The Champions League returns for a new season, with a fresh format and plenty of interest.
⚔️ Match of the day
There is no doubt that the most important game on the first night of the new Champions League will be a clash between two of the tournament's regular foes.Milan will meet Liverpool FC at San Siro in a rematch of the 2005 and 2007 finals.
New Rossoneri manager Paulo Fonseca finally achieved his first win as coach over the weekend, as everything clicking in a 4-0 win over Venezia, while Arne Slot's early Anfield optimism was dashed as he suffered his first setback with a stunning 1-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest.
Interestingly, Liverpool FC has won all three Champions League excursions to San Siro (twice against Inter and once against Milan), making them the only visiting team in history to have a perfect record in the competition.
🔎 Team to watch.
Rúben Amorim's tremendous effort at Sporting CP deserves recognition across the continent.Along the way, they broke several club marks, including the most points in a season (90), the most wins (29) and a perfect home record, thanks to a standout debut season from Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres, who finished with 43 in all competitions.
Gyökeres and his teammates have shown no signs of slowing down this season either. He has now scored eight goals, and the Lisbon giants have won all five league games so far.
Lille visit the Portuguese city on Tuesday night, and Sporting will be anxious to take their domestic form to the big stage.
🔥 Player to watch.
Harry Kane will have the opportunity to make history when Bayern Munich hosts Dinamo Zagreb at the Allianz Arena.He presently has 29 goals in the European Cup/Champions League, one short of the English player record of 30.
That record is held by Manchester United icon Wayne Rooney, and given Kane's eight goals in the competition last season, which was a single-season high for him, you wouldn't bet against him breaking it on Tuesday.
Potential upset.
Stuttgart has returned to the Champions League for the first time in 15 years, and what a welcome they will have when they travel to face defending champions Real Madrid.
Last season, German sides were unable to compete with Los Blancos, who swept off Union Berlin, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund on their way to a record-extending 15th European title.
While Sebastian Hoeneß's side hasn't reached the heights of last year, neither have the holders, and the fact that Los Blancos' previous five goals have all come from the penalty spot reflects their open play troubles thus far.
Stuttgart's current injury list includes Jude Bellingham, Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Díaz, and Eder Militão, perhaps limiting their chances to surprise.
"This is the game we wanted," coach Hoeneß told UEFA following the draw. "Real Madrid away was top of the wish list for many of our players and staff."
Last season, German sides were unable to compete with Los Blancos, who swept off Union Berlin, Bayern Munich, and Borussia Dortmund on their way to a record-extending 15th European title.
While Sebastian Hoeneß's side hasn't reached the heights of last year, neither have the holders, and the fact that Los Blancos' previous five goals have all come from the penalty spot reflects their open play troubles thus far.
"This is the game we wanted," coach Hoeneß told UEFA following the draw. "Real Madrid away was top of the wish list for many of our players and staff."
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