The UEFA Champions League 2023-24 season started on September 19, 2023 and will run till June 1, 2024.

Organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), the 69th edition of Europe's premier club football tournament is witnessing 32 teams battling for the coveted title.

As per the UCL 2023-24 format, these 32 clubs from Europe's top football leagues have been divided into eight groups of four teams each.

Group A comprises Bayern Munich, Copenhagen, Galatasaray and Manchester United, while Arsenal, Lens, PSV and Sevilla are placed in Group B.

Braga, Napoli, Real Madrid and Union Berlin are clubbed in Group C, while Group D features Benfica, Inter Milan, RB Salzburg and Real Sociedad.

Group E includes Atletico Madrid, Celtic, Feyenoord and Lazio, while the likes of AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Newcastle United and PSG are placed in Group F.

Crvena zvezda, Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Young Boys make up Group G, while Antwerp, Barcelona, Porto and Shakhtar Donetsk form Group H.

The UCL 2023-24 matches will be played in a home-and-away format and the top two teams from each group will advance to the knockouts.

Manchester City are the defending champions of the UEFA Champions League title, having defeated Inter 1-0 in the 2022-23 final.

Apart from the title, all eyes will be on the race for the top-scorer in UCL 2023-24.

Several top footballers including the likes of Julian Alvarez, Jude Bellingham, Gabriel Jesus, Rasmus Hojlund, Brais Mendez, Harry Kane, Mauro Icardi, Elye Wahi and Jamal Musiala are in the UCL top scorers 2023-24 race.

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland topped UCL top-scorers list last season. He netted 12 goals in 11 appearances to win the UCL 2022-23 Golden Boot.

Here’s a look at the UCL top scorers 2023-24 top-scorers list:

UEFA Champions League top scorers 2023-24

Player	Club	Matches	Goals
Rasmus Hojlund	Manchester United	4	5
Alvaro Morata	Atletico Madrid	4	5
Evanilson	Porto	4	4
Antonine Greizmann	Atletico Madrid	4	4
Erling Haaland	Manchester City	3	4
Harry Kane	Bayern Munich	4	4
Julian Alvarez	Manchester City	2	3
Jude Bellingham	Real Madrid	3	3
Gabriel Jesus	Arsenal	3	3
Brais Mendez	Real Sociedad	3	3

Photo credit: Alamy

The new-look UEFA Champions League returns this week as eight teams brace themselves for the one-off ties in Lisbon, Portugal for the quarter-final round of the tournament. 

With Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica and Estádio José Alvalade jotted down as two neutral venues for the round, it is safe to say that all bets are off, and we could well and truly be witness to some shocking results. 

Barcelona vs Bayern Munich

Both Barcelona and Bayern Munich produced stunning displays in their respective second-leg games of the round-of-16. Bayern, up against Chelsea, hammered four past the Blues, winning the tie with an aggregate score of 7-1. Barcelona, on the other hand, scored thrice against Napoli to get through with an aggregate of 4-2.

The two teams have not crossed paths for five years, but shared a brief history, with Barcelona scoring six across both legs to reach the final in 2015. Prior to that, Bayern put seven past Barcelona over two legs to reach the final in 2013. Ironically, both teams went on to win the title that year.

35 - Lionel Messi has scored against 35 different clubs in the Champions League; two more than the next best Cristiano Ronaldo. Collection pic.twitter.com/7CGCmN71YX

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 8, 2020

Barcelona, following a victory over Napoli, have reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League for 13th season in a row. No other team has managed to match this dominance. In fact, no other club has managed to put together a run of more than eight seasons in a row in the last eight of the competition. As far as semi-finals are concerned, the blaugranes have failed to reach the final four on just four of the last 12 seasons.

Bayern, for their part, have been truly ruthless in the Champions League, having scored a whopping 31 goals; 11 more than any other team. The closest competitors are Manchester City and PSG, who have scored 20 goals in the campaign. 

Watch out for: Robert Lewandowski

What a season Robert Lewandowski has had. It’s a shame that the prestigious Ballon d'Or has been called off.

66 - With a brace against Chelsea tonight, Robert Lewandowski is now the outright fourth-highest scoring player in Champions League history, with 66 goals. Carnivore. pic.twitter.com/iq1YCYbpKY

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 8, 2020

The Polish striker, who is now the fourth-highest scoring player in the Champions League history at 66, has bagged 52 goals in 44 appearances this season, which is actually more than anyone else across Europe's top 5 leagues this season.

