FirstTouch

View Original

UEFA Champions League Preview(Matchday 1): Group E

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool battles for possession with Kalidou Koulibaly of Napoli during the Group C match of the UEFA Champions League between SSC Napoli and Liverpool at Stadio San Paolo on October 3, 2018 in Naples, Italy.

(Oct. 2, 2018 - Source: Catherine Ivill/Getty Images Europe)

Napoli vs Liverpool - Tuesday 18 September 2019

The controversy surrounding the state of Stadio San Paolo has been a cause of major concern before a big UEFA League group stage clash between Napoli and Liverpool. Napoli manager Carlo Ancelotti flagged the issue in a statement calling out the Naples municipality on the unfinished renovations at the stadium that could also include the dressing rooms. Naples start their campaign with a monster of an opponent, reigning champions Liverpool and Premier League table toppers with a shining perfect record. The encounter will be a replay of last season’s Group C clash between Liverpool and Napoli, which was a close tie marginally decided in favor of the Reds. Fortunately for Napoli, the condition of their stadium does not reflect the current state of the squad which has made a big comeback in recent years. Napoli has the potential to serve us with a hard-fought UCL game as one of the inform Serie A teams who actually finished second in 2018/2019.

Red Bull Salzburg vs Genk- Tuesday 18 September 2019

Genk’s new signing Paul Onuachu is expected to play a vital role in the team’s success in the UEFA League campaign as they start their campaign against Red Bull Salzburg. The Nigerian international joined the Belgian champions for a fee of around €6m and scored his first goal in their 2-1 defeat to Sporting Charleroi. Onuachu will assist Mbwana Samatta, the Tanzanian striker who has been the star player for the Belgian Pro-League team. Genk face a challenging opponent in the Austrian champions whose manager Jesse Mersch has been making an impressive impact at the club. The American joined the club in April, and has to led the team to a record-breaking start to the season, with 7 wins in 7, a form that could help RB Salzburg to make an impact in Europe. Genk who have not had as good a kick-off to their domestic campaign will only hope that their talented forwards will come to the party. It’s really the Belgian vs the Austrian champions. Who will reign supreme?