In update
A different competitive model, a different draw, a way of knowing the calendars that could not be otherwise. 36 hours after Sporting and Benfica learned their opponents in the eight Champions League group matches, in a phase that will take place between September and January, the Lisbon rivals, the only national representatives in the competition, had their entire calendar revealed this Saturday. In terms of calculations, it is simple: just like a championship in which the top eight have direct access to the round of 16 and the teams between ninth and 24th place go through to the playoff access to the knockout phase (the others are outside the European competitions). Regarding the meetings, there are also its nuances.
Nuance 1: the possibility of two consecutive games being played at home or away. Nuance 2: the fact that there will be only one game and not two against each opponent. All things considered, the much-desired calendar for football and club fans has emerged (or perhaps buying tickets in advance is one of the secrets to supporting a team away from home) which, for Portuguese teams, sees Sporting starting at Alvalade with Lille and Benfica having to travel to Serbia to face Red Star. Main risk points for both? November for the Lions, due to consecutive receptions against Manchester City and Arsenal, January for the Eagles, due to finishing the group stage in consecutive weeks with Barcelona and Juventus.
- September 17th (8pm): Lille (home), after Arouca (away) and before AVS (home)
- October 1st (8pm): PSV (away), after Estoril (away) and before Casa Pia (home)
- October 22 (8pm): Sturm Graz (away), after the Portuguese Cup and before Famalicão (away)
- November 5th (8pm): Manchester City (home), after Estrela (home) and before Braga (away)
- November 26th (8pm): Arsenal (home), after the Portuguese Cup and before Santa Clara (home)
- December 10th (8pm): Club Brugge (away), after Moreirense (away) and before Boavista (home)
- January 22 (5:45 p.m.): RB Leipzig (away), after Rio Ave (away) and before Nacional (home)
- January 29th (8pm): Bologna (home), after Nacional (home) and before Farense (home)
- September 19 (5:45 p.m.): Red Star (away), after Santa Clara (home) and before Boavista (away)
- October 2 (8pm): Atl. Madrid (home), after Gil Vicente (home) and before Nacional (away)
- October 23 (8pm): Feyenoord (home), after the Portuguese Cup and before Rio Ave (home)
- November 6th (8pm): Bayern (away), after Farense (away) and before FC Porto (home)
- November 27th (8pm): Monaco (away), after the Portuguese Cup and before Arouca (away)
- December 11th (8pm): Bologna (home), after V. Guimarães (home) and before AVS (away)
- January 21 (8pm): Barcelona (home), after Famalicão (home) and before Casa Pia (away)
- January 29th (8pm): Juventus (away), after Casa Pia (away) and before Estrela (away)
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