Gameweek 3 of the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League (UCL) will be held on October 22 and 23. Here are five things to look out for ahead of this crucial round of fixtures.
A repeat of the 2023/24 UCL final
A few months back, it was the Galácticos who triumphed at Wembley Stadium to win their record 15th European title. However, one can say that the Black and Yellow army were wasteful on the night and had their fair share of opportunities to take control of the situation.
Coming into Gameweek 3, both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund have their own issues to deal with. Carlo Ancelotti’s men suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of Lille in the last round, while they sit three points behind Barcelona in LaLiga despite being unbeaten. Dortmund, on the other hand, have been excellent in the Champions League so far, though much of it can be put down to them having played relatively weaker sides in Club Brugge and Celtic.
Moreover, Dortmund’s record away from home has been dismal this season; they lost to Union Berlin and Stuttgart while drawing against Werder Bremen in the German Bundesliga. Thus, it’ll be a difficult evening for Nuri Sahin and his team.
Hansi Flick reunites with Bayern
Hansi Flick’s Barça have been free-flowing so far, currently leading in LaLiga with eight wins in nine games while averaging more than three goals per game. Defensively, though, they’re leaving much to be desired, having just kept four clean sheets in 11 games.
With his defence already in question, Flick will be welcoming Bayern Munich at Camp Nou. Vincent Kompany’s men have been rampant this season, scoring at will and playing slick-passing football. However, much like Barça, they also have their own defensive issues to deal with.
Thus, with both managers believing in an all-out-attack approach, it should be an explosive encounter with goals galore.
High-flying Liverpool visit the reeling Roten Bullen
After getting completely played off the park against a spirited Atlético Madrid side at the Metropolitano and giving away the lead against Juventus twice to end up losing 3-2 on the night, RB Leipzig sit 29th in the UCL standings without a point to their name.
Their opponent, Liverpool, have enjoyed a serene start to proceedings with two wins against two Italian opponents in Milan and Bologna. Arne Slot’s team have been defensively tight thus far and will look to keep things that way as they head to the Red Bull Arena.
This promises to be a tight encounter, with both sides possessing the required ammunition to hurt each other. At the end of the day, it’ll come down to which team convert most of their chances.
Struggling Milan in need of a win
Paulo Fonseca’s AC Milan couldn’t have asked for a worse start to their 2024/25 UCL campaign. They succumbed to an easy 1-3 defeat to Liverpool in Gameweek 1 despite taking the lead within the first couple of minutes. Against Bayer Leverkusen in Gameweek 2, the seven-time champions performed better but failed to capitalise on the limited opportunities that came their way. They sit 32nd in the table with zero points and goal difference of -3.
Their opponents, Club Brugge, are no pushovers. The Belgian side arguably played the better of the two sides in their opening weekend defeat to Borussia Dortmund, and a narrow 1-0 win away to Sturm Graz means Nicky Hayen’s team have some breathing room.
This promises to be an interesting contest, in which Brugge will likely sit back and counter, with Milan pushing forward for their first victory of the season.
Other key encounters
Atlético Madrid vs LOSC Lille
Following their impressive opening weekend victory against RB Leipzig, Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid were emphatically swept aside by Benfica in Gameweek 2.
Scoring goals has been bit of an issue for Atleti, having scored just 15 goals in 11 games across all competitions thus far. Their opponents, on the other hand, will be coming to Madrid having beaten the reigning UCL winners in the last round.
With Atlético’s goal-scoring issues and defensive vulnerability, Lille can certainly produce another upset this coming Gameweek.
SL Benfica vs Feyenoord Rotterdam
Benfica under Bruno Lage have had an excellent start to their 2024/25 Champions League campaign. Last season’s Liga Portugal runners-up are sitting third in the UCL table, having already beaten Crvena zvezda in Gameweek 1 before delivering a statement 4-0 victory against Atlético Madrid at home.
Facing them this round are Eredivisie side Feyenoord. After a disappointing Gameweek 1 showing at home against Bayer Leverkusen, Brian Priske’s men came from behind to win 3-2 against Girona in Gameweek 2.
Although the Dutch side sit 22nd in the table with one win and defeat each, with matches against Man City and Bayern coming up, every single fixture will be crucial for Priske and Co.
Also read: UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Sponsors
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