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Bayern face Herculean task to defend Champions League title, says Hoeness
By Stefan Coerts52
Sep 13, 2013 8:29:00 AM
The Bayern director is cautious about his side's chances of European success and feels appointing Pep Guardiola was the right call
Bayern Munich president Uli Hoeness feels the Bavarians face a tough task in successfully defending their Champions League title.
The reigning champions were paired with Manchester City, CSKA Moscow and Viktoria Plzen in Group D and Hoeness realises that it will not be easy to repeat last season's success, when they beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in the final at Wembley.
"Reaching the top isn't easy, but that's one thing," Hoeness told reporters.
"It's much more difficult to stay at the top for a long time, but that's the Herculean task the coach and the rest of the club have in front of us.
"But the pressure on the team is already high enough as it is, so we don't need to increase it."
The Bayern president then went on to stress that he is still confident signing Pep Guardiola as the club's new head coach was the right choice.
The Spaniard achieved his first piece of silverware with the Bavarians by beating Chelsea in the Super Cup final on penalties, and Hoeness says the team's performance in this encounter showed Guardiola's potential as coach.
He added: "I'm a 100 per cent convinced that we made the right decision in signing Pep Guardiola. I think we saw in the match against Chelsea what his team is capable of."
'Sir Alex thinks United have one of their hardest Champions League draws ever' - Moyes
By Tom Etherington23
Sep 15, 2013 5:04:00 PM
The former Old Trafford boss has warned his successor that the Premier League champions have been handed one of their toughest ever European challenges this season
David Moyes has revealed Sir Alex Ferguson believes Manchester United have been handed one of their toughest Champions League draws ever.
Moyes was appointed Old Trafford boss after Sir Alex’s 26-year reign ended last season and will make his bow in Europe’s elite club competition against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday.
United will also face Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Sociedad in Group A, and Moyes says his predecessor has warned him about the difficult challenge ahead.
"After the draw, I phoned Sir Alex to talk about it and he said he thinks it’s one of the hardest draws United have ever had in the Champions League," Moyes said.
"If that’s coming from him, then it must be tough.
"There are some great squads but I do think that on any given day we would fancy our chances. We hope to get those opportunities to prove that we are good enough to beat them.
"I’ve got to make sure we’re in the Champions League this year, next year and the years after, and competing to try to win it."
Sir Alex was in the stands for the first time since stepping down from the hotseat during United’s 2-0 Premier League win over Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Champions League preview: 4 teams that could surprise
Kyle Bonn Sep 15, 2013, 3:00 PM EDT
With the Champions League group stage set to begin play on Tuesday, the world’s biggest annual soccer tournament is back in our lives on the big stage.
To get the content started, we look at four teams who aren’t favorites that could potentially make noise this season.
Last year, Malaga, Valencia, Shakhtar Donetsk and Schalke shocked many and not only progressed into the knockout stage but Malaga and Schalke actually won their groups ahead of teams such as Arsenal and AC Milan.
Malaga’s run to the quarterfinals actually vaulted manager Manuel Pellegrini to a big stage, where he landed the job at Manchester City.
So who this year could surprise the world under its brightest spotlight? The gaps between top, mid-tier, and bottom are quite large, so surprises may be hard to come by. But we here at ProSoccerTalk enjoy the banter as always, so we dive in:
1) Schalke 04
This season, success from the German club wouldn’t be nearly the surprise it was last season, but they still haven’t garnered the world-renowned respect they possibly should. They went undefeated in group play last season, beating Arsenal 2-0 on the road and maintaining a bend-don’t-break attitude that led to three draws but the goose egg in the loss column.
Maybe the reason last season’s surprise group stage run made almost no noise is because they proceeded to fizzle out against Group H runners-up Galatasaray in the first knockout round, losing 2-3 at home in a disappointing second leg.
This season, they’ve vastly improved, landing a coup by signing one Kevin Prince-Boateng from AC Milan. It was rumored, unsurprisingly, that Boateng had offers from many top clubs but Schalke turned his head the most and the midfielder with both holding and attacking skills will be a force in the middle.
They brought in attacking options as well to support the aging but still reliable Klaas-Jan Huntelaar. Schalke signed Adam Szalai from FC Mainz, and partnering with young star Julian Draxler (pictured, right) on the wings, this German club is a good bet to come out of a group with Chelsea, Basel, and Steaua Bucuresti.
Can Rafa Benitez lead Napoli to European success?
2) Napoli
Somehow a Pot 4 team despite numerous European appearances in the past few years, naturally the Serie A club created a terrible Group of Death with Arsenal, Marseille, and last year’s runners-up Borussia Dortmund.
Having finished 2nd in Italy last season, Napoli brought in Rafa Benitez to replace the departed Walter Mazzarri who left for Inter. The former Chelsea manager completed a run of absolutely brilliant transfer business, making this squad much-improved on an already successful base.
