September 17th 2024.
The highly anticipated Champions League is making its grand return for the 2024/25 season, bringing with it some exciting changes. One of the most noticeable transformations is the new music that will be played during the tournament. But that's not the only alteration that fans can expect this year.
Four teams from the Premier League - Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa - will be competing in this revamped edition of the Champions League. The format has been completely overhauled, with each team facing a total of eight different opponents, playing four home games and four away games. At the end of the league format, the top eight teams will automatically qualify for the last-16 round, while the teams ranked ninth to 24th will have a chance to join them through a two-legged play-off.
As the defending champions of Europe, Real Madrid will be looking to retain their title and make another triumphant run in this prestigious tournament. However, they will face tough competition from other top teams, including the English representatives. It's an exciting time for football fans, as the Champions League promises to be full of thrilling matches and surprising outcomes.
Apart from the new format, there is another change that will catch the attention of viewers - the iconic Champions League music. This famous anthem has been the soundtrack of the tournament since its rebranding in 1992. However, this season, there is a slight twist. UEFA officials have decided to go back to the original orchestral version of the track, which hasn't been heard in 18 years. The last time it was played was during the 2005/06 season when Barcelona emerged victorious over Arsenal in a thrilling match.
Real Madrid, with their strong and experienced squad, will enter the tournament as the defending champions. Their impressive 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund in the previous season's final at Wembley Stadium has only added to their reputation as a powerhouse in European football. On the other hand, the hopes of English fans will rest on the shoulders of Manchester City, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Aston Villa, all of whom are eager to make their mark and bring the Champions League trophy back to England. For Unai Emery's side, this is a particularly special moment as they will be competing in the tournament for the first time since 1983.
With new music and a revamped format, this season's Champions League promises to be one of the most exciting and memorable editions yet. Fans can hardly contain their excitement as they eagerly await the opening round of fixtures this week. It's time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beautiful game at its finest.
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]