Champions League Matchday 1 Preview: September 10 Matches
The European week is drawing to a close. Next up is the third matchday of the opening Champions League round, with six more exciting fixtures on the schedule. Once again, we have prepared a preview covering the key details of the upcoming games. Our short journey takes us from Istanbul to Manchester!
Fenerbahce vs Roma
Istanbul's Sukru Saracoglu Stadium will host a Champions League main-stage match for the first time in 18 years. It is a major occasion for Fenerbahce, but the team approaches it in a tense atmosphere. The 2:1 derby defeat to Besiktas has put Ismail Kartal under pressure, and another poor result could cost him his job.
The Turkish giants also have significant personnel problems: Guendouzi is suspended, Asensio has yet to regain full fitness after injury, and Talisca's contract was unexpectedly terminated. Much of the hope rests on Mason Greenwood, but the opposition is Roma, who are in excellent form and have also missed Europe's biggest club competition. The Romans have won three in a row, which makes them favourites despite doubts over the physical condition of Pellegrini and Dybala. Still, the visitors do not have a huge edge. Trips to Turkey are difficult for everyone.
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PSV vs Shakhtar
Eindhoven presents a fixture with recent history. Two years ago, the teams met at the Philips Stadion in the league phase of the Champions League. That match produced an incredible finish: trailing 2:0, PSV completed a remarkable comeback by scoring three times in eight minutes. As for the present, Peter Bosz's side are unbeaten this season if the Dutch Super Cup is excluded and have won four matches in a row, including a recent 3:1 victory over Ajax. The problem is that the hosts simply cannot keep a clean sheet.
Shakhtar, meanwhile, have already suffered a domestic defeat and sit only second in the Ukrainian Premier League, but they have scored in 14 consecutive away matches. The Miners continue to rely heavily on young Brazilian talent, which can cause serious problems for PSV's unstable defence. An open, end-to-end game looks likely.
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Bayern Munich vs Bodo/Glimt
Munich's Allianz Arena will host a Champions League match on a Thursday for the first time, with the tournament reform producing an unusual schedule for Bayern. Vincent Kompany's side began the season strongly, but wins over Borussia Dortmund (2:1), Stuttgart (5:1) and Osnabruck (4:1) were followed by a surprising goalless draw with Schalke. Kane, Musiala and Olise only came on in the second half and could not find a winner, but all three are likely to start in the Champions League.
Bodo/Glimt were one of last season's sensations: the Norwegians reached the round of 16 after beating several major names along the way, including Manchester City (3:1), Atletico Madrid (2:1) and Inter (3:1; 2:1). They have not lost since May 4, a run of 18 consecutive matches, and will try to trouble Bayern on the counterattack. The favourite is obvious, but we already know the Scandinavians can bite.
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Como vs RB Leipzig
Como have waited decades for this moment. The Italian club have reached the Champions League for the first time in their history and will make their home debut at the Giuseppe Sinigaglia. Cesc Fabregas's side are riding a wave of confidence after wins over Napoli (2:1) and Genoa (4:1). Martin Baturina, Nico Paz and Assane Diao are in excellent form, while the hosts have no major personnel losses.
Things are more complicated for Leipzig under Martin Demichelis. They lost 3:1 to Werder Bremen in the second Bundesliga round, while injuries have also piled up: Reitz, Baumgartner, Lukeba, Ouedraogo and Gruda are all unavailable, almost half the team. Even so, the Bulls' European experience means they cannot be written off.
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Slavia Prague vs Lens
Slavia enter the Champions League unbeaten in seven matches since the start of the season, sitting top of the Czech league and coming off a 4:0 win over Zbrojovka at the weekend. However, they collected only three points in last season's league phase and finished without a single victory, so their recent European record leaves plenty to be desired.
Lens started the season with a statement 1:0 win over PSG and a 5:2 victory over Auxerre, but have since suffered two straight setbacks. Their defence raises serious questions, especially with so many injuries. Samson Baidoo, Mike Nawrocki, Jonathan Gradit and Nidal Celik are all defenders who will miss the match. The obvious solution is to attack, something the Blood and Gold do well. It is no coincidence that they have scored in 15 of their last 16 away matches.
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Manchester United vs Sabah
It is a classic Old Trafford storyline: one of Europe's giants against a debutant. Azerbaijan's Sabah have reached the Champions League league phase for the first time in their history and immediately travel to Manchester. Valdas Dambrauskas's team are in good shape, with three wins from three domestic league matches and a convincing qualifying campaign in which their final opponent was Hapoel Be'er Sheva.
United, however, have not started well. Four points from their opening three Premier League matches is far from what many expected from last season's breakthrough team. Injuries are also taking their toll: Ugarte, De Ligt, Amad and Baleba are sidelined, while Rashford could also miss out. With the derby against City coming next, Michael Carrick is likely to rest some of his leaders. The bookmakers have little doubt about a home win. Still, given the circumstances, Sabah, who have scored in 19 consecutive away matches, can reasonably hope to get on the scoresheet. An away goal would not be a major surprise.
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Conclusion
Como and Sabah making their debuts, Fenerbahce's long-awaited return, the Norwegian surprise team travelling to Munich and the Champions League anthem at Old Trafford — all of this awaits us on September 10. It is difficult to single out one clear headline fixture, but the most evenly matched and intriguing game may be in Prague, where Slavia and Lens will contest a tactical battle. Don't miss it!
