A chance to size up Germany stars

Champions League Matchday Two: the tournament is still at the skirmishing stage, yet the draw has thrown up a fixture that harks back to the good old days of the European Cup, when title winners were not protected by seeding, as they usually are now.

Manchester City fans will be cursing the luck that pitches them against a German heavyweight in the first round for the second year running. For the rest of us, their game against Borussia Dortmund tomorrow gives an early opportunity to assess the quality of the Bundesliga champions, who are fresh from a 5-0 win after an uncertain start to the season.

It also provides the ideal opportunity to look at some of the up-and-coming stars who may face Ireland in Dublin on Friday week. Together with Bayern Munich’s game in Minsk tonight, it could provide a form guide for the whole German side, apart from Mezut Ozil and Sami Khedira who should figure for Real Madrid against Ajax tomorrow.