Champions League matchday 1: A night of surprises

Get ready for a thrilling night of Champions League action as the group stage kicks off on Tuesday, September 17th.

With several high-profile matchups on the cards, fans can expect plenty of goals, drama, and surprises.

From the defending champions Real Madrid to the ambitious newcomers, every team will be eager to make a strong start to their European campaign.

Juventus vs PSV Eindhoven (05:45 PM WAT): Both teams will be eager to start their Champions League campaigns on a positive note. Juventus, a perennial contender, will be looking to reassert themselves in Europe after a few inconsistent seasons. PSV, on the other hand, will be aiming to make a statement and prove they can compete at the highest level.

• BSC Young Boys vs Aston Villa (05:45 PM WAT): This is a clash between two teams from different leagues. BSC Young Boys, the Swiss champions, have a history of surprising bigger clubs in Europe. Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, will be hoping to make a deep run in the competition.

Group B

• Real Madrid vs VfB Stuttgart (08:00 PM WAT): Real Madrid, the defending champions, will be looking to continue their dominance in Europe. VfB Stuttgart, a German club making a return to the Champions League, will face a tough test against the Spanish giants.
• FC Bayern Munich vs GNK Dinamo Zagreb (08:00 PM WAT): Bayern Munich, one of the favorites to win the competition, will be expected to cruise past Dinamo Zagreb. However, the Croatian champions have shown they can be a tough opponent in Europe.

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Group C

• Sporting CP vs LOSC Lille (08:00 PM WAT): Both teams will be aiming to make a strong start in Group C. Sporting CP, the Portuguese champions, have a talented squad and will be looking to go deep in the competition. LOSC Lille, the French champions, are also a dangerous team and will be hoping to cause an upset.
• AC Milan vs Liverpool (08:00 PM WAT): This is arguably the most anticipated match of the night. Both teams have a rich history in the Champions League and will be looking to make a statement. Liverpool, under Jurgen Klopp, will be hoping to bounce back from a disappointing season last year. AC Milan, on the other hand, will be looking to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with in Europe.