{"id":32600,"date":"2020-10-19T11:54:47","date_gmt":"2020-10-19T06:24:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/?p=32600"},"modified":"2020-10-19T11:54:47","modified_gmt":"2020-10-19T06:24:47","slug":"5-matches-to-watch-matchday-1-champions-league","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/5-matches-to-watch-matchday-1-champions-league\/","title":{"rendered":"5 matches to look forward to on Matchday 01: Champions League 2020-21"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Last season, amid a raging pandemic, Bayern Munich got the better of Paris Saint-Germain to bag the UEFA Champions League. They couldn\u2019t celebrate their sixth in front of the die-hard fans, of course, but the win mattered just the same.<\/p>\n\n\n<p> The win wasn\u2019t only for Bayern fans to enjoy, it was the entire footballing fraternity\u2019s \u2014 it was a win of grit over uncertainty.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re still not sure if this year\u2019s Champions League final would be any different \u2014 whether the fans would be present in the stands to create an electrifying atmosphere. However, the uncertainty won\u2019t keep the teams from giving their best, to put their best foot forward.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>With hope in our hearts, we must walk on, and cheer the warriors from the safety of our homes. At least, for the time being. So, without further ado, let\u2019s take a look at the top five fixtures of the first Matchday of the 2020\/21 <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-competitions\/uefa-champions-league\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Champions League<\/a> season.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">#5 Lazio vs Borussia Dortmund \u2014 Tuesday\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>This Group F fixture would pit Serie A\u2019s Lazio against Bundesliga high-flyers, <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-teams\/borussia-dortmund\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Borussia Dortmund<\/a>. In Rome, Champions League nights are always special, always on the cusp of delivering something memorable. And we believe, the pair won\u2019t disappoint us on Tuesday night.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Who\u2019s ready to see Jude in the Champions League? \ud83d\udc4b <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/f5FKL1BwNQ\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/f5FKL1BwNQ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Borussia Dortmund (@BlackYellow) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BlackYellow\/status\/1317809274454671360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 18, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Dortmund\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Erling_Haaland\" class=\"rank-math-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Erling Haaland<\/a> would undoubtedly catch the most eyeballs, but it would be foolish to take Ciro Immobile\u2019s guile for granted. The two units are capable of producing fascinating football, and we\u2019re certain to see some good goals.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">#4 Ajax vs Liverpool \u2014 Wednesday\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>The Eredivisie giants hosting the rulers of England \u2014 Wednesday nights hardly get any better than this. Both Ajax and <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-teams\/liverpool\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Liverpool<\/a> have rich history, are known to create fine young talents, and can effortlessly deliver eye-catching football.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<p>On paper, Liverpool, of course, have the advantage. However, that shouldn\u2019t take anything away from the hosts. Ajax are coming into the match on the back of a fine 5-1 win over Heerenveen and would look to make the Reds \u2014 who would be without Virgil van Dijk \u2014 uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Virgil van Dijk will undergo surgery on the knee injury sustained during Saturday\u2019s 2-2 draw at <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@Everton<\/a>.<br><br>Following surgery, Virgil will begin a rehabilitation programme to enable him to reach full fitness as soon as possible. <br><br>You&#39;ll come back stronger, <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/VirgilvDijk?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@VirgilvDijk<\/a> \ud83d\udcaa<\/p>&mdash; Liverpool FC (@LFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LFC\/status\/1317872839488319488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 18, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Jurgen Klopp&#8217;s team, on the other hand, have only managed to pick up a single point from the last two Premier League fixtures and would be eager to start the Champions League strongly.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">#3 Chelsea vs Sevilla \u2014 Tuesday<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Frank Lampard\u2019s Chelsea have gone against the tide this season, managing to get some fine footballers on their roster. However, despite their menacing appearance, the Blues have been quite tame on the hallowed grounds of the Premier League.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">.<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kaihavertz29?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@kaihavertz29<\/a> opening his <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/premierleague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@premierleague<\/a> account. \ud83d\udc4f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/pDHNg5PD3R\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/pDHNg5PD3R<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChelseaFC\/status\/1317846900968771591?