Second Match Day, Second Part - UEFA Champions League MD2, 2 October 2024

2 October 2024

Shakhtar Donezk vs. Atalanta Bergamo

18.45h, Arena Auf Schalke, Gelsenkirchen

Shakhtar play this season in exile again and will look to improve from their performance in the first round where they drew 0-0 in Bologna. Visitors Atalanta come off a home draw against Arsenal, so will also look to break the goal-scoring deadlock at Schalke's home ground.

AZ9070 BGY 1630-1810 DTM A21N EI-HXG (01/10/24)

AZ9945 DTM 1900-xxxx FCO A21N EI-HXG (01/10/24, ferry flight)

AZ9071 CGN 2335-0120(+1) BGY A320 (02/10/24)

Girona FC vs. Feyenoord Rotterdam

18.45h, Montilivi, Girona

Badly beaten in the first round by Bayer Leverkusen, Feyenoord travel to Catalunya for their second game of this Champions League league phase. Girona for a long time looked like they could hold PSG for a draw, but lost in the end by one goal.

CAT9501 BLL 0910-1020 RTM B738 OY-ASE (01/10/24, ferry flight)

CAT501 RTM 1130-1325 GRO B738 OY-ASE (01/10/24)

FFA001P EMA 0730-0930 RTM B738 EI-FFB (01/10/24, ferry flight)

FFA002 RTM 1300-1510 GRO B738 EI-FFB (01/10/24)

CAT502 GRO 1130-xxxx RTM B738 (03/10/24)

FFA003 GRO 1200-xxxx RTM B738 (03/10/24)

SL Benfica vs. Atlético Madrid

21.00h (20.00h local time), Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

It is only a short trip for Atlético, across the border to the West to Lisbon. Both teams had a winning start, beating Red Star Belgrade and RB Leipzig by the same score of 2-1. Air Europa will once again have the duty of carrying Atlético to an away game on one of their Boeing 737-800s.

UX1903 MAD 1230-1230 LIS B738 EC-LUT (01/10/24)

UX2003 LIS 0005-0205 MAD B738 (03/10/24)

Air Europa Boeing 737-800 EC-LYR
seen at Madrid in March 2020

Lille OSC vs. Real Madrid

21.00h, Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Villeneuve-d'Ascq

The record winners of the Champions League have a trip to Lille ahead of them, where they will face Lille. And while Real seem to have found their gear, albeit it late in the game, Lille will hope to spring a surprise and beat Real Madrid. Essentially, this would be a welcome bonus for them rather than expected points from the league phase.

IB2800 MAD 1010-1205 LIL A321 EC-IXD (01/10/24)

IB2803 LIL xxxx-0250 MAD A321 (03/10/24)

RB Leipzig vs. Juventus Turin

21.00h, Red Bull Arena, Leipzig

Former semi-finalists of the Champions League, RB Leipzig take on former competition winners Juventus at home. As usual, Juventus will travel to Germany with ITA Airways, on board an Airbus A320.

AZ9014 TRN 1530-1715 LEJ A20N EI-HOD (01/10/24)

AZ9015 LEJ 0045-0225 TRN A320 (03/10/24)

Dinamo Zagreb vs. AS Monaco

21.00h, Stadion Maksimir, Zagreb

The negative and positive surprise packages of round 1 face off in Zagreb in round 2. Dinamo were at the wrong end of a Bayern München onslaught and conceded nine goals two weeks ago - the most ever by any side in the Champions League proper. Meanwhile, Monaco managed to beat a wasteful and in parts unlucky FC Barcelona 2-1. Will Dinamo find back into its tracks or will Monaco continue to flourish?

AP1467 NCE 1100-1215 ZAG B738 EC-NLK (01/10/24)

Liverpool FC vs. Bologna FC

21.00h (20.00h local time), Anfield Road, Liverpool

It is Italian opposition for the second time in as many games for Liverpool in this year's Champions League. After beating Milan at San Siro, the team's tails will be up. Bologna for their part had a rather boring 0-0 draw against Shakhtar first up and will look to score first goals in the Champions League away at Anfield Road.

