Champions League

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti is optimistic about the Spanish club's chances of winning back-to-back Champions League titles even though bookmakers ...

We just don't know because it is an unique situation." "Until the World Cup I believe we won't have problems because the players are prepared and motivated. "We start with enthusiasm, as always, but you never know what is going to happen. "In this competition, Real Madrid have always been respected. "What happened last year will happen again. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com

Plus, there's plenty of other big games featuring Europe's elite on Matchday 1, including PSG vs Juventus, Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid vs ...

Can they take that form into Europe and go one better than their 2018/19 run to the Champions League final? Haiti striker Frantzdy Pierrot scored five goals during that qualifying campaign and will play an important role if the Israeli club are to progress or at least finish in a Europa League spot. This season, The Eagles will be more reliant on Goncalo Ramos, Joao Mario and Rafa Silva. Juve are having a tricky start to the season in Serie A. Benfica reached the quarter finals of the competition last season before getting knocked out by Liverpool. Despite not winning their first group game in 10 previous attempts, Celtic will feel that their form and the roar of the home crowd will give them a chance. After an indifferent start to the Premier League season, Thomas Tuchel and his team will be looking to kick off their Champions League campaign in style. Celtic return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2017/18 season under Brendan Rodgers, when they were eliminated from the group stage. The two sides have only met in Europe’s elite competition once before, in the 1979/80 quarter final – and what a tie it was. However, last season Dortmund were knocked out at the group stage. That confidence has been boosted by a good run on the domestic front. The big Norwegian striker has taken the Premier League by storm, scoring 10 goals in six games, including back-to-back hattricks.

Details of the updated Champions League schedule for 2022-23, which has been changed to accommodate the Qatar World Cup.

In the previous campaign the final matchday was played on December 7/8. The final matchday will be played on November 1/2. The semi-finals have also been pushed back by almost two weeks later than the usual schedule. No significant changes have been made in the schedule at this stage of the competition. In the 2021-22 season, the first matchday was on September 15. In order to ensure there is no clash with the [Champions League](https://www.goal.com/en/uefa-champions-league/4oogyu6o156iphvdvphwpck10), European football's governing body UEFA has made changes to its usual schedule.

The Champions League is back and it can't come a moment too soon. Europe's premier club competition roars back into life tonight as the first of the group ...

Below lies a quiz that will require you to answer a question on each club taking part in the group stages. So, as you countdown the hours to kick-off, why not prove to all and sunder that you are a true Champions League fan. This season already promises to be a special one, with two Scottish sides in Rangers and Celtic both booking their spot in the group stage.

Carlo Ancelotti's men face Scottish champions Celtic in their opening Group F fixture while on the same night Paris St Germain and Manchester City set out on ...

For all the expectation on the likes of old stagers Messi, Benzema and Lewandowski, as well as rising star Haaland, the competition also gives an opportunity to a new generation to air their talent to a wider audience. Rangers, edged out on penalties by Eintracht in last season’s Europa League final, are back in the group stage for the first time since 2010, and they are accompanied by Old Firm rivals Celtic, a feat the pair last achieved in 2007. He scored three times on his Champions League debut for Salzburg against Genk in September 2019, and helped himself to a double against PSG in his first appearance in the competition for Borussia Dortmund in the February of the following year. Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt have qualified for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, although they did reach the European Cup final in 1960, when they were beaten 7-3 by Real Madrid at Hampden Park. The Norway international has plundered 10 goals, including back-to-back hat-tricks against Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest, in his first six league appearances for City, and history suggests the flow of goals is unlikely to dry up as Pep Guardiola’s men prepare to open their Group G campaign at Sevilla. Carlo Ancelotti’s men face Scottish champions Celtic in their opening Group F fixture while on the same night Paris St Germain and Manchester City set out on their latest quest to lift European club football’s biggest prize for the first time.

Holders Real Madrid will launch their title defence in Glasgow when this season's Champions League group stage gets under way on Tuesday evening. Carlo An..