Across both legs against Chelsea in the round-of-16, Lewandowski was involved in all seven of Bayern Munich’s goals (3 goals, 4 assists), which now makes him the first player to score more than three and assist more than three against an opponent in the Champions League since Luis Figo in 2004-05 against AS Roma. He is duly tipped to make an impact against Barcelona.

Manchester City vs Lyon

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City are yet to lose a game in year’s Champions League campaign. Having topped their group, the Cityzens dismantled Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid in the round-of-16, eliminating them by an aggregate scored of 4-2.

3 - Pep Guardiola is the third manager to eliminate Real Madrid in the knockout stages of the Champions League on more than one occasion, along with Marcello Lippi (1995/96, 2002/03) and Ottmar Hitzfeld (2000/01, 2006/07). Nemesis. #UCL pic.twitter.com/tdj7myw9Ui

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 7, 2020

Lyon, on the other hand, finished second in their group after losing two games, but picked the momentum as they squared off against Juventus in the eliminators. Heading into the second leg with a 1-0 advantage, Memphis Depay made the difference in the second leg as his penalty goal was enough for his team to set up a quarter-final clash with City on the back of away goal advantage. 

1 - Lyon is the first French team to eliminate Juventus in the knockout stage of the European Cup/UEFA Cup/Cup Winners' Cup. Arrivederci. #JUVOL pic.twitter.com/Jc7vmm49X2

�?Optajean (@OptaJean) August 7, 2020

History means little in the current era, but City are yet to register a win against Lyon, having lost one and draw one in their head to head count. 

Watch-out for: Gabriel Jesus:

The absence of striker Sergio Aguero seems less impactful now as Gabriel Jesus now leads City’s lethal attack alongside Raheem Sterling.

2 - Gabriel Jesus is just the second player to score in both legs of a Champions League knockout tie against Real Madrid for an English side, after Ruud van Nistelrooy with Manchester United in 2002-03. Galactic. #UCL pic.twitter.com/S1yFvFcKtJ

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 7, 2020

The Brazilian forward was on target in both the legs against Real Madrid as City beat the record European champions 4-2 on aggregate. Pep Guardiola will be hoping the striker can add to his six goals and three assists tally against a side which has shipped in 10 goals in the Champions League; second-most amongst the quarter-finalists.

Wondering what to do next? Head to Sportsbet.io to select your picks.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Tobias Schwarz

Their quest for a third-straight Premier League title may not have gone the way they envisioned however, Manchester City’s attackers have been their brilliant selves this season. Following their 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle United, their quintet of forwards entered the Premier League records books, as for the first time in PL history, a team has had five players with 10 or more league goals in a season. 

Below, we take a look at the five attackers who are a part of this record-breaking group:

Sergio Aguero

City’s all-time leading goalscorer, Sergio Aguero has yet again been the talisman for the side. The Argentine has struck 16 goals in the Premier League this season and was in contention for the golden boot till a knee injury that needed a surgery ruled him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Todo salió bien y pronto comenzaré con la recuperación. Muchas gracias al Dr. Cugat y a su equipo y a todos por tanto apoyo//Everything went well, and I'll soon begin recovery. A big thanks to Dr Cugat and his team �?and to all of you for your support pic.twitter.com/Frm07cN3WF

�?Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) June 24, 2020

City are hopeful that the Argentine will play a part in City’s bid to lift their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign crown in August.

Raheem Sterling

Winger Raheem Sterling, who has been a regular since Pep Guardiola took over the reins at the Etihad, has enjoyed another tremendous campaign and has scored 14 times in the Premier League for the Cityzens.

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Perfect night out

A post shared by Raheem Sterling x (@sterling7) on Jul 2, 2020 at 2:57pm PDT

Sterling was on target against his former side Liverpool when the outgoing champions thumped the current champions 4-0, laying down a marker for the 2020/21 season. Sterling can add to his tally in City’s remaining fixtures in the Premier League.

Kevin De Bruyne

The favourite to win the Premier League Player of the Year, Kevin De Bruyne has enjoyed a sensational season, despite his team failing in their bid to win a hattrick of PL titles.

