Paris (AFP)
The clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City, as well as the duel between AC Milan and Atlético Madrid, are on the program for the matches of the second day of the Champions League played on Tuesday.
- Group A: PSG revealing City -
(9 p.m.) RB Leipzig (GER) - Club Bruges (BEL)
Paris SG (FRA) - Manchester City (ENG)
In the absence of successful performances, Paris SG certainly hopes to reproduce its results in the league with eight victories in as many matches when Manchester City came into the shock of group A.
PSG could not do better than a draw (1-1) at the opening on the ground of the Belgians of Club Bruges while the English outclassed RB Leipzig in Manchester (6-3).
The Citizens had eliminated the Parisians in the semifinals of the previous edition of the C1 before failing in the final against Chelsea, which they had just beaten on Saturday in London (1-0) in the league.
In this sporting confrontation is mingled geopolitics with the opposition between Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, two rival donors with particularly substantial financial means who have still not won their common Grail, a first C1.
Paris SG should be able to field Argentinian Lionel Messi and Italian Marco Verratti against Belgian Kevin De Bruyne and Englishman Jack Grealish.
Brazilian striker Gabriel Jesus decisive in Manchester City's victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on September 25, 2021 Ben STANSALL AFP
Even if it has always managed to get out of the Champions League groups since its takeover by QSI in 2011, the nine-time French champion club, does not really have the right to make mistakes on Tuesday at the Parc des Princes.
A success is also strongly recommended for RB Leipzig at home against Club Brugge, the supposedly weakest team in a very tough pool.
Barely in the league so far, the team coached by the American Jesse Marsh relaunched by crushing Hertha Berlin on Saturday (6-0).
Against the leader of the Belgian championship, the Germans will count on the French Christopher Nkunku, author of a hat-trick against City and a double against Hertha.
- Group B: Milan to the challenge of Atlético -
(9:00 p.m.) AC Milan (ITA) - Atlético Madrid (ESP)
Porto (POR) - Liverpool (ENG)
In Group B, AC Milan, beaten in the opening at Anfield by Liverpool (3-2), will try to start their competition against Atlético Madrid.
AC Milan prepared well for the shock against Atlético Madrid by winning at La Spezia, thanks in particular to a goal from Brahim Diaz (# 10), September 25, 2021 Alberto PIZZOLI AFP / Archives
The reigning Spanish champion was hooked two weeks ago by FC Porto (0-0).
In a very open group, the Colchoneros of Uruguayan Luis Suarez and French Antoine Griezmann will have to improve their current offensive form if they want to keep intact the hopes of finally winning a first coronation in C1 after three lost finals (1974, 2014 and 2016).
The Milanese are probably a little lacking in benchmarks because they have not participated in the C1 since 2014.
The Reds, crowned six times in the most prestigious European Cups, will be wary before an often difficult trip to FC Porto.
Jürgen Klopp's players eliminated the Dragons in the round of 16 in 2018 and in the quarter-finals in 2019.
- Group C: Dortmund and Ajax favorites -
(6.45 p.m.) Ajax Amsterdam (NED) - Besiktas (TUR)
(9 p.m.) Dortmund (GER) - Sporting Portugal (POR)
Borussia Dortmund, winner of Besiktas in Istanbul a fortnight ago (2-1), welcomes Sporting Portugal, who had been crushed at home by Ajax Amsterdam (5-1) in the opening.
Program of the 2nd day of the group stage of the Champions League 2021-2022 Vincent LEFAI AFP
Defeated Saturday by Borussia Monchengladbach (1-0), the teammates of Norwegian Erling Haaland will want to recover against the Portuguese.
For their part, the Dutch, in great shape with six consecutive successes in all competitions, receive Besiktas, who suffered their first defeat of the season in the league (2-1) against Altay Izmir on Friday.
- Group D: Inter under pressure -
(6:45 p.m.) Shakhtar Donetsk (UKR) - Inter Milan (ITA)
(9:00 p.m.) Real Madrid (ESP) - FC Sheriff (MDA)
Inter Milan, traveling to Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk in Group C would be well inspired to bring back the three points after losing at home against Real Madrid (1-0).
Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez during the match against Atalanta Bergamo in San Siro, September 25, 2021 Marco BERTORELLO AFP / Archives
But the Ukrainians are also in a bad position following their setback (2-0) against the Moldovans of Sheriff Tiraspol, however new to the competition.
Solid leader of La Liga, despite a draw conceded this weekend at home against Villarreal (0-0), Real will be the favorite against the Sheriff at the Santiago-Bernabeu.
© 2021 AFP