The avalanche of Italian charter flights from Bologna to Liverpool should probably remain the season record for a while. No other team has had so many fan charter flights on an away trip so far this season.

AZ9028 BLQ 1455-1625 LPL A20N EI-INA (01/10/24)

XZ8810 BLQ 1455-1625 LPL B734 9H-FOR (01/10/24)

QS4358 BLQ 0900-1030 LPL B38M OK-SWI (02/10/24)

MT1620 BLQ 0900-1025 LPL A320 9A-BTL (02/10/24)

XZ8872 BLQ 0900-1030 LPL B734 9H-FIT (02/10/24)

NO9340 BLQ 1000-1135 LPL B738 EI-HIM (02/10/24)

AP1945 BLQ 1010-1135 LPL B738 EC-NLK (02/10/24)

AP1837 BLQ 1000-1125 LPL B738 EC-MTV (02/10/24)

HT4647 BLQ 1100-1235 LPL B734 9H-AMW (02/10/24)

4R440 BLQ 1200-1320 MAN B738 I-NEOZ (02/10/24)

Aston Villa vs. FC Bayern München

21.00h (20.00h local time), Villa Park, Birmingham

For their first home game in this international season, Villa have picked a big opposition - or at least the UEFA computers did. Germany's Bayern München are coming over to England, but for the first time in many years not as the German champions.

XG891 MUC 1400-1510 BHX A343 D-AUSC (01/10/24)

DE9024 MUC 1720-1830 BHX A320 (01/10/24)

SK Sturm Graz vs. Club Brugge

21.00h, Wörthersee Stadion, Klagenfurt

Sturm Graz have to play in exile in Klagenfurt as their own ground Liebenau in Graz is not up to UEFA's high standards. Therefore, Brugge will of course travel directly to Klagenfurt, using a Boeing 737-800 of Smartwings.

QS4348 OST 1100-1240 KLU B738 OK-TVR (01/10/24)

New Round - New Luck? UEFA Champions League MD2 1 October 2024

1 October 2024

VfB Stuttgart vs. Sparta Prague

18.45h, MHPArena (Neckarstadion), Stuttgart

After a surprisingly convincing win over RB Salzburg, Sparta travel to Germany to face the German vice-champions Stuttgart. The home team lost their opening game in Madrid against Real Madrid, but only after conceding some late goals in an otherwise impressive performance.

QS4454 PRG 1210-1315 STR B738 OK-TSU (30/09/24)

QS4522 PRG 1210-1315 STR B738 OK-TVX (30/09/24)

QS4523 STR 1335-1440 PRG B738 (02/10/24)

QS4455 STR 1400-1505 PRG B738 (02/10/24)

FC Salzburg vs. Stade Brestois

18.45h, Red Bull Arena, Wals-Siezenheim

It is Austrian opposition for the second time in as many weeks for Stade Brestois. In the first round, Brest beat Sturm Graz at home by 2-1. Now they will travel to Salzburg where the hosts are looking to bounce back from the drubbing they got at the hands of Sparta Prague.

TLJ357K BES 1030-1215 SZG E145 F-HFCN (30/09/24)

TLJ449W BES 1300-1445 SZG E145 (30/09/24)

5O751 BES xxxx-1110 SZG B737 (01/10/24)

TLJ449W SZG 2130-xxxx BES E145 (01/10/24)

TLJ357K SZG 2155-xxxx BES E145 (01/10/24)

5O752 SZG 1600-xxxx BES B737 (02/10/24)

ASL Airlines Boeing 737-700 F-GZTP
seen at Basel-Mulhouse in August 2019

FC Barcelona vs. BSC Young Boys

21.00h, Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Montjuic/Barcelona

Swiss champions YB are rank outsiders in the league phase - and it showed first up against Aston Villa in Berne. Their tasks are not becoming any easier however. Their second match is away at none less than FC Barcelona. Maybe YB can take some heart from not having to play at the Camp Nou as Barça are currently playing their home fixtures up on Montjuic, in the old Olympic Stadion.

