Tonight the most prestigious footballing event in Europe kicks off yet again as eight games get under way with a further instalment to follow tomorrow evening. This is the big one and there’s no doubt that the players, management and fans are all geared up to try everything to qualify from the group stages.

Last season my beloved Arsenal were beaten by Liverpool in the closing stages of the competition (*cough* we should have had a peno in the first leg *cough*), and that was it, my dream ended. Manchester United took the trophy when they beat Chelsea in the final on penalties. An all English affair was on the cards for some time and it didn’t disappoint.

This season sees a few interesting ties in the groups. Manchester United drew Celtic and Liverpool’s Fernando Torres will return to Atletico Madrid in group D. All of this adds to the overall build up with everyone thinking their team got the roughest draw.

As for this week, we see Liverpool travel to Marseille, somewhere they have been before having played them in 2007 and winning 4-0 if I remember correctly. Chelsea play Bordeaux and I don’t think many will be betting against them taking the points there.

Tomorrow Manchester United play Villarreal in a tough enough encounter but with reports that Ronaldo will be back in the squad I think United will be lifted and will go on to win that one. Arsenal go to Dynamo Kyiv to play a club who’s best days are possibly behind them, the days of Rebrov and Schevchenko are gone and I am hoping that despite the weather we can take the points. Celtic will take on Danish side Aalborg and will be desperate to get off to a win, Celtic are renound for not doing well on the road and they’ll need to end that voodoo if they are to become a force in Europe.

For more information visit the uefa site here

Here are the fixtures for Matchday One (all times are in CET):

Popularity: 1% [?]

No related posts.