A look at Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid, Celtic v Manchester City and Atlético Madrid v Bayern Munich, plus best XIs from six European leagues
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid, Tuesday
These clubs meet for the seventh time in four years on Tuesday to continue a Champions League rivalry that has sparked in recent seasons. Home advantage has been key in the previous six matches and Dortmund have every right to feel confident going into this one. After a surprising 1-0 defeat at RB Leipzig in their first away match of the Bundesliga season, Thomas Tuchel’s side have won their last four games in all competitions, scoring 21 goals in the process.
The way the Dortmund midfield has supported star striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who has six goals in five games this season – has been particularly impressive. Gonzalo Castro has had a hand in eight goals already and Raphaël Guerreiro, who has been converted from a left-back to great effect, has scored three and provided three assists in his last four appearances.
Real Madrid have stuttered in the last couple of weeks after putting together a 16-game winning streak in La Liga. Disappointing draws against Villarreal and Las Palmas have coincided with an injury to Casemiro. Perhaps more worrying is the form of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has struggled since his return from injury. Zinedine Zidane substituted the forward on Saturday in the 2-2 draw at Las Palmas. Ronaldo did not look pleased but the manager’s decision was fully justified; Ronaldo has earned the lowest rating of all Madrid’s outfielders to start more than once in the league this season (6.81).
Gareth Bale has not scored in five matches, but the holders have goals throughout the side. In fact, in the 13 matches these sides have played this season, there have been as many as 23 different goalscorers. This should be a cracker, particularly with Madrid lacking the unglamorous shield to their glamorous back four.
Atlético Madrid v Bayern Munich, Wednesday
This battle between clubs from La Liga and the Bundesliga on Wednesday night promises to be a different prospect entirely as Bayern Munich look for revenge after their defeat to Atlético in last season’s semi-finals. This should be a duel of the defences. Atlético have added a number of flair players to their squad in recent windows but their success is still built upon defensive resilience and commitment, particularly in big matches. Their French forwards, Antoine Griezmann and Kévin Gameiro, may be the envy of the continent, but their back four has been crucial during their unbeaten start to the season.
They may have gone seven games without tasting defeat, but this has been an underwhelming start to the campaign, with three wins and three draws in the league and an unconvincing victory against PSV in their first Champions League match only secured by a penalty save from the outstanding Jan Oblak. The former Benfica keeper is establishing himself as one of the best in Europe and he is likely to be busy against a prolific Bayern Munich side who were able to rest key players for their 1-0 win at Hamburg on the weekend.
Joshua Kimmich was the unlikely matchwinner on Saturday as he continued a remarkable goalscoring run, though Robert Lewandowski still poses the greatest threat for the visitors. Lewandowski’s goal wasn’t enough to stop Atlético from winning the semi-final on away goals earlier this year, but he is firing once more, with six goals in six games in the league and Champions League so far this season.
Franck Ribéry is also proving that he still has plenty to offer. The Frenchman has profited from a full pre-season and looks back to his very best, with two goals and five assists in the league. His return to form has been a welcome one given Thomas Müller’s recent struggles in front of goal. Müller’s place in the team could even come under threat from fit again Arjen Robben – how the Bayern fans would love to see their famed “Robbery” back in action, with the two named in the same starting XI just once since March 2015.
The home supporters will look to Antoine Griezmann for the winner. Having scored five of the team’s 11 league goals this season, the Frenchman has become the leading light for this side. If Mats Hummels – who was forced off at the weekend – isn’t fit to start, the hosts will surely look to pit their star striker against Javi Martínez rather than the more mobile Jérôme Boateng. In a tight match, that individual contest could be crucial.
Celtic v Manchester City, Wednesday
If Celtic are to provide any competition to Manchester City and Barcelona in Group C they need to hit their stride at Parkhead on Wednesday night. City have done just that under Pep Guardiola so far though, with a 4-0 win in their Champions League opener among their strongest showings from a 100% record this season. Brendan Rodgers’ start to life in Glasgow has also been notable – not least with a thumping win in the Old Firm derby – but a 7-0 hammering in Barcelona suggests his side are unlikely to produce any big upsets in Europe.
City also have a forward in flying form, with Raheem Sterling meeting his former boss, Brendan Rodgers, who deserves some credit for the youngster’s development. That progress was stunted during a difficult first season in Manchester, but Sterling is flourishing once again under Guardiola. Four goals and two assists in the league give him a rating of 7.90, making him the third highest rated player in the Premier League so far, not far below first-placed Kevin De Bruyne (8.16) and not far above seventh-rated Sergio Agüero (7.71). De Bruyne is suffering from a hamstring injury but if Sterling or Agüero continue in the same vein, the hosts will little chance of providing another memorable European upset at Celtic Park.
Premier League team of the week
La Liga team of the week
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Ligue 1 team of the week
Liga NOS team of the week
