Published: August 31, 2024
Defender Jeyland Mitchell is already familiar with the difficult path he will have to take with his team, Feyenoord of the Netherlands, in the UEFA Champions League, where his first challenge will be to face one of Europe’s surprise teams.
The draw conducted by UEFA last Thursday set a schedule that not only features strong opponents, but also a relentless itinerary. Feyenoord will open their campaign by facing Bayer Leverkusen, the reigning Bundesliga champions, on Thursday, September 19 at 10:45 a.m. Costa Rica time, at their home stadium, the Stadion Feijenoord.
Just two weeks later, on October 2, Feyenoord will travel to Spain to face Girona, a team that surprised many with its outstanding performance last season. This match is scheduled for 10:45 am local time.
The challenge will intensify on October 23, when Mitchell and his team visit Benfica in Lisbon at 1:00 pm Costa Rican time. Then, on November 6, Feyenoord will host FC Salzburg in a match that also promises to be highly contested.
One of the most anticipated clashes will come on November 26, when Feyenoord travel to England to face Manchester City at the iconic Etihad Stadium. This match, scheduled for 1:00 pm Costa Rica time, will be a test of fire for Mitchell and his teammates.
Feyenoord will close the group stage on December 11, facing Sparta Prague at home at the same time. The year 2025 will start with two crucial clashes: on January 22 against Bayern Munich, one of the giants of Europe, and on January 29, when they will conclude the league phase by facing Lille in France.
Significant changes in the Champions League
The Champions League format has undergone significant changes, with the group stage adopting a league-style format that still generates scepticism among some fans. In addition, the game schedule has introduced more surprises, such as the inclusion of matches on Thursdays, something unusual in this competition.
The first round will be played between September 17 and 19, with the matches spread over three days. On each round, two matches will be played at 10:45 am and four at 1:00 pm, Costa Rica time. Starting with the second round, the matches will once again be played on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as is traditional.
The final group stage promises to be a frenetic affair, with 18 matches being played simultaneously on December 11 at 1:00 p.m. Football fans should prepare for a true football marathon.
All the excitement of the Champions League will be available on ESPN channels and through the Disney+ app in its basic and premium packages.
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