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Newcomers ready for Champions League debuts

The new UEFA Champions League season will give a first taste of the group stage to two clubs and several high-profile players and coaches – plus two new stadiums.

The UEFA Champions League newcomers ©Getty Images

Malmö FF
Malmö are in the group stage for the first time, but they are far from continental novices. The 17-time Swedish champions first played in the European Cup in 1964/65 and reached the 1979 final. Malmö also came close to qualifying in 2011, yet they were eliminated 4-3 on aggregate by GNK Dinamo Zagreb in the play-offs.

To take that elusive final step, experienced Norwegian coach Åge Hareide was hired in January. "It was fantastic to watch the draw and see ourselves in such exalted company," the 60-year-old said. "The important thing now is to not settle for just taking part." Hareide's aim is to secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League knockout phase: "We'd like to get two matches next year too."

PFC Ludogorets Razgrad
The Ludogorets fairy tale is seemingly endless. It started in May 2013 when PFC Levski Sofia defender Dimitar Vezalov scored an own goal against PFC Slavia Sofia on the last day of term, enabling Ludogorets to leapfrog Levski at the top of the table and win a second successive Bulgarian title. Then Ludogorets took last season's UEFA Europa League by storm, and now they have reached UEFA Champions League group stage in extraordinary fashion, beating FC Steaua Bucureşti on penalties after the goalkeeping heroics of defender Cosmin Moţi.

In just three years, the club have gone from top-flight newcomers to the UEFA Champions League. In 2010/11 their fans were looking forward to trips to PFC Dorostol Silistra and PFC Dobrudzha 1919; now they are expecting Real Madrid CF, Liverpool FC and FC Basel 1893. "No one could write a story like this," said Moţi. "This is incredible, a dream. I have no words to describe it."

Ciro Immobile (Borussia Dortmund)
Labelled by fellow Italian and former FC Bayern München striker Luca Toni as "the perfect fit for Dortmund", last season's Serie A top scorer was scouted by Dortmund for three years before they chose him as Robert Lewandowski's successor. "I have realised my dream to play in the UEFA Champions League," said the 24-year-old Azzurri ace after signing for BVB from Torino FC – but does he realise he is following in giant footsteps? "I can't wait to get started. I don't know if I will score more goals than Lewandowski, but he's the past and I'm the future."

Keylor Navas (Real Madrid CF)
Navas joined the European title holders from Levante UD after playing a key role for club and country last term. He finished 2013/14 with the Liga's best shots-to-save percentage, was named in the team of the year and was dubbed "the world's best goalkeeper" by respected coach Joaquín Capparós. Several outstanding displays in Costa Rica's run to the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals earned him global acclaim, prompting the Merengues to acquire his signature. The 27-year-old featured 12 times for Levante in the UEFA Europa League, but this will be Navas's first taste of Europe's elite club competition.

Medhi Benatia (FC Bayern München)
Recruited in response to Javi Martínez's long-term injury, the Moroccan international centre-back arrived from AS Roma to further enhance Bayern's tactical options in defence. Although he was linked to several top clubs in Europe, his decision was an easy one. "This is one of the top four clubs in the world. When Bayern make an offer, you can't refuse," said the 27-year-old, who will face the Giallorossi in Group E. "During the 90 minutes all that counts is my team, my colleagues and the victory. I was unable to play hard against Francesco Totti in training last year, but this time will be different."

San Mamés
Athletic Club's historic former ground was known as the 'Cathedral' and their new home, built beside the old San Mamés, has already developed a reputation as a fortress since opening 12 months ago. Ernesto Valverde's side's dominant home form in 2013/14 was crucial to them finishing fourth in the Liga – and midfielder Ibai Gómez cited the stadium's capacity to drive the team forward after its finest night so far, the 3-1 play-off second-leg win against SSC Napoli that sealed Athletic's group stage place. "This is incredible, something you just cannot describe, a magical night that we are used to experiencing at San Mamés," he said. "This stadium never lets us down."

The Borisov Arena opened last year
The Borisov Arena opened last year©Getty Images

Borisov Arena
Construction work on the Borisov Arena started on 12 November 2010 with Belarus president Aleksandr Lukashenko helping to lay the foundation stone. Three and a half years later the stadium opened its gates for the first time as FC Shakhtyor Soligorsk pipped FC Neman Grodno 1-0 in the Belarusian Cup final, while FC BATE Borisov played their first home game here a week later, beating FC Slutsk 3-0.

The venue will have to wait until matchday two for its UEFA Champions League bow, but in addition to BATE's fixtures against Athletic, FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Porto, it will also host FC Dinamo Minsk's UEFA Europa League matches. "The whole of Borisov was waiting for the stadium to open," said BATE board member Anatoli Kapski. "This is a big gift to BATE and Belarusian football."

Luis Enrique (FC Barcelona)
A veteran of European nights from his playing days, the former midfielder cannot wait to watch his Barcelona side from the dugout in the UEFA Champions League. The 44-year-old followed the group stage draw with boyish enthusiasm and is especially looking forward to renewing acquaintances with ex team-mates Laurent Blanc and Frank de Boer when Barça play Paris Saint-Germain and AFC Ajax. "I was really excited watching the Champions League draw because it's my first as a coach," he said. "Four teams in the draw are coached by former team-mates – in the end we got two. It's difficult but it's also an attractive draw and we have to get off to a good start."

Brendan Rodgers has taken Liverpool back into the group stage
Brendan Rodgers has taken Liverpool back into the group stage©AFP/Getty Images

Brendan Rodgers (Liverpool FC)
The Northern Irishman's second Anfield campaign ended in disappointment as Liverpool lost out to Manchester City FC in the Premier League title race, but considerable consolation comes in the shape of the club's first UEFA Champions League campaign since 2009/10. It is perhaps the high point of a coaching career that started when Rodgers was 20 and the manager is relishing his first taste of the competition. "I'll be very proud but more proud for the players and the supporters, for what they have put into us arriving there," the 41-year-old said. "The nights at Anfield are special. To see that flag back in the middle of the pitch and for the supporters to get behind their team like they do is going to be an amazing experience."

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