Ten to watch during Tuesday’s games.
The group stage of the 2014/15 Champions League kicks off on Tuesday evening, with two English teams in action – Liverpool return to the competition with a home game against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets Razgrad, whilst Arsenal face a tough trip to Borussia Dortmund.
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These are far from the only games, however. These are the ten players we think you need to keep an eye on over the eight fixtures:
Paul Pogba (Juventus)
Currently in talks over a new deal in Turin, Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba is potentially the most exciting young midfielder in Europe and will be looking for a big performance as his side host Swedish champions Malmo, looking to improve on their poor recent record on the continental stage.
Arda Turan (Atletico Madrid)
The Atletico leader and midfield driving force has been immense for his side in La Liga so far this season, particularly impressing in their 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu this weekend.
Raheem Sterling (Liverpool)
The Liverpool teenager is one of the most exciting young players on the planet and looks set to be restored to the Reds’ line-up against Ludogorets after being rested during the weekend defeat to Aston Villa.
Hakan Calhanoglu (Bayer Leverkusen)
Bundesliga outfit Bayer Leverkusen pulled off quite a coup in securing the signing of silky playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu from Hamburg this summer, with the Turk ready to make his mark on the Champions League for the first time as Bayer travel to AS Monaco.
James Rodriguez (Real Madrid)
The Colombian star missed out on the Champions League during a season with AS Monaco, so will be looking to make up for lost time when Real Madrid host FC Basel, with the reigning champions looking to put a tough La Liga start behind them.
Matthias Ginter (Borussia Dortmund)
Signed from Bundesliga rivals SC Freiburg this summer, Borussia Dortmund new boy Matthias Ginter can play in defence or midfield and is rated as possibly the most exciting young player in Germany. He could well make his Champions League bow as Arsenal visit Signal Iduna Park.
Jack Wilshere (Arsenal)
Having burst into life with a fine second half performance during the weekend’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Manchester City, can England international Jack Wilshere keep it up in Dortmund and look to emulate Aaron Ramsey’s fine beginning to last season?
Dennis Praet (Anderlecht)
Hugely talented young attacking midfielder Dennis Praet looks to be the next big thing to emerge from the fruitful Belgian production line, with the 20 year-old likely to feature for the Belgian champions as they travel for a tough game at Galatasaray.
Nicolas Gaitan (Benfica)
Despite a number of their treble winning side of last season moving on in the summer, Benfica were able to retain the services of long-serving Argentine playmaker Nicolas Gaitan, with the tricky customer set to be key to their chances of claiming a result against Andre Villas-Boas’ Zenit St Petersburg.
Geoffrey Kondogbia (AS Monaco)
One of the most exciting young footballers in France, powerful midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia is one of those left behind by the summer departure from the principality and will be crucial to their fortunes against an entertaining Bayer Leverkusen side.