Defending champions Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Real Madrid can all advance to the round 16 of the Champions League if they win their fourth group stage match respectively on Tuesday and Wednesday. Each is at home against an opponent it beat on the road three weeks ago.
Bayern v Galatasaray
Bayern has won 16 straight group-stage games in the Champions League and has not lost one since 2017. On Saturday, Bayern humiliated Borussia Dortmund 4-0 in its stadium, fired by Harry Kane’s third hat-trick of the season.
Patience has been a virtue for Bayern in recent weeks. Speaking after the reverse fixture, which Bayern won 3-1, goalscorer Kingsley Coman noted: “It wasn’t easy because they created a lot of pressure, but there was more space in the second half and I think that’s why we scored more after the break.”
To underline the point, Thomas Tuchel’s men ran in eight second-half goals in their next outing against Darmstadt. However, Kaan Ayhan believes Galatasaray can match them for 90 minutes, saying: “We put Bayern under a lot of pressure, not only in the first half but throughout the game, and created a lot of scoring chances.”
Man City v Young Boys
Elite supremacy will likely be confirmed when Man City hosts Young Boys on Tuesday. Pep Guardiola praised Erling Haaland after his two goals helped City past the Swiss outfit on Matchday 3, though he admitted the relentless Norwegian striker needs better service:
“This guy is going to score goals all his life,” he said. “He’s an incredible threat, but we sometimes miss the players who have the ability to find the pass, the tempo, like Kevin [De Bruyne] and Gündogan in the past.” Meanwhile, YB coach Raphaël Wicky laid out his blueprint for stopping the holders on Matchday 4: “You need a perfect game against a team like this. Perfect means taking your chances and not conceding from set pieces.”
Real Madrid v Braga
Madrid began the weekend leading La Liga and is home to the most thrilling player in world football currently. Jude Bellingham scored twice in a statement 2-1 win at Barcelona last weekend and also in each Champions League game so far.
However, Braga gave the Spanish giants a run for their money on Matchday 3 but, with three points from three games, coach Artur Jorge is aware qualification is difficult.
“We are still in the fight but we have two difficult trips [Real Madrid and Napoli] next. But we have already shown that we are here to fight, like the warriors that we are.”
To spring an upset, they will need to quell Jude Bellingham, who scored in the reverse fixture then got two more as Madrid won El Clásico on 28 October.
“We’re all surprised at the level he’s at,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti. “He could easily score 20 or 25 goals. He’s a very important player for us. He’s the player who has made the biggest difference.
Shakhtar Donetsk v Barcelona
Barcelona will be the latest Champions League club to visit Shakhtar’s adopted home city of Hamburg for the competition this season. Royal Antwerp is next on November 28.
The Ukrainian side pushed Barcelona to the end in Marino Pušic’s first game at the helm and their new coach believes they are already bringing his vision onto the pitch.
“Shakhtar are a big team and we must play good football,” he said. “We must press opponents and try to impose ourselves. We showed courage when we needed to suffer.” His opposite number Xavi Hernández is expecting more of the same given his view on Shakhtar after that last meeting: “They competed for the ball, they wanted to match us – they were good in technical terms.”
Adeleke Damilola (ACTION) is a versatile content writer with expertise in news writing and a seasoned media professional and broadcast specialist. Currently serving as News Editor for DNews Info, Damilola is also the CEO of the ACTION brand, committed to shaping lives and establishing a legacy of excellence for present and future generations.
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