Barcelona host holders Paris Saint-Germain
A colossal Champions League clash befitting a final will be fought in the league phase today evening, as Barcelona host holders Paris Saint-Germain at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Last year’s beaten semi-finalists and first-time champions both made triumphant starts to their latest European campaign, as La Blaugrana took down Newcastle United while Luis Enrique‘s men put Atalanta BC to the sword in matchweek one.
Last conquering the continent over a decade ago – when current PSG head coach Enrique was at the helm – the time is nigh for Barcelona to hoist the Champions League trophy aloft again, and Hansi Flick‘s La Liga champions kicked off their quest for supremacy in ideal fashion.
If Enrique can oversee an equally emphatic victory over his old club on Wednesday night, PSG will repeat a feat that only they have ever achieved in the Champions League – winning three consecutive games in the competition by four goals or more.
Should PSG come up trumps once more, another slice of continental history would be theirs, as no team has ever beaten Barcelona three times in a row away from home in a major European competition.
Flick is expected to receive one piece of good fitness news in the shape of Alejandro Balde’s return from a hamstring problem.
While Ballon d’Or runner-up Yamal is raring to go, Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembele will watch on helplessly from the sidelines, as the France international is not expected to return from his hamstring injury until the end of October.
Without Doue, Dembele or Kvaratskhelia working their magic up front, Enrique’s men will surely be outgunned by Yamal, Rashford, Lewandowski and co, as Barcelona take the first step towards dethroning the reigning champions.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Juventus seek maximum points when they visit Villarreal
Following a spectacular start to their 25th Champions League campaign, Juventus will seek maximum points on Wednesday, when they visit Villarreal at Estadio de la Ceramica.
While Juve stole one point from an eight-goal thriller on the opening matchday, their hosts succumbed to a single goal in London.
Taking their place in the Champions League for the first time since 2021-22, when they equalled a club-best run by reaching the semi-finals, Villarreal only squeezed into UEFA’s top tournament with a remarkable end to last season.
The Spanish side, who were not involved in any European competition, secured fifth place in La Liga by posting six straight wins – and they have started in a similar vein this term.
However, their continental campaign got off to a less successful start earlier this month, as an awful own goal by goalkeeper Luiz Junior cost them points in England against Tottenham Hotspur, so Villarreal now need to take something from their first home fixture.
Just days after fighting back to beat Inter Milan in a classic Derby d’Italia, Juve kicked off their continental campaign with another saga that featured a truly incredible finale.
Having twice equalised in the second half, the Bianconeri shipped two more goals in the closing stages and seemed bound for defeat against Borussia Dortmund, but they somehow scored twice deep into stoppage time and salvaged a 4-4 home draw.
Still undefeated in all competitions, Tudor’s Juventus often make up for their shortcomings with the capacity to fight back – but their run of fortune may be cut short.
Villarreal have been one of Europe’s top-performing teams in recent months, and they will recover from losing to Spurs with a win on home turf.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Arsenal welcome Olympiacos to the Emirates
Two teams who scored 96th-minute winners at the weekend collide in midweek, as Arsenal host Olympiacos on Wednesday night in their second Champions League game of the season.
The Gunners ran out 2-0 victors over Athletic Bilbao in their 2025-26 league-phase opener, while the Greek giants had to settle for a goalless draw with tournament debutants Pafos.
Still harbouring dreams of a Premier League and Champions League double, recent history suggests Arsenal have no reason to fret on Wednesday; they have won each of their last 13 group stage/league phase home games in Europe, including 10 in a row without conceding a single goal.
Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard joined the Gunners’ super-sub club on Sunday – setting up Gabriel’s winner from a corner after returning from a shoulder injury.
Olympiacos’ recent stronghold over Arsenal at the Emirates is something to behold, but the visitors’ North London luck will surely run out on Wednesday evening.
Olympiacos should not have a hope of breaking down one of the best defences on the continent, and Arsenal’s embarrassment of riches up front can work their magic to make it two for two in the Champions League.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
Manchester City travel away to face Monaco
Back in the groove under Pep Guardiola, Manchester City seek a fifth win from six in all competitions when they visit the Stade Louis II on Wednesday for a Champions League date with Monaco.
The Sky Blues saw off Napoli 2-0 in their inaugural European clash of the season, while the Ligue 1 powerhouses were put to the sword by Club Brugge away from home.
Indeed, the Citizens have now only tasted defeat in three of their last 21 league phase/group-stage games of the continent’s premier tournament, while also finding the back of the net in 28 of their last 30 games in any UEFA competition.
The two-goal triumph over Napoli represents one of four successes that Man City have marched to during a five-match unbeaten run in all competitions, most recently pummelling Burnley 5-1 in Saturday’s Premier League scrap after easing past Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup.
An agonising 1-1 draw away to Arsenal – where Guardiola’s parked bus had its windows smashed in the final few moments – is the only aberration for Man City in that sequence, but the travelling fans can take little confidence from their side’s continental form on the road, as the club are on a four-game losing streak in UCL away fixtures.
Owing to Pogba’s lack of fitness and injuries to Camara and Zakaria, Monaco are grappling with a midfield selection crisis at the worst possible time and risk being overrun by a trigger-happy Man City side.
Credit: sportsmole.co.uk
FIXTURES
Union Saint-Gilloise 16:45 Newcastle
The post Today’s UEFA Champions League Fixtures & Previews appeared first on The Ghanaian Chronicle.
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