Champions League 2019/20: 3 Big First-time Clashes in the Competition

The new season of the UEFA Champions League will begin this week with the group stages. As the 32 teams fight for progression into next year's knockout rounds, every match will be crucial. Thanks to a good draw, most big clubs are pitted in competitive groups.

Out of all the interesting encounters, some top sides will also be facing each other for the first time in this competition. So, the fans can put away the history books and relish the added uncertainty that makes these matchups worth remembering. Scroll on to know about three such clashes which will be recorded for the first time in the competition's history.

This will be the first meeting between Chelsea and Ajax

#1 Chelsea FC vs AFC Ajax

Chelsea return to the Champions League with realistic expectations in a major transition phase with Frank Lampard taking charge of a squad missing the brilliance of Eden Hazard, who departed for Real Madrid in the summer. However, Lampard’s policy switch towards youth promotion with the likes of Tammy Abraham, Mason Mount in the team is already showing results in the Premier League.

On paper, the Europa League holders have been handed what looks to be a comfortable group keeping in mind that many other big clubs don’t have it easy. In the third gameweek, the Blues will face Dutch champions Ajax for the first time in the competition. Last season’s giant-killers are still bustling with youthful exuberance and a fearless attacking football authored by manager Eric ten Haag.

With Valencia in the mix as well, Ajax are not clear favorites to be group winners. The matchup also makes an interesting clash of young talent.

Spurs need results against Bayern if they are to top their group

#2 FC Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Hotspur

The finalists from last season will lock horns with continental giants Bayern in the second gameweek. Although this is their first meeting in Champions League history, the sides last met 36 years ago in the Last 16 stage of the 1983/84 UEFA Cup (now the Europa League). The Spurs came out on top and even took home the silverware later on.

The contest holds the key to which side takes top spot in the group. Fortunately for Spurs, their group doesn’t offer a formidable third competitor unlike last season when they scraped past Inter Milan by the thinnest of margins to finish second. On the other hand, a club of Bayern’s stature won’t take anything less than the top spot and would look to do better than last season's Round-of-16 elimination.

Barcelona start their campaign in Germany

#3 FC Barcelona vs Borussia Dortmund

It's the match-of-the-week even before kickoff. Barcelona begin their campaign away to Dortmund. With this being their first encounter in the Champions League, the sides last met over two decades ago in the 1997 Super Cup tie when Barcelona prevailed 3-1 on aggregate across two legs.

Since the days when Jurgen Klopp’s gegenpressing took off at Dortmund, a meeting with the masters of tiki-taka seemed long overdue for fans, who expect an enticing clash of styles. With a strengthened Internazionale up next, the result would matter more to Barcelona as they look to bring some stability after a shaky start to their LaLiga defense.