The UEFA Champions League returns for matchday 5, and here are 5 games you can’t afford to miss this midweek.
Barcelona vs Brest
Barcelona smashed Crvena Zvezda 5-2 on matchday 4, thanks to a brace from Robert Lewandowski, who now sits on the cusp of a milestone, with 99 Champions League goals.
Coach Hansi Flick had high praise for his striker, who is on the verge of becoming only the third player to reach a century of goals in the competition, after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
Standing in Lewandowski and Barca’s way are unbeaten Ligue 1 side, Brest, who currently sit higher than Barcelona in the standings.
Brest secured a 2-1 victory at Sparta Praha, and defender Kenny Lala believes that beating Barcelona would be a statement win for the competition debutants.
Manchester City vs Feyenoord
Pep Guardiola’s side were dealt a 4-1 Matchday 4 defeat by Rúben Amorim and his Sporting CP side in the Portuguese manager’s final home game before taking up his post as Manchester United boss. Phil Foden’s early strike faded into obscurity after a Viktor Gyökeres hat-trick as Guardiola rued a lack of sharpness at both ends of the field.
The 2023 champions come into this one on the back of 5 straight defeats and Feyenoord will be licking their lips at the prospect of adding to the pain.
Sporting CP vs Arsenal
Joao Pereira has big shoes to fill as he takes the reins from Rúben Amorim in the Champions League. His predecessor guided the Portuguese club to second in the league phase table, boasting an undefeated record of three wins and one draw.
His first Champions League fixture is a tricky one, too, taking on Premier League giants Arsenal, who seem to be getting back to form.
They made light work of Nottingham Forest, winning 3-0 at the weekend, and the return of Martin Odegaard has brought back smiles to the faces of Gunners fans.
Inter Milan vs RB Leipzig
Along with Atalanta, Inter are the only other side in the league phase yet to concede a goal, following their 1-0 win over Arsenal. According to Lautaro Martínez, this is one of the biggest positives about their campaign so far.
“We didn’t concede any goals, and this is positive because in the [domestic] league, we conceded too many,” said the Nerazzurri striker.
Leipzig, on the other hand, are yet to win in the Champions League this season. They desperately need to win this game to stand any chance of progressing.
Bayern Munich vs PSG
Vincent Kompany has steadied the ship at Bayern after that heavy 4-1 defeat to Barcelona on matchday 3. The Bavarians defeated Benfica on matchday 4 thanks to Jamal Musiala’s strike, and another win here will put them in pole position.
Meanwhile, PSG Paris slipped into the elimination places thanks to a last-gasp defeat by Atleti and, defeat at the Allianz might set the alarm bells off.
Luis Enrique will be keen to avoid any defensive lapses, and captain Marquinhos has sounded the warning, saying;
“We are still not efficient enough. In big matches, against great players, you can get punished,”
