Sports
Champions League Kicks Off with Blockbuster Fixtures as Liverpool, Arsenal and Man City Feature
European football's top competition resumes this week, with the Champions League league phase's opening matchday spread across Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Premier League clubs are in early action: Aston Villa travel to Club Brugge and Manchester City face Porto on Tuesday, while Liverpool host Atletico Madrid and Arsenal visit Napoli on Wednesday. Manchester United complete their group of English sides by welcoming Sabah to Old Trafford on Thursday. The week also includes several Carabao Cup third-round matches and nine Championship fixtures.
Among the standout ties, Liverpool's meeting with Atletico Madrid promises drama, recalling last season's 3-2 Anfield thriller in which Liverpool led 2-0 before Atletico equalised late, only for Virgil van Dijk to net a stoppage-time winner. Arsenal's trip to Napoli, now managed by Massimiliano Allegri, could prove more cautious in style, given Allegri's reputation for pragmatic tactics.
Elsewhere, Roma's return to the Champions League after a seven-year absence coincides with an excellent start to the season under Gian Piero Gasperini. Following league wins over Fiorentina and Lecce and a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory against Atalanta - completed with goals in the 89th and 93rd minutes - Roma face Fenerbahce, who are back in the competition after 18 years, in a mouth-watering opener on Thursday.
In terms of individual managers, attention will also fall on Porto's Francesco Farioli, who faces Manchester City on Tuesday. The 37-year-old, in his fifth managerial role and a former assistant to Roberto De Zerbi, has led Porto to five wins from five in the Portuguese league this season, conceding just once. This will be his first Champions League match against an English club after previously facing Nottingham Forest in the Europa League.
Barcelona's clash with Feyenoord on Wednesday evening offers another highlight, particularly given the form of captain Raphinha. Repurposed as a central striker following Robert Lewandowski's departure, Raphinha has scored six goals in four La Liga appearances this season, including braces against Elche and Rayo Vallecano. In his last Champions League outing, he scored twice, provided two assists and won a penalty converted by Lamine Yamal.
Away from Europe, Chelsea host Leeds United in the EFL Cup third round on Wednesday, one of two all-Premier League ties this week alongside Sunderland versus Hull City. The fixture follows their FA Cup semi-final meeting last season, which Chelsea won courtesy of an Enzo Fernandez goal. Chelsea, who face a season with less silverware to pursue than usual, aim to bounce back from Sunday's defeat to Arsenal.
In the Championship, league leaders Swansea City, unbeaten in five matches and having kept four consecutive clean sheets, travel to Southampton on Tuesday. Southampton, who remain in the bottom half largely due to a points deduction linked to a prior incident, have scored more goals than any other Championship side except relegated Wolves this season.