Real, Bayern set for continental kick

Paris: Europe’s heavyweights launch their perennial pursuit of Champions League glory this week as Real Madrid seek to defend their title from the likes of Barcelona and Bayern Munich, while Pep Guardiola aims to transform Manchester City into a continental giant.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s winning penalty clinched a record 11th European Cup for Real a season ago, but no team has successfully retained their crown since the competition was rebranded as the Champions League in 1992.

Real’s first assignment in a group that also includes Borussia Dortmund and Legia Warsaw will be the visit of Ronaldo’s boyhood club, Sporting Lisbon, on Wednesday.

Barcelona are smarting from a shock 2-1 home loss to promoted Alaves as coach Luis Enrique’s decision to rest Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez backfired spectacularly, leaving Celtic, beaten 6-1 on their last visit to the Camp Nou, wary of a backlash in Tuesday’s clash. “We have to do better in the next game in a different competition,” said Barca captain Andres Iniesta. “As always when there is a defeat, we have to analyse it and correct it for the next game.”

City not yet ready
However, the focal point in Group ‘C’ will be Guardiola’s attempt to elevate City to a level similar to that of Barca, with whom he won the title as a player in 1992 and twice more as coach.

City begin their campaign at home to Borussia Moenchengladbach on Tuesday, then travel to Celtic before their double-header with Barca on matchdays three and four.

Bayern Munich are also in the mix, with Atletico Madrid, PSV Eindhoven and Russia’s Rostov in Group ‘D’.