A brand new season of the UEFA Champions League has formally begun, with Matchday 1 promising an entertaining begin to what’s hopefully an thrilling season forward. On Tuesday, Arsenal took care of enterprise simply, Actual Madrid had rally towards Marseille, and two minnows notched their first ever Champions League wins. In the meantime Borussia Dortmund and Juventus performed a exceptional eight-goal second half in a 4-4 draw. On Wednesday Liverpool blew a two-goal towards Atletico Madrid
Matchday 1 will probably be unfold throughout three days with motion on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, every day providing a highlight to European titans as they start to navigate the street to the Could 30 closing at Budapest’s Puskas Enviornment. The headlining act of the week will probably be Chelsea’s journey to Bayern Munich, which marks the Blues’ return to the competitors after a two 12 months absence and affords a face-off between English attackers Cole Palmer and Harry Kane.
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This week’s matches function a check-in for for most of the continent’s prime groups, a few of whom are underneath new administration or attempting new tactical types out — Xabi Alonso coached his first Champions League match answerable for Actual Madrid after introducing some stability to the group, however barely escaped his daring determination to not embody Vinicius Jr. within the beginning lineup. whereas Liverpool’s new-look, attack-minded group may have an opportunity to impress towards Atletico Madrid.
The CBS Sports activities group affords their professional picks and predictions. Have a look under.
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Thursday’s matches
Recreation of the day: Newcastle vs. Barcelona
Participant to look at: Robert Lewandowski, Barcelona: The sensible Lewandowski was on hearth at this stage of final season’s competitors, scoring 9 of the 11 he would web throughout the 2024-25 Champions League. He additionally comes into the sport off some welcome relaxation, enjoying simply 22 minutes towards Valencia, however nonetheless discovering the web twice. Evidently Hansi Flick has concluded that he needs the 37-year-old match and firing for the most important video games and this ought to be one among them. — James Benge
Man of the match: Raphinha, Barcelona: After scoring a brace within the final residence match towards Valencia, Raphinha is anticipated to begin and ship one other nice efficiency on Thursday towards Newcastle. The Brazilian winger, regardless of ranging from the bench, instantly confirmed why he is thought-about one of many prime strikers all over the world when he was concerned within the motion. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski additionally turned the primary pair of teammates to each come off the bench and rating a brace in a single match throughout Europe’s prime 5 leagues for the reason that begin of 2015-16, exhibiting how importantthe depth of the roster coached by German supervisor Hansi Flick is. — Francesco Porzio
Prediction: Newcastle United 1, Barcelona 2: Lamine Yamal will probably be a really notable absence for Barcelona, however the energy of Hansi Flick’s group is that the goalscoring duties are normally divided amongst just a few gamers, so the likes of Raphinha and Ferran Torres might pitch in in Yamal’s absence. Count on a intently contested match towards a Newcastle United facet that’s normally defensively sound, however might not have the attacking prowess wanted to take full benefit of Barcelona’s considerably leaky again line. Nick Woltemade marked his debut with a aim, however filling Alexander Isak’s footwear will probably be simpler than performed and the Champions League will probably be a giant take a look at of Woltemade’s means to go well with his new function. — Pardeep Cattry
Greatest wager: Raphinha to attain (+160): Benched over the weekend after arriving late, Raphinha responded with a brace from the bench. With out Lamine Yamal within the match, it’s going to solely put extra strain on the Brazilian to search out the again of the web, however he has been fairly efficient at doing so. It is a deep group who will give Newcastle United matches on Thursday. — Charles Sales space
