The UEFA Champions League will turn a new page in its rich history when the first matchday gets underway. After a long long time, the format of the Champions League has been changed and now it’s much more extensive than ever before. It promises one thing above all, more high-octane games, and more exhilarating matchups right from the group stage. Or should we say the “league stage”?
Now instead of 6 group stage matches, each team will play 8 league matches, 4 home and 4 away. And football fans couldn’t be any happier by this news as it just means more midweek UCL matchday to enjoy! So now with the new-look UCL campaign just a fortnight away from getting underway, let’s take a look at some of the biggest games the new format has blessed football fans with.
5. Bayern Munich vs PSG
The replay of the 2020 UCL Final where a very strong Bayern Munich beat PSG is a mouthwatering prospect. Neither team is now as strong as they were when they last met in 2023. At that time, PSG still had Messi, Neymar and Mbappe, while Bayern Munich were the Bundesliga champions. But now, Munich is coming off a very rare trophyless season while PSG doesn’t have the services of Kylian Mbappe, their talisman any longer. Nevertheless, the Allianz Arena will be buzzing about when the Parisians come to visit.
4. Manchester City vs Inter Milan
We have another UCL final replay as Man City take on Inter Milan for the first time since they last defeated them in the 2023 UCL Final. The English Champions under Pep Guardiola will be heavy favourites against the Italian Champions but the Nerazzurri are not a team to be underestimated.
3. PSG vs Manchester City
There is no doubt that PSG got the short end of the stick in the League Stage draw. They have drawn quite the competition and Manchester City undoubtedly is the biggest of their worries. This Mbappe-less PSG team will have an uphill task of taking on Haaland and co. when they take them on at Parc des Princes.
2. Liverpool vs Real Madrid
The last time Los Blancos travelled to Anfield they came back from 2-0 to thrash Liverpool 5-2. For Liverpool and Mohammad Salah, Real Madrid has always been the ghost of the Champions League. In this recent classic fixture of the UCL, who will prevail in 2024/25? Will Mohammad Salah finally have the revenge he had promised Madrid in all those past encounters? This replay of the 2018 and 2022 UCL Final will surely be one to watch.
1. FC Barcelona vs Bayern Munich
The rivalry between these two clubs runs deep. It has been like this for a long time now. May it be the 8-2 humiliation in 2021, the 2015 UCL Semifinal, the 7-0 Bayern victory over 2 legs or the 4-0 Catalan win in 2009. This fixture brings with it more spice in the Champions League than any other matchup ever has. And once again they meet and lock horns. This time, the master tactician, Hansi Flick, who carried out the 8-2 in Lisbon 3 years ago will be in the Barcelona camp.
The Warning bells have sounded on Social Media as Thomas Mueller took some time to post his regulatory video on Instagram speaking about his excitement to face Barcelona again. In Catalonia, Barcelona just yesterday thrashed Valladolid and beat them 7-0 and seem to be in a rich vein of form.
Old friends Lewandowski and Barcelona’s nightmare Thomas Mueller will meet yet again. Will Hansi Flick defeat the monster he once steered, finally ending Bayern’s recent dominance over Barcelona? Or will Barca get a taste of Bayern’s ruthlessness yet again? Only time will tell.
