Champions League Match Day 2: 6 Key Battles to Watch

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The second match day in the UEFA Champions League is quickly approaching and although there may not be the marquee match ups like last match day, there are plenty of key battles to watch.

On paper, the matches on Wednesday are much better than Tuesday's matches, but the importance of the matches do not lessen one bit.

The spotlight will be on Manchester on Wednesday as Manchester City host Borussia Dortmund in Group D, but there are plenty other battles this week that are must-watch matches as well.

BATE Borisov vs. Bayern Munich

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The biggest surprise of match day one was BATE Borisov's 3-1 win over Lille in France.

Now, the Belarusian club head home to host Bayern Munich in Group F on Tuesday.

Bayern Munich are one of the hottest clubs in Europe right now as they are undefeated in the Bundesliga and have won their first Group F match.

This match should be an easy win for the high-flying Germans, who have had no difficulty in scoring this season, but they should wary that their opponents are no pushover.

Porto vs. PSG

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On Wednesday, the top two clubs in Group A will square off at the Estadio do Dragao.

Both clubs won their first matches of the group stage and are expected to advance out of the group.

This match is one for PSG to prove themselves as a title contender as they go into a hostile environment in Portugal against a club that is very experienced in European play.

However, PSG has Zlatan Ibrahimovic, and regardless of how the rest of the team plays, Zlatan always shows up in European play.

Porto have not missed a beat in domestic play after selling Hulk to Zenit St. Petersburg, but his absence could begin to be felt on Wednesday if the Portuguese club lack options in attack.

Anderlecht vs. Malaga

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While all the focus will be on the other match in Group C, Anderlecht and Malaga will square off in Belgium on Wednesday,

Anderlecht drew with AC Milan at the San Siro on match day one while Malaga won big over Zenit St. Petersburg.

The big matchup to watch in this one is the stubborn Anderlecht defense against the potent Malaga attack led by Isco.

The clean sheet at the San Siro may be a fluke for the Belgian club, as they have only one clean sheet in six domestic matches.

On the other hand, Malaga have only been held scoreless once in La Liga this season and have scored two or more goals in three domestic matches so far this season.

Zenit St. Petersburg vs. AC Milan

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Speaking of the other match in Group C, AC Milan will travel to Russia to take on Zenit St. Petersburg on Wednesday.

Both clubs are not playing up to their abilities at the moment and it showed on match day one as Milan drew with Anderlecht and Zenit lost to Malaga.

Zenit have not won since the acquisition of Hulk and Axel Witsel and have slipped down to seventh place in the table after winning their first four games in the Russian Premier League.

Milan are in 11th place in Serie A at the moment and have not won consecutive matches yet this season.

One thing about the match at the Petrovski Stadium is for sure and that is both clubs need a win on Wednesday, not just for the good of their European campaign but for the good of their entire season.

Juventus vs. Shakhtar Donetsk

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Tuesday's Group C match between Shakhtar Donetsk and Juventus is a crucial one in only the second match day.

This match containing two clubs that are on the top of their leagues domestically has potential to be a very good match as both clubs are in great form.

Shakhtar are on top of the group after an opening win over group minnows, Nordsjaelland and could take a commanding lead in the table with an away win on Tuesday.

Juventus are coming off of a draw against Chelsea in their first group match and a win at home against the Ukrainian club would put them in the drivers seat in the group.

 

Manchester City vs. Borussia Dortmund

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The marquee match of match day two occurs in Manchester on Wednesday night.

Manchester City will host Borussia Dortmund in Group D, which is otherwise known as this year's group of death.

The defending champions of England have only lost once this season, and that was to Real Madrid in their first Group D match.

The defending champions of Germany only have one loss this season, which was to Bayer Leverkeusen in the Bundesliga, and have been almost scoring at will in their past few matches.

The eye in this match will be on the City attack which consists of Edin Dzeko, Sergio Aguero and company who will go up against the Dortmund defensive pair of Neven Subotic and Mats Hummels, one if Europe's top club defensive pairings.