KIEV, UKRAINE – MAY 26: Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid lifts The UEFA Champions League trophy following their side’s victory in the UEFA Champions League Final between Real Madrid and Liverpool at NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium on May 26, 2018 in Kiev, Ukraine. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

UEFA Champions League fixtures and kick off times on Wednesday 19 September

Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Manchester United all take centre stage as the 2018/19 UCL continues on Wednesday.

by Anton Smith

17-09-2018 10:30

in Soccer

The UEFA Champions League continues on Wednesday, with several of the continent’s big guns making their entrance.

Here’s everything you need to know, including the brand new staggered kick off times for the 2018/19 season:

Group E

Bayern Munich’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski (L) celebrate scoring during the German first division Bundesliga football match FC Bayern Munich v TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena in Munich, southern Germany on August 24, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / dpa / Sven Hoppe

Last season’s beaten semi-finalists Bayern Munich are the headline act in Group E, starting their campaign against Benfica.

The serial Bundesliga champions fell to eventual winners Real Madrid in the 2017/18 last four and head to Portugal to continue their quest for a first European crown since 2013.

Group minnows Ajax and AEK Athens contest the early kick off in Amsterdam, as both sides make their Champions League comebacks.

Group F

Manchester City’s Argentinian striker Sergio Aguero (R) celebrates scoring the opening goal with Manchester City’s Spanish midfielder David Silva (L) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Huddersfield Town at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on August 19, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Lindsey PARNABY

Pep Guardiola begins another tilt at continental glory as his Manchester City host French club Lyon on their opening night.

The English Premier League champions were walloped by EPL rivals Liverpool in last season’s quarter-finals and start their new campaign against the improving Ligue Un club at the Etihad Stadium.

Shakhtar Donetsk appear the only other major barrier to City’s progress.

The Ukrainian club take on German newcomers Hoffenheim in an early kick off (18:55 SAST).

Group G

Real Madrid’s Welsh forward Gareth Bale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the Spanish league football match between Girona FC and Real Madrid CF at the Montilivi stadium in Girona on August 26, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Pau BARRENA CAPILLA

The big-hitters of Group G go head-to-head in their opening fixture, as reigning champions Real Madrid face last season’s semi-finalists Roma at the Bernabeu.

Los Blancos sealed a third successive European crown by overcoming Liverpool in May, while their Italian opponents fell to the EPL side in a goal-packed last four bonanza.

Viktoria Plzen are at home to CSKA Moscow in the other pool clash on Wednesday, with both desperate for the points given the big fish that lie in wait.

Group H

Juventus’ Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo eyes the ball during the Italian Serie A football match Juventus vs Lazio on August 25, 2018 at the Allianz Stadium in Turin. / AFP PHOTO / MARCO BERTORELLO

Juventus return to Champions League action away to Valencia, fresh from their seventh Serie A title in a row.

Last season’s UCL quarter-finalists step up their bid to end a continental drought stretching back to 1996 at the Mestalla, with new recruit Cristiano Ronaldo in tow.

Manchester United are also looking to put last season’s disappointment behind them as they travel to Young Boys in Switzerland.

Jose Mourinho’s side were pipped by Sevilla in a dispiriting first knockout round tie last time out, having last won the competition in 2008.