Troubled Man United travel to Munich, Arsenal mark the return of the Champions League by hosting PSV, last year’s finalists Inter Milan take on Real Sociedad.
A highly anticipated match between European giants Bayern Munich and Manchester United tops the eight-match UEFA Champions League line-up on Wednesday.
The Champions League returned on Tuesday with Manchester City, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain among the notable winners.
These are the five games to watch out for on Wednesday:
Bayern Munich vs Manchester United
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
When: 19:00 GMT
Manchester United will be without injured defenders Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as they face a tricky trip to Munich. Erik ten Hag’s team has not started the season well with three defeats in five league games.
Bayern, who have won 11 Bundesliga titles in a row, will measure their success this season by how much progress they make in the Champions League. Harry Kane will make his tournament debut with his new club against his former English rivals.
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We’ve seen some memorable encounters over the years… ππ₯#packmas #FCBMU pic.twitter.com/venWAX9Zdp
β FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) September 19, 2023
Arsenal vs PSV Eindhoven
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: 19:00 GMT
After qualifying for the Champions League for nineteen years in a row under Arsène Wenger, Arsenal had to wait six years to get back into the competition.
It’s clear the team has been looking forward to this moment, with the tournament’s famous anthem blaring from loudspeakers in the gym at the club’s training center this week, according to striker Gabriel Jesus.
PSV has won all four league matches so far and scored thirteen goals, while conceding only one goal in that period.
Real Madrid vs Union Berlin
Where: Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Madrid
When: 16:45 GMT
Real Madrid will be without right back Dani Carvajal and forward Vinicius Junior against tournament newcomer Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Europe’s record 14-time champions will be in the competition’s group stage for the 27th year in a row, while Union Berlin will make their tournament debut.
πΆTHE CHAAAMPIOOOONS! πΆ
π @fcunion_nl
ποΈSantiago BernabΓ©u
β° 18:45 CEST#UCL pic.twitter.com/QlHhR2RWJBβ Real Madrid CF π¬π§πΊπΈ (@realmadriden) September 20, 2023
Braga vs Napoli
Where: Braga Municipal Stadium, Braga
When: 19:00 GMT
Italian champions Napoli blew their opponents apart in the group stage last year, winning five of six matches and scoring 20 goals in a fantastic season for the club.
Portuguese Braga lost this weekend after a draw and a victory. Their last Champions League appearance was in 2012, when they won just one of their group stage matches.
π Our traveling team for #BragaNapoli
#UCL
π #Go to Napoli forever pic.twitter.com/hN8nPB6uxSβ Official SSC Napoli (@en_sscnapoli) September 19, 2023
Real Sociedad vs Inter Milan
Where: Anoeta Stadium, San Sebastian
When: 19:00 GMT
Last season’s runners-up Inter Milan go into their Champions League opener at Real Sociedad on Saturday after a 5-1 win over city rivals AC Milan in the derby as they maintained a perfect start to the season.
However, one of Inter’s key players, midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu, has been ruled out of the trip to Spain due to a thigh strain.
Sociedad lost at Real Madrid this weekend after drawing in the first three games. This is Sociedad’s first season in the Champions League in ten years. The last time they advanced from the group stage was in the 2003-2004 season.
Back for more π#UCL pic.twitter.com/jVgUMw25WA
β UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 20, 2023