The second day of the Champions League group stage begins this Tuesday evening, with two matches at 6:45 p.m. and two others at 9:00 p.m. Which poster to follow first? Who are the French who could shine at Inter Milan, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid? Five questions to find out everything.
Don’t miss the enticing duel between Naples and Real Madrid, in the hell of the Diego Armando Maradona stadium (9 p.m.). Both teams won their first match in Pool C and are in good form in the league. After a period of uncertainty marked by a defeat against Lazio (1-2) and two worrying draws in Genoa (2-2) and Bologna (0-0), Rudi Garcia’s Napoli recovered well with two wide victories against Udinese (4-1) and Lecce (0-4).
In conflict with his club since the publication of a video mocking him, Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has regained momentum by scoring two goals in two matches. As for the Merengue, they have just taken the lead in La Liga thanks to a success (0-3) on the Girona pitch. The unstoppable Vinicius is back from injury, and rookie Jude Bellingham walks on water. 7 goals and 2 assists in 8 games for the England international!
The Sang et Or had been buried too quickly before their first match in Seville. They showed up there with a sad record in the championship, but ultimately brought back an interesting draw (1-1). Enough to finally launch their season. Because since then, Franck Haise’s men have had two consecutive successes in the championship, against Toulouse (2-1) and Strasbourg (0-1). Against Arsenal (9:00 p.m.), Lens will be able to count on the fervor of its public, who are returning to the Champions League at Bollaert for the first time since 2002.
The fact remains that the match promises to be difficult against the Gunners who are still undefeated this season, authors of six wins and two draws in eight matches, in all competitions. Mikel Arteta’s players have just corrected Bournemouth 4-0, the same score as that inflicted on PSV Eindhoven two weeks ago, in C1. “It will be a very difficult away game,” warns Arteta. However, the Londoners arrive in Lens with full confidence and having won everything this season outside their bases (4 victories).
Matthys Tel (18 years old, Bayern Munich): The winger trained at Stade Rennais only has the bits of matches to get his teeth into. But he makes the most of it. Already 5 goals and 1 assist in 280 minutes this season, or a decisive action every… 45 minutes. This is the perfect replacement, both effective and impactful. “It’s unfair for him because he deserves to be a starter, but we have to go little by little. To have a player who has this influence every time he comes off the bench is incredible. If he continues like this, it’s a matter of time before he starts,” said Thomas Tuchel, his coach. Why not in Copenhagen (9 p.m.)?
SEE ALSO – The goals of Sané and Tel for Bayern’s victory against Mönchengladbach on September 2 (1-2)
Marcus Thuram (26 years old, Inter Milan): Coming from Germany this summer, the former Guingamp player is starting to find his feet within the Inter team. 2 goals in 8 matches, but above all 6 assists. Thuram did not start in the first match against Real Sociedad (1-1). It’s hard to imagine Simone Inzaghi doing without her striker against Benfica (9:00 p.m.).
William Saliba (22 years old, Arsenal): The former ASSE and OM player has established himself as the captain of the Gunners defense. Last season, his long-term back injury played a role in his failure to win the Premier League title. “It’s clear that with me, Arsenal could have been champions. But now, injuries are part of football and we are focused on this season,” he said on Téléfoot. In full possession of his means at the start of the 2023-24 financial year, Saliba will be keen to shine in Lens (9:00 p.m.).
They will also be out: Anthony Martial and Raphaël Varane (Manchester United), Kingsley Coman and Dayot Upamecano (Bayern Munich), Benjamin Pavard (Inter Milan), Loïc Badé and Boubakary Soumaré (Sevilla FC), Aurélien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga and Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Tanguy Ndombélé (Galatasaray), Olivier Boscagli (PSV Eindhoven)
Beaten at the end of an incredible match at Bayern Munich two weeks ago (4-3), Manchester United missed their start on the star track. In Group A, the Germans have 3 points, Copenhagen and Galatasaray one point each, and the Red Devils zero. A defeat at home against the Turks of Galatasaray is forbidden. It would put its back against the wall a club already behind in the Premier League, 10th nine points behind the leader, Manchester City. Erik ten Hag’s team suffered a setback at Old Trafford on Saturday against Crystal Palace (0-1). To avoid the start of a crisis, we must ensure this Tuesday.
Six months earlier, Inter Milan dismissed Benfica in the quarter-finals of the Champions League (0-2, 3-3). A step on the road to a first final since 2010 for the Nerazzurri. A frustration for the Lisbon residents, nevertheless crowned champions of Portugal. Both teams have kept their hard core, and the SLB undoubtedly harbors a desire for revenge. Especially since after its surprise defeat at home against Salzburg (0-2), Benfica wasted a joker. Inter, held in check at Real Sociedad (1-1), also has a limited margin for error.