Rangers, edged out on penalties by Eintracht in last season’s Europa League final, are back in the group stage for the first time since 2010, and they are accompanied by Old Firm rivals Celtic, a feat the pair last achieved in 2007. Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt have qualified for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, although they did reach the European Cup final in 1960, when they were beaten 7-3 by Real Madrid at Hampden Park. He scored three times on his Champions League debut for Salzburg against Genk in September 2019, and helped himself to a double against PSG in his first appearance in the competition for Borussia Dortmund in the February of the following year.

DAZN Bet has the latest odds when it comes to which team will claim European club football's biggest prize.

14/1 6/1 5/1

Celtic face Real Madrid for the first time in more than four decades on Tuesday. The Hoops open their Champions League campaign against the holders in ...

Celtic won 2-0 in front of a 67,000 sell-out crowd in the first leg at Parkhead. The teams have only been paired together once competitively, in the quarter-finals of the 1979-80 European Cup. They have conceded one goal in each of those LaLiga matches but a 2-1 win over Real Betis on Saturday left them as the only side with a 100 per cent record.

The addition of Erling Haaland and his Premier League form has advanced the English club into an odds-on favourite for the tournament; the Pep Guardiola factor ...

City’s relationship with the competition in recent years has grown with more fans desiring the Champions League following a period of domestic domination. Erling Haaland is priced at odds ranging from 3/1 to 11/4, with Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski not too far behind. The addition of Erling Haaland and his Premier League form has advanced the English club into an odds-on favourite for the tournament; the Pep Guardiola factor is also likely to have played a part.

After a busy summer transfer window that brought an influx of No 9s, these are the tactical changes among the Champions League contenders.

[Juventus](https://theathletic.com/football/team/juventus/), [Italy](https://theathletic.com/football/team/italy/) and [Inter](https://theathletic.com/football/team/inter/). [Yves Bissouma](https://theathletic.com/football/player/yves-bissouma-FOrOnr7xQLhw0bUz/) is a fine all-round midfielder, while [Ivan Perisic](https://theathletic.com/football/player/ivan-perisic-k11k4li4KzpB1wHo/) thrived at wing-back for Conte’s Inter side and [Djed Spence](https://theathletic.com/football/player/djed-spence-P7G2Mu7s7CQlvJSD/) is a promising option down the right. [Richarlison](https://theathletic.com/football/player/richarlison-In1i1xxYvNDi2SMI/) is a versatile option up front and performed well in the weekend win over [Fulham](https://theathletic.com/football/team/fulham/). [Casemiro](https://theathletic.com/football/player/casemiro-wQ6Q8xViV8kqizDc/) before the Brazilian even left for [Manchester United](https://theathletic.com/football/team/manchester-united/). [Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang](https://theathletic.com/football/player/pierre-emerick-aubameyang-PlxW6clTOC8TqmBP/), attackers largely based around the speed and the timing of their runs in behind. [Ruben Loftus-Cheek](https://theathletic.com/football/player/ruben-loftus-cheek-vpgwsKz86kGSpSFU/) sometimes used as a right-wing-back-cum-attacking-midfielder. In the second half of last season, Tottenham were superb, still based around the excellent relationship between [Son Heung-min](https://theathletic.com/football/player/son-heung-min-i8anqhPOK1u8ImfB/) and [Harry Kane](https://theathletic.com/football/player/harry-kane-47vQtg5y5Ub8iFqb/), but with [Dejan Kulusevski](https://theathletic.com/football/player/dejan-kulusevski-DWZJrbDLT11cnOL8/) arriving in January to play from the right, knitting things together and working in tight spaces. With [Fabinho](https://theathletic.com/football/player/fabinho-B4oErnzfMBHwkivn/), [Thiago Alcantara](https://theathletic.com/football/player/thiago-alcantara-uOkkaZsOvZ89x8Fz/), [Naby Keita](https://theathletic.com/football/player/naby-keita-QDeZXk2kh6jd8XBB/), [Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain](https://theathletic.com/football/player/alex-oxlade-chamberlain-RZw4BrkvAwkFgYIC/), Elliott, [Fabio Carvalho](https://theathletic.com/football/player/fabio-carvalho-u6rOpW5G3QBExdkx/) and loanee Arthur Melo all options, it’s not like Liverpool are particularly understaffed in midfield, although there are more questions about whether Klopp knows the right combination to provide the right balance. [criticising Tuchel’s tactical use of him](https://theathletic.com/3139108/2022/02/20/what-lukakus-record-low-seven-touches-says-about-chelseas-struggling-striker-tuchel-and-his-team-mates/). [Marc Cucurella](https://theathletic.com/football/player/marc-cucurella-HjRBGZc2KN43b1sK/) brings another tactical option down the left, but for all the upheaval in defence and attack, Chelsea still feel a familiar outfit from last year. Thus far, his best contributions have come when Liverpool have used [Harvey Elliott](https://theathletic.com/football/player/harvey-elliott-L4nt7bPpUbXCSwGo/) in a right-sided midfield role, dragging the opposition left-back forward and creating space for him. He’s so far proved excellent at thumping goals past weaker [Premier League](https://theathletic.com/football/premier-league/) sides and while there’s little doubt he’ll thrive in the Champions League group stage — 23 goals in 19 Champions League games tells the story — the real test will come in the knockout phase.

