5 Players to Watch in Champions League Matchday 4
Although we are still in the middle of the Champions League group stage, this week’s matches have something of a second leg feel to them. Matchday 4 consists of the reverse fixtures from last time around, giving teams a chance for instant redemption.
Managers are hoping not to make the same mistakes twice, players are looking to build on areas of weakness discovered two weeks ago and BATE and Roma will just be hoping they don’t concede seven goals again.
Liverpool travel to Madrid for their crucial game against Real in Group B. Brendan Rodgers' side have three points after three games and could really do with leaving the Spanish capital with at least a point.
Without a win in the opening three games, Manchester City need to turn on the style at the Etihad Stadium. Nothing less than a win against CSKA Moscow will give them a realistic of reaching the knockout phase.
In Group F, both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain could secure their place in the last 16 with wins over Ajax and Apoel Nicosia.
Here are five players to watch in Matchday 4 of the Champions League.
Juventus: Paul Pogba
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France international Paul Pogba was left on the bench for Juventus' 2-0 win over Empoli this weekend, which more than likely means he was rested for Tuesday’s huge game against Olympiacos at the Juventus Stadium, but it also means he will mark a very special occasion when he returns to the starting line-up.
Massimiliano Allegri will be hoping that on his 100th appearance for the Old Lady, Pogba can inspire his team-mates to a much-needed victory against the Greek side.
Pogba has never scored in the Champions League, and after Juve were downed in Athens by Pajtim Kasami’s 35th-minute strike, what a time for the 21-year-old to celebrate his new contract by inspiring his team to all three points.
Juventus are three points behind both Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid after three games; they need to win their two remaining home games if they want to reach the last 16. That starts on Tuesday, and Pogba will be crucial if Allegri’s men are to come out on top.
Benfica: Nicolas Gaitan
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When Monaco sold James Rodriguez to Real Madrid for over €80 million this summer, a whole host of names were linked to the Monegasque club as Leandro Jardim looked for an adequate replacement.
One name that cropped up regularly was that of Argentine international Nicolas Gaitan, per Ben Jefferson of The Express. The 26-year-old was linked to clubs in England, as well as Monaco, but decided to stay at Benfica for at least another season.
His contract is up in 2016, and if he doesn’t sign a new deal, you can assume that Europe’s biggest clubs will be interested again soon enough.
On Tuesday night, Monaco travel to Lisbon looking to build on their surprise start to the group stage and further compound Benfica’s problems. The Portuguese only have one point after three games and victory against Monaco is a necessity if they are to progress beyond the group stage.
Gaitan will need to be at his best if he is to lift his side past Jardim's team. He may only have one goal this campaign, but with six assists, he is the man who Monaco need to be wary of on Tuesday night.
Manchester City: Yaya Toure
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If Manuel Pellegrini and his Manchester City team have any chance of rescuing their current Champions League campaign, they need to hope that midfield dynamo Yaya Toure returns to form and finds that spark of magic that so often inspired City to success last season.
Wednesday’s game against CSKA Moscow is the perfect opportunity for the 31-year-old to inject some unpredictability into the City attack.
Last season, he finished the campaign with 20 goals and nine assists in the league; this season, he has just the one league goal to his name.
Only four players have played more minutes in the league, and he has been ever present during this Champions League campaign, he just seems to be lacking that flash of inspiration that was so crucial to City’s success last season.
If Yaya can’t be woken from his slumber, his giant presence will be hugely missed and would likely see City eliminated from the group stage.
Liverpool: Alberto Moreno
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No matter who you are, travelling to the Bernabeu for an away match is no easy task. Following Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Real at Anfield and this weekend’s defeat to Newcastle United, the odds are stacked against the English side, but never underestimate a wounded animal.
Left-back Alberto Moreno has come under some pressure after his error led to Newcastle’s winner on Saturday. The defender has been as eager as anyone to try and give Liverpool an attacking edge this season but a couple of defensive mistakes have proved crucial.
Against Real Madrid, you need to be solid defensively, especially down the channels. Try to attack too high up the field and you could be in for a very difficult evening.
Moreno will be keen to atone for his mistake on Saturday, but he needs to do that with a sterling defensive shift, rather than rampaging down the Liverpool left.
The Spaniard will be eager to impress being back in his home country. However, if he tries too hard, he could leave Brendan Rodgers side exposed at the back. This is an important game for Moreno, defeat would not be the end of Liverpool's group campaign, but a point in Madrid would be a huge boost.
Atletico Madrid: Antoine Griezmann
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Atletico Madrid won the battle for Antoine Griezmann’s signature this summer, and the expectation was that he would carry on from where he left off at Real Sociedad and continue to dazzle and delight in La Liga.
It hasn’t quite worked out as planned, but after a slow start to his campaign, things look to be settling down and the French forward has found his feet in the Spanish capital and results have followed.
Atletico take on Swedish side Malmo on Tuesday, and with Olympiacos and Juventus doing battle in Turin, it is a chance for the Spanish side to take control of Group A. Victory would mean they either pull away from the Italian giants or go clear of the Greek side.
Griezmann’s performance will be crucial, he scored his second goal for Atleti in the 5-0 win over Malmo last time out and has scored four goals in his last five games in all competitions.
Scoring for his country against Armenia was followed up with two goals and a Man of the Match performance against Cordoba on Saturday.
This is the perfect chance for Griezmann to keep the run going and continue his upturn in form.
