The Ultimate Champions League Extravaganza: Harry Kane's Revenge, Jurgen Klopp's Elusive Triumph, and More Thrilling Action!

European football's highly anticipated return is set for this week, with the commencement of the group stages in the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League on Tuesday. Our team of We football writers now takes a moment to contemplate the significant discussion points surrounding the commencement of British clubs' campaigns.

Champions League

Guardiola will take nothing for granted during City's European title defence

As Pep Guardiola chases a personal record fifth Champions League medal, progress from Group G should be relatively straightforward for Manchester City.

The honor that Guardiola's City puzzle was missing was the once elusive title of becoming a true European super power, like Real Madrid and Barcelona, idolized and respected in continental circles. However, having just one title is not sufficient for this achievement. City has only recently joined the Champions League parade and does not have a long-standing history in this competition. Nonetheless, in the years to come, they may be recognized as one of football's best new era achievers.

A trailblazer among the 'new money' clubs, following a path similar to Chelsea after Roman Abramovich. Possessing an entrepreneurial spirit like Gen Z, but without a sense of entitlement.

Guardiola is well aware that the Champions League cannot be purchased. It cannot be magically attained. City has consistently proven themselves as the top team in England, as evidenced by their three consecutive Premier League titles. However, their performance on the European stage has been lacking. There is no prophecy that guarantees City the perfect path to European silverware this time. Despite that, bookmakers consider them the clear favorites to defend their current title.

Kane and co could heap more pressure on slow-starting Man Utd

City's title defence won't be a cakewalk, with RB Leipzig as the only serious contender in their group. However, considering other established European powerhouses seeking revenge after City defeated Bayern Munich and Real Madrid en route to last year's final, it's safe to say that their journey won't be smooth sailing.

For Manchester United supporters, witnessing Harry Kane donning the Bayern Munich jersey on Wednesday might evoke a sense of "here's what you could have won."

United's pursuit of the England captain, as their main target for a striker, was widely known. However, financial constraints and Tottenham's reluctance to sell to a domestic competitor posed obstacles.

Presently, a resurgent Kane has the potential to worsen their already mounting issues in Bavaria. Both defensive and offensive statistics have declined for Ten Hag's team, compounded by off-field troubles, while three defeats in their initial five Premier League matches have raised concerns.

The home loss to Brighton on Saturday was a wake-up call, and there is concern that Bayern could deliver an even more devastating blow to their confidence and expectations for this season.

After a year without participating, returning to the Champions League is highly anticipated by Man Utd. This is where they believe they should be. However, unless there is a significant improvement in their performance against Kane and his teammates, things could become even more challenging for Ten Hag's team when they travel to Munich.

Expectations high for Arsenal's return to the big time

Arsenal are back!

It's been a little while in coming with the Gunners competing in Europe's top club competition for the first time since the 2016/17 season.

The upcoming competition presents a fresh challenge for many of Arsenal's youthful squad members, including the talented Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, Ben White, and Aaron Ramsdale. Notably, this will also mark Mikel Arteta's first venture into the realm of the Champions League as a manager.

Despite missing out on the competition for six seasons, Arsenal is still generating high expectations for their impact when they kick off their campaign at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday against PSV Eindhoven.

Arsenal made summer additions to strengthen their squad and compete in the Champions League, as stated by Arteta. It is worth noting that they are currently considered the fourth favorites to win the competition, behind Man City, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid.

Will Tonali stun Milan in Newcastle colours?

Arsenal's quest for victory in the competition will present a fresh test for Arteta. It is a significant milestone for the club, one that they have diligently prepared for under the guidance of the Spaniard and his talented young squad. The eagerness and enjoyment with which they approach this challenge will undoubtedly be palpable. Oliver Yew

When Sandro Tonali takes to the field at the San Siro on Tuesday night, the opening line of AC Milan's pre-match anthem may resonate with him: "What a chaotic situation, but it's because my love for the team is unwavering."

The departure of the boyhood AC Milan fan to Newcastle in a £60m deal over the summer surprised many at the Serie A club as he was considered the heart of the team. Nevertheless, Tonali's exit was seen as a sacrifice, with the transfer money being reinvested in players like Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who have made a strong start to the season in terms of goal-scoring, along with former Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud.

Tonali's crucial contribution in Milan's journey to the Champions League semi-finals is precisely what attracted Newcastle to pursue him. With PSG and Borussia Dortmund also featuring in Group F, the Magpies, who are about to embark on their first Champions League campaign in 21 years, could greatly benefit from Tonali's expertise and knowledge in the pursuit of every single point...Sam Blitz

Can Celtic and Rodgers crack European code?

