Following
another long and jampacked international break, club football has resumed much
to the delight of football fans. As icing on the cake, the UEFA Champions
League’s group stage will bring with itself thrilling encounters between Europe’s
top sides.

Also Read – UCL: Thomas Tuchel reveals ‘mentally tired’ Lukaku might be rested vs Malmo

The first two
game weeks brought plenty of drama and surprises with itself; the same is expected
of the third matchday. Here’s what you can expect from the upcoming set of
fixtures:

FC
Barcelona to register their first Champions League win of the season

Life has been tough for the Catalan giants
ever since Lionel Messi departed to Paris Saint Germain in the summer.
Barcelona is struggling in the league and the Champions League is no exception.
They lost 3-0 to Bayern Munich and Benfica on the first two matchdays
respectively.

However, with both of Ansu Fati and Philippe
Coutinho back from long term injuries, the side look more balanced and
clinical. Koeman is under pressure to perform and the Blaugrana are expected to
mark a win against Dynamo Kyiv.

Also Read – Neymar ruled out of Paris Saint Germain-RB Leipzig Champions League match

Real Madrid to score a flurry of goals
against Shakhtar Donetsk

The Spanish side had to bear the grunt of
one of their most humiliating defeats on the previous matchday as Champions League
debutants Sheriff Tiraspol defeated Ancelotti’s men 2-1 in dominating fashion.

Madrid is expected to put their ghosts
behind and remind the world what they are made of on their trip to Shakhtar
Donetsk.

Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo to
score goals

Messi opened his account for Paris Saint
Germain in the big game encounter against Manchester City and is expected to score
for his new club once again against RB Leipzig.

While Cristiano Ronaldo will be hoping to
revive Manchester United against Atlanta since the club has managed to register
just one win in their last five games. Leicester thumped United for a four-goal
victory in their last Premier League encounter and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is
desperate for a win. 

Also Read – Real Madrid’s Karim Benzema to face trial over ‘sex tape’ blackmail case

Liverpool looking for revenge against
Atletico Madrid

Jurgen Klopp’s side have been very clinical
in front of goal lately as they have scored eight goals in their last two UCL
games. But at the same time their defence has been leaky and conceded three
goals in the two encounters.

They will be hoping to heal some of their
burns after being dumped out of last year’s UCL quarter finals by the Spanish
champions. While Atletico have kept a clean sheet in their last three home
games, Mohamed Salah is in scintillating form.

The Reds are on a 20-game unbeaten run and
will be looking to continue their good run of form when they visit the Wanda Metropolitano.