The 2016-17 UEFA Champions League kicks off this week with Matchday 1.
To see the full fixture list, CLICK HERE
Here’s what you need to know ahead of this week’s matches…
THE BIG GAME
Paris Saint-Germain vs. Arsenal
Sportsnet commentator James Sharman writes: With Ludogorets and Basel rounding out Group A, it is no surprise that all eyes are on this match. That is probably a slap in the face to those two teams, especially Basel who have a fine record against English sides in Europe, but let’s be honest: PSG and Arsenal are the big favourites.
Both have made stuttering starts to their domestic campaigns, although Saturday’s win against Southampton courtesy of a Santi Cazorla penalty in injury time eased some of the pressure off Arsene Wenger. Newcomers Lucas Perez and Shkodran Mustafi both earned debuts in that win, with the German defender looking especially strong. In fact, Arsenal defended very well against the Saints, something they will need to do against PSG even as it struggles to find an identity since the departure of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
PSG and Arsenal are both feeling the heat early on this season, so expect a pragmatic approach from both teams despite their preferred style of going all out in attack.
To read more Matchday 1 predictions from Sportsnet’s soccer panel, CLICK HERE
PLAYER TO WATCH
Koke, Atletico Madrid: PSV Eindhoven should have their hands full with Atletico Madrid’s star midfielder on Tuesday when the two teams clash in Holland.
Koke is off the fine start in La Liga this season, as he has created more scoring chances (11) than any other layer in the Spanish topflight. He also scored the opener for Atletico in a 4-0 win over Celta Vigo on the weekend, with coach Diego Simeone stating his goal made the difference after a somewhat dire first half.
“We were very strong in the second half after Koke’s goal. You could see that we could hurt them with every attack and that eventually resulted in the goals that we did not score in the previous games,” Simeone said.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: 10 players to watch in the first round || 8 matches to watch in the first round || Canada’s Atiba Hutchinson set to play in Champions League || Champions League: What you need to know this week || Sportsnet’s Champions League predictions for Matchday 1 || Celtic never stood a chance vs. ruthless Barca || Barca, Bayern make big opening statements
CANADIAN CONTENT
The Champions League will feature some Canadian content this season. Canadian midfielder Atiba Hutchinson is a key figure for Besiktas, and you just know he’ll be aiming to make a big splash on European club soccer’s biggest stage, especially after the recent disappointment of Canada being knocked out of World Cup qualifying.
Hutchinson is expected to make his debut in the group stage of the tournament on Tuesday when Besiktas visits Benfica.
To read more about Atiba Hutchinson, CLICK HERE
RONALDO REUNION
Wednesday’s meeting between Real Madrid and Sporting CP in the Spanish capital marks a reunion of sorts for Cristiano Ronaldo—the Portuguese cut his teeth at the Lisbon club before being sold off to Manchester United while still only 18 years old.
“It’s a special match, it’s a special team. I wanted to draw Sporting again, because I think they have a good team, they have a good coach, and it will be another special moment in my life,” Ronaldo told UEFA.com.
Some bad news for Sporting: Cristiano Ronaldo has never failed to score against one of his former clubs in European competition.
WHO IS JOEL POHANPALO?
Never heard of him? We don’t blame you. The Finnish forward has come out of nowhere to currently sit atop the Bundesliga scoring race, tied for the lead with Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski.
Pohjanpalo is the only player to score for Bayer Leverkusen this season in the German league, and incredibly he’s only played 30 minutes as a substitute—he netted a hat trick in Leverkusen’s 3-1 win over Hamburger SV this past weekend.
It’ll be interesting to see if he starts on Wednesday for Leverkusen when they host CSKA Moscow.
INTERESTING STAT
Sevilla should keep close tabs on Juventus’ Paolo Dybala on Wednesday when the two teams meet in Turin:
HE SAID IT
“I think I’ll tell my players to enjoy the music—all their life they have watched on TV and now they are playing.” – Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri ahead of the Foxes’ first Champions League match vs. Club Brugge in Belgium on Wednesday.
THE BURNING QUESTION
Sportsnet’s Soccer Central podcast (featuring James Sharman, Thomas Dobby, Brendan Dunlop and John Molinaro) takes an in-depth look at the beautiful game and offers timely and thoughtful analysis on the sport’s biggest issues.
