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Ultimate Champions League Matchday One Preview

By Orri Benatar

MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 01: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his teams opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 1, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - SEPTEMBER 01: Gareth Bale of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring his teams opening goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and CD Leganes at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 1, 2018 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
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TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the serie A match between Juventus and US Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images)
TURIN, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 16: Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus FC celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the serie A match between Juventus and US Sassuolo at Allianz Stadium on September 16, 2018 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Emilio Andreoli/Getty Images) /

Real Madrid vs. AS Roma (Group G)

Two notable players for each team

MAD: Luka Modric & Gareth Bale

ROM: Edin Dzeko & Alessandro Florenzi

How are they doing in league play?

Real Madrid (ESP): 2nd place (10 points in 4 matches)

Roma (ITA): 9th place (5 pts in 4 matches)

Expectations

Two semifinalists from last season meet at the Bernabeu. This will be Real Madrid’s first Champions League match since 2009 without Cristiano Ronaldo and they will be favored.

Viktoria Plzen vs. CSKA Moscow (Group G)

Two notable players for each team

PLZ: Michael Krmencik & Tomas Horava

CSK: Alan Dzagoev & Igor Akinfeev

How are they doing in league play?

Viktoria (CZE): 2nd place (21 pts in 8 matches)

CSKA (RUS): 5th place (12 pts in 7 matches)

Expectations

Not a match that grabs the headlines. CSKA is playing one of the worst teams in the Champions League and could start with three points.

Valencia vs. Juventus (Group H)

Two notable players for each team

VAL: Denis Cheryshev & Michy Batshuayi

JUV: Cristiano Ronaldo & Paulo Dybala

How are they doing in league play?

Valencia (ESP): 17th place (3 pts in 4 matches)

Juventus (ITA): 1st place (12 pts in 4 matches)

Expectations

Ronaldo got his first two Juventus goals on Sunday against Sassuolo while Valencia drew Real Betis 0-0 on Saturday. Juventus should win very comfortably in Spain.

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BSC Young Boys vs. Man United (Group H)

Two notable players for each team

BSC: Guillaume Hoarau & Christian Fassnacht

MUN: Paul Pogba & Romelu Lukaku

How are they doing in league play?

Young Boys (SUI): 1st place (18 pts in 6 matches)

Man United (ENG): 8th place (9 pts in 5 matches)

Expectations

Man United should have no problem pummeling BSC Young Boys in Switzerland on Wednesday. Could be in first on goal difference before the match against Valencia in October.

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