Blockbuster night as PSG, Liverpool, Bayern open UCL campaigns

The opening matchday of the Champions League group-stage continues on Wednesday with a mouth-watering set of fixtures. Reigning champions PSG begin their title defence, Liverpool face familiar foes in Atletico Madrid, Chelsea revisit old memories in Munich, and last season's finalists Inter travel to Amsterdam for a historic clash with Ajax. Early in the evening, Olympiacos host Pafos, while Slavia Praha take on Bodo/Glimt. 

Here's a closer look at the headline fixtures:

PSG vs Atalanta
The defending champions launch their campaign at home to 2023-24 Europa League winners Atalanta. History favours the holders as only one of the last 30 reigning champions have lost their opening match in the following season (W19 D10), though that lone defeat came against Italian opposition -- Liverpool's 2-0 loss at Napoli in 2019-20. PSG forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia remains doubtful along with Ballon d'Or favourite Ousmane Dembele due to injuries.

Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid
Liverpool are among the favourites for the trophy but face a stern test against familiar rivals. Since knocking Liverpool out in 2019-20, Atletico have struggled against English oppositions, winning just one of their last eight encounters (D2 L5). Liverpool, by contrast, have won their last four Champions League group/league matches against Spanish sides, including a double over Atletico in 2021-22. Atletico will be without striker Julian Alvarez, sidelined with a knock sustained against Villarreal, while Liverpool's marquee signing Alexander Isak will have to wait on the bench for his debut. 
Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
In a repeat of the 2012 Champions League final -- won by Chelsea on penalties -- Bayern Munich host the Blues at the Allianz Arena. Their most recent meetings came in the 2019-20 round of 16, when Bayern cruised to a 7-1 aggregate win. Chelsea enter the clash as Club World Cup holders but face daunting odds. Since 2003-04, Bayern have recorded the highest win percentage (73%) in the group/league phase of the competition, winning 93 of their 128 matches.

Ajax vs Inter
Two European heavyweights meet in Amsterdam as Ajax take on last season's runners-up Inter Milan. Though the Dutch side boast a storied history with very little to show for in recent years, they have never beaten Inter in four previous Champions League meetings (D1 L3). The fixture is steeped in history as it's a repeat of the 1972 European Cup final. Adding another layer of intrigue, coaches John Heitinga (Ajax) and Cristian Chivu (Inter) were former teammates at Ajax from 2001-03.