Benitez sold Edinson Cavani to PSG for a hefty price, and used the cash to buy players like Gonzalo Higuain, Raul Albiol, Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens, and Pepe Reina.
The overhaul has worked to perfection so far, as Napoli have begun the Serie A season with three wins in three, on a total goal differential of 9-2. Higuain has two, Callejon has two, and – perhaps the biggest beneficiary of Napoli’s market moves – incumbent attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik has four.
Despite a worst-case-scenario draw, Napoli have the tools to make a Group of Death splash and ruin the Champions League for Arsenal or Borussia Dortmund.
3) Bayer Leverkusen
Not the strongest German team to ever grace the Champions League, but with a good draw, Bayer could make some group stage noise.
Led by German international Lars Bender and striker Stefan Kiessling, they’ve started the Bundesliga season scorching hot, with wins over quality opponents in Wolfsburg, Monchengladbach, and Stuttgart, and their only loss coming to Schalke.They added Korean striker Heung-Min Song from Hamburg, and invested a fair bit of money in him, and he’s rewarded them with two goals and an assist in six matches so far.
Their group is interesting – Manchester United is the only top-tier team in the pack, leaving presumably the second spot open for the taking. However, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Sociedad are no pushovers, and thus it will be a battle.
4) Anderlecht
American Sacha Kljestan has gotten his Juliper Pro League season off to a roaring start, and he brings that with him into the Champions League Group C. Kljestan has 4 goals in 7 league matches so far, a hefty tally for a defensive midfielder.
Anderlecht are a wild card this year, drawn into a really weak group – possibly the weakest one of the tier. Their Pot 1 team Benfica is a weak Pot 1 side, and only PSG look like a lock. It’s tough for any Pot 4 team to ever make noise, so Anderlecht have their work cut out for them no matter where they end up, but this is an intriguing scenario for the Belgian side.
They’re led by red-hot Argentinian striker Matias Suarez, who at 25 years of age is just entering the prime of his career. He has a whopping six goals and six assists in Anderlecht’s seven league matches so far, and he will look to bring that success into Tuesday’s match with Benfica in Portugal.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Europe`s big three ready for opening night
Last Updated: Monday, September 16, 2013, 10:19
London: Experienced as they are there will still be a few first-night nerves this week as Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho set off on new Champions League journeys with plenty to prove and reputations to polish.
Each with two Champions League triumphs on their managerial CVs, two of them are attempting to work their European magic in new surroundings while the third has returned to the club at which the continent`s biggest club prize proved elusive.
After a year-long sabbatical, having twice taken Barcelona to European glory in a glittering reign, Guardiola has arrived at Bayern Munich tasked with retaining the trophy won in such style by Jupp Heynckes in May.
Ancelotti, after his brief stay at Paris St Germain, will be expected to deliver Real Madrid`s 10th European Cup without delay, having twice led Milan to the summit.
Mourinho, who Ancelotti has replaced in the Spanish capital, will seek to steer Chelsea all the way to the final in Lisbon having returned to London determined to win club football`s biggest prize with a third club.
Guardiola`s Bayern open the defence of their crown at home to CSKA Moscow, Real Madrid will unleash Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in Turkey against Galatasaray while Chelsea face Swiss side FC Basel at Stamford Bridge.
Rafa Benitez, another manager with a proven Champions League pedigree, will have to hit the ground running as his Napoli side host last season`s runners-up Borussia Dortmund in what looks like being a devilishly difficult Group F.
With so many Champions League masterminds among the 32 coaches setting off this week, Manchester United`s David Moyes and Barcelona`s new coach Gerardo Martino look like rookies in comparison as they prepare for their first ventures in the groups stages of the tournament.
Moyes will need all his steely calm and self belief as he plots United`s first Champions League campaign in the post-Alex Fergsuon era.
The Scot will have a tough baptism with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen first up on Tuesday in a group that also contains Real Sociedad and Ukraine champions Shakhtar Donetsk.
A good start in Europe will go a long way to helping Moyes establish himself but the Champions League, as even Fergsuon would testify to, can be an unforgiving place.
"(Ferguson) said he thinks this is one of the hardest draws United have had in the Champions League," Moyes, whose only flirtation with the competition was a final qualifying round defeat while in charge at Everton, said.
"If that`s coming from him it must be tough."
Martino has started life confidently at the Nou Camp and with Lionel Messi already having scored six league goals and with Brazilian Neymar about to make his Champions League bow, Barca will again start as one of the favourites.
The Catalans are in Group H - the only section comprised of all former winners - with Celtic, Milan and Ajax Amsterdam who they begin against on Wednesday in one of the ties of the week.
While Moyes may be a novice at this level, albeit with a team containing the likes of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, rivals Manchester City have recruited a vastly-experienced European coach in Manuel Pellegrini.