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 18, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Sevilla, on the other hand, have looked rejuvenated under former Real Madrid coach, Julen Lopetegui. Their passing has been superb, pressing excellent, and they always seem to find a way out of tricky situations; especially against stronger teams. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Yes, the Andalusians endured a defeat on Saturday, but that shouldn\u2019t take anything away from the way they\u2019ve performed since the start of the campaign.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">#2 Paris Saint-Germain vs Manchester United \u2014 Tuesday<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Every time Ole Gunnar Solskjaer finds himself in a tough spot, his beloved <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-teams\/manchester-united\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Manchester United<\/a> manage to buy him some respite. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>On Saturday, the Red Devils brushed off the embarrassing 6-1 defeat against Tottenham before the international break with a convincing win over at Newcastle United. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>The 4-1 away win offered plenty of positives, but the real test is still on the horizon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Primed for our <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#UCL<\/a> return \ud83d\ude24<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MUFC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#MUFC<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/qgfzbAvUr7\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/qgfzbAvUr7<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Manchester United (@ManUtd) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ManUtd\/status\/1317865775634448386?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 18, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p>Against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, Manchester United won\u2019t have the luxury of slipping up or making mistakes. They\u2019d have to keep an in-form Neymar in check. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>They won\u2019t have much time to settle on the ball, as they\u2019d be relentlessly pressed by some of the finest machines in the business. Yet, despite the odds, there\u2019s still hope. There\u2019s always that evergreen Manchester United spirit to fall back upon.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">#1 Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid \u2014 Wednesday<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Back in the day, <a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-teams\/atletico-madrid\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Atletico Madrid<\/a> used to be \u2014 only \u2014 lauded for being a lean and mean defensive unit. They didn\u2019t have the means to play attractive football. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>They could just grind out results when the chips were down. Now, the story\u2019s a little different. They have some fine attackers at their disposal, including, but not limited to, the third-highest leading scorer of Barcelona, Luis Suarez.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-twitter wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Focus turns to the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ChampionsLeague?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@ChampionsLeague<\/a> \ud83d\udc40\ud83d\udd1c<br><br>\ud83d\udd17 <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/JABC399T9u\" target=\"_blank\">https:\/\/t.co\/JABC399T9u<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MiaSanChampions?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#MiaSanChampions<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/MiaSanMia?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#MiaSanMia<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xK8YQLaK2i\" target=\"_blank\">pic.twitter.com\/xK8YQLaK2i<\/a><\/p>&mdash; FC Bayern Munich (@FCBayernEN) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/FCBayernEN\/status\/1317841229745393665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 18, 2020<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/category\/football\/football-teams\/bayern-munich\/\" class=\"rank-math-link\">Bayern Munich<\/a>, however, have no reason to be envious of their rivals\u2019 number 9. <br \/><\/p>\n\n\n<p>They have quite a capable one of their own. Robert Lewandowski \u2014 who netted 55 goals in 2019-20 \u2014 already has seven goals this campaign and would love to get on the European scoresheet as soon as he can. <\/p>\n\n\n<p>Allianz Arena would be a battlefield on Wednesday, and we couldn\u2019t be more grateful.&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last season, amid a raging pandemic, Bayern Munich got the better of Paris Saint-Germain to bag the UEFA Champions League. They couldn\u2019t celebrate their sixth in front of the die-hard fans, of course, but the win mattered just the same. The win wasn\u2019t only for Bayern fans to enjoy, it was the entire footballing fraternity\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":45,"featured_media":32612,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27,28,29,31,16,5449,25,33,35,5705],"tags":[4939,30,32],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32600"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/45"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32600"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32600\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32612"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32600"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32600"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kyrosports.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32600"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}