The Champions League Begins, Scribes, U.S. Open Cup Final, Keeper’s Water Bottle Spiked With Urine

Hello Hello Hello! What a day we have! So much to get through, so let's roll. Monday Night Football finished 2-2 between Hull City and West Ham. The highlight was the Hammers' new man Enner Valencia's cracker of a strike. Richard Gibson was at the KC Stadium.

The Champions League Group Stage gets going today. Let's begin with some general previews and thoughts ahead of this year's competition prior to diving into this week's action. Here:

2014-2015 Champions League Preview. 

Five Key Questions for 2014-15. 

The view from the Continent. 

Michael Cox: A competitive Premier League may have led to England's UCL decline.

OK! Now that's done, what's up today? Obviously, Arsenal's trip to Dortmund is grabbing the headlines since those two clubs are rather large, it must be said. Oh, and Liverpool host something called Ludogorets Razgrad after five years of Champions League exile. Interesting...

Matchday One Previews

Five Storylines to Watch

Uli Hesse: Battle commences once again between English and German clubs

Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal: Preview I

Borussia Dortmund vs. Arsenal: Preview II

David Hytner: Injuries raise questions about Arsène Wenger’s transfer strategy

Liverpool vs. Ludogorets Razgrad: Preview I

Liverpool vs. Ludogorets Razgrad: Preview II

Liverpool vs. Ludogorets Razgrad: Preview III

Andy Hunter: Rodgers takes long view as Liverpool embrace return to Europe

Real Madrid vs. Basel: Preview

What the hell is going on at Newcastle? Barry Glendenning takes a gander at the chaos at St. James' Park.

The U.S. Open Cup Final is also today (7:30 pm EDT on GolTV). Here's all you need to know about that illustrious competition and a preview of the match itself featuring Seattle vs. Philly. Sticking with the U.S., Bird has his MLS honors from the weekend and Jeff Carlisle has his weekend review and Power Rankings.

Would it make a difference?

Scribe Time! In-depth analysis of the action around the globe. Sadly, just Europe this week. For some reason nobody is writing about South America.

Where? Spain. Who? Sid Lowe. What? Turan gives Atlético life...and Real another derby defeat

Where? Germany. Who? Adam Bate. What? Kagawa is back where he belongs

Where? Spain. Who? Guillem Balague. What? Madrid need to be more adaptable and show intensity

Where? Germany. Who? Raphael Honigstein. What? Hamburg in a familiar position while Schalke’s crisis deepens

Where? Italy. Who? Paolo Bandini. What? Inter repeat 7-0 Sassuolo thrashing as Milan edge nine-goal Parma thriller

It is Tuesday, so that means it is also time for Marcotti's musings. This week, Gabriele is gabbing about Real Madrid's self-inflicted issues, Man Utd's evolution, and Barca's bright start.

And finally...there's this: Swiss Football Shaken By Truly Disgusting Scandal After Goalkeeper’s Water Bottle Spiked With Urine.

Onward!!

-SSN

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