City`s away tie against Group D minnows Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday will be the Chilean`s 45th in the Champions League and the club`s owners will be expecting a vast improvement on the previous two seasons in which they have managed only three wins in 12 group games.
Bayern are also in City`s group, but Pellegrini, who steered Malaga to the quarter-finals last season, has warned against taking Czech side Plzen or CSKA Moscow lightly.
"If we think we are going to qualify for the last 16 because the other teams are weak we will be making a mistake," he said.
Mourinho, who announced himself as a coaching heavyweight by taking Porto all the way and repeated the feat with Inter Milan, will be taking charge of his 108th Champions League game when Chelsea host Basel on Tuesday.
The Portuguese`s last Champions League game in charge of Chelsea was a 1-1 draw against Rosenborg in 2007 - a result that signalled the end of his first spell in charge of the club.
Chelsea bowed out of the Champions League at the group stage last season when they were the holders, but with Mourinho back at the helm and a kind group which also includes Steaua Bucharest and Schalke a strong run is expected.
Ancelotti, who like Mourinho suffered Champions League disappointment while at Chelsea, has a mouthwatering array of talent at his disposal but finding the best system to incorporate the likes of Ronaldo, Bale, Luka Modric and Isco will be key to his chances of succeeding where others failed.
An away match at Galatasaray will offer some early clues.
The Italian clubs are not being touted as potential champions this year but Napoli, Juventus and Milan will all bring plenty to the party in the coming months.
Paris St Germain, one of only two French clubs in the group phase, begin away to Olympiakos on Tuesday while Marseille host English regulars Arsenal on Wednesday.
AC Milan to face Celtic without El Shaarawy & Montolivo
By Stefan Coerts25
Sep 16, 2013 9:18:00 AM
The Serie A giants will have to make do without the services of their skipper and the young attacker due to physical problems
AC Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri has received some disappointing news from the treatment table ahead of Wednesday's Champions League encounter against Celtic as Stephan El Shaarawy and Riccardo Montolivo have both been ruled out of the game due to injury.
The young attacker picked up a thigh problem ahead of this weekend's 2-2 Serie A draw against Torino, while his skipper sustained a similar injury during Saturday's match.
"Montolivo and El Shaarawy will not play on Wednesday," Allegri told reporters.
"We’ll make do with who we have and we’ll have fresh players ready to play what is a delicate and important game."
Milan will also be without the likes of Ignazio Abate and Mattia De Sciglio due to injury problems.
Wednesday's Group H opener at San Siro kicks off at 20:45CET.
Bayern must not underestimate CSKA, insists Boateng
By Stefan Coerts4
Sep 16, 2013 7:50:00 AM
The defender has insisted that the Russian powerhouse cannot be taken lightly as they have some talented individuals
Bayern Munich defender Jerome Boateng has warned his team-mates not to underestimate CSKA Moscow ahead of this week's Champions League encounter.
The Germany international has admitted that he does not know much about the Russian champions as of yet, but he has stressed that Tuesday's game cannot be taken lightly.
"They have a couple of really talented players, so we can't underestimate them. We have to be careful," Boateng told the club's official website.
"We don't often get to see CSKA’s games, so it's hard to say what we can expect. We’ll be taking a look at a lot of video material, and I’ll personally check out their strikers online.
"What I do know is that they're very tricky opponents."
The match at the Allianz Arena is scheduled to kick off at 20:45CET.
The Finland international feels the Amsterdam giants face an impossible task if they show their opponents too much respect
Niklas Moisander has insisted that Ajax must try and play their own game against Barcelona in Wednesday's Champions League encounter at Camp Nou.
The Eredivisie champions start their European campaign with an away game against the Spanish giants and the Finland star feels they don't stand a chance if they travel to Spain with fear on their mind.
"We shouldn't show Barcelona too much respect and must try and get a good result," he told De Telegraaf.
"We cannot afford to be afraid of them, because you will definitely lose if you show fear."
The Finland international then went on to stress that Ajax must improve on their performance against PEC Zwolle at the weekend if they are to stand a chance against Barca.
"If we allow Barcelona as much space as we allowed Zwolle, Lionel Messi will have 10 one-on-ones with our goalkeeper.
"If we defend at Camp Nou like we did against Zwolle, every chance will be a goal."
Wednesday's match will be the first time Ajax and Barcelona meet in an official game.
Manchester City focusing on Champions League, suspects Mark Hughes
By Arthur Virgo4
Sep 16, 2013 11:21:00 AM
The Stoke City manager believes that Manuel Pellegrini's reluctance to field his best players on Saturday shows a desire to improve the club's fortunes in Europe
Mark Hughes suspects that Manchester City's focus is on the Champions League over the Premier League after an unconvincing draw with his Stoke City side.
