Champions League Round 2 Preview, Matches on October 14
Champions League Matchday 2 continues with the second day of action. On October 14, nine more matches await, including two genuine headline fixtures: Roma against Real Madrid at the Olimpico and PSG's trip to the Etihad.
Feyenoord – Como
Feyenoord host the biggest surprise of the opening round, Como. The Lariani, who were playing in the fourth tier of Italian football only a few years ago, thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 in their first match. Feyenoord, meanwhile, suffered a heavy 1-5 defeat to Barcelona and now have to respond in front of their own supporters. The good news for the hosts is that Watanabe and Moder have returned to full team training, while Como have now failed to score in two straight matches. Even so, this fixture promises goals at both ends. At least four goals have been scored in seven of the last eight matches involving Giovanni van Bronckhorst's side.
Match link:
LASK – Liverpool
Liverpool travel to the Raiffeisen Arena in Linz, where modest LASK await. Neither team comes into the match in particularly good form. The Reds have conceded exactly two goals in five of their last six away games and were heavily beaten by Man City last weekend. The hosts lost to AEK in the opening round and now need points to preserve a strong chance of reaching the playoffs. That will be difficult, but the Austrians are capable of avoiding a heavy defeat: they have covered a +2.5 handicap in 11 consecutive home matches.
Match link:
Roma – Real Madrid
One of the central fixtures of the round takes place at the Olimpico. Roma host Real Madrid under Jose Mourinho, who was in charge of the Giallorossi not long ago. Paulo Dybala said before the match that the Olimpico would help them, and the Argentine's words do not sound empty considering Roma have avoided defeat in 13 of their last 14 home games. The Romans failed to beat Fenerbahce in the first Champions League round (1-1), while Real overcame Inter 2-1 and travel to Rome looking for another maximum return. Mourinho knows how to play against his former club and will surely have a tactical surprise prepared. But could the heated atmosphere in the dressing room get in the way?
Match link:
Aston Villa – Fenerbahce
Aston Villa recovered from a poor start to the season in familiar fashion and are now unbeaten in four matches. They beat Club Brugge 2-3 in the opening Champions League round and intend to add another three points. Fenerbahce did not win, but produced a strong performance in the 1-1 draw with Roma and arrive in good spirits after thrashing Rizespor 3-0 in the Super Lig. Turkish media report that Ismail Kartal's side are travelling to England for points and are not afraid of big names. Villa Park is a difficult venue for any visiting team, however, so the hosts' status as favourites looks justified.
Match link:
Real Betis – Porto
For the first time in 21 years, Betis supporters will hear the Champions League anthem at a home match. The pressure on the hosts is considerable, but Manuel Pellegrini has said his players are in good shape. That was already clear from the 5-2 win over Osasuna, which extended the Green-and-Whites' unbeaten run to six matches. Porto, however, arrive as leaders of the Portuguese league after losing 0-2 to Manchester City in the opening round. The Dragons need points to avoid falling behind in the battle for the top eight. La Cartuja will be full, though, and the atmosphere may become an extra factor in Betis' favour. Will it help the hosts?
Match link:
Bodo/Glimt – Borussia Dortmund
Borussia travel to Norway with a squad close to full strength as they look for a second win at the start of the competition. However, confidence in the Black and Yellows is in question after they let victory slip against Werder in a 2-2 draw. Bodo/Glimt were one of last season's surprises, reaching the Round of 16. They lost 0-5 to another German giant, Bayern, in the opening round, but that match was away from home. At Aspmyra, Kjetil Knutsen's side play very different football. The difference in squad value is enormous, more than €500 million in Dortmund's favour, but Bodo/Glimt have never been intimidated by that. The Norwegian climate and artificial pitch will surely leave their mark on the game.
Match link:
Bodo/Glimt – Borussia Dortmund
Shakhtar Donetsk – AEK Athens
Shakhtar Donetsk play their nominal home match at Stamford Bridge in London. Their opponent is Greek side AEK. The Miners fought PSV to a 1-1 draw in the opening round and now seek their first win of the tournament. AEK began with a 1-0 victory over LASK and travel with confidence after three straight wins. Stamford Bridge will not truly feel like home for Shakhtar. Although the team is used to playing at neutral venues, the balanced Athens visitors, who are dangerous on the counter, do not look like outsiders.
Match link:
Slovan Bratislava – Stuttgart
Slovan host Stuttgart at Tehelne Pole. We have seen something similar before, namely in the seventh round of the Champions League two seasons ago. The hosts lost 1-3 that day and will try to take revenge under Yaya Toure. Their chances do not appear especially high, though. Stuttgart confidently beat Viking 3-1 in the opening round thanks to a hat-trick from Ermedin Demirovic and are deserved favourites given their superiority in class and experience. Slovan will try to use the home atmosphere, but the Swabians' quality should play the key role.
Match link:
Manchester City – PSG
And here is the biggest fixture of the day. We finally move to the Etihad, where Manchester City host PSG, the reigning Champions League winners. City have made a powerful start to the Premier League season and comfortably beat Porto 2-0 in the opening European round. The Parisians, meanwhile, thrashed Slovan 6-1 and have already put their poor start in Ligue 1 behind them. The Etihad will be packed, and City will try to impose their game with the backing of the crowd, something very few teams manage to do against Paris. Last season, Luis Enrique's side enjoyed successful trips to London and Liverpool before beating Arsenal in the Champions League final, and their aim is to extend their dominance over English clubs.
Match link:
Summary
October 14 promises plenty of Champions League intrigue. Jose Mourinho will try to beat his former club and reduce the noise around Madrid's problems, Manchester City and PSG will determine who already looks ready to challenge for the title in October, and Como will try to end their scoreless run and continue their European fairytale in Rotterdam. To find the best odds on these matches, visit: https://scores24.live/en/sportbooks. Do not miss it — European Wednesday promises to be hot!
