Previews
MON 25.09.2017
The Champions League is back upon us this midweek, with the four LaLiga Santander representatives in the competition bidding to build on their encouraging Matchday 1 results. Doing so will be no easy feat, as all four face challenging encounters, but if they successfully navigate these tests, it will give them a strong springboard towards achieving the goal of reaching the knockout rounds.
Following their 3-0 triumph at home to Cypriot outfit APOEL FC last time round, Real Madrid are away to Borussia Dortmund at the Signal Iduna Park, which has not proven the happiest of hunting grounds for Los Blancos in the past. The reigning champions are hoping to claim their first win in the German city on their seventh visit, and in the process to strengthen their position at the top of Champions League Group H.
#RMUCL
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 25, 2017
This is our 20-man squad for tomorrow's Champions League match against @BVB. pic.twitter.com/fvZInrrfdg
Coach Zinedine Zidane is without the services of defenders Marcelo and Theo Hernandez, midfielder Mateo Kovacic and attacker Karim Benzema, all of whom are out injured. German playmaker Toni Kroos has made the trip to his homeland, but he will have to undergo a late fitness test to see if he has sufficiently shaken off his rib problem.
The other LaLiga team in action on Tuesday are Sevilla FC, who entertain NK Maribor at the Sanchez-Pizjuan. After kicking off their campaign with a creditable draw away to Liverpool FC, Eduardo Berizzo's men will be gunning for their first victory of the group stage against the Slovenian champions, whom the Andalusians defeated (4-3 on aggregate in the round of 32) en route to 2013/14 Europa League glory.
On Wednesday, Atletico Madrid welcome Chelsea FC to the Wanda Metropolitano for one of the most eagerly awaited fixtures of the matchday. This blockbuster bout will be the first-ever Champions League game at the Rojiblancos' new stadium, which is set to host next season's final. Atletico and Chelsea have met five times previously and the Madrilenians have the upper hand, having notably overcome the Londoners both in the 2012 UEFA Super Cup and in the semi-finals of Europe's premier club competition in 2013/14.
Diego Simeone has a full-strength squad to choose from for the meeting between the two sides who are expected to contest top spot in Group C. A subplot to the occasion is the return to Spain of familiar faces such as Alvaro Morata, Pedro, Cesc Fabregas and Cesar Azpilicueta, not to mention the Diego Costa affair.
The coach has revealed who will be joining him in Portugal this week #UCL #ForçaBarça https://t.co/jQOK5Qgb9n
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 25, 2017
Last but not least, also in store on Wednesday is the clash between FC Barcelona and Sporting Clube de Portugal, currently the top two in Group D. The Catalans head to the Estadio Jose Alvalade in flying form and with Lionel Messi, in particular, having made a storming start to the season. The Argentine bagged a brace in the 3-0 thrashing of Juventus FC a fortnight ago and is now just four goals away from bringing up his century in the tournament. What's more, the Azulgranas ran out 5-2 winners on their last visit to the stadium, with Messi and another continuing Barcelona stalwart, Gerard Pique, both on the scoresheet that day.
© LALIGA - 2017