Champions League Round 3 – Day 2 Preview
The first day of the Champions League Round 3 fixtures had some great matches to offer. With the second day showcasing teams including ones from the group of Champions, there will be much more to look forward to.
Group A
FC Porto host Dynamo Kiev in the first match. Porto have 2 wins in 2 matches and lead the group. They will be looking to cement their lead with another win after toppling PSG last week. Kiev are second in the group with more away goals than PSG.
In the second match PSG travel to play Dinamo Zagreb. PSG will be hoping for an easy win. Zagreb have lost both their matches so far.
Group B
Arsenal will host German side FC Schalke. Schalke are high on confidence after defeating German champs Borussia Dortmud last weekend in the league whereas Arsenal have no lost two league matches back to back. The gunners will be hoping that Jack Wilshere will play today. Arsenal are on top of the table with 2 wins in 2 matches and Schalke are 2 points behind. The clash between these two teams will be a decisive factor in this group.
French champs Montpellier will play Olympiacos at home. Montpellier have so far lost one and drawn one and will be hoping to secure their first win today against a slightly easier opponent. Olympiacos have also lost both their matches so far.
Group C
Zenit host Belgian side Anderlecht. Zenit despite spending huge amount of money to secure the signing of some big players including the Brazilian Hulk have lost 2 out of 2. Zenit will be looking to get off the mark today. Against AC Milan some excellent goalkeeping by Abiatti kept them at bay. Anderlecht have one point after drawing against Milan in the first round.
Milan travel to Spain to play Malaga. Milan have been going up and down with their form and will have a tough match today. They will be hoping that their youngest ever Champions League scorer Stephen El Sharaawy will deliver once again. Malaga have won 2 out of 2 and their highlight performance so far has come from Spanish youngster Isco. Milan have four points and are second in the group.
Group D
The group of death or the group of champions you name it. Every week it’s a big match in this group. Every match might prove to be decisive in the end that is how big the competition will be when you place the English, Spanish, German and Dutch champions together in one group.
Ajax host Manchester City in the first match. Ajax will be a tough opponent at home but City will be looking for a win if they don’t get one today then they might repeat their story from last year and be eliminated. City lost to Madrid and managed a draw at home against Dortmud thanks to some brilliant goalkeeping by Joe Hart. Hart was the superman for the Citizens. Ajax have lost both their matches so far after losing to Dortmund and then against Madrid by a huge margin.
Real Madrid travel to Dortmund today for their match. Dortmund is a very strong team and to play them at home will be even more difficult. Dortmund will be looking to forget their loss in the league and get a win today. Madrid will be looking for a win too but they will know it won’t be easy as they are without full-backs Arbeloa, Marcelo and Coentrao. Mourniho played Essien in the right flank and natural right back Sergio Ramos on the left from Center. Young French centre back Raphael Varane occupied the final spot in the back. Madrid had injuries to Benzema and Higuain but both played last weekend in the league and Higuain scored too. Khedira is a doubtful for the match
City will be hoping for a draw between Dortmund and Madrid so that both of them don’t go too ahead of them.
Dortmund versus Madrid will be the match to watch out for, but there are other interesting fixtures too like Arsenal versus Schalke and Malaga versus AC Milan.
This will be a big round for all the teams in group A to D.
Tags: Ajax, Anderlecht, Arsenal, Champions League, Dinamo Zagreb, Dortmund, Dynamo Kiev, FC Porto, FC Schalke, Malaga, Manchester City, Milan, Montpellier, Olympiacos, Preview, PSG, Real Madrid, Zenit