A full decade ago, Mario Gotze enjoyed a breakout season in the Champions League. The German playmaker helped Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund reach the final, ...

And five goals in four games for Barca suggest he's in no mood to slow down ahead of the September 13 match-up. With Porto, Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge on the horizon, he has a chance to turn Now he has the chance to give his old employers a reminder of what they let go. Giroud isn't the only striker preparing to take on a former club. Plenty of players will be using the Champions League as a World Cup audition, but Cyle Larin will feel his place is safe. The years in between haven't been especially kind to the World Cup winner, with injuries and health issues playing a part. However, after struggling for minutes under Thomas Tuchel, the winger has decided now is the time to move to Germany, even if only for a year. Still just 20, he has the task of replacing Sebastien Haller's goals as his team faces a tough group containing Former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag took a number of familiar faces with him to Old Trafford during the transfer window, and Brian Brobbey could easily have been one of them. [Premier League](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/premier-league) bound. With games against his England colleagues in the It is a big show of faith in a player who only turned 19 in May but has already shown his quality.

Pep Guardiola believes that failing to win the Champions League with Manchester City will cause some to question his legacy but why have the Premier League ...

“But I enjoy working with my players and my players still win a lot of games. It is 10 years since Pep Guardiola he last had his hands on the Champions League trophy. "People say, 'But you didn't win the Champions League'.

Comparisons to compatriot Kevin De Bruyne have been unavoidable for Charles De Ketelaere following his recent €35million transfer to AC Milan.

The diminutive midfielder has been a revelation for Barca over the past 12 months, as evidenced by the fact that he recently made his 50th appearance for the club just a few weeks removed from his 18th birthday. The 22-year-old was scolded by team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic for wearing gloves during his AC Milan debut against Sparta Prague in December 2020. Embarking on his third season at Borussia Dortmund, Bellingham is already on course to make his 100th appearance for the club later this month. With Liverpool leading the chase for the former Birmingham City youngster, this is widely expected to be Bellingham's last season in Germany. Linked with several Premier League clubs – including Newcastle United, Everton and Southampton – during the summer transfer window, the 21-year-old striker has stayed with Benfica, where he's been on the books since the age of 12. In the wake of the departures of Insigne, Kalidou Koulibaly and Dries Mertens – their captain, vice-captain and all-time leading goalscorer respectively – Napoli were braced for a difficult season, yet Kvaratskhelia's brilliance has been integral to lifting Luciano Spalletti's side to the summit of Serie A ahead of Wednesday's Champions League opener against Liverpool.

Champions League is the ultimate club competition. This season, there are many new names itching to make their name on the big stage.

