Nine games light up the Champions League tonight. Arsenal, Manchester United, Barcelona and Bayern Munich all want to build on their openers. Others need to recover from early defeats.
The first two games kick off at 5.45pm. The other seven start at 8pm British Summer Time.
Why Every Point Matters
Each club plays eight league-phase games. The top eight teams reach the round of 16 directly. Sides placed ninth to 24th must win a two-legged play-off to go through.
So tonight offers early winners a chance to pull clear. It also gives beaten teams a chance to fight back.
Arsenal Host Lille
Arsenal opened with a 1-0 away win at Napoli. Now they play Lille at the Emirates. Mikel Arteta’s side showed discipline in Italy, but fans will expect more attacking play at home.
Lille lost 3-2 at home to Real Betis. Their two goals showed some threat. However, the three they conceded point to weaknesses. They must stay compact against Arsenal’s movement and set-pieces.
Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
United thrashed Sabah FK 4-0 in their first game. Now they face a much tougher side at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano.
Atletico lost 2-1 at Liverpool and need a response. They are expected to press hard, defend in numbers and strike in transition. United’s forwards must take their chances, because space will be scarce.
Galatasaray vs Barcelona
Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 in their opener. They now travel to RAMS Park in Istanbul to face Galatasaray, who lost 3-1 at Sporting CP.
Victor Osimhen is back from injury, which boosts the hosts. Assistant coach Ismael García says the Nigerian striker suits the task of attacking space behind Barcelona’s high defensive line. His pace and finishing could hurt Barcelona if they push too many players forward.
Still, Galatasaray must deal with Barcelona’s quick passing between the lines.
Viking vs Bayern Munich
Bayern won 5-0 against Bodø/Glimt and now visit Viking at Lyse Arena. Viking lost 3-1 to Stuttgart. They will need a tight defence and must use any gaps Bayern leave. Even so, the Germans are favourites.
Inter and Leipzig Need Answers
Inter Milan, beaten 2-1 by Real Madrid, host Club Brugge at the San Siro. The Belgians lost 3-2 at home to Aston Villa but can still score. Both sides need a result.
RB Leipzig are under pressure after a 4-1 loss to Como. They host PSV Eindhoven, who drew 1-1 with Shakhtar Donetsk. Leipzig must tighten up, while PSV will try to exploit space with quick passing.
Villarreal vs Napoli
Neither side has a point yet. Villarreal lost 3-2 to Borussia Dortmund. Napoli lost 1-0 to Arsenal and failed to score. The game at Estadio de la Cerámica could turn on defensive discipline.
Early Kick-Offs
Lens host Sporting CP at 5.45pm. Both won their openers. Lens beat Slavia Prague 3-2, and Sporting beat Galatasaray 3-1.
At the same time, Sabah FK host Slavia Prague. Sabah lost 4-0 to Manchester United. Slavia conceded late in their 3-2 loss to Lens. Both teams want their first points.
Tonight’s Fixtures
- 5.45pm: Lens vs Sporting CP
- 5.45pm: Sabah FK vs Slavia Prague
- 8pm: Arsenal vs Lille
- 8pm: Atletico Madrid vs Manchester United
- 8pm: Galatasaray vs Barcelona
- 8pm: Inter Milan vs Club Brugge
- 8pm: RB Leipzig vs PSV Eindhoven
- 8pm: Viking vs Bayern Munich
- 8pm: Villarreal vs Napoli
