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)