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Great game

A post shared by Kevin De Bruyne (@kevindebruyne) on Jul 3, 2020 at 1:24am PDT

De Bruyne has been City’s talisman and has struck 11 times in the league this season. The Belgian playmaker has assisted 18 goals in the Premier League for the second time in his career and is just two shy of Thierry Henry’s record of 20 that the Frenchman managed in 2002/03.

Gabriel Jesus

Diminutive Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus has been an extremely reliable replacement in the absence of Aguero since his move to the Etihad in 2016. 

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⚽️

A post shared by Gabriel Jesus (@dejesusoficial) on Jul 8, 2020 at 12:31pm PDT

The tenacious and tireless forward has scored 11 times for City in the Premier League and will be keen to add to that tally in City’s remaining Premier League fixtures. Jesus will be a key figure in City’s Champions League aspirations as Aguero’s participation remains a major doubt.

Riyad Mahrez

After a lackluster debut campaign last season, Riyad Mahrez has found his element this season in a City shirt and has struck 10 times in the Premier League for his side.

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Big result tonight even if i wish it was more

A post shared by RM26 (@riyadmahrez26.7) on Jul 2, 2020 at 2:40pm PDT

Leroy Sane’s injury in the Community Shield paved the way for Mahrez to feature regularly and he’s repaid manager Pep Guardiola’s faith in him with some brilliant performances, reminiscent of his PFA Player of the Year award-winning campaign with Leicester. With Sane swapping Manchester for Munich, Mahrez is set to be a key player for City for the foreseeable future.

Manchester City have dominated the domestic football scene in England for the past two campaigns, but have been found wanting this season. Pep Guardiola’s side have fallen well behind Liverpool in the title race, leaving much work to do for the Cityzens ahead of the next campaign.

There is expected to be major activity at the Etihad once the transfer window opens. With that in mind, we take a look at the current Manchester City squad and assess who might stay at the club beyond the summer and who might not.

Goalkeepers

Ederson

Ederson has grown into one of the best goalkeepers in Europe. The Brazilian is a pivotal player in Guardiola’s side.

Verdict: Stays.

Claudio Bravo

The Chilean has never been able to nail down a spot at Manchester City since joining from Barcelona. At 37 years of age and his contract nearing expiry, Claudio Bravo’s time at the club is nearing an end. Arijanet Muric, who is currently out on loan, should become the second-choice goalkeeper.

Verdict: Leaves.

Scott Carson

Signed as the third-choice goalkeeper on loan from Derby County in the summer, Scott Carson hasn’t played a single game for City. Yet, with his contract at Derby expiring, Guardiola could opt to keep hold of the 34-year-old for another season.

Verdict: Stays.

Read | Who could stay or leave this summer? Liverpool’s squad assessed

Defence

Aymeric Laporte

A pivotal member of Guardiola’s side, his injury-enforced absence has been a major blow for City this season. There has been some interest from Barcelona to secure his signing in the summer. However, City wouldn’t want to start their title challenge next season by losing their best defender.

Verdict: Stays. Without a doubt.

John Stones

Regarded as one of the best in England only a few years ago, John Stones�?fall from grace has been rather swift. Injury issues and a loss of confidence has resulted in a drastic reduction of his game time this season.

There are several Premier League clubs interested in signing him and Guardiola himself is eyeing defensive additions. But given Stones�?age and the early form that he had shown at the club, Pep might fancy giving him another opportunity rather than severely depleting his options at the back.

Verdict: Stays.

Nicolas Otamendi

The erroneous 32-year-old has been preferred over John Stones at times this season and is contracted with the club till 2022. But with Guardiola looking to sign new defenders, it could be Otamendi whose name ends up on the chopping block given his age.

Verdict: Leaves.

Eric Garcia

The 19-year-old has been used sparingly by Guardiola this season, but every time he has been given an opportunity, Garcia has done reasonably well. While he would have stood to benefit by a loan spell away from the Etihad, the youngster is likely to stay at the club and continue his integration into the first-team.

Verdict: Stays.

Read | Premier League 2019/20: Three players who exceeded expectations

Benjamin Mendy

Signed amid much fanfare in 2017, Benjamin Mendy’s career at Manchester City has been blighted by injuries, one after the other. Nevertheless, when fit, the Frenchman is a great asset and has a future at the club.

Verdict: Stays.

