Here we go for Match Day Two in the Champions League yesterday and today. The first week had a few surprises and I wouldn’t bet against a few more this time around. Already drama has started with Jose Mourinho walking out of a pre match press conference after taking exception to questions regarding Kevin DeBryne. I would be surprised if this was the only drama of the next 48 hours.
We see a reverse of the days from Match Day one and so the teams who played on Tuesday last time now play on the Wednesday and vice versa. Without further delay let me give you a rundown of how it looks.
All Kick Off times are 7:45 BST/2:45 ET unless stated.
GROUP A:
Leverkusen v Real Sociadad:
Both teams lost their opening games in the Champions League. Leverkusen lost 4-2 away to Manchester United while Sociadad lost 2-0 in a home game to Shakhtar. As I kept stressing in yesterdays preview, it is important for teams to win their home games in order to progress. Sociadad didn’t do that on Matchday one and Leverkusen have that opportunity today.
As for Sociadad, you have to worry about them with the home loss on the opening game and now facing a tough German side. Their weekend result was a 1-1 draw with Sevilla and now find themselves down to 13th in their league.
Prediction: 2-0
Shakhtar v Manchester United:
Going to the Ukraine is never an easy place to go for any team. For Manchester United, who have now lost two of the last two Premier League games, will not be looking forward to this. Shakhtar won their opening game convincingly away from home against Sociadad and will certainly not be fearing the once mighty Reds this time around.
For David Moyes, with the exception of the Capital One Cup a week ago, has been feeling the pressure. A hammering by neighbors Manchester City and home defeat to West Brom was either side of a win against Liverpool in the Cup. A defeat in this game will see the fans get just that little bit more twitchy in their seats and currently being 12th in the Premier League after 6 games has certainly raised questions.
Prediction: 2-1
GROUP B:
Juventus v Galatasary:
Juventus only managed a draw away to FC Copenhagen in Matchday 1 and will look to home advantage in order to get their Champions League campaign back on track. What would not have made coach Antonio Conte happy was the news that Roberto Mancini, the Ex Manchester City Manager was named Head Coach for the visitors. Juventus are his boyhood heroes but make no mistake, Mancini will be out to flex his Champions League muscle with his new club.
When a new Coach comes on board it is difficult to figure out how they will play. The team gets a lift if the previous Manager wasn’t performing and there can be a certain lift given. Mancini has won in Italy and with teams abroad. Where he lacks though is in this particular competition.
It will certainly be interesting to see how this one goes with the ousted Manager possibly also meeting up with the player who refused to warm up for him two years ago, Carlos Tevez, who of course now plays for Juventus.
Prediction: 3-0
Real Madrid v FC Copenhagen:
I made a mistake yesterday in my reporting. It was actually Real Madrid who lost the game at the weekend 1-0 and not Atletico. Real Madrid have been less than convincing so far this season in the League. Sure, they did win 5-0 away in matchday one but find themselves five points behind Atletico and Barca.
This will be the exact game Carlo Ancelotti will be looking at to kick start the Madrid season but be aware as the Copenhagen side will also feel they have nothing to lose. They are not expected to win and so they can leave everything on the pitch.
Gareth Bale is out and Xavi Alonso is till recovering from a broken foot.
Prediction: 4-0
GROUP C:
Anderlecht v Olympiacos:
It will be interesting to see what happens in this particular game. Both lost their opening ties and neither are really expected to qualify, as a result I think this game will give us an indication as to who will be going home after six games and who will be dropping into the Europa League.
Keep an eye on Tielemans who at only 16 years old is making good impressions in the center of midfield for the Belgium side. A target for a big money move if he has a good European run maybe, but Anderlecht will be hoping they can hold onto him for a few more seasons.
Olympiacos are not just here to make up the numbers though and do have threats of their own. In particular the ex Madrid and Benfica striker, Javier Saviola. Four goals in six games is certainly not a bad return for the 31 year old Argentine.
Prediction: 1-0
PSG v Benfica:
Paris St Germain will win this Group of that I have no doubt. That said, this Benfica side are a potential slippery pole and, if the PSG coach isn’t careful he could find it a really tough night in the French capital.
The crowd may make it a bit more comfortable with Paris boasting a large Portuguese population, the second largest in Europe in fact. That said I still think the players PSG have will be too much for Benfica and their Manager Laurent Blanc has been around the block enough to know not to take anything for granted.
Prediction: 3-1
GROUP D:
CSKA Moscow v Viktoria Plzen (Kick Off 5pm BST/12pm ET)
Moscow lost out to a dominant Munich side in Matchday one while Plzen played well against Manchester City with the exception of a ten minute spell when they conceded three goals.
Moscows progression from the Group will depend on how their key man Honda plays. They should have enough for Plzen and will probably be fighting it out with Manchester City to see who goes on to Champions League knockout and who goes into the Europa League.
For Plzen the task is much the same as Celtics, put yourself about, leave a good account of yourselves and hopefully nick a result.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester City v Bayern Munich:
I do not think it is too much to say that this game is the tie of today in the Champions League. These two met at the Allienz Arena just over two years ago when Bayern won 2-0 but the game is more remembered, certainly by City fans, as the game Tevez refused to play. The return game at City finished in a 2-0 win for City but despite the win giving them the 10pts usually needed it would be Valencia who would progress.
In 1977 City also faced Bayern Munich in the UEFA Cup Third Round an away tie finished 2-2 but the return fixture at Manchester’s Maine Road finished 3-0 to knock the Germans out. Scoring one goal in each game was Manchester City’s current coaching staff member, Brian Kidd.
So there is history there which favors City but Bayern are current Champions League and European champions and haven’t lost a Champions League game since March 2011.
If you forget about the weekends game then City are on a great run. Beat Plzen 3-0, United 4-1 and Wigan 5-0 before slumping to a 3-2 loss against Villa. Pellegrini will be looking for a response.
For Bayern, everyone know what they have to offer and in coach Guardiola they have one cool customer. Schweinsteiger, who I personally vote as the most German name ever, is struggling for fitness and Gotze may return to the substitutes bench.
Prediction: 3-1
