It’s a short week for those stateside, given the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday. Here are three must-watch Champions League clashes to whet your appetite (and before you dive headfirst into Turkey).
Liverpool vs Real Madrid
It’s Arne ‘Slot Machine‘ versus Carlo Ancelotti for the first time.
The Reds are flying high in this Champions League, grabbing all points from four games in this year’s new-look Champions League group phase.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid have endured a mixed start to their entire season at home and abroad. Some fans think Ancelotti’s system is to blame, while others think Mbappe needs to work harder for the team.
What better way to show continued improvement on the pitch and in the dressing room with a “W” this week at Anfield? But Los Blancos will have to do it without Vini Junior, who’s out until the new year due to a left hamstring injury. Alternatively, what an ideal time for Mbappe to fill the gap on the left, his preferred position.
A big “L” will find Ancelotti’s team entering the Knockout Phase Play-Offs — probably not a terrible solution since Real Madrid could use more time gelling together as a team.
Bayern Munich vs Paris Saint-Germain
While Real Madrid needs more time to adjust to superstar Kylian Mbappe, PSG suffers without him.
Luis Enrique’s side have only gained five points from four games thus far, putting them closer to UCL elimination than progression; only 9 – 24 qualify for the Knockout Phase Play-offs.
“We will give it our all, we will be brave, we will take risks, as we usually do,” said the Spaniard in the press-match press conference.
Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich side also experienced mixed results in the first half of the Champions League phase.
With six points, the Bavarians sit mid-table at 17th, but their unbeaten streak in the Bundesliga and five consecutive clean sheets provide a huge confidence boost. Plus, Harry Kane cannot stop scoring. The England star became the fastest player to reach 50 Bundesliga goals with a hat-trick against Augsburg last Friday.
Sporting CP versus Arsenal
Down, bruised but never out, Arsenal are looking to lock in with a victory against Sporting CP on Tuesday night. The Gunners face off against Ruben Amorim’s former side, which still has yet to lose this season in Primeira Liga. The Lions also lashed Manchester City 4-1 in the previous UCL match led by in-form striker Viktor Gyokeres.
The Gunners, who’ll have long loaned Kieran Tierney back in the match, will seek revenge. The two teams matched up in the Europa League Round of 16 last time, with the Portuguese side moving on. An away win for Arsenal restores confidence for Arteta’s side, further propelling their chances of advancing to the knockout phase.
