PSG will play host to Juventus to begin the Champions League

 

It's PSG and Juventus' first competitive matchup in 25 years.

Tuesday's events in the Champions League are examined.

Dinamo Zagreb, who have advanced through three rounds of qualification and are battle-tested in Europe, take on Chelsea in their opening group stage game after a team makeover. With nearly $300 million invested in revamping Chelsea's roster during the summer transfer window, players like Raheem Sterling, Wesley Fofana, and Kalidou Koulibaly are certain to make their club's Champions League debuts.

To advance to the group stage, Dinamo defeated Shkupi, Ludogorets Razgrad, and Bodo/Glimt. Invigorated by its 3-2 victory over Inter Milan in the Milan derby and the completion of their most recent ownership change, which includes a minority investment for the New York Yankees, AC Milan travels to Salzburg.

Rafael Leo has been a terror in Milan's assault, scoring twice in the derby. Salzburg is participating in the group stage for the fourth consecutive year, while Milan is competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2013–14.

It's now or never if you want to catch Real Madrid, the current Champions League champions, having a bad day. Since 2018, Madrid has frequently lost in the opening round of the group stage against teams like Sheriff, Shakhtar Donetsk, CSKA Moscow, and Paris Saint-Germain. When playing host to Madrid in Glasgow, where the record 14-time European champion won two of their trophies, in 1960 and 2002, it should give the in-form Scottish champion Celtic hope. Three days after throttling local rival Rangers 4-0, Celtic, the 1967 European champions, make their league debut.

On Saturday, Leipzig suffered a 4-0 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt before hosting Shakhtar in the other group match. Due to the Russian military invasion, Shakhtar went eight months without participating in any competitive games. They enter their match against Leipzig having gone 3-0 in the Ukrainian Premier League.

Erling Haaland might be the acquisition that propels Manchester City to their first-ever European championship. He might start the group's opening match against Sevilla, though, from the bench. It may be difficult for the Norwegian striker to play on Tuesday after starting games in the English Premier League on Wednesday and Saturday. City manager Pep Guardiola has already stated that Haaland will not play three days per week during the team's busy fixture schedule leading up to the World Cup.

Haaland has already scored 10 goals in his first six Premier League games, so it will be difficult for Guardiola to leave him out. He does, however, have a suitable replacement in Julian Alvarez, another summer addition, who sat on the bench for the Saturday 1-1 draw against Aston Villa.

The Qatari owners of Paris Saint-Germain have high expectations for their team as the Gulf nation prepares to host the World Cup. I'll start with Juventus' visit on Tuesday. Juventus recently acquired Leandro Paredes and Angel Di Mara from the French club.

PSG started the French league strong, winning five games and drawing one. Neymar and Kylian Mbappé each have seven goals. The two Mbappé goals in a 3-0 victory over Nantes on Saturday were both assisted by Lionel Messi. Although Juventus has only won two of its first five Serie A games, Duan Vlahovi has four goals in his four appearances despite being rested for Saturday's 1-1 draw at Fiorentina. It's PSG and Juventus' first competitive encounter in 25 years.