LWG5322 BZO 0815-0910 BRN DH8D 9H-LWA (30/09/24, ferry flight)

LWG1655 BRN 1030-1210 BCN DH8D 9H-LWA (30/09/24)

IMX401F LYS 0800-0840 BRN AT45 HB-ALN (30/09/24, ferry flight)

IMX401 BRN 1040-1220 BCN AT45 HB-ALN (30/09/24)

LWG1656 BCN 1115-xxxx BRN DH8D (02/10/24)

IMX402 BCN 1120-1300 BRN 1330-1400 BSL AT45 HB-ALN (02/10/24)

Borussia Dortmund vs. Celtic Glasgow

21.00h, Westfalenstadion, Dortmund

Germany had lots of joy with Scottish football fans during EURO 2024 and they will get some more. Celtic's famous green and white supporters will flood the football city of Dortmund. And the emblematic club will get a great day out in one of Europe's biggest football stadiums. Both sides enjoyed emphatic wins in the first round. Celtic beat Slovan Bratislava 5-1 while Dortmund returned from Bruges with a 3-0 over Club Brugge.

LS6963 GLA xxxx-1645 DTM B733 G-GDFG (30/09/24)

LS055C DTM 1740-xxxx FMO B733 G-GDFG (30/09/24)

HAT2160 GLA xxxx-1750 DTM B734 9H-ZAZ (30/09/24)

HAT261P DTM 1850-xxxx FMO B734 9H-ZAZ (30/09/24)

ENT587 GLA 0725-1010 DUS B738 (01/10/24)

LS6964 FMO 0150-xxxx GLA B733 G-GDFG (02/10/24)

HAT2271 FMO 0215-xxxx GLA B734 9H-ZAZ (02/10/24)

ENT588 DUS 1400-1445 GLA B738 (02/10/24)

Inter Milan vs. Red Star Belgrade

21.00h, San Siro, Milan

A supposedly easier task than in the first round awaits Inter at the San Siro. Having taken home a point from the away game at Manchester City, Simone Inzaghi's men will look to make sure they bag the full three points against Red Star. The reigning Serbian champions lost their first match at home against Benfica. So, despite yet another tricky opponent, they will look to bounce back and score their first points of the league phase.

JU9040 BEG 1430-1615 MXP A320 LY-GYM (30/09/24)

JU9041 MXP xxxx-xxxx BEG A320 (02/10/24)

Arsenal vs. Paris St-Germain

21.00h (20.00h local time), Emirates Stadium, London

After a disappointing draw away at Atlalanta, Arsenal will look to bounce back and score a win against PSG. The visiting team from Paris however just about got away with it in the first game, beating Girona thanks to a late own-goal.

ED8168 CDG 1200-1205 LTN B733 LY-CHF (30/09/24)

NL172 LTN 0020-0225 CDG E145 (02/10/24)

Slovan Bratislava vs. Manchester City

21.00h, Tehelne Pole, Bratislava

Surely a goalless draw can not be Manchester City's preferred result, even if the opposition was Inter Milan in the first game of the Champions League season. Could Slovan Bratislava just be the side that will have to pay for the missed chances in the opening match? City will have to find ways without Rodri, out with an ACL injury for large parts of this season. With Manchester Airport being very congested, City once again fly out of Liverpool for their away trip to Slovakia.

HT5491 LPL 1330-1710 BTS B734 9H-GTC (30/09/24)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen vs. AC Milan

21.00h, BayArena, Leverkusen

Four goals within the first 45 minutes - the start into the new Champions League season could not have been better for Bayer 04. Milan on the other hand have some work to do. They lost their opening encounter 1-3 at home against Liverpool. Definitely time for Milan to make up lost ground. But will Bayer let them do so at home?

