The goals have flowed, the drama has been intense and the excitement, contagious; the group stages of the 2019/2020 UEFA Champions League has been brilliant to behold.
Real Madrid is yet to record a win despite being in a relatively kind group. Liverpool has not had it all their own way so far, Group F looks too close to call and some new names are emerging.
Review of Gameweek 2
The theme of goals, excitement and intrigue in this season’s group stage continued in Gameweek 2.
The action commenced on Tuesday, 1st of October with a Group A game at the Santiago Bernabeu between 13-time winners, Real Madrid and Belgian side, Club Brugge.
The Spanish giants battled from being 2-0 goals down (an Emmanuel Bonaventure double) to draw 2-2 thanks to headers from Sergio Ramos and Carlos Casemiro.
Mauro Icardi struck for PSG in the group’s other game to give the French champions a 1-0 win away at Galatasaray.
Group B witnessed a festival of goals. In London, Bayern Munich put Tottenham Hotspur to the sword with a clinical 7-2 win led by Serge Gnarby’s four goal-salvo. In Serbia, Crvena Zvezda earned a comfortable 3-1 win at home against Olympiacos.
Manchester City needed second-half goals from Phil Foden and Raheem Sterling to see off Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 in Group C action while Shakhtar Donetsk defeated Atalanta by a 2-1 scoreline.
Juventus were imperious at the Allianz Stadium with a 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in Group D. Atletico Madrid won 2-0 away at Lokomotiv Moscow in the group’s other game.
On Wednesday; 2nd October, Liverpool were given a mighty scare in Group E as an impressive Red Bull Salzburg side equalized a 3-0 deficit before a Mohamed Salah goal gave the Reds a 4-3 win. Arkadiusz Milik missed a host of chances as Napoli were held to a 0-0 draw in Belgium by Genk.
Inter Milan took an early lead and was very impressive before a Luis Suarez double secured a 2-1 win for FC Barcelona in Group F. Achraf Hakimi was at the double for Borussia Dortmund as they eased to a 2-0 win away at Slavia Prague.
RB Leipzig surprisingly lost 2-0 home to Olympique Lyon despite dominating the match in Group G while in St-Petersburg, Zenit thrashed SL Benfica 3-1.
Ajax has established a stronghold in Group H with an immaculate 3-0 win over Valencia at the Mestalla while Chelsea got a hard-fought 2-1 win over Lille OSC.
Preview of Gameweek 3
Fans will be craving for even more excitement in Gameweek 3 as the group stages enter the crucial part where qualification to the next round is determined with back-to-back double-headers.
22nd of October i.e. a Tuesday sees action from Groups A – D while Groups E – H take to the fields on Wednesday, 23rd of October.
In Group A, Real Madrid will be desperate for a win as it travels to the intimidating Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi to take on Galatasaray while PSG is away at Club Brugge.
Olympiacos tackle group leaders, Bayern Munich in Greece while a desperate Tottenham Hotspurs side takes on Crvena Zvezda at home in Group B action.
Runaway leaders, Manchester City will be confident of sealing qualification over the two legs against Atalanta in Group C. The first tie comes up at the City of Manchester Stadium as Shakhtar Donetsk is at home to Dinamo Zagreb.
The big two play at home in Group D as Juventus welcomes Lokomotiv Moscow while Atletico Madrid takes on Bayer Leverkusen.
Wednesday’s action sees Liverpool away to face Genk in Group E while another goal-fest awaits in the tie between RB Salzburg and Napoli.
Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund will go at it at the San Siro in Group F while Slavia Prague takes on FC Barcelona.
Benfica needs a win to keep their qualification hopes alive in Group G. The Portuguese giants will take on Olympique Lyon as RB Leipzig and Zenit St-Petersburg clash in Germany.
Group H action sees Frank Lampard’s Chelsea try to rein-in group leaders; Ajax at the Johan Cryuff Arena in Amsterdam while Lille OSC plays Valencia.
Predictions for Gameweek 3
22/10/2019
Galatasaray vs Real Madrid (G/G)
Club Brugges vs PSG (Over 2.5 Goals)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Crvena Zvezda (G/G)
Olympiakos vs Bayern Munich (Over 1.5 Goals)
Manchester City vs Atalanta (Over 3.5 Goals)
Shakhtar Donetsk vs Dinamo Zagreb (G/G)
Juventus vs Lokomotiv Moscow (1)
Atletico Madrid vs Bayer Leverkusen (Over 1.5 Goals)
22/10/2019
Genk vs Liverpool (2)
RB Salzburg vs Napoli (G/G)
Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund (G/G)
Slavia Prague vs FC Barcelona (Over 1.5 Goals)
SL Benfica vs Olympique Lyon (Over 1.5 Goals)
RB Leipzig vs Zenit St-Petersburg (Over 2.5 Goals)
Lille OSC vs Valencia CF (G/G)
Ajax vs Chelsea FC (G/G)
