German giants Bayern Munich will face CSKA Moskva on matchday 1 of the UEFA Champions League.

There is much anticipation in this match as this will be the first time former FC Barcelona manager Josep Guardiola will be leading Bayern in the Champions League.

The Spaniard accepted the managerial role at Munich after a year's sabbatical.

With a vast experience in Europe, he knows how fierce the competition is even in the group stages.

"I like the Champions League - it is a very important competition, but also very difficult. So many teams are in contention to win it this year. I am proud to undertake this challenge with my new team." Guardiola told uefa.com.

"CSKA are a very strong side at this stage of the year. They have lots of good players who are physically quite strong."

Guardiola, a two-time winner of the most prestigious cup in Europe, if not the world, said that he concentrates on the entirety of his team's opponents as opposed to concentrating on individuals.

The Best Player in Europe recipient, Franck Ribery, will be heading the charge of the defending champions.

Bastian Schweinsteiger is doubtful to feature because he is still recovering from an ankle injury, while Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez and Mario Gotze will not be able to make the squad because of injuries.

On the other hand, CSKA will be without their star-attacking midfielder Alan Dzagoev and winger Zoran Tošić , but the manager, Leonid Slutski, will adjust to such loses and maximise his resources.

"It's disappointing to be without Dzagoev but we must be flexible in these situations. It will be tough, playing against one of the best teams in the world, but we will give everything," said Slutski.

Mario Fernandes, Seydou Doumbia, Rasmus Elm, and Mark González will also not make it to the squad.

Schedule and Free Live Online Streaming

September 18, 2013 - 4:45 am (AEST)

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Result (Statistics will be available after the game):

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