Champions League Preview

The UEFA Champions League group stage begins with FC Barcelona hosting AC Milan in a classic tie while Manchester City FC v SSC Napoli represents the hopes of the new guard.

Exactly 110 days since the UEFA Champions League trophy left Wembley festooned in blue and red ribbons, a new campaign kicks off on 13/14 September with the first round of group stage games – and holders FC Barcelona taking top billing with their home showdown against AC Milan.

Among Tuesday's other standout fixtures, Vítor Pereira's UEFA Europa League winners FC Porto host last term's quarter-finalists FC Shakhtar Donetsk, while 24 hours later an intriguing-looking Group A gets under way with big-spending Manchester City FC making their UEFA Champions League bow against SSC Napoli and Villarreal CF welcoming FC Bayern München. It is in Munich that the road to the final ends on 19 May 2012 but first things first: matchday one.

Heavyweight clash

Milan left an indelible mark on the UEFA Champions League with their 4-0 final crushing of Barcelona in 1994 yet, almost two decades on, the Catalans set the benchmark. Josep Guardiola's holders launch their trophy defence at home to Massimiliano Allegri's team, aiming for a tenth victory in 11 home games in the competition. It is a fixture which may serve as a barometer for the prospects of the Rossoneri, who have not been beyond the last 16 since landing their seventh European crown in 2007.

Back in the spotlight

Both wear sky blue shirts and both have known falls from grace in recent times with spells in their domestic third divisions. Those dark days will be forgotten when Manchester City and Napoli meet in Group A in what signals the Italian side's return to Europe's elite after 21 years and ends an even longer exile for City, absent from the European Cup since 1968. Who will Diego Maradona be supporting? The Napoli outfit he led into the European Cup or son-in-law Sergio Agüero's City?

Steeled for action

Oţelul is the Romanian word for 'steel' and Oţelul Galaţi FC will need it in their debut campaign among the continent's finest. No Romanian club have recorded a top-two finish in a UEFA Champions League group and it would send a seismic shock around Europe if Dorinel Munteanu's squad – featuring one player with experience of the competition – were to survive a section including Manchester United FC, SL Benfica and their first opponents FC Basel 1893.

One to watch

There are several reunions taking place on matchday one: Tomáš Rosický goes back to Borussia Dortmund with Arsenal FC; Milan's Gianluca Zambrotta, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Mark van Bommel face their old club Barcelona; Michael Ballack returns to Chelsea FC with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Arguably the spotlight will shine most intensely on André Villas-Boas who becomes the fifth Chelsea manager to set out on the annual quest for owner Roman Abramovich's holy grail: a UEFA Champions League trophy. The Portuguese claimed the UEFA Europa League last term with Porto but now bids to succeed where six predecessors – Claudio Ranieri, José Mourinho, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Avram Grant, Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti – failed in what is Chelsea's tenth tilt at the title.

Perfect ten?

The limelight is never far away from Mourinho and he begins his own quest to deliver Real Madrid CF's tenth European Cup a decade after they last won it. A semi-finalist in his first season with the Merengues, he knows too that a Madrid triumph would set him apart in the history books as the only man to have led three different clubs to the trophy, following his successes with Porto and FC Internazionale Milano.

The stat

Manchester United has not conceded an away goal in the UEFA Champions League for 540 minutes. Indeed, 541 if you count the final minute of added time in their 2-1 loss to Bayern in the April 2010 quarter-final in Bavaria.

Did you know?

Czech newcomers FC Viktoria Plzeň hail from the home of Pilsner beer and have also exported a pair of fine footballers in their time, as the club where Pavel Nedvěd and Petr Čech started out.

Modric Will Sign New Spurs Deal - Redknapp

Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp expects Luka Modric to be offered a new contract after Spurs chairman Daniel Levy rejected several bids from Chelsea during the transfer window.

Modric was keen to leave Spurs in the summer but Levy insisted the Croatian playmaker would not be sold at any price and, true to his word, turned down increasingly large offers - reportedly of £22 million and £27 million - from Stamford Bridge. Redknapp said there was a final offer of £40 million on deadline day.

Redknapp feels Modric can now focus on playing for Spurs and although the 26-year-old is already tied to a long-term contract, is anticipating an improved contract for Modric.

"Luka will just get on with it - the chairman will sit down and discuss his contract and make a deal," said Redknapp. "We are looking to make him a good offer. The transfer window being shut now makes my job easier because he has to just get on with playing."

Arsenal Continue £25m Spanish Chase

Arsenal are reportedly ready to step-up their interest in Thiago Alcantara ahead of a bid for the player.

The Sunday People claim the Gunners will continue to monitor the Barcelona midfielder in the coming weeks, before making their move for the player in either January or the summer.

The report goes on to claim Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger requested 'first refusal' on the £25 million-rated Spaniard, who made his international debut in midweek for Vicente del Bosque's side.

However, the clause as part of the Cesc Fabregas transfer to the Nou Camp was rejected, although that isn't expected to stop Arsenal from approaching Pep Guardiola once again for the player in the future.

Alcantara was linked with a move to the Emirates this summer, but rejected talk of a possible move to Arsenal and insisted he was keen to further his career in La Liga.

Also speculatively linked with a move to north London as part of a swap-deal for Fabregas, the interest of Arsenal remains strong and Alcantara could yet make a move to the club.

Gomes Set For Spurs Exit

Heurelho Gomes' career at Spurs appears to be over after Harry Redknapp admitted he would be on his way in the New Year.

The former PSV Eindhoven number one is looking for regular first-team football somewhere else, after being replaced between the sticks by Brad Friedel at White Hart Lane.

Carlo Cudicini was on the bench in the win over Wolves on Saturday with the Brazilian nowhere to be seen, and although Redknapp claims he has not frozen him out, he does think he'll be on his way in January.

Redknapp told the Mirror: "I've not bombed Gomes out and made him No.3 that's for sure. He's trained hard but, in all honesty, he's looking to move on in January. If the opportunity comes for him to play, I'm sure he will take it.

"But this guy (Friedel) is fantastic. He made a fantastic save from Karl Henry."

Arsenal Rival Chelsea For Wing Wizard Signing

Arsenal failed in a deadline day swoop for Fiorentina forward and Chelsea target Stefan Jovetic reports talkSPORT.

The 21-year old starlet, who has been likened to Italian legend Roberto Baggio spent the whole of last season on the sidelines with a cruciate knee ligament injury, but returned to fitness at the start of the 2011-12 campaign.

After joining the Serie A from Partizan Belgrade in 2007 in a £7million deal, Jovetic has scored just eight goals in 58 appearances for Fiorentina, but is still widely regarded as a player with great potential.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is a known admirer of promising young talent, and was undeterred by the Montenegrin striker's injury-plagued past, making a deadline day attempt to bring him to the Emirates Stadium.

"It's not only Chelsea who wants Jovetic, but Arsenal also," former coach and advisor Roberto Galbiati told TV station Italia 7. "Arsenal, on the last day of the summer transfer market, submitted a bid to Fiorentina but the club refused."

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas was also rumoured to be interested in bringing Jovetic to Stamford Bridge this summer - but the signing of Juan Mata, Raul Meireles and Romelu Lukaku has significantly increased the Blues' midfield and attacking options that it is unclear whether the west Londoners will renew their attempts at a later date.

Juventus Plan January Raid For Manchester City Star

Juventus are hoping to tempt Manchester City left-back Aleksandar Kolarov back to Italy in January.

The Serbian joined City from Lazio in July 2010 but suffered an injury-hit first season in the Premier League.

And Kolarov now finds himself behind both Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta in the running for City’s left-back position and could be ready to leave in order to secure first-team football.

Reports in Italy have claimed Juventus are lining up a January offer for the 25-year-old, who cost City £16m just over a year ago.

Kolarov played arguably the best football of his career during his time in Serie A and might favour a switch back to Italy in order to secure his place in the Serbia team, who are still in the hunt for a place at Euro 2012.

AC Milan Consider Move For Chelsea Star

AC Milan are monitoring Fernando Torres situation at Chelsea, according to Inside Futbol.

The Italian giants could not afford to sign the out-of-form Spaniard on a permanent basis and are instead considering a loan move for the former Liverpool striker.

The 27-year-old is could be dropped by manager Andre Villas-Boas for the sides forthcoming games with Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester United

The Blues boss could be willing to allow Torres to leave on loan in if the players slump continues as reports from Italy suggest that AC Milan are interested.

Torres' continuing run of bad form and the rise of Daniel Sturridge, who scored during Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Sunderland on Saturday, has led Andre Villas-Boas to consider starting the youngster for tomorrows Champions League tie with Bayer.

The troubled forward has yet to complete 90 minutes for Chelsea this season, finding himself substituted in the clubs first three games,

Capello Linked With Big-Money Move

England manager Fabio Capello will be targeted by Russian big spenders Anzhi Makhackala after Euro 2012, according to the Daily Mail.

The Italian is out of contract after the championships next summer, but had previously stated his job with England would be his last.

However, the wealthy Russian side, who has already signed Samuel Eto'o from Inter Milan, could tempt the England boss for a final hurrah.

Capello would be able to take charge for the beginning of the new season, with the Russian season changing to an autumn start next season.

At his disposal, Capello would have businessman Suleyman Kerimov's £5 billion fortune to help build a team capable of competing on the European stage.

Feruz Agrees Chelsea Deal

Celtic starlet Islam Feruz has agreed to join Chelsea, his agent has confirmed to skysports.com.

Feruz has just turned 16, but instead of signing a first professional contract at Parkhead he is instead moving south to England.

The likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers have all been linked but Chelsea have always been leading the chase and they have secured a deal.

The Somalian-born forward, who has been capped by Scotland at youth level, has agreed terms with Chelsea and Celtic will be due training compensation.

"It is a massive step for Islam and for Scottish football," his agent Rui Alves told skysports.com.

"Now for him personally it is the beginning of a major adventure, he will have to work, work and work and raise his own level.

"Playing for a top club like Chelsea, where the major word in the squad is quality, will oblige him to show his own quality and deliver his best and convince the staff that he is more than just a major prospect."

Alves admits that there was little doubt he would join Chelsea after they impressed him so much.

"The first impression was extraordinary, it is a feeling that the whole club is behind him, they will support him on a daily basis and give him total trust and make him believe," he continued.

He confirmed that Chelsea fended off interest from around Europe to land Feruz, adding: "It was not just every club in the Premiership but also most big clubs in Europe who were tracking him. He is the one serious player in Scotland at the moment."

Feruz has been described as the Scottish 'Wayne Rooney' but Alves insists those comparisons are not accurate.

"Islam is a totally different player than Rooney - he is explosive with an amazing strength and good strike, but due to his speed he can also play on both wings," he said.

"But like Rooney, Islam doesn't cheat, you won't see him crying on the floor begging for cards or arguing with referees and I believe he will raise his level very, very fast."

Alves did, though, confirm Feruz will continue to pledge his international allegiance to Scotland and will not forget what Celtic did for him.

"He is looking forward to starting his career with Chelsea, but he would love to thank Celtic for all they did for him and his parents, he is Scottish and will one day score goals for Scotland."