Following a brief hiatus for the international break, European competition is back with a bang this week. Here are three top matchups took keep an eye on throughout UEFA Champions League Matchday 3.
Just four out of the 32 teams in the 2023/24 group stage have won both of their games thus far. And of course, this quartet is among Europe’s elite: Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona, and holders Man City are the clubs with a 100% record thus far.
However, even with such a good start, the group stage is never plain sailing. All four sides face away trips in Matchday 3 – potentially offering up a surprise result.
In particular, Bayern’s travels may be the toughest of all this week.
#1: Top of the table clash in Group A (Galatasaray v Bayern Munich, 24/10, 5:45pm)
The Bavarians might be top of Group A, but they face the task of Galatasaray in Turkey on Tuesday.
Gala themselves have also enjoyed a productive start to their UCL campaign. After beating Man United at Old Trafford in Matchday 2, the Turkish giants have four points and sit second. Additionally, coming in on a six-game win streak, Galatasaray will be confident of rolling over Bayern.
Meanwhile, if Thomas Tuchel’s side comes away with three points, they will put some breathing room between themselves and the rest of Group A.
An imposing, firecracker atmosphere at Rams Park awaits for the Bundesliga side either way.
#2: Can Arteta’s side get back on track? (Sevilla v Arsenal, 24/10, 8pm)
Champions League Matchday 3 will see a Group B crunch match occur in Seville. Following their eyebrow-raising defeat in Lens, the pressure is on Arsenal to bounce back against an inconsistent Sevilla side.
The Andalusians are currently languishing in mid-table of La Liga. They have taken just two wins so far in 2023/24, plus have drawn their opening UCL matches.
But the Europa League champs are European football experts; heading to Spain and getting a win is no mean feat for any team. Therefore, the Gunners will have to be at their very best to get back to winning ways in Europe.
3: Celtic’s UCL journey hangs in the balance (Celtic v Atletico Madrid, 25/10, 8pm)
Finally, a raucous Celtic Park hosting a European regular should make for a captivating watch in Champions League Matchday 3.
Although their league form has been near perfect, Celtic are pointless from their first two UCL games. As a result, drawing a blank at home to Atletico Madrid could put an end to their European adventure already.
So, it is unfortunate that Brendan Rodgers’ men face Atleti in a rich vein of form. The Spanish outfit has won their last six matches in all competitions, keeping pace with the top of La Liga.
Spearheading their attack has been the in-form Alvaro Morata and Antoine Griezmann, who scored a hat-trick against Celta Vigo on the weekend.
Elsewhere, Group F continues its parade of quality fixtures with Newcastle hosting Borussia Dortmund, and PSG facing off against AC Milan. We really are spoiled for choice on Champions League Matchday 3: it’s good to have it back on our screens again.
Featured image credit: Getty