Manuel Pellegrini started midfielder Fernandinho and attackers Sergio Aguero and Jesus Navas on the bench on Saturday but denied that his side are prioritising their group-stage matches, which begin away to Viktoria Plzen on Tuesday.
However, Hughes told reporters of his former club: "I think their progression is there for everyone to see.
"They've won the FA Cup and have gone on from that to winning the Premier League but the one thing that they have not been able to make any progress in is the Champions League.
"I suppose that's the basis on which they will judged by this year because of their lack of success in it. It's probably the one stick that people can use to hit them over the head with so they will be looking to do better in the Champions League this year, I'm sure."
Pellegrini, however, insisted: "The Champions League is very important, but not more than the Premier League.
"It's a task we have to take good form into. We can't be out in the group stage again. It's a special tournament but not more important than the Premier League."
Meanwhile, City midfielder James Milner acknowledged his team's poor start but believes that they will improve after time spent training togerther.
"We'd like to have a few more points. In the first game we played well, setting our standards high, and since then we haven't quite hit those, for whatever reason," he admitted.
"We have a new manager and new players coming into the club, so it will take time for everyone to get on the same page. Every manager is different and has their own style, so the team has to keep improving and working hard to perfect his way of playing.
"But the longer time we spend together and the longer we play together, the better. We have that opportunity now over the next few weeks before the next international break."
Arsenal FC will be without Santi Cazorla until mid-October due to an ankle injury, meaning the Spain midfielder will miss the club's first two games in UEFA Champions League Group F.
Santi Cazorla will be unavailable for Arsenal until mid-October
Arsenal FC will have to cope without Santi Cazorla until mid-October as the Spain midfielder has been laid low by an ankle injury.
The 28-year-old missed Arsenal's 3-1 Premier League win at Sunderland AFC on Saturday and will now sit out the north London club's UEFA Champions League Group F opener at Olympique de Marseille on Wednesday, as well as their matchday two home meeting with SSC Napoli on 1 October.
"Cazorla has an ankle problem and he will be out for a few weeks," said manager Arsène Wenger. "I don't think he will play before the next international break."
The Gunners contest their first game after the international break at home to Norwich City FC in the Premier League on 19 October, before hosting Borussia Dortmund in the UEFA Champions League three days later.
FC Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba has been sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring tear and will miss UEFA Champions League Group H games against AFC Ajax and Celtic FC.
Jordi Alba (FC Barcelona)
FC Barcelona full-back Jordi Alba will miss his team's opening UEFA Champions League Group H encounters against AFC Ajax and Celtic FC after the 24-year-old suffered a hamstring tear.
The Spanish international full-back sustained the injury to his right leg in the 15th minute of the Blaugrana's 3-2 weekend Liga victory against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou.
After undergoing tests at Barça headquarters on Sunday, he was ruled out of action for the next three weeks.
Alba's absence increases the chances of team-mate Adriano starting against four-time European champions Ajax in Spain on Wednesday as Gerardo Martino's side begin their tilt at a fifth European Cup.
BERLIN (AFP) - South Korea's Son Heung-Min has said the pressure will be off Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday at Manchester United with coach David Moyes under the spotlight in his first Champions League match.
Son says Leverkusen have little to lose with the focus on Moyes at Old Trafford as he begins the next chapter in United's proud European history having succeeded the legendary Alex Ferguson.
"The mood is good in the Bayer squad and we don't have much to lose in England," the 21-year-old striker told AFP.
"Manchester United are the clear favourites.
"That's not the worst position to go into a game and it's obviously a great start for us.
"Old Trafford is one of the most famous stadiums in the world and Manchester United are one of the world's biggest clubs.
"United haven't had perhaps the best start to the season, but there is no need to discuss the quality of the trainer and the team.
"David Moyes coached Everton for years, he has plenty of Premier League experience and he has got a world-class team.
"It is going to be special to play there, for sure."
While there will be lots of interest in Bayer, Son says there is no pressure to emulate their Bundesliga rivals Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, who contested May's Champions League final at Wembley.
"No one would expect that from us and we'd be well advised not to build castles in the sky and just take it one step at a time," he said.
"We want to play at the top of the Bundesliga, the way Bayer did last season, and in the Champions League, we want to get through the group phase.
"That will be hard enough with Manchester United, Shakhtar Donetsk and Real Sociedad in our group.
"But we're highly motivated and not an easy opponent for the others either."
Son's hunger for Champions League football took him from Hamburg, whom he joined as a raw 16-year-old in 2008, to Leverkusen in July to work under Sami Hyypia, the ex-Liverpool captain.
A host of Premier League clubs -- including Manchester United -- were reported to have courted the talented striker, but his desire for regular football saw him opt for Leverkusen.
Son has started on the left wing in all five of Leverkusen's five Bundesliga matches this season, scoring in the opening 3-1 win against Freiburg.
