UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 2): Group G

Julian Nagelsmann manager of 1899 Hoffenheim catches the match ball during the Group F match of the UEFA Champions League between FC Shakhtar Donetsk and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim at Donbass Arena on September 19, 2018 in Donetsk, Ukraine.

(Sept. 18, 2018 - Source: Joosep Martinson/Getty Images Europe)

Group G

Zenit St Petersburg vs Benfica- Wednesday, 02 October 2019

They looked like outsiders on opening night but a point secured at Lyon has gotten people seriously looking at the Russians. Zenit should be favorites at home when they welcome the Portuguese champions, Benfica. The latter are themselves not without talented individuals in their squad with the ever reliable Pizzi and Seferovic who scored in their 1-2 opening loss to Leipzig, a balanced encounter that was decided on fine margins. Experience could prove the difference with Benfica needing a whole lot more of it.

Leipzig vs Lyon- Wednesday, 02 October 2019

Julian Nagelsmann’s remarkable rise to coaching has continued in Red Bull Leipzig colors with the young gaffer having tasted his only league defeat of the new season over the weekend against Schalke. The 32-year-old coach and his charges are definitely within touching distance of challenging for the Bundesliga this season and enjoyed a fruitful trip to Benfica on opening UCL night. Last season’s round-of-16 finalists, Lyon will prove a more challenging opposition under the Brazilian, Slyvinho. All eyes will be on star-striker Timo Werner to continue firing Leipzig to the top as they look to reach the knock-out stages for the first time in their history.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 2): Group F

Antoine Griezmann of FC Barcelona runs with the ball during the Joan Gamper trophy friendly match between FC Barcelona and Arsenal at Nou Camp on August 04, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain.

(Aug. 3, 2019 - Source: Getty Images Europe)

Group F

Slavia Praha vs Borussia Dortmund- Wednesday, 02 October 2019

Slavia Praha just might be the surprise package of this season. Might be. They reached the Europa League quarter-final last year, narrowly losing to eventual champions Chelsea. On their opening champions league night at Inter, they showed promise with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against one of the most in-form teams in Europe. On Wednesday, they welcome a side without a lack of attacking talent, Borussia Dortmund. Lucien Favre’s men must be feeling hard done by with a consecutive set of league draws, that have left them 8th on the Bundesliga table, 3 points off champions Bayern Munich. Without Hummels in the side, their defense which lacks experienced leadership has been guilty of letting in some more goals than needed. The Black and Yellow will be hoping to pick up on their impressive performance in an unlucky 0-0 draw against Barcelona on matchday 1 when they travel to a tricky Slavia Praha.

It’s still very much an open group with all four teams on a single point.

Barcelona vs Inter Milan- Wednesday, 02 October 2019

This must be the fixture of the round. The Spanish champions are looking anything but stable even after getting all 3 points against Getafe over the weekend. They needed an assist from star goalkeeper, Marc Andre Ter Stegen and fed off a defensive error by the Getafe shot-stopper to get the win. A growing injury list that has since sidelined teenage sensation Fati, Dembele and skipper Messi has them possibly biting their nails when they welcome Antonio Conte’s men who have won all their 6 Serie A league matches this season, effectively giving Juve a run for their money in the title race. Furthermore, Manchester United flop, Alexis Sanchez looks re-energized after he scored twice on his debut over the weekend in a 4-1 win over Sampdoria, even though he got sent off later on for a second yellow.

Who knows what might happen when a shaky Barca faces possibly the best Inter side since the heroes of 2009/10 who won a treble under Jose Mourinho.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 2): Group E

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)

Group E

Genk vs Napoli– Wednesday, 02 October 2019

Nothing about their performance in Austria was Belgian champions like for Genk. That 6-1 thrashing was the heaviest loss of the opening Champions League night and the writing is on the wall. They just have to improve very quickly if they are to make this UCL season a favorably memorable one. Tanzanian skipper, Mbwana Samatta was one of their positives in that loss to Salzburg, scoring a landmark goal for the Tanzanians. It, however, doesn’t help their cause that their next opponent is Carlo Ancelotti’s Napoli who beat defending champions Liverpool 2-0 on matchday 1. It could get worse before it gets better for Genk who have to stop the attacking talents of Hirving Lozano and the big center forward, Fernando Llorente.

Liverpool vs Red Bull Salzburg– Wednesday, 02 October 2019

The Reds haven’t started their UCL title defense as well as their 2019/20 Premier League title hunt. Seven wins in seven matches mean they are the only remaining side with a perfect record in England and their 1-0 weekend win over Sheffield United was their 16th consecutive Premier League win. On Wednesday, they, however, have to come from the shadows when they welcome high flying Salzburg to Anfield. The Austrian champions led by the historic American gaffer should be informed about the uniquely hostile atmosphere that is Anfield on a Champions League night. They will need to be humble, put aside their 6-1 win over Genk aside and deal with attacking triad that is Salah, Mane and Firmino.

