The UEFA Champions League is finally back! After a lengthy wait, fans of the beautiful game get to enjoy the kick-off of the 2022/23 season, which gets underway this Tuesday.
As usual, a total of eight games will be played on September 6, with the remaining eight fixtures of Matchday 1 taking place a day later. One fixture, in particular, stands out on Tuesday and that is PSG's showdown with Juventus; however, there is a lot more to look forward to than simply that Parc des Princes showdown.
Reigning champions Real Madrid kick off their title defense while Manchester City, who have come achingly close in the last two editions, prepare for another season in which they aim to end their wait for European success. Here's everything you need to know about Tuesday's UEFA Champions League fixtures.
What are the main UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 showdowns taking place on Tuesday?
PSG vs Juventus
Will this finally be the year PSG get their hands on the UEFA Champions League? With a new coach at the helm of the Parc des Princes, this is the question football fans across the world will be wondering. Tuesday will be one of many tests as they will face Italian giants Juventus. Fortunately for Galtier's side, they have started their domestic campaign strongly, winning all but one of their opening six games, with Neymar scoring seven goals and assisting an additional six so far.
Unfortunately for Juventus, they do not boast the same bragging rights as of now. While the Old Lady remain unbeaten in Serie A, Allegri's men are seventh in the table after winning only twice in their opening five matches, drawing the other three. In fact, from the current top 10 teams in Italy, only two have scored fewer goals than the Bianonceri, hinting at their struggle to create for Dusan Vlahovic. Nonetheless, their showdown with PSG should make for an interesting game.
Celtic vs Real Madrid
The champions begin their title defense this Tuesday as Real Madrid prepare for a trip to Celtic on Matchday 1. After their unforgettable road to the title last term, pulling off remarkable comeback victories over PSG, Chelsea, and Manchester City before beating Liverpool in the final, Ancelotti's men will look to make it back-to-back crowns. So far, they have won four out of four in La Liga and are ready to carry this on.
Celtic, meanwhile, will be in for a daunting task regardless of their home advantage. Fortunately, the Scottish giants enter this clash on the back of the best possible result, beating bitter rivals Rangers 4-0 in the Old Firm derby over the weekend. The Bhoys haven't featured in the UEFA Champions League since 2017/18 and haven't made it past the group stage since 2012/13. They couldn't have asked for a tougher start this season.
Sevilla vs Manchester City
After their 2021/22 campaign, Manchester City enter this season with all the desire in the world to get their hands on a UEFA Champions League title. The Premier League giants came within seconds of making the final last time out but lost to Real Madrid in emphatic fashion. However, since then, Guardiola's men have added Erling Haaland to their squad and after an amazing start to the Premier League season, the Cityzens will look to do the same in Europe.
Sevilla, on the other hand, have been nothing short of atrocious. The Spanish giants enter this tie on the back of their embarrassing 3-0 defeat at home to Barcelona, a result which garnered jeers and whistles from their own fans. After four games, Lopetegui's side find themselves in 17th with three defeats and a draw to their name. Victory over the champions of England could spark life back into their season but that will be no easy feat.
What other UEFA Champions League Matchday 1 games are taking place on Tuesday?
Dinamo Zagreb vs Chelsea
Chelsea haven't enjoyed their Premier League start and will thus be aiming for an improvement in Europe. First up for the English giants is a showdown with Dinamo Zagreb. The Blues have never faced a Croatian team before in their history so it will be interesting to see how they fare against the SuperSport HNL leaders.
Dortmund vs Kobenhavn
How will Dortmund fare in Europe in their first season since losing Erling Haaland? Tuesday will give us a glimpse as they prepare to take on Kobenhavn. Bellingham and Co. are currently second in the Bundesliga, a point ahead of third-placed Bayern Munich and level with first-placed Freiburg, and should thus enter this tie with confidence.
Salzburg vs AC Milan
The second-most successful UEFA Champions League club in history begin their campaign on Tuesday as AC Milan prepare to visit Salzburg in the opening round. They enter this clash on the back of their lovely 3-2 victory over Inter in the weekend Milan Derby. However, in Salzburg, they will be facing a team that started the Austrian Bundesliga extremely well, winning all but one of their seven games so far.
Benfica vs Maccabi Haifa
Portuguese giants Benfica are also in action on Tuesday. They will be taking on Maccabi Haifa on Matchday 1, with the Israeli side last reaching this competition back in 2009/10. Last season, the Eagles went all the way to the quarterfinals and gave Liverpool a stern test in the last eight. However, the man that spearheaded that campaign, Darwin Nunez, has since left for Anfield, meaning things could get interesting for Roger Schmidt's side this time out.
RB Leipzig vs Shakhtar
And lastly, we have RB Leipzig vs Shakhtar, one of many 3 p.m. ET kick-offs. The German giants have struggled so far in the Bundesliga, winning one out of their five opening games. As for the Ukrainian outfit, they are second in their domestic league and will look to translate this form into an opening day victory in Europe.
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