Having spent five years here, Son speaks excellent German, but admits it was a culture shock to switch his home town of Chuncheon for Hanseatic Hamburg.
"I was 16 when I first came to Germany. At first I shared a small flat with two other South Korean boys and my parents later followed me to Hamburg," he said.
"In the beginning, I couldn't make myself understood, neither in English nor German, so obviously I was helped by a translator.
"But I learnt the language fast at school and now I don't have any problems.
"It was a big step for a 16-year-old, especially as I entered a completely different culture. You can't compare the two countries.
"I feel good in Germany. South Korea will always be my home and I enjoy the time I spend there for internationals or holidays.
"You can't fly there for a weekend and there aren't many chances to go home.
"Germany and South Korea are vastly different but I like that, I value the different mentalities in both countries."
Making his UEFA Champions League debut as a manager, Manchester United FC's David Moyes intends to do "everything I can to win it", starting with Bayer 04 Leverkusen.
by Claire Gray
Unsuccessful in his efforts to qualify Everton FC for the UEFA Champions League group stage during his long tenure on Merseyside, David Moyes is "really looking forward" to his first game in the competition as Manchester United FC manager.
The Group A match – United's first in Europe in 28 and a half years without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm – pits the home side against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, whose coach Sami Hyypiä rekindled fond memories of his ten years at Liverpool FC. The former Finland defender also urged the Bundesliga outfit to approach Tuesday's encounter at Old Trafford with "no fear".
United
David Moyes, manager
We've got a leading team from Germany, a leading team from Spain and we have to go to Donetsk to play Shakhtar, who are pretty experienced in the Champions League, so I see it as a pretty tough group.
I go to Old Trafford and Celtic Park for Champions League games and I'm always amazed at the atmosphere. It plays a big part here, too, at Old Trafford. I've only been here a short time, but with the crowd, under the lights on a Champions League night, I'm hoping that will give the supporters something to shout about. The players are already motivated because of the level of the game and the competition, so we're going to try and put on a good show.
I'm really looking forward to it. Sami Hyypiä is new to it as well, so it's not just one of us. I've always wanted to get to the Champions League. I did everything I possibly could at Everton to make that happen. Now I've got another route into it with Manchester United and I'm going to do everything I possibly can now to win it.
Weekend result
Saturday: United 2-0 Crystal Palace FC (Van Persie 45+1pen, Rooney 81)
De Gea; Fabio, Ferdinand, Vidić, Evra; Carrick, Anderson (Fellaini 62); Valencia, Rooney, Young (Januzaj 67); Van Persie (Hernández 79).
• Moyes picked up his first home league win as United manager as deadline-day signing Marouane Fellaini made his debut as a second-half substitute. Wayne Rooney sealed the victory with his opening goal of the campaign.
Team news
Rooney wore a headband against Palace to protect the severe gash which had prevented him from playing for England earlier this month. Danny Welbeck (knee) is doubtful, while Phil Jones (ankle), Rafael (hamstring) and Darren Fletcher (bowel condition) are all definitely out.
Leverkusen
Sami Hyypiä, coach
It was completely different operating in England as a player, a lot simpler. However, I'm happy to be back in England and looking forward to tomorrow's game. We're coming up against fierce opposition in a fantastic ground. Every coach and player loves playing in the Champions League. Hopefully we can play to our potential and get a result.
I played my final 90 minutes as a Liverpool player here and we won 4-1. That day was special and I played well. United have big expectations this season and I think he [David Moyes] is under more pressure than me. We can go into the game relaxed – we need to enjoy it. We must respect our opponents, but not too much. I will rally the troops in order for them to play with no fear.
It's not the first time that United have started a season slowly. David Moyes is an experienced manager and he needs time to get things right. I hope we can give them enough problems and halt their rhythm.
• Leverkusen earned their fourth win in five in the 2013/14 Bundesliga. They scored with their first real chance thanks to Sidney Sam's pace, but needed two Stefan Kiessling goals after the break to secure the three points against a Wolfsburg side who ended the match with ten men.
Team news
Gonzalo Castro is ruled out with a thigh injuiry, while there are fitness concerns over Lars Bender (hip) and Jens Hegeler (hamstring).
Match fact
• This is United's first European fixture without Sir Alex Ferguson at the helm since 20 March 1985 when Ron Atkinson's side went out of the UEFA Cup quarter-finals against eventual runners-up Videoton FC in Hungary, losing 1-0 on the night and 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 aggregate draw.
Champions League Preview: Real Sociedad - Shakhtar Donetsk
The Spanish side returns to the Champions League after a nine-year absence as the group stage gets underway.
Real Sociedad and Shakhtar Donetsk will both hope to start their European campaigns with a bang when they meet in Spain on Tuesday.
The home side progressed to the knockout stage of Europe's premier club competition in its last appearance in 2003-04, before losing to Lyon.
