MUMBAI: The UEFA Champions' League kicks off on ESPN Star Sports tonight (14 September) with a host of spectacular matches featuring Europe's top clubs. The most competent and the most celebrated soccer competition gets underway with all major clubs of Europe basking for European glory.

Title holders Liverpool, nine times Champions Real Madrid, English Champions Chelsea begin their campaign tonight, with Serie A champions Juventus, Bundesliga winners Bayern Munich, Spanish La Liga title holders Barcelona and English superpower Manchester United beginning their UEFA campaign on Wednesday.

UEFA Champions' League

With all summer transfers in place the race to be Europe' best begins among the soccer superpowers. The 32 teams qualifying for the stage are classified into eight pools of four teams each. Each team will play the other three in the pool in home and away games with the top two qualifying for the round of 16.

On Wednesday, ESPN Star Sports will air three action packed encounters. Villareal, the surprise entry to the Champions' League from Spain, take on the world's richest club Manchester United who have a dismal record on Spanish soil. Diego Forlan, the ex United forward will look to settle scores with his previous club where his potential was not utilised to the best by the Scottish coach.

Arsenal will be looking to goy beyond their best of round 16 this season in the Champions' League as they take on FC Thun, the Swiss new comers. With Arsenal at home, experts expect a backlash by the English side after their shock defeat to Middlesbrough in the Premiership.

Meanwhile in the most interesting match of the night, Werder Bremen host Spanish Giants Barcelona at home. Bremen's attacking style and never say die grit have helped them get out of the shadows of other big German clubs. One of the favourite's for the title last year, Barcelona exited from the league in two of the best matches of the tournament against Chelsea. The Catalan side will be looking for thumping win to start the campaign.