UEFA Champions League 2019-20: Gameweek 1 preview of tonight's matches
After an enthralling start to the UEFA Champions League 2019-20 season on Tuesday, gameweek 1 sees groups A-D starting their campaign tonight. There are some mouth-watering clashes on offer. Paris Saint-Germain host 13-time winners Real Madrid. Spanish giants Atletico Madrid play host to Italian champions Juventus. Injury-hit Manchester City take on Shakhtar Donetsk. Here is the preview.
What's in store tonight?
😏 We go again...
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 18, 2019
Where in the 🌍 are you watching from tonight? 🤔#UCL | @GazpromFootball
PSG face Real Madrid in crunch Group A clash
PSG have work to do against Real Madrid. The French giants will be without Kylian Mbappe and Edinson Cavani (injuries), besides Neymar (suspension). Real are also without several star players and things get quite interesting here. The presence of Eden Hazard will lift Real to produce those sparkling moments in this key Group A clash. PSG will want to see Mauro Icardi shine.
Guardiola's City will hope to stop Shakhtar resurgence
Group C sees Shakhtar Donetsk host Premier League champions Manchester City. It will be a tough battle for City, who have just one available centre-back in the form of Nicolas Otamendi. Fernandinho will fill in as the make-shift defender. Shakhtar will be a stern opponent with their counter-attacking prowess. "They are incredible on the counter-attack and playing short," said City boss Pep Guardiola.
Atletico face stern Juventus test at home
Atletico Madrid will be wary of Cristiano Ronaldo & Co. at home in a crunch Group D encounter. Last season, Juventus knocked out Atletico from the round of 16 and this is something the hosts will be wary of. One expects an all-round game across the pitch with many chances on offer. This will be an evenly fought contest between two strong outfits.
Other massive matches in store tonight
Group B sees Olympiacos face a resurgent Tottenham Hotspur at home. In the other game, Bayern Munich are in action against Crvena Zvezda. Group A sees Club Brugge face Turkish giants Galatasaray. Both these games are scheduled for 10:25 PM IST start. In Group D, Bayer Leverkusen face Lokomotiv Moscow. Group C sees Dinamo Zagreb take on Atalanta.
