Champions League Returns with Expanded Format, City Faces Inter Reunion

Manchester City is bracing for its Champions League reunion with Inter Milan in the opening round of an expanded tournament that will be "so tough" for the 2023 winner. Pep Guardiola's side defeated Inter 1-0 in the final two seasons ago, with Rodri's goal securing its first Champions League crown on a memorable night in Istanbul.

City defender Manuel Akanji is not a fan of the new format due to the increased burden it will place on players in a grueling season that will conclude with Guardiola's men competing in the Club World Cup in the United States.

It will be intriguing to see how Guardiola navigates the pursuit of another European title and a fifth successive Premier League crown amid the financial breaches case that could plunge the club into turmoil.

Rodri played his first 45 minutes of the season against Brentford after a hamstring injury suffered in the Euro 2024 final victory against England. With England defenders John Stones and Kyle Walker also making their first starts this term, Guardiola is close to having all his stars available just in time for a hectic period.

For more than a decade, Paris Saint-Germain's Qatari owners have spent lavishly to attract big stars, but the Champions League crown remained a distant dream. The superstars have all now left the Parc des Princes, and it might sound paradoxical, but the club may be better equipped in its quest for continental glory.

Coach Luis Enrique insisted on molding what he had, and his project makes sense. Enrique asked for the recruitment of less-known but excellent players in every sector to create competition and have second options at every position. This could be even more crucial this season as the Champions League's new format will see more teams playing more games. PSG starts on Wednesday against Spanish side Girona.

Borussia Dortmund, finalist last season, has undergone a summer of upheaval on and off the pitch ahead of Wednesday's clash at Club Brugge. Dortmund's unlikely run to last season's final masked a poor domestic season. The result was a summer rebuild, with the club parting ways with Dortmund-born coach Edin Terzic and several regular players.

Guinea striker Serhou Guirassy and Germany center-back Waldemar Anton joined from Stuttgart, while German internationals Maximilian Beier and Pascal Gross have also signed for the club. The first European test comes at Belgian champions Club Brugge.

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