[Brighton](https://khelnow.com/tag/brighton-and-hove-albion/) last season. [Chelsea](https://khelnow.com/tag/chelsea-fc/) eventually signed the Spanish wingback, but the English media called the transfer inflated. Schlotterbeck is also hunting for a place in Germany’s [World Cup](https://khelnow.com/football/category/2022-fifa-world-cup) squad and the Champions League is an ideal platform to prove his worth. The German attacking midfielder has big clubs vying for his signature and his performances in Champions League this season is likely to push his case further. Despite his Premier League and international experience, the Champions League will stand as the ultimate test for him. [Champions League](https://khelnow.com/football/category/uefa-champions-leaguehttps://khelnow.com/football/category/uefa-champions-league) 2022-23 group stage is set to start on 6 September. Richarlison will experience the atmosphere of Europe’s biggest club competition for the first time this season after stepping foot in Europe in 2017. [Bundesliga](https://khelnow.com/football/category/bundesliga)‘s rising stars last season. He was pursued by both Manchester City and Chelsea after impressing on the left wing for Nico Scholtterbeck is another centre-back who will enter his first Champions League season. Having settled into Allegri’s setup well, he will be hoping for an impressive debut Champions League season. The Spanish goalkeeper kept 10 clean sheets last season and was the main reason behind Marseille’s qualification for Champions League.

Brazilian winger Raphinha is one of seven players to have arrived at Barcelona over the summer, but he is the only one without Champions League experience under ...

The teenager has featured in each of the last three Europa League campaigns with Leverkusen, but he is yet to test himself in the Champions League. [Casemiro](/people/casemiro/), who has opted for a fresh challenge with Manchester United after nine years in the Spanish capital. [Xavi](/people/xavi/), and scored his first goal for the club in last weekend's 3-0 La Liga victory over Sevilla.

Who's likely to start and who is unavailable or doubtful? UEFA.com predicts the Matchday 1 line-ups.

Doubtful: none Doubtful: Gigot (thigh), Payet (calf) Doubtful: Rode (thigh), Pellegrini (thigh) Doubtful: Moura (calf), Gil (unspecified) Out: Konaté (knee), Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Keïta (muscle), Henderson (hamstring), Ramsay (back) Out: Olmo (knee), Klostermann (ankle), Poulsen (thigh) Out: Vallejo (muscle), Odriozola (muscle) Doubtful: Furuhashi (shoulder), Starfelt (knee) Doubtful: Bardghji (undisclosed), Boilesen (undisclosed) Out: Diambou (ankle), Koïta (ankle), Omoregie (thigh), Piątkowski (thigh), Tijani (shin) Doubtful: Adeyemi (foot), Guerreiro (illness) Out: Bynoe-Gittens (shoulder), Dahoud (shoulder), Malen (hamstring), Morey (knee)

We'll have plenty of coverage on UCL Fantasy over the next day in preparation for the big kick-off, as well as articles throughout the season. If you ...

Admittedly, his price is awkward and I’d much prefer it if he was a defender in the game but he is a good punt. They start against a Rangers side who are coming off the back of a 4-0 thumping and it’s at home to boot. With the sale of Antony to Manchester Utd, they’re both nailed on to start and are in terrific form. Julian Brandt (€7m) could be a dark horse option if he starts but Reus’ penalty-taking status gives him the edge. Following N’Golo Kante’s (€5.5m) hamstring injury, Chelsea’s penalty taker has all but cemented his starting spot and is likely to collect ball recoveries while he’s on the field. [SIGN UP TO PLAY UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FANTASY HERE](https://bit.ly/UEFACLMain) A player that’s classified as a midfielder but plays as a wing-back? Last season’s group stage brought seven goals and two assists against the likes of Manchester City and PSG, with fine form continuing thanks to six domestic goals so far. Jota has four goals and assists for Celtic in just six appearances. Vini notched two goals and three assists there, in case you were wondering. Don’t have all five of your midfielders starting on the same night, for example. This makes defensive midfielders just as good of an option as more attacking ones.

Holders Real Madrid will launch their title defence in Glasgow when this season's Champions League group stage gets under way on Tuesday evening. Carlo An..

