Week 2 is about to begin - Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United

The long international break has also brought about an unprecedented gap in the Champions League season. For the first time in the group and league stages, there is a gap of more than one month between the first and second matches. Teams playing their first matches in the second week of September will play their second matches in the third week of October. This amounts to a break of approximately 35 days. On the first evening of the midweek fixtures that will reignite the excitement of the Champions League, the most eagerly anticipated match will be hosted at the Metropolitano, the venue for this season's final. Atlético Madrid, who lost 2-1 away to Liverpool in their opening match, will this time host another English side, Manchester United. The Madrid side, led by Diego Simeone - one of the most successful managers in the Champions League - are dreaming of reaching the final to be played on their home turf. With these dreams in mind, make sure you've got no other plans for Tuesday evening so you can be there with the Atlético fans for their first home match of this season's Champions League.

The morning match is no yardstick

Although Manchester United failed to make the start to the Premier League season they'd hoped for, their magnificent 4-0 victory over Sabah in the Champions League means that the heavy win against the Azerbaijani side cannot be taken as a true yardstick. For the Red Devils, who spent last season out of European competition, the away fixture against Atlético Madrid will serve as an excellent yardstick to gauge their level upon their return to the Champions League after a two-season absence. Carrick, who took over from Amorim last season and got things back on track, ensured his side finished third in the league and earned the right to compete on the biggest and most prestigious stage in European football. Whilst just one win from five Premier League matches is a cause for concern, good results in the Champions League look set to partially make up for the league form.

Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United tickets

Although both top-tier sides set their sights on the league title every season, the fact that there are usually two or three teams ahead of them means they regard their European campaign as just as valuable as the league; their clash promises to be a real footballing treat. If you'd like to witness the moment when the teams from the two nations that secured the most points in last season's UEFA country rankings go head-to-head at the Metropolitano, purchasing tickets for the Atlético Madrid vs Manchester United match seems like a good idea.