As hostilities commence in the group stage of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, September 18, a lot of games are on the cards between top clubs across Europe’s best leagues.
In MatchDay 1 of the UEFA Champions League games, the English topflight will be represented by Liverpool and Tottenham, while Spain’s La Liga will have Barcelona.
Other top clubs that will also be on parade on Tuesday include PSG and Napoli.
Here are five must-watch matches that a true follower of the round-leather game cannot afford to miss out.
The current performances of these clubs in their domestic leagues, Champions’ League as well as the quality of players in their squad, were some of the indices used in arriving, in the top five matches of the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League MatchDay 1.
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5. Barcelona vs PSV Eindhoven
La Liga champions Barcelona will trade tackles with Eredivise champs PSV Eindhoven in the first fixture of the group stage in the UEFA Champions’ League.
The Camp Nou dwellers, are usually difficult opponents during the group phrase of Europe’s premier club competition, but are in for a tough game against PSV Eindhoven.
Barcelona are expected to parade some of their summer arrivals like Malcom and Arthur, who have already tasted actions in the Spanish topflight and they will be hunting for their first three points from the Dutch visitors in backyard.
However, PSV Eindhoven, are not any easy side to deal with after playing through the playoffs rounds, to get to the group stages proper. At the point, the Dutch representatives must do the extra, to get at least a point away from home at the end of 90 minutes.
Both clubs are on top of their game as Barcelona enjoyed four wins in all their La Liga matches this term and sit top of the La Liga log with a goal difference of +11.
On the other divide, the Mark van Bommel tutored-side PSV currently sit at the top of the Eredivisie log and are heading to Barcelona fresh from a 7-0 whitewash of OD Den Haag.
Antoine Griezmann
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4. Monaco vs Atletico Madrid
French Ligue 1 giants Monaco and Europa League champs Atletico Madrid are two of the three top teams in Group A but will battle each other on Matchday 1.
But Bundesliga representatives, Borussia Dortmund are the other top team with a decent pedigree in the group will face Belgium side, Club Brugge in the second fixture.
Over the years, Atletico and Monaco have earned UEFA Champions’ League pedigree after reaching the finals twice while Monaco reached the semis during the 2016-17 campaign.
However, in recent years, the French club are losing some of their brightest talents to clubs in the Premier League and La Liga while Atleti have continued to beef up their squad with more quality additions after signing Lemar and Kalinic.
So far, in the new season the Diego Simeone tutored-side saw off city rivals, Real Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup final.
Atletico are expected to claim this away game and continue their success story after claiming the Europa last season but with current form, the trip to Monaco on Tuesday looks dicey as Monaco are without a win in their last four games.
3. Inter Milan vs Tottenham
The Champions League MatchDay 1 also features two clubs in Group B.
While Barcelona play hosts to PSV, the fourth-placed team in the Premier League Tottenham will be battling Serie A fourth-placed club, Inter Milan.
The encounter will see both clubs fighting to claim all three points from tricky tie.
Tottenham will be with the likes of Harry Kane and Eriksen but without Dele Alli and Hugo Lloris in the squad for the Champions League opener, Inter could be dangerous to contend.
The San Siro dwellers with the trio of Naingollan, Keita Balde and Lautaro Martinez and looking good to challenge Totenham for the three points.
Tottenham after a good start to this season in the Premier league face Inter who had a below-the-par start in the Serie A.
And with the likes of Barcelona and PSV yet to come in the Champions League, Luciano Spalletti must do everything to start with a win against Spurs.
2. Real Madrid vs Roma
UEFA Champions League 2018/19: 5 matches to look forward on MatchDay 1
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Champions League defending champions Real Madrid and Roma are the two top clubs in Group G who will battle one another in the first group stage match.
The Los Blancos will be at home against the Italians who were christened ‘giant killers’ last term after their performances in the Champions League.
Currently, Real Madrid under new boss Julen Lopetegui are rebuilding without Cristiano Ronaldo this season, after suffering a 4-2 Super Cup loss to city rivals Atletico before the commencement of the new La Liga season.
At the last count, the Galaticos have claimed three wins and one draw from their four league games, with Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale netting the goals following Ronaldo’s exit in the summer.
A win against Roma in the Champions League would be an added boost for Real Madrid but Roma who have enjoyed a mixed fortune in the Serie A, will be at their best if they nurse any ambition to get a decent result at the Santiago Bernabeu.
PSG stars Mbappe, Cavani and Neymar
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1. Liverpool vs PSG
Group C features three top clubs that includes Liverpool, PSG, and Napoli and it is already known as the group of death as only two will make it to the knockout rounds.
This feature is unofficially the top game of Champions League MatchDay 1 as it features last season’s finalists Liverpool and PSG who are hungry for European success.
It is also a matchup of two former mangers of Dortmund managers in Klopp vs Tuchel who are quite knowledgeable of tactical capabilities.
The match will be a good test for PSG. Already they have claimed all 15 points available in their first five matches in the French topflight.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have done the same after undergoing series of tough fixtures in the EPL but will be keen to impose their attacking football on the French champions.
Indeed, missing this top-of-the-table encounter holding in Anfield will not be the best option for any true lover of the beautiful game of football.
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