5 Players to Watch in 2014/15 Champions League Matchday 1
The 2014-15 Champions League campaign officially gets underway on Tuesday, with the group stage poised to pit 32 of Europe's finest against one another as the continental competition makes a triumphant return.
The playoffs saw the likes of Arsenal, Bayer Leverkusen, Porto and Athletic Bilbao edge their way into the pools, and even though many will miss out, the first stage is nonetheless filled to the brim with superstar talent.
Prioritising the Week 1 fixtures with highest stakes and most intriguing context, we've highlighted a host of individuals well worthy of extra attention at the first hurdle, where this season's Champions League dreams get their start.
1. Karim Bellarabi, Bayer Leverkusen
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Having played every minute of Bayer Leverkusen's Bundesliga season thus far, Karim Bellarabi is discovering new ground as an essential figure in the Factory Squad.
Roger Schmidt's side find themselves in a lower-profile Group of Death in some ways, and any one of Leverkusen, Monaco, Zenit St. Petersburg or Benfica may well have visions of topping the pile.
First up for the Germans comes the threat of Monaco, last season's Ligue 1 runners-up, who have begun their domestic campaign in poor fashion, winning just one of their five league games and conceding nine goals.
It's in that defensive weakness that Bellarabi will hope to shine, currently sitting as his side's joint-top scorer with two Bundesliga goals in three games, which OptaFranz points out is in no small part due to his shot frequency:
"10 - Karim Bellarabi from @bayer04fussball had 10 shot in the Bundesliga season 2014/15 so far - more than any other player. danger.
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) September 12, 2014"
The attacking midfielder scored a crucial goal in qualification against Copenhagen to give Leverkusen a 3-2 win in their playoff leg away from home, and it will again be in foreign territory that he looks to strike on Tuesday.
Schmidt has so far done a fine job of enabling a host of potential new stars during his tenure at the club's helm, and Bellarabi promises to continue growing in the line-up. Monaco will be a tricky next test of his credentials.
2. Andre Schurrle, Chelsea
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From stars of Leverkusen present to one of Leverkusen past, Andre Schurrle has a miniature reunion on his hands this Wednesday when Schalke make the trip to west London.
There, the forward will clash against a host of those players with whom he triumphed at this year's World Cup, Benedikt Howedes and Julian Draxler presenting a familiar threat for the former Bundesliga star.
During his days at Leverkusen and Mainz, Schurrle twice scored in wins over the Miners, and after grabbing an August Goal of the Month contender against Burnley, the German international can hope to continue that form in midweek.
Diego Costa recovered from a hamstring scare to bag a hat-trick in the 4-2 win over Swansea City on Saturday, but should there be any further doubts over the striker's fitness, Schurrle will be one of those expected to account for his absence.
All senses of friendship or sentiment will need to be put aside for 90 minutes on Wednesday, however, as Jose Mourinho's man seeks to use his Bundesliga connections to his advantage.
3. Thomas Muller, Bayern Munich
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Another 2014 World Cup winner with a recent scoring past against his midweek opposition is Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller, a threat with whom Manchester City have grown accustomed in recent times.
Having met in last season's group phase, Manuel Pellegrini's side are aware of the threat Muller possesses, him being the only player who managed to score in both home and away group-stage clashes.
In a fixture of such titanic proportions, it's indeed true that any one of Bayern or City's stars could be picked out as one worthy of attention, but Muller is once again promising a lot this term.
Trading in Mario Mandzukic for Robert Lewandowski's "version 2.0" presence as Pep Guardiola's attacking totem, Muller has a new forward partner to feed from, and the Citizens have every right to be nervous ahead of Wednesday's examination.
Der FCB are joint-leaders of the German top flight at present, tied with Leverkusen and Hannover on seven points apiece and Muller having scored once already, seeking to add to his fine Manchester City record.
4. Steven Gerrard, Liverpool
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Almost a decade on from the glory of Istanbul, Steven Gerrard once again trots into a Champions League atmosphere, having spent several seasons away from the bright lights of Europe.
His first test is by no means the toughest he'll encounter this year, as Ludogorets Razgrad prepare to stage a raid on Anfield, but after the Reds just lost 1-0 at home to Aston Villa, anything looks possible at present.
If there's any figure in the squad capable of leading the resurgence back from that disappointment, it's their captain, and Gerrard spoke to American network ABC (h/t Sky Sports) of what it means to make his return:
"When you watch the Champions League and you're not involved there's jealousy and envy seeing other players play on the big stage and hearing that Champions League music. You are competing against the best players in Europe and it is the number one competition in the world to play in. It is the trophy every player dreams of winning and because of the experience I have gained over the years I was so desperate to taste it again, even if it was just one more time.
"
Following that defeat to Villa, Brendan Rodgers' men will undoubtedly be dejected, but they can ask for no easier first task in the group stage than minnows Ludogorets, an enemy Gerrard still won't treat lightly.
Of the 14 Liverpool players to beat Milan in Turkey all those years ago, Gerrard is the sole survivor, and Tuesday will present an emotional step back onto the stage he's missed for so long.
5. Aaron Ramsey,
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It speaks volumes of Aaron Ramsey's rise to power that of all the Arsenal stars set to take on Borussia Dortmund in North Rhine-Westphalia this Tuesday, he should be considered as essential as any other.
Last season, the Gunners scored two goals against the Black and Yellows during their group encounters, once through Olivier Giroud in a 2-1 home loss and again thanks to Ramsey's 1-0 winner in the away tie.
Giroud won't be around to reenact any such heroics thanks to his broken leg, but Ramsey is very much in gear to make the difference again, having set Jack Wilshere up for an equaliser against Manchester City on Saturday.
The midfield battle will be a highly intriguing one as Jurgen Klopp looks to utilise the likes of Sebastian Kehl, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Milos Jojic against a creative outfit with the means to cause them genuine harm.
Ramsey's progress continues to bear fruit as his trajectory spirals upward, and the Welshman will be hoping to net in back-to-back ties against his German foes.
