Champions League talking points ahead of matchday one | OneFootball

Our talking points as the UEFA Champions League returns this week. Here are six things to look out for ahead of matchday one.

Could Spurs be haunted by loan star?

Tottenham Hotspur face the prospect of being haunted by one of their own players this evening, after Manor Solomon was cleared to face his parent club in Europe.

UEFA rules dictate that loan players can face their parent clubs in the Champions League, with Solomon in line for a potential Villarreal debut against the North Londoners.

The Israel international is somewhat of a forgotten figure at Spurs, having spent last season on loan at Leeds United. He scored 10 goals and created 12 more to help Leeds to promotion, and recently shone for his national team during September’s break.

How will PSG cope without talisman Dembele?

Paris Saint-Germain won their first Champions League crown this season with one of the most impressive latter stages in recent memory.

Their 5-0 thrashing of Inter Milan in the final set a new competition record, and sparked talk of a potential Parisian stranglehold on the trophy. Only Real Madrid have ever gone back-to-back in the Champions League era, but PSG will be confident heading into their opener.

Luis Enrique’s side are a formidable outfit, but must face Atalanta on Wednesday without either Ousmane Dembele or Desire Doue. The former is the favourite for the Ballon d’Or, which will be announced this month, while Doue starred in the final destruction of Inter. PSG have an abundance of talent in reserve, but any side would miss two players of that quality.

Olise another who got away from Chelsea

Mohamed Salah. Kevin De Bruyne. Jamal Musiala. Chelsea’s list of talent that escaped their clutches might just be the most frustrating of any side in world football. On Wednesday night, the Blues will come face-to-face with another former player who has emerged as one of Europe’s best since leaving West London.

Michael Olise has been outstanding since joining Bayern Munich in 2024, earning the Bundesliga Rookie of the Season award last term following the club’s title success. He’s become an important player for club and country and has started the new season in terrific form, netting three times in three Bundesliga games.

Promising at Crystal Palace, he’s now considered one of the best wide players in world football. Olise spent seven seasons in Chelsea’s academy before exiting in 2016, while the Blues tried and failed to re-sign him after his excellent performances at Crystal Palace. Rarely short of confidence, he’ll be out to show just how far he’s come.

Scrutiny on Simeone ahead of Anfield opener

Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid have been a perfect match for much of the last 14 years. The Argentine’s achievements include two La Liga titles, two Europa League trophies and appearances in two Champions League finals, taking Atletico from also-rans to contenders at home and in Europe.

But Atletico’s status as a contender has slipped of late. The Spaniards have gone four seasons without a major trophy and have not progressed past the Champions League quarter-finals since 2016/17.

Despite a spend second only to Real Madrid in La Liga over the last five seasons, Atleti have opened the new campaign with just one win from four league games. A trip to face Premier League champions Liverpool is a tough assignment for Simeone’s struggling side on matchday one.

Newcastle bid to repeat famous Champions League night

Newcastle United begin only their fourth-ever Champions League campaign with a glamour tie at St James’ Park. Barcelona are the visitors to the North East, in a fixture that will recall tales of a famous Newcastle night.

Back in 1997/98, a famous Faustino Asprilla hat-trick saw Newcastle upset Barcelona, as the mercurial Colombian earned the Magpies a 3-2 win over the Spanish giants. It was a Barcelona side that counted Rivaldo and Luis Figo in its ranks, but Asprilla’s brilliance settled an unforgettable contest.

Could anyone in black and white, perhaps new signing Nick Woltemade, etch their name into the club’s European folklore?

Iconic Performances: Asprilla’s brilliant treble downs the mighty Barca at St James’ Park

De Bruyne makes Manchester City return

Kevin De Bruyne admitted he was ‘surprised’ by Manchester City’s decision not to renew his contract in the summer, as a decorated decade at the Etihad came to a close.

The Belgian signed for Napoli as a free agent and has been handed an immediate return to his former club on matchday one of the Champions League.

The Italian champions head to Manchester, where De Bruyne is sure to receive a rapturous reception. He has scored twice in his first three league appearances for Napoli and, despite turning 34 in the summer, retains his star quality. City will know that better than most.

Read – Arteta outlines importance of set-pieces for Arsenal

See more – Arteta wants to change Arsenal history with Champions League win

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