NO9035 MXP 1630-1805 CGN B738 I-NEOU (30/09/24)

NO9080 CGN 0115-0250 MXP B738 (02/10/24)

PSV Eindoven vs. Sporting CP

21.00h, Philips Stadium, Eindhoven

Visitors Sporting had a winning opening match against Lille a fortnight ago. But the Dutch hosts have some ground to make up, having lost their first game away in Italy against Juventus 1-3. A rather unusual trip for Sporting, departing from HiFly's home base Beja rather than Lisbon for once.

3L810 BYJ 1530-1855 EIN A343 9H-SUN (30/09/24)

Big planes for big teams - UEFA Champions League - League Phase MD1 19 September 2024

The exclusive week in the UEFA Champions League means that also Thursday 19 September is dedicated to UCL football. This is in contrast to most other international club football weeks, where Thursday is the day for Europa League and Conference league action. Another dozen teams will start into the Champions League, amongst them big hitters like Barcelona and Arsenal as well as German champions Bayer Leverkusen. The latter have opted for road transport, given the relatively short distance between Leverkusen and Rotterdam.

19 September 2024

Red Star Belgrade vs. SL Benfica

18.45h, Marakana, Belgrade

Traditionally one of the bigger names in European football, Benfica are still looking to live up to their formidable reputation. One thing is almost certain with Portuguese football teams however. They travel in grand style, making enthusiasts happy on the other end of the tie.

5M431 LIS 1415-1835 BEG A343 9H-TQY (18/09/24)

9H-TQZ, HiFly Malta, Airbus A340-300

sistership of 9H-TQY, seen at London-Gatwick in July 2015

AS Monaco vs. FC Barcelona

21.00h, Stade Louis II, Monaco

One of the competition's heavyweights is looking for a good start away in Monaco. For the short trip across the Mediterranean, Barcelona count on Air Europa as usual, using one of their Boeing 737-800 aircraft:

UX937 BCN 1700-1810 NCE B738 EC-LPR (18/09/24)
UX938 NCE 1025-1135 BCN B738 (20/09/24)

Atlético Madrid vs. RB Leipzig

21.00h, Metropolitano, Madrid

A widebody flight for the Red Bull affiliates from Leipzig to Madrid. Will they be able to upset the odds and get a positive result over Atlético? The game on Thursday night will show everyone who is better prepared for this new format of the UEFA Champions League.

PVG6986 LEJ 1100-1305 MAD A332 EC-NZJ (18/09/24)
PVG6985 MAD 1030-xxxx LEJ A332 (20/09/24)

Atalanta Bergamo vs. Arsenal

21.00h, Gewiss Stadium, Bergamo

Winners of the 2023-24 UEFA Europa League, Atalanta Bergamo have well earned their spot in this season's Champions League league phase. They get to play a big opponent first up in Arsenal who finished second in the English Premier League behind Manchester City only.

HT2380 LTN 1500-1810 BGY B734 9H-ZAZ (18/09/24)

GAV340 LTN 1600-1900 BGY CRJ9 OY-MIT (18/09/24)

Stade Brestois vs. SK Sturm Graz

21.00h, Stade de Roudourou, Guingamp

It is a "match délocalisé" for Stade Brestois, whose own stadium in Brest does not meet the requirements for UEFA Champions League football. They play in Guingamp instead where the local team at the moment only plays in the French Ligue 2. Also, Sturm Graz did not fly to Brest, but to St-Brieuc, which is much closer to Guingamp.

