Matchday three of the Champions League is upon us, with all four English teams in action once more. The format of the competition dictates that the return set of fixtures in the group stages mirror the first three games, which means that the teams facing each other this week will be doing so again in a fortnight during matchday four. A double-header, as it were, and while the fixture schedule has been kind on Arsenal and Chelsea, who can expect to collect maximum points against comparatively weak opposition, Liverpool face a gruelling duo of duels against the current European champions. As for Manchester City, a poor start to their campaign means their games against the bottom-seeded side in their group are crucial. So what can we expect this week in the best club competition in world football?
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Click on Manuel Pellegrini and all will be revealed…
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Must-win double header for Man City…
How sheepish must Man City’s Twitter gurus have felt in the aftermath of their team’s most recent Champions League tie against Roma. After stressing the fact that Francesco Totti had never scored in England prior to the game, the Italian side’s captain inevitably went on to score a sumptuous equalising goal in a 1-1 draw, leaving copious amounts of uovo splattered all over the voltos of City’s social media brainboxes. “City’s tweet? It really brought me luck,” was the suave Totti’s witty response. Humour aside, the draw left Manuel Pellegrini’s men with one point from a possible six, meaning that their next two matches against CSKA Moscow have been promoted to must-win status. City were the victims of another tough group stage draw, as they have been in past seasons, yet this is no excuse for a team who boast virtually unlimited wealth and a dazzling array of world-class players. Russia is always a daunting venue for even the most experienced of European clubs; luckily for City, however, their tie will be devoid of the notoriously hostile Eastern European atmosphere as CSKA are currently serving a stadium ban for crowd trouble. It is inconceivable for City not to progress from the group given their privileged situation – home and away wins against CSKA are vital if they are to avoid further European disappointment.
…and for Arsenal
The Gunners are in a better position than Man City, yet their two ties against Anderlecht are also of great importance. The team from Belgium have never been a serious threat in the competition, while Arsenal’s 4-1 trouncing of a hopeless Galatasaray side three weeks ago indicates that Arsene Wenger’s men and Jurgen Klopp’s Borussia Dortmund will almost certainly occupy the top two spots in the group. However, the Gunners have been struggling in the Premier League, with Wenger’s icy post-match interview following a 2-2 home draw against Hull City suggesting that the Frenchman is feeling the pressure after another below-par performance from his side. A win in Belgium on Tuesday as well as a victory in the return fixture at the Emirates in a fortnight would give Wenger some respite, and would send the Gunners well on their way to qualifying for the knockout stages of the competition.
Can Balotelli finally win over his critics?
After snatching a fortuitous win against Ludogorets Razgrad at the death in their return to Champions League football, Liverpool were taught a lesson in just how hard the competition can be in their next game against Basle, succumbing to a pitiful 1-0 defeat. This means that the Reds must take something from their next two games against reigning champions Real Madrid, otherwise progressing from the group is going to be an almighty struggle. Another injury setback for Daniel Sturridge means that Mario Balotelli is likely to lead the line once again, and with his only goal for the club coming in the Champions League, the pressure has only increased for him to prove his worth. His critics are growing in number with every game, and his open goal miss during an ineffectual performance against QPR over the weekend summed up Balotelli’s difficult start at his new club. Although the striker is often unfairly and disproporitonately scrutinised compared to other underperforming footballers by virtue of simply being Mario, Brendan Rodgers paid £16 million for him to score goals, which he is not doing so far. Any striker would find it difficult to score against one of the best teams in the world, yet by finding the net against Real – which will require some effort, both on and off the ball – Balotelli can silence his critics.
Mourinho the tinkerman?
Of all the English teams, Chelsea’s group is the easiest, and in Maribor they face the weakest team in this straightforward group. Jose Mourinho’s men are also flying high in the Premier League, and with an away fixture against Manchester United coming up next, resting first-team players for Tuesday night’s game at Stamford Bridge – especially Diego Costa, whose hamstring problems are ongoing – is surely to be expected. Or is it? The Blues possess enviable strength in depth, yet the last time Mourinho rested Costa in the Champions League, his deputy Didier Drogba struggled badly. Even the belated introduction of the Spaniard towards the end of the game could not inspire Chelsea, as Schalke grabbed a deserved away point. With this in mind, Mourinho may be tempted to field his strongest side to ensure that the three points are gained, however giving his key players a break is surely the better option. Despite the blip against Schalke, Chelsea will still top the group with ease, and Costa cannot be risked in a game where the Blues will win comfortably. Chelsea will need him to be fit in the latter stages of the season, particularly if they are still competing for both the Premier League and the Champions League. Mourinho has previously stated that Costa can’t play three games in a week, so why take the risk in what will be one of their easiest games in quite some time? Give Loic Remy a chance, as well as some other fringe players, and he may be pleasantly surprised.