Champions League Matchday 3 Overview

The first two matchdays of the new UEFA Champions League format have brought exciting fixtures and upsets as well as new players to look out for. Favorites such as Bayern, Barcelona, and Real Madrid find themselves far from the top of the table, in the 15th, 16th, and 17th spots respectively. Granted it is still fairly early in the season, however, this week proves to be a challenge for these teams as they fight their way back into the top of the table.

Key Fixtures

Tuesday

On Tuesday October 22nd, Real Madrid face off against Borussia Dortmund in the Santiago Bernabeu. Despite having a rocky start to their Bundesliga season, winning only three games in the first six matchdays, Dortmund have had a flying start to their UCL campaign — finding themselves top of the table. Nuri Sahin’s team has more goals scored through their first two games than any other team in the Champions League (which comes as no surprise, especially after demolishing Celtic 7-1). Furthermore, they have been the 6th team with most possession (58%) and the 4th team with the highest passing accuracy (90.5%). Regardless, Real Madrid prove to be their first true challenge in the UCL this season.

Carlo Ancelloti’s side shockingly lost their Matchday 2 matchup against Lille after Jonathan David converted on the spot following Camavinga’s handball in the area, late in the first half. However, Real Madrid have found their form in La Liga, winning four out of their last five games. This matchup comes at a crucial time for Real Madrid as they will definitely be looking to overcome Dortmund in order to get some points back on the board and climb the league table. With a difficult week ahead, ending with El Clásico on Saturday, Los Blancos will surely look to take no prisoners.

Wednesday

For the fourth time in the last six seasons, Barcelona will face off against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. This game comes at a crucial week for Barcelona, as they face Sevilla on Sunday, Bayern on Wednesday, and travel to El Clásico at the Bernabeu on Saturday. Barcelona have not beaten Bayern since the first leg of the 2014/15 semifinals, the very same season in which they went on to win their most recent UCL. However, with the addition of Hansi Flick, former Bayern coach, and a young, rejuvenated Barcelona squad, this is arguably the best team to face Bayern since their infamous treble winning team.

24 out of a possible 27 points, top of LaLiga, Raphina with unrecognizable form, Lewandowksi reborn. Gavi and Olmo back, Lamine Yamal lighting up the wings — it is easy to see why several Barcelona fans are excited at the start of the new Flick era. That being said, despite Barcelona’s fiery start to LaLiga, they have had trouble gaining traction in the Champions League. It has been no secret that Barcelona’s mentality and form in this competition has lacked the past couple of years; with the Catalan club failing to qualify out of the group stages from 2021 to 2023, and failing to reach the quarter finals since their 2-8 loss to Bayern in 2020.

Bayern are top of the Bundesliga, however, they find themselves in the middle of the table after falling to Aston Villa in their most recent Champions League game. Despite this, Bayern have been clinical in their previous games and will prove to be a tough challenge for Barcelona’s back line. Through their first 7 games in the German league, Bayern have scored a whopping 24 goals in favor and they are just coming off a dominant 4-0 display against Stuttgart — another Bundesliga team competing in this year’s UCL.

Both teams have had to deal with injury setbacks. Barcelona have recently lost Marc Andre Ter Stegen for the rest of the season after a Patella tendon injury, while the Bavarian club have to deal with the loss of Aleksandar Pavlovic due to a shoulder injury and maybe even Jamal Musiala whose participation in this week’s matchup seems to be a doubt.

Players to Look Out For

Jhon Duran

Jhon Duran has arguably been the surprise of the season so far; having been in remarkable form, for both his club and country. Duran joined Aston Villa in January 2023 from Chicago Fire, and is currently the backup striker for the Villains, mostly coming in for Ollie Watkins. Despite not starting a league game this season, Duran has scored 4 goals coming off the bench, including his decisive goal against Bayern in the UCL. Most recently Jhon Duran found the back of the net with the Colombian national team, sealing their 4-0 victory against Chile. It will be important for Jhon Duran to keep up his current form against draw specialists Bologna — having picked off only one point in their first two games this Champions League campaign.

Viktor Gyökeres

Viktor Gyökeres is another key player to look out for. Gyökeres has 12 G/A in his first 8 games for Sporting CP in Liga Portugal this season, and recently bagged a goal in Sweden’s 3-0 win against Estonia this past international break. On the other hand, however, Sporting CP have only managed to pick up three points in their first two UCL games. Gyökeres will be looking to replicate his league form as Sporting face off against SK Sturm Graz, current leaders of the Austrian Bundesliga, on Tuesday.

Michael Olise

Michael Olise has had a remarkable start with his new club, Bayern Munich. Having moved from Crystal Palace to the Bavarian club, Olise has certainly made a case for transfer of the season so far. With 6 goals and 2 assists so far this season, Olise will look to be the difference maker in an air tight contest between Barcelona and Bayern Munich this Wednesday.

Potential Underdogs

The main underdog this matchday has to be PSV. Despite being 24th in the UCL standings, PSV are top of the Eredivisie winning their last five games. This week the Eindhoven based club will face off against PSG, who lost their last UCL game to Arsenal 2-0. In spite of their current league run, PSG have been unable to convince fans about their current form in European cup games. The Parisians narrowly beat Girona with a last minute own goal in their first Champions League game and were beaten by the Gunners despite their 65% possession in the game. Their lack of ability to convert has cost them three points so far this UCL campaign, and if PSV are able to capitalize on their chances, they could walk away from the Parc des Princes with a win.