The Champions League returns this week, and despite it only being Matchday 3, there are a few struggling giants who could desperately do with wins. Some big clubs are facing the prospect of not making it through the group stage and as a some big-named managers could be left staring down the barrel if they do drop out of the competition early.
With that in mind there is plenty at stake over an intriguing two nights of action. Here are the top three games to keep an eye on.
Galatasaray v Real Madrid
Real Madrid, winners of the European Cup on 13 occasions, in the Europa League? It would be a disaster for the European giants, but unless they get a win in Istanbul on Tuesday night, then it is a real possibility.
Hammered 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 1, they then squandered a two-goal lead at home to Club Bruges in the next game to leave them sitting bottom of Group A with one point. Real are playing for second spot. Luckily for them, Galatasaray and Bruges have also yet to win, so take PSG out of the equation, it is very tight.
Even so, anything other than a win and even more pressure will be on Zinedine Zidane, with reports claiming Jose Mourinho is being lined up to return to the Bernabeu.
Tottenham v Red Star Belgrade
Like Real Madrid, Tottenham are playing for second in Group B and are in desperate need of all three points against Red Star, who sit two points above them.
Last season’s runners-up were hammered 7-2 by Bayern Munich on home soil on Matchday 2 and have work to do or they could also be contemplating a drop down to the Europa League.
In normal circumstances Spurs would be a home banker in a game like this. But these are not normal circumstances and Red Star will fancy their chances of getting a result. Mauricio Pochettino is another man feeling the heat and needs a win.
Inter Milan v Borussia Dortmund
Inter may be going well in Serie A but the same cannot be said of the Champions League as they currently sit bottom of the group of death with one point.
With their next opponents and Barcelona both on four points, it’s not looking good for Antonio Conte’s men and a win is a must.
It is fair to say that Conte has been brought in to wrestle the Scudetto off Juventus, but an early exit from the Champions League certainly wasn’t on the agenda. It is unlikely his position as coach would be under threat if they were eliminated but it would still be regarded as a failure.
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