The UEFA Champions League Group Stage kicks off proceedings today with one of the most compelling match-ups of the round as Real Madrid takes on Manchester City in a battle of big-spending champions.
Real Madrid's domestic campaign is off to a disappointing start, with just one win in four matches, but Jose Mourinho is determined to get his team off to a good start in a group that is easily the most difficult in the Champions League (a group that includes City, Borussia Dortmund and Ajax). Manchester City's new season hasn't exactly been perfect either, but Roberto Mancini's men still have the firepower to make things very difficult for the 'Galacticos'.
Sergio Aguero could feature for City for the first time in a month as he works his way back from a knee injury, while one-time Real Madrid prospect Javi Garcia looks to build on his outstanding showing against Stoke City last weekend. For Real Madrid, getting Ronaldo involved early and often will be key, as will having Mesut Ozil attacking from the start.
Three teams featuring American players will be in action today as well, with Sacha Kljestan and Anderlecht taking on AC Milan and Jermaine Jones leading Schalke 04 in their trip to Greece to take on Olympiakos. Oguchi Onyewu and new club Malaga are also in action, taking on Zenit St. Petersburg.
Here is a closer look at today's Real Madrid-Manchester City clash, and here is a good overall rundown of all the teams competing in the UEFA Champions League.
If you will be watching today's action, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (Today's UEFA Champions League TV Schedule is after the jump):
TODAY'S UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TV SCHEDULE
2:45pm- FOX Soccer Channel- Real Madrid vs. Manchester City
2:45pm- FOX Soccer Plus- Montpellier vs. Arsenal
2:45pm- MSG Plus/FOX Sports Net- AC Milan vs. Anderlecht
2:45pm- DirecTV/FOX Soccer2go- Borussia Dortmund vs. Ajax
2:45pm- DirecTV/FOX Soccer2go- Malaga vs. Zenit St. Petersburg
2:45pm- DirecTV/FOX Soccer2go- Olympiakos vs. Schalke 04
2:45pm- DirecTV/FOX Soccer2go- Dinamo Zagreb vs. Porto
2:45pm- DirecTV/FOX Soccer2go- Paris St. Germain vs. Dynamo Kiev
wicked strike it was
Right, because being better than 9 supremely talented guys on Madrid at taking penalties and then making them in the biggest, most important games that they often assisted or drew themselves isn’t enough.
Coaches don’t have players take PK’s to pad their stats-they do it because they don’t choke and they are better than their other talented teammates.
20 yrs and most likely it will be a german-american.
they played today?
You’re kidding right? That shot was unstoppable. I can’t stand CR7 but that shot was PURE. Oh let me guess, probably Casillas would have made that save? Yeah, right, because he sees SO many shots playing for RM.
Hart flopped big time on Ronaldo’s goal
Christmas tree — huzzah!
is he going to break that MLS record or what
I haven’t watched the CL with delight since Liverpool were dumped out of it back in Dec 09.
I’m not saying I support their spending, but I’d much rather watch a match between two teams playing like RM and MC did today than any Barcelona game.
Has anyone every seen a ball go up over a player and back down quicker than Ronaldos shot? That was so ridiculous I couldn’t evn see where the ball went. I just heard the announcer freak out.
Brian McBride and Eric Wynalda. which was the better striker for club or country?
Anderlecht applying good pressure on Milan at the death.
his best Pete Townsend knee slide across the stage!
Jozy.
Mourinho with the Springsteen slide with his thousand dollar suit on…hilarious
Mourinho’s celebration of the goal LOL
since when is Essien at RM?
Crazy ending to the Madrid game.
chaos in front of Hart’s goal, finally cleared away
but then Ronaldo!!! in the 90th with the dagger!
what a strike!
wow, what a second half…5 goals baby
Oh lord when will there be an American starting for the likes of Barcelona or RM.
will it be 10 years”? 20?
and Cristiano gets a clear view and rips it right at Hart who punches wide!
what a second half! 2-2 RM vs. ManC
RM has answered twice to equalize, 88th minute
Anderlecht clearly playing for the draw now.
Does Jones actually play soccer anywhere besides USMNT? I thought he works as Klinsman’s chauffeur when the Nats are not in camp.
Damn Arsenal. Why couldn’t you make a bid for my boy Dempsey?
Jermaine Jones anyone?
Add Wondolowski to that list.
+1. Fact is he’s more than holding his own against the Serie A champs.
from now on GK’s should take PK’s. It sucks how talented stars like Ronaldo, Ibrahimovic, Lampard get to pad their stats with 10 goals more a season because they take PK’s
And what about the shot on goal that forced Abbiati into a save? That wasn’t 20 minutes after your comment.
4 Yanks in the CL. Yippie. Suck it Canada LOL
He still wasn’t ‘awful’ in the first 20-30 minutes. He had one possession where he turned and ran at the defense and laid a ball nicely into the path of a teammate that created a decent opportunity. I think you’re being a little overly critical of Sascha.
I say he’s been awful “so far” and you come at me with something that happened 20 minutes after the time I mentioned? Come on.
PSG is doing naughty things to Kiev.
Massive exaggeration. How about that tackle on Boetang that started that break?
They came back and fast! I love it. They really are showing drive and determination now that they have gotten to know each other. Just need Giroud to get on the board and get going
Kljestan has been awful so far. He’s missed 3 passes by probably on average of 20-30 yards.
Arsenal showing some resolve? It’s like a whole new team this year!
Pretty defensive lineup Madrid put out there.
no gooch.
I am a Madrid fan, Adrian, but no, we do not know this. Could be a meltdown. We shall see.
Hoping Dortmund can whip Ajax…And Schalke can win also…
As bad as Madrid have been lately you just know this team will get up for a match of this magnitude. I predict that they’ll stomp City.
COME on ciTEH