However, the club gained revenge for that elimination last month by beating the French side in the playoffs of this season's competition.
Sociedad achieved a top-four finish in La Liga last term thanks mainly to a remarkable run of form that saw the club suffer just three defeats in 28 games under the tutelage of now-departed coach Philippe Montanier.
Jagoba Arrasate is now at the helm and the San Sebastian-based outfit managed to bolster its squad with the likes of Esteban Granero, Jose Angel and Haris Seferovic in the close season, although key midfielder Asier Illarramendi left for Real Madrid.
The team faces a testing encounter in their first Champions League tie since 2004 when it welcomes Ukrainian champion Shakhtar to Anoeta in Group A.
The Ukrainian club progressed to the first knockout phase of last season's tournament, where it was beaten 5-2 on aggregate by eventual finalist Borussia Dortmund.
While Mircea Lucescu's men are currently unbeaten in 27 league home matches, their record away from Donetsk in Europe is far from impressive, as they have won only two of their last eight fixtures.
Lucescu's first-choice XI is likely to look significantly different to last season, although the Romanian did his best to offset the departures of Henrik Mkhitaryan and Fernandinho to Dortmund and Manchester City by bringing in Bernard, Fred, Facundo Ferreyra, Fernando and Wellington Nem.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Galatasaray v Real Madrid
16 September 2013
Nine-time European champions Real Madrid begin their assault on another crown with a potentially tricky trip to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
The Spanish side were dumped out of the UEFA Champions League by Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals last season after the Germans opened up a stunning 4-1 first-leg lead on home soil.
Jose Mourinho has since departed Santiago Bernabeu, his place taken by the experienced Carlo Ancelotti, a winner of Europe's premier club competition on two occasions as a manager with AC Milan in 2003 and 2007 and twice as a player with the San Siro club in 1989 and 1990.
There have also been new arrivals on the field, the likes of Isco, Asier Illarramendi and world-record signing Gareth Bale bringing additional star quality to a squad headlined by Cristiano Ronaldo.
For all their talent, Real will have to cope without Xabi Alonso, who is set to miss much of the remainder of the year with a broken bone in his right foot.
However, club icon Iker Casillas will play his first competitive match for the club in almost 250 days after losing his starting place to Diego Lopez, a January signing from Sevilla.
With Real's goalkeeping situation the subject of much debate ever since Casillas' return to fitness in March, Ancelotti confirmed the 32-year-old will return this week.
"The decision is taken for Casillas to play on Tuesday. Iker knows, Diego knows. There is no problem," said the Italian.
Galatasaray ended their 12-match winless streak against Spanish opposition when they played Real in the quarter-finals last season, recording a 3-2 home victory that ultimately proved in vain as Mourinho's men progressed 5-3 on aggregate.
With Ronaldo on a run of 21 goals in his previous 19 Champions League matches, the Turkish side face a tough challenge in securing a repeat success.
Yet Galatasaray do boast a fine recent record in Istanbul, losing only two of their last 14 home European matches.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Copenhagen v Juventus
16 September 2013
Juventus' quest to end the club's 17-year wait for European success will see them start their UEFA Champions League campaign in Copenhagen.
The Turin club were victorious in Europe's premier club tournament and UEFA Super Cup in 1996 but have since endured something of a barren spell in continental competitions, reaching their last final in the 2002-03 season when they were defeated by AC Milan in the Champions League showpiece at Old Trafford.
Antonio Conte's men travelled to Denmark in last season's Champions League and could only take a point from their away match with FC Nordsjaelland.
Juve, though, did manage to remain unbeaten through the group phase before losing 4-0 on aggregate to eventual winners Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals.
Not that the setback had an impact on their domestic fortunes as Juve secured back-to-back Serie A titles
They are now ready to challenge for silverware on all fronts in 2013-14, particularly after some astute transfers in the close-season as Carlos Tevez, Fernando Llorente and Angelo Ogbonna arrived, adding competition, ability and depth.
While the Italian side have picked up two wins and drew 1-1 at Inter on Saturday so far in Serie A, Group B rivals Copenhagen have endured their worst start to a league season as they lost each of their first three games and could not muster a win until match number seven.
The Danish champions embarked on a 12-match winless streak in the league before beating Viborg earlier this month as Stale Solbakken's managerial return ended an alarming slump.
In a group also containing Galatasaray and nine-time European champions Real Madrid, Solbakken's side are firm favourites to finish bottom.
Copenhagen, however, will take solace from their last Champions League adventure in 2010-11 when they finished second only to Barcelona in the group stages before exiting at the hands of Chelsea in the knockout stages.
Juventus go into Tuesday’s tie on the back of a battling 1-1 draw at San Siro, with Conte optimistic about what the season could bring.
He said: "We played a good game against a team like Inter, who confirmed they will fight for the title. And we could even have gotten a second.
