The first round of the group stage of the Champions League will end tonight, when at this time Inter hosts Bayern Munich, Liverpool is also hosted in Italy by Napoli and in Spain Barcelona will host Viktoria Plzen. In the two earlier games of the evening, Ajax defeated Rangers 4:0 and Eintracht Frankfurt was humiliated at home 3:0 by Sporting Lisbon.
House A
Napoli – Liverpool 0:1 (1st half)
The two teams meet once again in the group stage after facing each other in the 192018 season and in the 202019 season. In the first season it ended with Liverpool winning the trophy with the big ears, but the past meetings at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium lean towards the Italians, when in fact Liverpool have never won there in a European setting. The Mets are coming off a stuttering start to the season with just two league wins and tepid ability. In contrast, Luciano Spalletti’s team is in great shape after an important victory over Lazio 1:2 and a rise to second place in the Serie A table. James Milner came into the Liverpool lineup at the expense of the injured Jordan Henderson, while Arthur remained on the bench. Roberto Firmino also returned to the lineup, replacing Darwin Nunes. On the other hand, Victor Osiman recovered from a groin injury and started at the tip of Napoli.
Minute 5: Goal! Liverpool’s plunge continues. Milner, with the captain’s armband in his hand, committed a foul in the box, Piotr Zelinski took advantage of it when he kicked to the left, Alisson jumped to the other corner and Napoli took an extremely quick lead.
second house
Atletico Madrid – Porto 0:0 (1st half)
The Colchoneros and the champion of Portugal meet once again in the group stage, because last year they were together in the same house in the Champions League – then the first meeting ended in a draw and in the last round Atlético beat Porto and managed to qualify for the round of 16 at their own expense. Simeone’s apprentices didn’t start the season well enough by losing points against Villarreal and Sociedad, but to their joy goalkeeper Jan Oblak was fit and started. Compared to the host, Porto was surprised with only one loss this season.
Club Brugge – Leverkusen 0:0 (1st half)
Each team comes to this meeting in a completely different shape. The Belgians are clinging to the top of the league, while Leverkusen have opened the season with four losses and a single win, so they are currently mired in the bottom of the Bundesliga.
third house
Barcelona – Viktoria Plzen 0:1 (1st half)
Since the last victory of the Catalans in 2015 in the top European enterprise, Barcelona has suffered defeats, revolutions and above all a lot of disappointments. This season, Xavi’s team was built with lots of flashy acquisitions and a desire to go as far as possible. Barcelona will enjoy a full squad against the most comfortable opponent in Group C. Perhaps the biggest transfer in Spain last summer is of course Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich. The Polish striker managed to score five goals this season and will hope to continue his form against the Czechs as well, when he will benefit from the support of Enso Fati and Pedri who are coming up in midfield. On the other hand, Viktoria Plzen, who in the two past meetings between the clubs suffered 6:0 on aggregate, will hope to leave the Camp Nou with a respectable result.
13th minute: Goal! The Camp Nou celebrates for the first time. A corner from the right ended in Conde Lexier’s header, who also used his head to give Barcelona a quick lead.
Inter – Bayern Munich 0:0 (1st half)
In the replay of the Champions League final from 2010, the Nerazzurri will host the German champions in an intriguing encounter, hoping to achieve a result similar to the one from the encounter 12 years ago. The Italians will have to manage without the team’s striker, Romelu Lukaku, who is suffering from an injury he suffered in the 3:2 loss in the derby to Milan, and in his place, Edin Dzeko came up alongside Lautaro Martins. On the other hand, the Bavarians arrived in Milan with a full squad and look like clear favorites. Nagelsmann’s team started the season with a flood of goals and the good ability of the acquired player, Sadio Mane, but they want to add to their championship run the seventh Champions Cup already this season.
fourth house
Tottenham – Marseille 0:0 (1st half)
The Roosters return to the Champions League after a two-year absence from the prestigious establishment. Conte’s apprentices started the season wonderfully in terms of results, but with many criticisms of the style of play and the ability on the field of some of the players, among them Jung Min Son who today will collaborate with Harry Kane and Risharlison who will make his debut in the Champions League. On the other hand, the team from the south of France is returning after a one-season absence, and they also had a great start in the French league, with the same record as Paris Saint-Germain and next to them in the table. Marseille will have to manage without Alexis Sanchez, a reminder of the red card he received in Inter last season, and the injured Dimitri Payet. The game almost started late as Marseille arrived at the stadium just 55 minutes before the kick-off.
The second round games in the group stage
House A
Liverpool – Ajax (22:00)
Rangers – Napoli (22:00)
second house
Leverkusen – Atletico Madrid (22:00)
Porto – Club Brugge (22:00)
third house
Viktoria Plzen – Inter (19:45)
Bayern Munich Barcelona (22:00)
fourth house
Sporting Lisbon – Tottenham (19:45)
Marseille – Eintracht Frankfurt (22:00)