Oleksandr Zinchenko

The versatile Ukrainian hasn’t been at his best this season. But his adaptability offers great value to this Manchester City side. Having signed a long-term contract less than a year ago, he is going nowhere.

Verdict: Stays.

Kyle Walker

Another full-back who penned a long-term contract in June last year, Walker is a guaranteed starter week in week out for Guaridola.

Verdict: Stays.

Joao Cancelo

Signed last summer from Juventus, it has been far from smooth sailing for Cancelo at Manchester City. The Portuguese hasn’t been able to displace Walker from the starting XI and hasn’t been used regularly by the manager.

This has led to speculations over his future, with City reportedly considering a swap with Barcelona for Nelson Semedo. Despite the rumours, Cancelo is someone who fits into Guardiola’s philosophy and the manager himself has claimed that the full-back is a long-term addition for the club.

Verdict: Stays.

Midfielders

Rodri

The club record signing has stepped into the defensive midfield role and performed admirably in his debut season.

Verdict: Stays.

Fernandinho

At 34, Fernandinho doesn’t have a lot of football at the top level left in him but the Brazilian has reinvented himself as a centre-back this season and has been a key player for Guardiola. Moreover, the veteran signed a new one-year contract in January earlier this year.

Verdict: Stays.

Ilkay Gundogan

The German midfielder has thrived in the past couple of seasons under Guardiola, putting behind all injury issues that bothered him early on and signed a new contract till 2023 in August 2019.

Verdict: Stays.

David Silva

The man who carried the creative mantle for Manchester City for the entire decade, David Silva is out of contract at the end of the season and has made it clear he wishes to return to Spain. Premier League will bid goodbye to a legend.

Verdict: Leaves.

Read | Premier League team of the season so far

Kevin De Bruyne

The best midfielder in the Premier League without a doubt, De Bruyne has been the chief driving force behind Manchester City’s success under Guardiola. The potential lack of Champions League football for the next season due to the FIFA-imposed ban could prompt other big clubs to make a move. But a transfer at this juncture is extremely unlikely.

Verdict: Stays.

Phil Foden

The man earmarked to replace David Silva in the first-team by Guardiola, Foden showed his class in City’s Carabao Cup triumph against Aston Villa in February. Expect more of the same next season.

Verdict: Stays.

Attackers

Raheem Sterling

One of the biggest beneficiaries of Guardiola’s mentoring, Sterling has turned into a world-class attacker under the Catalan coach’s tutelage. An indispensable member of this Manchester City side.

Verdict: Stays.

Leroy Sane

The German has hardly played this season due to injury, but is seen as a key member of the team by Guardiola.

However, Bayern Munich have made no secret of their interest in the winger, which could turn his head. Moreover, with his contract expiring next year, City might deem it best to offload Leroy Sane and reinvest in the summer.

Verdict: Leaves.

Bernardo Silva

The Portuguese’s form has experienced a slight dip in comparison to last season but his ability on the ball and the versatility he offers makes him a vital player for Manchester City. Bernardo Silva signed a long-term contract only last year.

Verdict: Stays.

Riyad Mahrez

After a rather dull debut season, Algerian Riyad Mahrez has stepped it up a notch this season and grown into a key player for the Cityzens.

Verdict: Stays.

Sergio Aguero

At 31, Manchester City’s all-time leading goalscorer is still going strong. He has just one year left on his current contract but an exit at this stage is extremely unlikely. However, it is time for Man City to put in place a long-term succession plan for Aguero.

Verdict: Stays.

Gabriel Jesus

Having shown signs of potential for a number of years now, Gabriel Jesus has added the element of consistency to his game this season. He seems ready to carry the mantle of the club’s premier centre-forward if and when Aguero decides it is time to move on.

Verdict: Stays.

Feature image couretsy: AFP / Oli Scarff

When Sergio Aguero signed for Manchester City from Atletico Madrid in 2011, not many would have imagined that the Argentine would go onto grow into one of the finest strikers to have played in the Premier League.

Having scored the most important goal in the history of the club in his debut season at City, delivering them their first-ever Premier League title, Aguero grew from strength to strength ever since. The 31-year-old now stands as the all-time leading goalscorer for Manchester City, with 254 strikes in 368 matches.

