A treat for the start of the Champions League

For the Catalans, the game in season one is the first real assessment of where they are after the departure of club icon Lionel Messi. Meanwhile, defending champions Chelsea will host Zenit St. Petersburg at Stamford Bridge.

FC Barcelona is usually the favorite at Camp Nou, but this time the conditions are different in the home game against Munich. After Messi's departure, the club is still looking for a new identity. Despite Messi's departure: Bayern warns against Barca “They play completely differently. Lionel is a player who takes over the game and is sought after by his fellow players. Now the responsibility is distributed among several players. With Memphis Depay and Luuk de Jong, they have added two very interesting players who have different qualities. “I definitely wouldn’t describe them as worse without Messi,” warned Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann against underestimating the top Spanish club.

“FC Barcelona will never be weak,” said Bayern captain Manuel Neuer before the game. “That's a blast to start with.” The last comparison with Bayern in the Champions League ended on August 14, 2020 at the final tournament in Lisbon with a historic 2-8 defeat for the Catalans. Bayern have also been unbeaten in 18 away games in the premier class (14 wins, four draws). A lot of unrest at Barca Barca got off to a good start in the league even without Messi with two wins and a draw. Coach Ronald Koeman was cautious before his first European Cup appearance this season. They want to “get a good result” against Bayern. “We all know that Munich is a great team with very good and experienced players,” emphasized the 58-year-old Dutchman on Monday. But a very strong opponent is good “to know where we stand”. Koeman also admitted differences with club boss Joan Laporta. “Yes, there were some little things, but we talked and came to an agreement.”

Barca coach Ronald Koeman during the final training session. © ANSA / Alejandro Garcia

Spanish media had previously reported “violent friction”. FC Bayern, who are among the favorites to win the Champions League, have other worries. National player Serge Gnabry could be out again due to back problems, but 18-year-old Jamal Musiala, who had already shone against Leipzig with a goal and an assist, could come in for him again. Chelsea starts mission to defend their title in Russia In Group H, Chelsea begins its mission to defend its title against Russian champions St. Petersburg. Coach Thomas Tuchel's team, which will have to do without midfielder N'Golo Kante and striker Christian Pulisic on Tuesday due to injuries, can be seen as even stronger than in the previous season with the signing of Belgian star striker Romelu Lukaku and, like all English starters, belongs in the premier class the co-favorites.

In the second game of Pool H, Sweden's champions Malmö FF host Italian record champions Juventus. After the next setback of this botched start to the season, Juventus' worries from a year ago are now forgotten. “Things are just not going for us at the moment,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri after Saturday night’s 1-2 defeat at Napoli. Due to the second defeat in three games of the season so far and only one point in the account, Juve have already lost sight of the top of the table in Serie A. Now the aim is to make amends in the Champions League.

After his triumphant return to Manchester United with two goals in the first game against Newcastle, Cristiano Ronaldo now wants to follow up in the Champions League. In the Young Boys from Bern (18.45 p.m.) the “Red Devils” and their Portuguese superstar are the clear favorites. Villarreal and Atalanta Bergamo meet in the parallel game. Champions League, 1st matchday: Tuesday's games Seville – Salzburg (18.45 p.m.) Young Boys Bern – Manchester United Barcelona – Bayern Munich (21 p.m.) Chelsea – Zenit St. Petersburg Dynamo Kyiv – Benfica Lisbon Lille – Wolfsburg Malmo – Juventus Villareal – Atalanta

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A treat for the start of the Champions League

At the start of the group phase of the Football Champions League, there will be a big clash in Group E on Tuesday evening between FC Barcelona and the German champions FC Bayern Munich.

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