Liverpool themselves will need to be cautious when they go for the win as the teenage hattrick hero on his debut night, Erling Haland will be lurking.

UEFA Champions League Preview (Matchday 2): Group D

Diego Costa of Atletico Madrid and Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus walk out onto the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League group D match between Atletico Madrid and Juventus at Wanda Metropolitano on September 18, 2019 in Madrid, Spain.

(Sept. 17, 2019 - Source: ANGEL MARTINEZ/Getty Images Europe)

Group D

Juventus vs Bayer Leverkusen– Tuesday, 01 October 2019

There is nothing more that Cristiano Ronaldo cherishes other than competition. The awarding of FIFA’s The Best Male Player Award for 2019 to Messi could have possibly poked the 34-year-old Portuguese legend to push himself to the limit once more. A 5-5 tie on such awards sounded a decent end to their decade long rivalry but with the scale now tipped 6-5 to Messi, best believe the all-time record scorer in the Champions League is preparing to fire himself and Juve to a coveted UCL title. After all, that’s what the Old Lady signed him for.

Bayer Leverkusen have since recovered from a shocking loss at home to Lokomotiv Moskva in the Champions League and also recorded some decent results in the league that have seen them rise to 6th in the Bundesliga, only a point off leaders Bayern. However, against Juve and Ronaldo in Turin who are yet to win in the UCL this season, it’s hard to see them get a result.

Lokomotiv Moskva vs Atletico Madrid– Tuesday, 01 October 2019

Just how good is Thomas Partey? The Ghanaian international was the best player on the pitch over the weekend as Real and Atletico battled to a 0-0 draw in the Madrid derby at Wanda Metropolitano. On a night such as that one, he looked a combination of Sergio Busquets and N’golo Kante and Atleti would be hoping he carries that form into the Tuesday clash in Russia.

Teenage sensation, Joao Felix has also settled in well at Rojiblancos and looks quite dangerous every-time he gets the ball. Simeone and his men are going for all 3 points at Group D topping Lokomotiv Moskva as they look for their first win this campaign after a 2-2 draw against Juve on opening night. Lokomotiv Moskva themselves beat fellow champions league representatives, Zenit 1-0 over the weekend and are just 2 points off table-topping CSKA Moscow after 11 matches.

Africans To Watch Out For In The UCL Round of 16: #1 Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah

We simply cannot tire to talk about this particular Egyptian. By now, you might have an idea why. The Liverpool forward has scored 30 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions, with five of those coming in the UEFA Champions League. He also knows a thing or two about assists, having made seven so far. He is inarguably one of the most dreaded forwards in the football world right now. Check out our Champions League Super XI article to learn how he made it into the list ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Africans To Watch Out For In The UCL Round of 16: #2 Sadio Mane

Sadio Mane

He might have scored just nine goals and bagged six assists so far in all competitions but the Senegalese’s quality needs no introduction. His three UCL goals came in just four appearances and clocked 31km/hr. top speed, more than Mo Salah. He has not had a spectacular season at Liverpool this time, not because of inability but largely the ingenuity of his African counterpart in the form of Salah. Their combination upfront is even a better show of brilliance than their individual performances. With Mane and Salah on one side and Brahimi and Aboubakar on the other, the Porto vs Liverpool match presents a marvelous show of African talent.

Africans To Watch Out For In The UCL Round of 16: #3 Yacine Brahimi

Yacine Brahimi

He is not perhaps as celebrated, but he is Vincent’s partner in crime at the Portuguese club. The 28-year-old Algerian has become a very important component of the Porto midfield. This season alone, he has scored seven goals and has seven assists to his name, averaging a passing accuracy of 79.2%. In the UEFA Champions League alone, he recovered 14 balls and covered 55.7km in six matches. It promises to be an interesting affair when they clash with fellow Africans from the Premier League in the form of Liverpool.

Africans To Watch Out For In The UCL Round of 16: #4 Vincent Aboubakar

Vincent Aboubakar

FC Porto will be looking up to the Cameroonian forward to replicate his group stages performances if they are going to see off Liverpool. The 26 year old has scored 24 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions and registered five assists. Five of those goals were in five UCL appearances and turning up the style in big games is a very familiar territory to him. Do you remember the sensational winning goal he scored against Egypt in the AFCON finale in 2017?

Africans To Watch Out For In The UCL Round of 16: #5 Geoffroy Serey Dié

Geoffroy Serey Dié

The veteran Ivorian midfielder is a figure of maturity and resilience in the Basel midfield. At 33 years old, he still has a thing for bossing midfield. He made just three appearances in the group stages but recovered 10 balls, making four tackles and a passing accuracy of 90%. He peaked in their famous victory against Manchester United when he produced a man of the match performance. However, with the Swiss team facing the Premier League run away leaders, Manchester City, this opportunity presents a different challenge for Serey and his teammates.