Bologna's Champions League Debut Amid Team Challenges

Bologna prepares for its Champions League debut against Shakhtar Donetsk amid significant team changes, having lost key players and its coach Thiago Motta to Juventus. The club, which finished fifth in Serie A last season, faces challenges with captain Lewis Ferguson injured, contributing to a slow start this season. Despite this, new coach Vincenzo Italiano brings experience from Fiorentina, and the club celebrates a historic milestone as it hosts its second Champions League match during its 115th anniversary. Meanwhile, the revamped Europa League for the 2024-2025 season will feature a single group of 36 teams, with the top eight progressing directly to the Round of 16 and teams ranked ninth to twenty-fifth entering a play-off round. European football is seeing a resurgence in fan attendance, with lower-tier leagues experiencing a 7% increase and notable rises in Norway, Poland, and Romania. Barcelona has started their LaLiga season strongly under new manager Hansi Flick, winning all four matches.