2023-10-25 07:14:27
While PSG and AC Milan will battle it out at the Parc des Princes this Wednesday (9 p.m.), it is probably in the North West of England that the battle should be the toughest between Newcastle and Dortmund, the other two teams from group F. In the other groups, barring any surprises, the big teams Barcelona, Manchester City and Atlético de Madrid should have it easier.
Newcastle on the lookout for the break
After PSG, who will not soon forget their visit to St James Park three weeks ago (4-1), it is the turn of Borussia Dortmund to travel to Newcastle this Wednesday (9 p.m.) , in the other match of group F. For the Magpies, the lights are green. They are at the top of the group with one point ahead of Paris and two ahead of AC Milan. They have not lost since September 2 (a 3-1 defeat at Brighton) and remain on a 4-0 display against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. A success over the Germans and Eddie Howe’s team would take the lead in an extremely dense group. However, Newcastle will likely have to deal with four injury absences: Barnes, Miley, Botman and Willock. For its part, Dortmund has still not won in the Champions League this season.
Barcelona diminished
Barça, winner of its first two group matches without conceding a single goal, will want to extend its flawless record and establish its leadership against Shaktar Donetsk at the Camp Nou from 6:45 p.m. this Wednesday. Also undefeated after ten days in La Liga, Xavi has however seen the Blaugrana infirmary become dangerously full in recent days. On Sunday, the Catalans only came out late, 1-0 against Athletic Bilbao, thanks to a goal from young Guiu (80th). Against Shaktar, Koundé, Sergi Roberto, Pedri and Raphinha, all injured, will not play, and Gavi, suspended, neither. As for Lewandowski and De Jong, they are on waivers.
Zen city in Bern
The defending champion moves calmly onto the Young Boys pitch in Berne this Wednesday (9 p.m.). Building on its two successes during the first two days and a 2-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday, Pep Guardiola’s Skyblues should not be overly worried at the Stade de Suisse. For Erling Haaland, scorer on Saturday (9 goals in the Premier League), the opportunity is great to open his account in the competition.
Atlético on pilgrimage
If the confrontation appears unbalanced between Celtic, two defeats in two matches, and Atlético of the dashing Griezmann, perhaps the Scots will find a surplus of desire at Celtic Park in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the “Battle of Glasgow”, played in this same stadium between the two clubs on April 10, 1974 in the C1 semi-final first leg. Brutal, the game had turned sour from the start. Outgoing champions, the Madrilenians had seen three of their players sent off, but had saved the 0-0, before leaving Scotland in a climate of general hostility… And winning 2-0 on the return leg. For the occasion, Diego Simeone’s team – 4 years old at the time of the events – will wear the red jersey and socks and blue shorts that his eldest wore almost half a century ago.
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