Thirty-two teams continue their journey towards the UEFA Champions League final at Milan’s San Siro when the group stage resumes this week.
Here are five key stories to watch from Matchday Three…
No Messi? No problem
Barca’s potent attack hasn’t slowed down since Lionel Messi picked up a muscle injury last month. The Catalans have scored with regularity in the four games since his injury, with Neymar (five goals) and Luis Suarez (four) leading the way. Messi’s absence has also allowed forwards Sandro Ramirez and Munir El Haddadi a chance to show manager Luis Enrique they are deserving of more playing time. Andres Iniesta is missing because of a hamstring injury, and even though Barca is leaking goals of late, it’s hard to imagine they won’t smash BATE in Belarus on Tuesday.
Arsenal in a tough predicament
Arsenal is in a very deep hole after losing their opening two group stage games to Olympiacos and Dinamo Zagreb. Now they welcome Bayern Munich to London on Tuesday. No big deal. Honestly, after dropping maximum points against modest opponents, this is a must-win game for the Gunners as they could have zero points and be as many as six points out of second place by the end of the day with three games remaining—with one of those games against Bayern in Germany. A must win? Pretty much.
Porto coach eyeing record
Julen Lopetegui is closing in on history, as a win by Porto over Israeli club Maccabi Tel-Aviv on Tuesday would see the Spanish coach earn his 20th consecutive home victory in all competitions, and move him past Jose Mourinho for the club record. Considering Mourinho’s stature in Porto history, it would be quite the achievement for Lopetegui, who didn’t capture any silverware last season during his first year in charge. Tel-Aviv faces a daunting task in trying to earn three points at the Estádio do Dragão—Porto is unbeaten in its last 11 European home matches, and hasn’t conceded a single goal at home in its last 14 home domestic league fixtures.
MORE ON THE UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: Sportsnet soccer panel: Picks and predictions || Arsenal poses a challenge for Bayern Munich || Analytics: Man United, Wolfsburg have edge in tight group || BATE Borisov puts hockey-mad Belarus on the soccer map || 5 stories to watch this week
Tight race in Group B
Things are tight in Group B, with Manchester United, CSKA Moscow, PSV Eindhoven and Wolfsburg all tied on three points and a zero goal differential after two games. Wednesday’s schedule, which sees Wolfsburg host and Manchester United travel to Russia to face CSKA, presents all four teams with a chance to break out of the pack and take control of the group and the halfway point of the opening round. If United is expecting an easy time of it against CSKA, they should ask their city rivals—Manchester City was winless in two group games against the Russians last year.
Real Madrid dealing with injuries
No doubt that Paris Saint-Germain vs. Real Madrid at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday is the marquee game of Matchday Three as it pits two of Europe’s super clubs against one another. But Real is dealing with injury issues, which means this game will have a lot less star power than normal. Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos, Luka Modric and Pepe are doubtful, while James Rodriguez and Dani Carvajal have been ruled out due to injury. The Spanish giants also confirmed that Gareth Bale might not make the trip to France because of a muscle injury. PSG has its own issues. Marco Verratti, David Luiz and starting goalkeeper Kevin Trapp are all doubts, while former Real star Angel Di Maria was left out of Saturday’s Ligue 1 squad and is apparently in a race to be fit for Wednesday.
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