The UEFA Champions League returns on Tuesday with plenty of league section matches, with redemption in shape for a handful of Europe’s leading groups.
Seven teams go into matchday three with six big points out of six, a group that excludes heavyweights like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich and Arsenal, among others. The goal of many of them is to build rarity, a cheap process with six games to travel in the league section. It creates plenty of entertainment before any other competitive round of Champions League action, especially when Barcelona take on Bayern and Liverpool take on RB Leipzig.
Here’s what you need to know before the action begins.
Methods to protect
Paramount + will have minimal coverage on Matchday 3, while CBS Sports Community and CBS Sports Golazo Network will carry a selection of games. Coverage begins with Champions League matchday on CBS Sports Golazo Network for a preview of the first matches ahead of the UEFA Champions League. The pre-game broadcast begins today on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+. Post-match programming will also air on CBS Sports Network and Paramount+, while CBS Sports Golazo Network will drain the post-match surplus with new editions of Scoreline and Champions Club.
Arguments of the third day
1. Barcelona and Bayern face each other
The most important match of the third day is undoubtedly Bayern Munich’s trip to Barcelona, where two teams that have already suffered problems hope to regain the top positions in the league.
Barcelona’s unbeaten run to the season may be long gone, but they are shining on the pitch under new coach Hansi Flick. They rounded out every other weekend atop Los Angeles. La Liga and Liga outscored their rivals 19 to 9 in nine games, possibly demonstrating some defensive weaknesses, but certainly boasting an attack that could get them out of trouble more often than not. However, a more difficult opponent like Bayern will naturally test the sustainability of their strategy, but Barcelona may have the advantage of surviving their traumatic emergency intact. Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal are back in the group due to upcoming momentary injuries, while Gavi is still dealing with his long-ago ACL tear.
As for Bayern, they are also leaders of the Bundesliga and have a handful of uneven victories in their partiality. There are some positive signs in the early days of Vincent Kompany’s time in charge, but results in high-profile matches were mixed, including a draw against Bayer Leverkusen and a defeat in the nearer days at Aston Villa in the second day. Barcelona does not appear to be expected to present situations as demanding as those of Villa, who were happy to absorb Bayern’s power and limit their offensive production, adding a layer of intrigue to this matchday three stumble. Bayern will deny there is any confusion in goal with Harry Kane in the line-up, although they will be without Jamal Musiala, who is dealing with a hip problem but hopes to be back in time for Wednesday’s attack.
2. Redemption arcs for Real Madrid and PSG
Bayern is not the only superclub looking for a comeback on matchday three: Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain also have their own redemption arcs to finish losing their previous attacks in the future.
PSG lost 2-0 to Arsenal on Matchday 2, dominating in possession and shooting, but being punished for their inability to generate meaningful chances and defensive lapses that the Gunners can take advantage of on their best days. There are still reasons to believe in Luis Enrique’s reconstruction in the face of Kylian Mbappé’s retirement, so many that PSG is prepared to increase its offer and can play a good game on matchday three. They will host PSV, who have not won their first two Champions League games, who do business at PSG with the expectation of combining a notable performance for the first moment of this season.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid could consider its matchday two defeat against Lille as an anomaly in a season different from usual. They were clearly the dominant team that generation, but despite scoring on all 12 of their shots on goal, scoring 2.16 expected goals and boasting one of the most feared defenses in Europe, they were unable to score. It’s a long way off the only miss from a season that has generally gone as planned: They’re in Los Angeles. The race for League name and feature outscored the opposition 21 to seven in 10 games. Carlo Ancelotti’s team has always had a bit of a crazy feel to it, although although they were going straight to winning the Champions League in the extreme spring, it looked like it would catch up to them anyway. on the second day. This makes Tuesday’s rematch of the June final against Borussia Dortmund, who have a great record so far in Europe, a very attractive matchup as the defending champions hope to advance.
3. Negative problems, serious defects?
Eight teams have 0 problems in two games, although the appearances of some teams at the bottom of the table are more unexpected than others. For example, AC Milan and RB Leipzig, either of whom will feel dehydrated when it comes to scheduling, but will have to dig themselves out of a hole anyway.
Milan’s first season under Paulo Fonseca shows signs of slowing down, although Christian Pulisic has six goals and three assists in all competitions this season. They will be appreciated against Club Brugge on Tuesday, but will still have to battle their own defensive demons, which have cost them courage even on days when they have scored. Milan have conceded seven goals in eight Serie A games and another four in two Champions League games, slightly balancing that total with 10 goals scored in both competitions.
As for Leipzig, their Bundesliga season may be no better than their Champions League season. They are unbeaten in seven league games, the same as leaders Bayern and have the best defensive record in the Bundesliga so far with just two goals conceded. They have done a lot in Europe, however, losing a 1-0 win against Atlético Madrid before losing 2-1 and then losing 3-2 against Juventus and then winning 2-1. and that a person benefits. Wednesday’s blow against an in-form Liverpool side could simply compound their problems, but a good performance will at least change the signs of the past.
