The Champions League returns tonight, and Juventus are kicking things off with a blockbuster clash against Borussia Dortmund in Turin. Kick-off at the Allianz Stadium is set for 20:00 UK time (19:00 GMT).
This season’s competition is back in its new league format, with every point counting toward one big table. For Juventus, it’s the beginning of a tough run that will see them face Villarreal, Real Madrid, Sporting CP, Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, Benfica and AS Monaco in the group stage marathon.
Fresh Faces in Juve’s Attack
Massimiliano Allegri has wasted no time throwing new arrival Lois Openda into the deep end. The Belgian striker, signed on deadline day, makes his first start for the Bianconeri. He’ll be flanked by Jonathan David and rising star Kenan Yildiz in a bold three-man frontline.
That means Dusan Vlahovic drops to the bench, with Allegri clearly opting for pace and mobility against Dortmund’s high-energy defense. Andrea Cambiaso returns on the left after suspension, while Teun Koopmeiners and Weston McKennie surprisingly get the nod in midfield. Manuel Locatelli and Federico Gatti are among those left out of the starting XI.
Juve come into this one with momentum on their side. They’ve won all three of their Serie A games so far, including a thrilling 4–3 victory over Inter at the weekend.
Dortmund Missing Key Names
Borussia Dortmund arrive in Turin in good form themselves, with three wins and a dramatic 3–3 Bundesliga draw at St. Pauli to start their season. But they’re missing a host of big players: captain Emre Can, summer signing Fabio Silva, Niklas Süle, Pascal Gross, Nico Schlotterbeck and Aaron Anselmino are all unavailable.
Even so, Dortmund still carry plenty of threat. Serhou Guirassy leads the line fresh from a hot streak in Germany, joined by Karim Adeyemi — a player Juve themselves chased in the summer — and Maximilian Beier. Jobe Bellingham, younger brother of Real Madrid star Jude, is named among the substitutes.
Head-to-Head History
The two clubs know each other well, having met nine times in Europe. Juventus hold the upper hand with six wins to Dortmund’s two. But the Germans claimed the most famous victory of all — the 1997 Champions League final, when they stunned the Italians in Munich.
With both sides looking to start strong in this new league-style format, tonight promises intensity, goals, and plenty of storylines.
Juventus XI: Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Koopmeiners, K. Thuram, Cambiaso; Yildiz; David, Openda
Dortmund XI: Kobel; Ryerson, Anton, Bensebaini; Yan Couto, Sabitzer, F. Nmecha, Svensson; Adeyemi, Guirassy, Beier
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
