liverpool vs ludogorets
After a Champions league absence of five years anything short of a victory in this opening tie at home against the Bulgarian champions is unthinkable for liverpool. The Anfield club were seeded in Pot Three and the draw for them could have been far more difficult — with Real Madrid and Basle their other opponents.
They will be disappointed if they do not progress through to the last 16 but Basle could be tricky — as Chelsea found out last season losing home and away against the Swiss champions. But liverpool have two of the weakest teams in Pot Two and Four.
Real Madrid vs FC Basel
Having finally ended a 12-year wait to land their 10th European Cup, few imagined Real Madrid would start their defence of the Champions league in a state of crisis.
less than four months after beating city rivals Atletico Madrid 4-1 after extra time in the final in lisbon, Real are in need of a strong response when Swiss champions Basel visit the Spanish capital on Tuesday after Atletico inflicted their second consecutive league defeat with a 2-1 victory in Saturday’s derby.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti bemoaned afterwards that his side has not yet found the right balance following the sales of key midfielders Angel di Maria and Xabi Alonso late in the transfer window.
However, it was captain Iker Casillas who was on the receiving end of most of the criticism from the home fans as he was roundly booed after conceding for the third time in two games from a set-piece.
“The fans always know best and if they think they have to boo then you have to accept it and respect their opinion,” said Casillas, who was also largely blamed for Spain’s torrid World Cup campaign.
“The way to respond is training well and playing football.”
Borussia Dortmund vs Arsenal
Arsenal face familiar opponents — three times in four years these two sides have met — and ones they defeated at the same stage last season through Aaron Ramsey’s goal. Dortmund won at the Emirates last year as both clubs progressed from the group. Avoiding defeat — in a raucous sold out stadium (Arsenal are taking 3,200 fans to the Signal Iduna Park) will be the priority for Arsenal in a group that also contains Galatasaray and Anderlecht.
Jurgen Klopp is rebuilding his squad — with Robert lewandowski the latest high-profile departure in the summer — and has welcomed back Shinji Kagawa from Manchester United, but his team is injury-hit and could be vulnerable with, significantly, Marco Reus the latest casualty with a damaged ankle.
Atletico Madrid vs Olympiacos
la liga champions Atletico Madrid has an early season chance to avenge its defeat to Real Madrid in May’s Champions league final in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Tuesday.
Despite having arguably Atletico’s best ever season, Diego Simeone’s men have still suffered from the departure of a number of key players over the close season as Filipe luis and Diego Costa joined Chelsea and Thibaut Courtois returned to Stamford Bridge after a three-year loan spell.
The money received from the sales of Costa and Filipe luis has however been reinvested in an exciting new frontline as Mario Mandzukic joined from Bayern Munich, Mexican international Raul Jimenez was signed from Club America, and Antoine Griezmann moved from Real Sociedad for 30 million euros ($40 million).
All three are in line to make their competitive debutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, but playmaker Arda Turan misses out due to a hamstring injury. The Super Cup is one of the few titles Atletico has missed out on during Simeone’s three years in charge as it was just edged out on away goals by Barcelona last season.
And midfielder Mario Suarez is determined to make amends for their heartbreaking 4-1 defeat to Real after extra time in lisbon three months ago.