Week 3 of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League will take place between Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Here are the three top matches to watch during this week’s slate.
Galatasaray vs Real Madrid (Tuesday, 20:00 BST)
On paper, Los Merengues look like massive favourites to win this match given their depth, quality and experience. However, it is not going to be an easy fixture for Los Merengues. Especially playing on the road since teams have always struggled when playing on Turkish soil. And the fact that Galatasaray are in dire need of a win shouldn’t make things easier for Zinedine Zidane’s men.
After the first two matches, both Real Madrid and Galatasaray sit out of the qualification zone with just one point, after posting identical D1, L1 marks. The main difference lies on the goalscoring side of things. While Madrid have already scored twice but conceded five, Galatasaray have conceded just once but are yet to score. Undoubtedly, whoever looks sharper on the final meters will take a step towards a potential Round of 16 berth. But things could get really complicated for Zidane if he doesn’t secure the three points here.
Ajax vs Chelsea (Wednesday, 17:55 BST)
This match has the potential to be one of the best contests in Week 3, and probably the entire Group Stage. Ajax have already proven they can go toe-to-toe with any team in Europe, but Chelsea are clearly on the rise under Frank Lampard’s tutelage and will pose a massive threat to the reigning Eredivisie champions.
After the first two matches, Ajax sit at the top of the standings with six points, six goals scored, and none conceded. They have been one of the best sides in the early stages of the Round Robin and should be confident to take another step towards a potential Round of 16 berth here. Chelsea (W1, L1) might be slightly depleted with the absence of N’Golo Kanté and fitness questions over both Ross Barkley and Emerson, but The Blues have enough quality to cause havoc on Ajax’s defensive unit especially if Tammy Abraham continues his torrid form of recent weeks (nine goals in his last nine appearances at club level).
Inter Milan vs Borussia Dortmund (Wednesday, 20:00 BST)
Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are two teams that, on paper, are good enough to reach a Round of 16 berth. However, both had the misfortune of sharing their group with FC Barcelona. In other words, the most likely scenario is that one of these two teams will advance, while the other will probably settle for a UEFA Europa League spot.
Right now, Dortmund top the group with four points and a +4 goal differential, while Inter sit in third place with one point and a -1 GD. In the even that both Dortmund and Barca win, there could be a six-point gap between second and third with three matches remaining. Dortmund could have a cushion, but this match has the makings of a “win-or-go-home” contest for Antonio Conte’s men. Will they be up to the challenge?
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