Celtic and Brendan Rodgers are used to dominating Scottish football, but it is different story when it comes to Europe.

Celtic's performance in European competitions under Ange Postecoglou was disappointing. In his first season at Parkhead, they finished at the bottom of their Champions League group and were subsequently eliminated in the Europa League. The trend continued in the second year, with their early exit from the tournament. In the third year, they couldn't progress beyond the third qualifying round. Despite making strides elsewhere, Postecoglou couldn't establish Celtic as a force in European competitions.

In his debut season, they were unable to progress beyond the last 32 of the Europa League, while Celtic performed poorly in the previous campaign, finishing at the bottom of their Champions League group with a mere two points.

For this season, Celtic has been placed in a group alongside Feyenoord, Lazio, and Atletico Madrid, a fairly advantageous draw as it avoids formidable opponents like Manchester City, Real Madrid, and PSG, who have previously outperformed them.

They will face Feyenoord on the road and Lazio at home in their first two matches. If they can secure three points from these games, it would be a promising start to their campaign, with their sights set on securing a spot in the Europa League after Christmas.

In the Champions League squad, manager Rodgers has chosen not to include new signings Maik Nawrocki and Marco Tillio due to their ongoing injuries. However, Cameron Carter-Vickers, who has also been sidelined for a similar period as Nawrocki, has made the squad.

Europa League

Missing left-back Alexandro Bernabei, fans will eagerly watch the performances of our new signings - Nat Phillips, Gustaf Lagerbielke, Luis Palma, Odin Thiago Holm, Paulo Bernardo, and Hyun-Jun Yang - to see if they can leave a lasting impact on European football's most prestigious competition. Alison Conroy

Liverpool must embrace Europa League - and try to win Klopp's missing trophy

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Jurgen Klopp is aiming for Europa League glory as he looks to add the only major piece of silverware that has eluded him so far

Liverpool will make their return to the Europa League after eight seasons in the Champions League. Their last participation in this second-tier tournament was in the 2015/16 season, under Jurgen Klopp's first full campaign at Anfield. Despite reaching the final, their journey was terminated by the experienced Europa League team, Sevilla.

Klopp has made significant progress with Liverpool since then, when Simon Mignolet and Nathaniel Clyne were the players who had the highest number of appearances during the Europa League campaign.

Now, Klopp has assembled a talented squad filled with star players. Although players like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah may not be thrilled about competing in the Europa League, Klopp will undoubtedly encourage his team to fully embrace the opportunity.

Liverpool's status as favored contenders in the tournament becomes evident upon closer examination of the eight groups of four teams. Furthermore, the enticing prospect of the final taking place in Dublin – a city with a significant Liverpool fanbase and conveniently situated near Anfield across the Irish Sea – adds an extra push. If additional motivation is needed, Klopp can highlight the fact that winning the Europa League is the only major trophy he has yet to secure during his tenure at the club.

Liverpool don't often play in the Europa League these days. They should make the most of the experience.Joe Shread

Rangers' Europa League romance reignited - but Beale's side must be at their best

It has been a tough few weeks for Rangers fans.

After suffering a defeat against Celtic, who secured their spot in the Champions League, and a crushing loss in Eindhoven, Michael Beale's team found themselves participating in Europe's second-tier club competition.

Fortunately, the Europa League brings a glimmer of hope for supporters as they recall the team's incredible journey to the final in May of the previous year.

Rangers emerged victorious against Borussia Dortmund, Red Star Belgrade, Sporting Braga, and RB Leipzig before their unfortunate defeat on penalties to Eintracht Frankfurt in Seville.

This summer, the squad has undergone significant changes with the addition of nine new signings. Expectations are high as they prepare to take on Real Betis, Aris Limassol, and Sparta Prague in the group stages.

The group's main goal is to advance to the knockouts, but replicating their achievement from 2022 and reaching the final in Dublin will be extremely challenging. In the later stages, Rangers may face tough opponents such as Ajax, Atalanta, and Liverpool, all of whom they suffered defeats against during last season's unsuccessful Champions League group stage.

Can West Ham make their mark in Europe again?

Fans have demonstrated their ability to ignite the team's spirit during unforgettable European matches - only time will reveal whether the players on the field can produce exceptional displays that nourish their enthusiasm. Sahil Jaidka

West Ham have made something of a habit of excelling in European competition over the past two seasons.

