The good old derby for the beginning of the new era of the Champions League - the two teams that gave Europe two unforgettable finals during the first decade of this century will launch a new format of UEFA's elite.
It's time for the redesigned Champions League, which immediately brings a spectacle - Milan and Liverpool will collide at the Lombardy temple of football "San Siro". The European classic starts at 21 p.m.
- This match could be the semi-final or final of the Champions League - ever since I signed for Milan I've been dreaming about a match like this - said the European champion Alvaro Morata, a guy who arrived in the City of Fashion this summer.
The Rossoneri and the Reds have met only once in Milan, it was three years ago in the group stage of the Champions League when Liverpool won 2:1.
- We have a rival who has a lot of quality waiting for us, but we are preparing for that match like any other - said the coach of the English representative Arne Slott, who celebrates his 46th birthday today
In total, the two rivals have met four times in the Champions League, and Milan won only once - in the final in 2007. Two years earlier, these giants also met in the final - in an Istanbul match that will be remembered as one of the best in football history.
The "dream team" of Milan then had 45:3 after 0 minutes, Liverpool came back in seven minutes, and after a miracle Jiržija Twentieth became the European champion in overtime and through the penalty shootout.
Adžić among the 12 Juventus debutants
A complicated match in Empoli postponed the debut Vasilija Adžić for Juventus in Serie A, he watched the match at "Castellani" from the bench, and he will most likely start tonight's Champions League match against PSV from the bench.
The clash in Turin will start two hours and 15 minutes (18.45:12) before the derby in Milan, and the Montenegrin super talent will be one of the XNUMX players of the "old ladies" who will listen to the Champions League anthem live for the first time in their careers.
- Will we have many debutantes? That is not important, experience is not decisive in football, but many other things - stressed the coach of the Bianconeri. Thiago Motta, who will also make his coaching debut.
Dynamo in Munich, the champion is waiting for "cockroaches"
The first round of the Champions League will be played over three days, and tonight's program will bring four more matches... Apart from Milan and Turin, it should be interesting in Madrid, where the European champion Real Madrid will welcome Stuttgart.
Tonight, the region will be represented by Dinamo from Zagreb, which faces one of the most difficult away games in the world - against Bayern in Munich.
The former champion Aston Villa is returning to the Champions League after four decades Unaja Emeri, the day after death Garija Shoa - the hero of the conquest of Europe in 1982 - will visit Switzerland with the Young Boys.
DON'T MISS IT
Battles for Top eight and Top 24
It is already known that the new format of the Champions League has "erased" the old groups, so now 36 teams will fight for the best possible position in the joint table.
There will be more derbies, but also more matches, so the first phase will bring 96 duels instead of the previous 144.
144
matches will be played in the first phase of the Champions League - 48 more than was the case during the earlier group phase
Of course, it is impossible for everyone to play with everyone, so one team will have eight matches against eight different rivals in the first phase - four at home and four away.
After the first stage, which will last until the end of January, the best eight in the table will directly advance to the round of 24, while the teams that occupy positions from ninth to 16th expect one more knockout round (playoffs) in order to win a place among the best XNUMX.
Clubs that are placed from 25th to 36th place will have to accept relegation - not only from the Champions League, but also from Europe, since there is no longer a transition to the weaker Europa League.
Bonus video:
