Messi against Ronaldo. Lindelöf against Forsberg. And a matador's return. These are some of the goodies in the Champions League group game that starts on Tuesday night.

Severely delayed - due to the corona pandemic - the remainder of last season's Champions League final was decided in a compressed format in Lisbon in August.

In the end, Bayern Munich took home the title, via 1-0 against Paris Saint-Germain in the final.

Less than two months later, it's time for the next edition of the Champions League to start the group stage, something that usually happens in September.

Although the restrictions for reducing the spread of covid-19 are many, there are guaranteed to be cases of infected players in different teams.

However, the European Football Association (UEFA) has decided to allow spectators at the matches.

Up to 30 percent of the audience capacity may be used in the arenas, provided that local authorities give their approval.

Away fans are not allowed for the time being.

Here is a guide to the groups:

Group A

Bayern Munich, Atlético Madrid, Salzburg, Lokomotiv Moscow.

Comment: As the first team, Bayern Munich became champions after winning all the Champions League matches last season.

Of course, the Bavarian bastard should have no problem advancing to the playoffs.

Not always as difficult to play Atlético Madrid.

First round: Salzburg – Lokomotiv Moscow, Bayern Munich – Atlético Madrid (October 21).

Group B

Real Madrid, Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter, Mönchengladbach.

Comment: Only group with three previous finalists: Real Madrid has 13 titles (record), Inter has three and Mönchengladbach reached the final of the European Cup in 1976. Real Madrid is the big favorite for the group victory - but behind that it can be tough for second place.

Inter big bets, Shakhtar Donetsk have European experience and Oscar Wendt's Mönchengladbach can bark.

First round: Real Madrid – Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter – Mönchengladbach (October 21).

Group C

Porto, Manchester City, Olympiakos, Marseille.

Comment: Manchester City should not be able to avoid winning the group, but coach Pep Guardiola is required to achieve European success.

Last season, it stopped in the quarterfinals for the third year in a row.

Porto, Olympiakos and Marseille can make up for second place in a fierce port city battle.

First round: Manchester City – Porto, Olympiakos – Marseille (October 21).

Group D

Liverpool, Ajax, Atalanta, Midtjylland.

Comment: In superior style, Liverpool took home the first league title since 1989/1990.

In the Champions League, however, there were outings already in the round of 16, as reigning champions.

The group victory should be indisputable, but the charming upstart team Atalanta - who were about to bang against Paris SG in the quarterfinals - can beat all teams.

Ajax has been under fire since last season.

First round: Ajax – Liverpool, Midtjylland – Atalanta (October 21).

Group E

Sevilla, Chelsea, Rennes, Krasnodar.

Comment: The Swedish team Krasnodar (Marcus Berg, Viktor Claesson, Kristoffer Olsson) makes their Champions League debut, just like Rennes, with the super talent Eduardo Camavinga.

But first and second place are said to be dedicated to the reigning Europa League champions Sevilla and Chelsea.

First round: Chelsea – Sevilla, Rennes – Krasnodar (October 20).

Group F

Zenit St. Petersburg, Dortmund, Lazio, Club Brygge.

Comment: With Norwegian shooting star Erling Braut Haaland's powerful goal form in the lead, Dortmund will win this group.

Lazio, with gold medalist Ciro Immobile, should pinch second place even if Zenit cannot be underestimated.

First round: Zenit St. Petersburg – Club Brygge, Lazio – Dortmund (October 20).

Group G

Juventus, Barcelona, Dynamo Kiev, Ferencváros.

Comment: Against his will, Lionel Messi remained in a crisis-ridden Barcelona.

Now he is once again up against the eternal antagonist Cristiano Ronaldo, in the first meeting between the giants of the last decade since 2018, when Ronaldo left Real Madrid.

It is a given that "Juve" - where shooting star Dejan Kulusevski makes his Champions League debut - and "Barça" - where Henrik Larsson is the new assistant coach - are moving on.

First round: Dynamo Kiev – Juventus, Barcelona – Ferencváros (October 20).

Group H

Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United, Leipzig, Basaksehir.

Comment: He has scored the most goals (200) in Paris SG's history.

On Tuesday night, Edinson "Matador" Cavani can make his debut in the new club Manchester United - at the old home arena Parc des Princes.

Last season's finalist PSG is the favorite to win the group.

The question is whether Emil Forsberg and Leipzig - who reached the semifinals this summer - can sniff national team colleague Victor Nilsson Lindelöf and Manchester United in second place?

First round: Paris SG – Manchester United, Leipzig – Basaksehir (October 20).

CLIP: See the goal that decided the CL final for Bayern Munich (August 24, 2020)

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Guide: Everything before the Champions League group stage

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