The Uefa Champions League group stage has finally dawned upon us with
cracking matches scheduled for tonight.
Real Madrid will begin the defence of the title they bagged after
dislodging Madrid neighbours Atletico with a home match against
Sporting Lisbon on Wednesday.
Good news for Real fans is the return of the charismatic Cristiano
Ronaldo. Ronaldo was groomed through Sporting's academy before being
signed by Manchester United in 2003.
But the action begins tonight with one of the exciting scheduled
fixtures pitting Atletico Madrid and PSV Eindhoven. The two giants
were only separated after a nail biting penalty shootout last season
in the group stages.
Following their surprise defeat to Alaves, La Liga champions Barcelona
host Scottish champions Celtic and will remember well their 2-1 loss
to the same opposition in 2012. There should be no slip-ups this time,
particularly as Lionel Messi looks to be back to full fitness.
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, smart from their Manchester derby
win, host German side Borussia Monchengladbach while Arsenal travel to
the French capital to face Paris St Germain.
Bayern Munich have a fairly easy assignment against Rostov with
Benfica welcoming Turkish outfit Besiktas.