Top 10 players who will face their former clubs in the Champions League

10 players who will face former clubs in ucl

The UEFA Champions League is set to kickstart on 17 September, bringing back the usual drench of excitement and anticipation for thr football fraternity. The Champions League has often set a stage for a lot of players every year to experience the feeling of lining up against their former clubs.

It is a common sight to see players welling up with tears and feeling a pinch of emotion when they face their former employers. What’s more, the fans just love it beyond everything else when a former player scores against them and as a gesture of respect, doesn’t celebrate it.

Well, a couple of such scenes will be on the rewind this season as well, with 10 players currently gearing up to face their former clubs. Let’s see who they are.

10. Alfonso Areola

It’s hardly been two weeks since Alfonso Areola completed his dream move to Real Madrid from Paris Saint Germain on the tramsfer deadline day. And yet, there already lies a fine test for the shot-stopper in store.

Areola may not have expected to make a return to the Parc des Princes this quickly with hid new employers. However, when Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain take the stage in Group A, the Frenchman will definitely have a fit of nostalgia in his mind.

However, it remains to be seen if Zinedine Zidane selects him ahead of Thibaut Courtois. If he does, Areola will make his UCL debut for Los Blancos against his old club.

9. Keylor Navas

Keylor Navas will empathize Alfonso aareola’s emotions when Real Madrid take on Paris Saint Germain over the course of two legs. In fact, the Costa Rican will have a tougher time keeping his eyes dry when he returns to line up as a foe against his old mates.

Navas was a crucial part of the Real Madrid team that won three consecutive Champions League titles. However, the 32-year-old was majorly underrated for his abilities between the posts.

The least Navas can now do is put up a heroic performance against his ex-employers and remind the fans and coaches of how good he actually was.8. Ousmane Dembele

Ousmane Dembele is yet another footballer who will be relishing the Champions League group stage games. The Frenchman will return to the pastures where he made his name when faces Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park.

Dembele has largely been lambasted for his time at Barcelona since making his £105m transfer to Barcelona in 2017. Although it must also be noted that he has spent a large part of his time on the fringes due to injuries.

Yet, when they come up against each other, Dortmund and Dembele will have no love lost between them as they fight for the ultimate prize.

7. Mario Mandzukic

Mario Mandzukic finds himself in a similar situation as he did in the last season. The Croatian will yet again line up versus Atletico Madrid in the Champions League group stage in Group D.

And when looks back into the corsage of memories, Mandzukic will certsinly feel galvanized remembering how the Bianconeri completed a historic comeback to win the clash 3-2 on aggregate in the round of 16.

However, Mandzukic is wise enough to know that the current squad is one not to be underestimated at any cost. As for Atletico, their former attacker hardly a threat to them last time, but they can’t guarantee history to repeat itself.6. Paco Alcacer

Paco Alcacer. Three seasons ago, the Spaniard was almost a non-entity; a player trying hard to live up to his potential at the Nou Camp and carve out space for himself amongst giants. Having failed to do so, he switched to Dortmund and by God, look what it has done to him!

Alcacer scored 19 goals in 32 games in all competitions last season and was a threat to reckon in the Bundesliga. Now when he returns to the Nou Camp, he will be more than just eager to show the heights of power he has scaled in his years with Dortmund.

Ernesto Valverde’s defensive personnel is well aware of Alcacer’s playing style. Yet, who knows, the Spaniard might have surprises in store for his old friends.

5. Alexis Sanchez

Fresh from a torrid spell at Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez is now trying to return to his former self at Inter Milan. While doing so, he will definitely remember the milestones he scaled during his time in Barcelona.

Apparently, Inter are set to face the Catalan giants in the Group F, which also happens to be the Group of Death. Sanchez lived some beautiful memories in his times at the Nou Camp. He will definitely be nostalgic to return to his old home again.

It will be interesting to see if the Chilean can manage to stun his former club and also show the world he has still got it in him.4. Fernandinho

Frankly speaking, Fernandinho might have lost all the excitement and thrill of visiting his old home given that this is the third time in succession when Manchester City will meet Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League group stage. It’s just as if they are a match made in heaven!

Fernandinho’s selection will be under the cloud now that he acts as a veteran midfielder, albeit Guardiola could definitely play him knowing Shakhtar is his former club.

Coming to the overall clash, the Citizens will hardly worry over the prospect of facing the Ukrainian outfit given their stellar record against them in the past seasons.

3. Angel Di Maria

Angel Di Maria will now be getting the same feel as Fernandinho now. The Argentinian faced Manchester United in the Champions League round of 16 last season, which definitely wasn’t a happy trip to his former home.

He was booed by the Old Trafford crowd albeit PSG emerged winners with a 2-0 scoreline. However, Di Maria will definitely want to face the pain of being eliminated in the Round of 16 for the fourth time in a row, also in the manner in which they lost the two-legged clash.

Real Madrid is where the 32-year-old won his first and only Champions League title, putting up a man-of-the-match performance in the final game. However, he must pass through his old employers if he wishes to add a second medal to his trophy closet this time.2. Michy Batshuyayi

Michy Batshuayi is another amongst the lot who will pay a visit to his old club in the Champions League. The Belgian forward spent six months at Valencia on loan last season and will relish facing his new friends.

The Belgian made 23 appearances and scored only 3 goals for the club during his time in Spain. Currently, he is fighting hard to earn a place in Frank Lampard’s starting XI. There’s every possible chance the Chelsea boss might field him against his old club when they face them in the away fixture.

Michy Batshuayi recently netted a double against San Marino in a 4-0 win for Belgium in the Euro 2020 qualifiers. There’s a strong chance he might earn Chelsea minutes for that performance.

1. Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane is one of the most impressive players to watch in the world at the moment. Given his searing pace and knack for scoring goals, the Senegalese attacker can strike terror in any defence he comes up against.

This season, Mane will be up against one of his former clubs in Red Bull Salzburg. The Austrian club was where he took his initial steps as a professional footballer, further securing his move to Southampton in the Premier League.

Now an EPL Golden Boot winner with Liverpool, Mane will possibly wear a teary smile as he remembers his first days as a footballer as he steps on to the pitch he once called home.

As for Salzburg, it is time for them to face the beast they created.