After a three-month hiatus, the UEFA Champions League is back in action, promising thrilling football encounters for fans worldwide.
Manchester City, the reigning champions who clinched their first UEFA Champions League title in the previous season by defeating Inter Milan in a historic final at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium, are eager to defend their crown. Under the astute guidance of manager Pep Guardiola, Manchester City’s triumph marked a significant milestone as they became the sixth English club to hoist the coveted trophy.
Tonight’s opening fixture features Newcastle United, marking their return to the Champions League after a hiatus spanning two decades. They will take on last year’s semi-finalists, AC Milan, at the iconic San Siro stadium. AC Milan has faced a recent challenge against English opponents, securing just one win in their last eleven encounters.
Manchester City, the defending champions, commence their campaign at the Etihad Stadium against Red Star Belgrade. They find themselves in a relatively favorable group alongside the Serbian outfit, as well as RB Leipzig and Young Boys.
Football enthusiasts are also eagerly awaiting a fierce showdown as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) of France welcomes Borussia Dortmund of Germany to the Parc Des Princes. These two teams clashed in the last 16 stage during the 2019-20 campaign, with PSG losing the first leg 2-1 but staging a comeback with a 2-0 victory in the return leg, eventually making it to the final.
Notably, PSG will be without star players Neymar and Lionel Messi for this match but will look to their young sensation, Kylian Mbappe, to lead the charge in a group that includes AC Milan and Newcastle.
With 32 teams divided into eight groups, the race to lift the coveted Sterling silver trophy for the 2023-2024 campaign has officially begun. The journey will culminate with the final at London’s Wembley Stadium on June 1, 2024. Football enthusiasts can look forward to months of thrilling matches and unforgettable moments as they follow their favorite clubs’ quest for European glory.
Ikenna Okafor
