Champions League with average players. The Munich team always puts on a show, scores a lot of goals and plays great. The first round match against Dinamo Zagreb is an excellent opportunity to win and feel strong. And Vincent Kompany probably wants to make his Champions League debut as a coach with a good result.
Thomas Müller is one of Bayern’s greatest legends. Officially:
Stories
Müller holds the record for most appearances for Bayern
Sparta returns to the main stage of the Champions League after 19 years
Sparta Prague will be playing in the main Champions League for the first time since 2005. How long have the Czechs been waiting for this moment! And the first match will take place in Prague: Sparta will host Red Bull Salzburg. The Austrians have been regular Champions League players in recent years and are a fairly strong team. Therefore, Sparta’s victory is not guaranteed. But the team wants 100% to get off to a good start in the Champions League, also in front of their home fans.
Bologna’s debut in the Champions League
Bologna has a big day ahead of them. The team will play the Champions League main round for the first time! Fortunately, the team will play the first matchday at home. Shakhtar is coming to Italy. A good opponent for Bologna to win and please the fans. Coach Thiago Motta and two key players (Riccardo Calafiori and Joshua Zirkzee) are no longer there, but Bologna has not lost much in class. That’s why we expect some great football from the Italians.
Bologna will play in the Champions League main round for the first time
Photo: Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images
Can Slovan cope with Celtic’s home ground pressure?
It’s not the best poster for a Russian fan. But, as a rule, it is at these games that something epic usually happens. The match will take place in Scotland at Celtic Park. And this is a guarantee of a loud support. Slovan has never made it to the group stage of the Champions League. The last time the Slovaks played in the main round was in the 1992/1993 season. Therefore, for the Bratislava club the upcoming match is very important. Will they be able to withstand the pressure of Celtic players and fans?
Safonov’s men face a brave Girona
PSG is embarking on another Champions League campaign. The French side are not among the three favourites this time. Perhaps this is even an advantage for them. On Matchday 1, the Parisians host Girona at home. The Catalans will make their Champions League debut and will immediately play against the giants. The chances of winning are slim, but Girona still have a chance (and resources) to take all three points. The match is all the more interesting to watch!
The Russian national team’s goalkeeping coach spoke in more detail about Safonov:
Exclusive
“I had two questions for the PSG coach. Kafanov – about Safonov’s situation and Latyshonok’s debut
Will the 2023/2024 Champions League finalist go for the trophy again?
Borussia Dortmund unexpectedly reached the Champions League final in the last edition. The Germans lost to Real Madrid, but did not look any worse for most of the game. Why not repeat the same path, reach the final again and then take home the trophy? Good motivation. Borussia starts its road to the final in Belgium. Club Brugge has qualified for the Champions League many times in recent years. And it looks more and more confident. So the intrigue in this game is 100%.
Borussia D is a finalist in the last Champions League
Photo: Alex Pantling/Getty Images
A repeat of last year’s Champions League final
Manchester City and Inter will meet in the 2023 Champions League final. The British then won with great difficulty, although they did not look stronger than the Milanese. Inter can take a small revenge on the 1st matchday of the current draw. Simone Inzaghi’s team will not receive any trophy for this. But it will move closer to the playoffs. Although Manchester City’s form suggests that the team will not drop points. Also on its own field.
Can Red Star cope with Benfica?
Red Star often appears on the main stage of the Champions League. But the Serbians always occupied the fourth place in the group. Now that all 36 clubs are in the same group, the chances of success increase. And you won’t have to play against the same team twice. “Zvezda” can at least get into the top 24. But we need victories. And why not beat Benfica at home in the first round? At the moment, the Portuguese do not look powerful. It is quite possible to get three points with them.
Will the future Ballon d’Or winner play for City?
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Will Bayer write a new Champions League story?
Bayer won the Bundesliga for the first time in their history, lifted the German Cup and reached the Europa League final last season. Leverkusen have become a powerful force. And now they will start to flex their muscles in the Champions League. In the first round, Bayer visits Feyenoord. The Rotterdam side were left without coach Arne Slot, but the Dutchman left a good legacy. The match will be played at Feyenoord’s home ground, so there are chances!
Bayer has become a powerful force
Photo: Pau Barrena/Getty Images
Modest Brest hosts a club with a Russian goalkeeper
Brest have made it to the main stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history. The team will make its debut at home, with Sturm as their opponent. Russian goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov plays for the Graz club. He is currently on the reserve team. But what will happen if Khudyakov ends up in the starting line-up for the Champions League match?
Can Atalanta face Arsenal without Miranchuk?
One of the most interesting matches will take place in Bergamo. The current Europa League winners, Atalanta, will host Arsenal. Alexey Miranchuk is no longer at the Club and Gian Piero Gasperini’s team did not have the best start in Serie A. Previously, the Russian came out and helped Atalanta in the important moments. But now we have to do without Alexei. Given the current state of the teams, the Londoners are the big favorites. But Atalanta still has little chance.
In the United States, Miranchuk has already found himself in an unpleasant situation:
“Why don’t you respect Miranchuk like everyone else?” Scandal surrounding a Russian in the US
Will Monaco and Golovin trouble Barcelona?
One of the most interesting matches for Russian fans will take place in Monaco. Barcelona is coming to visit the local club, where Alexander Golovin rocks. The Russian has recovered from his injury and can take the field. With Alexander in the lineup, Monaco has a chance to make a splash and win. It’s been a long time since we saw such great performances from the Russians in matches against Barça. Are we waiting now?
Alexander Golovin
Photo: Fake Images
The Atlético star will face a powerful rival
Atlético’s first big rival in the new season. Madrid bought stars in the summer (Julian Alvarez, Alexandre Serlot, Robin Le Normant, Conor Gallagher); it’s time to test them in action. RB Leipzig is coming to visit Atlético. Bliss! One of the coolest signs of the first round. There is no need to look for additional intrigues. We are simply waiting for quality football.
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