What To Watch on Matchday 3

By: Rob | October 20th, 2009

So here we are again, on another Champions League Tuesday. And here are my pick of the games that are worth watching this evening, and as a fun bonus, tomorrow night as well. The groups are beginning to take shape now, and some of the bigger teams are finding themselves in the position of having to get their finger out and get on with it, if they want to be playing in this competition come next year.

Tuesday:

Inter Vs Dynamo Kiev

Flying high after a 5-0 win at the weekend, Inter will go into this match strong favourites. But Shevchenko is lining up against them, and he’s got a fantastic record against Inter from his Milan days. He’d absolutely love to add to his tally tonight.

Liverpool Vs Lyon

Arguably the big one this evening. After losing last time around to Fiorentina, Liverpool are in the precarious position of 3rd, having only beat the groups whipping boys Debrecen 1-0 in the first matchweek. After the Beach-Ball madness at the weekend, Liverpool will need to…er…bounce back. Liverpool have done the whole slow starting in the Champions League only to pull it back late on before though, so who knows?

Stuttgart Vs Sevilla

The top 2 teams in Group G have a good chance of stretching their legs ahead of the rest of the group. A win for either side would put them in a great position – it’d basically put Sevilla through if they won, while Stuttgart need to fight off the teams below them a little more.

Wednesday

CSKA Moscow Vs Manchester United

United have been winning games this season, but haven’t look the convincing frontrunners they usually do – probably due to the fact that a certain Portuguese (who is currently the top scorer in the CL) is pying his trade in Madrid. CSKA don’t really do losing at home, and there is the infamous Plastic Pitch to deal with. I have a feeling there might be a upset here.

Bordeaux Vs Bayern

Both teams sit atop of Group A with 4 points, but with Juventus breathing down their necks, they will both want to make sure they get all three points here. If Juve win as expected, they’ll have 5 points, which means a draw in this game would leave the group wide open, while a win for either side puts them in a strong position.

Chelsea Vs Atlético Madrid

Atleti have looked completely off the pace in La Liga, but the return of multi-Golden Boot winner Diego Forlán will galvanise them. Chelsea meanwhile have begun to look the aged side they are, and with Petr Cech a long way from the rock that he once was there is a good chance there will be goals in this one.

Real Madrid Vs Milan

An absurd 16 European Cups between them means that all eyes would always be on this one. Throw in the fact that Kaká is playing against the club that made him too, and you have one hell of a spicy encounter. Milan have looked oddly out of sorts all season, but have begun to fight back and are now just three points from the fabled Champions League places. Leonardo could definately do with inspiring his team to a win here, against a Madrid side that will lack Ronaldo, who is injured.