Champions League Matchday 1: Latest Team News & Lineups
The Champions League is back, and Matchday 1 promises a feast of footballing action as Europe's elite clubs clash in the competition's group stage. From blockbuster matchups to potential upsets, there's plenty to look forward to.
Here's a rundown of the latest team news and expected lineups for some of the most anticipated Matchday 1 encounters:
Group A
Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan (Tuesday, September 19th, 8:00 PM CET)
- Bayern Munich:
- Team News: Bayern are without Manuel Neuer, Lucas Hernandez, and Serge Gnabry due to injuries. Sadio Mané is also a doubt but might make the squad.
- Expected Lineup: Sommer; Davies, Upamecano, De Ligt, Pavard; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Sané, Coman; Kane.
- Inter Milan:
- Team News: Inter are boosted by the return of Romelu Lukaku, but they will miss the suspended Marcelo Brozovic.
- Expected Lineup: Onana; Bastoni, Acerbi, Dumfries; Dimarco, Barella, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Darmian; Lautaro Martinez, Lukaku.
Group B
Real Madrid vs. Union Berlin (Tuesday, September 19th, 9:00 PM CET)
- Real Madrid:
- Team News: Real Madrid are without Thibaut Courtois and Eder Militao due to long-term injuries.
- Expected Lineup: Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Fran García; Modrić, Valverde, Camavinga; Bellingham, Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo.
- Union Berlin:
- Team News: Union Berlin are in good health with no major injury concerns.
- Expected Lineup: Rønnow; J. Teuchert, Knoche, B. Schlotterbeck, Raum; Khedira, Laidouni, Haraguchi; Becker, Behrens, Awoniyi.
Group C
Napoli vs. Real Sociedad (Wednesday, September 20th, 8:00 PM CET)
- Napoli:
- Team News: Napoli are missing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Kim Min-jae due to injuries, but they have a strong squad depth.
- Expected Lineup: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Ostigard, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka; Politano, Zielinski, Kvaratskhelia; Osimhen.
- Real Sociedad:
- Team News: Real Sociedad are without David Silva and Umar Sadiq due to injuries.
- Expected Lineup: Remiro; Gorosabel, Pacheco, Le Normand, Rico; Brais Méndez, Suárez, Merino; Sorloth, Oyarzabal, Kubo.
Group D
Benfica vs. AC Milan (Tuesday, September 19th, 8:00 PM CET)
- Benfica:
- Team News: Benfica are missing striker Gonçalo Ramos due to injury, but otherwise have a full squad to choose from.
- Expected Lineup: Vlachodimos; Bah, Otamendi, Morato, Grimaldo; Fernandes, Florentino; Neres, João Mário, Aursnes; Guedes.
- AC Milan:
- Team News: AC Milan will be without Alessandro Florenzi due to injury.
- Expected Lineup: Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Krunić, Reijnders, Pobega; Leao, Giroud, Pulisic.
Stay tuned for more team news and updates as we approach the opening round of Champions League fixtures.
Remember to follow the latest developments on official club websites and trusted football sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
