As anticipation fills the air, the prestigious Champions League makes its long-awaited return with a thrilling round of preliminary matches this week. The quest for European glory commences with teams from across the continent vying for a place in the illustrious group stage. In one of the standout fixtures, Serie A giants AC Milan will lock horns with Finnish side HJK Helsinki in a bid to secure their passage. The Rossoneri, fresh from their Scudetto triumph, will be eager to make a statement and showcase their newfound confidence. However, HJK, who have enjoyed a remarkable domestic dominance in recent years, will be determined to defy the odds and cause an upset. Another intriguing clash will see reigning Scottish champions Celtic travel to face Romanian powerhouse CFR Cluj. Ange Postecoglou’s men have been in scintillating form this season, but they will face a stern test against a team that reached the group stage of the competition last year. CFR Cluj, known for their resolute defense and clinical counterattacks, will be looking to replicate their past glories. Meanwhile, in the United States, Major League Soccer champions LAFC will make their debut in the Champions League when they welcome Leon from Mexico. The Black and Gold, led by the enigmatic Gareth Bale, will be eager to prove their worth on the international stage. However, Leon, boasting a blend of experienced stars and exciting young talents, will be no pushovers. With the stakes higher than ever before, every match in the preliminary round promises to deliver intense competition and unforgettable moments. Teams will be pushed to their limits as they battle for the coveted prize of a place in the Champions League group stage. The road to glory begins now, and the excitement is palpable.CAF Champions League 2024/25 Preliminary Round DrawCAF Champions League 2024/25 Preliminary Round Draw Date: Thursday, July 11, 2024 Summary: The preliminary round draw for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League 2024/25 was held on Thursday at CAF headquarters in Cairo. Teams Exempt from the First Round: * Al Ahly (Egypt) * Espérance de Tunis (Tunisia) * Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) * Atlético Petroleos (Angola) * Young Africans (Tanzania) * TP Mazembe (Democratic Republic of Congo) Key Matches: * El Merreikh (South Sudan) vs. Gor Mahia (Kenya) * Arta Solar (Djibouti) vs. Dekadaha (Somalia) * M. Swallows (Eswatini) vs. Fer Da Beira (Mozambique) * Ngezi Platinium (Zimbabwe) vs. AS Maniema (DR Congo) * Nyasa Big Bullets (Malawi) vs. Red Arrows FC (Zambia) First Leg Matches: The first leg matches of the preliminary round will be played between August 16 and 18, 2024. Second Round: The second round of the preliminary round will take place on September 13-15 for the first legs and September 20-22 for the second legs. Expectations: The new season of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League promises thrilling encounters and intense competition as clubs vie for ultimate continental glory.As the anticipation for the highly-anticipated UEFA Champions League season builds, the tournament will commence with a series of crucial preliminary round matches. These fixtures will determine which teams advance to the lucrative group stage, where Europe’s elite clubs will vie for continental glory. In one of the most intriguing ties, Portuguese giants Benfica will face Denmark’s Midtjylland. Benfica, a five-time European Cup winner, will be heavily favored against the Danish champions, but Midtjylland has proven to be a formidable opponent in recent years. Another fascinating clash will see Maccabi Haifa from Israel take on Red Star Belgrade from Serbia. Maccabi Haifa, the reigning Israeli league champions, will be making their Champions League debut, while Red Star Belgrade is a seasoned European campaigner. Meanwhile, Dynamo Kyiv of Ukraine will face Fenerbahce of Turkey in a match that carries extra significance. Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Dynamo Kyiv has been forced to relocate from its home ground and will be playing its matches in neighboring Poland. Other notable preliminary round matches include NK Maribor of Slovenia hosting Shamrock Rovers of Ireland, and FK Bodø/Glimt of Norway facing Linfield FC of Northern Ireland. The winners of the preliminary round ties will advance to the group stage, where they will join the 32 clubs that have already qualified automatically. The group stage draw will be held on August 25th, with the matches set to begin in September. With the preliminary round matches set to provide plenty of drama and excitement, the new Champions League season promises to be one for the ages.