Champions League: PSG aims for a fourth consecutive victory, while Atlético Madrid prepares to face Bayern Munich.
To maintain their perfect run in the group stage of the Champions League, PSG aims for a fourth consecutive victory against Villarreal, while Atlético Madrid will face Bayern in the marquee match of this fourth matchday (November 3 and 4).
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Three matches, 14 goals scored, and three victories: the Parisians, two-time defending champions, have already made an impression with convincing wins against Manchester City (4-2) and Barcelona (4-2) in the last two rounds. PSG travels to the Estadio de la Cerámica on Tuesday to face an attacking Villarreal (8 goals in three matches) whose defense has shown vulnerabilities, as evidenced by their recent loss to Liverpool (4-3). Despite the absence of Ousmane Dembélé, sidelined with a hamstring injury, PSG still boasts a formidable attacking potential, as demonstrated by their recent victory over Le Havre (5-1), featuring a hat-trick from Moroccan full-back Achraf Hakimi. “The PSG (...) is a true war machine that crushes everything in its path, but we must not be intimidated,” said Villarreal coach Inigo Pérez on Monday, a day before this Champions League clash.
Luis Enrique's players have four other teams on nine points trailing them, including Real Madrid, who have regained form in La Liga thanks to their victory in the Clasico, and will visit AEK Athens on Wednesday. Inigo Pérez's comments, along with defensive midfielder Pape Gueye's remarks at the press conference, revealed the fear that Paris Saint-Germain, two-time Champions League winners and group leaders before the start of the fourth matchday, instills.
Liverpool could also secure a fourth European win
With three victories to their name, Aston Villa hosts a Barcelona side that has retained some of its early-season form: despite a resounding win against Alavés on Saturday (6-1), the Blaugranas have lost their last two encounters against Real (2-1) and PSG.
Real Betis, currently 4th in La Liga and also on nine points after defeating teams within reach (Lille, Porto, and Feyenoord), will face a test against Dortmund (6 points).
Fifth in the Premier League after their defeat to Arsenal on Sunday (1-0), Liverpool could achieve a fourth European victory at Fenerbahçe, who have already drawn twice at home against Roma and Slavia Prague.
The Czechs will host the Gunners, who have reclaimed the top spot in the Premier League ahead of Manchester City thanks to their victory over the Reds, and remain on a draw secured at Bayern Munich (2-2).
After crushing Bodø/Glimt on the opening day (5-0), Bayern have followed up with two draws, including a less-than-glorious one against modest Norwegians Viking FK (3-3). They will need to elevate their level of play at the Metropolitano Stadium against Atlético, who are in fine form in La Liga, sitting in second place with seven consecutive victories.
The newly crowned Ballon d'Or Harry Kane will need to show resilience in a weakened attack: Ismael Saibari and Serge Gnabry, both injured during the draw against Borussia Dortmund (2-2) this weekend, are out, while Jamal Musiala and Luis Diaz are in recovery. The only good news for the German champions is that Michael Olise, who suffered a knee injury during the Klassiker, participated in training on Monday, November 2.
In the midst of a results crisis, sitting in a disappointing 17th place in the league, Manchester United also finds itself in a precarious situation in the Champions League, having suffered two consecutive defeats. After another loss to Chelsea (2-0), coach Michael Carrick is under pressure ahead of their match against Roma.
Lens, who have suffered two defeats in a row, and Lille, who have yet to earn a point in their European campaign, both urgently need victories to hope to get closer to the playoffs. Lille, punished by Galatasaray at home in the last round (4-2) after being beaten by Arsenal (3-0), travels north of the Arctic Circle to face the Norwegians of Bodø/Glimt, a surprise team from last season, but who have returned to reality with only one victory. Lens, who received a lesson in realism from Sporting Portugal (2-0) before being defeated in Bruges (3-0), will host Como on Wednesday.
Matchday 4 fixtures:
Tuesday, November 3
Galatasaray-Stuttgart
Shakhtar Donetsk- Sporting Portugal
Villarreal-PSG
Bodø/Glimt-Lille
Atlético Madrid-Bayern Munich
FC Barcelona-Aston Villa
Manchester United-AS Roma
Feyenoord Rotterdam-Inter Milan
LASK Linz-Slovan Bratislava
Wednesday, November 4
AEK Athens-Real Madrid
Fenerbahçe-Liverpool
Lens-Cómo
RB Leipzig-Manchester City
Slavia Prague-Arsenal
Borussia Dortmund-Real Betis
FC Porto-Napoli
PSV Eindhoven-Club Brugge
Viking Stavanger-FC Sabah
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