Champions League Kicks Off: Real Madrid Host Inter
The 36-team league phase begins with Real Madrid vs Inter, Porto vs Manchester City and Dortmund vs Villarreal among the opening fixtures.
The Champions League league phase gets under way on 8 September, with Real Madrid hosting Inter, Manchester City on an away trip to Porto and Borussia Dortmund at home to Villarreal. All 36 clubs sit in a single table this season, playing eight fixtures across the league phase—four at home and four away—with the top eight going straight through to the last 16 and clubs finishing ninth to 24th entering a knockout play-off round for the remaining places.
Aston Villa’s return to Europe’s premier competition is one of the key storylines from the opening round, as the club seeks to rebuild its continental pedigree after years of absence.
Elsewhere on the opening matchday, AEK play LASK, Bruges host Aston Villa and Lille meet Real Betis.
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