The expanded UEFA Champions League kicks off on Tuesday with 36 teams competing in the world’s premier club tournament. The new format comes after six years of planning, and each team will play eight games instead of six, against eight different opponents.
On night 1 of the first matchday, Kylian Mbappe will start his quest to claim European glory with Real Madrid against Stuggart. Liverpool will play AC Milan in the mouth-watering 2023 rematch.
Real Madrid vs VFB Stuttgart
Defending champions Real Madrid will begin their UEFA Champions League title defense against VFB Stuttgart on September 17 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Under Carlo Ancelotti’s leadership, Madrid aims to secure a record-extending 16th title, with new signing Kylian Mbappe poised to play a key role in their campaign.
Meanwhile, VFB Stuttgart will be making their first UEFA Champions League appearance since the 2009/10 season. After finishing as Bundesliga runners-up last year, Stuttgart will be eager to spoil Mbappe’s first European match for Real Madrid and could present a formidable challenge on the night.
AC Milan vs Liverpool
Liverpool come into the match against AC Milan on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Nottingham Forest at home. Meanwhile, pressure mounted on Milan during the international break after earning only two points from their first three matches, prompting thousands of passionate fans to gather outside San Siro to show support ahead of a crucial week for the seven-time European champions.
The last encounter between the two teams occurred in the group stage of the 2021-22 UEFA Champions League, where Liverpool defeated Milan 2-1.
Bayern Munich vs Dynamo Zagreb
Bayern will be keen to put their previous season behind them and solidify themselves as a Champions League title contender from the outset as they welcome Dinamo Zagreb at the Allianz Arena. Players such as Harry Kane and Thomas Muller are eager to reclaim the domestic title while also aiming to make a significant impact in Europe, as the new format of the competition is expected to bring many surprises.
Dynamo Zagreb will come into the match as overwhelming underdogs and will feel that they have nothing to lose against a strong Bayern side on the opening day.
Young Boys vs Aston Villa
Aston Villa will make their first Champions League appearance since the competition’s rebranding when they travel to Switzerland to take on Young Boys on Tuesday. The Villans earned Champions League qualification last season by narrowly edging out Tottenham Hotspur for fourth place and will enjoy their first top-flight European campaign since 1983.
Juventus vs PSV
On the opening matchday, Juventus will host 1988 champions PSV in Turin, marking their first competitive encounter. The Bianconeri were excluded from European competition last year, missing the chance to participate in the Conference League and ending a streak of 11 consecutive Champions League appearances.
PSV reached the Round of 16 of the UCL last season, losing to Borussia Dortmund in the first knockout round after finishing second in Group B.
Sporting CF vs LOSC Lille
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