Rangers, edged out on penalties by Eintracht in last season’s Europa League final, are back in the group stage for the first time since 2010, and they are accompanied by Old Firm rivals Celtic, a feat the pair last achieved in 2007. Europa League winners Eintracht Frankfurt have qualified for the group stage of the Champions League for the first time, although they did reach the European Cup final in 1960, when they were beaten 7-3 by Real Madrid at Hampden Park. However, Ronaldo will not add to his tally with Manchester United having qualified only for the Europa League, handing Messi a chance to close the gap.

The Champions League begins this week with six British sides involved in the action. Celtic host holders Real Madrid in an eye-catching clash on Tuesday, ...

The Dutch giants, who host Rangers’ Champions League return in Group A, have needed little time to find their feet after a summer of upheaval. Real, a juggernaut fuelled by a huge weight of history, defied expectations to overcome stronger-fancied sides such as Paris St Germain, Manchester City and Liverpool to triumph last season, while also claiming the LaLiga crown. Celtic host holders Real Madrid in an eye-catching clash on Tuesday, when Manchester City and Chelsea also start their challenges.

Postecoglou has vowed to maintain the approach that has yielded 29 goals in seven matches this season when Champions League football returns to Parkhead ...

"It's a really difficult stadium but a fantastic atmosphere. They are a lot like us - they have a good dynamic at the moment. "They want to play attacking football.

Carlo Ancelotti believes the biggest unknown surrounding Real Madrid's potential defence of the Champions League is the prospective physical condition of ...

We are not fully happy with the results," he said. I can understand his frustrations, his point of view, and we'll leave it there." "Speaking about the last game, I understand the frustration, I understand the discussions about this decision.

Celtic vs Real Madrid, Champions League: Read the pre-match build up, predicted xi and live match updates as they happen in the UCL fixture in Scotland.

- ⦿ Real Madrid 2-1 Real Betis Real had eventually won the two-legged contest 3-2. It has not played in UCL since 2017-18.

Holders Real Madrid will launch their title defence in Glasgow when this season's Champions League group stage gets under way on Tuesday evening against ...

If PSG prosper this season, Argentinian superstar Lionel Messi will have a major personal landmark in his sights. Both clubs have invested heavily in their pursuit of the biggest prize of all, but despite their respective domestic dominance and one final appearance each, the yearning remains unrequited. He scored three times on his Champions League debut for Salzburg against Genk in September 2019, and helped himself to a double against PSG in his first appearance in the competition for Borussia Dortmund in the February of the following year.

Real Madrid's Champions League campaign opens tonight vs Celtic, away from home to Celtic Park, where they will be faced with a raucous crowd in what ...

The biggest question marks in Real Madrid’s XI will be: Will Rodrygo Goes or Fede Valverde start on the right wing? Real have also not been that convincing in group stages even when they win the Champions League, so getting off to a good start and securing qualification as early as possible in this group would be important. They’ve scored 29 goals in seven games so far, and sit comfortably on top of their domestic league with 25 goals scored and one goal conceded. Real Madrid lost there 2 - 0 in the Champions League quarter-finals in 1980 (but still advanced 3 -2 on aggregate); while Ancelotti went winless there in three games while managing AC Milan. For Real Madrid, winning would make a strong statement tonight. Celtic have also been on fire this season.

Carlo Ancelotti has not won on three previous managerial visits to Celtic Park, but the Scottish champions must improve their recent home European record to ...

A Celtic fan running on to the pitch and giving Dida a light tap, with the goalkeeper going down theatrically. Since the famous win over Barcelona in 2012, Celtic have played nine Champions League group-stage home games and won just one, losing seven. The only goal of the tie came in extra-time at San Siro - a peach of a solo effort from Kaka - as the Rossoneri scraped through. We know what we're able to do and we know the opposition. Last season, Ange Postecolgou's first in charge, Celtic were thumped 4-0 at home by Bayer Leverkusen before wins over Real Betis and Ferencvaros. The triptych was completed six months later as Celtic exacted revenge and propelled themselves towards the last 16 by defeating Ancelotti's European champions 2-1. He got the best out of them." The tactics were decided; the team talk was done and the next day the players delivered. And that's without even mentioning the two he won as a Milan player. "I saw the same with [Jupp] Heynckes," Kroos said on the eve of last season's final. Ancelotti has never won at Celtic Park, having tried and failed on three occasions with Milan. The latest trophy in his collection burnished an already glittering CV.

