Ultimate Champions League Matchday One Preview

The Champions League returns tomorrow. Here is a quick look at all 16 matches happening over the next two days in our favorite club competition.

The 2018-19 UEFA Champions League is ready to get started with eight matches on Tuesday followed by another eight on Wednesday. Its a big change in the world football landscape and there are a lot of questions we are anticipating the answers for over the next 10 months.

The biggest question we all have regards Real Madrid. The three-time reigning champions will enter the competition without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first time since 2008-09. It’s up to Luka Modric, Gareth Bale, and more to defend the title and win an unprecedented fourth consecutive European crown. Can they do it without CR7?

Barcelona enters without Andres Iniesta. How will Messi adjust? Will PSG’s front three take them further than ever? Will anyone from the Premier League make the final? Is Juventus the overwhelming favorite with Ronaldo? Who is the underdog? The first games will give us a sense of what kind of Champions League we will get in 2018-19.

Club Brugge vs. Borussia Dortmund (Group A)

Two notable players for each team

BRU: Kaveh Rezaei & Jelle Vossen

DOR: Marco Reus & Axel Witsel

How are they doing in league play?

Brugge (BEL): 1st Place (19 pts in 7 matches)

Dortmund (GER): 2nd Place (7 pts in 3 matches)

Expectations

Despite being on the road, Dortmund should come out strong and get three points in Belgium.

Monaco vs. Atletico Madrid (Group A)

Two notable players for each team

MON: Radamel Falcao & Aleksandr Golovin

ATL: Antoine Griezmann & Thomas Lemar (former Monaco player)

How are they doing in league play?

Monaco (FRA): 15th Place (5 pts in 5 matches)

Atletico (ESP): 8th Place (5 pts in 4 matches)

Expectations

This game will be close with both teams struggling in their leagues. A low-scoring draw is possible at Stade Louis II.

Barcelona vs. PSV Eindhoven (Group B)

Two notable players for each team

BAR: Lionel Messi & Luis Suarez

PSV: Hirving Lozano & Luuk de Jong

How are they doing in league play?

Barcelona (ESP): 1st Place (12 pts in 4 matches)

PSV (NED): 1st Place (15 pts in 5 matches)

Expectations

PSV will be more competitive than most people are expecting. Hirving Lozano can cause Barca problems but at Camp Nou, Messi and company are tough to beat.

Inter vs. Tottenham (Group B)

Two notable players for each team

INT: Ivan Perisic & Mauro Icardi

TOT: Harry Kane & Dele Alli

How are they doing in league play?

Inter (ITA): 15th place (4 pts in 4 matches)

Spurs (ENG): 6th place (9 pts in 5 matches)

Expectations

Tottenham will have the edge with their attack having a bit more chemistry and more success scoring. Spurs have 10 goals in the EPL compared to Inter’s 5 in Serie A. Spurs defense will be cut thin with Toby Alderweireld and Kieran Trippier left out of the squad.