Their 2020/21 season concluded with a sixth-place finish, marking their return to the Europa League after five seasons. Despite this added responsibility, David Moyes' team handled it exceptionally well, achieving a seventh-place finish in the Premier League. They even advanced to the semi-finals, narrowly missing out on the final to eventual winners Eintracht Frankfurt.

Despite finishing just two points behind sixth-place Manchester United, they secured a place in the Europa Conference League for the following season. However, the Hammers embraced this opportunity and were determined to surpass their previous performance.

They dominated the competition, winning all six matches in the group stage and effortlessly advancing through the next three rounds to secure a place in the final in Prague. Ultimately, they emerged victorious, claiming their first major title in 43 years thanks to Jarrod Bowen's last-minute winning goal. While their league performance may have been affected by their European exploits, it was their only path to qualify for a third consecutive year.

The Europa League group stage campaign commences on Thursday with the arrival of Serbian team TSC at the London Stadium. The Hammers have made an impressive start in the Premier League and are determined to rectify the disappointment of 2021. Can they replicate their previous ability to compete on multiple fronts this season?

No fear for Brighton on their first European adventure

At the end of Brighton's 3-1 victory against Southampton last season, the sound of the whistle marked an incredible moment. It was hard to believe, but Brighton had made history by qualifying for Europe, a feat they had never achieved before.

Truly a momentous day for the football club that had narrowly escaped relegation from the Football League during the 96/97 season. Their fate hinged on a last-day 1-1 draw, where Hereford suffered the unfortunate consequence of a lower goal difference.

The rise of the club is simply phenomenal, thanks to the brilliance of owner Tony Bloom. His strategic recruitment policy surpasses that of all other Premier League teams, propelling them to remarkable destinations such as AEK Athens, Marseille, and Ajax in Group B of the Europa League.

There is no doubt that they are not merely participating in these matches for the sake of it. Roberto De Zerbi's formidable team will approach this competition with the same level of aggression as they do in the Premier League. They have no fear, abundant courage, and an abundance of goals.

Europa Conference League

Can Emery the Europe expert cope with Villa's favourites tag?

Unai Emery is known for his remarkable success in European competitions. With four Europa League titles won with Sevilla and Villarreal, as well as guiding the latter to the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2022, he has established himself as one of the most savvy continental coaches in history.

Emery faces a challenge with Aston Villa this season as he takes on the role of manager for the Europa Conference League favorites. However, his previous European successes have been achieved with underdog teams, defeating Liverpool and Manchester United in the finals of the Europa League. Despite this, Villa is currently placed as 7/2 favorites to win the entire competition, following West Ham's victory last season.

There is still a considerable journey ahead in this competition, and Villa's Conference League credentials will be tested with the inclusion of top teams dropping from the Europa League group stages. However, Emery's team stands as a prominent force to overcome in this tournament. By defeating them in a single match, the competition becomes more favorable for you.

Additionally, there will be inquiries about how Emery manages his squad as they now face the challenge of competing on both Thursdays and Sundays for the first time.

Robson's Reds return to European action

West Ham demonstrated last season that their Premier League performance declines when they have to contend with European competitions. However, it would be difficult to convince former Exeter striker Ollie Watkins and his teammates to take a break from a European adventure they have been eagerly pursuing throughout their careers...Sam Blitz

Aberdeen are back playing European group stage football for the first time since their 2008 UEFA Cup exploits.

Under the guidance of Jimmy Calderwood, the Aberdeen Football Club advanced from a group stage that featured esteemed teams such as Atletico Madrid, Panathinaikos, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Copenhagen.

Subsequently, the team faced Bayern Munich, and the match at Pittodrie Stadium became a momentous occasion with a remarkable 2-2 draw against the German giants. However, their impressive run came to an end in the following fixture as Bayern emerged victorious with a convincing 7-3 aggregate score.

Aberdeen has faced challenges in their domestic performances this season, however, facing Eintracht Frankfurt, HJK Helsinki, and PAOK, who defeated Hearts, could potentially revive their overall campaign.

Advancing from Group G will be a difficult task, but considering that all 13 summer signings are part of Barry Robson's squad, there is still a possibility of qualifying for the knockout stage after Christmas.

Off the pitch the next six matches could earn the club around £5m - a welcome boost to the Dons - and hopefully there will be more to follow after the turn of the year.Sahil Jaidka