UCL Matchday 1: Team News & Predicted Lineups
The Champions League is back! Matchday 1 of the group stage is upon us, and football fans around the world are buzzing with anticipation. With some exciting matchups on the horizon, we've got the latest team news and predicted lineups to help you prepare for the action.
Group A:
Bayern Munich vs. Inter Milan
Bayern Munich: The German champions will be looking to start their UCL campaign with a strong performance at home. Bayern are in great form, boasting a perfect record in the Bundesliga, and they'll be hoping to continue that momentum.
- Team News: Sadio Mané is back in training but may not be ready to start. Noussair Mazraoui is still recovering from injury.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Sommer; Pavard, Upamecano, De Ligt, Davies; Kimmich, Goretzka; Musiala, Müller, Sané; Kane.
Inter Milan: The Italian giants have had a mixed start to the season, but they'll be hoping to make a statement in Munich.
- Team News: Romelu Lukaku and Marcus Thuram are expected to start in attack. Marcelo Brozović is out with an injury.
- Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Onana; Acerbi, Bastoni, Skriniar; Dumfries, Barella, Çalhanoğlu, Mkhitaryan, Dimarco; Lukaku, Thuram.
Predicted Score: Bayern Munich 2-1 Inter Milan
Manchester United vs. Real Sociedad
Manchester United: Erik ten Hag's side will be eager to bounce back from their frustrating Premier League defeat last week. They'll be looking to get off to a good start in the group stage.
- Team News: Rasmus Højlund is still recovering from injury.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Shaw; Casemiro, Eriksen; Antony, Fernandes, Garnacho; Martial.
Real Sociedad: The Spanish side will be hoping to cause an upset at Old Trafford. They are a strong team, but facing Manchester United away will be a huge test.
- Team News: No major injury concerns for Imanol Alguacil.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Remiro; Gorosabel, Zubeldia, Le Normand, Rico; Merino, Zubimendi; Kubo, Silva, Oyarzabal; Sorloth.
Predicted Score: Manchester United 2-1 Real Sociedad
Group B:
Porto vs. Atlético Madrid
Porto: The Portuguese side will be looking to make a strong start at home. They're known for their attacking style of play, and they'll be looking to create chances against Atlético Madrid.
- Team News: Evanilson is back in the squad after missing the last game.
- Predicted Lineup (4-4-2): Costa; João Mario, Pepe, Marcano, Wendell; Otavio, Eustaquio, Uribe, Galeno; Taremi, Evanilson.
Atlético Madrid: Diego Simeone's side is always a tough opponent, and they'll be hoping to make a statement in Portugal. They have a solid defense and can be dangerous on the counter-attack.
- Team News: No major injury concerns for Simeone.
- Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Grbić; Giménez, Savić, Hermoso; Carrasco, Llorente, De Paul, Koke, Molina; Griezmann, Morata.
Predicted Score: Porto 1-1 Atlético Madrid
Lazio vs. Celtic
Lazio: The Italian side will be looking to make a strong start in their group. They have a talented squad and will be looking to use their home advantage to their advantage.
- Team News: Ciro Immobile is expected to lead the line.
- Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Provedel; Hysaj, Casale, Romagnoli, Marusic; Milinkovic-Savic, Cataldi, Luis Alberto; Felipe Anderson, Immobile, Zaccagni.
Celtic: The Scottish champions will be hoping to pull off an upset in Rome. They are a team that is always up for a fight and will be looking to cause some problems for Lazio.
- Team News: Kyogo Furuhashi and Liel Abada are expected to start.
- Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Hart; Johnston, Jenz, Starfelt, Hatate; McGregor, Mooy, O'Riley; Maeda, Furuhashi, Abada.
Predicted Score: Lazio 2-0 Celtic
Group C:
Napoli vs. Real Madrid
Napoli: The Italian champions are in red-hot form, and they'll be looking to make a statement against Real Madrid. They have a dynamic attacking line and will be looking to create chances from the start.
- Team News: Victor Osimhen is expected to lead the line for Napoli.
- Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Meret; Di Lorenzo, Rrahmani, Kim Min-jae, Olivera; Anguissa, Lobotka, Zielinski; Politano, Osimhen, Kvaratskhelia.
Real Madrid: The Spanish giants are always a threat in the Champions League. They're coming off a disappointing La Liga loss, and will be looking to bounce back in style.
- Team News: Jude Bellingham is expected to start alongside Federico Valverde in midfield.
- Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Militao, Alaba, Mendy; Bellingham, Valverde, Kroos; Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, Bale.
Predicted Score: Napoli 2-1 Real Madrid
Braga vs. Union Berlin
Braga: The Portuguese side will be hoping to upset the odds in their home match against Union Berlin. They are a competitive team, but will need to be at their best to get a result against the German side.
- Team News: Bruma is expected to start in attack for Braga.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Matheus; Tormena, Niakhaté, Vitor Oliveira, Sequeira; Al Musrati, André Horta; Bruma, Vitinha, Ricardo Horta; Abel Ruiz.
Union Berlin: The German side is enjoying a strong season so far, and they'll be looking to continue their good form in the Champions League. They have a solid defense and will be hoping to keep things tight at the back.
- Team News: Kevin Behrens is expected to lead the line for Union Berlin.
- Predicted Lineup (3-5-2): Rønnow; Doekhi, Knoche, Vogt; Trimmel, Teuchert, Khedira, Haberer, Awoniyi; Behrens, Becker.
Predicted Score: Braga 1-2 Union Berlin
Group D:
Benfica vs. RB Leipzig
Benfica: The Portuguese side has a strong track record in the Champions League and will be hoping to make a positive start at home. They have a talented squad and will be looking to create chances against Leipzig.
- Team News: Joao Mario and Rafa Silva are expected to feature.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Vlachodimos; Bah, Otamendi, Morato, Grimaldo; Florentino, Fernandes; Rafa Silva, Joao Mario, Neres; Goncalo Ramos.
RB Leipzig: The German side is looking to make a splash in the Champions League this season. They have a dynamic attacking line and will be looking to cause problems for Benfica's defense.
- Team News: Timo Werner and Dani Olmo are expected to start.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Blaswich; Henrichs, Orban, Gvardiol, Raum; Schlager, Haidara; Nkunku, Olmo, Werner; Silva.
Predicted Score: Benfica 2-1 RB Leipzig
Newcastle United vs. AC Milan
Newcastle United: The English side is looking to make their mark on the Champions League stage. They have a strong squad and will be looking to put on a good show at St. James' Park.
- Team News: Callum Wilson and Alexander Isak are expected to lead the line for Newcastle.
- Predicted Lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Guimaraes, Willock; Almirón, Wilson, Isak.
AC Milan: The Italian side is looking to make a run deep into the Champions League this season. They have a talented squad and will be looking to cause problems for Newcastle's defense.
- Team News: Rafael Leao is expected to start in attack for Milan.
- Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Maignan; Calabria, Thiaw, Tomori, Theo Hernandez; Krunic, Reijnders; Pulisic, Diaz, Leao; Giroud.
Predicted Score: Newcastle United 1-1 AC Milan
These are just predictions, of course, and the actual lineups and results could be very different. But hopefully, this gives you a good idea of what to expect in the opening round of the Champions League. Enjoy the games!
