The UEFA Champions League continues on Tuesday, with Europe’s leading lights – minus Cristiano Ronaldo – in action for the second round of fixtures.
Here’s everything you need to know, including the brand new staggered kick off times for the 2018/19 season:
Group E
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – SEPTEMBER 19: Nicolas Tagliafico of Ajax celebrates 1-0 with Dusan Tadic of Ajax, Frenkie de Jong of Ajax, David Neres of Ajax, Klaas Jan Huntelaar of Ajax,Daley Blind of Ajax, Noussair Mazraoui of Ajax during the UEFA Champions League match between Ajax v AEK Athene at the Johan Cruijff Arena on September 19, 2018 in Amsterdam Netherlands (Photo by Erwin Spek/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Bayern Munich face Ajax in their first Group E home match of this year’s Champions League at the Allianz Arena.
The serial Bundesliga champions began their campaign smoothly with victory against Benfica, thanks to goals from Robert Lewandowski and Renato Sanchez.
An unlikely brace from Nicolas Tagliafico and one for substitute Donny van de Beek were enough for the Dutch Eredivisie to cruise past fellow returning side AEK Athens.
The Portuguese side go to the Greek capital for their fixture, with both teams already on the back foot.
Group F
Manchester City’s German midfielder Leroy Sane (2L) celebrates with Manchester City’s Brazilian midfielder Fernandinho (L) after scoring during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on September 15, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF
Manchester City are unexpectedly feeling the heat under Pep Guardiola as they travel to face Champions League newcomers Hoffenheim on Tuesday night.
The English Premier League champions slipped up badly on their opening night at the Etihad Stadium, losing to French club Lyon.
Maxwel Cornet and Nabil Fekir edged the Ligue Un side to success despite Bernardo Silva’s consolation.
The Germans opened up with a draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, who travel to play City’s conquerors.
Group G
Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Spanish league football match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on August 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Pau BARRENA CAPILLA
Real Madrid continue their defence of the Champions League title with a trip to CSKA Moscow in Group G.
Isco, Gareth Bale and Mariano were all on target at the Bernabeu a fortnight ago, as Los Blancos put an off-season of turmoil behind them to thrash last season’s beaten semi-finalists Roma.
CSKA had Nicola Vlasic to thank for his 95th-minute equalizer against tournament minnows Viktoria Plzen.
The Czech outfit must now build on that quickly against their Serie A opponents in the Stadio Olimpico.
Group H
BERN, SWITZERLAND – SEPTEMBER 19: Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 1-0 during the Group H match of the UEFA Champions League between BSC Young Boys and Manchester United at Stade de Suisse, Wankdorf on September 19, 2018 in Bern, Switzerland. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)
Juventus host Young Boys in their second Champions League Group H fixture without the services of Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Old Lady’s marquee signing was sent off in their opening pool win over Valencia two weeks ago, as Miralem Pjanic struck twice from the penalty spot at the Mestalla.
Their Swiss opponents were swatted aside by Manchester United in their opener.
Paul Pogba scored twice with Anthony Martial adding a third in a handsome start for embattled boss Jose Mourinho, whose side now host the beaten Spaniards at Old Trafford.
UEFA Champions League fixtures on Tuesday 2 October
*All times SAST
Group E
AEK Athens vs Benfica – 21:00
Bayern Munich vs Ajax – 21:00
Group F
Hoffenheim vs Manchester City – 18:55
Lyon vs Shakhtar Donetsk – 21:00
Group G
CSKA Moscow vs Real Madrid – 21:00
Roma vs Viktoria Plzen – 21:00
Group H
Juventus vs Young Boys – 18:55
Manchester United vs Valencia – 21:00
UEFA Champions League fixtures on Wednesday 3 October
Group A
Atletico Madrid vs Club Brugge – 21:00
Borussia Dortmund vs Monaco – 21:00
Group B
PSV Eindhoven vs Inter Milan – 21:00
Tottenham vs Barcelona – 21:00
Group C
Paris Saint-Germain vs Red Star Belgrade – 18:55
Napoli vs Liverpool – 21:00
Group D
Lokomotiv Moscow vs FC Schalke – 18:55
FC Porto vs Galatasaray – 21:00
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