The 2018-19 UEFA Champions League resumes this week with Matchday 3 of the group stage.
Sportsnet’s soccer panel of broadcasters, writers and pundits offer their picks and predictions below.
PARIS SAINT-GERMAIN vs. NAPOLI
Dan Riccio: This marquee match-up is a perfect example of what makes the Champions League so great. These two teams have not played against each other in recent memory, outside of a single friendly. Coming off a win over Liverpool, Napoli has a massive opportunity here in the next two matches to book its spot in the knockout round. At the same time, it could also spell massive disappointment for PSG, who have high hopes of winning this tournament.
The door opened up for Napoli when PSG lost to Liverpool on the opening matchday, and the Italians now sit atop Group C by a point. However, the home advantage for PSG might be too much to overcome for Napoli on Wednesday, as the French champions are undefeated in their last 19 home matches in group-stage play. PSG forward Kylian Mbappe has nine goals in right matches for club and country this term, and I don’t believe Napoli will have an answer for the problems he causes.
Prediction: Paris Saint-Germain wins 2-1.
FC BARCELONA vs. INTER MILAN
Geoff Lowe: Missing Lionel Messi for at least the next three weeks means Barcelona’s first test without their world class leader is a big one: hosting Inter Milan on Wednesday at Camp Nou with first place in Group B on the line.
Inter travels to Catalonia in spectacular form having won its last seven matches in all competitions, including a 1-0 victory in Sunday’s Milan Derby. Captain Mauro Icardi is the driving force behind Inter’s recent success, scoring six goals of his team’s 10 goals during this winning run.
Despite Barcelona’s opponent’s form, though, expect Luis Suarez, Philippe Coutinho and Ivan Rakitic to step up in Messi’s absence, and for the La Liga leaders to earn three key points at home to go atop Group B with three matches left to play before the knockout stage.
Prediction: FC Barcelona wins 2-1.
BORUSSIA DORTMUND vs. ATLETICO MADRID
Donnovan Bennett: The Germans come in to this fixture as one of the hottest teams in world football. Their impressive form has them on top of the table in the Bundesliga with a club-record 27 goals after eight games. Dortmund also boast the league’s best defensive record. That form has carried over to Europe as they are on top of Group A. Dortmund is just ahead of Atletico Madrid on goal difference having not yet conceded a goal after clean sheet wins over Club Brugge and AS Monaco.
Atletico Madrid has a 100 per cent record in the Champions League, but is struggling on the domestic front, as they sit fifth in La Liga. Atletico are without striker Diego Costa due to a hamstring injury, which will out more onus on their top scorer Antoine Griezmann.
Dortmund has lots of attacking options going forward. Paco Alcacer has a league record seven goals in just 129 minutes of Bundesliga action for Dortmund, Reus has chipped in five goals in his last five outings, and 20-year-old American sensation Christian Pulisic is also expected to be involved.
Atletico failed to win an away game in the Champions League last season so full points away at Signal-Iduna-Park would be a huge boost this campaign. This season’s final will be played at Atletico’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium and this group stage fixture could be an early season preview.
Prediction: Borussia Dortmund wins 2-1.
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MANCHESTER UNITED vs. JUVENTUS
James Sharman: It’s not as if Old Trafford needs another compelling narrative, but the return of Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday means it’s a great time for reflection and nostalgia. Certainly, CR7’s appearance will remind the Manchester United faithful of better times, when world domination wasn’t just the goal, but the reality. Similar desires are what have brought the Portuguese to Turin, with Juventus hoping he will be the spark plug for its attack on the global football market.
On the pitch, Ronaldo is scoring again, with Juve bossing Serie A, having only dropped points for the first time in a draw against Genoa this weekend. The Bianconeri lead its Champions League group by two points over Manchester United, who are coming off a heartbreaking draw against Chelsea – a match they allowed to slip away in the 96th minute. But it was another positive performance by the Red Devils, who at the very least are showing some legitimate fight of late. That being said…
Prediction: Juventus wins 2-0.
SHAKHTAR DONETSK vs. MANCHESTER CITY
John Molinaro: Manchester travels to Ukraine for Tuesday’s tilt against Shakhtar in fine form, having gone unbeaten in its last 11 games in all competitions.
However, this is far from a sure win for the Premier League champions. You’ll recall that they lost at home to Olympique Lyon in its opening match of the group stage, and then needed a late goal to beat Hoffenheim in Germany on matchday 2. Also, Shakhtar ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run to start the 2017-18 season when the two sides met in the Champions League.
One thing Man City going for itself is the return of Kevin de Bruyne from injury. The Belgian made an appearance in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Burnley, and now he’s in line to start against Shakhtar, who top the Ukrainian league with a 10-1-1 record.
Prediction: Manchester City wins 1-0.
AEK vs. BAYERN MUNICH
Peter Galindo: Bayern Munich finally returned to winning ways on the weekend thanks to its 3-1 victory over Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga. There may still be concerns with the lack of pace at centre-back, but Bayern was far more incisive in the final third, which has to be encouraging for manager Niko Kovac. James Rodriguez, Thiago Alcantara and Robert Lewandowski (who was involved in all three goals) combined very nicely.
Meanwhile, AEK’s form has taken a bit of a hit over the past few weeks. Of course, entering a hostile environment in Athens on Tuesday could swing the momentum of the game. The Greek outfit has been somewhat unlucky thus far in the Champions League, as their opponents have been incredibly clinical in the penalty area. That’s why Bayern has to be on high alert.
Prediction: Bayern Munich wins 2-1.
OTHER GAMES
Wednesday
PSV Eindhoven 2, Tottenham 2 (Peter Galindo)
Club Brugge 1, AS Monaco 0 (Peter Galindo)
Liverpool 3, Red Star Belgrade 0 (Dan Riccio)
Lokomotiv Moscow 1, FC Porto 1
Galatasaray 3, Schalke 1 (Geoff Lowe)
Tuesday
Young Boys 0, Valencia 2 (James Sharman)
Ajax 1, Benfica 1 (James Sharman)
AS Roma 2, CSKA Moscow 0 (Geoff Lowe)
Real Madrid 3, Viktoria Plzen 0 (Donnovan Bennett)
Hoffenheim 1, Olympique Lyon 1 (Donnovan Bennett)
