UEFA Champions League 20/21 season is rolling as all the local leagues started in Europe. This past week, UEFA drew the fixtures for UCL 20/21. As always, four teams in each of the eight groups will face each other (home and away) in the group stage. After the group games, the knockout stage will kick-off.
Appetising draws for 20/21
The football world just went crazy with some fantastic group draws. The two greatest footballers Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are going to face each other after a few years. They haven’t played after five times UCL winner Ronaldo left Spanish LaLiga for Italian Serie A in July 2018. Likewise, Juventus vs Barcelona and a few more are highly anticipated battles in the group stage.
Thrill builds up with UEFA fixtures for Champions League 20/21
Upcoming 20/21 season’s UCL fixtures start from 20th October (Zenit vs Club Brugge) with the line-up of more thrilling games.
PSG vs Man United
Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) are set to clash again. United had thrashed PSG in the knockout round in 18/19 season. Being one of the finalists of 19/20 season, PSG is the current favourites. And United is back in the Champions League, ranking 3rd in English Premier League after a year in Europa. Therefore, fans are hoping high from both clubs as they both are strong sides in Europe.
Also on the same night comes Chelsea vs Sevilla. Chelsea is making lots of transfer with club legend Frank Lampard as the manager is backing up some exciting transition. Sevilla is Europa champions with high confidence and attitude; Ivan Rakitic returned home a couple of weeks ago from Barcelona.
Ajax vs Liverpool
Meanwhile, 22nd October has a couple of electrifying matches. Ajax and Liverpool; champions of Eredivise and English Premier League respectively. Ajax, the home of the new stars will be tough enough for the English side.
Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid
This time we have Bayern Munich versus Atletico Madrid, one of the great encounters this year. Defending champions Bayern are much powerful, positive, and realistic contenders. They won the treble, and now Leroy Sane has joined this victorious team. As for Atletico, manager Diego Simeone is furiously attacking his forwards after Barcelona’s Luis Suarez joined them this summer. Additionally, Diego Costa and Joao Felix accompanied him in the squad. Of course, Luis had been part of Barcelona in a humiliating 2-8 defeat against Bayern in the quarter-finals of 19/20 season.
Juventus vs Barcelona
Similarly, in the second week of the UCL fixture comes the most-awaited, anticipated, and stimulating match between Juventus and Barcelona. Perhaps, the most blessed night for the football world is 29 October. This day, the two greatest footballers of all time, Messi vs Ronald, will clash after a few years gap. They are facing each other for the first time in the UCL group stage.
Juventus Vs Barcelona will be more heated otherwise too as they exchanged their midfielders Arthur Melo and Miralem Pjanic. Brazilian Melo did not seem happy with this transfer and he did not appear in post-transfer matches. In effect, Barcelona lacked some depth in midfield in UCL games after the exchange. Meanwhile, things will be exciting as Arthur and Pjanic assist Ronaldo and Messi respectively or score against former clubs.
Moreover, Andrea Pirlo managing his former club Juventus is a crucial thing to observe. On its part, Barcelona is shaping and rebuilding again after a devastating 2-8 defeat against Bayern Munich. Whereas Catalan’s side is in its transiting phase under Ronald Koeman with plenty of youngsters seen promising.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan
The match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan is in the third week of UCL. Here, the calm and composed Madrid squad is much strong with the combinations of youngsters and experienced players. La Liga champions Real has uplifted itself now after Christiano Ronaldo departed. On the other hand, Europa finalist Inter is furious too. In addition, Arturo Vidal joined the team from Barcelona. And, Inter’s Romelu Lukaku won the UEFA Europa League Player this season.
UEFA Awards at UEFA Champions League 20/21 draw
UEFA announced winners in various categories on Friday as they drew 20/21 season fixtures. Out of six awards in men’s side, champions Bayern Munich won five of them. Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City), Joshua Kimmich (Bayern), and Manuel Neuer (Bayern) won the Men’s Midfielder, Defender, and Goalkeeper of the season respectively. Whereas, Hansi Flick (Bayern manager) won Men’s Coach of the year and Robert Lewandowski (Bayern) forward won in Men’s Forward and Men’s Player of the year.
20/21 transfer window
The transfer market opened ten weeks ago and will close tomorrow (October 5). Earlier A few weeks back, the market heated up a couple of weeks back as Leo Messi desired to leave Barcelona. After a lot of ups and down within the board and club legend, he decided to stay.
The hot news is right-back Sergio Dest chose Barcelona over Bayern, signing from Ajax. The right-back was blank for Catalans after they sold Nelson Semedo for Wolves.
Sadly, Man United could not acquire Sancho after Dortmund demanded 120M euros. And, Barcelona winger Dembele being loaned to Manchester United proved rumour after sporting director Ramos Planes confirmed no negotiations. Still, Man United is looking for a loan deal with Dembele as Jordon Sancho option after Van de Beek’s arrival.
Excitingly, Barcelona swiped out a few huge wage holders this summer. The third highest goal scorer of the club Luis Saurez departed to Atletico Madrid. Also, Arturo Vidal moved to Inter and Ivan Rakitic to home Sevilla. Pedri, Trincao, and Dest are the major signings of Barcelona. Whereas, Philippe Coutinho returned to the club completing one year loan to Bayern winning the Champions League. And, Barcelona is keeping eye on centre back Eric Gracia from Manchester City and Depay from Lyon.
Apart from these all, some key transfers this summer were Kai Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen to Chelsea), Timo Werner (RB Leipzig to Chelsea), Nathan Ake (Bournemouth to Manchester City), and Jude Bellingham (Birmingham City to Dortmund).
For more keep following, Wikye.com