1Aston Villa 1981-82 · 2PSV Eindhoven 1987-88 · 3Barcelona 1991-92 · 4Marseille 1992-93 · 5Ajax 1994-95 · 6Juventus 1995-96 · 7Borussia Dortmund 1996-97 · 8AC Milan ...

[Champions League kit for the 22-23 season, you can do that here.](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/champions-league-2022-23-kits-ranked/blt2edfeb45e6e5bc37) The history of the tournament is littered with some seriously sensational kits, so as each club begins their long march to potential victory, we compiled a list of the 10 best Champions League winning shirts. After all, it’s not the winning that counts, it’s looking really good while you do it.

Group stage for di 2022/23 dey kick-off Tuesday and Wednesday dis week. Defending champions Real Madrid go travel to Scotland to face Celtics. Checkout match ...

Napoli vs Liverpool 8:00 PM Internazionale vs Bayern Munich 8:00 PM Sevilla vs Manchester City 8:00 pm

Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul to host final of tournament, whose group matches to start on Tuesday - Anadolu Agency.

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. Group A: Ajax (Netherlands), Liverpool (England), Napoli (Italy), Rangers (Scotland) In the Champions League, teams will try to advance to the finals by winning the matches to be played with the two-match elimination method as of the Round of 16.

Plus, there's plenty of other big games featuring Europe's elite on Matchday 1, including PSG vs Juventus, Inter Milan vs Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid vs ...

Can they take that form into Europe and go one better than their 2018/19 run to the Champions League final? Haiti striker Frantzdy Pierrot scored five goals during that qualifying campaign and will play an important role if the Israeli club are to progress or at least finish in a Europa League spot. This season, The Eagles will be more reliant on Goncalo Ramos, Joao Mario and Rafa Silva. Juve are having a tricky start to the season in Serie A. Benfica reached the quarter finals of the competition last season before getting knocked out by Liverpool. Despite not winning their first group game in 10 previous attempts, Celtic will feel that their form and the roar of the home crowd will give them a chance. After an indifferent start to the Premier League season, Thomas Tuchel and his team will be looking to kick off their Champions League campaign in style. Celtic return to the Champions League for the first time since the 2017/18 season under Brendan Rodgers, when they were eliminated from the group stage. The two sides have only met in Europe’s elite competition once before, in the 1979/80 quarter final – and what a tie it was. However, last season Dortmund were knocked out at the group stage. That confidence has been boosted by a good run on the domestic front. The big Norwegian striker has taken the Premier League by storm, scoring 10 goals in six games, including back-to-back hattricks.

Pep Guardiola meanwhile has Erling Haaland in his arsenal this year as Man City face his old club Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen and Sevilla in Group G.

- 8.00pm Napoli v Liverpool Pep Guardiola meanwhile has Erling Haaland in his arsenal this year as Man City face his old club Borussia Dortmund, FC Copenhagen and Sevilla in Group G. Tomorrow night (Wednesday) sees Liverpool and Spurs in action as games from groups A through D get underway.

Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Tottenham all make the top 10 as we look at all 32 teams in this season's Champions League ahead of the beginning of ...

