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