The 2024/25 Champions League kicks off this week, with a brand-new format which will feature Europe’s top teams in intense battles for league phase supremacy.
The group stage was replaced with the new 36-team league system for the first-round stage, with two additional matchdays in the league phase.
With the opening game edging closer, Afrosport highlights the top five games to pay attention to on matchday one.
AC Milan vs. Liverpool
It is impossible not to think of the 2005 Champions League final when talking about an European classic as highly rated as AC Milan versus Liverpool. The two European powerhouses have a combined 13 titles amongst them, with the tie set for the infamous San Siro Stadium.
Both Liverpool and AC Milan, who will play under new management as Arne Slot and Paulo Fonseca, respectively, begin their continental journeys, have previously met in the Champions League four times, with the Premier League team enjoying two wins, while the Rossoneri have one and they both settle for a draw once.
The Reds have won four of their last five away games versus Italian clubs in European competition, while Milan have also managed to avoid defeat in each of their last four Champions League games against English clubs.
Manchester City vs. Inter Milan
Manchester City will kickstart their 2024-25 Champions League campaign against Italian club Inter Milan at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday night in a battle between two domestic league champions.
The opening exchanges will be a fascinating watch as City’s exceptional home form makes them the favourites to come out on top.
City have one Champions League title, while Inter have three, and the two teams have previously met only once, with Pep Guardiola’s men clinching the win in the final in the 2022-23 season.
Atalanta vs. Arsenal
Arsenal will be making back-to-back appearances in the Champions League after enduring a six-season absence as they face Europa League winners Atalanta at the Gewiss Stadium on Thursday.
This will be the first meeting between the two sides in this competition with Arsenal the clear favourites as the Gunners are currently unbeaten this season, winning three times and drawing once, as well as conceding only one goal in a draw against Brighton.
However, last season’s Europa League heroes lost the Super Cup 2-0 to Real Madrid and opened their Serie A campaign with a 4-0 victory at Lecce, then subsequently lost 2-1 at Torino and 4-0 at Inter Milan before defeating Fiorentina 3-2 in a comeback win at the weekend.
Paris Saint-Germain v Girona
On Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain will face debutants Girona as they begin their 2024-25 Champions League campaign at the Parc des Princes.
PSG, who have yet to win a Champions League title, are the only Ligue 1 team, who has won four of their matches with victories over Le Harve, Montpellier, Lille, and a comeback win 3-1 at home to Brest last Saturday.
Girona, who finished third in La Liga last season, have accumulated seven points having won two, drawn one and lost two of their opening five matches this league Campaign.
Real Madrid vs. VfB Stuttgart
Reigning champions Real Madrid will begin the new campaign at the Santiago Bernabeu ahead of their Tuesday’s Champions League opener against German side VfB Stuttgart.
The 15-time European champions will enter the competition as favourites as they kickstart their hunt for a record-extending 16th title. This will be the first meeting between the two teams in the competition history.
Los Blancos will welcome back Jude Bellingham, who has been out with a muscular injury, and Aurelien Tchouameni, who withdrew from the France squad for September’s international break due to a foot issue.