A team growing into themselves and growing into the image of their manager, Antonio Conte's Spurs have the look of a side that most if not all others in the competition will want to avoid. [Southampton](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/southampton-fc) have been patchy, but a squad which has added the talents of Kalidou Koulibaly, Wesley Fofana, Raheem Sterling and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - surprisingly set to play in just his fifth season of Champions League football - can't be discounted from a run to the last four. The Frenchman in particular will enjoy a crack at Chelsea in Group E, and the Milanese promise to be a lively team to watch. Without him Dortmund have looked a little meek in attack following the departure of goal robot Erling Haaland, who they'll come face to face with in a group that also includes Sevilla and Copenhagen. [Premier League](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/premier-league) will always be an issue for Sporting, and in a group with [Tottenham](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/tottenham-hotspur-fc), Marseille and Frankfurt they'll face a fight to avoid finishing bottom. The Reds need to be wary of him, and Ajax and Rangers will need to stop him. They're going to have to as well, with Barcelona and Bayern Munich in their group this time around - probably the only reason they find themselves below all three of their fellow Serie A sides here. Granted, having effectively knocked Barcelona out at the first hurdle last season, Benfica won't feel too scared of a Juve side that are not what they were, but the Portuguese champions will need the likes of exciting attacker David Neres - a strong course and distance runner in the Champions League with Ajax in the past - to step up. [Fulham](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/fulham-fc) and Matheus Nunes to [Wolves](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc). With Dinamo Zagreb in their group the Austrians will at least hope to ensure they have European football into the New Year, although overhauling Chelsea and AC Milan to finish in the top two will be tricky. Perhaps a trip to Ajax on Wednesday is exactly what the fans need then, and they are likely to need to get something in a group that also contains [Ukraine](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/ukraine), perennial champions Shakhtar are back and no doubt dreaming of emulating their best ever [Champions League](https://www.irishmirror.ie/all-about/champions-league) showing of a quarter-final spot in 2011.

We give you the faces of 50 Champions League players of the 2000s (some more recognisable than others) - you try and identify them from the options below.

- You're better than them. Below we give you 42 images of players who, at some stage in the 2000s, played in the Champions League with varying degrees of success.

Who's going to win the 30th edition of the Champions League? Our esteemed team place their bets…

He's interviewed Pele, Zlatan and Santa Claus (it's a long story), as well as covering Euro 2020 and the Clasico. You will receive a verification email shortly. Chris joined FourFourTwo in 2015 and has reported from 20 countries, in places as varied as Jerusalem and the Arctic Circle. [bet365](https://bit.ly/361O8Wm) (opens in new tab): 10/1 Madrid are the team everyone will fear. Last season showed once again that Los Blancos greatest attribute is a stubborn commitment to winning, even when they aren't necessarily the best team. It will be City. Fortunately, Klopp's Reds have always been at their best in knockout fixtures, particularly in Europe under the floodlights. We’re in the Anglo age, yet Manchester City lack the heritage to compete in Europe, Chelsea and Liverpool aren’t at their strongest this season and Tottenham are still young pretenders on this stage. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Even a three or four-goal first-leg cushion isn't enough in this competition. [bet365](https://bit.ly/361O8Wm) (opens in new tab): 5/1

All-time UCL top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent from the competition in 2022-23, with his Manchester United side failing to qualify, so can Lionel ...

Who are the leading teams and players by the numbers? Premier League clubs Manchester City and Liverpool are among the favourites for the UCL title, while reigning champions Real Madrid are looking to retain the crown. All-time UCL top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo will be absent from the competition in 2022-23, with his Manchester United side failing to qualify, so can Lionel Messi capitalise and catch up with the Portuguese’s record goal tally?

Get the full list of Champions League fixtures here. See every game of the group stage live on BT Sport.

