Advertisement
Intrigue aplenty as the Champi...

Sport

Intrigue aplenty as the Champions League returns to our screens

98FM
98FM

04:48 17 Sep 2018


Share this article


Virgin Media Sport, the new home of European football in Ireland.

 

We've been attending to domestic matters for the last few weeks but we're going continental again. 

The UEFA Champions League is back on our screens as the 32 clubs do battle in their eight respective groups, and on top of that the Europa League returns with Arsenal and Chelsea having good reason to try and do well in it given how unpredictable the Top 6 portion of the Premier League can be when it comes to trying to get into the four slots that demarcate the Champions League qualification places.

Tuesday

Inter Milan vs Tottenham, 5.55pm KO 

Tottenham had made a strong start to the Premier League but two defeats in succession to Watford and Liverpool have dented their good mood just as the Champions League comes around.

But they're meeting an Inter Milan side who have made a decidedly poor start to the Serie A season, winning just one of their first four games including a 1-0 defeat at the weekend to newly promoted 1990s cult team Parma. 

To add insult to injury, the scorer of the winning goal Federico DiMarco is on loan at Parma... from Inter Milan.

One thing's for sure, Inter boss Luciano Spalletti is under more pressure than Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino as the Nerazzurri return to the Champions League after seasons away, which will make for a tense and tactical game at the San Siro. 

Live on Virgin Media 1 

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with Sadio Mane during the UEFA Champions League, Quarter Final at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture by: Nick Potts/PA Wire/PA Images

Liverpool vs PSG, 8pm KO 

European nights at Anfield are fabled and they're opening with a blockbuster fixture as French giants Paris Saint Germain come for a visit.

It's a battle of front threes , provided Robert Firmino recovers in time from the eye injury incurred against Tottenham, as the Brazilian, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane try to damage the Parisian back-line in the same way that Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani will attempt to at the other end.

The battle on the touchline will also be fascinating as Jurgen Klopp goes up against the man who succeeded him directly at both Mainz and Borussia Dortmund, Thomas Tuchel. 

Live on Virgin Media Sport

 

Wednesday

Ajax vs AEK Athens, 5.55pm KO 

Like Liverpool, Ajax have European pedigree but AEK's story from recent seasons is compelling.

Just four years ago, one of Greece's traditional giants had found themselves in the third tier, relegated two levels due to financial problems and facing an uncertain future.

The Double-Headed Eagle has risen like a phoenix since then, blazing a trail from the depths of despair to winning last season's league title, finishing perennial champions Olympiakos in the process.

All of which has seen them return to Europe for the first time in six years and to one of Europe's finest arenas in the shape of the Amsterdam Arena.

Live Virgin Media Sport

Young Boys vs Manchester United, 8pm KO 

Man United are not unaccustomed to facing Swiss competitors in the Champions League. Usually it's FC Basel though but Young Boys of Bern managed to unlock the vice-like grip that their rivals had held on Swiss football.

Jose Mourinho has seen his side's form pick up either side of the international break and will hope to avoid coming unstuck in the Swiss valleys.

Live on Virgin Media Sport

 

Thursday

Europa League

Chelsea and Celtic are in action against PAOK Salonika and Rosenborg respectively in the 5.55pm and 8pm kick offs on Virgin Media Sport.

You can also catch highlights of Arsenal's opening game against Vorskla Poltava of Ukraine on Virgin Media Sport at 10pm, along with the night's other opening group fixtures. 

Live on Virgin Media Sport

 

Virgin Media Sport, the new home of European football in Ireland goes live on Tuesday 18th September. With more than 400 UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Nations League games live this season, Virgin Media Sport is exclusive to all Virgin Media TV customers who can also download the TV Anywhere App and stream all the action whenever and wherever they like. For more info check out Virgin-Media-Sports.ie

 

 


Share this article


Read more about

Sport

You might like