More big names from European football will take to pitches on Wednesday evening, not least in Portugal, where Benfica will have no easy entry to this season’s competition, for they face in-form Manchester United at home, with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men averaging an incredible more than four goals scored per game in their opening quartet of league matches this term, with Wayne Rooney, in particular, in imperious form to date. Their Group C encounter is the highlight of an entertaining evening of European action.
Also in Group C, Basle host Otelul Galati with both sides sure to be looking for the points they’ll need if they are to topple their illustrious rivals in this group.
The tricky Group D sees a big pair of fixtures with Ajax v Lyon and Dinamo Zagreb v Real Madrid demonstrating just why all four of those teams will be trying for a positive result in what is sure to be a very tight group.
Another very tough set of four teams take to the pitch in Group A, where English nouveau riche, Manchester City, get their first taste of Champions League football hosting Italian side, Napoli. As Spurs showed last season, the English Premier League seems to produce sides capable of big things in Europe, even at the first attempt, and Manchester City look to be a better side than Tottenham, with an absurdity of riches across their strong squad. They’ll be keen to put down a marker in this home fixture.
City will need a result, for they have yet to face Villarreal and Bayern Munich who face off in Spain in Group A’s other fixture.
In Group B, Inter Milan v Trabzonspor should see the Italian side off to a winning start, while most eyes will be on the more evenly matched Lille v CSKA Moscow match.
Full fixture information for the UEFA Champions League 2011/12 Group Stage matches scheduled for Wednesday 14th September 2011 is detailed below.
UEFA Champions League 2011/12 Group Stage Fixtures – Wednesday 14th September 2011
All kick-off times listed in Central European Time (CET). Home teams named first.
- Ajax v Lyon – Group D – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Basle v SC Otelul Galati – Group C – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Benfica v Manchester United – Group C – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Dinamo Zagreb v Real Madrid – Group D – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Inter Milan v Trabzonspor – Group B – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Lille v CSKA Moscow – Group B – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Manchester City v Napoli – Group A – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
- Villarreal v Bayern Munich – Group A – Kick-Off (CET) 20:45