"Serie A is our real objective right now and we can achieve something historic this season. I saw my team play very well at a difficult ground."
UEFA Champions League Preview: Benfica v Anderlecht
16 September 2013
Two UEFA competition regulars face each other in the Champions League's first round of matches on Tuesday as Benfica welcome Anderlecht.
For Benfica’s Estadio da Luz this match represents the beginning of a noteworthy season as the 65,000-capacity arena is set to stage the competition's final in May 2014.
However, despite being among the seeded teams, Jorge Jesus' team would be surprising finalists.
The Portuguese side lost the domestic title to FC Porto in the final two matches of last season and responded by bringing in a host of new players, notably Filip Djuricic from Heerenveen, Partizan Belgrade's highly-rated Serbian teenager Lazar Markovic and reported Real Madrid target Guilherme Siqueira, who joined on loan from Spanish side Granada.
Jesus' side did not enjoy an emphatic start to the campaign as they were defeated away to Maritimo, thus extending their run without a win on the opening day of the campaign to nine years, but when they looked set to lose again in week two, Markovic and Lima earned three points against Gil Vicente.
Benfica's opponents on Tuesday, Anderlecht, have played 180 matches in Europe's premier club competition but their more recent history leaves a lot to be desired, with last season’s participation representing their first appearance in the group stage since the 2006-07 season.
The Belgian side could not muster a great deal upon their return as they scored just four goals, the second-lowest tally in the competition behind Dinamo Zagreb. Anderlecht did, however, manage their first Champions League home win in nine years when defeating Zenit St Petersburg 1-0.
Manager John van den Brom will have been disappointed to lose key men Dieumerci Mbokani and Lucas Biglia, to Dynamo Kiev and Lazio respectively, over the close-season, but they made several astute signings too.
Nineteen-year-old Ghana winger Frank Acheampong arrived from Buriram United, while a real coup came in the acquisition of Spain Under-20 wideman Fede Vico from Cordoba.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Olympiacos v Paris Saint-Germain
16 September 2013
Star-studded Paris Saint-Germain will begin their assault on the UEFA Champions League with a trip to Olympiacos on Tuesday.
The Group C clash in Piraeus will pit the Ligue 1 champions against the Greek Super League winners, and although PSG will be heavy favourites, it is easy to forget that they have little Champions League experience as a club.
PSG will take heart from the fact they reached the quarter-finals last season though, as they enjoyed a successful campaign that saw them win their first Ligue 1 title in 19 years.
They could consider themselves unlucky to be knocked out on away goals by Barcelona in the last eight, and new manager Laurent Blanc has added further quality to an already excellent squad in the close-season.
Edinson Cavani, Marquinhos and Lucas Digne have all arrived in the French capital and PSG have started the season well, winning three of their five league matches and drawing the other two.
PSG warmed up for their trip to Greece with a 2-0 win over Bordeaux on Friday despite a poor preparation, caused by the international break.
Blaise Matuidi and Lucas Moura scored for the winners, but manager Laurent Blanc was unhappy at the fact several of his players only arrived in France the night before the match.
And to compound Blanc's misery, defender Alex suffered a thigh injury in training on Saturday that will rule him out of this fixture.
Injury doubts still linger over Jeremy Menez (back) and Javier Pastore (foot) ahead of the match.
Experienced Champions League outfit Olympiacos will be hoping to improve on last season's performance, when they were knocked out in the group stages.
That was despite them winning three Group B fixtures, two of which came against Montpellier, while they also defeated Arsenal 2-1 at home.
Olympiacos have a mixed record against French opposition, winning 10 of their 26 Champions League fixtures against them.
After a busy close-season, Olympiacos' squad is barely recognisable to last year's, with Javier Saviola and Vladimir Weiss heading the arrivals.
Only eight players registered by Olympiacos for last season's group stage will be involved in the competition this season.
Olympiacos have started their league campaign in superb fashion, winning all four matches, with Konstantinos Mitroglou's six goals helping them to the top of the table.
But they will face a very different test on Tuesday as Blanc's PSG come to town expecting a result.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Bayern Munich v CSKA Moscow
16 September 2013
Bayern Munich begin the defence of their UEFA Champions League crown with a home fixture against CSKA Moscow on Tuesday.
Bayern made amends for their 2012 final defeat in Europe's premier club competition – which they lost on penalties to Chelsea – with a 2-1 triumph last season against fellow Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.
The Bavarian giants have made three of the last four Champions League finals and under new manager Pep Guardiola will attempt to be the first ever German side to retain their title.
Guardiola has won the Champions League on two occasions with Barcelona, in 2009 and 2011, and has added Mario Gotze and Thiago Alcantara to his squad in the close-season.
Defender Jerome Boateng is hopeful Bayern can retain their trophy and create history in the process, but has urged his team-mates to solely focus on winning their Group D encounter at Allianz Arena first.