ATV181H GRZ 0800-1035 SBK DH8D D-AASG (18/09/24)

ATV182H GRZ 1600-1855 SBK DH8D D-AASG (18/09/24)

Blue team, blue plane - UEFA Champions League League Phase MD1, 18 September 2024

18 September 2024

Sparta Prague vs. FC Salzburg

18.45h, Stadion Letna, Prague

It is not a long trip from Salzburg to Prague. Yet the club has decided that for their players and staff, an aircraft trip would be the way to go. Both teams had to make it through the qualifiers, Sparta Prague as Czech champions and Salzburg for once as the runners-up in the Austrian Bundesliga.

QS430P PRG 1425-1520 SZG B738 OK-TVY (17/09/24, ferry flight)

QS4309 SZG 1615-1710 PRG B738 OK-TVY (17/09/24)

QS4310 PRG 1415-1510 SZG B738 OK-TVJ (19/09/24)

QS431F SZG 1600-1655 PRG B738 OK-TVJ (19/09/24, ferry flight)

Manchester City vs. Inter Milan

21.00h (20.00h local time), Etihad Stadium, Manchester

The champions of England and Italy meet right in the first match week of the newly reformed UEFA Champions League. Both clubs have enjoyed Champions League success in the past. Inter won the Champions League in 2010 aganist Bayern München. Manchester City under Pep Guardiola were successful in 2023, winning the final against Inter.

AZ9018 MXP 1650-1800 MAN A320 EI-DTB (17/09/24)

AZ9931 MAN 1850-2250 FCO A320 EI-DTB (17/09/24)

ITA Airways Airbus A320 EI-DTI,

seen at Barcelona in August 2024

AZ9930 FCO 0550-0745 MAN A320 EI-DTE (19/09/24, ferry flight)

AZ9019 MAN 0945-1300 MXP A320 EI-DTE (19/09/24)

Paris St-Germain vs. FC Girona

21.00h, Parc des Princes, Paris

By virtue of finishing in third place of the Spanish La Liga, Girona made the Champions League for the first time. And how could you start your international adventure greater than by traveling to Paris to play PSG? The French club may have lost some of its biggest stars recently. But they will still be a force to be reckoned with. One would assume that the Qatar-based owners will not give up until the club has won the most important club football competition across Europe as well.

HT4321 GRO 1450-1610 CDG B734 9H-AMW (17/09/24)

HT4322 CDG 1430-1600 GRO B734 9H-AMW (19/09/24)

HT322P GRO 1740-1905 MXP B734 9H-AMW (19/09/24, ferry flight)

Bologna FC vs. Shakhtar Donezk

18.45h, Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna

Bologna play their first ever home match in the competition against Shakhtar Donezk. The Ukrainian team will arrive from their base in Poland as it used to be the case in the past couple of seasons already.

E81239 RZE xxxx-1845 BLQ A320 YR-BUZ (16/09/24)

E81242 BLQ 1030-1210 RZE A320 YR-BUZ (19/09/24)

Celtic Glasgow vs. Slovan Bratislava

21.00h (20.00h local time), Celtic Park, Glasgow

A big away trip for Slovan Bratislava, playing at one of the most iconic venues and clubs in European football. There will be two flights taking team, staff and maybe also some supporters from the Slovak capital to Glasgow on Tuesday already.

ENT537 BTS 1045-1205 GLA B38M SP-EXK (16/09/24)

ENT538P GLA 1350-1725 KTW B38M SP-EXK (16/09/24, ferry flight)

OK6917 BTS 1200-1425 GLA A320 OK-HEU (16/09/24)

OK690F GLA 1550-1920 BRQ A320 OK-HEU (16/09/24, ferry flight)

ENT538P OPO 2025-2305 GLA B738 SP-ENR (18/09/24, ferry flight)

ENT538 GLA 2355-xxxx(+1) BTS B738 SP-ENR (18/09/24)

LO7159 WAW 0655-0830 GLA E190 SP-LMD (19/09/24, ferry flight)

LO7269 GLA 1000-xxxx BTS E190 SP-LMD (19/09/24)