Five must-watch Champions League group fixtures this season

There is now only one solitary week to go before the 2014-15 UEFA Champions League kicks off proper with the first games in the group stage scheduled for the 16th and the 17th of this month. The seeding structure and rules have ensured that some of the groups end up looking a bit more complicated than the others. It has thrown up at least two Groups of Death and fans can expect some mouth-watering matchups.Here are five fixtures that you must not miss.The last time Liverpool met Real Madrid in the Champions League at Anfield in 2009 which the Reds won 4-0

#1 Atletico Madrid - Juventus

Atletico Madrid were seconds away from a first-ever European triumph when Sergio Ramos headed in the equaliser in Lisbon last season. Three goals later, Los Rojiblancos had crumbled in defeat and were left to rue what might have been. This season, they will be looking to put the disappointment of that defeat behind them as they start anew. After the departure of Diego Costa, Tihbaut Courtois and Filipe Luis, manager Diego Simeone has brought in ample replacements, prominent among them Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann.

Waiting for them in the group stages is a Juventus team that is under new reins, with Massimiliano Allegri replacing Antonio Conte in the dugout. It remains to be seen if Allegri can better Conte’s European record with a team whose new additions include Patrice Evra, Roberto Pereyra and Alvaro Morata. The new names may not be exactly what they need, but they were fortunate to retain prized assets Arturo Vidal and Paul Pogba. Last time around, Juve exited at the group stage and this year, fans will be hoping to do better in a group which is relatively straightforward.

Matches

Atletico Madrid v Juventus at Vicente Calderon, Madrid

1st October 2014 – 12:15 am IST (2nd October)

Juventus v Atletico Madrid at Juventus Stadium, Turin

9th December 2014 – 1:15 am IST (10th December)

#2 Real Madrid - Liverpool

And finally, La Decima arrived at the Bernabeu after a long desperate wait, punctuated by millions of euros spent on getting the world’s best to Madrid. Real impressed in their road to glory last season but this year, there is a feeling that something might be amiss. In selling Angel Di Maria to Manchester United, they have lost the engine of the team. But pundits will be keen to observe more before writing them off, as we are yet to see what newcomers Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez can really offer.

As for Liverpool, they too ended a lean patch by returning to the Champions League after a gap of four years. That a wait of four years is a wait too long for the Reds tells something about their relationship with the competition. It will be too soon and unrealistic for them to dream of a sixth continental triumph but there is belief among the Anfield faithful that they can put up a great show against the defending champions. Yes, Luis Suarez may be long gone; but put in Mario Balotelli to a team that already includes the likes of Steven Gerrard, Daniel Sturridge and Raheem Sterling – this team can really give anyone a run for their money.

Matches

Liverpool v Real Madrid at Anfield, Liverpool

22nd October 2014 – 12:15 am IST (23rd October)

Real Madrid v Liverpool at Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

4th November 2014 – 1:15 am IST (5th November)

#3 Borussia Dortmund - Arsenal

Once again, just as in the last few seasons, Borussia Dortmund kick off minus one important player, after Robert Lewandowski left for Bayern. But Jurgen Klopp’s men know that their team is bigger than one player, having coped quite well after the loss of Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze. The big question now is, can they repeat the heroics of 2012-13, when they won the hearts of Europe with superb displays on the way to the final? Now that Kagawa is back after a disappointing stay at Manchester United, Klopp will be scheming something similar. He has also reinforced his squad with two quality strikers in Ciro Immobile and Adrian Ramos to fill the void up front. In North London, Arsene Wenger must be heaving many sighs of relief after his Arsenal side edged past Besiktas to seal a place in the group stage for the 17^th consecutive season. The Gunners had their new signing Alexis Sanchez to thank for that. The Chilean striker is a superb addition to what is already quite an impressive attack. But a not-so-strong defensive half has the potential to put Arsenal’s season in disarray. If Wenger does not manage to solve that niggling issue, he will have to be content with retaining the tag of perennial also-rans. That said, Arsenal still will be a tough team to play against.

Matches

Borussia Dortmund v Arsenal at Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund

16th September 2014 – 12:15 am IST (17th September)

Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund at Emirates Stadium, London

26th November 2014 – 1:15 am IST (27th November)

#4 Bayern Munich - Manchester City

It’s now pretty normal for Bayern Munich to be installed as favourites much before the tournament actually starts. Of course, the 0-5 aggregate thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid must have been a pill too hard to swallow in an otherwise brilliant season. But despite that, they remain a mighty force to reckon with. Mario Mandzukic has been replaced with Robert Lewandowski as the no.9 and there have been arrivals in the others departments too, with Pepe Reina, Mehdi Benatia, Xabi Alonso and Sebastian Rode adding to this star-studded squad. Any team would fear facing a Bayern team in form, and Pep Guardiola will hope that they will always be in form.

They may be heavyweights in England, but when it comes to Europe, Manchester City always seems to come up short of muscle. For all the money that their owners have put in, City haven’t been able to mount a serious European challenge. They have a strong team once again, retaining most of their best players and adding the likes of Eliaquim Mangala, Bacary Sagna and Fernando. After being knocked out by Barcelona last year, Manuel Pellegrini’s men return and yet again, they find themselves facing Bayern Munich and CSKA Moscow in the group stage. But they might not have it as easy as last time as the fourth team is A.S. Roma.

Matches

Bayern Munich v Manchester City at Allianz Arena, Munich

17th September 2014 – 12:15 am IST (18th September)

Manchester City v Bayern Munich at Etihad Stadium, Manchester

25th November 2014 – 1:15 am IST (26th November)

#5 Paris Saint Germain - Barcelona

Paris Saint Germain are, like Man City, yet to translate their domestic supremacy onto the continental stage. Two consecutive quarterfinal appearances are the best PSG have been able to muster since the takeover by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011. On both occasions, they were knocked out on away goals leaving the Parisiens with a bad taste in their mouths. Their hopes of overcoming the quarterfinal obstacle has been hit somewhat by UEFA’s Financial Fair Play regulations. In an uncharacteristically quiet transfer window, they only bought David Luiz and Serge Aurier. Coach Laurent Blanc may believe that his team is well-equipped nonetheless, and he may be right – if you have Zlatan Ibrahimovic, he may be all you need.

A new era has begun at Barcelona; and it is looking pretty good so far. Former Luis Enrique has taken charge of a team that disappointed last season, having fallen well off their usual standards. He has overseen a busy summer, with numerous players coming in and going out. The result is a team with a slightly new look; the highlight is a world-class front three of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. Suarez will only be able to play in mid-October after his biting-ban is over and he will miss the away game against PSG. When he returns, Messi and Co. will be hoping to welcome him with a good foundation for the season.

Matches

Paris Saint Germain v Barcelona at Parc des Princes, Paris

30th September 2014 – 12:15 am IST (31st September)

Barcelona v Paris Saint Germain at Camp Nou, Barcelona

10th December 2014 – 1:15 am IST (11th December)