Picture Credit: UEFA
There is no manager who doesn’t want his team qualify for the knockout stage with 2 games to spare in the UEFA Champions League. Justifying the same, leaders Liverpool, Juventus, Ajax, Bayern and Salzburg could be the ones to clinch a birth in the next round by claiming all three points. However, after fascinating matchups and results on Matchday 3, there would be teams who would be seeking redemption and revenge in order to put forward their claim into the next round.
With half of the groups in the 2021-22 Champions League campaign still looking dangerous, there could be certain matchups which would be most keenly watched by fanatics all over the world. As all teams are aware of their oppositions lying in the same group, major European teams are all set to lock horns against one another. While we have already seen underdogs cause major upsets in the past. So discussing the same, here are 5 of the most clutch clashes to look out for on Matchday 4.
Top matches to look forward to on Matchday 4 of UEFA Champions League-
1. Benfica vs Bayern Munich (Wednesday, November 3)
Benfica were on the verge to hold the most dominant German side, Bayern Munich to a stalemate in their previous game. Things looked to fall in favour of the Portuguese team until the 70th minute when Leroy Sane started the goal-scoring festivity. Now as the two teams look horns once again on Matchday 4, Benfica oare only a point ahead of FC Barcelona in the table. And with the latter locking horns against Dynamo Kyiv, the Catalan side will be expected to fetch all 3-points.
On the other hand, Bayern Munich save been sensational in the 2021-22 Champions League so far and have looked unstoppable as they have scored 12 goals in 3 games. A win would see them through the next round, but with the team enduring a loss against Borrusia Monchengladbach in the DFB Pokal Benfica would be hoping to play along with the lines to cause their opponent some evident trouble.
2. Atlanta vs Manchester United (Wednesday, November 3)
Group F in the Champions League has 3 teams among which any 2 could qualify. With Manchester United topping the group with 6 points, a win for Atlanta could see them grab the top honours in the group. The last game was won by the heroics of Cristiano Ronaldo as short-handed Atlanta saw a 2-0 lead being overturned in the dying stages.
But those mistakes are only going to make the Italian side realize to not allow United’s marquee player enough space to take chances and run the play by keeping the ball. With both sides aware of each other, things could get pretty nasty at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.
3. Liverpool vs Atletico Madrid (Thursday, November 4)
Liverpool and Atletico Madrid played one of the best games in the UEFA 2021-22 Champions League group stage on Matchday 3. With fans being on the edge of their seat throughout, Jurgen Klopp’s men secured all 3-points courtesy to their best, Mohamed Salah. Now with Griezmann out, Luis Suarez will be returning to his former hunting ground, Anfield in order to close the gap with the leaders.
Not only that, Atletico will be eyeing no less than 3-points in this encounter as they are tied with FC Porto with 4 points in the group. And with the latter locking horns against the out-of-form AC Milan (0 points in 3 games), odds do indicate the Portuguese side could fetch all 3-points.
4. Ajax vs Dortmund (Thursday, November 4)
Ajax have been able to maintain a 100% win record in Group C so far. As a result of which, a single point more can send them through to the knockout stage. While Borussia Dortmund saw a frustrating end to this encounter last time around when they endured a 4-0 defeat. Since then, Erling Haaland led Dortmund have won all their 3 games and would be raring to seek revenge against Ajax. Moreover, a win for Dortmund could also extend their gap with Sporting, who are just one win behind them.
Sporting will be locking horns against Besiktas, who have lost all their 3 group games. With the former expected to win by the majority of the fans, a further slip up in Dortmund’s group stage journey can very well see them to the exit door.
5. RB Leipzig vs PSG (Thursday, November 4)
Paris Saint Germain were given a setback when they locked horns against German side RB Leipzig last time around. However, after the first game slip, Mauricio Pochettino’s team has looked perfect and are topping the group with 7 points. On the other hand, Leipzig have lost all of their 3 group games. Given that Club Brugge have been impressive this season, any miracle at the Etihad Stadium could very well open this group up.