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The Champions League is where the elite of Europe face each other in order to claim European football's biggest prize. The managers will spend days preparing their teams, the biggest superstars will look to shine again on the big stage, and come May next year, one team will stand atop the others as the Champions of Europe.
With the group stages of this prestigious competition just around the corner, we take a look at some mouth-watering group stage clashes which would not seem out of place in the knockout rounds.
Group A - Paris Saint Germain vs Real Madrid
The most decorated team in Champions League history going up against a team that has everything to prove in the Champions League - PSG vs Real Madrid is a match that hypes itself.
Both these European heavyweights have strengthened their squads during the summer. Real Madrid now have the services of Eden Hazard, who finally completed his dream move to the Spanish capital and will look to make a name for himself in the Champions League.
Other signings such as Luka Jovic and Ferland Mendy will also be keen to prove themselves. Most importantly, however, Zinedine Zidane will be back in the Champions League - a competition he made his own during his previous stint with Los Blancos.
On the other hand, PSG ended up not selling Neymar while adding Mauro Icardi to their ranks, which makes their attack as formidable as any other across Europe.
This could be the make-or-break season for the Paris outfit in the Champions League, and they will look to start strong against another title contender. Neymar and Hazard, Bale and Mbappe - the stars on show in this clash might give fans a night to remember.
With both these teams vying for the top spot in Group A, expect a high octane clash between two brilliant squads.
Group B - Bayern Munich vs Tottenham Hotspur
Last season, Tottenham Hotspur shocked everyone as they saw out some tough competition to reach the Champions League finals for the first time in their history. Unfortunately for Mauricio Pochettino, his team fell just short at the final hurdle as Liverpool beat them in Madrid to deny the North London club their chance at glory.
In the transfer window, Tottenham did not rest and have added considerable quality to their team. The signings of Tanguy Ndombele, Giovani Lo Celso, and Ryan Sessegnon have made Spurs even stronger than last season. There is no doubt that this young, hungry team will be looking to prove that their run to Madrid wasn't a one-off.
Their first big battle will come in the group stages against the champions of Germany - Bayern Munich, who made headlines by signing Phillipe Coutinho on loan from Barcelona on deadline day. The club also added the likes of Benjamin Pavard, Ivan Perisic and Lucas Hernandez to their ranks. As five-time winners of the Champions League, Bayern will be looking to advance deep into the competition and rectify the eliminations of the last few seasons.
The battle between these two teams and the coaches should be an intriguing one as both will look to set the tone early, and send a message to their counterparts in the other groups.
Group D - Atletico Madrid vs Juventus
A fixture that deserves its place in the latter stages of the tournament, football fans will be in for a treat when these two sides meet in the group stage.
Cristiano Ronaldo will probably be licking his lips in anticipation as he faces his old rivals from Madrid yet again - the last time the Portuguese superstar took on Diego Simeone's men in this competition, he scored a hattrick which lead to Atletico Madrid's elimination. Of course, the circumstances are different this time around, but the intensity will remain.
A stacked Juventus squad with new boy Matthijs de Ligt, and led by Ronaldo upfront will be aiming for nothing less than the trophy this season.
Facing them will be a revamped Atletico team. Despite the loss of Antoine Greizmann, Rodri and Diego Godin, the Spanish team has started the domestic season strongly. New signing Joao Felix is already starting to make a name for himself, and Simeone and his team look ready to finally claim the prize that has eluded them twice in the last six years.
Revenge will be on the cards as they will look to deal Juventus a loss, after getting eliminated at their hands last season in the Round of 16.
Maurizio Sarri vs Diego Simeone, Cristiano Ronaldo vs Joao Felix - this, and more will be on display when these two heavyweights clash in what can be the best game of the group stages.
Group F - Barcelona vs Inter Milan
For Barcelona, last season's Champions League is one to be forgotten. At the wrong end of a historic comeback wherein, they got outclassed by Liverpool, the club was left in a state of shock and will do anything to not repeat the same mistakes this time around.
Led by Lionel Messi, the addition of Antoine Griezmann will only aid the Spanish champions in their quest for winning the Champions League. Although much doubt has been cast over the ability of Ernesto Valverde to lead this team all the way, Barcelona's squad is simply too good for anyone to not count them as serious contenders.
Inter Milan are one of the dark horses in this Champions League season. With the arrival of Antonio Conte and the signings of Manchester United duo Romelo Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, Inter look ready to cause trouble for the big boys in Europe.
Despite the loss of Mauro Icardi, the Italian outfit have strengthened their squad for this season and are formidable opponents for anyone - Barcelona included. This new look Inter squad going up against the ever-present Barcelona will definitely be one of the most awaited battles of the group stages.
Group F - Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund
Group F is undoubtedly this year's "group of death". All three of Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Borussia Dortmund will look to advance. However, one will be left out.
These high stakes are what makes this particular clash all the more interesting. Dortmund have been known to trouble the big clubs in Europe in the past, and they have been busy in the summer window, bringing back Mats Hummels while adding the likes of Julian Brandt, Thorgan Hazard, and Paco Alcacer to the squad.
Lucien Favre's boys will not back down from any challenge they face this season.
It will be a highly interesting battle when these two dark horses meet each other, and every touch of the ball will be that much more important as a single mistake can eliminate either club from the competition. Needless to say, this game is one you do not want to miss.
Honourable mentions
Group E - Liverpool vs Napoli
A repeat of last year's group stage clash, it was Liverpool's narrow win at Anfield against Napoli which kick-started the run for their sixth European Cup. The match will be one to watch out for this time around too, with Napoli having something to prove against the defending champions.
Group H - Chelsea vs Ajax
Despite the losses of Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt, Ajax remain one of the most interesting teams in the tournament, with a promising young core. On the other hand, Chelsea return to the Champions League as a wildcard under Frank Lampard, and it will be intriguing to see this particular clash which could go either way.
