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Europe’s most elite competition, the UEFA Champions League gets underway today. It promises to be yet another thrilling year with some potentially great fixtures lined-up. Over the course of 10 months, we go through a gamut of crests and trufts, until the last team standing is crowned as the champions.Every year, apart from the usual participants, we see several new players who’ll be setting afoot in the competition for the frist time. In accordance with that, we take a brief look at 5 fresh faces making their debut at the grandest stage of European club football, in the 2014-15 season.
#1 Ciro Immobile
Borussia Dortmund forward Ciro Immobile will be making his first appearance at Europe’s elite stage when his side take on Arsenal in their opening game of the season.
The Italy international was the top scorer in Serie A in the 2013-14 season and was brought in to replace the departed Robert Lewandowski. The former Torino striker is yet to get onto the scoresheet for the Ruhr side and the Champions League serves as the best platform for him to open his goal-scoring account.
#2 Calum Chambers
The English defender moved to Arsenal this summer and hit the ground running right from the start, thereby winning the fans’ ‘Player of the month’ award for the month of August.
The 21-year old comes in to deputize for Mathieu Debuchy, who is sidelined due to an injury and will hope to make the most of this chance to cement his place in the starting XI by replicating his domestic form in the Champions League too.
#3 Munir El Haddadi
Another young prodigy and La Masia graduate, Munir made his senior debut just a month ago and will now feature in Barcelona’s Champions League squad.
The Spaniard scored for Barcelona in their league opener against Elche and has already won accolades for his good performances with Barcelona. With Suarez banned till the end of October, Champions League participation comes as a huge opportunity for him to showcase his talent on a bigger platform and he will do all he can to live up to the billing.
#4 Raheem Sterling
19 year old England international, Rahem Sterling, catapulted to stardom following his impressive performances for the Reds last term. Although he failed to have any major impact at the World Cup, the dynamic winger has put those bitter memories behind him, as he is back to his fluent best for Liverpool this season.
Raheem Sterling remains an integral part of Rodgers’ thought process, and he will be eager to make sure that he creates a great impression on everyone in the football world by doing well in the Champions League.
