Adedapo Adesanya
By Adedapo Adesanya
The first match day of the UEFA Champions League for the 2019/2020 season will kick off tonight across various cities in Europe.
Two matches will see an early kickoff of 5:55 p.m. with Antonio Conte led Inter Milan hosting Slavia Prague at the San Siro. Conte must view this match against Slavia Prague as a must-win considering the fact that Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona make up other clubs in Group F. It is set to be a fascinating battle to qualify for the last-16 stage of the Champions League, and Inter will be feeling good about their chances as the club seemingly have a new-found belief with recent addition of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez, both former teammates at Manchester United, to the team.
Also kicking off early is The Ligue 1 outfit, Lyon who finished third last season behind PSG and Lille in the French League hosting Russian side, Zenit, who are making their first appearance in the competition since they reached the last 16 in the 2015-2016 season.
Defending Champions, Liverpool will be guests to Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo for an 8 p.m. kick off in Italy, Napoli hopes to get out of the group this time after failing to advance last season when grouped with Liverpool and PSG. Liverpool will be without goalkeeper Alisson and coach Jurgen Klopp says he isn’t sure if left back Andy Robertson will be available for the match.
In Group H, Chelsea welcome Valencia as Frank Lampard having won the competition as a player in 2012, makes his managerial debut in the competition against the side the Blues beat on their way to their maiden Champions League triumph. Scoring goals hasn’t been a problem for Lampard’s men, but the fact they have conceded 13 in just six games under Lampard could give Valencia some hope in grabbing at least one goal at Stamford Bridge.
Borussia Dortmund host Barcelona in the second game for Group F scheduled for 8 p.m. with the return of five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lionel Messi who has been out of action since sustaining a calf injury in pre-season, the Black and Yellow club has their work cut out for them.
Last season’s Champions League semi-finalists Ajax begin their quest to repeat and surpass that when they host Lille in their opening Group H outing match. Following the exits of key players such as Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong, and visit trip to the Johan Cruyff Arena is a good way for Lille to make their Champions League return, having not featured in the competition proper since 2012-13.
In other fixtures in Group E, Red Bull Salzburg play host to Belgian outfit, Genk at the Red Bull Arena in Austria tonight.
Portuguese side Benfica welcome German heavyweight, RB Leipzig as both clubs will be looking for a strong start to the Champions League Group G this season at the Estadio da Luz.
