5 must-see matches from the Champions League group stage

The latest edition of the Champions League group stage has presented a number of marquee matches that will undoubtedly whet the appetite of football fans around the world.

Here are five matches in particular that fans won't want to miss:

1. Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain

The star power in Group A is ridiculous. It's also exclusively comprised of two teams.

The encounter between Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain is a meeting fit for the final. While both teams certainly have the talent to reach the pinnacle of European football, neutral supporters will have the luxury of seeing two powerhouses compete early in the tournament on back-to-back match days when they meet Oct. 21 and Nov. 3.

With a collection of relatively easy matches outside their meeting, both teams will be desperate to finish atop the group and avoid the possibility of being paired with a difficult opponent in the knockout stage, which hopefully means they'll play for the win instead of a point.

2. Barcelona vs. Roma

Roma has an opportunity to avenge its disappointing exit from last year's tournament in spectacular fashion when the club faces off against defending Champions League winner Barcelona.

The Italian side will be eager to prove it belongs on football's biggest stage, but will struggle to come away with anything to brag about. Roma's best opportunity to slay the lethal three-headed beast of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar will occur on the first match day when it hosts the European champs.

It's obviously a difficult task, but Roma won't disappoint anyone if it falls to arguably the world's best team.

3. Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal

Arsenal supporters must have a sickening case of déjà vu after their side was paired with Bayern Munich. Again.

The only positive aspect of this season's encounter is that Arsenal faces the three-time German champions in the group stage, as opposed to the knockout round.

The English side has had the misfortune of meeting the German powerhouse in two of the last three editions of the Champions League, both times resulting in elimination from the Round of 16.

Arsenal will enter its first meeting with Bayern on Oct. 20 without the stress of potential elimination, and with the comfort that its last two matches in Munich have resulted in a win and a hard-fought draw.

4. Juventus vs. Manchester City

Manchester City supporters will finally get a glimpse of the player their club's been linked to the past couple of summers in the transfer market rumour mill.

Paul Pogba and Juventus present a tough assignment for City as it attempts to reach the knockout stage for the third consecutive year.

Last year's runner-up, however, won't be a push-over, despite the losses of Arturo Vidal and Carlos Tevez, as Juventus did an excellent job of replenishing its roster in an attempt to return to the final.

No matter how competitive the encounters prove to be between these two, both teams will have to save some energy for the other four matches in arguably the tournament's toughest group.

5. Manchester United vs. VfL Wolfsburg

A return to the Champions League doesn't come without its fair share of tough opponents.

Oddly enough for Manchester United, its toughest opponent was drawn from the fourth pot, as VfL Wolfsburg, last year's runner-up in the Bundesliga, was lumped in the Red Devils' group.

Another strange caveat before the pair meet on Sept. 30: the match could be made somewhat easier for United with the help of its rival Manchester City.

The chances of United coming away with a victory will surely be increased if City completes its rumoured transfer with Wolfsburg for the services of its most talented player, Kevin De Bruyne.

Even without the talented Belgian, however, Wolsfburg proved last season that it contains the depth to pose a threat to just about any team that underestimates it before a match.