Seven reasons why we love the Champions League, including Jose Mourinho, PSG and the music

IT’S BACK. After four months away on its summer holidays, the Champions League returns tonight… and thank goodness.

No more football-less midweeks (well, not so many anyway).

Lovatto

Getty - Contributor

Real Madrid stars celebrate thrashing Juventus last May to lift the Champions League trophy[/caption]

And this year’s competition could be the best ever, for so many reasons.

Here are seven reasons we love the Champions League, and are delighted to have it back.

The music

The official anthem, dreamt up by Croydon composer Tony Britten in 1992, was annoying and cheesy when it first came out.

But now it has become synonymous with the competition.

And let’s be honest, when you hear it, you get goosebumps.

Instagram, @adidasfootball

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For the first time ever, there are five English teams in the competition.

Now we get to watch the best of the Premier League take on Europe’s finest, over and over again.

And statistically we have a much better chance of an English club actually winning it.

With five teams out of the 32 in the group stage, it gives us a one in six and a bit chance.

And big guns Manchester United and Chelsea are back in the competition after a year’s sabbatical.

It’s better than the World Cup

For starters, it's a better trophy. Bigger and has proper handles.

Plus all the top players in the world play in one competition.

Reuters

Getty

Unlike the World Cup, where the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Gareth Bale and Robert Lewandowski can easily miss out as they did in Brazil in 2014.

And if one of the teams has a weakness, they just go out and buy a fix, or three.

France can’t suddenly drop £200million and buy Neymar but PSG can.

PSG's billions

Talking of which, it is going to be amazing to see PSG in the Champions League this year.

With Neymar and Kylian Mbappe the two most expensive players ever, by a mile, they have to go deep in the competition.

Love them or hate them, they are going to be one of the stories of the season.

PA:Press Association

PA:Press Association

Alternative to Bake Off

At last, there’s something to watch other than the Great British Bake Off which has gone decidedly downhill since moving to Channel 4.

I mean, Noel Fielding?

And if Bake Off is your guilty pleasure, there’s always catch up.

Jose Mourinho

The Special One and the Cup with the Big Ears are made for each other.

Jose loves the Champions League, and it loves him.

PA:Empics Sport

AFP

The Manchester United manager has won it twice before, as has Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.

But the theatrics and passion that Jose brings to the competition means he will surely take centre stage again.

Best telly coverage

From the camera angles and super slow-mo replays to BT Sport’s amazing superscreen which allows you to follow eight matches simultaneously, the TV coverage is just about the best in  sport.

So sit back, crack open some cold ones and enjoy the best sport on the planet.

• Exclusive illustration by Lovatto

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