Learn about the most prominent matches tonight in the European Champions .. Messi faces Guardiola
Argentine star Lionel Messi has returned to the squad of his French team, Paris Saint-Germain, after recovering from a knee injury, hours before the expected meeting tonight in the Champions League summit with Man City, and will therefore return to participate in the South American qualifiers for the World Cup 2022.
And Paris Saint-Germain announced today that Messi returned to his ranks to participate in the face of his guest, Manchester City, in the second round of the group stage in the prestigious European competition.
The Argentine striker sustained a severe bruise in his left knee after colliding with German Lyon defender Jerome Boateng on September 19 (2-1), so he was denied participation in the Metz and Montpellier matches.
The confrontation of Saint-Germain and City brings together two of the "richest" teams in the world, and they met on two occasions in the Champions League, the first in the 2016 quarter-finals when City qualified (2-2 and 1-0) thanks to Belgian Kevin De Bruyne, and the second in the semi-finals of the last edition when City excelled again (2-1 and 2-0) thanks to Algerian Riyad Mahrez and De Bruyne.
But this season's confrontation carries an additional excitement, as it will bring together Argentine Lionel Messi, the best player in the world six times, who is coming from Barcelona to Saint-Germain on a free deal, if his participation is confirmed after suffering an injury in the league and his absence for two games, with his former coach in Barcelona, Pep Guardiola.
In Madrid, Ancelotti described the beginning of his second career with Real as a "honeymoon", after five victories and two draws, to take the lead in the Spanish league, three points behind Atletico Madrid, the defending champion, and five from rivals Barcelona, while he achieved an important victory at the beginning of his continental career on the land of Inter, the Italian champion. A late goal from Brazilian Rodrigo.
While Real, the 13-times champion (a record), will be wary of Sheriff Tiraspol, who blew up a small surprise by beating Ukraine's Shakhtar Donetsk, Inter hope to make up for his fall quickly when he comes to Shakhtar.
Milan to transfer its local success and
highlights the Italian Milan's confrontation with Atletico Madrid, where the first is trying to compensate for its opening loss with Liverpool (2-3), while the latter intends to achieve its second victory when it comes to Porto, who in turn returns with a negative draw from Atletico.
In contrast to its recent seasons, Milan, the seven-time European champion, is enjoying a great season in the local league, as it occupies second place without losing (5 wins and a draw), two points behind Napoli, who has the full mark.
As for Atlético, they suffered a shocking loss in the local league against Alaves, bottom of the standings, to fall to fourth place.
In the second match, Liverpool is enjoying a distinguished start in the Premier League, being the only one who has not lost yet and leads the standings, in light of the great brilliance of his Egyptian star Mohamed Salah, who has five goals so far.
In Group C, Ajax Amsterdam and Borussia Dortmund hope to achieve their second victory, when they receive the first Turkish Besiktas and the second Sporting Portugal.
Schedule for Round 2 (Tuesday) UAE time (+4 GMT)
Group A
Leipzig (Germany) - Club Brugge (Belgium) 21:00
Paris Saint-Germain (France) - Manchester City (England) 21:00
Group B
Milan (Italy) - Atletico Madrid (Spain) 21:00
Porto (Portugal) - Liverpool (England) 21:00
Group C
Ajax (Netherlands) - Besiktas (Turkey) 20:45
Dortmund (Germany) - Sporting (Portugal) 21:00
Group D
Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine) - Inter (Italy) 20:45
Real Madrid (Spain) - Sheriff Tiraspol (Moldova) 21:00
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