After some interesting results in the previous group stage games on Matchday 2, Matchday 3 promises to bring us more of the same. Here’s what’s happening on Day 2 of Matchday 3:
Group A
FC Internazionale Milano vs Tottenham Hotspur
Frontrunners Inter take on Tottenham Hotspur in the first game of the group. Both the teams are tied with same points. Under the stewardship of Rafa Benitez, Inter have won three of their last four home games and conceded only once. In their last European outing, they thrashed a hapless Bremen team in front of the home crowd. Though Inter have suffered two big blows by losing both Diego Milito and Esteban Cambiasso through injury, they are still favourites to win this clash.
Harry Redknapp’s team have done reasonably well in their recent away fixtures. Tottenham have lost only once in their last four away fixtures this season. They are currently placed at fifth spot in the Premier League, though they’ve earned equal points as Manchester United and Arsenal. A victory at San Siro would help them surpass Inter to become the leaders of this group.
Inter star Eto’o is in blazing form
FC Twente Enschede vs Werder Bremen
FC Twente host Werder Bremen in the other clash of this group. Last year Bremen ousted FC Twente over two legs in the round of 32 in Uefa Europa League. FC Twente have won their last two home games against a Bundesliga opponent. FC Twente’s recent home form has also been brilliant. They are yet to lose at home.
A brilliant come back from behind against Inter earned them a respectable draw in the first match of this group,but a heavy defeat at the hands of Tottenham has changed all the equation. The Dutch outfit would like to avenge their last year’s elimination to regain momentum for qualification to knockout stage from this group. Twente’s Emir Bajrami has been ruled out of the game due to injury.
Their rivals, Werder Bremen, have been through an awful time in domestic league. After eight matches,they are currently placed at 11th spot, with a goal difference of -4. Bremen have not won a single away match this season, losing three of their last 5 away games and conceding 13 times. After their heavy defeat against Inter, Twente will start firm favorites to clinch this encounter.
Group B
FC Schalke 04 vs Hapoel Tel Aviv
Schalke 04, who are currently flirting with the relegation zone in Bundesliga, have jumpstarted their European campaign with a big win over Benfica in their last European outing. Surprisingly enough, it was their first home victory in the season in all competitions. Wednesday night they host Hapoel Tel Aviv.
Hapoel Tel Aviv have lost both their opening games. Domestically, they have done exceptionally well. In their last 5 matches they’ve won three of them. Their top scorer Itay Shechter have already started attracting big European clubs. Though the team is fresh from a victory over arch rivals Maccabi Tel Aviv, it is expected that Schalke will edge past the Israeli club to ensconce their position in the group.
Shooting star Itay Shechter
Olympique Lyonnais vs Sporting Lisboa e Benfica
The pacesetters Olympique Lyonnais take on Sporting Sporting Lisboa e Benfica at Stad De Garland. Lyon are currently placed at the top of the group, winning their last two matches against Schalke and Hapoel. Though the team is not in a comfortable position in the French Ligue 1, they have won three of their last three encounters and are brimming with confidence.
Their opponents, Benfica, were shocked in their last outing by Schalke. Benfica have only lost that game in their last five outings, winning the rest four. The Portuguese outfit has an injury concern over prolific striker Oscar Cardozo and the Paraguayan might miss the upcoming European tie. Lyon’s record against a Portuguese outfits have never been good, winning only two out of their last nine games. But in the probable absence of Cardozo, Lyon will start as favourites to win this match.
Group C
Rangers FC vs Valencia FC
The Gers are currently going through a fine run of form, winning the last five fixtures comprehensively. They’ve played out a doughty draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford. In their second game they defeated Bursaspor to put an end to their year long victory-draught in the Champions League. On Wednesday, they take on Valencia at the Ibrox stadium.
Rangers have lost both their home games against Valencia in the past, most recently in Champions League 1999 group stage and have never beaten them in as many as four previous meetings. They are going to miss experienced midfielder Lee McCulloch through injury as well. The kind of form striker Kenny Miller is in and the way Rangers have performed of late, they might just get the better of their old foes this time around.
Valencia made a perfect start in their domestic season as well as in the Champions League. A victory against Bursaspor placed them at the top of their table. But a loss at the hands of Manchester United brought them down from pole position to third spot. To add to it, Valencia lost their pole position in La Liga as well, following a hard-fought defeat to Barcelona over the weekend. This could be a good game with Rangers trying to overturn history and Valencia aiming to regain lost grounds in the group stage.
Manchester United vs Bursaspor Kulübü Derneği
Manchester United are sitting comfortably at the top of group C. After an anonymous stalemate at Old Trafford against Rangers, United players upped the ante and returned from Valencia with three points. However, Premier League disappointments, coupled with rumors regarding a worsened relationship between Sir Alex Ferguson and Rooney, have not helped their case. Jonny Evans might miss the clash due to a hip injury. Even Rooney’s participation is extremely doubtful in the present scenario.
Will the injury saga end tomorrow?
Bottom-placed Turkish champions are desperate to get off the mark. After losing both their games thus far, it is a do-or-die game for Bursaspor. The team has not performed well in recent times. They have gone winless for three consecutive games. With the kind of form Bursaspor are in, United faithfuls will expect to settle with nothing less than a victory.
Group D
Panathinaikos FC vs FK Rubin Kazan
Panathinaikos are currently placed at the bottom of group D. The Greek champions have lost both their games so far – against Barcelona(away) and København(home). Currently at 2nd place in Greek Super League, Panathinaikos have a poor home record in European competitions, having won only two out of the eight games they’ve played. Panathinaikos need to win this game to keep their hopes alive to qualify for the knockout stage.
Rubin Kazan bounced back from their first game defeat to København with a gritty performance against Barcelona, playing out a 1-1 draw. Rubin’s away record in Champions League is not impressive, having lost two out of the three outings. But last season’s victory against Barcelona at Camp Nou provides evidence enough that they are no pushovers. Considering the desperation of both teams, this game could go down the wire to become the game of the day.
FC Barcelona vs FC København
Barcelona started its Champions League campaign with a bang when a brace from Messi inspired them to win against Panathinaikos by a margin of 5-1. The rampant Spanish Champions, however, were held by Rubin Kazan, a proven thorn in Barcelona’s side. Currently on 2nd place, Barcelona take on FC København in the battle for supremacy of group D. Barcelona have never lost to a Danish side in European fixtures, winning five of their six meetings. Although Barcelona’s recent home record in La Liga had been annoying, their deserved victory over Valencia have brought back the belief in the team.
Will Barcelona be able to ‘messimerize’ Kopenhagen?
København have enjoyed a fairytale run in the Champions League so far. Presently they hold top spot in their group after sealing victories in both the games. København’s away record in European competitions has been poor. In their last Champions League appearance in 2006/07, the Danish side had lost all three of its away fixtures. Considering København’s poor record against Spanish sides( no victories in six matches), Barcelona hold the edge over their continental rivals in this tie.