[Premier League](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/premier-league), [Ligue 1](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/ligue-1), the [National League](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/national-league) and much more – with all the action available on BT TV. [Europa League](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/europa-league) and [Europa Conference League](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/features/europa-conference-league-everything-you-need-to-know) game exclusively live on BT Sport. [upcoming live football on BT Sport.](https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/whats-on?sport=Football) [Milan vs Dinamo Zagreb](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-milan-v-dinamo-zagreb) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 1 [Shakhtar Donetsk vs Celtic](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-shakhtar-donetsk-v-celtic) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 4 [Chelsea vs Salzburg](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-chelsea-v-salzburg) - 8pm, BT Sport 3 [Juventus vs Benfica](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-juventus-v-benfica) - 8pm, BT Sport 7 [Maccabi Haifa vs PSG](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-maccabi-haifa-v-psg) - 8pm, BT Sport 6 [Real Madrid vs RB Leipzig](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-real-madrid-v-rb-leipzig) - 8pm, BT Sport 5 [Manchester City vs Borussia Dortmund](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-manchester-city-v-borussia-dortmund) - 8pm, BT Sport 2 [Copenhagen vs Sevilla](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-14-kobenhavn-v-sevilla) - 8pm, BT Sport 8 [Viktoria Plzen vs Inter](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-viktoria-plzen-v-internazionale) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 1 [Sporting vs Tottenham](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-sporting-cp-v-tottenham-hotspur) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 4 [Liverpool vs Ajax](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-liverpool-v-ajax) - 8pm, BT Sport 2 [Rangers vs Napoli](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-rangers-v-napoli) - 8pm, BT Sport 3 [Bayern Munich vs Barcelona](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-bayern-muenchen-v-barcelona) - 8pm, BT Sport 5 [Porto vs Club Brugge](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-porto-v-club-brugge) - 8pm, BT Sport 8 [Bayer Leverkusen vs Atletico Madrid](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-bayer-leverkusen-v-atletico-madrid) - 8pm, BT Sport 7 [Marseille vs Eintracht Frankfurt](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-13-olympique-marseille-v-eintracht-frankfurt) - 8pm, BT Sport 6 [Ajax vs Rangers](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-ajax-v-rangers) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 4 [Eintracht Frankfurt vs Sporting CP](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-eintracht-frankfurt-v-sporting-cp) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 1 [Napoli vs Liverpool](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-napoli-v-liverpool) - 8pm, BT Sport 2 [Barcelona vs Viktoria Plzen](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-barcelona-v-viktoria-plzen) - 8pm, BT Sport 6 [Inter vs Bayern Munich](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-internazionale-v-bayern-muenchen) - 8pm, BT Sport 5 [Atletico Madrid vs Porto](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-atletico-madrid-v-porto) - 8pm, BT Sport 7 [Club Brugge vs Bayer Leverkusen](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-club-brugge-v-bayer-leverkusen) - 8pm, BT Sport 8 [Tottenham vs Marseille](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-07-tottenham-hotspur-v-olympique-marseille) - 8pm, BT Sport 3 [Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-dinamo-zagreb-v-chelsea) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 4 [Borussia Dortmund vs Copenhagen](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-borussia-dortmund-v-kobenhavn) - 5.45pm, BT Sport 1 [Salzburg vs Milan](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-salzburg-v-milan) - 8pm, BT Sport 6 [PSG vs Juventus](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-psg-v-juventus) - 8pm, BT Sport 5 [Benfica vs Maccabi Haifa](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-benfica-v-maccabi-haifa) - 8pm, BT Sport 8 [Celtic vs Real Madrid](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-celtic-v-real-madrid) - 8pm, BT Sport 3 [RB Leipzig vs Shakhtar Donetsk](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-rb-leipzig-v-shakhtar-donetsk) - 8pm, BT Sport 7 [Sevilla vs Manchester City](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results/2022-2023/09-06-sevilla-v-manchester-city) - 8pm, BT Sport 2 [BT Sport Ultimate](https://www.bt.com/sport/watch/bt-sport-ultimate) – the best way to watch football. [the BT Sport app – now available on more devices than ever before.](https://www.bt.com/sport/features/watch-bt-sport-on-xbox-playstation-4-samsung-tv-and-apple-tv-with-new-large-screen-app) [Full Champions League schedule](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league/fixtures-and-results) [Real Madrid](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/real-madrid-cf) look to retain the title with competition from the likes of [Manchester City](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/manchester-city), [Liverpool](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/liverpool), [PSG](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/paris-saint-germain) and [Bayern Munich](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/bayern-munich). [Champions League](https://www.bt.com/sport/football/champions-league) campaign is upon us and you can watch every minute of every game right here on BT Sport.