Hey y’all. Here are the Champions League games that we will be watching this week. Leave a comment to let us know which of these Champions League games was your favorite and let us know if you enjoyed our sleeper game of the week:
Champions League games on Tuesday September 14th
FC Barcelona v Bayern Munich
Where: Camp Nou
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
The last time these two powerhouses met in the Champions League Barcelona suffered an embarrassing 8-2 defeat to the Bavarians. The fallout from that included sacking their coach, the start of Messi’s transfer saga that ultimately saw him land at PSG, Barcas growing financial woes, and so on. However, that was only the most recent explosive match between these two clubs.
When they met in the 1996 UEFA Cup semifinal, Barcelona lost 2-1 at Camp Nou (4-3 on aggregate) and Johan Cruyff was sacked as a result. Elimination at Bayern’s hands cost the most important man in this history of the club his job
Twin defeats to Bayern in that cut-throat Champions League Group D of 1998-99 cost Barcelona the chance to make it to the Champions League final, which was held in the Camp Nou to celebrate the Catalan club’s centenary. Talk about party poopers.
In 2009, Barcelona thrashed Bayern 5-1 in the quarterfinals en route to Champions League victory in Rome and the Treble. In 2013, Jupp Heynckes’ Bayern, on their way to the Treble themselves, racked up Barcelona’s then-record defeat in Europe, winning 7-0 over two matches to ruin the late Tito Vilanova’s only season in charge at Camp Nou.
Two years later, this dramatic Barca-Bayern pendulum swung full in the opposite direction when Luis Enrique’s front three of Messi, Neymar, and Suarez smashed Pep Guardiola’s team 5-3… en route to the Treble.
Needless to say, this is going to be one to watch for sure.
Champions League games on Wednesday September 15th
Inter Milan v Real Madrid
Where: Stadio San Siro
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
Inter Milan and Real Madrid face off for the 18th meeting between the two clubs and the latest installment in one of the oldest rivalries in continental football. They met for the first time in the European Cup final in 1964.
Real Madrid and Inter have met in various different competitions over the years: 11 times in the European Cup, four times in the UEFA Cup and twice in the European Cup Winners’ Cup. The overall balance of the 17 clashes between the two clubs is eight victories for Madrid, seven for Inter and two draws.
In terms of ties, they could not be more equal: five wins each. As for overall wins in those ties, Madrid come out on top with five wins from the six two-legged ties between them.
Be prepared for another exciting game between these to historical foes.
Liverpool v AC Milan
Where: Anfield
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
Liverpool and Milan have only met on two previous occasions in European competition, with both of them coming in the final of the UEFA Champions League. Fans will need little reminder about what those two occasions were given the magnitude of the games.
Liverpool were celebrating after the first time they came up against Milan after a stunning comeback in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul, during which Rafa Benitez’s side came from 3-0 down to force penalties and then they subsequently won the shootout.
However, Milan would get their revenge two years later that night in Athens. The Rossoneri – then managed by Carlo Ancelotti – emerged 2-1 victors in the rematch in Greece to move onto seven Champions League titles.
This is game is of slightly less importance, although both teams will be looking to start their campaigns off with a win.
Sleeper Game of the Week
Sporting Portugal v Ajax
When: Wednesday, September 15th
Where: Estadio Jose Elvalade
Time: 3pm Eastern | 2pm Central
How to Watch: Paramount+
This will be the first game between Sporting and Ajax since the UEFA Cup first round in 1988-1989. Sporting won both of those meetings, 4-2 at home and 2-1 away. Expect goals as both of these teams are attacking heavy but light on defense.