"It's pivotal for us to make a good start (in the Champions League)," Boateng told the club's official website.
"We would of course love to be the first team to achieve it (back-to-back European titles for a German club).
"However, we're at the start of the season and can't afford to think that far yet. We take each game as it comes. At the moment it's important to make a good start to the group phase."
Milan were the last team to defend the trophy, in 1989 and 1990, when the tournament was known as the European Cup.
Bayern defeated Hannover 2-0 on Saturday to make it four Bundesliga wins from five matches this season, while they also won the UEFA Super Cup against Chelsea last month.
Bayern have several injury problems, with Thiago and Javi Martinez sidelined after undergoing ankle and groin injuries, while Gotze has not played since injuring his ankle in that Super Cup triumph.
CSKA will also enter the match in superb form, having won six of their first eight matches in the Russian Premier League, and drawing the other two.
Leonid Slutsky's side won the title last season and have won two Russian Cups in the last four seasons.
They reached the last eight of the competition in the 2009-2010 season and also progressed from the group stages in the 2011-12 campaign.
Ahmed Musa and Seydou Doumbia have been in good scoring form this season while the likes of Keisuke Honda, Alan Dzagoev and Zoran Tosic give them plenty of quality in midfield.
CSKA defeated Rostov 1-0 on Saturday and will feel quietly confident but Bayern should have too much quality in front of their home fans.
Viktoria Plzen - Manchester City Preview: Kompany could return in European opener
Manuel Pellegrini will take charge of his first Champions League game since joining the away side, with several key players set to be recalled after a rest on Saturday
By Pete Marshall
Manchester City travel to the Czech Republic to face Viktoria Plzen in their opening Champions League fixture.
The Premier League side's two previous ventures into Europe's elite club competition saw them crash out in the group stages, finishing third in 2011-12 and bottom last season.
Manuel Pellegrini takes charge of his first Champions League match since replacing Roberto Mancini at the helm at the Etihad Stadium.
His side have hardly enjoyed ideal preparation for their first foray into Europe this season, however, after being held to a 0-0 draw by Stoke City on Saturday.
After resting several of his stars at the Britannia Stadium, Pellegrini is likely to return to a more familiar line-up against Plzen, with Sergio Aguero, Jesus Navas and Fernandinho all in line to play from the start, and he could also be boosted by the return of captain Vincent Kompany, who has been battling a groin problem and has travelled with the squad.
For their part, Plzen head into the competition in superb form, having won all six of their qualifying matches. They also top their domestic league table after an unbeaten start consisting of six victories and two draws.
The hosts - who will likely look to their top scorer in qualifying, Marian Cisovsky, to provide their goal threat - will undoubtedly start as underdogs.
With City picking up just the one away win in six in the Champions League to date, coupled with the fact that Plzen have only failed to triumph in one of their previous 11 home matches in Europe, they will retain some hope of an upset.
UEFA Champions League Preview: Schalke v Steaua Bucharest
16 September 2013
Schalke will look to build on back-to-back Bundesliga wins when they host Steaua Bucharest in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
After failing to register a victory in their opening three league matches, Schalke have responded strongly, notching wins against Bayer Leverkusen and Mainz.
Midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has played a big part in transforming the club's fortunes since arriving from Milan on August 30 and he scored the only goal in their 1-0 win at Mainz on Saturday.
And the Ghana international is hopeful Schalke can carry their newly found momentum into the group stages of Europe's premier club competition.
"I'm very, very happy that we collected a win today and I hope that it can continue like this," Boateng said after Saturday's win.
"We were well organised and rarely afforded Mainz a sight of goal.
"Now I hope we can maintain our momentum going into the Champions League."
Schalke earned their place in the group stages with a last-gasp 4-3 aggregate victory over Greek outfit PAOK in the play-off round.
Jens Keller's side were involved in the competition last season, but were knocked out in the round of 16 by Galatasaray, and will look for a strong start in a tough Group E that also includes UEFA Europa League winners Chelsea, and Basel.
Schalke's best ever Champions League performance came in 2011 when they reached the semi-finals, but they were knocked out by Manchester United 6-1 on aggregate.
Steaua Bucharest will head into the game brimming with confidence after making an unbeaten start to their league campaign.
They sit in fourth after four wins and a draw from their opening five matches, and will be buoyed by their 5-0 demolition of Sageata Navodari on Saturday.
The Romanian champions also secured their entry in the competition from the play-off round, defeating Legia Warsaw on away goals after the two sides were locked at 3-3 over two legs.
This season will be Steaua's first in the Champions League since 2008-09, and they will hope to fare better than they did on that occasion, as they won just one point from their six group matches and exited the competition at the first hurdle.
Steaua will face a tough test initially though, with Schalke sure to be confident about extending their run of good form.
