Champions League

The Champions League is back! Which matches are worth watching?

The Champions League is back after just one week, this time we have a rematch of the third round of the preliminary groups. Which matches can we look forward to and which ones are worth watching?

Published

2 years ago

10. 10. 2022

David Beňo

The Champions League is back after just one week, this time we have a rematch of the third round of the preliminary groups. Which matches can we look forward to and which ones are worth watching?

Tuesday

AC Milan – Chelsea

A very tangled situation in Group E. First is Salzburg with 5 points, second Chelsea and third AC Milan have 4 points, last Dinamo Zagreb 3 points. After three rounds everyone has a chance to advance from the group, the biggest favorites at the beginning AC Milan and Chelsea are worse off than expected.

The duel between the two teams at Stamford Bridge was dominated by Chelsea, now AC Milan have to work hard at San Siro, otherwise the progression will look pale.

Dortmund – Sevilla

Sevilla certainly expected to fight Dortmund for second place in a much more dignified manner. But a 0:4 loss to Manchester City, a goalless draw with Copenhagen and a 1:4 loss to Dortmund at home threw them into a tragic situation. Third in the table with one point and a score of 1::8, Borussia have six points.

There are still 9 points in play, so Sevilla don’t need to throw in the towel. Moreover, having changed coach, Julen Lopetegui has been replaced by the energetic Jorge Sampaoli. Can the Andalusian side return to the relegation battle?

PSG – Benfica

Somewhat unexpectedly, a fight for first place in the group. Juventus have struggled so far, losing to both PSG and Benfica, and have just three points after their win against Maccabi. The Portuguese side managed to win both games and draw with PSG, so they currently have the same number of points (7) as the French colossus.

If Alexander Bah and co. could plunder Paris, it would be a great sensation. Will Benfica defy the odds and go for first place in the group?

Other matches:

Copenhagen – Manchester City
Maccabi Haifa – Juventus
Celtic – Leipzig
Dinamo Zagreb – Salzburg
Shakhtar – Real Madrid

Wednesday

Barcelona – Inter

Probably few people expected it, but Barcelona will be going for their lives. After the loss at San Siro, they are in an unenviable situation and after three rounds they have only three points, Inter 6 and Bayern 9. If they lose to the Italian side at home, they can virtually wave away progress to the eighth round.

Leverkusen – Porto

Interesting match also from the Czech point of view. How will Patrik Schick and Adam Hložek fare under new coach Xabi Alonso? Promotion in Group B is still open, Brugge are first with 9 points, but Porto, Leverkusen and Atlético have 3 points. Who will qualify?

Plzen – Bayern

Another big measurement of the Czech team against the giants. The first duel between Plzeň and Bayern was a blowout, the Bavarian team won 5: 0. Viktoria has practically no chance for the Europa League anymore, it can only try to make a miracle or to correct the impression from the failed three matches.