Source image
It has been two years since the end of Spanish rule in the Champions League. The trophy, which took refuge in Spain for five consecutive years, went to England and this time to Germany. Will Bayern Munich be able to retain the Champions League as the second team to play football in Daputa? Or will Paris Saint-Germain, who lost the last final, be able to quell their dissatisfaction this time? Will Barcelona and Real Madrid be able to dominate the Champions League again?
It's hard to predict the start of a season-long tournament. But today at least it will be understood how the journey of the parties is going to be. The draw of the Champions League will be held at 9 pm Bangladesh time. Last season's European Footballer of the Year will also be awarded in Geneva today. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are not among the top three nominees for the first time in the last ten years. Another one may be seen for the first time today. These two superstars can be seen in this first group episode.
Both have been playing in the Champions League regularly since 2005/06. However, the two were never seen in the group stage. Let me tell you the reason why it has not happened in the last one decade. Both have played for two rival clubs in Spain. According to the rules of the Champions League, two clubs from the same country never get a place in the same group in the group stage. As a result, Messi and Ronaldo did not have a chance to face each other in the group stage from 2009/10 to 2016/17 season. Ronaldo had never met in the group stage before when he was at Manchester United. They met once in the final and another time in the semi-final.
After the end of Ronaldo's Real episode, there is no problem with the same country rules. The two did not get a chance to meet in the group stage. Because, another rule of UEFA is that the champion team of the top six leagues will always be at number one.
It time for this two strongest rival to meet again.
Am sure the two parties will be getting ready for themselves.