The UEFA Champions League returns today after a two and half weeks halt which also had an international break. The prestigious club competition has already seen the season the start in enthralling fashion during the first 2 gameweeks.
We have seen the dominant teams continue their form while some teams faced surprise losses.
The likes of Bayern Munich. Juventus and Liverpool have been cruising while Barcelona, Manchester United and Real Madrid are stuck in a tricky situation and need to get out of it. Matchday 3 gives us some enthralling fixtures to look forward to.
Let us have a look at some of the talking points ahead of Matchday 3:
1) Suarez gets ready for the clash against ex-side Liverpool
In probably the match of the gameweek, Liverpool and Atletico are set to face off in the Group B fixture on Tuesday night. The fixture has been a classic in recent times, with Atletico knocking out the English side at Anfield, when the last time these two met.
The fixture also marks the clash of Suarez against his old team Liverpool, with whom Suarez spent 3 years, winning the golden boot once in process. The fixture will be one to look forward to as Liverpool are currently with a 100% record in group stage while Atletico too are unbeaten.
2) PSG face Leipzig, while City to look to fight back against Brugge in tricky Group A
The Group of Death of this season’s Champions League has delivered to expectations with the likes of PSG and City, not finding it easy against Brugge and Leipzig. Club Brugge have been impressive so far and are tied at the top with PSG on 4 points, with City behind in 3rd with 3 points.
On Matchday 3, City are set to face Club Brugge in a clash which will not be easy or the English Champions. In the other fixture. It’s a 2019 semifinal rematch as PSG face off against Leipzig. The group is expected to go down to the wire with all the teams in contention for the top 2 places.
3) Real Madrid face their old nemesis Shakhtar; will the Ukrainian side be 3rd time lucky?
Real Madrid, the 13-time European Champions, have always been a dominant side when it comes to Champions League. However, in recent times if there's any team which has made them sweat, every single time they faced off, it is Shakhtar Donetsk. The Ukrainian side has beaten Real Madrid twice in their last two meetings, both of them coming in last year's group stage.
In a rematch of last season, Madrid are set to face Shakhtar and aim to avenge for the losses previously. Shakhtar on the other hand will look to continue their dominance over Real Madrid in a tricky Group C fixture.
4) Manchester United and Barcelona look to turn the tide around in an inconsistent season so far
The two European Heavyweights have not been at their best this season, both reeling behind in their groups. Although, United won against Villareal the performance has not been at par and they will be looking at a much better outing against Atalanta.
Barcelona on the other hand, have lost both of their fixtures and come into the game in a must-win situation. With the return of Ansu Fati, Barcelona will be looking for a dominant performance against Dynamo Kiev.
5) Ajax, Dortmund set to clash after a perfect record in first two games
Ajax have been impressive so far in the Champions League having won both of their fixtures with an aggregate score of 7-1. Sebastian Haller has scored 5 of those goals being the main goal threat. Dortmund too on the other hand have a perfect record being the initial favourites to top the group.
This will be a match to look forward to with both the sides in great form. The next two fixtures between these sides will decide the standings of the group.
