The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League enters its second matchday as teams around the continent attempt to separate themselves at the top of their groups from those scrambling below.
Reigning champions Manchester City go into their trip to RB Leipzig having lost two games on the bounce in all competitions, while the chaos surrounding local rivals Manchester United will only increase if they fail to beat Galatasaray at Old Trafford.
Matchday 1 was filled with drama but few shocks as European heavyweights Real Madrid, Barcelona, Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain all picked up victories.
Here’s how 90min sees this week’s Champions League fixtures panning out.
Tuesday 3 October
Tuesday’s slate of Champions League action opens with a few B-list games in the 17:45 (BST) kick-offs, with Union Berlin hosting Braga and Salzburg taking on Real Sociedad.
Bayern Munich will look to take a stranglehold on Group A when they travel to Denmark to face Kobenhavn, with Harry Kane eager to add to his haul of 22 goals in the competition. His first of those for Bayern came in the 4-3 win over Man Utd last time out.
Manchester United themselves need a strong performance at home to Galatasaray, having lost at the weekend 1-0 to Crystal Palace. The Red Devils have plenty of injury issues but can’t afford for last season’s progress to go to waste with any slip-ups in the group stage.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Union Berlin vs Braga |
C |
1-0 |
|
17:45 |
Salzburg vs Real Sociedad |
D |
2-2 |
|
20:00 |
Kobenhavn vs Bayern Munich |
A |
0-3 |
|
20:00 |
Manchester United vs Galatasaray |
A |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
Lens vs Arsenal |
B |
0-2 |
|
20:00 |
PSV Eindhoven vs Sevilla |
B |
1-1 |
|
20:00 |
Napoli vs Real Madrid |
C |
1-1 |
|
20:00 |
Inter vs Benfica |
D |
1-0 |
Arsenal showed no sign of nerves on their return to the Champions League back in September, wiping the floor with PSV Eindhoven in a 4-0 thrashing. All games in Europe present their challenges, but upcoming opponents Lens have struggled for consistency so far this campaign, sitting 15th in Ligue 1 even after back-to-back wins.
Arguably the most glamorous fixture on Tuesday night sees Serie A title holders Napoli battle Jude Bellingham and Real Madrid at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. The two sides, filled with attacking talent, flair and charisma, should serve up a footballing feast.
Last season’s finalists Inter – who currently top Italy’s top flight – battle it out with Benfica, who are a point off the pace in Portugal’s Primeira Liga.
Wednesday 4 October
It’s been a while since Atletico Madrid enjoyed a strong run in Europe, last reaching the UCL’s semi-finals in 2017, and were denied an away win at Lazio by the heroics of flying goalkeeper Ivan Provedel. The Spaniards will expect a tough fight when Feyenoord, who have won their last six games in a row, take to the Metropolitano Stadium turf.
All Glasgow residents should ensure they avoid any firm hotspots before Celtic host Lazio. The two fanbases are sure to create a raucaus atmosphere when the two sides collide looking for their first group-stage wins.
AC Milan were partly responsible for their snooze-fest with Newcastle at San Siro but will need to show more intent when they visit Borussia Dortmund, themselves beaten by PSG on the opening night.
|
Kick-off Time (BST) |
Fixture |
Group |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|---|
|
17:45 |
Atletico Madrid vs Feyenoord |
E |
2-1 |
|
17:45 |
Royal Antwerp vs Shakhtar Donetsk |
H |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
Celtic vs Lazio |
E |
2-2 |
|
20:00 |
Borussia Dortmund vs AC Milan |
F |
2-1 |
|
20:00 |
Newcastle United vs Paris Saint-Germain |
F |
2-2 |
|
20:00 |
Crvena Zvezda vs Young Boys |
G |
1-0 |
|
20:00 |
RB Leipzig vs Manchester City |
G |
1-1 |
|
20:00 |
Porto vs Barcelona |
H |
0-1 |
Two modern giants enhanced by the cash of West Asia meet at St James’ Park when Paris Saint-Germain visit Newcastle, who have scored 11 goals in three games since that Milan draw, albeit eight coming in one fixture against Sheffield United.
RB Leipzig have played their way into form nicely before they welcome Manchester City to Saxony. They’ll no doubt be buoyed by a 2-2 draw with Bayern last time out, though victory arguably slipped through their fingers with a 2-0 lead secured by the 26th minute. The Carabao Cup exit might have been of little concern to Pep Guardiola but Saturday’s loss to Wolves came as a shock, one he’ll be eager bounce back from with a second group stage win in as many matches.
Barcelona have perhaps the toughest game of their Group H run when they visit Porto. The Portuguese outfit will be smarting from a derby defeat to Benfica last time out. Barca look more street-smart than ever, however, fending off Sevilla in their most recent league outing.
READ 90MIN’S FULL MATCH PREVIEWS HERE
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