Aguero’s 180 goals in the Premier League puts him fourth on the list of all-time leading goalscorers in the competition, while his 12 hat-tricks are unmatched in the league. Such a pivotal member of the team, the Argentine has won four Premier League titles at Manchester City, along with five League Cups and an FA Cup.

Aguero has been in fine form this season too, but the centre-forward is set to turn 32 years old in a couple of months. And with just one year left on his contract at Manchester City, there is a sense of uncertainty surrounding his future at the club, with a return to boyhood club, Independiente mooted in the press. 

Read | Manchester City’s top five signings from the last decade

Manchester City needs to have a succession plan in place for if and when Aguero decides to call time on his stint at the Etihad. And here we look at five strikers who would be ideal to replace the Citizens�?all-time leading goalscorer when he moves on;

Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) 

One Argentine striker for another, Lautaro Martinez’s stocks have been on the rise since the last couple of years. Having made the switch to Inter Milan in 2018, the 22-year-old has grown leaps and bounds since and is currently one of the most sought-after centre-forwards across Europe, with the likes of Barcelona and Chelsea eyeing his signature.

The 22-year-old has had a fine 2019/20 campaign with Inter, having bagged 16 goals and set up four more in 31 matches across all competitions, leading the club’s title charge early in the campaign. A complete all-round centre-forward, Martinez would be a great fit in Guardiola’s team at the Etihad, and at 22, he could be the Citizens�?star striker for years to come. 

Read | Five replacements for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal

Erling Haaland (Borussia Dortmund) 

The breakout star of the season, Erling Haaland’s rise to the top over the past year has been rapid and eventful to say the least. During the first half of the 2019/20 campaign, with RB Salzburg, Haaland plundered 28 goals in 22 matches across all competitions, that included a hat-trick on his UEFA Champions League debut.

This kind of form saw the Norwegian attract a lot of interest in January, but he ended up snubbing Manchester United to sign for Borussia Dortmund, where has continued to thrive. In 11 matches for the Germans, the 19-year-old has already netted 12 times and assisted two more. Electric pace, sharp movement, class finishing, Haaland has displayed all qualities of a top striker and is just 19 years old.

Read | Five centre-backs Manchester City should target in summer

Donyell Malen (PSV)

May not be the biggest name on the list, but Donyell Malen is carving out a reputation for himself quite rapidly at PSV Eindhoven. Having spent time at the academies of Ajax and Arsenal, the 21-year-old joined PSV in 2017 and has swiftly risen through the ranks to become a key first-team member for the Eredivisie outfit.

Malen is enjoying his best season in 2019/20, having already amassed a tally of 17 goals and nine assists in 25 matches, although injuries have curtailed his development. The 21-year-old has broken into the Netherlands national team as well. Able to play through the middle and on the flanks, his versatility would be an asset for Guardiola's side. Fast, instinctive and a deadly finisher with both his feet, the Dutchman could be the heir-apparent to Aguero at the Etihad.

Kylian Mbappe (PSG) 

One of the best young forwards in the game currently, Kylian Mbappe needs no introduction. Having burst onto the scenes at AS Monaco in 2016, the Frenchman led them to the Ligue 1 title in 2016/17, before leaving for PSG where he has continued to torment defenders and accumulate domestic trophies in large numbers.

Read | Five strikers Real Madrid should target to replace Karim Benzema

With 90 goals and 49 assists in just 120 appearances for PSG, his capabilities on the pitch are never in doubt. At just 21, Mbappe has the world at his feet, having already won the World Cup with France. A chance to work with one of the best coaches in Guardiola would appeal to the Frenchman, although Manchester City might find it hard to beat Real Madrid, who have been chasing his signing for years now.

Gabriel Jesus (Manchester City)

Perhaps Manchester City don’t have to look outside for the man to replace Aguero at all. Gabriel Jesus has been with the team since January 2017 and has shown glimpses of brilliance, but the consistency has been lacking from the Brazilian international’s game. However, that seems to have changed in the ongoing campaign.

The 23-year-old has bagged 18 goals and assisted nine more in 39 games, displaying that he is tailor-made for Guardiola’s team. While possessing all the attributes required of an elite striker, Jesus also backs it up with exceptional work-rate, acting as City’s first line of press. Having spent three years with the club, he is already well-versed with the rigours of the Premier League and the demands of Guardiola and would save a lot of money for City.