UCL – Group Stage, Round 1 Thread

The 2008/09 Champions League will kick off today. There is plenty of exciting matches to look ahead after what turned out to be another great weekend of football. Here are some of my pick for this week clashes.

 

Day 1 – 16/09/2008

 

Can Barcelona put their poor start in La Liga behind them when they entertain Sporting Lisbon? I hope to see Lionel MESSI, after having being criticized by Diego MARADONA, will put up a big performance and restore some confidence in the Nou Camp.

 

Next up, welcome to the Champions League Kun AGUERO! Atlético Madrid will have a tough encounter when they travel to play PSV.

 

Another big game will be Javier MASCHERANO & Liverpool traveling to Marseille. Confidence must be running high for them after their win against Manchester United.

 

The Anglo-French battle will also take place in London, with Chelsea playing host to Fernando CAVENAGHI's Bordeaux. I would love to see him getting his name on the score sheet.

 

Day 2 – 17/09/2008

 

It has to be defending champion, Manchester United's visit to Villareal. It will be interesting to see whether the Red Devils will bounce back from their weekend misery. There will be interesting match up between Carlos TEVEZ and Gonzalo RODRIGUEZ.

 

The Albiceleste Dragon's of FC Porto's match against Fenerbahce looks interesting as well. What about the Real Madrid and debutant BATE match? From what I've heard, many Real fans are calling the coach to start Gonzalo HIGUAIN ahead of RAUL.

 

The following are the other matches taking place this week.

 

Day 1

 

Roma vs CFR

Panathinaikos vs. Internazionale

Werder Bremen vs. Anorthosis

FC Basel vs. Shaktar

 

Day 2

 

Celtic vs. AaB

FC Steaua Bucureşti vs. Bayern

Lyon vs. Fiorentina

Dynamo Kyiv vs. Arsenal

Juventus vs. Zenit