Champions League Preview: Bayern Host Arsenal as Real and Inter Aim High
The Champions League third round features a marquee matchup between Bayern Munich and Arsenal, while Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and Cesc Fabregas' Como prepare for crucial European fixtures.
The third round of the Champions League continues on Wednesday, highlighted by the blockbuster clash between Bayern Munich and the flawless Arsenal. Real Madrid, Aston Villa, Betis, and Sporting Lisbon will host their matches as they attempt to maintain their perfect records, while Inter Milan seeks its first points at San Siro against Shakhtar Donetsk, and Cesc Fabregas’ Como prepares to face Manchester United.
Bayern Munich vs. Arsenal
Bayern vented their frustrations by crushing Leipzig 6:1, returning to the top of the Bundesliga following a 3:3 draw against Viking in Norway during the previous Champions League matchday. Now, they aim to register their 40th consecutive unbeaten home match at this stage of the competition. However, facing Europe's best defense will not be easy. They will be missing the suspended Michael Olise, while Manuel Neuer has trained and is expected to start in goal.
Arsenal has yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season, riding a 14-game winning streak in the league phase of the tournament. Nevertheless, the Gunners have secured only a single victory on German soil in their last eight visits. Christos Tzolis remains sidelined through injury, alongside William Saliba and Piero Hincapie, while Noni Madueke is expected to start after scoring the winner against Nottingham Forest.
Real Madrid vs. RB Leipzig
Four days before the season's first El Clasico, Jose Mourinho is expected to rotate his squad, understanding that his fringe players can still secure a historic milestone with a goal in 45 consecutive home Champions League matches. Leipzig has looked stellar at home, but away from home, Martin Demichelis has struggled to find solutions, having suffered a heavy 6:1 defeat to Bayern Munich over the weekend. Vinicius Junior returns to the starting lineup after serving a domestic suspension, with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Alvaro Carreras also expected to feature.
Inter Milan vs. Shakhtar Donetsk
Last season's Italian champions find their backs against the wall in the Champions League after suffering defeats in their opening two fixtures and enduring a record four-game losing streak in the competition. Cristian Chivu's side must avoid complacency against a Shakhtar team boasting 10 wins from their last 12 matches across all competitions, holding four points in the European campaign.
Como vs. Manchester United
"It is a dream come true," said Cesc Fabregas ahead of the historic encounter against Manchester United, a team he faced 24 times as a player for Arsenal and Chelsea. The modest Italian side aims to become the first club since Lazio in 1999/00 to win their opening two home matches in the Champions League, hoping to exploit the Red Devils' poor form under under-pressure manager Michael Carrick.
